In April 2010, the sampling of juvenile Pacific cupped oysters originating from France was undertaken from a farm located off the coast of the Marche region in Italy. Samples were sent to the national reference laboratory for mollusc diseases for bacteriological, histological, electron microscopical and molecular analysis. Classical and Real-Time PCR indicated the presence of the microvariant (OsHV-1 μvar) of Type 1 Ostreid Herpes virus (OsHV-1) despite the absence of clinical and pathological signs normally associated with the presence of this variant. Further molecular and sequencing analysis revealed the presence of OsHV-1 μvar and OsHV-1 DNA in one oyster indicating that simultaneous detection of both viruses is possible. This is the first report of the presence of OsHV-1 μvar in Italy and also the first time that evidence of possible co-infection of OsHV-1 and OsHV-1 μvar has been provided.

The risk of exposure toListeria monocytogenes(L. monocytogenes) when consuming Ready-to-Eat (RTE) seafood was assessed in the Veneto Region (Italy). Thirty-eight samples were analyzed, each sample consisted of three subunits belonging to the same batches. The first of the three units was examined immediately, the second was stored at +4°C (for all of its shelf-life) and the third at +10°C (for the latter third of itsshelf-life) before the analysis. Chemical-physical and microbiological parameters were tested simultaneously. Culture results showed the presence of viableL. monocytogenesin 9 (23,68%) of the 38 samples analysed, 3 (33,33%) of which with a concentration >100 cfu/g. PCR tests yielded 12L. monocytogenespositive samples. Semipreserves with aw (water activity) and pH values that favourL. monocytogenesgrowth were the only ones to result positive to microbiological and PCR tests. Temperature proved to be an important factor as it limits the growth ofL. monocytogenes, including products with potentially high competitive microbial charges. Four different serotypes were recovered and ribotyping has helped to highlight the genomic variability ofL. monocytogenesstrains in food. This supports the hypothesis thatL. monocytogenescontinues to evolve genetically to the detriment of phenotypic conservation.

Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were determined in serum samples of 502 domestic cats from Brazil by the modified agglutination test (MAT), using formalin-fixed whole tachyzoites and mercaptoethanol. Antibodies (MAT > or = 1:20) were found in 132 (26.3%) of 502 cats. With respect to origin, antibodies were found in 26.7% of 430 stray cats from São Paulo, 10% of 40 stray cats from Guarulhos, and 40.6% of 32 cats from a cat breeder in São Paulo. Antibody titers were: 1:20 in 10 cats, 1:25 in 40 cats, 1:50 in 73 cats, and > or = 1:500 in 9 cats. Exposure rates of T. gondii in cats from São Paulo, Brazil are similar to that in domestic cats in North America.

The increased consumption of fish products, as well as the occurrence of exotic fish species in the Mediterranean Sea and in the fish market, has increased the risk of commercial fraud. Furthermore, the great amount of processed seafood products has greatly limited the application of classic identification systems. DNA-based identification allows a clear and unambiguous detection of polymorphisms between species, permitting differentiation and identification of both commercial fraud and introduction of species with potential toxic effects on humans. In this study, a novel DNA-based approach for differentiation of fish species based on pyrosequencing technology has been developed. Raw and processed fish products were tested, and up to 25 species of fish belonging to Clupeiformes and Pleuronectiformes groups were uniquely and rapidly identified. The proper identification based on short and unique genetic sequence signatures demonstrates that this approach is promising and cost-effective for large-scale surveys.

Aims: To investigate Norovirus (NoV) contamination of mussels, clams and oysters harvested in two class B harvesting areas of the delta of the Po river, to choose a species as an indicator. Methods and Results: Environmental parameters (temperature and salinity) and hydrometric levels of the tributary river were measured. Seventy shellfish samples (35 samples per area) were examined for Escherichia coli and NoV (GI and GII). NoV contamination was found in 51·4% of samples, of which, 2·9% contained only NoV GI, 14·3% only NoV GII, while the majority of the samples (34·3%) contained both genogroups. Most of the positive results (90·0%) were obtained in the period between November 2008 and April 2009. Conclusions: No significant differences were found between the results from the two harvesting areas and the three shellfish species. However, on the basis of the average C t values, the recovery rate (from 0·46 to 1·15%) and the distribution of positive results in the samplings, mussels seem to be a suitable indicator species to monitor viral contamination in these areas. Significance and Impact of the Study: The data allow the optimization of monitoring plans to improve the prevention strategies in terms of money and time, by the intensification of controls in the cold season and the use of one species as indicator.