A multi-screening Fast qPCR approach to the identification of abortive agents in ruminants

Sebastiani, Carla; Curcio, Ludovica; Ciullo, Marcella; Cruciani, Deborah; Crotti, Silvia; Pesca, Cristina; Torricelli, Martina; Sebastianelli, Martina; Felici, Andrea; Biagetti, M.

doi:10.1016/j.mimet.2018.03.009

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Non-infectious abortions are mostly sporadic and occur at any pregnancy stage, but causes are difficult to diagnose and in most cases remain unknown [ 43 , 44 ]. Nevertheless, available evidence indicates that different bacteria, viruses and protozoa are by far the most plausible causative agents of abortions in sheep and goats [ 45 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coxiella burnetii and Co-Infections with Other Major Pathogens Causing Abortion in Small Ruminant Flocks in the Iberian Peninsula

Ramo

Benito

Quílez

et al. 2022

Animals

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Coxiella burnetii is an intracellular bacterium causing human Q fever and reproductive disorders in domestic ruminants. We analyzed the occurrence of C. burnetii and co-infections with six other major pathogens causing abortion in sheep (1242 cases) and goat (371 cases) flocks from Spain and Portugal. After real-time PCR detection, co-infections were established by principal component and cluster analysis that grouped cases based on the joint presence/absence of several microorganisms. C. burnetii and Chlamydia abortus were the most common abortifacient agents with approximately 75% of cases from both hosts testing positive, followed by Toxoplasma gondii, Campylobacter sp., Salmonella enterica, border disease virus and Neospora caninum. C. burnetii was significantly more common than C. abortus in goat abortions (p < 0.001). Co-infections with at least two pathogens were found in more than 66% cases of ovine abortions and 36% cases of caprine abortions testing positive for C. burnetii, mostly including mixed infections with only C. abortus. These findings indicate that both pathogens are the most significant ones to be readily prevented by vaccination in this geographical area. Biosecurity and biocontainment measures are also steadfastly recommended to prevent both the economic losses and public health risks associated with most of these abortifacient agents.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coxiella burnetii and Co-Infections with Other Major Pathogens Causing Abortion in Small Ruminant Flocks in the Iberian Peninsula

Ramo

Benito

Quílez

et al. 2022

Animals

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“…While infectious causes are regarded as predominant in ruminant abortions ( 38 ), environmental factors are known risk factors ( 19 ), as are management systems and husbandry factors ( 39 ). As husbandry systems vary across agroecological zones ( 40 ) disease prevalence varies widely across agroecological zone, as shown by Welay et al ( 41 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns of mortality in domesticated ruminants in Ethiopia

et al. 2022

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BackgroundPremature death of livestock is a problem in all ruminant production systems. While the number of premature ruminant deaths in a country is a reasonable indicator for the nation's health, few data sources exist in a country like Ethiopia that can be used to generate valid estimates. The present study aimed to establish if three different data sets, each with imperfect information on ruminant mortality, including abortions, could be combined into improved estimates of nationwide mortality in Ethiopia.MethodsWe combined information from a recent survey of ruminant mortality with information from the Living Standards Measurement Study and the Disease Outbreak and Vaccination Reporting dataset. Generalized linear mixed and hurdle models were used for data analysis, with results summarized using predicted outcomes.ResultsAnalyses indicated that most herds experienced zero mortality and reproductive losses, with rare occasions of larger losses. Diseases causing deaths varied greatly both geographically and over time. There was little agreement between the different datasets. While the models aid the understanding of patterns of mortality and reproductive losses, the degree of variation observed limited the predictive scope.ConclusionsThe models revealed some insight into why mortality rates are variable over time and are therefore less useful in measuring production or health status, and it is suggested that alternative measures of productivity, such as number of offspring raised to 1 year old per dam, would be more stable over time and likely more indicative.

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“…[ 60 ], Anaplasma sp. [ 61 ], and adenovirus [ 62 ], whereas qPCRs were performed to investigate Coxiella burnetii [ 63 ] and Borrelia burgdoferi sensu latu [ 64 ]. Samples which tested positive for B. burgdoferi sensu latu were confirmed through end-point PCR tests [ 65 ] and then subjected to Sanger sequencing for species identification.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Status of the Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) Population in Umbria: Results of the LIFE Project ‘U-SAVEREDS’

Cruciani

Crotti

Paoloni³

et al. 2022

Animals

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The introduction of the Eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Europe is one of the best-known cases of invasive alien species (IAS) colonisation, that poses a severe risk to the conservation of biodiversity. In 2003, it was released in a private wildlife park near the city of Perugia (Italy), where it is replacing the native Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). The LIFE13 BIO/IT/000204 Project (U-SAVEREDS) was set up for the Sciurus vulgaris conservation in Umbria through an eradication campaign of grey squirrels. One hundred and fifty-four animals were analysed for bacteriological, mycological, virological, and serological investigations (C4 action). Sanitary screening showed that Sciurus carolinensis is a dermatophyte carrier, and therefore, it could cause public health issues for humans, considering its confident behaviour. Moreover, it has been marginally responsible for the spreading of Candida albicans, Coxiella burnetii, and Borrelia lusitaniae. Health status evaluation conducted on the Sciurus carolinensis population indicated that it is necessary to raise awareness of its impacts on biodiversity and human health. Moreover, the health status and behaviours of the IAS must be considered when control or eradication campaigns are planned.

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A multi-screening Fast qPCR approach to the identification of abortive agents in ruminants

Cited by 15 publications

References 20 publications

Coxiella burnetii and Co-Infections with Other Major Pathogens Causing Abortion in Small Ruminant Flocks in the Iberian Peninsula

Coxiella burnetii and Co-Infections with Other Major Pathogens Causing Abortion in Small Ruminant Flocks in the Iberian Peninsula

Patterns of mortality in domesticated ruminants in Ethiopia

Health Status of the Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) Population in Umbria: Results of the LIFE Project ‘U-SAVEREDS’

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