Riscontri epidemiologici su casi di Carbonchio ematico in Sicilia

Introduzione. Nel mese di giugno 2009, l'accertamento di un caso di antrace cutaneo in un paziente ospedalizzato nella provincia di Agrigento ha allertato i servizi veterinari circa la presenza di focolai non conclamati di carbonchio ematico nelle aziende zootecniche situate nel comprensorio interessato. A breve distanza dalla segnalazione, si sono verificati 13 casi di mortalità sospetta in bovini allevati in un'azienda di proprietà di un congiunto del paziente e in altri nove allevamenti della provincia nei comuni, geograficamente contigui, di Sambuca di Sicilia, Caltabellotta e Sciacca. Metodi. Campioni ematici prelevati dai padiglioni auricolari dei bovini deceduti sono stati sottoposti…

Evaluation of matrix effect on the GC/MS response of eighteen pesticides by multivariate approach

Changes in eggshell ultrastructure of Falco naumanni and Tyto alba exposed to pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Changes in the quality of eggs of birds exposed to environmental contaminants have been described, but few reports concern eggshell ultrastructure. In this study, infertile or addled Lesser Kestrels (Falco naumanni) and Barn owls (Tyto alba) eggs were collected from the polluted area of Gela plain (Sicily) during 2007, and compared in terms of organophosphate and organochlorine pesticides, and PCBs levels, and eggshell ultrastructure as determined by scanning electron microscopy. Pesticide and PCB residues in eggs were determined by Gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) [GC Agilent 7890A/MS Agilent 5975C (Agilent technologies) using a DB-5 capillary column in the selected ion monito…

Effects of diclofenac on the gametes and embryonic development of Arbacia lixula

Diclofenac (DCF), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is among the main pollutants of aquatic environments. Nevertheless, even if several authors evaluated its effects on marine organisms, no work has ever analysed its impact on the sea urchin Arbacia lixula. The purpose of this study was to analyse, for the first time, the impact of DCF at different concentrations (50 mg/l, 5 mg/l, 0.5 mg/l, 0.05 mg/l) on A. lixula embryos and gametes to indicate possible safe minimum levels of release of this drug in marine environments. Our results showed significant concentration-dependent effects on embryonic development (decrease in the number of developed embryos and increase in the quant…