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Laboratory tests provide essential support to the veterinary practitioner, and their use has grown exponentially. This growth is the result of several factors, such as the eradication of historical diseases, the occurrence of multifactorial diseases, and the obligation to control endemic and epidemic diseases. However, the introduction of novel techniques is counterbalanced by economic constraints, and the establishment of evidence- and consensus-based guidelines is essential to support the pathologist. Therefore, we developed standardized protocols, categorized by species, type of production, age, and syndrome at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), a multicenter institution for animal health and food safety. We have 72 protocols in use for livestock, poultry, and pets, categorized as, for example, “bovine enteric calf”, “rabbit respiratory”, “broiler articular”. Each protocol consists of a panel of tests, divided into ‘mandatory’ and ‘ancillary’, to be selected by the pathologist in order to reach the final diagnosis. After autopsy, the case is categorized into a specific syndrome, subsequently referred to as a syndrome-specific panel of analyses. The activity of the laboratories is monitored through a web-based dynamic reporting system developed using a business intelligence product (QlikView) connected to the laboratory information management system (IZILAB). On a daily basis, reports become available at general, laboratory, and case levels, and are updated as needed. The reporting system highlights epidemiologic variations in the field and allows verification of compliance with the protocols within the organization. The diagnostic protocols are revised annually to increase system efficiency and to address stakeholder requests.

Since 2007, the Autonomous Province of Bolzano–South Tyrol (Italy) has carried out a compulsory eradication program against caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) in goats. A drastic seroprevalence reduction was achieved during the initial phase (2007–2011); however, a tailing phenomenon has been observed during the latest years, hampering the achievement of the final goal. CAEV belongs to a group of lentiviruses, called small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs), which are antigenically related and can infect both goats and sheep. We investigated the possible link between the tailing phenomenon in goats and the role of sheep as a virus reservoir by comparing serologic results between multispecies farms (where goats and sheep coexist) and monospecies farms (goats only). Goats on multispecies farms had a higher prevalence and seroconversion rate (even if to a rather moderate extent), higher antibody titers, and a higher probability of conclusive results in the genotyping analysis, with more frequent identification of SRLV genotype A (sheep-related) infections. Sheep can serve as a SRLV reservoir, thus contributing to scattered positive tests in goats, causing the tailing phenomenon.

South Tyrol has implemented, in 2007, a mandatory eradication program against Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus (CAEV), a virus known to cause economic losses related to decreases in milk production and milk quality in goats, along with poor animal welfare and premature death. After a great initial decrease in the seroprevalence, the program has reached a tailing phase with scattered positivities. Potential risk factors associated with the multispecies farming system, a traditional approach in South Tyrol, are evaluated in this study, in order to better understand some of the potential causes leading to the tailing phenomenon. A statistically significant number of farms was selected for the present study, based on the risk factors evaluated. Even though there is no statistically significant association between the practices evaluated and the incidence of infection, the authors believe that it is important to highlight potential risks that may threaten the outcome of this eradication program.

Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) infection is associated with clinical manifestations related to animal age, with high mortality in kids and infertility in adults. Given the scarcity of research about the epidemiological situation of this infection in Brazilian flocks, we aimed to conduct a cross-sectional descriptive study to detect antibodies against CpHV-1 in goats in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Fifty-five male and female goats — kids and adult — were assessed in this study. Blood serum was analyzed by a commercial ELISA kit to detect antibodies against CpHV-1, which had not been used in Brazil before. No animals were reactive. Brazil lacks information about CpHV-1 infection in goat flocks. Continuing the study is crucial to understand the epidemiological situation of the disease and establish protocols for infection control. RESUMO: A infecção pelo Herpesvírus Caprino tipo 1 (CpHv-1) está associada a manifestações clínicas relacionadas à idade dos animais, com alta mortalidade em filhotes e infertilidade em adultos. Diante da escassez de estudos sobre situação epidemiológica dessa infecção nos rebanhos brasileiros, a presente pesquisa teve como objetivo realizar um estudo transversal e descritivo para a detecção de anticorpos anti-Herpesvírus Caprino tipo 1 em caprinos do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Foram avaliados 55 caprinos machos e fêmeas, filhotes e adultos. O soro sanguíneo foi analisado por um kit ELISA comercial para detecção de anticorpos contra CpHv-1, de utilização inédita no Brasil. Nenhum animal estudado foi sororreagente. O Brasil carece de informações acerca da infecção pelo Herpesvírus Caprino tipo 1 nos rebanhos caprinos do país. A continuidade do estudo é imprescindível para compreender a situação epidemiológica da enfermidade e estabelecer protocolos para controle da infecção.

A severe episode of high and abnormal mortality was observed in the population of Cyprinus carpio of Lake Caldaro (South Tyrol, Italy) in summer 2016. The diagnostic investigation carried out led to the identification of Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) as the etiologic agent. Following this disease outbreak and its socio-economic consequences, the local authorities, in agreement with the local Fishing Association, decided to implement a surveillance program for the achievement of KHV-free health status (Category I) in the Province, in accordance to the Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/1554. The selected area was a defined geographical compartment (the Monticolo lakes compartment, South Tyrol, Italy), which is located near Lake Caldaro, where the Koi Herpesvirus disease (KHVD) outbreak had occurred. This area is of particular interest because it supplies other water bodies with juvenile C. carpio individuals; with the achievement of a KHV-free health status, South Tyrol could possibly become independent in the breeding of this fish species. Suitable samples were collected and processed during a two-year period in order to detect the presence/absence of KHV. The same samples were tested for other viruses that can affect carp, namely spring viraemia of carp (SVCV) and carp edema virus (CEV). According to the results, the authors conclude that the Monticolo lakes area should be classified as KHV-free, as no sample has tested positively for the presence of this specific virus (KHV).

Small ruminant lentivirus infections in goats affect both production and animal welfare. This represents a threat to the qualitative and quantitative growth of goat farming, recently observed in mountainous regions such as the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol (Italy). To monitor and eradicate the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus in this goat population, a compulsory eradication campaign was launched, based on a strict census of small ruminants and yearly serological testing of all animals, followed by the consequent culling of seropositive individuals. The campaign succeeded in completely eliminating cases of clinical disease in goats, while drastically reducing the seroprevalence at the herd as well as individual animal level. The serological outcome of the introduced control measures was determined using commercially available ELISA kits, demonstrating their suitability for use in this type of campaign, aimed at reducing seroprevalence as well as clinical manifestations of these infections. However, this clear success is diminished by the failure to achieve a complete eradication of these viruses. The reasons leading to the observed tailing phenomenon and the occurrence of new infections in already sanitised flocks are discussed and implementation of further measures are proposed.

BACKGROUND Prophylactic Vitamin D supplementation is a common practice in Alpaca breeding in many regions around the world. An overdosage can lead to dystrophic mineralization of soft tissues. In this paper we illustrate a suspected case of hypervitaminosis D in an 8-year-old female Alpaca. CASE PRESENTATION In June 2015, the carcass of an 8-year-old female Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) was submitted to the diagnostic laboratory of the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe) for necropsy. The animal had undergone a spontaneous abortion with uterine prolapse and delivery of the placenta, and had died shortly thereafter. Death occurred due to internal haemorrhage related to dystrophic mineralization of the left renal artery with subsequent rupture and damage of the renal hilum. During the necropsy, histopathological and serum biochemical analyses were performed. After laboratory analyses and the history of mineral and vitamin supplementation reported by the breeder, a hypervitaminosis D was suspected to be the most probable cause of the dystrophic mineralization observed in the left renal artery. CONCLUSIONS Most of the information regarding Llamas and Alpacas comes from the South American and Australian regions. It is therefore important to provide scientific information about these animals in other regions of the world in order to have a better and wider understanding of the nutritional and environmental conditions necessary for optimal breeding.

Bovine botulism is a sporadic acute disease that usually causes catastrophic losses in the herds. The unusual clinical evolution of a persistent mild outbreak in a dairy herd, prompted us to characterize the neurotoxin gene profile of the strain involved and to evaluate whether seroconversion had occurred. Diagnosis was based on mild classical symptoms and was supported by PCR and bacteriological findings, which revealed the involvement of a non-mosaic type C strain. An in-house ELISA was developed to detect antibodies to botulinum neurotoxin type C and its performance was evaluated in a vaccination study. Fifty days after the index case, fecal and serum samples were collected from the 14 animals of the herd and screened for Clostridium botulinum and anti-botulinum neurotoxin antibodies type C, respectively. The in-house developed ELISA was also used to test 100 sera samples randomly collected from 20 herds. Strong ELISA reactions were observed in 3 convalescent and 5 asymptomatic animals involved in the studied outbreak. The ELISA-positive cows all tested positive for non-mosaic C. botulinum type C in the feces and the same strain was also detected in the alfalfa hay, suspected to be the carrier source. Ten out of the 100 randomly collected sera tested positive for anti-botulinum neurotoxin type C antibodies: 7 had borderline values and 3 from the same herd showed titers three times higher than the cut-off. We concluded that type C botulism in cattle may occur with variable severity and that prolonged exposure to sublethal doses of botulinum neurotoxin C may occur, resulting in detectable antibodies.

Mycoplasma bovigenitalium can cause vulvovaginitis, epididymitis and infertility in cattle and has also been isolated from cases of mastitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis and arthritis. The authors describe an infertility syndrome in a dairy cattle herd where cattle presenting vulvovaginitis required at least four attempts of artificial insemination (AI) to become pregnant. Diagnostic tests carried out for infectious agents that could affect the reproductive system were negative except for M bovigenitalium which was isolated from vaginal swabs. Antibiotic susceptibility testing on the isolated strains showed high in vitro effectiveness to tylosin. Based on this, 10 heifers were treated daily with tylosin following the manufacturer9s dosing regimen beginning two days before the animals were inseminated and finishing three days after. All 10 treated heifers subsequently became pregnant within a maximum of two AI procedures. Investigations as to the likely source of the infection are underway with contaminated semen being the chief suspect.

In 2005 the Autonomous Province of Bolzano implemented a BVD-Virus control programme by testing all newborn calves for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) antigen by analysing ear notch samples. In eradication programs between November 2005 and October 2010 a total of 344,108 newborn calves were ear notch sampled and analysed for BVDV by an antigen ELISA detecting the E(rns) (HerdCheck BVDV Antigen/Serum Plus, Idexx Laboratories, Switzerland). The tissue samples were collected during calf ear tagging (within the first 20 days of life) using two sampling devices (TypiFix-System, Agrobiogen GmbH [Germany] and Allflex [France]). 0.4% (1400) of the collected samples showed a positive result, and of these, 583 calves were subjected to a follow-up examination, analysing the samples again by ELISA as well blood samples by Reverse transcriptase-PCR. Blood samples were also collected from the dam, if still present on the farm by the time of sampling. These results suggest that a BVDV control programme testing all newborn calves sampled for BVDV antigen by analysing an ear notch sample in principle is practicable. However, due to the low positive predictive value (75%) of the E(rns)-ELISA used, not all persistently infected calves can be detected.