The role of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and Mycoplasma arginini in the respiratory mycoplasmosis of sheep and goats in Italy: Correlation of molecular data with histopathological features.

Mycoplasma infections are commonly found in the respiratory system of small ruminants; the species most commonly detected are Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and Mycoplasma arginini, associated with the so-called "atypical non-progressive pneumonia". The pathogenic role of M. ovipneumoniae in pneumonia has been demonstrated in sheep but still needs to be verified in goats; on the other hand, the role of M. arginini in sheep is not well understood, while in goats seems to be of low pathogenic value. The present study aims to investigate the aetiology of pneumonia in sheep and goats that died from respiratory disease using anatomopathological, histopathological, and molecular investigations and to clarify the role of respiratory mycoplasmas by the association of molecular data with histopathological features. First, to better understand which histological changes are actually suggestive of atypical pneumonia in sheep and goats, the study identified the histological lesions significantly associated with Mycoplasma spp. infection. Then, the histological score of lesions considered suggestive of atypical pneumonia was used to estimate the pathogenicity of each mycoplasma detected. The results showed that M. ovipneumoniae and M. arginini (alone or in mixed infections) are pathogenic both in sheep, as well as in goats with similar histology and severity of lesions. Moreover, young animals were statistically more susceptible to M.ovipneumoniae and M. arginini infection than adults. Animals appeared more at risk to the development of M. ovipneumoniae and M. arginini infection in summer.

Bovine malignant catarrhal fever: case reporting in Central Italy.

A case of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) occurred in a 4­month­old calf housed in a semi­intensive herd in central Italy is described. The herd was in strict cohabitation with a group of domestic sheep. The calf displayed clinical signs that resembled the acute form of MCF and, after a few days of antibiotic and anti inflammatory therapy, died in September 2016. The diagnosis was confirmed in vivo in blood by detection of ovine herpesvirus type 2 DNA through real­time PCR. At necropsy, the gross post­mortem findings were typical of MCF and the histological and molecular assays confirmed the presence of the virus. The sheep flock was suspected to be the source of the infection. In Italy, as well as in Europe, there is little data regarding the epidemiology and the recurrence of the disease in herds of cattle, due to the lack of an active surveillance plan and to a major consideration of MCF between differential diagnosis.

A multi-screening Fast qPCR approach to the identification of abortive agents in ruminants.

Abortion in ruminants represents an important economic concern for farmers. Microbial agents, such as Brucella spp., Chlamydia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Leptospira spp., Neospora caninum, Salmonella spp. and Toxoplasma gondii, are among the main infectious causes of abortion and require rapid and reliable diagnosis. This study describes the development of a multi-screening assay using Fast Real-Time PCR (Fast qPCR) that allows, in a single test, the simultaneous identification of the above-mentioned abortive agents. This multi-screening approach is characterized by a mean diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 97%, respectively; it has a limit of detection (LOD) ranging from 5 × 103 to 4 × 104 genomic copies/g of tissue and a very good concordance with traditional end-point PCR assays used in routine diagnostic activity. The proposed method represents a rapid approach to the simultaneous detection of the main abortive agents in ruminants that allows to make an accurate diagnosis and to set up appropriate control measures in a short period of time.

Toenail onychomycosis by Trichophyton rubrum and concurrent infestation with Tyrophagus putrescentiae.

A remarkable case of onychomycosis by Trichophyton (T.) rubrum combined with nail infestation by Tyrophagus (T.) putrescentiae in an elderly diabetic farmer is described and discussed. Large numbers of eggs and mites in all development stages were present in nail debris, reflecting active reproduction on site. Treatment with ivermectin 0.1% cream and environmental decontamination cleared the mite infestation, while onychomycosis responded well to oral terbinafine and ciclopirox 8% nail lacquer. Such a combination of onychomycosis and mite infestation of the same nail is an exceptional finding reported only twice in the literature.