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SEVERE OUTBREAK OF AUJESZKY’S DISEASE IN CATTLE IN NEBRODI PARK AREA (SICILY)
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  • FLAVIA PRUITI CIARELLO,
  • Maria Capucchio,
  • Dorotea Ippolito,
  • Elena Colombino,
  • Lucia Gibelli,
  • Michele Fiasconaro,
  • Ana Moreno,
  • Vincenzo Di Marco Lo Presti
FLAVIA PRUITI CIARELLO
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia Adelmo Mirri

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Maria Capucchio
University of Turin
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Dorotea Ippolito
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia Adelmo Mirri
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Elena Colombino
University of Turin Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
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Lucia Gibelli
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell Emilia-Romagna Bruno Ubertini
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Michele Fiasconaro
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia Adelmo Mirri
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Ana Moreno
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell Emilia-Romagna Bruno Ubertini
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Vincenzo Di Marco Lo Presti
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia Adelmo Mirri
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Abstract

Aujeszky’s disease in cattle is caused by Suid herpes virus 1. The natural infection has been reported worldwide in bovine species and it is connected to direct and indirect contact with infected suids, which represent the main reservoir of the disease. Here is reported the first documented outbreak of Aujeszky’s disease in cattle in Sicily (Italy). Severe itching and nonspecific neurological symptoms were the main reported clinical signs. No characteristic gross and histological features were reported rather than cutaneous lesions caused by excessive pruritus and hyperaemia, haemorrhages and inflammation in the central nervous system. Diagnosis was confirmed by real time PCR and immunohistochemistry on the nervous tissue. The route of infection remained unknown, but serological data observed in pigs living in close cohabitation with cattle revealed a circulation of a wild strain of the virus in the area. This study contributes to a better knowledge of this disease in an aberrant host and suggests the need of increase the prophylaxis control plans in specific breeding contexts.