To analyse biofeedback training by microperimeter MP-1 (Nidek Technologies) on patients with Age Related Maculopathy (AMD). We enrolled 15 patients (10 female and 5 male) and examined total of 27 eyes with AMD. All the patient underwent 10 training sessions of 10 min for each eye, performed once a week using the MP-1 biofeedback examination. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test. p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. All patients displayed an improvement in visual acuity, fixation behaviour, retinal sensitivity an reading speed. The mean character size value improved from 36.4 to 11.7; this result was statistically significant (p = 0.031). A biofeedback examination using the MP-1 microperimeter can help the brain to memorize the final fixation location by increasing attention modulation, thereby providing an efficient preferred retinal locus for visual tasks in patients with macular disease and central scotoma.

The role and prevalence of cow’s milk protein allergy (CMA) in functional gastrointestinal disorders remains unclear. The aim of this review is to update knowledge on the relationship between CMA and functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) in children. Cochrane Database and Pubmed were searched from inception using general and specific terms for CMA and functional gastrointestinal disorders. CMA is reported as a predisposing or coexisting factor in a wide range of functional gastrointestinal disorders in infants and children. Pathogenesis of both conditions is complex and multiple mechanisms including dysmotility and hypersensitivity might contribute to the clinical manifestations. Data supporting the possible role of food allergies in the pathogenesis of FAPDs are limited. CMA may predispose to early life inflammation and visceral hypersensitivity, which in turn might manifest as FAPDs. The diagnosis of either CMA or FAPDs and distinction between them is challenging because of nonspecific and overlapping symptoms. Lack of accurate allergy tests in non-IgE (immunoglobulin E) mediated cases is also problematic. Oral food challenge, following an elimination diet, should be performed to diagnose a suspected non-IgE CMA allergy in children with FAPDs. In the management of FAPDs, an elimination diet should be considered for a limited period to verify if the symptoms improve or resolve.

To assess the incidence of normal vision following anatomically successful macular hole surgery and associated clinical variables. Methods: Multicentre, retrospective chart review. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records from seven European vitreoretinal units. Inclusion criteria were as follows: eyes undergoing primary vitrectomy for idiopathic full-thickness macular hole from January 2015 to January 2018; postoperative macular hole closure confirmed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT); preoperative pseudophakia or phakic eyes receiving combined cataract surgery; one-year followup. The primary outcome was 'normal vision' defined as a final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ 20/25. Univariate, multivariate and decision-tree analyses were conducted to evaluate the clinical variables associated with 'normal vision'. Odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: Of 327 eligible cases, 91 (27.8%) achieved 'normal vision' at 1 year. Multivariate analysis identified variables significantly associated with 'normal vision': shorter symptom duration (odds ratio [OR]=1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.02-1.09; p = 0.002), smaller preoperative OCT minimum linear diameter (OR per 100micron increase = 1.65; 95%CI:1.31-2.08; p < 0.001) and better mean preoperative BCVA (OR = 15.13; 95%CI: 3.59-63.65; p < 0.001). The decision-tree analysis found that the most significant variable associated with 'normal vision' was symptom duration. 'Normal vision' was achieved in 70.6% of eyes operated within one week from symptom onset and in 45% of eyes with symptom duration between 1 and 3 weeks. Conclusions: These findings suggested urgent surgery is justified for small macular holes of short duration.

Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is considered the most important respiratory nematode of domestic cats worldwide. This parasite inhabits the alveoli, alveolar ducts, and bronchioles and causes a subacute to chronic respiratory clinical disease. Clinical signs may occur in domestic cats of any age, though they are more often described in young animals. Physical examination, echocardiography, thoracic radiography, pulmonary and cardiac pathological findings, classical, and molecular parasitological analysis of a six-month-old kitten referred at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Pisa (Italy) led to a diagnosis of parasitic bronchopneumonia caused by A. abstrusus, which was complicated by severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right-sided congestive heart failure (R-CHF) that caused the death of the animal. Cases of reversible PH associated with A. abstrusus infection have been seldom reported in cats. This is the first report of fatal PH and R-CHF in a kitten with clinical aelurostrongylosis.

No abstract

Mouse mammary tumour virus-like (MMTV-like) is suspected to be involved in human breast cancer and it has been hypothesized that companion animals might have a role in viral transmission. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence of MMTV-like nucleotide sequences and viral protein in a larger number of feline (FMCs) and canine mammary carcinomas (CMCs) by nested PCR and immunohistochemistry. Results showed that the presence of MMTV-like env sequence in FMCs was 7% (6/86), while all the CMCs and canine dysplastic lesions scored negative. All PCR-positive FMCs scored positive for the MMTV p14 signal peptide of the envelope precursor protein of the virus. In contrast, all PCR-negative FMCs and canine mammary lesions were also negative for immunohistochemistry analysis. Canine and feline normal mammary gland tissues scored negative for both PCR and MMTV-p14 protein. Multiple nucleotide alignment of MMTV-like env gene sequences isolated from cat showed 97% and 99% similarity with HMTV and MMTV, respectively, while the others two presented some polimorphisms. Particularly the sequences of one of these two tumors showed a polymorphism (c.7575 ), that causes a previously unreported amino acid substitution (Thr > Ala). In conclusion, the results of our study showed the presence of MMTV-like sequences and viral protein in some FMCs. Further studies are needed to understand whether this virus does play a role in the development of FMCs, if MMTV-like is an exogenous virus as these data suggest and, in such a case, how and from whom this virus was acquired.

Leptospirosis is a re-emerging and globally spread zoonosis caused by pathogenic genomospecies of Leptospira. Wild boar (Sus scrofa) are an important Leptospira host and are increasing in population all over Europe. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate Leptospira spp. infection in the reproductive systems of wild boar hunted in two Italian regions: Tuscany and Sardinia. From 231 animals, reproductive system tissue samples (testicles, epididymides, uteri) as well as placentas and fetuses were collected. Bacteriological examination and Real-Time PCR were performed to detect pathogenic Leptospira (lipL32 gene). Leptospires were isolated from the testicles and epididymides of one adult and two subadult wild boar. Four isolates from the two subadult males were identified as Leptospira interrogans serogroup Australis by MLST, whereas Leptospira kirschneri serogroup Grippotyphosa was identified from the adult testicles and epididymis. Using Real-Time PCR, 70 samples were positive: 22 testicles (23.16%) and 22 epididymides (23.16%), 10 uteri (7.35%), 3 placentas (6.66%), and 13 fetuses (28.88%). Amplification of the rrs2 gene identified L. interrogans and L. kirschneri species. The results from this investigation confirmed that wild boar represent a potential source of pathogenic Leptospira spp. Isolation of Leptospira serogroups Australis and Grippotyphosa from the male reproductive system and the positive Real-Time PCR results from both male and female samples could suggest venereal transmission, as already demonstrated in pigs. Furthermore, placentas and fetuses were positive for the lipL32 target, and this finding may be related to a possible vertical transmission of pathogenic Leptospira.

A novel animal strain of HEV demonstrating zoonotic potential rabbit HEV (rHEV) has been 29 recently identified in farmed rabbits in China. To investigate the presence of rHEV in wild 30 rabbit population, serum and tissue samples were taken from 65 rabbits, 35 Italian and from United Kingdom. Sera were submitted to a double antigen sandwich ELISA, whereas 32 hepatic tissues and other organs to molecular and pathological investigations. Sixteen serum 33 samples (24.6%) scored positive for anti-HEV antibodies and six samples (9%) of hepatic 34 tissue were positive for HEV RT-PCR, while the other organs were negative. Sequencing and 35 phylogenetic analysis of HEV RNA-positive samples indicated that while two Italian rabbits 36 were infected with strains closely related to wild boar and swine strains (HEV-3), the other 37 four (2 Italian and 2 English) were clustered within rHEV clade. Megalocytosis and 38 multifocal areas of hepatocytes degeneration and necrosis with a pericentrilobular pattern 39 was observed in rHEV-infected rabbits. In those infected by the strain analogous to HEV-3, 40 the lesions were mainly localized in the periportal areas and were less severe. In both cases 41 inflammatory infiltrates were predominantly composed of CD3-positive lymphocytes and a 42 reduced number of macrophages. By immunohistochemistry only liver samples taken from 43 HEV RNA-positive rabbits scored positive for viral antigen. Our results indicated that HEV 44 infection is present in rabbit population with different clades and is endemic in the Italian and 45 English wild rabbit population, suggesting the possibility that this species may be infected 46 with rHEV or swine HEV-3 strains.