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Canio Buonavoglia

Publications and source records attributed to Canio Buonavoglia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Serological and molecular evidence that canine respiratory coronavirus is circulating in Italy.

Canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) is a group II coronavirus that was firstly identified in lung samples of dogs with canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) in UK in 2003. We report for the first time the identification of CRCoV in Italy, together with serological evidence that the virus has been circulating in the Italian dog population as from 2005. Serological investigations on 216 dog sera, carried out by an ELISA test using the strictly related bovine coronavirus (BCoV) as antigen, revealed an overall CRCoV seroprevalence of 32.06% in the last 2 years. RT-PCR targeting the S-gene of CRCoV was carried out on 109 lung samples collected from carcasses of dogs submitted for diagnostic investigations. Positive results were obtained from the lungs of a dog of the Apulia region that was co-infected with canine parvovirus type 2. Sequence analysis of the S-gene fragment amplified by RT-PCR (595bp) showed similarity to group II coronaviruses, with the highest nucleotide identity (98%) to the only CRCoV strain currently available in the GenBank database (strain T101). The results of the present study show that CRCoV is present also in continental Europe, although further studies are required to determine the real pathogenic potential of the virus.

Animals↗

Cidofovir is effective against caprine herpesvirus 1 infection in goats.

Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) is a virus able to cause genital infection leading to vulvovaginitis or balanoposthitis in adult goats. CpHV-1 shares several biological similarities with herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) infection in man, such as genital tropism, type and site of typical lesions and it might provide an animal model for studies on antiviral drugs for HSV-2 infection in man. In this view the efficacy of cidofovir (CDV) drug was tested in six goats intravaginally infected with BA.1 strain of CpHV-1. Three goats received an intravaginal application of 3 ml of a 1% CDV preparation at 4h post infection and then every 12 h for five consecutive days. Three goats were kept as untreated controls. The goats were daily examined for clinical evidence of the infection and viral shedding. CDV was able to protect against disease progression and inhibited the onset of the local lesions due to the CpHV-1 replication. Treated animals shed virus for a shorter period (3 days less) and at lower titres than the control animals. CpHV-1 infection in goats may represent an excellent animal model for the study of novel strategies for the treatment of primary genital HSV-2 infection in man.

Animals↗

An outbreak of equine influenza virus in vaccinated horses in Italy is due to an H3N8 strain closely related to recent North American representatives of the Florida sub-lineage.

In December 2005, equine influenza virus infection was confirmed as the cause of clinical respiratory disease in vaccinated horses in Apulia, Italy. The infected horses had been vaccinated with a vaccine that contained strains representatives from both the European (A/eq/Suffolk/89) and American (A/eq/Newmarket/1/93) H3N8 influenza virus lineages, and the H7N7 strain A/eq/Praga/56. Genetic characterization of the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of the virus from the outbreak, indicated that the isolate (A/eq/Bari/2005) was an H3N8 strain closely related to recent representatives (Kentucky/5/02-like) of the American sub-lineage Florida, that was introduced in Italy through movement of infected horses from a large outbreak described in 2003 in United Kingdom. Strain A/eq/Bari/2005 displayed 9 amino acid changes in the HA1 subunit protein with respect to the reference American strain A/eq/Newmarket/1/93 contained in the vaccine. Four changes were localized in the antigenic regions C-D and likely accounted for the vaccine failure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tissue distribution of the antigenic variants of canine parvovirus type 2 in dogs.

Twelve dogs dead as consequence of natural infection caused by canine parvovirus (CPV) type 2a (n=4), type 2b (n=4) or type 2c (n=4) were investigated for determining the viral DNA loads in different tissue samples. By means of a real-time PCR assay, CPV DNA was detected in all tissues examined, with the highest titres observed in the lymphoid tissue and the lowest loads in the urinary tract. Surprisingly, the nervous tissue was found to contain considerable amounts of CPV nucleic acid. Similar patterns of tissue distribution were observed in all the examined dogs irrespective of the antigenic variant causing the disease.

Animals↗

Intravaginal administration of an inactivated vaccine prevents lesions induced by caprine herpesvirus-1 in goats.

To evaluate the efficacy of mucosal vaccination with a beta-propiolactone inactivated caprine herpesvirus-1 (CpHV-1) vaccine, goats received vaginal administrations of two 7-day cycles at 2 weeks intervals. Seven days after the end of the second cycle, goats were challenged intravaginally with 4 ml of virulent BA.1 strain of CpHV-1. Vaccinated goats shed challenge virus for 8 days but, in comparison with control unvaccinated-challenged goats, were significantly protected from the classical clinical signs of genital lesions. Even without adjuvants, prolonged mucosal vaccination induced production of secretory IgA and provided significant clinical protection.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

Occurrence of severe gastroenteritis in pups after canine parvovirus vaccine administration: a clinical and laboratory diagnostic dilemma.

A total of 29 faecal samples collected from dogs with diarrhoea following canine parvovirus (CPV) vaccination were tested by minor groove binder (MGB) probe assays for discrimination between CPV vaccine and field strains and by diagnostic tests for detection of other canine pathogens. Fifteen samples tested positive only for CPV field strains; however, both vaccine and field strains were detected in three samples. Eleven samples were found to contain only the vaccine strain, although eight of them tested positive for other pathogens of dogs. Only three samples were found to contain the vaccine strain without evidence of canine pathogens. The present study confirms that most cases of parvovirus-like disease occurring shortly after vaccination are related to infection with field strains of canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) rather than to reversion to virulence of the modified live virus contained in the vaccine.

Animals↗

Diagnostic tools based on minor groove binder probe technology for rapid identification of vaccinal and field strains of canine parvovirus type 2b.

TaqMan-based diagnostic tests have been developed for the identification of canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) strains in the faeces of dogs with diarrhoea, including a minor groove binder (MGB) probe assay for identification of type 2-based vaccines and field strains (types 2a, 2b and 2c). Since type 2b vaccines have been licensed recently in Europe, two novel MGB assays were developed for discrimination between type 2b vaccines and field strains of CPV. Such assays have been found to be highly sensitive, specific and reproducible, allowing for simultaneous detection of type 2b vaccinal and field strains present in the same specimens. These new assays will help resolution of the diagnostic problems related to the detection of a type 2b strain in the faeces of dogs shortly after the administration of a type 2b vaccine.

Analysis of Variance↗

Detection of canine distemper virus in dogs by real-time RT-PCR.

Canine distemper virus is the etiological agent of a severe disease in dogs and many other carnivores. Clinical diagnosis of canine distemper is difficult due to the broad spectrum of signs that may be confounded with other respiratory and enteric diseases of dogs. Accordingly, a laboratory confirmation is required for suspected cases. In this study a real-time RT-PCR assay was developed for detection and quantitation of canine distemper virus. The assay exhibited high specificity as all the negative controls (no-template-controls and samples from healthy sero-negative dogs) and other canine pathogens were not misdetected. Up to 1 x 10(2) copies of RNA were detected by the TaqMan assay, thus revealing a high sensitivity. Quantitative TaqMan was validated on clinical samples, including various tissues and organs collected from dogs naturally infected by canine distemper virus. Urines, tonsil, conjunctival swabs and whole blood were found to contain high virus loads and therefore proved to be suitable targets for detection of canine distemper virus RNA.

Animal Structures↗

A sensitive one-step real-time PCR for detection of avian influenza viruses using a MGB probe and an internal positive control.

BACKGROUND: Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are endemic in wild birds and their introduction and conversion to highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in domestic poultry is a cause of serious economic losses as well as a risk for potential transmission to humans. The ability to rapidly recognise AIVs in biological specimens is critical for limiting further spread of the disease in poultry. The advent of molecular methods such as real time polymerase chain reaction has allowed improvement of detection methods currently used in laboratories, although not all of these methods include an Internal Positive Control (IPC) to monitor for false negative results. Therefore we developed a one-step reverse transcription real time PCR (RRT-PCR) with a Minor Groove Binder (MGB) probe for the detection of different subtypes of AIVs. This technique also includes an IPC. METHODS: RRT-PCR was developed using an improved TaqMan technology with a MGB probe to detect AI from reference viruses. Primers and probe were designed based on the matrix gene sequences from most animal and human A influenza virus subtypes. The specificity of RRT-PCR was assessed by detecting influenza A virus isolates belonging to subtypes from H1-H13 isolated in avian, human, swine and equine hosts. The analytical sensitivity of the RRT-PCR assay was determined using serial dilutions of in vitro transcribed matrix gene RNA. The use of a rodent RNA as an IPC in order not to reduce the efficiency of the assay was adopted. RESULTS: The RRT-PCR assay is capable to detect all tested influenza A viruses. The detection limit of the assay was shown to be between 5 and 50 RNA copies per reaction and the standard curve demonstrated a linear range from 5 to 5 x 108 copies as well as excellent reproducibility. The analytical sensitivity of the assay is 10-100 times higher than conventional RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: The high sensitivity, rapidity, reproducibility and specificity of the AIV RRT-PCR with the use of IPC to monitor for false negative results can make this method suitable for diagnosis and for the evaluation of viral load in field specimens.

Animals↗

A minor groove binder probe real-time PCR assay for discrimination between type 2-based vaccines and field strains of canine parvovirus.

A minor groove binder (MGB) probe assay was developed to discriminate between type 2-based vaccines and field strains of canine parvovirus (CPV). Considering that most of the CPV vaccines contain the old type 2, no longer circulating in canine population, two MGB probes specific for CPV-2 and the antigenic variants (types 2a, 2b and 2c), respectively, were labeled with different fluorophores. The MGB probe assay was able to discriminate correctly between the old type and the variants, with a detection limit of 10(1) DNA copies and a good reproducibility. Quantitation of the viral DNA loads was accurate, as demonstrated by comparing the CPV DNA titres to those calculated by means of the TaqMan assay recognising all CPV types. This assay will ensure resolution of most diagnostic problems in dogs showing CPV disease shortly after CPV vaccination, although it does not discriminate between field strains and type 2b-based vaccines, recently licensed to market in some countries.

Animals↗

Evolution of CPV-2 and implication for antigenic/genetic characterization.

A few amino acid differences in the viral protein VP2 account for important antigenic and biological changes among feline parvovirus (FPV), canine parvovirus (CPV-2) and CPV-2 variants 2a and 2b. Several pieces of evidence suggest that CPV-2 is still evolving as additional amino acid changes occurred within the main antigenic regions of CPV-2 capsid, altering the antigenic profile of the virus and stressing the need for implementing the diagnostic assays.

Animals↗

Full genomic analysis of human rotavirus strain B4106 and lapine rotavirus strain 30/96 provides evidence for interspecies transmission.

The Belgian rotavirus strain B4106, isolated from a child with gastroenteritis, was previously found to have VP7 (G3), VP4 (P[14]), and NSP4 (A genotype) genes closely related to those of lapine rotaviruses, suggesting a possible lapine origin or natural reassortment of strain B4106. To investigate the origin of this unusual strain, the gene sequences encoding VP1, VP2, VP3, VP6, NSP1, NSP2, NSP3, and NSP5/6 were also determined. To allow comparison to a lapine strain, the 11 double-stranded RNA segments of a European G3P[14] rabbit rotavirus strain 30/96 were also determined. The complete genome similarity between strains B4106 and 30/96 was 93.4% at the nucleotide level and 96.9% at the amino acid level. All 11 genome segments of strain B4106 were closely related to those of lapine rotaviruses and clustered with the lapine strains in phylogenetic analyses. In addition, sequence analyses of the NSP5 gene of strain B4106 revealed that the altered electrophoretic mobility of NSP5, resulting in a super-short pattern, was due to a gene rearrangement (head-to-tail partial duplication, combined with two short insertions and a deletion). Altogether, these findings confirm that a rotavirus strain with an entirely lapine genome complement was able to infect and cause severe disease in a human child.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Canine coronavirus highly pathogenic for dogs.

Canine coronavirus (CCoV) is usually responsible for mild, self-limiting infections restricted to the enteric tract. We report an outbreak of fatal disease in puppies caused by a pathogenic variant of CCoV that was isolated from organs with severe lesions.

Animals↗

A live attenuated glycoprotein E negative bovine herpesvirus 1 vaccine induces a partial cross-protection against caprine herpesvirus 1 infection in goats.

Taking into account the close antigenic relationship between bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) and caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1), a live attenuated glycoprotein E (gE) negative BoHV-1 vaccine was assessed in goats with the aim to protect against CpHV-1 infection. Vaccine safety was evaluated by intranasal inoculation of two groups of goats with either a gE-negative BoHV-1 vaccine or a virulent BoHV-1. The length of viral excretion and the peak viral titre were reduced with the gE-negative vaccine. To assess the efficacy, two goats were inoculated intranasally twice 2 weeks apart with a gE-negative BoHV-1 vaccine. Four weeks later, immunised and control goats were challenged with CpHV-1. A 2 log(10) reduction in the peak viral titre was observed and the challenge virus excretion lasted 2 days more in immunised than in control goats. These data indicate the safety and the partial efficacy of a live attenuated gE-negative BoHV-1 vaccine intranasally administrated in goats.

Animals↗

Characterisation of the canine parvovirus type 2 variants using minor groove binder probe technology.

Two minor groove binder (MGB) probe assays were developed for rapid identification and quantitation of the canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) variants in the faecal samples of dogs. The MGB probe assays using type-specific probes labeled with different fluorophores (FAM and VIC) were able to detect the single nucleotide polymorphisms existing between types 2a/2b and 2b/2c. Both the MGB probe assays were found to be highly specific, sensitive and reproducible, ensuring a precise quantitation of the CPV-2 DNA, as confirmed by comparing the obtained viral DNA loads to those calculated using a real-time TaqMan-based PCR assay established previously. A total of 414 faecal specimens collected from diarrhoeic dogs and tested positive to CPV-2 were analysed by the MGB probe assays and by conventional methods (haemagglutination inhibition with MAbs, PCR-RFLP and sequence analysis) for prediction of the CPV-2 antigen specificity, with an overall agreement of 100%. These results make the established MGB probe assays an attractive tool for direct and rapid characterisation of type 2a, 2b and 2c CPVs.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Detection of equine herpesvirus type 1 by real time PCR.

A real-time PCR assay was developed for detection and quantitation of equid herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1). The sensitivity of the assay was compared with an established nested-PCR (n-PCR). The real-time PCR detected 1 copy of target DNA, with a sensitivity 1 log higher than gel-based n-PCR. The assay was able to detect specifically EHV-1 DNA in equine tissue samples and there was no cross-amplification of other horse herpesviruses. Real-time PCR was applied to determine EHV-1 load in tissue samples from equine aborted fetuses. The high sensitivity and reproducibility of the EHV-1-specific fluorogenic PCR assay, combined with the wide dynamic range and the high throughput, make this method suitable for diagnostic and research applications.

Aborted Fetus↗

Distribution of G (VP7) and P (VP4) genotypes in buffalo group A rotaviruses isolated in Southern Italy.

Group A rotaviruses are established agents of disease in buffalo calves. Early epidemiological studies in Italian buffalo herds revealed the predominance of strains with G8 specificity and detected strains with the rare, RRV-like, VP4 P[3] genotype. To acquire additional information on the VP4 and VP7 specificities of buffalo rotaviruses, a total of 125 fecal samples were collected from buffalo calves affected with diarrhoea, in seven dairy farms in Southern Italy. Rotaviruses were detected in 21 samples (16.8%) by an immunochromatographic assay and by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). Analysis of the VP7 gene revealed that 57% (12 of 21) of the isolates were G6, 23.8% were G8 (5 of 21) and 19% (4 of 21) were G10. Analysis of the VP4 revealed that 71.4% (15 of 21) of the isolates were P[5] and that 28.6% (6 of 21) were P[1]. The most common combination of G and P types was P[5],G6 (57%), followed by P[1],G10 (19%), P[5],G8 (14%) and P[1],G8 (9.5%). While P[5],G6 rotaviruses are very common in Italian bovine herds, the antigenic combination P[1],G10 is unusual and presumably derives from reassortment between P[1] and G10 strains, that appear to be more frequent in buffaloes and bovines, respectively. The presence of bovine-like G and P serotypes suggests that in Italy the epidemiology of buffalo rotaviruses overlaps the epidemiology of bovine rotaviruses, presumably because of the strict species affinity and/or of the intermingled distribution over the same geographical areas of the buffalo and bovine herds.

Animals↗