Domenico Buonavoglia

Evidence for evolution of canine parvovirus type 2 in Italy.

Two isolates of canine parvovirus (CPV) were obtained from dogs affected with severe haemorrhagic diarrhoea. Type 2b antigenic specificity was predicted by both antigenic analysis with monoclonal antibodies and PCR characterization with type-specific primers. Nevertheless, sequence analysis of the capsid protein-encoding gene revealed two amino acid changes. One of the changes affected position 426 (Asp to Glu), in a major antigenic site of the viral capsid, determining the replacement of a residue unique to CPV type 2b. The failure of established typing methods to distinguish this antigenic variant was overcome by the development of an RFLP assay.

A Canine Parvovirus Mutant Is Spreading in Italy

ABSTRACT By antigenic and genetic characterization of canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) strains collected in 2001 and 2002 in Italy, it was possible to observe the spread of viruses with an unusual mutation, Glu-426, affecting a major antigenic epitope of CPV-2. Out of 67 strains analyzed, 49 (73.13%) were characterized as CPV-2a, 6 (8.95%) were characterized as CPV-2b, and 12 (17.91%) were characterized as the Glu-426 mutant.

Genetic diversity of a canine coronavirus detected in pups with diarrhoea in Italy

Abstract The sequence of the S gene of a field canine coronavirus (CCoV), strain Elmo/02, revealed low nucleotide (61%) and amino acid (54%) identity to reference CCoV strains. The highest correlation (77% nt and 81.7% aa) was found with feline coronavirus type I. A PCR assay for the S gene of strain Elmo/02 detected analogous CCoVs of different geographic origin, all which exhibited at least 92–96% nucleotide identity to each other and to strain Elmo/02. The evident genetic divergence between the reference CCoV strains and the newly identified Elmo/02-like CCoVs strongly suggests that a novel genotype of CCoV is widespread in the dog population.

Hobi-Like Pestivirus in Aborted Bovine Fetuses

ABSTRACT An outbreak of abortion affecting multiparous cows was associated with Hobi-like pestivirus infection. Viral RNA and antigens were detected in the tissues of two aborted fetuses. Molecular assays for other common abortogenic agents tested negative. At the genetic level, the Hobi-like pestivirus displayed the closest relatedness to Italian, Australian, and South American viruses, whereas it diverged from the prototype Thai isolate. These findings may have important implications for the pestivirus control/eradication programs in cattle herds.

Antigenic characterization of canine parvovirus strains isolated in Italy

28 isolates of canine parvovirus type-2 (CPV-2) were obtained from dogs with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis in Italy. The antigenic structure of CPV-2 isolates was characterized, using four discriminating monoclonal antibodies. In addition, four vaccinal strains were examined. Similar to reports from Australia and the United Kingdom, a much higher prevalence of CPV-2a (25/28 isolates) was observed than the other variant type, CPV-2b (3/28 isolates). DNA fragments (2.2 kbp) of representative strains of CPV-2, CPV-2a and CPV-2b were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the products were digested by the restriction enzymes (RE) RsaI, HpaII, HindIII and PvuII. The RvaI enzyme allows the differentiation of CPV-2 from CPV-2a and CPV-2b.

Characterisation of canine parvovirus strains isolated from cats with feline panleukopenia

Abstract Unlike the original canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), CPV-2 variants have gained the ability to replicate in vivo in cats but there is limited information on the disease patterns induced by these variants in the feline host. During 2008, two distinct cases of parvoviral infection were diagnosed in our laboratories. A CPV-2a variant was identified in a 3-month-old Persian kitten displaying clinical sign of feline panleukopenia (FPL) (acute gastroenteritis and marked leukopenia) and oral ulcerations, that died eight days after the onset of the disease. Two pups living in the same pet shop as the cat were found to shed a CPV-2a strain genetically identical to the feline virus and were likely the source of infection. Also, non-fatal infection by a CPV-2c strain occurred in a 2.5-month-old European shorthair kitten displaying non-haemorrhagic diarrhoea and normal white blood cell counts. By sequence analysis of the major capsid protein (VP2) gene, the feline CPV-2c strain showed 100% identity to a recent canine type-2c isolate. Both kittens had been administered multivalent vaccines against common feline pathogens including FPL virus. Whether and to which extent the FPL vaccines can protect cats adequately from the antigenic variants of CPV-2 should be assessed.

Identification of coronaviruses in dogs that segregate separately from the canine coronavirus genotype

Abstract The genetic diversity of 16 canine coronavirus (CCoV) samples is described. Samples were obtained from pups infected naturally living in different areas. Sequence data were obtained from the M gene and pol1a and pol1b regions. The phylogenetic relationships among these sequences and sequences published previously were determined. The canine samples segregated in two separate clusters. Samples of the first cluster were intermingled with reference strains of CCoV genotype and therefore could be assigned to this genotype. The second cluster segregated separately from CCoV and feline coronavirus genotypes and therefore these samples may represent genetic outliers. The reliability of the classification results was confirmed by repeating the phylogenetic analysis with nucleotide and amino acid sequences from multiple genomic regions.

Diagnosis of canine coronavirus infection using nested-PCR

Abstract The results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR) assays for the diagnosis of canine coronavirus (CCV) infection, and the comparison with other diagnostic techniques, such as electron microscopy (EM) and virus isolation using A-72 cell line are reported. The study was carried out on 71 faecal samples of pups with enteritis. Of 71 samples examined 14 were positive in PCR, whereas 30 samples resulted positive in the n-PCR assay. CCV was detected by EM examination in only four out of 45 samples, and by virus isolation in three out of 30 samples n-PCR positive.

Natural reactivation of caprine herpesvirus 1 in latently infected goats

CAPRINE herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) is responsible for a generalised disease characterised by high morbidity and mortality and ulcerative and necrotic lesions throughout the enteric tract in oneto two-week-old kids. In adult goats, CpHV-1 often causes subclinical infections of the reproductive tract (abortion, vulvovaginitis, balanoposthitis) and, less frequently, of the respiratory tract. CpHV-1 infection has been reported in several countries (Horner and Tisdall 1985, Kao and others 1985, Muluneh and Liebermann 1990, Tempesta and others 1994, Palomba and lovane 1995). The virus induces a latent infection in goats, the natural host of CpHV-1; however, unlike other herpesvirus infections, the reactivation of latent virus is difficult both under experimental and natural conditions (Plebani and others 1983, Koptopoulos and others 1992, Tempesta and others 1995, Buonavoglia and others 1996). There is little data regarding CpHV-I reactivation. On the basis of serological findings, Koptopoulos and others (1988) reported that

Fatal Canine Parvovirus Type-1 Infection in Pups from Italy

Functional consequences of cor triatriatum dexter in dogs is dependent on presence or absence and the size of the opening in the septum between the two compartments.7 The main historical finding in this case and most previously reported cases is prolonged abdominal distention due to ascites, ranging from 6 weeks to 2 years in duration.4–8,11–13 Ascites was not the main clinical feature in 7-year-old German short-haired pointer that presented with exercise intolerance and episodic weakness of over .3 years’ duration12 or in a 6-year-old German shepherd dog cross that presented with a 24-hour history of lethargy.1 Age at diagnosis ranged from 8 weeks to 7 years, and breeds included chow chow,3,4,7 cocker spaniel,8,12 English bulldog,4 German shepherd dog cross,1 German short-haired pointer,12 golden retriever,13 greyhound,4 rottweiler,5,6 and mixed breed.4,11 Another common finding in previous cases is hepatic congestion and/or hepatomegaly.6,7,13 Venous engorgement and distention were noted in the abdominal veins and in the body wall in previous cases.7,11–13 Where ascitic fluid was evaluated, there were high-protein (3.4–5.8 g/dl) modified transudates with specific gravities ranging from 1.015 to 1.028.4,6,7,12,13 Cor triatriatum dexter is an extremely uncommon congenital heart defect in dogs. This is the ninth report of canine cor triatriatum dexter, and it represents a third unique anatomic variant, which is characterized by partitioning of the right atrium by a perforate diaphragm or septum with the coronary sinus and fossa ovalis located in the cranial chamber. Cor triatriatum dexter represents a diagnostic challenge at necropsy, requiring careful examination of the heart. This defect should be considered as a differential diagnosis in young dogs with signs of abdominal distention and ascites.