Given the recent reports of AD in cattle in the Sicilian multi-host environment, endemic for the disease, the authors retrospectively analysed the clinical cases of AD in species other than the pigs in this territory. Although serology serves as a useful screening tool in pigs, it is not commonly used in other species, as most of the animals die before detectable serum antibodies are produced. AD diagnosis in animals other than pigs is often based on clinical signs (incoercible itching and/or nervous symptoms) and possible contact with pigs or wild boar, as reported in the clinical history. The animals might die suddenly without premonitory signs or might develop a typically neuropathic pruritus, and/or non-specific symptoms (high temperature, discomfort, continuous bellowing, whirling around, convulsions, opisthotonos), followed by death within few days. The incubation period varies from three to six days. The clinical symptoms are related to the neurotropic nature of the SuAHV-1 that, after an initial replication phase in peripheral neurons, spreads centripetally to the central nervous system (CNS). AD in non-natural hosts is sporadic, usually with a lethal outcome. Additionally, exposure to the modified live vaccines developed for pigs may cause disease in sheep, dogs and foxes. Infection in non-natural hosts generally occurs by faecal-oral or aerosol routes but, given the high stability of SuAHV-1in the environment, indirect infection by exposure to infected fomites is also described. In Italy, only sporadic cases of AD have been reported in non-natural host, such as foxes, dogs, wolves, bears and cattle.
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Since the 1950s, many cases of AD have been reported worldwide in species other than pigs and wild boar, all epidemiologically related to direct or indirect contacts with pigs/wild boar infected with a wild type of SuAHV-1. Furthermore, past and recent reports of AD in humans underline its potential zoonotic role and its public health implications. Indeed, the causative agent of AD was firstly isolated from the brain of a bovine, a dog and a cat, by the veterinary pathologist and microbiologist Aladár Aujeszky in Hungary in 1908. Notoriously SuAHV-1 does not have a species-specific tropism, and these animals serve as a source of infection for ruminants, monogastric herbivores, carnivores and rodents. The pig and wild boar ( genus Sus) are considered the principal reservoir hosts. The critical issues that hinder the control of Aujeszky’s disease in the studied territory and perspectives for eradication in the light of EU regulation 429/2016 are also discussed.Īujeszky’s disease (AD), also called pseudorabies, is a notifiable disease caused by Suid alphaherpesvirus 1 (SuAHV-1) that is an alphaherpesvirus member of the Herpesviridae family, genus Varicellovirus. In such areas where a multi-host system is recognised, an analysis of the risk factors should be carried out in order to develop targeted strategies for the control and eradication of the disease. The finding of Aujeszky’s disease in several species in Sicily suggests a potential epizootic risk. This study reports the first cases of Aujeszky’s disease in Italy in cats, goat and sheep.
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The diagnosis was made by culture, indirect immunofluorescence on brain samples and confirmed by biological test on rabbits.
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This study reports a multi-species outbreak of Aujeszky’s disease that occurred in Sicily, which led to the death of 2 goats, 15 sheep, 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 foxes. Infection with this virus causes a severe neurological clinical picture named Aujeszky’s disease, usually accompanied by itching and death a few days after the onset of symptoms. However, other species are also susceptible. Aujeszky’s disease is caused by Suid alphaherpesvirus 1, and its main reservoir host is the pig.