0000000000479209
AUTHOR
G. Purpari
Pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus in a swine farm house in Sicily, Italy.
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. …
Valutazioni igienico-sanitarie delle acque in tre invasi artificiali della provincia di Palermo destinate al consumo umano
We report the physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of three Sicilian reservoirs. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the reservoirs' sanitary conditions, given tha the water is also used for human consumption. 114 samples (4 locations at each lake) were collected in the period from July 1995 to June 1996. We analysed temperature, pH, oxygen saturation, colour and parameters of water mineralization and pollution of natural or human origin.Pathogenic bacteria (Salòmonellae) and opportunistic patjogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aeromonas spp. were also investigated. At present, results are not showing particular levels of pollution, and it seems there is no ris…
GIV noroviruses and other enteric viruses in bivalves: a preliminary study.
We evaluated the presence of the enteric viruses: norovirus, adenovirus, enterovirus, astrovirus, hepatitis A virus, and hepatitis E virus in bivalves using nested PCR methods and cell culture assays. Noroviruses GII.4 and GIV.1, adenoviruses types 1 and 2, hepatitis A, and echovirus type 7 were detected in the shellfish tested, which were often co-infected. This is the first study to detect such a high level of viral contamination in Italian mussels (up to four different viral groups in a single sample), and the first to document the presence of GIV NoV in shellfish.
Ovine Catarrhal fever (bluetongue): Analysis of Culicoides species in seropositive farms
Bluetongue (BT) is an orbiviral disease of wild and domestic ruminants, mainly sheep. In Sicily, the first Bluetongue outbreak occurred in October 2000; there have been 76 recorded outbreaks so far. The National Surveillance Plan, based on European Union Commission Decision 138/2001/CE, establishes serological and entomological surveys. This plan consists of controls of seronegative cattle, called 'sentry' as indicators for the presence and circulation of virus in defined areas. To check the seroconversions, the regional territory has been subdivided in 400 km2 areas including 58 seronegative cattle, periodically checked by serological tests. All positive sera have been tested to detect the…