1,720,978 research outputs found
A five-year survey of tick species and identification of tick-borne bacteria in Sardinia, Italy
No full textSardinia is a hotspot for studying tick-borne diseases in the Mediterranean region, where cases of notifiable tick-borne diseases are increasing. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of tick-borne bacteria of medical and veterinary importance in ixodid ticks collected from domestic and wild animals, humans, and vegetation from different collection sites in Sardinia. Using standard PCR and sequencing techniques, the presence of Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Bartonella species, as well as Coxiella burnetii was evaluated. A total of 1619 ticks were morphologically identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, R. bursa, R. annulatus, Dermacentor marginatus, Haemaphysalis punctata, Ha. sulcata, Hyalomma lusitanicum, H. marginatum, Ixodes festai (sometimes referred to erroneously as I. ventalloi), and Argas reflexus. Results indicated the presence of several circulating pathogens in Sardinian ticks. DNA of Rickettsia species was detected in 58 out of 1619 (4%) belonging to R. sanguineus s.l., D. marginatus, Ha. punctata, H. marginatum, and I. festai species. Ehrlichia canis DNA was detected in 33 out of 1619 ticks (2%) belonging to R. sanguineus s.l., R. bursa, and Ha. punctata species. A total of 61 out of 1619 (4%) ticks (R. sanguineus s. l., R. bursa, Ha. punctata, and I. festai) tested positive for Anaplasma spp. Coxiella burnetii was detected in 21 out of 1619 (1%) ticks belonging to R. sanguineus s.l., R. bursa, R. annulatus, and H. marginatum species. Five R. sanguineus s.l. and one R. bursa ticks were positive for the presence of Bartonella sp. 16S rRNA gene. Our findings expand the knowledge on tick-borne microorganism repertoires and tick distribution in Sardinia. Tick distribution should be monitored for effective control of these arthropods and the infections they transmit
Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Babesia and Theileria spp. in ticks from domestic and wild hosts in Sardinia
No full textPiroplasmoses are tick-borne protozoan diseases caused by hemoprotozoan parasites with considerable economic, veterinary and medical impact worldwide. Here, the presence and diversity of piroplasmids was investigated in ticks collected from domestic and wild hosts in a typical subtropical environment of Sardinia island by standard PCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses. We demonstrate the presence of strains closely related to the Theileria buffeli/sergentii/orientalis complex in Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., Rh. bursa, Rh. annulatus, Hyalomma marginatum, Dermacentor marginatus and Haemaphysalis punctata ticks. A strain detected in two Rh. sanguineus s.l. ticks collected from dogs grouped with T. equi, the agent of equine piroplasmosis. T. ovis, the main etiological agent of ovine theileriosis, was detected in one Rh. bursa tick from a mouflon. Babesia bigemina, the causative agent of bovine babesiosis, was detected in two Rh. sanguineus s.l. ticks from dogs. Our findings expand the knowledge on the repertoire of tick-borne pathogens present in Mediterranean ticks. Further analyses are needed to determine the role of ticks in the biological or mechanical transmission of piroplasmoses in this area
Reorganization of actin cytoskeleton in L929 cells infected with Coxiella burnetii strains isolated from placenta and foetal brain of sheep (Sardinia, Italy)
No full textCoxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of Q Fever, is a zoonotic pathogen distributed worldwide. It has been reported that virulent strains of C. burnetii are poorly internalized by monocytes compared to avirulent variants. Virulence is also associated to the formation of pseudopodal extensions and transient reorganization of filamentous actin. In this article, we investigated the ability of 2 Coxiella strains isolated from ovine aborted samples to induce reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in mouse fibroblast cells. Cells were exposed for 24 and 48 hours to ovine placenta and foetal brain tissue homogenates and then analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in order to detect Coxiella infection. The formation of pseudopodal extensions, the polarized distribution of F-actin, and the involvement of C. burnetii strain in cytoskeleton reorganization have been assessed using a laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscope. Results indicate that similarly to the virulent reference strain, strains of C. burnetii isolated from foetal brain induced morphological changes – modification in F-actin distribution and in the localization of bacteria. By contrast, C. burnetii strain isolated from ovine placenta did not induce any significant change in L929 cell morphology. In conclusion, both C. burnetii strains isolated from ovine placenta and foetal brain were pathogenic causing ovine abortion, but in vitro the C. burnetii strain isolated from brain only was able to induce F-actin reorganization in L929 infected cells
Studio sulle caratteristiche microscopiche del tessuto osseo ai fini del riconoscimento delle specie in archeozoologia
No full textAncient Pompeian Dogs – Morphological and Morphometric Evidence for Different Canine Populations.
No full textThis article examines the morphological features of the dog during the Roman Age on the basis of osseous and dental remains dug up in Pompeii. The material, consisting of 113 canine bones and teeth, was subjected to both morphological and morphometrical analyses and was compared with modern canine breeds. In most cases, the age at death, shoulder height and other phenotypic features were ascertained. The examined Pompeian canine population fell mainly into two categories: small- and large-sized animals. Among the former, one brachycephalic and two dolichocephalic subjects were included. Such morphological features agree with what is described in numerous texts and appears in mosaics, bas-reliefs and frescoes of the Roman Age. As small-sized dogs cannot be classified as Canes Venatici (sporting dogs), Canes Villatici (watch dogs) and Canes Pastorales (shepherd dogs) according to Columella's De re rustica, these animals may be considered as lapdogs
Glucose-induced microtubular changes in a neural cell line. A possible neuroprotective role of testosterone
No full textAncient Pompeian dogs - morphological and morphometric evidence for different canine populations
No full textInterspecies differences in the microscopical structure of long bones of domestic animals
No full textD-GLUCOSE INDUCES MICROTUBULAR CHANGES IN A NEURAL CELL LINE THROUGH THE INCORPORATION OF 3-NITRO-L-TYROSINE INTO TUBULIN
No full textThe microtubular network of neurons is involved in several functions such as formation and tropism of cellular processes, cell division and intracellular transport. A lot of evidences testify that the microtubular network of neurons can be impaired by oxidative stress. A condition of oxidative stress is often possible when D-glucose overloads its metabolic pathway, resulting in an increase in reactive oxygen species and subsequent neurological disorders. The aim of this work was to check in undifferentiated mouse neuroblastoma cells (C1300) the possible oxidative effects of D-glucose on microtubules. Using a concentration of 110mM D-glucose, cell morphology, growth rate, viability and catalase activity were seriously altered. Noteworthy, an increase in 3-nitro-L-tyrosine and a downregulation of tubulins was found in D-glucose-exposed cells, whereas another cytoskeletal proteins, namely actin, did not show any changes. In conclusion, microtubular network can be impaired by D-glucose through specific nitrosative effects, suggesting a possible mechanism at the basis of hyperglycemia-induced neuronal damage
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