P Cordioli

Publications (28)85.75 Total impact

• Article: Genomic Characterization of Pseudorabies Virus Strains Isolated in Italy.

  E Sozzi, A Moreno, D Lelli, S Cinotti, G L Alborali, A Nigrelli, A Luppi, M Bresaola, A Catella, P Cordioli
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  ABSTRACT: In this study, we undertook the genomic characterization of 54 pseudorabies virus (PRV) strains isolated in Italy during 1984-2010. The characterization was based on partial sequencing of the UL44 (gC) and US8 (gE) genes; 44 strains (38 for gene gE and 36 for gC) were isolated on pig farms; 9 originated from dogs and 1 from cattle. These porcine PRV strains, which were closely related to those isolated in Europe and America in the last 20 years, and the bovine strain bovine/It/2441/1992 belong to cluster B in both phylogenetic trees. Six porcine strains that do not belong to cluster B are related in both gE and gC phylogenetic trees to the 'old' porcine PRV strains isolated in the 1970s and 1980s. In the last two decades, the presence of these strains in domestic pig populations has been reduced drastically, whereas they are prevalent in wild boar. The two remaining strains have an interesting genomic profile, characterized by the gC gene being closely related to the old porcine PRV strains, and the gE gene being similar to that of recently isolated strains. Three strains originating from working dogs on pig farms are located in cluster B in both phylogenetic trees. Five strains isolated from hunting dogs have a high degree of correlation with PRV strains circulating in wild boar. The last isolate has a gC gene similar to that in the two porcine strains mentioned previously, and the gE gene is correlated with the strains isolated from hunting dogs. These results provide interesting insight into the genomic characterization of PRV strains and reveal a clear differentiation between the strains isolated from hunting dogs that are related to the wild boar strains and those originating from domestic pigs.
  Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 01/2013; · 1.81 Impact Factor
• Article: Serosurvey against H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses in Italian poultry workers.

  L Di Trani, S Porru, L Bonfanti, P Cordioli, B M Cesana, A Boni, A Scotto Di Carlo, C Arici, I Donatelli, P Tomao, N Vonesch, M A De Marco
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  ABSTRACT: Highly pathogenic (HP) and low pathogenic (LP) avian influenza viruses (AIVs) belonging to H5 and H7 subtypes have been found to be associated with human infection as the result of direct transmission from infected poultry. Human infections by AIVs can cause mild or subclinical disease, and serosurveys are believed to represent an important tool to identify risk of zoonotic transmission. Therefore, we sought to examine Italian poultry workers exposed during LPAI and HPAI outbreaks with the aim of assessing serologic evidence of infection with H5 and H7 AIVs. From December 2008 to June 2010 serum samples were collected from 188 poultry workers and 379 nonexposed controls in Northern Italy. The hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay using horse red blood cells (RBCs) and a microneutralization (MN)-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test were used to analyze human sera for antibodies against the following H5 and H7 LPAI viruses: A/Dk/It/4445/07(H5N2); A/Ty/It/2369/09(H5N7); A/Ty/It/218-193/ 10; A/Ck/It/3775/99(H7N1); A/Ty/It/214845/03(H7N3); and A/Dk/It/332145/09(H7N3). Since previous studies identified low antibody titer to AIVs in people exposed to infected poultry, a cutoff titer of > or = 1:10 was chosen for both serologic assays. Only HI-positive results confirmed by MN assay were considered positive for presence of specific antibodies. The Fisher exact test was used to analyze differences in seroprevalence between poultry workers and control groups, with the significance level set at P < 0.05. MN results showed a proportion of H7-seropositive poultry workers (6/188, i.e., 3.2%), significantly higher than that of controls (0/379), whereas no MN-positive result was obtained against three H5 LPAI subtypes recently identified in Italy. In conclusion, the survey indicated that assessing seroprevalence can be an important tool in risk assessment and health,surveillance of poultry workers.
  Avian Diseases 12/2012; 56(4 Suppl):1068-71. · 1.46 Impact Factor
• Article: Identification of Mammalian Orthoreovirus Type 3 in Italian Bats.

  D Lelli, A Moreno, A Lavazza, M Bresaola, E Canelli, M B Boniotti, P Cordioli
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  ABSTRACT: Summary This study describes the isolation and molecular characterization of Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) in microbats. Faecal samples and dead individuals available from rehabilitation centres or collected from known roost sites were virologically tested. In total, 112 carcasses of bats found dead, and 44 faecal samples were analysed. Nineteen viral strains were isolated by in vitro cell culture from faecal and tissue samples of different bat species (Pipistrellus khulii, Tadarida teniotis, Rhinolophus hipposideros and Vespertilio murinus), and they were morphologically identified as reoviruses by negative staining electron microscopy observation. The definitive assignment of all isolates to MRV was confirmed by RT-PCR assays targeting the L1 gene. Through a multiplex RT-PCR assay targeting the S1 gene, we typed 15 of 19 isolates as MRV type 3. Partial L1 (416 bp) and complete S1 (1416 bp) sequences of the isolates were analysed and compared with those of reference strains obtained from GenBank, belonging to the three serotypes. Molecular analysis of the S1 gene revealed that the amino acid residues associated with neurotropism (198-204NLAIRLP, 249I, 350D and 419E) were highly conserved among the Italian bat strains. These results suggest that potentially neurotropic MRV type 3 strains are widespread among Italian bats. Furthermore, the identification of MRV type 3 in bat species such as Pipistrellus Khulii, which is common in urban areas and known for its close contact with humans, underlines the need for vigilance.
  Zoonoses and Public Health 08/2012; · 1.89 Impact Factor
• Article: Pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus in a swine farm house in Sicily, Italy.

  A Guercio, G Purpari, P G Conaldi, V Pagano, A Moreno, P Giambruno, L Di Trani, G Vaccari, E Falcone, A Boni Istituto, P Cordioli
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  ABSTRACT: This report describes a pandemic A/H1N1 (H1N1 pdm) virus outbreak occurred in December, 2009 in a swine farm used as research facility (Istituto Mediterraneo Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione) for preclinical studies, located in Sicily, Italy. All the 13 pigs of the farm, showed cough, fever, inappetence and weakness. At the same time, an unvaccinated worker of the stabling showed influenza-like symptoms. RNAv extracted from two swabs collected from infected pigs resulted positive by Real Time RT-PCR for Influenza A virus. Furthermore, after growth on embryonated eggs, viral isolates were identified by Real Time RT-PCR specific for H1N1 pdm virus and characterized antigenically. Sequencing of the whole genome was also performed. All sera taken from animals and from the worker were tested by a competitive influenza A ELISA and by the haemoagglutination inhibition test. Serological findings confirmed the circulation of influenza virus H1N1 pdm in pigs and the presence of specific antibodies against H1N1 pdm in human serum. The results of this study seem to support a H1N1 pdm transmission from man to animals showing the importance of serological and virological investigation to control the pig farms and the importance of close cooperation between the different authorities like veterinarian and human public.
  Journal of Environmental Biology 03/2012; 33(2):155-7. · 0.64 Impact Factor
• Article: Influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus outbreak in a cat colony in Italy.

  L Fiorentini, R Taddei, A Moreno, D Gelmetti, I Barbieri, M A De Marco, G Tosi, P Cordioli, P Massi
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  ABSTRACT: In April 2009, a novel H1N1 influenza A virus (pH1N1) was recognized as the cause of the flu pandemic in humans. Here, we report the isolation of pH1N1 virus from the lung homogenates of two cats, which died after severe respiratory symptoms. The cats belonged to a cat colony consisting of 90 caged cats and were found dead following a 2-week period of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in the colony. During the outbreak, 25 cats died and 50% of the animal colony showed anorexia, depression, respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Histological examination of the lungs of the two tested cats displayed lesions centred on terminal airways with epithelial bronchiolar hyperplasia and alveolar necrosis. Influenza A virus was detected in the lung tissues by immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR). Partial sequences of haemagglutinin (HA) genes and complete sequences of neuraminidase (NA) genes of the two isolates displayed high similarity to the pH1N1 viruses circulating in humans (99% for HA gene and 100% for NA gene). To determine whether the pandemic virus had circulated among cats, serum samples and pharyngeal swabs were collected from 38 cats of the colony. Serum samples were tested by ELISA to detect antibodies against pH1N1 nucleoprotein and by hemagglutination-inhibition test, while pharyngeal swabs were examined by pH1N1 specific rRT-PCR. Twenty-one (55%) of the tested cats carried antibodies against the isolated strain and two swabs were positive for the presence of pH1N1 RNA. Our results confirm that the pH1N1 virus was able to infect cats and raise the hypothesis of the circulation of the virus within the colony being due to cat-to-cat transmission. The case reported here provides, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the first description of the pH1N1 infection involving numerous cats that lived in a restricted area with limited contact with humans.
  Zoonoses and Public Health 04/2011; 58(8):573-81. · 1.89 Impact Factor
• Article: Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of VP1 of porcine enteric picornaviruses isolates in Italy.

  E Sozzi, I Barbieri, A Lavazza, D Lelli, A Moreno, E Canelli, M Bugnetti, P Cordioli
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  ABSTRACT: Porcine enterovirus (PEV), Porcine Teschovirus and Porcine sapelovirus, belonging to the family Picornaviridae, are ubiquitous and mainly cause asymptomatic infections in pigs. In this study, a total of 40 Italian porcine picornavirus isolates were characterized by sequencing the capsid VP1-encoding gene. This procedure turned out to be a useful diagnostic tool for the molecular identification of porcine enterovirus, teschovirus and sapelovirus strains and for the study of molecular epidemiology and evolution of these viruses confirming the possibility of correlating virus genotype to serotype.
  Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 10/2010; 57(6):434-42. · 1.81 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Armando Giovannini

  Article: Antibody response in cattle vaccinated against bluetongue serotype 8 in Italy.

  P Calistri, A Giovannini, G Savini, L Bonfanti, P Cordioli, R Lelli, V Caporale
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  ABSTRACT: To assess the immunogenicity of Zulvac 8 Bovis (a commercial inactivated vaccine against bluetongue virus serotype 8 - BTV8) under field conditions, 71 cattle vaccinated according to manufacturer schedule in Verona province (Italy) were tested for the presence of BTV8 neutralizing antibodies at 21, 29, 36, 43, 49, 102 and 201 days post-vaccination (dpv). Another group of 528 BTV8 vaccinated cattle in Mantova province (Italy) was also tested once between 113 and 174 dpv. The vaccine was able to elicit an immune response in 69 (97.2%) and 346 (65.5%) animals of the Verona and Mantova groups, respectively.
  Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 06/2010; 57(3):180-4. · 1.81 Impact Factor
• Article: Disease Resistance and Thriftiness of Calves given Human Lymphoblastoid Interferon

  M. Amadori, I. L. Archetti, C. Berneri, M. Salvalai, P. Cordioli, E. Lodetti
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  ABSTRACT: SummaryA field trial was set up to evaluate the effect of human lymphoblastoid interferon (IFN) as a biological response modifier (BRM) in cattle. Two different doses (100 and 1000 International Units/kg body weight) of partially purified interferon from Namalwa cells were administered to suckling calves, after animals were introduced into a large veal fattening and finishing unit. The clinical conditions of the calves and some parameters of specific and non-specific immunity, along with the individual weights, were evaluated over a 4-month period. The higher IFN dose correlated with a favourable clinical response of calves to a respiratory syndrome; this was further substantiated by a dramatic improvement of the growth rate with respect to control calves. To a lesser extent, this also occurred in calves given the lower IFN dose. These results suggest better disease resistance in IFN-treated calves, possible associated with dose-dependent regulation of basic homeostatic functions.
  Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series B 05/2010; 41(1‐10):381 - 390. · 1.48 Impact Factor
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  Available from: Giovanni Savini

  Article: West Nile virus transmission in 2008 in north-eastern Italy.

  P Calistri, A Giovannini, G Savini, F Monaco, L Bonfanti, C Ceolin, C Terregino, M Tamba, P Cordioli, R Lelli
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  ABSTRACT: After 10 years, West Nile virus (WNV) re-emerged in Italy in August 2008. As on 31 December 2008, the infection affected eight Provinces in three Regions (Emilia Romagna, Veneto, Lombardy), where a total of 794 cases of WNV infection in 251 equine stables were detected on the basis of the clinical signs and as a result of a serological screening in horses living in the area. Only 4.0% (32/794) of the serologically positive animals showed clinical signs, and the 32 clinical cases were reported in 18 different farms. The observed case-fatality rate was 15.6% (5/32). The confirmed clinical cases were detected from end August to mid October. Significant levels of positivity by RT-PCR were also observed in magpies (Pica pica) (9.1%, 95% confidence levels: 6.1-13.4%), carrion crows (Corvus corone) (7.4%, 95% confidence levels: 3.6-14.4%) and rock pigeons (Columba livia) (12.9%, 95% confidence levels: 7.6-21.2%).
  Zoonoses and Public Health 05/2010; 57(3):211-9. · 1.89 Impact Factor
• Article: Serological survey for influenza type A viruses in domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and cats (Felis catus) in north-eastern Italy.

  A Piccirillo, D Pasotto, A Moreno Martin, P Cordioli
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  ABSTRACT: To ascertain the potential transmission of influenza A viruses to dogs and cats, a serological survey was carried out in North-eastern Italy. In a 4-year period, 637 serum samples were screened using a Mab-based competitive ELISA for anti-nucleoprotein A (NPA) antibody detection of influenza viruses. No evidence of anti-NPA antibodies was observed.
  Zoonoses and Public Health 11/2009; 57(4):239-43. · 1.89 Impact Factor
• Article: Improved diagnosis for nine viral diseases considered as notifiable by the world organization for animal health.

  B Rodriguez-Sanchez, J M Sanchez-Vizcaino, A Uttenthal, T B Rasmussen, M Hakhverdyan, D P King, N P Ferris, K Ebert, S M Reid, I Kiss, E Brocchi, P Cordioli, B Hjerner, M McMenamy, J McKillen, J S Ahmed, S Belak
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  ABSTRACT: Nine viral diseases included in the World Organization for Animal Health list of notifiable diseases (former list A) were chosen for their contagiousness and high capacity of spreading to improve their diagnosis using new and emerging technologies. All the selected diseases--foot-and-mouth disease, swine vesicular disease, vesicular stomatitis, classical swine fever, African swine fever, bluetongue, African horse sickness, Newcastle disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza--are considered as transboundary diseases, which detection causes the prohibition of livestock exportation, and, thus, it leads to high economical losses. The applied diagnostic techniques can fall into two categories: (i) nucleic-acid detection, including padlock probes, real-time PCR with TaqMan, minor groove binding probes and fluorescence energy transfer reaction probes, isothermal amplification like the Cleavase/Invader assay or the loop-mediated amplification technology and the development of rapid kits for 'mobile' PCR and (ii) antigen-antibody detection systems like simplified and more sensitive ELISA tests. Besides, internal controls have been improved for nucleic acid-detecting methods by using an RNA plant virus--Cowpea Mosaic Virus--to ensure the stability of the RNA used as a positive control in diagnostic real-time RT-PCR assays. The development of these diagnosis techniques has required the joint efforts of a European consortium in which nine diagnostic laboratories and an SME who have collaborated since 2004 within the European Union-funded Lab-on-site project. The results obtained are shown in this paper.
  Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 09/2008; 55(5-6):215-25. · 1.81 Impact Factor
• Article: Genetic characterization of equine influenza viruses isolated in Italy between 1999 and 2005.

  A M Damiani, M T Scicluna, I Ciabatti, G Cardeti, M Sala, G Vulcano, P Cordioli, V Martella, D Amaddeo, G L Autorino
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  ABSTRACT: During local respiratory disease outbreaks, occurring in 2003 and 2004 in horse training stables within race-tracks in Rome, and on a stud horse farm in Bari in 2005, four strains of equine influenza (EI) virus were isolated. All outbreaks occurred in flu-vaccinated horses. Here, we are reporting the results of the genetic characterization of these isolates, together with that of another EI virus strain isolated in 1999 from a dead foal presenting pulmonary lesions. Alignment and phylogenetic analyses were carried out using the haemagglutinin amino acid sequences. The Rome and Bari isolates were identified as members of the American lineage, closely related to other recent strains isolated in America as well as in Europe, including the latest recommended American lineage vaccine prototype A/eq/SouthAfrica/4/2003. In contrast, the Italian 1999 isolate was clustered within the European lineage. In Italy, the most recent outbreaks of EI have been caused by the currently circulating American-like strains, even in vaccinated populations, confirming that vaccines should contain an updated representative strain of this lineage. Presently, companies are still in the process of registering updated vaccines but no product is yet available on the market.
  Virus Research 02/2008; 131(1):100-5. · 2.94 Impact Factor
• Article: Infection with chikungunya virus in Italy: an outbreak in a temperate region.

  G Rezza, L Nicoletti, R Angelini, R Romi, A C Finarelli, M Panning, P Cordioli, C Fortuna, S Boros, F Magurano, G Silvi, P Angelini, M Dottori, M G Ciufolini, G C Majori, A Cassone
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  ABSTRACT: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which is transmitted by Aedes spp mosquitoes, has recently caused several outbreaks on islands in the Indian Ocean and on the Indian subcontinent. We report on an outbreak in Italy. After reports of a large number of cases of febrile illness of unknown origin in two contiguous villages in northeastern Italy, an outbreak investigation was done to identify the primary source of infection and modes of transmission. An active surveillance system was also implemented. The clinical case definition was presentation with fever and joint pain. Blood samples were gathered and analysed by PCR and serological assays to identify the causal agent. Locally captured mosquitoes were also tested by PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of the CHIKV E1 region was done. Analysis of samples from human beings and from mosquitoes showed that the outbreak was caused by CHIKV. We identified 205 cases of infection with CHIKV between July 4 and Sept 27, 2007. The presumed index case was a man from India who developed symptoms while visiting relatives in one of the villages. Phylogenetic analysis showed a high similarity between the strains found in Italy and those identified during an earlier outbreak on islands in the Indian Ocean. The disease was fairly mild in nearly all cases, with only one reported death. This outbreak of CHIKV disease in a non-tropical area was to some extent unexpected and emphasises the need for preparedness and response to emerging infectious threats in the era of globalisation.
  The Lancet 01/2008; 370(9602):1840-6. · 38.28 Impact Factor
• Article: Experimental infection of calves with bovine viral diarrhoea virus type-2 (BVDV-2) isolated from a contaminated vaccine.

  E Falcone, P Cordioli, M Tarantino, M Muscillo, G Sala, G La Rosa, I L Archetti, C Marianelli, G Lombardi, M Tollis
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  ABSTRACT: A non-cytopathic strain of BVDV-2 was isolated from a batch of live infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) vaccine, and inoculated intranasally into four 3-month-old calves. Severe signs of disease developed by days 4 and 6 in three of the calves, free of BVDV and antibodies to BVDV, that had been exposed to the virus. These calves survived the acute phase of the infection and progressively recovered. BVDV was consistently isolated, or the respective viral RNA was detected, in the buffy coats from blood samples collected starting from days 2 or 4 up to days 11 or 14 after the experimental infection. Viral RNA was also detected in sera from these infected calves until the presence in the serum of virus neutralizing antibodies was demonstrated. By contrast, the only calf having pre-existing neutralizing antibodies to BVDV at the start of the study was protected from the disease. No virus was detected at any time after experimental inoculation of this calf. Genomic characterization of the BVDV-2 isolated in cell cultures, or detected in sera from the experimentally infected animals, revealed 100%, homology in the nucleotide sequence with the BVDV-2 detected as a contaminant of the live IBR virus vaccine. These findings provided evidence of the infective nature of the contaminant BVDV-2 and of its potential to generate disease outbreaks when inoculated into susceptible animals.
  Veterinary Research Communications 11/2003; 27(7):577-89. · 0.82 Impact Factor
• Article: Genetic heterogeneity of bovine viral diarrhoea virus in Italy.

  E Falcone, P Cordioli, M Tarantino, M Muscillo, G La Rosa, M Tollis
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  ABSTRACT: The genetic characteristics, of 38 field isolates of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) collected in 1999 from sick or healthy and persistently infected cattle of dairy farms situated in northern Italy, were investigated. A partial 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) sequence of each isolate was determined and a phylogenetic analysis was performed. All the isolates were classified as belonging to the BVDV-1 genotype and could be assigned to different BVDV-1 groups, namely BVDV-1b (n = 20), BVDV-1d (n = 6) and BVDV-1e (n = 10). Two remaining isolates could be classified as BVDV-1f and BVDV-1h, respectively. These results provided evidence for genetic heterogeneity of BVDV in Italy, and contribute to a better knowledge of the circulation of BVDV strains, and to their classification.
  Veterinary Research Communications 10/2003; 27(6):485-94. · 0.82 Impact Factor
• Article: Standardization of an inactivated H17N1 avian influenza vaccine and efficacy against A/Chicken/Italy/13474/99 high-pathogenicity virus infection.

  L Di Trani, P Cordioli, E Falcone, G Lombardi, A Moreno, G Sala, M Tollis
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  ABSTRACT: The minimum requirements for assessing the immunogenicity of an experimental avian influenza (AI) vaccine prepared from inactivated A/Turkey/Italy/2676/99 (H7N1) low-pathogenicity (LP) AI (LPAI) virus were determined in chickens of different ages. A correlation between the amount of hemagglutinin (HA) per dose of vaccine and the protection against clinical signs of disease and infection by A/Chicken/Italy/13474/99 highly pathogenic (HP) AI (HPAI) virus was established. Depending on the vaccination schedule, one or two administrations of 0.5 microg of hemagglutinin protected chickens against clinical signs and death and completely prevented virus shedding from birds challenged at different times after vaccination.
  Avian Diseases 02/2003; 47(3 Suppl):1042-6. · 1.46 Impact Factor
• Article: ELISA test for the detection of influenza H7 antibodies in avian sera.

  G Sala, P Cordioli, A Moreno-Martin, M Tollis, E Brocchi, A Piccirillo, A Lavazza
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  ABSTRACT: Using a monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific for the H7 influenza surface glycoproteins, a serological enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test has been developed. This MAb was made using the low-pathogenicity (LP) avian influenza (AI) strain (BS2676/99) isolated in Italy during a recent outbreak. The test is able to detect H7 antibodies in avian sera. The H7 ELISA has a 99% concordance of results with the classical hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test.
  Avian Diseases 02/2003; 47(3 Suppl):1057-9. · 1.46 Impact Factor
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  Available from: Marco Tamba

  Article: Risk factors for Aujeszky's-disease seropositivity of swine herds of a region of northern Italy.

  M Tamba, R Calabrese, E Finelli, P Cordioli
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  ABSTRACT: Vaccination programs to control Aujeszky's-disease virus (ADV) using gE-deleted vaccines are being considered in several European countries. Knowledge of factors influencing ADV-seropositivity for vaccinated herds might contribute to the success of these programs. A multivariable analysis of ADV-seropositivity in 1248 swine herds (332 farrow-to-finish, 260 farrow-to-feeder and 656 finishing herds) in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy revealed that (1) high pig density (number of pigs in a 6-km radius), (2) gilt purchasing, and (3) increased number of fattening pigs were risk factors for farrow-to-finish herds. In farrow-to-feeder herds, ADV-seropositivity was related to (1) increased number of breeders, (2) heavy-gilt purchasing, and (3) increased pig density. In finishing herds, (1) increased herd size was related to ADV-seropositivity, whereas (2) periodic rearing suspension was protective.
  Preventive Veterinary Medicine 08/2002; 54(3):203-12. · 2.05 Impact Factor
• Article: Genotyping of bovine viral diarrhoea viruses isolated from cattle in northern Italy.

  E Falcone, P Cordioli, G Sala, M Tarantino, M Tollis
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  ABSTRACT: Following the first official report of a clinically severe outbreak of bovine viral diarrhoea disease occurring in a farm in northern Italy, which had originated from the use of a live vaccine contaminated with a strain of BVD genotype II virus, a retrospective study on the prevalence of BVDV genotypes in Italy became highly relevant. For this purpose, the genotype of 78 BVDV-positive specimens, obtained in 1998-1999 from dairy cattle in an area near to where the outbreak occurred, was characterized by PCR technology. Two sets of primers, spanning the 5' UTR of BVDV genome, were used sequentially in a first round of RT-PCR, performed on viral RNA extracted directly from 15 clinical samples and 63 BVDV-infected cell-culture fluids; a second PCR assay followed to selectively amplify only BVDV genotype II. All the viruses under study were characterized as BVDV genotype I. As well as contributing to a better understanding of the prevalence of BVDV genotypes in the field, the results of the present study illustrate the possibility that novel BVDV strains can emerge in susceptible animals through the use of contaminated immunobiological products for bovine use.
  Veterinary Research Communications 03/2001; 25(2):161-7. · 0.82 Impact Factor
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  Available from: cdc.gov

  Article: Changes in the haemagglutinin and the neuraminidase genes prior to the emergence of highly pathogenic H7N1 avian influenza viruses in Italy.

  J Banks, E S Speidel, E Moore, L Plowright, A Piccirillo, I Capua, P Cordioli, A Fioretti, D J Alexander
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  ABSTRACT: Outbreaks of avian influenza due to an H7N1 virus of low pathogenicity occurred in domestic poultry in northern Italy from March 1999 until December 1999 when a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus emerged. Nucleotide sequences were determined for the HA1 and the stalk region of the neuraminidase (NA) for viruses from the outbreaks. The HPAI viruses have an unusual multibasic haemagglutinin (HA) cleavage site motif, PEIPKGSRVRRGLF. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the HPAI viruses arose from low pathogenicity viruses and that they are most closely related to a wild bird isolate, A/teal/Taiwan/98. Additional glycosylation sites were present at amino acid position 149 of the HA for two separate lineages, and at position 123 for all HPAI and some low pathogenicity viruses. Other viruses had no additional glycosylation sites. All viruses examined from the Italian outbreaks had a 22 amino acid deletion in the NA stalk that is not present in the N1 genes of the wild bird viruses examined. We conclude that the Italian HPAI viruses arose from low pathogenicity strains, and that a deletion in the NA stalk followed by the acquisition of additional glycosylation near the receptor binding site of HA1 may be an adaptation of H7 viruses to a new host species i.e. domestic poultry.
  Archives of Virology 02/2001; 146(5):963-73. · 2.11 Impact Factor