Evaluation of Risk Factors Influencing Tick-Borne Infections in Livestock Through Molecular Analyses
Climate changes and human-related activities are identified as major factors responsible for the increasing distribution and abundance of vectors worldwide and, consequently, of vector-borne diseases (VBDs). Farmed animals, during grazing or in establishments with the absence of biosecurity measures...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/139 |
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| author | Lorena Cardillo Claudio de Martinis Giovanni Sgroi Alessia Pucciarelli Gerardo Picazio Maurizio Viscardi Luisa Marati Maria Ottaiano Roberta Pellicanò Nicola D’Alessio Vincenzo Veneziano Giovanna Fusco |
| author_facet | Lorena Cardillo Claudio de Martinis Giovanni Sgroi Alessia Pucciarelli Gerardo Picazio Maurizio Viscardi Luisa Marati Maria Ottaiano Roberta Pellicanò Nicola D’Alessio Vincenzo Veneziano Giovanna Fusco |
| author_sort | Lorena Cardillo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Climate changes and human-related activities are identified as major factors responsible for the increasing distribution and abundance of vectors worldwide and, consequently, of vector-borne diseases (VBDs). Farmed animals, during grazing or in establishments with the absence of biosecurity measures, can easily be exposed to wildlife showing high-risk of contagion of several infectious diseases, including VBDs. Furthermore, livestock represents an interface between wildlife and humans, and thus, promoting the transmission pathway of VBDs. Little is known about the presence and prevalence of VBDs in livestock in Southern Italy; therefore, the present study evaluated the circulation of zoonotic VBDs in livestock and potential risk of exposure. A total of 621 whole blood samples belonging to cattle and buffaloes (<i>n</i> = 345) and small ruminants (<i>n</i> = 276) were examined by molecular examinations for the detection of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). High prevalence (66.3%) for at least one agent was observed. Moreover, the risk of exposure related to environmental features was assessed, as follows: presence of humid areas, high-density of animals, and sample collection during May. These results show a high circulation of TBPs among livestock and underline the need for surveillance in high-risk habitats for public health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-09609bdf7d5d4d6a9cc3a4fe8087c3fe |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-09609bdf7d5d4d6a9cc3a4fe8087c3fe2025-01-24T13:42:47ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-01-0113113910.3390/microorganisms13010139Evaluation of Risk Factors Influencing Tick-Borne Infections in Livestock Through Molecular AnalysesLorena Cardillo0Claudio de Martinis1Giovanni Sgroi2Alessia Pucciarelli3Gerardo Picazio4Maurizio Viscardi5Luisa Marati6Maria Ottaiano7Roberta Pellicanò8Nicola D’Alessio9Vincenzo Veneziano10Giovanna Fusco11Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Animal Health, 80055 Portici, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Animal Health, 80055 Portici, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Animal Health, 80055 Portici, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Animal Health, 80055 Portici, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Animal Health, 80055 Portici, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Animal Health, 80055 Portici, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Animal Health, 80055 Portici, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Regional Observatory (OREB), 80055 Naples, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Regional Observatory (OREB), 80055 Naples, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Animal Health, 80055 Portici, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80138 Naples, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Animal Health, 80055 Portici, ItalyClimate changes and human-related activities are identified as major factors responsible for the increasing distribution and abundance of vectors worldwide and, consequently, of vector-borne diseases (VBDs). Farmed animals, during grazing or in establishments with the absence of biosecurity measures, can easily be exposed to wildlife showing high-risk of contagion of several infectious diseases, including VBDs. Furthermore, livestock represents an interface between wildlife and humans, and thus, promoting the transmission pathway of VBDs. Little is known about the presence and prevalence of VBDs in livestock in Southern Italy; therefore, the present study evaluated the circulation of zoonotic VBDs in livestock and potential risk of exposure. A total of 621 whole blood samples belonging to cattle and buffaloes (<i>n</i> = 345) and small ruminants (<i>n</i> = 276) were examined by molecular examinations for the detection of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). High prevalence (66.3%) for at least one agent was observed. Moreover, the risk of exposure related to environmental features was assessed, as follows: presence of humid areas, high-density of animals, and sample collection during May. These results show a high circulation of TBPs among livestock and underline the need for surveillance in high-risk habitats for public health.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/139vector-borne diseasestick-borne diseaseslivestockreal-time PCRzoonosis |
| spellingShingle | Lorena Cardillo Claudio de Martinis Giovanni Sgroi Alessia Pucciarelli Gerardo Picazio Maurizio Viscardi Luisa Marati Maria Ottaiano Roberta Pellicanò Nicola D’Alessio Vincenzo Veneziano Giovanna Fusco Evaluation of Risk Factors Influencing Tick-Borne Infections in Livestock Through Molecular Analyses Microorganisms vector-borne diseases tick-borne diseases livestock real-time PCR zoonosis |
| title | Evaluation of Risk Factors Influencing Tick-Borne Infections in Livestock Through Molecular Analyses |
| title_full | Evaluation of Risk Factors Influencing Tick-Borne Infections in Livestock Through Molecular Analyses |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of Risk Factors Influencing Tick-Borne Infections in Livestock Through Molecular Analyses |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of Risk Factors Influencing Tick-Borne Infections in Livestock Through Molecular Analyses |
| title_short | Evaluation of Risk Factors Influencing Tick-Borne Infections in Livestock Through Molecular Analyses |
| title_sort | evaluation of risk factors influencing tick borne infections in livestock through molecular analyses |
| topic | vector-borne diseases tick-borne diseases livestock real-time PCR zoonosis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/139 |
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