Molecular characterisation and risk factor analysis of Cryptosporidium spp. in calves from Italy.

To provide up-to-date information on the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in pre-weaned calves from Sardinia (Italy), the species implicated and their zoonotic potential, 147 faecal samples from 22 cattle herds were microscopically examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts; positive isolates were molecularly characterised. A questionnaire was developed to identify risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection. Overall, the percentage of positive calves and farms was 38.8 and 68.2%, respectively. The SSU rRNA-based PCR identified two Cryptosporidium species, Cryptosporidium parvum (95.8%) and C. bovis (4.2%). Sequence analyses of the glycoprotein (gp60) gene revealed that all C. parvum isolates belonged to the subtype family IIa (IIaA15G2R1 and IIaA16G3R1), with the exception of three isolates that belonged to the subtype family IId (IIdA20G1b and IIdA20). Mixed logistic regression results indicated that calves aged 15-21 days were more likely to be Cryptosporidium-positive. The risk of being positive was also significantly higher in herds from Central Sardinia and in farms using non-slatted flooring. In addition, the application of disinfectants and milk replacers was significantly associated with higher Cryptosporidium prevalence. In contrast, the risk of being positive was significantly reduced in halofuginone-treated calves. Our results reveal that a significant percentage of suckling calves are carriers of zoonotic subtypes of C. parvum. Thus, both healthy and diarrhoeic calves younger than 1 month may represent a risk for the transmission of cryptosporidiosis in humans and animals.

Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) and multiple pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (PEH): a case report.

We report a case of a 76-year-old female with multiple lung nodules (Fig. 1 Rx). Pathologic evaluation of the lower left video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy VATS-lobectomy showed four nodules that were described as pulmonary epithelioid hemangio-endothelioma (PEH); the immunohistochemical stains showed that the neoplastic cells expressed CD31, a variable expression for factor VIII and a low expression of CD34. In the remaining parenchyma of the lobe, multiple nests of neuroendocrine cells were observed with immunohistochemical confirmation, and the diagnosis was diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH). To our knowledge, the association between PEH and DIPNECH has never been described in the literature.

68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT detection of multiple extracranial localizations in a patient with anaplastic meningioma / Uso de 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/TC en la detección de localizaciones extracraneales múltiples en un paciente con meningioma anaplásico

We report herein a case of a 65-year-old male with intracranial recurrence of atypical meningioma initially treated with a combination of surgical resection and gamma knife radiotherapy. Afterwards, he underwent a 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT scan in order to evaluate the feasibility of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). The scan identified multiple pulmonary, pleural and lymph node localizations. Histological diagnosis was consistent with intracranial atypical meningioma with diffuse metastatic spread. In our case, we have shown that meningioma with extracranial locations may present high uptake of somatostatin receptor analogues. Among other radionuclides, we believe that 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT may be particularly useful for staging, detection of recurrence, evaluation of disease extension and alternative therapeutic approaches (AU)

Presentamos el caso de un varón de 65 años de edad, con recurrencia intracraneal de meningioma atípico tratada inicialmente con una combinación de resección quirúrgica y radioterapia bisturí de rayos gamma. Después se sometió a una exploración 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/TC con el fin de evaluar la viabilidad de la terapia metabólica con el receptor del péptido (PRRT). Se identificaron múltiples localizaciones en pulmón, pleura y ganglios linfáticos. El diagnóstico histológico fue compatible con meningioma atípico intracraneal y diseminación metastásica difusa. Se ha demostrado con nuestro caso que meningioma con localizaciones extracraneales puede presentar alta captación de análogos de los receptores de somatostatina. Entre otros radiotrazadores creemos que 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/TC puede ser particularmente útil en la estadificación, detección de la recurrencia, la evaluación de la extensión de la enfermedad y los enfoques terapéuticos alternativos (AU)

(68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT detection of multiple extracranial localizations in a patient with anaplastic meningioma.

We report herein a case of a 65-year-old male with intracranial recurrence of atypical meningioma initially treated with a combination of surgical resection and gamma knife radiotherapy. Afterwards, he underwent a (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT scan in order to evaluate the feasibility of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). The scan identified multiple pulmonary, pleural and lymph node localizations. Histological diagnosis was consistent with intracranial atypical meningioma with diffuse metastatic spread. In our case, we have shown that meningioma with extracranial locations may present high uptake of somatostatin receptor analogues. Among other radionuclides, we believe that (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT may be particularly useful for staging, detection of recurrence, evaluation of disease extension and alternative therapeutic approaches.

[Quality of the clinical reports: observational study in Sassari]. / La qualità delle cartelle cliniche: studio osservazionale nella ASL di Sassari.

Within the program of clinical risk management, and in particular in the phase of the "knowledge" of company reality, the work deals with the topic of the case history in Sassari' local health authority. A study is treated where, on a sample of about 400 cases history, four definite aspects are considered, in particular those that are regarded as the most important in the risk management and about medical responsability: 1) formal consent; 2) daily clinical allowance; 3) therapeutic card; 4) operating card. The results we got show the presence of a formal consent filled in correctly in 36 cases (9%), completed a daily allowance in 36 cases (9%), therapeutic card in 14 (3.5%) cases, operation card in 21 cases (19% su 116 surgical cases). These data, that have permitted to estimate the specific company reality as from pointed out critical states, show the necessity of working, with involvement of professional doctors, to build a history case model with clear and shared rules where you can clearly find the clinical path of a patient, where everything made is quoted and easily readable when necessary.

Prevalence of Neospora caninum infection in Sardinian dairy farms (Italy) detected by iscom ELISA on tank bulk milk.

Neospora caninum is a heteroxenous cyst-forming coccidian closely related to Toxoplasma gondii and is considered one of the major causes of abortions in cattle worldwide. The present work aims to update the epidemiological trend of N. caninum of dairy cattle in Sardinia island, Western Mediterranean (Italy). For this reason, we used the newest enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) methodology that exploits immune-stimulating complexes (iscoms) principle and allows us to point out the infection in the tank bulk milk too, besides the individual cattle. A total of 624 herds were sampled and tank bulk milk was submitted to iscom ELISA test. The analysis of the tank bulk milk samples revealed a total farm prevalence of 55% for N. caninum in Sardinia. In the provinces of Oristano and Cagliari the prevalences (64 and 65%, respectively) were significantly higher (p<0.01) than in Sassari and Nuoro (41 and 40%, respectively). The iscom Elisa test applied on tank bulk milk seems to be helpful and cost-effective for large epidemiological surveys, for monitoring control strategy plans for N. caninum, and for increasing the bio-safety level in dairy cattle farms.

Hyperdense mucoid impaction in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: CT appearance.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is an immunologic pulmonary disease characterised by proximal bronchiectasis with normal peripheral branchings and mucoid impactions in patients with asthma. The pathologic damage consists of mucoid impaction containing macrophages, several eosinophils, fungal hyphae, scaled-off epithelium (Curshman spirals) and calcium oxalate crystals. On CT, the mucoid impaction of the bronchial tree generally shows slightly hyperhydric density. The originality and peculiarity of our case is the presence of high-density mucoid impaction inside an atelectatic area.

Monovalent modified-live vaccine against bluetongue virus serotype 2: immunity studies in cows.

A challenge study was conducted to determine the efficacy of vaccination against bluetongue (BT) virus (BTV) serotype 2 in protecting cattle against infection. A group of 30 cows, vaccinated seven months previously with monovalent BTV-2 modified-live vaccine produced by Onderstepoort Biological Products in South Africa, were challenged subcutaneously with 2x 10(5.8)TCID50/ml of BTV-2 field isolate. All cattle originated from the same population in the Sardinian province of Oristano. Eight unvaccinated calves from a BTV-free herd also participated in this study; four were inoculated with BTV-2 and used as positive controls whilst the remaining four were used as negative controls to confirm that no BTV was circulating locally. Blood samples were taken from all animals three times a week for two months. Serum samples were tested for antibody against BTV using the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) and the virus neutralisation (VN) test. Virus isolation was attempted on the blood samples by intravenous egg inoculation followed by two blind passages in Vero cells. Virus titres following challenge were determined also. Of the 30 cows vaccinated, 29 were positive in the c-ELISA and demonstrated neutralising antibodies. At the time of challenge, 11 cows had no virus neutralising antibody while the remainder had low titres ranging from 1:10 (11 cows) to 1:20 (6 cows); two cows showed titres of 1:40 and 1:80, respectively. None of the cows showed signs of disease after challenge and no BTV was isolated from the blood of the 29 cows that had developed antibodies after vaccination. Commencing on day 9 post challenge, BTV-2 was isolated from the blood of the single cow that had not seroconverted following vaccination and from the blood of the unvaccinated controls. Viraemia lasted until day 21 post challenge. Neither BTV nor antibody was detected in the blood samples taken from the negative control group. These observations indicate that the monovalent BTV-2 modified-live vaccine protects most animals when challenged with field virus seven months post vaccination.

Neutralising antibody response in cattle after vaccination with monovalent modified-live vaccine against bluetongue virus serotype 2.

The antibody response following bluetongue (BT) vaccination under both field and experimental conditions, and the duration of colostral antibodies in calves born from vaccinated dams, were evaluated. To this end, 1 005 animals of various breeds and ages were selected at random from 10 herds in the Sardinian province of Oristano. During the first year of the vaccination campaign, the animals selected were vaccinated against BT virus (BTV) serotype 2 between July and August 2002. Blood samples were taken from all animals monthly for three months after vaccination and tested for the presence of BT antibodies using the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) and the virus neutralisation (VN) test. Serological results from field vaccinated animals were compared with those obtained following the vaccination of five animals under experimental conditions. Out of 1,005 animals, 994 (98.1%) developed BT antibody following vaccination whereas antibody was detected in all cows vaccinated under experimental conditions. Both groups showed the highest median titres of 1:160 after two months. To assess the duration of colostral antibodies in calves born from vaccinated dams, the sera of 47 calves were screened using the c-ELISA and VN test. Calves were divided into three age groups: Group A included 22 calves aged 1 to 25 days, Group B 13 calves aged 26 to 39 days and Group C 12 calves aged 40 to 60 days. Antibody was detected in calves in Groups A and B (68.2% and 46.1%, respectively) whereas the calves in Group C were serologically negative.

Serological diagnosis of chlamydial abortion in sheep and goats: comparison of the complement fixation test and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay employing solubilised proteins as antigen.

A new ELISA for antibodies against chlamydial abortion of ewes which uses detergent solubilised proteins (dsp) of Chlamydia psittaci as antigen (Anderson, I.E., Herring, A.J., Jones, G.E., Low, J.C., Greig, A., 1995. Development and evaluation of an indirect ELISA to detect antibodies to abortion strains of Chlamydia psittaci in sheep sera. Vet. Microbiol., 43, pp. 1-12] was compared with the complement fixation test (CFT) in screening 1000 ovine and caprine sera obtained from selected flocks/herds ('flocks') and submitted to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Fifteen of the 17 'flocks' had a history of abortion while the remaining two did not and were classified as 'negative flocks'. Infection with Chlamydia was confirmed during the study period in five 'flocks' using direct immunofluorescence and the modified Ziehl Neelsen stain on pathological material. The dspELISA and CFT identified 37 and 45 positive sera on 158 samples tested from these 'flocks'. Chlamydia antibodies were not detected in one of the two negative flocks, in two other flocks where the cause of abortion was undetermined and in three flocks in which the causes of abortion were diagnosed as Listeriosis and/or Salmonellosis. One of the 'negative flocks' yielded two positive reactors by CFT and five by dspELISA, suggesting infection with a cross-reactive subtype of C. pecorum. Of the five 'flocks' in which a definitive diagnosis from pathological material was not possible, four were positive by both serological tests, suggesting that the abortions were due to Chlamydia. The fifth flock, though negative by dspELISA and marginally positive in two samples by CFT, had experienced confirmed chlamydial abortions in previous lambing seasons, but culling and tetracycline treatment have prevented further abortions in the study period. Overall, the proportions of samples positive by CFT and dspELISA were similar (9.1% and 8.8%). These studies confirmed the value of the dspELISA as a screening test for chlamydial abortion. Furthermore, the dspELISA compared to the CFT is easier to perform, does not require reagent titration at each testing and uses automated assessment of results.

Epidemiology of classical swine fever in Sardinia: a serological survey of wild boar and comparison with African swine fever.

A serological survey was carried out to establish the distribution of classical swine fever among wild boar in Sardinia, where that disease and African swine fever have been endemic in free-ranging domestic pigs and wild boar living in the mountainous areas of the province of Nuoro for several years. Blood samples were collected from 4752 wild boar shot during the period December 1988 to January 1992. An overall prevalence of 11 per cent was observed and the almost constant rate of about 9.8 per cent detected in the past three years indicates that the infection is well established. Wild boar seropositive to classical swine fever were found not only in the areas of the province of Nuoro where they share their habitat with free-ranging domestic pigs but also in other areas of the island where contacts between wild and domestic pigs are unlikely to occur. Therefore, transmission from wild boar to wild boar seems to play an important role in the spread and persistence of classical swine fever virus. In contrast, African swine fever virus is probably unable to persist in the wild boar population in the absence of the risk factor represented by their cohabitation with domestic free-ranging pigs infected with African swine fever.