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Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is one of the most relevant pathogens associated with enteritis in dogs and is frequently reported in association with the detection of other pathogens in faeces. In this study the concomitant presence of Canine circovirus (CanineCV) and Canine adenovirus (CAdV) DNA in faecal or intestine samples of 95 dogs with parvovirus enteritis sampled in Italy (1995–2017) was investigated and the viruses identified were genetically characterised. Potential correlations with the antigenic variant of CPV-2 and with signalment data and outcome were evaluated. Twenty-eight of 95 (29.5%) CPV-2 infected dogs tested positive to other viruses: 7/28 were also positive to CanineCV, 1/28 to CAdV-1, 18/28 to CAdV-2, 1/28 to CanineCV and CAdV-2, and 1/28 to CAdV-1 and CAdV-2. The frequency of CAdV DNA detection and coinfections was significantly higher in purebred dogs compared to mixed breed ones (P = 0.002 and 0.009, respectively). The presence of coinfection was not associated with any other relevant data available, including CPV-2 variant and final outcome. The detection of CanineCV in a dog sampled in 2009 allowed to backdating its circulation in dogs. The eight CanineCV completely sequenced were phylogenetically related to the CanineCV identified in dogs, wolves and a badger from Europe, USA, Argentina and China. Nine CAdV were partially sequenced and phylogenetic analysis showed a separate branch for the oldest CAdV-2 identified (1995). From the results obtained in this study population, CanineCV and CAdV coinfections in dogs with parvoviral enteritis did not result in more severe disease. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11259-021-09850-y.

Background Canine parvovirus (CPV) is one of the most important pathogens of dogs. Despite vaccination, CPV infections are still ubiquitous in dogs, and the three antigenic variants 2a, 2b and 2c are variously distributed in the canine population worldwide. To date, no information is available on CPV variants circulating in some European countries. The aim of this study was to genetically characterise the CPV detected in ten dogs with clinical signs of acute gastroenteritis in Romania. The presence of Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 DNA was investigated in faecal samples using an end-point PCR targeting the complete VP2 gene and positive amplicons were sequenced and analysed. Results All ten dogs with acute gastroenteritis tested positive to Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 DNA in faecal samples. The identified viruses belonged to CPV-2c type, showed identical sequences of the VP2 gene and were characterised by distinctive amino acid residues in the deduced VP2 protein: 5-glicine (5Gly), 267-tirosine (267Tyr), 324-isoleucine (324Ile) and 370-arginine (370Arg). These distinctive amino acid residues have already been reported in CPV-2c widespread in Asia and occasionally detected in Italy and Nigeria. Conclusions Since CPV-2c with VP2 amino acid residues 5Gly, 267Tyr, 324Ile and 370Arg were never reported before 2013, it can be assumed that this virus is progressively expanding its spread in the world dog population. This study adds new data about the presence of this new virus in Europe and underline worrying questions about its potential impact on the health of the canine population.

Feline Vector-Borne Diseases show increased global prevalence and some Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species may pose a risk to human health. The diagnosis of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species infection in cats is achieved by the combined use of different methods as cytologic examination evidencing intracytoplasmic morulae, serologic tests and molecular assays. The peripheral whole blood is considered the sample of choice for Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species DNA detection in cats, but false negative results are reported leading to underestimation of infection prevalence. In order to have a more accurate assessment of the spread of feline vector-borne pathogens, the presence of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. DNA in 37 owner and shelter cats subjected to necropsy were prospectively investigated by testing in end-point PCR spleen, bone marrow, blood clot and hair samples. The bacteria identified were genetically characterised. Three shelter cats tested positive for A. phagocytophilum DNA in spleen (one cat) or in hair samples (two cats). None of the cats tested positive in bone marrow and blood samples. From the results obtained, it can be assumed that the use of spleen or hair samples could allow a more reliable detection of A. phagocytophilum DNA in cats with blood tested negative. In the phylogeny constructed with a fragment of the heat shock (groEL) gene nucleotide sequences, all the identified A. phagocytophilum clustered with bacteria infecting a wide range of hosts, including humans, showing a potential zoonotic role.

The recent pandemic caused by the novel human coronavirus (CoV), currently referred to as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is responsible for COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), is leading to alarmism among pet owners as a consequence of few case reports of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs and cats. COVID-19 emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in humans exposed to wildlife at the Huanan seafood wholesale market, the largest seafood market in central China. This is a typical Asian wet market, where different species of farm and wild animals are commonly sold dead and live. The blood and other body fluids originating from these animals represent an exceptional source for the spillover of animal viruses (1). SARS-CoV-2 recognizes a probable zoonotic origin, since the virus likely descends from a bat betacoronavirus, strictly related to the one responsible for the 2002–2003 SARS epidemic (SARS-CoV), which was transmitted to humans directly or through previous adaptation to a not yet identified intermediate host (1, 2). After this adaptation to the new host, the virus was able to spread to the human population through a human-to-human transmission, without any further role of animals in the epidemiological chain. However, pets have been alternatively brought into play as a possible source of infection for humans, intermediate hosts for SARS-CoV-2 transmission to humans or hosts of animal CoVs that may cross-protect humans against the highly pathogenic CoV. The aim of this opinion article is to define the role of dogs and cats in the SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology in the light of current knowledge.

In this study, internal organs (tongue, intestine, and spleen) of 23 free-ranging Italian wolves (Canis lupus italicus) found dead between 2017 and 2019 were tested for Carnivore protoparvovirus 1, Canine adenovirus (CAdV), and Canine circovirus (CanineCV) using real-time PCR assays. Genetic characterisation of the identified viruses was carried out by amplification, sequencing, and analysis of the complete viral genome or informative viral genes. All the wolves tested positive for at least one of the DNA viruses screened, and 11/23 were coinfected. Carnivore protoparvoviruses were the most frequently detected viruses (21/23), followed by CanineCV (11/23) and CAdV (4/23). From the analysis of the partial VP2 gene of 13 carnivore protoparvoviruses, 12 were canine parvovirus type 2b, closely related to the strains detected in dogs and wild carnivores from Italy, and one was a feline panleukopenia-like virus. Of the four CAdV identified, two were CAdV-1 and two were CAdV-2. The complete genome of seven CanineCVs was sequenced and related to the CanineCV identified in dogs, wolves, and foxes worldwide. Close correlations emerged between the viruses identified in wolves and those circulating in domestic dogs. Further studies are needed to investigate if these pathogens may be potentially cross-transmitted between the two species.

Objectives The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of Leishmania species infection in cats in Northern Italy and to evaluate the associations between infection and signalment and clinicopathological data. Methods The study was carried out in a veterinary university hospital from June to November 2017. Blood, urine, conjunctival swabs and hair were collected from all randomly selected cats. Leishmania species infection was evaluated using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), setting a cut-off value of 1:80, and using real-time PCR on blood, conjunctival and hair samples. A complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, serum electrophoresis and urinalysis were also carried out. The cats were grouped on the basis of the results of the diagnostic criteria adopted in positive, negative and unconfirmed Leishmania cases. Non-parametric variables and continuous data were compared among the study groups using the χ2 test and the Mann–Whitney U-test, respectively. Results One hundred and fifty-two cats were included. Nineteen of the 152 (12.5%) cats were positive (18/152 [11.8%] showed an IFAT titre of ⩾1:80 and 1/152 [0.7%] was real-time PCR-positive from a hair sample); 106/152 (69.7%) cats were negative; and 27/152 (17.8%) cats were unconfirmed for Leishmania species. Total proteins, beta2-globulin and gamma-globulin were significantly increased in the positive Leishmania group compared with the negative group. Conclusions and relevance The results of the present study demonstrated the spread of Leishmania infantum infection in cats in Northern Italy. Hyperproteinaemia and hypergammaglobulinaemia appeared to be significant clinicopathological abnormalities in this population of cats with L infantum infection.

This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Urbani, Tryland, Ehrich, Fuglei, Battilani, Balboni. Ancient origin and genetic segregation of canine circovirus infecting arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) in Svalbard and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Northern Norway. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2020;00:1-11, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.13783. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. Canine circovirus (CanineCV) is a relatively new viral species, belonging to the family Circoviridae, whose pathogenic role is still uncertain. Since its first description in one domestic dog in 2011 from the USA, several reports have been documenting its distribution worldwide. Recently, CanineCV was also detected in wild animals such as wolves, foxes and badgers. In order to investigate the presence and the genetic characteristics of CanineCV in foxes of Arctic and Sub‐Arctic regions, the presence of CanineCV DNA in internal organs (liver and spleen) of 51 arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) from Svalbard archipelago and 59 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Northern Norway, sampled from 1996 to 2001 and from 2014 to 2018, respectively, was screened by real‐time PCR. CanineCV was detected in 11/51 arctic foxes and in 10/59 red foxes, backdating the circulation of the virus at least to 1996 in the arctic fox population. The complete genome of 14 identified CanineCV was sequenced and analysed showing an identity higher than 80.8% with the reference strains available to date. According to the species demarcation threshold of 80% genome‐wide nucleotide sequence identity for members of the family Circoviridae provided by International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), all the CanineCV belong to a single species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all the CanineCV were subdivided into five main clusters with one including only CanineCV identified in foxes. Furthermore, CanineCV identified in arctic foxes and red foxes formed two distinct lineages. From these data, we hypothesize that the viral transmission did not occur between the two species of foxes as a consequence of the lack of contact between the two hosts or that the virus acquired mutations in the time elapsed between the samplings.

Data on canine circovirus circulation among red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are limited. We report the detection of canine circovirus in a red fox from Italy. The virus was closely related to strains from dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) rather than those from foxes, suggesting a possible transmission between the two species.

Until recently, Chlamydia psittaci was considered to be the only etiological agent of avian chlamydiosis, but two new avian species, Chlamydia gallinacea and Chlamydia avium, have recently been described in poultry and pigeons or psittacine birds, respectively. The aim of this study was to explore the occurrence of C. psittaci and C. gallinacea in backyard chickens in Italy. Cloacal swabs were taken from 160 asymptomatic chickens reared in 16 backyard farms. Samples were tested for C. psittaci and C. gallinacea by specific real-time polymerase chain reaction assays, with 24 (15%) of the 160 chickens resulting positive for C. gallinacea. To attempt chlamydial isolation, new samples were obtained from two farms harboring a high prevalence (60% and 70%, respectively) of C. gallinacea-positive chickens. In total, eight C. gallinacea and one C. psittaci isolates were successfully recovered from 13 chickens. C. gallinacea was confirmed to be the endemic chlamydial species in chickens, with a high ompA intraspecies diversity. The presence of viable C. psittaci and C. gallinacea demonstrated by isolation from chickens in backyard farms poses a potential public health problem.

Anaplasma are obligate intracellular bacteria of cells of haematopoietic origin and are aetiological agents of tick-borne diseases of both veterinary and medical interest common in both tropical and temperate regions. The recent disclosure of their zoonotic potential has greatly increased interest in the study of these bacteria, leading to the recent reorganisation of Rickettsia taxonomy and to the possible discovery of new species belonging to the genus Anaplasma. This review is particularly focused on the common and unique characteristics of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, with an emphasis on genetic diversity and evolution, and the main distinguishing features of the diseases caused by the different Anaplasma spp. are described as well.

Background Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is the most important enteric virus infecting canids. It is a rapidly evolving virus; after its emergence in the 1970s, new antigenic variants (called CPV-2a, 2b and 2c) emerged and replaced the original antigenic type. The three antigenic variants are globally distributed with different frequencies and levels of genetic variability. This study focused on VP2 gene sequence analysis and the phylodynamics of CPV-2 which were detected in 123 dogs showing clinical signs of gastroenteritis collected in Italy from 1994 to 2017. Results For the most part, the sick dogs were young, and a third of them (32.5%) had been vaccinated. No statistical association was found between the CPV-2 antigenic variants, and sex, age, breed and vaccination status. Sequence analysis showed that all three antigenic types circulated in Italy; the CPV-2a type was the prominent genotype, followed by CPV-2c and CPV-2b, with notable differences regarding regional bases and significant fluctuations over time. Nucleotide sequence data showed high genetic heterogeneity with 67 nucleotide sequence types (ntSTs) identified, corresponding to 21 amino acid sequence types (aaSTs). The aaSTs and ntSTs obtained were distributed differently among the three CPV-2 antigenic variants: CPV-2a grouped 12/21 (57.1%) aaSTs and 41/67 (61.2%) ntSTs; CPV-2b grouped 5/21 (23.8%) aaSTs and 6/67 (8.9%) ntSTs, and CPV-2c grouped 4/21 (19.1%) aaSTs and 20/67 (29.9%) ntSTs. Canine parvovirus 2a was characterised by the highest genetic variability while CPV-2c was characterised by notable stability with a predominant amino acid profile during the entire sampling time. Canine parvovirus 2b re-emerged in recent years, showing a new and distinctive amino acid profile of the VP2 protein. Conclusions The findings of the present study provided new insights regarding the phylodynamics and evolution of CPV-2 in Italy, pointing out notable differences at the local level in the distribution of the CPV-2 variants and the selection of genetic subtypes. The evolution of CPV-2 has raised questions regarding the efficacy of vaccination; therefore, continuous monitoring regarding the evolution and spread of new CPV-2 variants should be a key aim of ongoing research.

The use of a modified live canine adenovirus (CAdV) vaccine has greatly reduced the incidence of infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) in dogs. Nevertheless, cases of CAdV type 1 and 2 (CAdV-1 and CAdV-2) infection have been recently reported posing questions about the epidemiological situation of CAdV in dogs. In order to assess the presence of CAdV, samples from 51 dogs presented at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Bologna, Italy, for reasons unrelated with CAdV infection, were tested with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for CAdV. Thirty dogs (58.8%) were PCR positive for CAdV-2 infection and four of them (7.8%) were positive for CAdV-1. Sequence analysis performed on the obtained PCR products suggests that a genetically stable CAdV-1 strain and different CAdV-2 strains circulate in the canine population examined and that coinfections are relatively frequent.

There is little information on sequence variation of canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1), the aetiological agent of infectious canine hepatitis (ICH). This study reports hexon and fibre gene sequence variants of CAdV-1 in a dog with systemic ICH and a dog with the ocular form of the disease (‘blue eye’) in Northern Italy in 2013. One of the sequence variants matched a CAdV-1 fox sequence previously detected in Italy.

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that causes serious illness in dogs. For this reason, epidemiological and clinical studies focusing on disease characterization are widely advocated. The aim of this study was to characterize the leptospires identified in dogs with confirmed symptomatic acute leptospirosis. Leptospira spp. DNA detected in urine, blood, or both samples from nine infected dogs was analyzed using the multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) technique. Leptospires from two dogs were successfully typed: one was identified as belonging to Sequence Type (ST) 17 and one to ST198, both within the L. interrogans species, serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae and Australis, respectively. Based on the results of routine serologic tests, antibodies reactive toward these serogroups are commonly revealed in dogs in Italy. This study provides the first molecular analysis that identifies infecting Leptospira directly on DNA from biological samples of dogs, showing that serogroup Australis can lead to a severe clinical presentation of leptospirosis in infected dogs.

Source at https://doi.org/10.1080/17518369.2018.1498678 . Canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus (CAdV) and canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) cause disease in dogs (Canis familiaris). These, or closely related viruses, may also infect wild carnivores. The aim of this study was to investigate exposure to CDV, CAdV and CPV-2 among fox populations in Norway. Arctic foxes (n = 178) from High-Arctic Svalbard were investigated for antibodies against CDV. Arctic foxes (n = 301) from Svalbard and red foxes from LowArctic (n = 326) and sub-Arctic (n = 74) regions in Finnmark County, Norway, were investigated for antibodies against CAdV and for the presence of carnivore protoparvovirus DNA in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes using polymerase chain reaction. Seroprevalence against CDV in Arctic foxes decreased from 25% (1995/96) to 6% (2001/02), whereas the seroprevalence against CAdV increased from 25–40% during the seasons 1995/96 to 2001/02 to 68% for the last study year (2002/03). In red foxes, the seroprevalence against CAdV varied between 31% and 67% for the seasons 2004/05 to 2007/08, increasing to 80% for the last study year. Carnivore protoparvovirus DNA was not detected in any of the 301 Arctic foxes and the 265 red foxes investigated. These results show that CDV and CAdV are enzootic in the Arctic fox population (Svalbard), and that CAdV is enzootic in both the Low-Arctic and subArctic red fox populations (Finnmark). Further studies are needed to better understand the infection biology and the impact of CDV and CAdV in these fox populations, and if viruses may be shared between foxes and other carnivores, including dogs.

Chikungunya virus is a re-emerging arbovirus transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes, responsible for an acute febrile illness associated with painful and debilitating arthralgia, which can persist for several months or become chronic. Over the past few years, infection with this virus has spread worldwide with a previously unknown virulence. No specific antiviral treatments nor vaccines are currently available against this important pathogen. Starting from the structure of a class of selective anti-CHIKV agents previously identified in our research group, different modifications to this scaffold were rationally designed, and 69 novel small-molecule derivatives were synthesised and evaluated for their inhibition of Chikungunya virus replication in Vero cells. Further structure-activity relationships associated with this class of antiviral agents were elucidated for the original scaffolds, and novel antiviral compounds with EC50 values in the low micromolar range were identified. This work provides the foundation for further investigation of these new structures as antivirals against Chikungunya virus.

Background Cats are susceptible to feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) variants 2a, 2b and 2c. Detection of FPV and CPV variants in apparently healthy cats and their persistence in white blood cells (WBC) and other tissues when neutralising antibodies are simultaneously present, suggest that parvovirus may persist long-term in the tissues of cats post-infection without causing clinical signs. The aim of this study was to screen a population of 54 cats from Sardinia (Italy) for the presence of both FPV and CPV DNA within buffy coat samples using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The DNA viral load, genetic diversity, phylogeny and antibody titres against parvoviruses were investigated in the positive cats. Results Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 DNA was detected in nine cats (16.7%). Viral DNA was reassembled to FPV in four cats and to CPV (CPV-2b and 2c) in four cats; one subject showed an unusually high genetic complexity with mixed infection involving FPV and CPV-2c. Antibodies against parvovirus were detected in all subjects which tested positive to DNA parvoviruses. Conclusions The identification of FPV and CPV DNA in the WBC of asymptomatic cats, despite the presence of specific antibodies against parvoviruses, and the high genetic heterogeneity detected in one sample, confirmed the relevant epidemiological role of cats in parvovirus infection.

Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) and canine adenovirus type 2 (CAdV-2) cause infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) and infectious tracheobronchitis (ITB) in dogs, respectively. Cases of ICH have been documented in recent years and recent surveys have demonstrated a wide percentage of asymptomatic CAdV-1 infection in the canine population. Since both CAdV types are detectable in the same biological matrices, and viral coinfection with CAdV-1 and CAdV-2 are reported with high frequency, it is urgent to have available a rapid, highly sensitive and specific assay for the diagnosis of CAdV infection and distinction between CAdV-1 and CAdV-2. In order to detect canine adenovirus in biological samples and to rapidly distinguish the two viral types, a SYBR Green real-time PCR assay was optimized to discriminate CAdV-1 and CAdV-2 via a melting curve analysis. The developed assay showed high sensitivity and reproducibility and was highly efficient and specific in discriminating the two CAdV types. This reliable and rapid technique may represent a simple, useful and economic option for simultaneous CAdV types detection, which would be feasible and attractive for all diagnostic laboratories, both for clinical purposes and for epidemiological investigations.

A documented case of canine granulocytic anaplasmosis coupled with the molecular characterization of the etiological agent is reported for the first time in Northern Italy. The patient showed nonspecific clinical signs such as fever and weight loss. The most relevant clinicopathological findings were thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and normal azotemic proteinuria consistent with glomerular diseases. Blood smear examination revealed the presence of intracytoplasmatic inclusions in neutrophils associated with high positive serology forAnaplasma phagocytophilum. PCR analysis and sequencing of the amplicon confirm serological diagnosis ofA. phagocytophilum. Phylogenetic analysis evidenced that the detected bacterial strain belongs to theA. phagocytophilumEurope 1 lineage. Data indicates thatA. phagocytophilumcirculates in natural environments of Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy) and its prevalence in dogs could be underestimated because the clinical signs are frequently nonspecific and a certain diagnosis requires the combination of clinicopathological and molecular assays. Pets living in this area should be regularly monitored and treated for ectoparasites to minimize health risks for humans and pets. Also, surveillance ofA. phagocytophilumshould be improved in Northern Italy and canine anaplasmosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of persistent proteinuria.

The aims of the present study were to assess the prevalence of Chlamydia suis in an Italian pig herd, determine the tetracycline susceptibility of C. suis isolates, and evaluate tet(C) and tetR(C) gene expression. Conjunctival swabs from 20 pigs were tested for C. suis by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and 55% (11) were positive. C. suis was then isolated from 11 conjunctival swabs resampled from the same herd. All positive samples and isolates were positive for the tet(C) resistance gene. The in vitro susceptibility to tetracycline of the C. suis isolates showed MIC values ranging from 0.5 to 4 μg/mL. Tet(C) and tetR(C) transcripts were found in all the isolates, cultured both in the absence and presence of tetracycline. This contrasts with other Gram-negative bacteria in which both genes are repressed in the absence of the drug. Further investigation into tet gene regulation in C. suis is needed.

It is known that neutralizing species-specific or serovar-specific antibodies are produced in response to chlamydial infection in humans and in some animal species. In a previous study, a strong in vitro neutralizing activity to Chlamydia suis in 80% of sera from C. suis-infected pigs had been observed. In view of the close relationship between C. suis and Chlamydia trachomatis, in the present study, the neutralizing activity against D-K C. trachomatis and C. suis purified elementary bodies (EBs) in sera collected from C. trachomatis-infected patients and C. suis-infected pigs was evaluated. A neutralizing activity of 50-70% was observed in the human sera against the homologous serovar and one to five heterologous C. trachomatis serovars. These sera were also able to neutralize C. suis EBs. The pig sera showed a strong neutralizing activity (70-100%) against C. suis EBs and all eight urogenital C. trachomatis serovars. These results suggested the presence of common immunogenic antigens in C. trachomatis and C. suis. Immunoblot analysis, performed to elucidate the target of this neutralizing activity, showed a clear reactivity in human and pig sera against two proteins of 150 and 40 kDa MW, when tested either with C. trachomatis or with C. suis EBs.

To date, no studies exist regarding the presence of canine adenovirus (CAdV) infection in foxes in Italy. Furthermore, the majority of worldwide investigations regarding the presence of CAdV in foxes have been carried out using common serological assays which are unable to differentiate between CAdV type 1 and CAdV type 2. To assess the presence of viral infection in Italian red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), thirty-two subjects shot during the regular hunting season in the province of Pisa (Tuscany, Italy) were sampled and tested using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay capable of distinguishing between CAdV type 1 and type 2. Two subjects were positive for CAdV-1 infection and one other for CAdV-2 infection. Sequence analysis of the two CAdV-1 viruses showed complete identity between them and a high genetic similarity with all reference strains sequenced in dogs in the last twenty years, indicating the presence of genetically stable CAdV-1 in red foxes in Italy which could easily be transmitted from the wild animal population to domestic dogs. Therefore, this is the first reliable identification of CAdV-2 in foxes, and cloning of the virus detected has revealed a possible coinfection involving two different CAdV-2 strains, raising new questions about the pathogenic role of CAdV-2 in wildlife. The presence of CAdV-1 and CAdV-2 infection in foxes could represent a problem for both wild animals and domestic dogs, and emphasises the central role of red foxes in maintaining these viruses in the territory.

AVIAN chlamydiosis is primarily caused by the intracellular bacterium Chlamydia psittaci , belonging to the Chlamydiaceae family. Depending on the species and age of the bird and the virulence of the infectious bacterial strain, avian chlamydiosis can be subclinical or characterised by respiratory, digestive, or systemic disorders (Knittler and others 2014). Seven C. psittaci outer-membrane protein A ( omp A) genotypes (A-F and E/B), have been initially detected in birds. All these genotypes can be transmitted to humans by contact with contaminated faeces or feathers or by inhalation of an infectious aerosol, causing a mild flu-like illness or severe atypical pneumonia. Recently, six additional C. psittaci omp A genotypes, all occurring in wildlife birds, have been proposed (Sachse and others 2008). Recent studies suggested that more chlamydial agents, beyond C. psittaci, can be involved in avian chlamydiosis. In this respect, Chlamydia abortus , Chlamydia pecorum, Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae have been detected in birds (Pantchev and others 2009, Sachse and others 2012, Frutos and others 2015). Recently, two new bacterial species belonging to the Chlamydiaceae family have been described: Chlamydia avium from pigeons and psittacine birds and Chlamydia gallinacea from poultry (Sachse and others 2014). In addition, a novel candidate species, named Chlamydia ibidis, …

Bats are source of coronaviruses closely related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus. Numerous studies have been carried out to identify new bat viruses related to SARS-coronavirus (bat-SARS-like CoVs) using a reverse-transcribed-polymerase chain reaction assay. However, a qualitative PCR could underestimate the prevalence of infection, affecting the epidemiological evaluation of bats in viral ecology. In this work an SYBR Green-real time PCR assay was developed for diagnosing infection with SARS-related coronaviruses from bat guano and was applied as screening tool in a survey carried out on 45 greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) sampled in Italy in 2009. The assay showed high sensitivity and reproducibility. Its application on bats screening resulted in a prevalence of 42%. This method could be suitable as screening tool in epidemiological surveys about the presence of bat-SARS-like CoVs, consequently to obtain a more realistic scenario of the viral prevalence in the population.

SUMMARYThe association between coronaviruses and bats is a worldwide phenomenon and bats belonging to genus Rhinolophus are the reservoir host for several coronaviruses, including a large number of viruses closely related genetically to severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV). We carried out a survey in colonies of Italian bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) for the presence of coronaviruses. Two of 52 R. ferrumequinum captured from different Italian areas tested positive by reverse transcription–PCR for a fragment of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene of viruses related to Coronavirus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close correlations between one of the positive samples and SARS-related CoV belonging to the genus Betacoronavirus.

Parvoviruses of carnivores include three closely related autonomous parvoviruses: canine parvovirus (CPV), feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and mink enteritis virus (MEV). These viruses cause a variety of serious diseases, especially in young patients, since they have a remarkable predilection for replication in rapidly dividing cells. FPV is not the only parvovirus species which infects cats; in addition to MEV, the new variants of canine parvovirus, CPV-2a, 2b and 2c have also penetrated the feline host-range, and they are able to infect and replicate in cats, causing diseases indistinguishable from feline panleukopenia. Furthermore, as cats are susceptible to both CPV-2 and FPV viruses, superinfection and co-infection with multiple parvovirus strains may occur, potentially facilitating recombination and high genetic heterogeneity. In the light of the importance of cats as a potential source of genetic diversity for parvoviruses and, since feline panleukopenia virus has re-emerged as a major cause of mortality in felines, the present study has explored the molecular characteristics of parvovirus strains circulating in cat populations. The most significant findings reported in this study were (a) the detection of mixed infection FPV/CPV with the presence of one parvovirus variant which is a true intermediate between FPV/CPV and (b) the quasispecies cloud size of one CPV sample variant 2c. In conclusion, this study provides new important results about the evolutionary dynamics of CPV infections in cats, showing that CPV has presumably started a new process of readaptation in feline hosts.