TICK BORNE PATHOGENS IN SICILIAN EQUIDS

pigeons J Infect, 48:307-13.

Piazza A.*[1]_{, Torina A.}[1]_{, Blanda V.}[1]_{, Galluzzo P.}[1]_{, Persichetti M.F.}[2]_{, Caracappa S.}[1]

[1]_{Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia ~ PALERMO,}[2]_{Univerisità degli Studi di Messina‐ Dipartimento}

Scienze Veterinarie ~ Messina

Piroplasmid protozoa Theileria equi and Babesia caballi and zoonotic rickettsial bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum are important agents of equine vector‐borne diseases (EVBD). Equine piroplasmosis can cause acute, sub‐acute or chronic diseases. It has a worldwide distribution and it is endemic in most tropical, subtropical and some temperate zones. A. phagocytophilum, the causative agent of granulocytic ehrlichiosis, affects several species of wild and domesticated mammals, including horses and donkeys. This study was aimed to investigate the EVBD prevalence in Sicilian equids using both serological and molecular diagnostic methods. Serum samples from 145 equids were analyzed for the presence of antibodies against B. caballi, T. equi and A. phagocytophilum using the Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). Eighty blood samples were also subjected to DNA extraction to carry out PCR assays in order to detect pathogen DNA.

A total of 12 (prevalence of 8,3%) and 56 (38,6%) equids were found to be serologically positive for B. caballi and T. equi, respectively, while 7 (4.8%) equids were serologically positive for A. phagocytophilum. No animals were positive for B. caballi and A. phagocytophilum by PCR assay, while 38 equids (47.5%) resulted to be positive for T. equi.

This study showed that EVBDs are indeed present in Sicily. T. equi and B. caballi seem to be the most important EVBD pathogens. According to several results reported by other Italian researchers, Italy represents a high risk area both for the vector presence and geographical and climatic conditions. For all these reasons symptoms attributable to EVBD should be promptly reported to veterinary authorities.

1. Butler C.M, van Oldruitenborgh M.S., Stout T.A.E., van der Kolk H., van den Wollenberg L., Nielen M., Jongejan F., Werners A.H., Houwers D., 2012. Prevalence of the causative agents of equine piroplasmosis in the South West of the Netherlands and the identification of two autochthonous clinical Theileria equi infections. The Vterinary Journal 193, 381‐385. 2. Passamonti F., Veronesi F., Cappelli K., Capomaccio S., Coppola G,. Marenzoni M.L., Piergili Fioretti D., Verini Supplizi A., Coletti M., 2010. Anaplasma Phagocytophilum in horses and tichs: A preliminary survery of Central Italy. Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infections Diseases 33, 73‐83. 3. Laus F., Veronesi F., Passamonti F., Paggi E., Cerquetella M., Hyatt D., Tesei B., Piergili Fioretti D., 2013. Prevalence of tick borne pathogens in horses from Italy. The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF NOSEMA CERANAE AND NOSEMA APIS IN HONEY BEES FROM AOSTA VALLEY, ITALY. Ferroglio E.*[1]_{, Ugonino P.}[1]_{, Carlin L.}[2]_{, Gerbelle C.}[2]_{, Zanet S.}[1]_{, Canton C.}[1]_{, Trisciuoglio A.}[1]_{, Ragionieri M.}[3]_,

Trentin C.[3]

[1]_{Università degli Studi di Torino, Dip. Scienze Veterinarie ~ Torino,}[2]_{Assessorato Agricoltura e Risorse Naturali,}

Regione Valle d’Aosta ~ Aosta, [3]_{AUSL Valle d’Aosta, Servizio Veterinario ~ Aosta}

Nosema apis and N. ceranae are microsporidian parasites that affect adult honey bees Apis mellifera. N. ceranae has spread rapidly across the world and it is considered to be one of the risk factors related to “Colony Collapse Disorder” even if its pathogenic role has never been fully clarified (Higes et al., 2009). This parasite causes a reduction of colony’s productions, depopulation of affected families, and it is present in Europe since at least 1993 (Ferroglio et al., 2013). The goal of this study was to assess presence and prevalence of the parasites within the Aosta Valley Region (Italy), and to investigate management and environmental factors to reduce the risk of infection.

The research project involved 15 apiaries from September 2012 to April 2013. Five hives from each apiary were sampled twice in autumn and once in spring (n=75 hives sampled). From each hive a pool of 20 adult bees was analyzed for the presence of spores (Burker’s chamber) and for N. ceranae and N. apis DNA by qualitative PCR (Ferroglio et al., 2013) and quantitative real‐time PCR using an in‐house protocol with Taqman probes.

N. apis was never detected in any of the apiaries, while N. ceranae PCR prevalence was 20% in the first autumn sampling , and increased to 37% in spring. Statistical and spatial analysis evidenced that high solar radiation and the presence of agricultural activities in a 3 km2 area around the hives are relevant environmental parameters for preventing N. ceranae infection. Bees of the local Carniolan subspecies (Apis mellifera carnica) were statistically more resistant to infection than Italian bees Apis mellifera ligustica (χ²=9.75, p=0.0018).

In the apiaries of Aosta Valley Region where N. apis seems to have disappeared, N. ceranae is widely present. Its epidemiology seems to be deeply related to environmental and management factors. Our data confirm for N. ceranae, what Malone et al.(1995) reported for N. apis, that Carniolan bees are less susceptible to infection than the Italian subspecies. Further studies on genetic selection of resistant breeds, and on improved managing practices are needed. Ferroglio E., et al.,2013. Nosema ceranae has been infecting honey bees Apis mellifera in Italy since at least 1993.J. Apicult. Res.52.(2). Higes, M., et al., 2009. Honeybee colony collapse due to Nosema ceranae in professional apiaries. Environ. Microbiol. Rep., 1: 110–113. Malone L.A. et al., 1995. Comparison of the responses of some New Zealand and Australian honey bees (Apis mellifera ) to Nosema apis. Apidol., 26: 495‐502.

SEROSURVEY FOR SCHMALLENBERG VIRUS IN ALPINE WILD UNGULATES Chiari M.*[1]_, Sozzi E.[1]_{, Zanoni M.}[1]_{, Alborali L.}[1]_{, Lavazza A.}[1]_{, Cordioli P.}[1]

[1]_{IZSLER ~ Brescia}

Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a novel member of the family Bunyaviridae, was detected in cattle in North‐ Western Europe in 2011. SBV infections have been reported as the cause of congenital malformations and stillbirths in cattle, sheep, and goats. The first case in Italy was reported during mid‐February 2012 in cattle in the Veneto region. Seropositivities in wild animals were assessed in various countries, but the occurrence of SBV infection have not yet been described in any wild species in the Alpine region.

Therefore, we conducted a serosurvey to assess the presence of SBV‐specific antibodies in free‐ranging alpine ruminants in an area located between Stelvio and Adamello National Parks characterized by a high red deer density (16 animals/100 hectares). Serum samples from chamois (23) and red deer (352) hunted from 2007 to 2013 were tested by ELISA kit (ID Screen® Schmallenberg Virus Competition, IDvet) and confirmed by the virus‐neutralization test (VNT), using Vero cells and SBV strain BH80/11‐4 (RBV 1099‐FLI), (FLI institute,Germany).

All of the serum samples collected through September 2012 tested negative, whereas a single chamois serum and 21 red deer sera taken during the 2012‐2013 hunting season tested positive.

Vector transmission (Culicoides spp) of SBV has been demonstrated in different European countries. Midges could play an active role in the spread of the virus, and their implication in the epidemiological cycle could explain the fast and wide spread of SBV. The diffusion of SBV in the study area could have occurred between the January and December 2012. Biting midges of the genus Culicoides are not usually active in the Alpine region from week 47–49 to week 12–14, depending on weather conditions. SBV infections could be occurring in the warmer months when Culicoides can reach high altitudes, including alpine summer pastures.

SBV is not an OIE World Animal Health Information System notifiable disease, but the economic impact of the disease at farm level should be considered, particularly in the rural areas of the Alps. Conceivably, domestic ungulates grazing on common pastures with red deer and chamois during the summer could confer a role for wildlife in the epidemiology of SBV in the alpine environment.

To our knowledge, this is the first report of SBV infection in Alpine wildlife in Italy. Thus, there should be the targeted surveillance of wild ruminants to assess the epidemiological role of wildlife.

1.Hoffmann, B., M. Scheuch, D. H€oper, R. Jungblut, M. Holsteg, H. Schirrmeier, M. Eschbaumer, K. V. Goller, K. Wernike, M. Fischer, A. Breithaupt, T. C. Mettenleiter, and M. Beer, 2012: Novel orthobunyavirus in cattle, Europe, 2011. Emerg. Infect.Dis. 18, 469–472.

2.Linden, A., D. Desmecht, R. Volpe, M. Wirtgen, F. Gregoire, J. Pirson, J. Paternostre, D. Kleijnen, H. Schirrmeier, M. Beer, and M. M. Garigliany, 2012: Epizootic spread of Schmallenberg virus among wild cervids, Belgium, Fall 2011. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 18, 2006–2008

MOLECULAR CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH ADAPTATION OF AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUSES IN

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