Eucoleus böhmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi) is a trichuroid nematode affecting the epithelium of the ... more Eucoleus böhmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi) is a trichuroid nematode affecting the epithelium of the nasal turbinates, frontal and paranasal sinuses of wild and domestic canids. Knowledge of the geographic distribution of nasal eucoleosis is fragmentary, despite the infection has been described from Europe and North America. Moreover, gaps exist in information available on the importance of the disease in canine clinical practice. The lack of knowledge on E. böhmi is likely due to limitations inherent to diagnostic methodologies. The aim of the present work was to assess a PCR-based assay instrumental to the amplification of a species-specific region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene encoding for the subunit 1 (cox1) gene of E. böhmi. Adult worms of E. böhmi from red foxes and dogs from Norway, Serbia and Italy and individual fecal samples from naturally infected dogs from Italy were included in the study. Stool samples from dogs negative for E. böhmi, but positive for other common parasites in both single and mixed infections, and adult stages of common dog parasites, were used to assess the specificity of this genetic assay. Using the panel of faecal samples, the assay showed a sensitivity of 85.14% and a specificity of 100%.
During the epidemic of bluetongue (BT) in Lazio and Tuscany between 2001 and 2003, the distributi... more During the epidemic of bluetongue (BT) in Lazio and Tuscany between 2001 and 2003, the distribution pattern of Culicoides imicola did not always correspond either geographically or seasonally, with virus circulation. Culicoides obsoletus was observed to be abundant, ubiquitous and active throughout the year. The geographical and seasonal distribution of BT virus (BTV), C. imicola and C. obsoletus was compared. The territory of the two regions was divided into 30 cells each measuring 1 600 km(2). The presence of C. obsoletus was recorded in every cell, while C. imicola was detected in 18 of the 30 cells, but was absent in 6 of the 21 cells that indicated the presence of BTV. The occurrence of seroconversions appeared to be positively correlated with maximum C. obsoletus catches. Seroconversions were recorded throughout the year, even when C. imicola was not active, whereas C. obsoletus was detected during the entire period. The occurrence of BTV circulation in areas and periods where...
In 2001 and 2002, 235 outbreaks of bluetongue were observed in the Lazio and Tuscany regions of c... more In 2001 and 2002, 235 outbreaks of bluetongue were observed in the Lazio and Tuscany regions of central Italy. During entomological surveillance Culicoides imicola, the main vector of bluetongue virus in the Mediterranean region, was detected in only 14 of 28 municipalities affected by outbreaks; Culicoides obsoletus was the most abundant species, contributing 83 per cent of individuals in catches, whereas C. imicola contributed only 2 per cent. In affected municipalities the maximum catch of C. obsoletus was 18,000 specimens, compared with 54 of C. imicola. In October 2002 bluetongue virus serotype 2 was isolated from a single pool of wild-caught, non-blood-engorged parous C. obsoletus inoculated on to BHK-21 cells. Its identity was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-PCR.
Several seroconversions occurring in 2002 among sentinel cattle during the bluetongue-vaccination... more Several seroconversions occurring in 2002 among sentinel cattle during the bluetongue-vaccination campaign in Lazio and Tuscany (central Italy) led to the suspicion of vaccine-virus circulation. Therefore in 2003, 17 seroconverting sentinel herds were investigated for the characteristics of the virus involved. From these farms, 91 unvaccinated animals and 57 Culicoides pools were tested for the presence of the bluetongue vaccine
Eucoleus böhmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi) is a trichuroid nematode affecting the epithelium of the ... more Eucoleus böhmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi) is a trichuroid nematode affecting the epithelium of the nasal turbinates, frontal and paranasal sinuses of wild and domestic canids. Knowledge of the geographic distribution of nasal eucoleosis is fragmentary, despite the infection has been described from Europe and North America. Moreover, gaps exist in information available on the importance of the disease in canine clinical practice. The lack of knowledge on E. böhmi is likely due to limitations inherent to diagnostic methodologies. The aim of the present work was to assess a PCR-based assay instrumental to the amplification of a species-specific region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene encoding for the subunit 1 (cox1) gene of E. böhmi. Adult worms of E. böhmi from red foxes and dogs from Norway, Serbia and Italy and individual fecal samples from naturally infected dogs from Italy were included in the study. Stool samples from dogs negative for E. böhmi, but positive for other common parasites in both single and mixed infections, and adult stages of common dog parasites, were used to assess the specificity of this genetic assay. Using the panel of faecal samples, the assay showed a sensitivity of 85.14% and a specificity of 100%.
During the epidemic of bluetongue (BT) in Lazio and Tuscany between 2001 and 2003, the distributi... more During the epidemic of bluetongue (BT) in Lazio and Tuscany between 2001 and 2003, the distribution pattern of Culicoides imicola did not always correspond either geographically or seasonally, with virus circulation. Culicoides obsoletus was observed to be abundant, ubiquitous and active throughout the year. The geographical and seasonal distribution of BT virus (BTV), C. imicola and C. obsoletus was compared. The territory of the two regions was divided into 30 cells each measuring 1 600 km(2). The presence of C. obsoletus was recorded in every cell, while C. imicola was detected in 18 of the 30 cells, but was absent in 6 of the 21 cells that indicated the presence of BTV. The occurrence of seroconversions appeared to be positively correlated with maximum C. obsoletus catches. Seroconversions were recorded throughout the year, even when C. imicola was not active, whereas C. obsoletus was detected during the entire period. The occurrence of BTV circulation in areas and periods where...
In 2001 and 2002, 235 outbreaks of bluetongue were observed in the Lazio and Tuscany regions of c... more In 2001 and 2002, 235 outbreaks of bluetongue were observed in the Lazio and Tuscany regions of central Italy. During entomological surveillance Culicoides imicola, the main vector of bluetongue virus in the Mediterranean region, was detected in only 14 of 28 municipalities affected by outbreaks; Culicoides obsoletus was the most abundant species, contributing 83 per cent of individuals in catches, whereas C. imicola contributed only 2 per cent. In affected municipalities the maximum catch of C. obsoletus was 18,000 specimens, compared with 54 of C. imicola. In October 2002 bluetongue virus serotype 2 was isolated from a single pool of wild-caught, non-blood-engorged parous C. obsoletus inoculated on to BHK-21 cells. Its identity was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-PCR.
Several seroconversions occurring in 2002 among sentinel cattle during the bluetongue-vaccination... more Several seroconversions occurring in 2002 among sentinel cattle during the bluetongue-vaccination campaign in Lazio and Tuscany (central Italy) led to the suspicion of vaccine-virus circulation. Therefore in 2003, 17 seroconverting sentinel herds were investigated for the characteristics of the virus involved. From these farms, 91 unvaccinated animals and 57 Culicoides pools were tested for the presence of the bluetongue vaccine
Uploads