R. Di Lecce

Canine bladderworm (Capillaria plica) infection associated with glomerular amyloidosis.

Capillaria plica (Trichuroidea: Capillariidae), commonly known as bladderworm, is a nematode rarely associated with clinical disease that resides in the lower urinary tract of wild and domestic canids. In the present paper a case of canine urinary capillariosis associated with glomerular amyloidosis is described. The dog, an 8-year-old, male, hunting Jagd terrier had a history of weight loss and diarrhoea and was referred to the University of Parma Teaching Veterinary Hospital (UPTVH). Clinical and laboratory tests shown here suggest that C. plica may be a contributing factor to glomerular amyloidosis.

Pathogenesis and Subsequent Cross‐Protection of Influenza Virus Infection in Pigs Sustained by an H1N2 Strain

The H1N1, H3N2 and, more recently, H1N2 subtypes of influenza A virus are presently co‐circulating in swine herds in several countries. The objectives of this study were to investigate the pathogenesis of Sw/Italy/1521/98 (H1N2) influenza virus, isolated from respiratory tissues of pigs from herds in Northern Italy, and to evaluate its potential cross‐protection against the Sw/Fin/2899/82 (H1N1) strain. In the pathogenesis test, eight pigs were intranasally infected with H1N2 virus; at pre‐determined intervals, these animals were killed and necropsied, along with eight uninfected animals. In the cross‐protection test, sixteen pigs were infected by intranasal (i.n.) and intratracheal (i.t.) routes with either H1N2 or H1N1 virus. Twenty days later, all pigs were challenged (by the same route), with either the homologous H1N2 or heterologous H1N1 virus strains. Control group was inoculated with culture medium alone. On post‐challenge days (PCD) 1 and 3, two pigs from each infected group, along with one control pig, were killed. Clinical, virological, serological and histopathological investigations were performed in both the pathogenicity and cross‐protection tests. In the pathogenicity test, mild clinical signs were observed in two pigs during 3 and 4 days, respectively. Virus was isolated from two pigs over 6 days and from lung samples of pigs killed on post‐infection days 2 and 4. Seroconversion was detected in the two infected animals killed 15 days after infection. In the cross‐protection study, mild clinical respiratory signs were detected in all pigs infected with either the H1N2 or H1N1 virus. The virus was isolated from nasal swabs of almost all pigs till 6 days. After the challenge infection, the pigs remained clinically healthy and virus isolation from the nasal secretions or lung samples was sporadic. Antibody titres in H1N1 or H1N2 infected groups were similar, whereas the H1N2 sub‐type induced less protection against re‐infection by homologous and heterologous virus than H1N1 sub‐type. The controls had no signs of the disease. In the H1N2 infected pigs, a reduced number of goblet cells in nasal and tracheal mucosa and small foci of lymphomononuclear cell infiltrates in the submucosa were detected. Furthermore, the goblet cell reduction was related to the time of infection. Diffuse mild interstitial pneumonia was also recorded in pigs infected with the H1N2 virus and challenged with either H1N1or H1N2 pigs. These studies showed the moderate virulence of the H1N2 virus and a partial cross‐protection against heterologous infection.

Aflatoxicosis and Vitamins A and E Supplementation in Sows: Immunological State of their Piglets

E. Cabassi*, R. Di Lecce, E. De Angelis, A. Fusari, A. Perillo and P. Borghetti Department of Animal Health – General Pathology and Veterinary Anatomo-Pathology Section – Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Parma, V ia del Taglio, 8-43100 Parma, Italy *Correspondence: Dipartimento di Salute Animale – Sezione di Patologia Generale e Anatomia Patologica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Parma, V ia del Taglio, 843100 Parma, Italy E-mail: enrico.cabassi@unipr.it

Orexin A in swine corpus luteum

Orexin A (OXA) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide which acts on 2 known G-protein-coupled receptors. It has been demonstrated that OXA is a central molecular link between food intake and reproduction. More recently, its peripheral role has been investigated, and we demonstrated its involvement in regulating ovarian follicle function. The present study was undertaken to explore a potential physiological role of orexin system in swine corpus luteum, a transient ovarian endocrine organ. Our aim was, first, to analyze the localization and eventual colocalization of OXA and its 2 receptors within the different cell types composing the corpus luteum structure. Second, we wanted to explore the effects of OXA on isolated luteal cells, and finally to verify a potential involvement of OXA in angiogenesis, a crucial event in corpus luteum development. Our data demonstrate the local expression of OXA and its receptors in swine corpus luteum. Luteal cell functions were affected by treatment with OXA. In particular, progesterone production was inhibited (P < 0.05) and nonenzymatic scavenging activity was increased (P < 0.05). Moreover, OXA inhibited (P < 0.05) new vessel growth. Our results suggest that OXA could act locally to play a role in corpus luteum demise.

Saliva, an Alternative Biologic Matrix to Detect Glucocorticoid Treatment in Calves: Experimental Contribution

Cabassi, E., Miduri, F., Di Lecce, R., Marin, A., Ferri, L. and Corradi, A., 2007. Saliva, an alternative biologic matrix to detect glucocorticoid treatment in calves: experimental contribution. Veterinary Research Communications, 31(Suppl. 1), 217–220

Study on the Virulence, Cell-mediated Immune Response and Histolesivity of Three Field PRRSV Strains with an ORF 5 Genetic Variation

A. Corradi1,∗, M. Ferrari2, A.M. Cantoni1, C. Robotti2, L. Alborali2, R. Di Lecce, P. Candotti2, G.P. Sandri3 and P. Borghetti1 1Department of Animal Health, Pathology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy; 2Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, 25100 Brescia, Italy; 3Veronesi Group, 37034 Quinto di Valpantena (VR), Italy ∗Correspondence: E-mail: attilio.corradi@unipr.it