Longdom Conferences

Speaker

Mar 19-20, 2020    London, UK

World Summit on Infectious Diseases and Therapeutics

Stefania Lauzi
12:15 AM-12:45 PM

Stefania Lauzi

Italy

Title: Feline morbillivirus and domestic cat hepadnavirus in cats from Northern Italy

Abstract:

Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) and domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH) are emerging viruses in cats that were first described in Hong Kong in 2012 and in Australia in 2018, respectively. The epidemiological association of FeMV with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and of DCH with feline chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma in cats have been suggested.  The aims of this study were to investigate the presence and the genetic diversity of FeMV and DCH as well as the relationship between FeMV infection and CKD and DCH and hepatic disease in cats from Northern Italy. Urine and renal samples (no. 108), as well as 30 blood samples (no. 27) were collected from cats admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Milan between 2014 and 2019. Urine and kidney samples were tested for FeMV infection whereas blood samples were investigated for DCH infection. FeMV was detected in three samples (2.8%) from cats without evidence of CKD. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the three Italian FeMV strains clustered with the FeMV strains retrieved from public databases and formed a distinct sub-cluster of FeMV. DCH was detected in one blood sample (3.7%) from a cat with liver disorder, reflected by a high transaminase activity. The DCH strain clustered with DCH sequences retrieved from public databases. The presence of distinct genotypes of FeMV found in this study confirms the genetic diversity of FeMV strains that has been previously reported. The absence of a clear relationship between the presence of FeMV infection and CKD in the cats from Northern Italy is in accordance with recent reports that do not support the hypothesis that FeMV infection is associated with the development of CKD. Despite the presence of DCH in a cat with liver disorder, further investigations are needed to confirm the relationship of DCH with hepatic disease in cats.

Biography:

Stefania Lauzi is a Veterinarian, University Researcher of the Veterinary Medicine Department, University of Milan, Italy. Specialist in Animal health, breeding and production, in the field of Public Health and Infectious diseases of animals, her scientific and research activity focused on the epidemiology and molecular diagnostics of zoonoses and bacterial and viral veterinary infectious diseases such as bovine tuberculosis, bovine viral diarrhea virus, vector-borne pathogens, feline coronavirus, feline morbillivirus and colibacillosis. To date her studies and activities are also focused on the influence of the microbiome on animal diseases. She is author and co-author of several publications on national and international scientific peer-reviewed journals. She is also teacher of university courses on emerging zoonoses and infectious diseases in animals for Veterinary Medicine degree students and for post-graduate students at the University of Milan, Italy.

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A molecular switch for stomach disease

2020-01-08

A research team has revealed a new mechanism which controls the causes of infection with H. pylori, triggering the development of stomach diseases. It is hoped that these findings will lead in time to new therapies.

First robust cell culture model for the hepatitis E virus

2020-01-13

A mutation switches the turbo on during virus replication.

New strategy in the fight against antibiotic resistance

2020-01-14

Bioscience engineers have developed a new antibacterial strategy that weakens bacteria by preventing them from cooperating. Unlike with antibiotics, there is no resistance to this strategy.

New species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in infected wound

2020-01-21

A hitherto unknown antibiotic-resistant bacteria species, in the same family as E. coli and Salmonella spp., has been found and classified in Sweden. The proposed taxonomic name of the species -- the first of the new genus -- is Scandinavium goeteborgense, after the city of Gothenburg, Sweden, where the bacterium was isolated and the research was done.

Researchers reverse HIV latency, important scientific step toward cure

2020-01-22

Overcoming HIV latency -- induction of HIV in CD4+ T cells that lay dormant throughout the body - is a major step toward creating a cure for HIV. For the first time, scientists have shown that a new approach can expose latent HIV to attack in two different animal model systems with little or no toxicity.

Exposure to diesel exhaust particles linked to pneumococcal disease susceptibility

2020-01-23

A new study shows that exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) can increase an individual's susceptibility to pneumococcal disease.

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