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Pestiviruses are responsible for widespread diseases affecting cattle, pigs and other ruminants, presenting a wide range of clinical manifestations, with significant impact on animal production. Given the recent various reports of a relatively high number of new strains and atypical genomic variants, in the present study, ninety-seven genomic sequences from southern Italy have been evaluated applying the palindromic nucleotide substitutions method, based on 5’-UTR secondary structure alignment and computing genetic distance among strains in the internal ribosome entry site. Sequence analysis revealed a highly heterogeneous virus population, indicating the introduction of virus variants of Bovine viral diarrhea virus and Border disease virus species from foreign countries. The application of different analytical procedures was useful to avoid interpretation difficulties. Circulation of heterogeneous virus populations showed the need for more accurate epidemiological investigations and stringent veterinary controls to protect animal health and welfare.

Applying palindromic nucleotide substitutions (PNS) method, variable loci of the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) secondary structure in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of Border disease virus sequences were analysed allowing their allocation into ten IRES classes within the species. Sequence characteristics of Turkish and Chinese strains were highly divergent from other genogroups, indicating geographic segregation and micro-evolutive steps within the species. Observed heterogeneity in the BDV species has to be considered for potential implications on diagnostic tests, control and preventive measures.

IntroductionAlthough there has been a decrease in the number of cases of salmonellosis in the European Union, it still represents the primary cause of foodborne outbreaks. In Calabria region, data are lacking for the incidence of human non-typhoid salmonellosis as active surveillance has never been carried out.ObjectiveTo report the results of a laboratory and patient-based morbidity survey in Calabria to describe the incidence and distribution ofSalmonellaserovars isolated from humans, with a focus on antimicrobial resistance patterns.MethodsPositive cultures from human samples were collected from every laboratory participating in the surveillance, with a minimum set of information about each isolate. A questionnaire was then administered to the patients by telephone interview to assess the potential risk exposures.Salmonellaisolates underwent biochemical identification, molecular analysis by PCR and antimicrobial susceptibility testing by the disk-diffusion method.ResultsDuring a 2-year period, 105 strains ofSalmonellaspp were isolated from samples of patients with diarrhoea, with the highest isolation rate for children aged 1–5 years. The standardised rate was 2.7 cases per 1 00 000 population. The most commonSalmonellaisolates belonged to monophasic variant ofS.Typhimurium (S.4,[5],12:i:-) (33.3%), followed byS. Typhimurium (21.9%). 30.5% of the isolates were susceptible to all microbial agents tested and the most common pan-susceptible serotype wasS.Napoli (100%).S. 4,[5],12:i:- was resistant to ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfonamides and tetracyclines in 42.9% cases, while resistance to quinolones was seen in 14.3% of the isolates.ConclusionsThe results provide evidence that an active surveillance system effectively enhancesSalmonellanotifications. The high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, including resistance to quinolones and multiresistance, enforces the need to strengthen strategies of surveillance and monitoring of antimicrobial use.

The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida Murray), pest of honeybees, diffused from sub-saharan Africa in different countries, and has become a serious issue for beekeepers. Several methods have been developed to control this pest. Optimization of control measures, and possibly successful eradication measures against this invasive coleopteran will contribute to contain the general problem of the decline of A. mellifera worldwide.