Fish consumption is the principal source of intake of organochlorinated compounds in humans. Compared with other types of foods of animal origin, fish contain the highest levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated... more
Fish consumption is the principal source of intake of organochlorinated compounds in humans. Compared with other types of foods of animal origin, fish contain the highest levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins, and polychlorinated dibenzofurans, all of which are classified as highly toxic organochlorine compounds. Currently, lakes and fish farms in northern Italy are not regularly monitored for PCBs and dioxins in areas contaminated by industrial sources, partially because of the high costs of traditional analytical methods that limit the number of samples to be analyzed. The DR-CALUX cell bioassay is based on the uptake of the cellular aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) for dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCB contamination in Lake Maggiore and Lake Como, two lakes in northwestern Italy, and in nearby areas. The levels were quantified using the cell bioassay DR-CALUX and...
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Two trials were performed to evaluate a partially defatted Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal as potential feed ingredient in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) diets. In the first trial, 360 trout (178.9 ± 9.8 g of mean initial... more
Two trials were performed to evaluate a partially defatted Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal as potential feed ingredient in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) diets. In the first trial, 360 trout (178.9 ± 9.8 g of mean initial body weight) were randomly divided into three experimental groups (4 tanks/treatment, 30 fish/tank). The fish were fed for 78 days with isonitrogenous, isolipidic and isoenergetic diets containing increasing levels of HI, on as fed basis: 0% (HI0, control diet), 25% (HI25) and 50% (HI50) of fish meal substitution, corresponding to dietary inclusion levels of 0, 20% and 40%. In the second trial, 36 trout (4 tanks/treatment, 3 fish/tank) were used to evaluate the in vivo apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of the same diets used in the first trial. Survival, growth performance, condition factor, somatic indexes, and dorsal fillet physical quality parameters were not affected by diet. The highest dietary inclusion of HI larvae meal increased dry ...
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Iridoviridae are known to cause disease in sturgeons in North America. Here, histological and molecular methods were used to screen for this family of virus in sturgeons from various European farms with low-to-high morbidity. Some... more
Iridoviridae are known to cause disease in sturgeons in North America. Here, histological and molecular methods were used to screen for this family of virus in sturgeons from various European farms with low-to-high morbidity. Some histological samples revealed basophilic cells in the gill and labial epithelia, strongly suggesting the accumulation of iridovirus particles. Newly developed generic PCR tests targeting the major capsid protein (MCP) gene of sturgeon iridoviruses identified in North America, namely the white sturgeon iridovirus and the Namao virus (NV), produced positive signals in most samples from four sturgeon species: Russian (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), Siberian (A. baerii), Adriatic (A. naccarii) and beluga (Huso huso). The sequences of the PCR products were generally highly similar one another, with nucleotide identities greater than 98%. They were also related to (74-88%), although distinct from, American sturgeon iridoviruses. These European viruses were thus considered variants of a single new virus, provisionally named Acipenser iridovirus-European (AcIV-E). Moreover, three samples infected with AcIV-E showed genetic heterogeneity, with the co-existence of two sequences differing by five nucleotides. One of our European samples carried a virus distinct from AcIV-E, but closely related to NV identified in Canada (95%). This study demonstrates the presence of two distinct sturgeon iridoviruses in Europe: a new genotype AcIV-E and an NV-related virus.
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Research Interests: Ecology, Crystallization, Oxidative Stress, Kidney, Reactive Oxygen Species, and 13 moreAnimals, Catalase, Fisheries Sciences, Analysis of Variance, Gas Chromatography/mass Spectrometry, Trout, Biological markers, Food Contamination, Glutathione Transferase, Triazines, Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, Malondialdehyde, and Molecular Structure
Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus are pelagic fishes of notable economic and gastronomic importance in the northwest Mediterranean (Ligurian Sea, Italy). The consumption of thermally unprocessed or lightly processed, marinated... more
Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus are pelagic fishes of notable economic and gastronomic importance in the northwest Mediterranean (Ligurian Sea, Italy). The consumption of thermally unprocessed or lightly processed, marinated or salted anchovies and sardines presents a potential risk to acquire anisakiasis, a fish-borne parasitic disease in humans. Prevalence and abundance of Anisakis larvae in Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus from the Monterosso fishing grounds (Cinque Terre National Park, Ligurian Sea, Italy) were assessed, and the larvae were identified by morphological and PCR-RFLP methods. Anisakis larvae, all belonging to Anisakis pegreffii spp. were found in the visceral mass of 1050 anchovies (0.8% overall prevalence), whereas no Anisakis larvae were found in the 750 sardines examined. According to these data, the risk of acquiring anisakiasis from the consumption of raw or undercooked anchovies and sardines caught in the fishing area we investigated is very low.
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Non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) contribute to the dietary intake of total PCBs. They are consumed via ingestion of contaminated fish and fishery products. Thus, it is important to quantify their levels in aquatic... more
Non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) contribute to the dietary intake of total PCBs. They are consumed via ingestion of contaminated fish and fishery products. Thus, it is important to quantify their levels in aquatic organisms in order to evaluate the risks associated with fish consumption by humans. In 2013, an advisory against consumption of fish from the River Roya (IT) was disseminated after NDL PCBs were found to exceed maximum levels set by EU Regulations. We investigated the presence of NDL PCBs in eel, trout and barbel from the River Roya. We found concentrations in the range of 9.2-27.6 ng g(-)(1)ww in barbel, 9.2-97.0 ng g(-1)ww in trout and 9.0-239.5 ng g(-1)ww in eel. The distribution of congeners among different species did not show significant variations and was characterized by a higher proportion of 153, 138 and 180 congeners, according to their high resistance to metabolic degradation.
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ABSTRACT There is very little scientific literature about the impact of Eel virus European X (EVEX) on eels held under artificial reproduction condition, and its effective role in eel decline is uncertain and still unclear. Following a... more
ABSTRACT There is very little scientific literature about the impact of Eel virus European X (EVEX) on eels held under artificial reproduction condition, and its effective role in eel decline is uncertain and still unclear. Following a disease outbreak of European eels, farmed in an experimental hatchery in Italy, a sample of the affected animals was analyzed to determine the cause of illness. Virological isolation, PCR assay and molecular characterization revealed the presence of EVEX in the diseased animals. The complete N, P, M and G gene regions were amplified by using novel primers specific for EVEX. The EVEX strain identified in this study was phylogenetically close to the known EVEX isolates; however, this Italian isolate diverges and localizes in a separated branch of this cluster. In addition, some unique amino acid changes in three out of four analyzed viral proteins differentiated the Italian virus from reported EVEX sequences which, although few in number, do cover different geographical areas and a 30-year time span. Molecular data are needed to gain further insight into the genetic variability of EVEX, to better define its phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships and to unravel the existence of different circulating strains. Examination of samples caught in the same area failed to detect the presence of EVEX infection. These results strongly indicate that the presence and risk factors associated with EVEX infection are not well established and further study should be performed in this field, in particular on stress and temperature dependence for disease development.
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The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Vibrio vulnificus and potentially pathogenic strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in mullets collected from estuarine environment in Italy. Two hundred and ninety-five mullets were... more
The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Vibrio vulnificus and potentially pathogenic strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in mullets collected from estuarine environment in Italy. Two hundred and ninety-five mullets were analysed by culture using the selective medium thiosulfate citrate bile salt sucrose agar, during a monitoring period of 2 years (2008-2009). Presumptive Vibrio colonies were initially identified by using biochemical tests, and strains identified as V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus were subsequently examined by PCR for the presence of species-specific and virulence genes (toxR, trh, tdh and vvh). V. parahaemolyticus was found in 55% (162/295) of fishes and V. vulnificus in 1% (3/295) with a higher presence in summer months. The trh+/tdh- strains were detected in 16% (47/295) of samples and only one strain resulted trh+/tdh+. One of the V. parahaemolyticus trh+ strains isolated belonged to the O1:KUT (K untypeable), a serotype recently associated to gastroenteritis in Italy. This is the first report demonstrating a high percentage of potential pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus trh+ strains in estuarine fishes of the Mediterranean area. These findings indicate the potential human health risk associated with the presence of pathogenic Vibrio spp. in wild fishes.
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In 2007 and 2008, renal stone formation and kidney damage in human infants were linked to consumption of melamine (MEL)-contaminated infant formula, as well as renal failure and death in pets due to pet food containing both MEL and... more
In 2007 and 2008, renal stone formation and kidney damage in human infants were linked to consumption of melamine (MEL)-contaminated infant formula, as well as renal failure and death in pets due to pet food containing both MEL and cyanuric acid (CYA). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of MEL and CYA administered individually or in combination on concentrations of certain metabolites and enzyme activities that serve as markers for oxidative stress in kidney and liver of rainbow trout. In addition, the levels of muscle MEL and renal crystal formation were determined. Trout were fed MEL and/or CYA for 8 wk at 250, 500, or 1000 mg of each compound/kg in feed. Fish muscle residues of MEL exhibited a dose-response relationship. Coexposure of trout to MEL and CYA at the highest dose led to lower MEL residue concentrations in muscle compared to exposure to MEL alone. Renal MEL-CYA complexes were found in kidneys of fish treated with combined MEL and CYA. A dose response was evident with respect to both (1) number of trout displaying renal crystals and (2) number of crystals per fish. Changes in concentration of antioxidant parameters, such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase, were recorded in both tissues of MEL- and CYA-dosed trout. Lipid peroxidation was more pronounced in kidney than liver. Therefore, feed contaminated with both MEL and CYA could be problematic for fish, as MEL administered to trout, individually or in combination with CYA, may facilitate the onset of oxidative damage in trout.
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Mycobacterium spp. and Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida are recognized as the most frequent causative agents of granulomatous lesions in fish. Although frequent episodes of mycobacterial infections have been reported in wild fish... more
Mycobacterium spp. and Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida are recognized as the most frequent causative agents of granulomatous lesions in fish. Although frequent episodes of mycobacterial infections have been reported in wild fish worldwide, only sporadic cases have been documented to date in Italy. To investigate for the presence of lesions referable to mycobacteriosis and to identify the mycobacterial species involved, a total of 159 wild mullets were fished from the eastern coast of the Ligurian Sea, killed and necropsied. Liver and spleen samples were collected from all fish for histopathological and microbiological analyses. Molecular investigations for identification of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida were performed. Gross examination revealed granulomatous lesions in one animal; microscopically, 42.14% of fish displayed granulomas with various histological features, 19.50% resulted positive at Ziehl-Neelsen staining, and were confirmed as mycobacterial lesions by culture. The identified colonies were characterized as M. fortuitum, M. abscessus, M. flavescens, M. chelonae, M. septicum and M. nonchromogenicum. In all, 35% of animals resulted positive for Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida. These data suggest widespread mycobacterial infection also by Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida infections in wild fish. Moreover, the pathogenicity of some mycobacterial species, previously considered as saprophytic, was demonstrated.
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Two new species – Plumatella trasimenica, from Lake Trasimeno and from an external sedimentation pond of a tropical fish farm, and Plumatella timwoodi, from Lake Piediluco – are described. These species belong to the ‘repens group’ (P.... more
Two new species – Plumatella trasimenica, from Lake Trasimeno and from an external sedimentation pond of a tropical fish farm, and Plumatella timwoodi, from Lake Piediluco – are described. These species belong to the ‘repens group’ (P. bushnelli Wood, 2001; P. geimermassardi Wood & Okamura, 2004; P. nitens Wood, 1996; P. repens (Linné, 1758); P. rugosa Wood, Geimer & Massard, 1998; P. similirepens Wood, 2001; P. viganoi Taticchi, 2010), because the annulus-chamber pores of the floatoblast are always characterised by the presence of long spines regularly distributed around the pores. Here, further morphological features, which distinguish them from the other species of the repens group, are described for both new species. The coexistence in the same sampling sites of species of the repens-group indicates that the new species are not ecomorphs of similar species.
Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Entomology, Phylogenetics, Crustacea, Taxonomy, and 15 moreMorphology, Evolution, Biogeography, Systematics, Biodiversity, Lepidoptera, Cladistics, Phylogeny, Scientific, Educational, Insects, Morphological Analysis, Marine invertebrates, Crustaceans, and Invertebrate Systematics
Research Interests: Skeletal muscle biology, Ecology, Antioxidants, Kidney, Liver, and 15 moreAnimal Feed, Animals, Glutathione, Catalase, Glutathione Peroxidase, Fisheries Sciences, Superoxide Dismutase, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Analysis of Variance, Glutathione Transferase, Carps, Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, Glutathione Reductase, Oxytetracycline, and Malondialdehyde
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Research Interests: Diet, Antioxidants, Growth, Humans, Kidney, and 15 moreLiver, Animal Feed, Animals, Glutathione, Catalase, Glutathione Peroxidase, Dietary Supplements, Enzyme, Hydrogen Peroxide, Glutathione Transferase, Cyprinidae, Glutathione Reductase, Condition Factor, Oxidants, and ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
Gene expression experiments were targeted in order to monitor the ABC efflux transporters, which is potentially involved in cellular detoxification/defense. Changes in expression levels of different ABC genes in kidney of Oncorhynchus... more
Gene expression experiments were targeted in order to monitor the ABC efflux transporters, which is potentially involved in cellular detoxification/defense. Changes in expression levels of different ABC genes in kidney of Oncorhynchus mykiss fed with melamine and melamine+cyanuric acid enriched diets were recorded in both treated groups by mRNA ΔΔ(CT) relative quantification method. Expression profiles of eight different ABC genes basically showed low alterations in melamine group and more consistent changes in melamine+cyanuric acid treated fish, compared with own control. In the last group ABCC2 gene over expression was the more evident alteration. These results suggest that ABC efflux system could be involved in mobilization of hydrophilic molecules in the forcing condition of chronic exposure.
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... Maria Cesarina Abete 1 , Elena Pavoletti 1 ... Le piastre sono state incubate a 22 ± 2° C per 24-72 ore ed in caso di positività, le colonie sono state sottoposte a colorazione di Gram e al test dell'ossidasi;... more
... Maria Cesarina Abete 1 , Elena Pavoletti 1 ... Le piastre sono state incubate a 22 ± 2° C per 24-72 ore ed in caso di positività, le colonie sono state sottoposte a colorazione di Gram e al test dell'ossidasi; successivamente sono state seminate su terreni selettivi (TCBS, PIA ...