1,720,996 research outputs found
Pathogenetical mechanism and development of a new diagnostic kit for the parrot proventricular dilatation disease
Full text linkPDD is a progressive disease often fatal, that occurs in several parrot species but a common susceptibility of all parrots is suspected. It also may occur in non psittacine bird like, gooses, hawks, doves tucans and flamingos. The ill birds develop gastrointestinal or central nervous system signs. These presentation can be occur like a combination of both or alone. The clinical signs are caused by histological nervous lesions, characterized by a\ud
non suppurative encephalomyelitis and/or perineural lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates around peripheral nerves. The intramural neural plexa of digestive tract were constanctly involved.\ud
The diagnosis is characterized by inconsistent clinical laboratory findings. A presumptive diagnosis of PDD is often based on anamnestic information, contrast radiographs,\ud
fluoroscopy in PDD suspect birds. Until now the only specific and reliable method used for the diagnosis is the crop biopsy. The presence of characteristic histological perineural infiltrates are strongly suggestive of the disease and necessary for a definitive diagnosis.\ud
Until now the etiology and the pathogenesis are unclear, even if, many Authors suppose the potential role of unclear virus as the causative agent of PDD.\ud
The different aspects of this disease show a lot of analogies with the human Guillain Barrè syndrome, so we have focalised the our study to clarify the pathogenesis. To do this, we investigated if the PDD can be an autoimmune disease and if a possible presence of the blood antiganglioside antibodies can be the starter of this autoimmune pathological mechanism, like was observed in more than 50% of the GBS’s cases
Drugs response of Falcaustra kutcheri parasite in Sulawesi forest turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi) in Italian breeding centre.
No full textSulawesi forest turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi) even if it’s listed on CITES Appendix II actually is considered critically endangered for IUCN red list. Management of a sustainable captive population of the critically endangered Sulawesi forest turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi) has been a priority for the conservation of the species. Mortality in captivity varies widely among keepers and shipments, but generally ranges from 25 to 100%. In breeding center the most common reported causes of death were correlated with parasite infestation. In 2000 Bursey et al. described and identified for the first time Falcaustra kutcheri in one free-living adult male of Sulawesi Forest Turtle (Geoemyda yuwonoi) now called Leucocephalon youwonoi. After this first description very little is known about this specie of nematode and its cycle, moreover the knowledges about the management of breeding of Sulawesi Forest Turtle in captivity is very poor. This report describes the first european identification of this parasite in imported Leucocephalon youwonoi, and the drug treatments responce against Falcaustra kutcheri and protozoan infestation in seven subjects of Leucocephalon youwonoi from italian breeding centre
Setaria tundra, an emerging filarioid nematode in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in northeast Italy.
Full text linkCoincidental with decades of warming (high temperature and humidity) in the sub-Arctic region of
Europe, the mosquito-borne filarioid nematode Setaria tundra is now associated with emerging
epidemic disease, resulting in morbidity and mortality for reindeer and moose. Similarly, roe deer is
also target of this nematode, as documented in Denmark, Germany and Bulgary. In the early 2000s,
S. tundra was first described in roe deer in Piedmont (north Italy). Aedes spp. mosquitoes seem to
be the most competent vectors for S. tundra and little is known about its pathogenicity in roe deer.
After a first report in 2013 of S. tundra in Friuli Venezia Giulia-FVG (northeast Italy) roe deers,
during 2014-2016 an investigation was undertaken to evaluate the its presence in road-killed roe
deer from the Gorizia province. Currently, parasitological dissections of 17 roe deer were
performed. During the necropsy, nematode specimens (1 to 58 per host) were found in the
abdominal cavity. Based on their morphology and biometrics, the nematodes recovered were
identified as Setaria tundra and preserved in alcohol or cryopreserved for further analysis
Moreover, pathological lesions were described, documented and damaged tissue samples were
collected for histological evaluation. The prevalence of S. tundra in FVG roe deer population is
47.1%, mean intensity 11 (range 1-58) and mean abundance 5. The adult worms were located free
in the abdominal cavity where tracks left by worm migration were also seen. Macroscopical lesions
were polysierositis with thickening spleen and liver serosa with fibrinous deposition on surface of
the abdominal organs. Whereas, histological lesions were diffuse serositis, granulomatous reactivity
with Muller's giant cells and calcifications. In our study in FVG, this the first recognition of S.
tundra and the alarming aspect has been that some road killed roe deers showed some significant
pathological peritoneal changes
Exploring the ecology of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) using the first telemetry data collected in Italy
No full textMorfo-Functional Adaptations of the Digestive System of the Cat Induced by Domestication
No full textThis study was conducted to investigate the possible existence of microscopic morphological differences between the digestive tract of the domestic cat (F. catus) and the wildcat (F. s. silvestris), in order to observe whether and how domestication has had an impact on the domestic species. There is still a lot unknown about this feline (F. s. silvestris) and this study was helpful to gain knowledge about the intestinal histology of this species. In order to assess the microscopic structure of the intestine, samples were collected from 22 subjects of F. silvestris silvestris and 9 individuals of F. catus. Histological samples were observed to assess the size of the intestinal villi (height and width) and depth of the crypts. From the average value of each parameter, means were obtained for each species, and these were compared using the Student’s t-test. The results show that there is a significant difference in the size of the villi and intestinal crypts between the two species. As described in literature, the F. catus has a higher Intestinal Index (intestine length divided by body length) than the wildcat, which means the intestine in the domestic species is longer than in the wild species. Despite the domestication of the cat being a process not yet fully understood, based upon published studies, we can conclude that domestication, in particular the change in eating habits, had
a major effect on the digestive system that should be studied and known in more detail
Rethinking road mitigation priorities through detection-informed interpretation of roadkill data and road crossability
No full textRoads play a critical role in biodiversity loss by reducing species survival and promoting habitat fragmentation. Most roadkill studies focus on single species or localized areas, using roadkill as a direct measure of risk, often overlooking or misinterpreting inherent biases (i.e. carcass-location, persistence and observation biases). In this study, we apply two concepts to better understand the relationship between wildlife-vehicle collisions and habitat connectivity. First, we interpret roadkill locations modelled using species distribution models as indicators of roadkill detection, rather than actual roadkill risk. Additionally, we introduce road crossability, a measure of habitat connectivity along roads, assessed using circuit theory. We adopt a multispecies approach, analyzing roadkill data from 15 forest mammals with different mobility across different landscapes (natural and anthropized) in northeastern Italy, to investigate the relationship between roadkill detection and road crossability. Our results show positive correlations between roadkill detection and road crossability for medium and high mobility species, particularly in anthropized landscape, while low mobility species exhibit a weaker correlation. Combining these metrics, we classified the regional road network into zones with different conservation and mitigation priorities: Priority Areas for Connectivity Improvement (PACoIs), Potential Areas for Roadkill Mitigation (PARoMs), and Potential Areas for Connectivity Preservation (PACoPs). Our study suggests that multi-specie roadkill detection and road crossability assessment hold promise to facilitate more effective conservation strategies and mitigation measures to maintain habitat connectivity and reduce the impact of roads in different landscapes
PARROT'S PDD IS A MULTIFACTORIAL DISEASE? NEW PATHOGENETIC EVIDENCES FOR AN AUTO-IMMUNE GANGLIONEURITIS
No full textIn the past we have demonstrated that the pathogenesis of the often fatal syndrome known as “Proventricular Dilatation Disease” (PDD) in parrot is an autoimmune reaction. During the PDD development, intramural myoenteric ganglia are progressively damaged by anti-ganglioside specific auto-antibodies and sensitized lymphocytes and monocytes. We have shown the presence and localization of these auto-antibodies by IHC and immunoelectron microscopy in the crop or gastrointestinal ganglia of parrots, some of which showing severe clinical signs of PDD. In 85% of 40 parrots (34 parrots) belonging to different genera and species, with various clinical signs and positive crop biopsies for PDD, we have evidenced an high titre of anti-gangliosides antibodies, detected by an ELISA test. Of these 34 parrots, 60% (20 parrots) showed avian bornavirus P40 protein specific antibodies in the ELISA test. EM examination showed the presence of dense deposits (probably antibody-complement complexes) over presynaptic motor axons, accompanied by ultrastructural signs of damage. Using immuno-electron microscopy, we observed deposits of antibodies equally distributed on both neuronal and perisynaptic Schwann cells (pSC) membranes, and ultrastructural evidences of injury at both sites. These data demonstrated that both presynaptic neuronal membranes and pSCs are targets for anti-ganglioside antibodies and that probably specific complement components might mediate the injury to both sites. In our opinion this pathogenetic mechanism is independent of a specific aetiological agent (i.e. Bornavirus, Paramyxovirus or other viruses or bacteria). To validate our hypothesis, we tested the 40 sera of PDD affected birds also for lipo-oligosaccharide (LOS) from Campylobacter jejuni, which shows a remarkable structural and antigenic similarities with the gangliosides. The presence of cross-reactivity strengthens the autoimmune theory as the cause of the syndrome
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Thanatological and necropsy findings in suspected poisoning of golden jackals (Canis aureus moreoticus) in North Eastern Italy.
No full textIntroduction In the last decade golden jackal (Canis aureus moreoticus) distribution indicates an ongoing expansion in Europe. The species can live under a wide variety of natural conditions and this ecological plasticity allows it to settle large geographic range. Increased presence is recorded in the European area northwards and westwards, including Italy. Italy provides an important habitat for wildlife. Anthropogenic activities threaten many species, as accidental or deliberate poisoning, documented over many years in European countries. Methods During the spring of 2018 two golden jackals were found dead in Gorizia province in Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) region (north-eastern Italy). Different reproductive packs of golden jackal inhabit this area and the neighbouring north-west Slovenia, where sheep farms are quite widespread. Two carcasses were found at a distance of about 150 meters from each other within 5 days. In that area, during the week before the findings, the temperature range was 8-29°C with sunny weather. The dead animals, a male and a female both of about one year old, were located in area partially shaded and externally infested by different necrophagous Diptera and Coleoptera species. The insects on carcasses were in different development stages and they were dead or showed nervous symptoms. The animals were submitted to the laboratory for gross pathological analysis; brain, lungs, stomach content, liver, spleen and kidney were sampled for Canine Distemper Virus, Rabies Virus and toxicological investigations; lungs and gastrointestinal tract were collected for parasitological analysis. Provisional results The collected carcasses were moderately decomposed at the moment of the necropsy and their body condition score was good. Moderate haemorrhagic effusion in the thoracic cavity and lung parenchyma congestion were predominant pathological features; no lesions were observed in visceral organs but diffuse liver necrosis. The gastric content in one carcass was represented by only five partially digested birds with legs tied by wires (identified as Coturnix sp.), while in the other there were some bird portions (the same bird species), broken bones and hair of a scavenged mammal, at present still under study. Body condition score, post mortem findings, entomological features and gastric content aroused the suspect of poisoning. While toxicological analysis is in progress (not yet available for this abstract), preliminary microbiological and parasitological results would support the hypothesis. Furthermore, thanatological and necroscopic findings allowed the recruitment of an anti-poison dog team which found baits consisting in quails hanging on shrubs, at 20-150 meters from the carcasses respectively. Provisional conclusions This occurrence is the first description of poisoning as potential mortality cause in Italian golden jackal. The adequate evaluation of the suspected crime scene and the necropsy procedures adopted have been essential for the present hypothesis suggestion. Moreover, the data collected will be very useful for the correct management of this spreading carnivore in Italy and Western Europe
- …
