Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Bovine Coronavirus Infection among Dairy Cattle and Water Buffalo in Campania Region, Southern Italy

Simple Summary Since there is currently little information on the distribution of bovine coronavirus (BCoV) in Italy, we determined its seroprevalence among cattle and water buffalo in the Campania region of southern Italy. We found very high seroprevalence values of 30.8% and 76% at individual and herd levels, respectively. In both cattle and water buffalo, species, age, and origin were common risk factors that were positively associated with antibody detection. Only in water buffalo was a higher sero-prevalence observed in animals cohabiting with cattle, indicating that this practice is incorrect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first BCoV serological survey performed in southern Italy as well as the first description of BCoV antibody detection in water buffalo in Italy. Cattle and water buffalo are the main livestock species that are raised in the Campania region, southern Italy, and they contribute significantly to the regional rural economy. Currently there are limited data on the prevalence of relevant impact infections, such as bovine coronavirus (BCov), an RNA virus that causes acute enteric and respiratory disease. Although these diseases are described primarily in cattle, there have been reports of spillovers to other ruminants, including water buffalo. Here, we determined the seroprevalence of BCoV in cattle and water buffalo in the Campania region of southern Italy. An overall seroprevalence of 30.8% was determined after testing 720 sampled animals with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A risk factor analysis revealed that the seropositivity rates in cattle (49.2%) were higher than in water buffalo (5.3%). In addition, higher seroprevalence rates were observed in older and purchased animals. In cattle, housing type and location were not associated with higher seroprevalence. The presence of BCoV antibodies in water buffalo was associated with the practice of co-inhabiting with cattle, demonstrating that this practice is incorrect and promotes the transmission of pathogens between different species. Our study found a considerable seroprevalence, which is consistent with previous research from other countries. Our results provide information on the widespread distribution of this pathogen as well as the risk factors that are involved in its transmission. This information could be useful in the control and surveillance of this infection.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Bovine Coronavirus Infection among Dairy Cattle and Water Buffalo in Campania Region, Southern Italy.

Cattle and water buffalo are the main livestock species that are raised in the Campania region, southern Italy, and they contribute significantly to the regional rural economy. Currently there are limited data on the prevalence of relevant impact infections, such as bovine coronavirus (BCov), an RNA virus that causes acute enteric and respiratory disease. Although these diseases are described primarily in cattle, there have been reports of spillovers to other ruminants, including water buffalo. Here, we determined the seroprevalence of BCoV in cattle and water buffalo in the Campania region of southern Italy. An overall seroprevalence of 30.8% was determined after testing 720 sampled animals with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A risk factor analysis revealed that the seropositivity rates in cattle (49.2%) were higher than in water buffalo (5.3%). In addition, higher seroprevalence rates were observed in older and purchased animals. In cattle, housing type and location were not associated with higher seroprevalence. The presence of BCoV antibodies in water buffalo was associated with the practice of co-inhabiting with cattle, demonstrating that this practice is incorrect and promotes the transmission of pathogens between different species. Our study found a considerable seroprevalence, which is consistent with previous research from other countries. Our results provide information on the widespread distribution of this pathogen as well as the risk factors that are involved in its transmission. This information could be useful in the control and surveillance of this infection.

A Serological Investigation of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome and Three Coronaviruses in the Campania Region, Southern Italy.

Porcine coronaviruses and reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) are responsible for severe outbreaks that cause huge economic losses worldwide. In Italy, three coronaviruses have been reported historically: porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV). Although repeated outbreaks have been described, especially in northern Italy, where intensive pig farming is common, there is a worrying lack of information on the spread of these pathogens in Europe. In this work, we determined the seroprevalence of three porcine coronaviruses and PRRSV in the Campania region, southern Italy. A total of 443 samples were tested for the presence of antibodies against porcine coronaviruses and PRRSV using four different commercial ELISAs. Our results indicated that PEDV is the most prevalent among porcine coronaviruses, followed by TGEV, and finally PRCV. PRRSV appeared to be the most prevalent virus (16.7%). For coronaviruses, seroprevalence was higher in pigs raised in intensive farming systems. In terms of distribution, TGEV is more widespread in the province of Avellino, while PEDV and PRRSV are more prevalent in the province of Naples, emphasizing the epidemic nature of both infections. Interestingly, TGEV-positive animals are more common among growers, while seropositivity for PEDV and PRRSV was higher in adults. Our research provides new insights into the spread of swine coronaviruses and PRRSV in southern Italy, as well as a warning about the need for viral surveillance.

A Retrospective Study of Viral Molecular Prevalences in Cats in Southern Italy (Campania Region).

From 2019 to 2021, a retrospective molecular study was conducted in the Campania region (southern Italy) to determine the prevalence of viral diseases in domestic cats. A total of 328 dead animals were analyzed by Real-Time PCR for the presence of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline enteric coronavirus (FCoV), rotavirus (RVA), feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), and feline calicivirus (FCV). The possible presence of SARS-CoV-2 was also investigated by Real-Time PCR. The cats included in this study were specifically sourced and referred by local veterinarians and local authorities to the Zooprofilactic Experimental Institute of Southern Italy (IZSM) for pathological evaluation. The samples consisted of owners, catteries, and stray cats. Results revealed: 73.5% positive cats for FPV (189/257), 23.6% for FeLV (21/89), 21.5% for FCoV (56/266), 11.4% for RVA (16/140), 9.05% for FeHV-1 (21/232), and 7.04 for FCV (15/213). In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 was never detected. FPV was more prevalent in winter (p = 0.0027). FCoV FHV-1, FCV, and RVA predominated in autumn, whereas FeLV predominated in summer. As expected, viral infections were found more frequently in outdoor and shelter cats than in indoor ones, although no statistical association was found between animal lifestyle and viral presence. The study showed a high prevalence of FPV, FeLV, and FCoV and a moderate prevalence of RVA, FHV-1, and FCV. Moreover, the prevalence of these pathogens varied among the cat populations investigated.

Retrospective Serosurvey of Three Porcine Coronaviruses among the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) Population in the Campania Region of Italy.

The growing interest in porcine coronaviruses (CoVs) is due to both their negative effect on the swine industry and their propensity to mutate and overcome host barriers. Since information on CoVs in wild boar (Sus scrofa) is limited, especially in Italy, a serosurvey was conducted to assess the epidemiologic situation in the Campania region and to clarify the role of wild boar as reservoirs for enteric (porcine epidemic diarrhea virus [PEDV], transmissible gastroenteritis virus [TGEV]) and respiratory (respiratory coronavirus [PRCV]) swine CoVs. During the 2016-17 hunting season, serum samples were collected from 444 wild boars and tested for antibodies to enteric (PEDV, TGEV) and respiratory (PRCV) porcine CoVs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The highest seroprevalence in wild boars was for PEDV, with a positivity of 3.83% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.05-5.6), whereas very low seroprevalences were found for TGEV and PRCV (0.67% positivity; 95% CI 0-1.44 in both cases). There was no statistical association between seropositivity to CoVs, sex, and location, whereas the prevalence of seropositive animals was positively correlated with young age (0-12 mo old). Our data confirm the presence of CoVs in wild boars in the Campania region. Our data are in agreement with the results of similar studies from other European countries, which attribute a minor role to wild boar in the transmission of these infections to domestic pigs. Our results suggest that continuous serologic surveys are necessary to monitor wild animals and detect emerging threats to livestock and humans.

Lifestyle as Risk Factor for Infectious Causes of Death in Young Dogs: A Retrospective Study in Southern Italy (2015-2017).

Infectious diseases are a common cause of death in young dogs. Several factors are thought to predispose young dogs to microbiological infections. Identifying the cause of death is often a challenge, and broad diagnostic analysis is often needed. Here, we aimed to determine the infectious causes of death in young dogs aged up to 1 year, examining how it relates to age (under and over 6 months), lifestyle (owned versus ownerless), breed (purebred and crossbreed), and gender. A retrospective study was conducted in a 3-year period (2015-2017) on 138 dead dogs that had undergone necropsy and microbiological diagnostics. Enteritis and pneumonia were the most commonly observed lesions. Polymicrobism was more prevalent (62.3%) than single-agent infections and associated with a higher rate of generalised lesions. Ownerless dogs showed over a three-fold higher predisposition to viral coinfections than owned dogs. Above all, canine parvovirus was the most prevalent agent (77.5%), followed by canine coronavirus (31.1%) and canine adenovirus (23.9%); ownerless pups had a higher predisposition to these viruses. Escherichia coli (23.9%), Clostridium perfringens type A (18.1%), and Enterococcus spp. (8.7%) were the most commonly identified bacteria, which mostly involved in coinfections. A lower prevalence of CDV and Clostridium perfringens type A was observed in puppies under 6 months of age. In conclusion, this study is the first comprehensive survey on a wide panel of microbiological agents related to necropsy lesions. It lays the groundwork for future studies attempting to understand the circulation of infectious agents in a determined area.