Patrizia Licata

Equine piroplasmosis, caused by the intraerythrocytic protozoan Theileria equi, is a globally distributed tick-borne disease characterized by persistent infection and variable clinical manifestations. Although oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several hemoprotozoan diseases, information regarding redox imbalance and its relationship with inflammatory responses in horses naturally infected with T. equi remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress, antioxidant status, inflammatory cytokines, and clinicopathological alterations in horses naturally infected with T. equi. Thirty-five horses naturally infected with T. equi and twenty clinically healthy horses were enrolled. Infection was confirmed by clinical evaluation, hematological and biochemical analyses, an indirect fluorescent antibody test, and polymerase chain reaction. Serum concentrations of interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, reduced glutathione, and malondialdehyde were assayed. Infected horses showed significantly lower platelet counts and significantly higher serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase than controls. Serum interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor concentrations were significantly increased, indicating persistent inflammatory activation. Infected horses also exhibited significantly higher malondialdehyde concentrations and lower reduced glutathione levels, consistent with enhanced lipid peroxidation and impaired antioxidant defenses. Correlation analyses revealed a negative association between reduced glutathione and white blood cell count and between malondialdehyde and red blood cell count, whereas malondialdehyde concentrations were positively associated with clinical score. Chronic T. equi infection is associated with oxidative stress, depletion of antioxidant defenses, and sustained inflammatory responses. The interaction between oxidative stress and inflammation may contribute to hematological abnormalities and disease expression.

Biogenic amines are nitrogenous compounds that may occur in foods through plant metabolism, bee enzymatic activity, or microbial decarboxylation. This study evaluated biogenic amines content in monofloral honeys from Algeria and Morocco, integrating compositional analysis, quality indices, and dietary exposure assessment within a toxicological risk characterization framework. Eight amines were quantified by HPLC-FLD, and Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) was calculated under adult and pediatric low- and high-consumption scenarios. Composite indices, including Total Biogenic Amines (TBA), Biogenic Amine Index (BAI), Vasoactive Amine Load (VAL), Potentiation Index (PI), and Quality Index (QI), were determined. Marked intra- and inter-city variability was observed, particularly for serotonin, tryptamine, and tyramine. Algerian Euphorbia orientalis L. samples showed the highest TBA and VAL values. However, histamine concentrations generally remained below 1 mg/kg, and tyramine levels were markedly lower than doses associated with hypertensive effects. Worst-case EDI values were in the order of 10⁻³–10⁻⁴ mg/kg body weight/day, including high-consumption pediatric scenarios. PI values were low, indicating limited synergistic amplification by diamines. Overall, despite botanical and geographical variability, the analyzed honeys exhibit a wide safety margin and based on the applied screening-level assessment, no immediate risk is indicated under the considered scenarios.

Maintaining cardiovascular stability during anesthesia is essential, yet the routine use of atropine to prevent vagally induced low heart rate may impose additional stress on the heart. This randomized, controlled, observer-blinded, clinical study aimed to evaluate whether ondansetron, a selective 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist, could serve as an alternative anesthetic adjuvant to modulate autonomic activity while maintaining cardiovascular stability in dogs. A total of 66 female dogs, with a mean age of 1.5 years and a mean weight of 16–18 kg ASA I, undergoing elective surgery were assigned to three study groups to receive atropine, ondansetron, or no autonomic-modulating drug. Heart rate, arterial pressure, respiratory rate, and NT-proBNP were recorded before, during, and after anesthesia. Dogs treated with ondansetron maintained stable cardiovascular values throughout the procedure, with no episodes of low heart rate or excessive increases in heart rate. In contrast, atropine induced marked and sustained elevation in heart rate and higher arterial pressures. Concentrations of the cardiac biomarker NT-proBNP increased significantly 48 h after surgery in the atropine group but remained unchanged in the ondansetron group, indicating the absence of additional myocardial stress. These findings suggest that ondansetron may help preserve autonomic balance during anesthesia while minimizing myocardial stress. Ondansetron could represent a useful component of multimodal anesthetic protocols, particularly in dogs in which excessive cardiac stimulation should be avoided.

This study aimed to compare the physiological impact of open ovariectomy (the O group) and laparoscopic ovariectomy (the LA group) in dogs by evaluating intraoperative nociceptive responses, postoperative pain, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress parameters. Sixty healthy dogs were randomly assigned to either technique or a control group (CNT). A standardized anesthetic protocol was used, and their vital signs, pain scores, and blood parameters were measured before, during, and after surgery. Pain was evaluated using the Colorado State University Canine Acute Pain Scale. Oxidative stress was measured by assessing levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Both techniques were safe and well tolerated, with no complications or need for rescue analgesia. However, the open surgery group exhibited significantly higher levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers postoperatively, including increased MPO and MDA levels and decreased BuChE. In contrast, the laparoscopic group showed only mild, transient changes, suggesting reduced tissue trauma. The higher glycemic levels observed in the open surgery group further suggest increased tissue trauma and systemic stress, reinforcing the conclusion that laparoscopy has a lower metabolic impact. Although the laparoscopic procedures require more time, their lower physiological impact may facilitate improved postoperative recovery. These results support laparoscopy as the preferred surgical approach in veterinary practice due to its association with improved metabolic stability and recovery outcomes.

Sedation and anesthesia are essential for ensuring animal welfare during surgical procedures such as hernia repair in swine. However, the number of sedative and anesthetic agents officially approved for livestock use remained limited. This study evaluated the sedative efficacy and serotonergic effects of a romifidine/ketamine/diazepam protocol, with and without the addition of tramadol, in swine undergoing umbilical hernia repair. Sixty-six crossbred Large White swine were randomly allocated to three groups: LL (lidocaine 4 mg/kg by infiltration), LT (lidocaine 2 mg/kg by infiltration + tramadol 2 mg/kg intraperitoneally), and TT (lidocaine2 mg/kg by infiltration + tramadol 4 mg/kg intraperitoneally). The physiological parameters heart rate, arterial pressure, oxygen saturation, rectal body temperature, and respiratory rate were assessed. The depth of intraoperative anesthesia and postoperative sedation was assessed using an ordinal scoring system (0–3). Plasma serotonin (5-HT) concentration was measured at baseline and 24 h post-surgery. Physiological parameters remained within species-specific reference ranges throughout the procedure. Anesthesia depth scores significantly decreased over time in all groups (p ≤ 0.001), with the tramadol-treated groups (LT and TT) showing more prolonged deeper anesthesia. Postoperative sedation was significantly higher in the TT group (p ≤ 0.001). Serotonin concentration decreased in LL, increased in LT, and remained stable in TT. These findings suggest that tramadol may enhance sedation and recovery, potentially through serotonergic modulation. Moreover, serotonin could serve as a physiological marker warranting further investigation in future studies of anesthetic protocols in veterinary medicine.

Mineral elements can either be pollutants or essential dietary components. Monitoring their levels in the environment and living organisms is crucial because excessive amounts can become toxic. Dogs, due to their proximity to humans, shared habitats, and similar organ structures, can be effective indicators of environmental pollution by toxic elements. This study aimed to assess the levels of 11 mineral elements in 80 dog carcasses (49 males and 31 females), aged between 2 and 16 years, from the Ionian-Etnean volcanic region of the province of Catania, where the dogs had died under unknown circumstances. A direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80) was used to measure Hg, and an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) was used for the other elements. A one-way ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison for post hoc analysis, was conducted to evaluate significant differences between the organ samples and different minerals and between the weight and metal levels. The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The study indicates that high concentrations of metals like cadmium, mercury, lead, and chromium are present in the liver, kidneys, and other organs. These elevated concentrations suggest that the local volcanic emissions contribute to soil, water, and atmospheric contamination. The data showed differences in the metal concentrations between the sexes, which could be attributed to biological and environmental factors.

Trigonella foenum-graecum is a widely cultivated legume in Mediterranean regions, and it is used for human and animal consumption, as well as for medical purposes. High temperatures and abundant rainfall during the spring season in Sicily favor the formation of an environment suitable for the growth and proliferation of fungi with the production of mycotoxins. In this study, ochratoxin A, aflatoxin, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisin, and T-2 toxin concentrations in Trigonella foenum-graecum were determined in feed administered to ruminants and also in blood samples from cattle and sheep in order to evaluate the toxicity correlated to the possible presence of these mycotoxins based on the clinical signs observed in the animals. Analyses of mycotoxins in fenugreek and blood samples were conducted using the enzyme immunoassay KIT. Five extensive farms sited in the northwest of the Sicily region, with a total of 90 intoxicated animals, reported a concomitant unusual outbreak of neurological disorders. Decreased spinal reflex responses, postural abnormalities associated with weakness or recumbency, and hyperesthesia of the limbs suggested a problem regarding the peripheral nervous system. The mortality rate recorded was very high, even reaching 100% of the intoxicated animals. OTA intoxication in Sicilian ruminants represents an important warning on the vulnerability of farms to mycotoxin contamination and underlines the importance of preventive measures and monitoring in animal health management.

The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the bioaccumulation of cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn), Chrome (Cr), Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe) and Copper (Cu), in the blood, serum, tail and mane of horses from the industrialized area of Milazzo (Messina, Sicily), to understand the relationships between haematological parameters: Red Blood Cells (RBCs), White Blood Cells (WBCs), Haemoglobin (Hb), Haematocrit (Hct), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Platelets (PLTs) and the concentrations of trace elements. Blood and hair samples from 20 healthy Italian Saddle horses and water, hay and concentrates samples were obtained to determine the haemogram and mineral concentration using a Thermo Scientific iCAP-Q ICP-MS spectrometer. Descriptive analysis showed a higher concentration of Zn, Cr, Pb, Fe, and Cu in the blood and a higher concentration of Cd in the tail than other substrates. A positive correlation was found for Cr (p < 0.0001) and Zn (p < 0.01) between blood and serum substrates, for Zn (p < 0.001) between mane and tail and for Pb (p < 0.01) between blood and mane, while a negative correlation was observed for Cr (p < 0.01) between blood and tail. Results showed a close relationship between the bioaccumulation of certain trace elements in biological substrates and haematological parameters, which represent useful biomarkers suggesting further studies, given the role of haematological parameters in athletic horses.

Cattle productivity, whether in terms of meat yield or milk production, is intricately regulated by a multitude of factors. Among them, hormone concentrations play a significant role, reflecting the complex interplay between endocrine regulation and physiological processes that ultimately determine the efficiency and yield of production. High concentrations of 5-hydroxytriptamine (5-HT) are associated with a reduced metabolic load at the onset of lactation and a lower milk yield. Thyroid hormones (THs) and cortisol also affect several metabolic pathways, including carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to assess if milk or meat aptitudes and age influence circulating 5-HT, THs, and cortisol concentrations, investigating the possible interactions among these parameters. The research was performed on 46 healthy cows of three different breeds. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods were used to quantify circulating 5-HT and cortisol concentrations, and an immunochemiluminescent analyzer was used for THs. For parameters exhibiting non-normal distributions, an ANCOVA model using age, aptitude, and their interaction as fixed factors was applied. Significant lower T3 concentrations were recorded in dairy cows than in meat cows. Moreover, T4 significantly decreased with advancing age both in cows aimed at milk and meat production. Lastly, T4 was positively correlated with T3 and 5-HT in meat production-oriented cows.

The surgical site infiltration of a local anesthetic is defined as the direct injection of a drug. This study aimed to compare the effects of surgical site infiltration with 4 mg kg⁻¹ lidocaine using a Comfort-in device and traditional syringe on oxidative status and intra- and postoperative pain in dogs undergoing regional mastectomy. Sixty adult female dogs divided into C (Comfort-in device), S (traditional syringe), and CTR (control) groups received 2 µg kg⁻¹ dexmedetomidine and 4 mg kg⁻¹ tramadol IM, 5 mg kg⁻¹ tiletamine/zolazepam IV, and isoflurane. The physiological and anesthesiological parameters were measured. The assessment of intra- and postoperative responses to the surgical stimulus was performed using a cumulative pain scale (CPS score of 0–4) and the Colorado Pain Scale (CSU-CAPS score of 0–4). The hematological and biochemical parameters and inflammatory oxidative status were measured. The CPS scores showed no significant differences between the C and S groups (p = 0.236), while the comparison between the CTR, C, and S groups, respectively, showed a significant difference (p < 0.001). The postoperative analgesia scores were significantly lower in the C group compared to those of the S and CTR groups (p < 0.001). In the C group, no subject received rescue analgesia during the intra- and postoperative periods. The level of oxidative inflammatory stress was lower in group C than those in S and CTR groups, and no side effects were observed in all the groups.