Article
Veterinary Sciences
Lucia Vazquez-Salgado, Francesco Pascoli, Andrea Marsella, Lorena Biasini, Alessandra Buratin, Tobia Pretto, Miriam Abbadi, Erica Melchiotti, Isabel Bandin, Anna Toffan
Summary: This study demonstrated the horizontal transmission of NNV to sea bass larvae through rotifers, highlighting the importance of establishing strict routine controls on live food to prevent the introduction of potential pathogens to hatcheries.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Carmen Gonzalez-Fernandez, Maria A. Esteban, Alberto Cuesta
Summary: The study identified stimulatory CD28 and inhibitory CTLA4 coreceptors in European sea bass, with high expression in lymphoid organs and liver. Expression of these genes was up-regulated in lymphocytes stimulated with T mitogens. There was differential regulation of cd28 and ctla4 transcription levels in organs of fish challenged with nodavirus, showing a significant correlation with transcription of T cell markers.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Jianmei Hu, Baotun Wang, Juan Feng, Chun Liu, Biao Jiang, Wei Li, Li Lin, Youlu Su
Summary: In this study, a strain of Edwardsiella piscicida was isolated from spotted sea bass in China, showing strong pathogenicity in the newly recognized host. The strain carried multiple virulence genes, had various extracellular enzyme activities, and caused severe clinical symptoms and histopathological lesions in the infected fish. Expression of immune response genes was significantly upregulated after infection, indicating activation of the host's innate immune response. These findings enhance our understanding of E. piscicida infection in spotted sea bass.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lorena Biasini, Paola Berto, Miriam Abbadi, Alessandra Buratin, Marica Toson, Andrea Marsella, Anna Toffan, Francesco Pascoli
Summary: European sea bass is an important species for Mediterranean aquaculture and is susceptible to betanodavirus infections. This study evaluated the pathogenicity of different RGNNV/SJNNV strains in European sea bass and found that reassortants of these strains can cause varying levels of mortality. Additionally, high viral loads were detected in asymptomatic survivors, suggesting a possible reservoir role for the species. Comparison of complete genomic segments identified amino acid residues likely involved in the variable pathogenicity of RGNNV/SJNNV strains in European sea bass.
Article
Microbiology
Syed Monzur Morshed, Yu-Yi Chen, Chia-Hao Lin, Yen-Po Chen, Tsung-Han Lee
Summary: This study revealed that transfer to freshwater affects the composition and functions of gut microbiota in Asian sea bass, and this is correlated with cytokine gene expression.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Chong Wang, Shuang Liu, Tingting Xu, Xiaoping Li, Jun Li, Qingli Zhang
Summary: The study established an in vivo model of CMNV infection in zebrafish and found that infected individuals exhibited abnormal behavior and protruding eyes. CMNV was confirmed to be present in eye and brain tissues, as well as in muscle, intestine, and gill tissues. Additionally, CMNV caused a mortality rate of 53.33% in zebrafish within 14 days post challenge injection, highlighting the importance of further research on host-virus interactions and molecular mechanisms of CMNV.
Article
Fisheries
Jose L. Fernandez Sanchez, Alain Le Breton, Edgar Brun, Niccolo Vendramin, Georgios Spiliopoulos, Dolors Furones, Bernardo Basurco
Summary: This study proposes a novel approach to evaluate the direct costs and economic impact of diseases caused by different pathogens on European sea bass farms. The findings highlight the importance of farm size and production strategy in determining the profitability and economic viability of these farms.
Article
Physiology
Jack Falcon, Maria Jesus Herrero, Laura Gabriela Nisembaum, Esther Isorna, Elodie Peyric, Marilyn Beauchaud, Joel Attia, Denis Coves, Michael Fuentes, Maria Jesus Delgado, Laurence Besseau
Summary: The hormone melatonin plays a crucial role in regulating pituitary hormone production in European sea bass, influenced by factors like photoperiod, temperature, and salinity. Seasonal variations in mRNA abundance of pituitary hormones and melatonin receptors were observed in different fish groups raised in sea water and brackish water. In vitro experiments showed that melatonin's effects on pituitary hormones varied based on concentration, month investigated, and fish's prior adaptation to different salinities, highlighting the diverse responses of the pituitary gland in fish facing changing environmental conditions.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Laura Cervera, Carmen Gonzalez-Fernandez, Daniela Cano, M. Angeles Esteban, Luis Mercado, Elena Chaves-Pozo, Alberto Cuesta
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are potent immune system components that can kill pathogens and modulate the immune response. This study found that AMPs in European sea bass can enhance immune response and antibacterial activity but do not improve resistance to nodavirus (NNV) disease.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dimitra K. Toubanaki, Antonia Efstathiou, Odysseas-Panagiotis Tzortzatos, Michail-Aggelos Valsamidis, Leonidas Papaharisis, Vasileios Bakopoulos, Evdokia Karagouni
Summary: This study investigated the viral carrier state in survivors of nervous necrosis virus (NNV) infection in D. labrax and found that immune-related genes showed significant differences in expression levels 14 days post infection, indicating their role in disease persistence. Analysis of gene expression changes at 14 days post infection revealed several up-regulated and down-regulated genes that provided insights into the host's attempt to control the infection in asymptomatic carriers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carmen Gonzalez-Fernandez, Alberto Cuesta
Summary: Nanoplastics might have negative effects on aquatic organisms, including their disease resistance. This study found that exposure to functionalized polystyrene NPs increased viral replication and clinical symptoms of nervous necrosis virus (NNV) in fish, while also reducing their inflammatory and antiviral response.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
M. S. Alam, W. O. Watanabe, P. M. Carroll
Summary: The study investigated the effects of dietary salt supplementation on black sea bass growth performance under low salinity conditions. The results showed no significant relationships between weight gain, feed conversion ratio, survival, plasma osmolality, and electrolyte concentrations and dietary salt level in low salinity. However, salt-incorporated diets improved survival under extreme low salinity challenge conditions.
Article
Fisheries
Patricia Pereiro, Antonio Figueras, Beatriz Novoa
Summary: In this study, the immune mechanisms involved in the resistance of Gilthead sea bream to RGNNV infection were elucidated through RNA-Seq analysis. The results showed that sea bream displayed a strong immune response characterized by the high expression of type I interferon-related genes, immune receptors, and antigen presentation-related genes in both brain and head kidney tissues. Additionally, complement-, coagulation-, and angiogenesis-related genes were highly enriched in the head kidney at the earlier sampling point. Interestingly, a neuroprotective scenario with restrained inflammation was observed in the brain of sea bream, unlike the activation of the stress axis and immunosuppression found in sea bass.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sara Faggion, Daniela Bertotto, Valentina Bonfatti, Matteo Freguglia, Luca Bargelloni, Paolo Carnier
Summary: Selective breeding programs based on genomic data are not common in aquaculture, but genomic selection has been proven advantageous in difficult trait phenotyping. This study investigated the accuracy of predicting phenotype and breeding value using genomic data for European sea bass. The results showed that using estimated breeding value as a pseudo-phenotype improved the predictive performance of genomic models, and that this value could be predicted accurately. Further investigations are needed to validate the potential use of genomic predictions for mortality classification in a larger population.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Veronica Gonzalez-Gambau, Estrella Olmedo, Antonio Turiel, Cristina Gonzalez-Haro, Aina Garcia-Espriu, Justino Martinez, Pekka Alenius, Laura Tuomi, Rafael Catany, Manuel Arias, Carolina Gabarro, Nina Hoareau, Marta Umbert, Roberto Sabia, Diego Fernandez
Summary: This paper presents the first dedicated products for Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) over the Baltic Sea. These products overcome technical challenges and provide important data for understanding salinity dynamics in the region.
EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE DATA
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Ginevra Brocca, Samuele Zamparo, Tobia Pretto, Alessandro Calore, Andrea Marsella, Romy Lucon Xiccato, Matteo Cornaggia, Luana Cortinovis, Luca Bano, Anna Toffan, Francesco Quaglio, Ranieri Verin
Summary: This study reported a mortality episode in juvenile Siberian and Russian sturgeons, as well as GUBA hybrid sturgeons, in a hatchery in Northern Italy. The mortality was associated with an imbalance of intestinal microbiota, overgrowth of Clostridium perfringens, and gas formation. Increasing the feed administration possibly restored the normal microbiota.
JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federico Fabris, Petra Sostaric, Ivica Matak, Thomas Binz, Anna Toffan, Morena Simonato, Cesare Montecucco, Marco Pirazzini, Ornella Rossetto
Summary: The study describes the production of a rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against a peptide encompassing the 13 residues C-terminal to the neurotoxin cleavage site. The antibody was found to specifically recognize the novel N-terminus of VAMP exposed after cleavage by tetanus toxin and botulinum toxin type B, demonstrating its potential for studying the activity of these toxins in vivo.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lorena Biasini, Paola Berto, Miriam Abbadi, Alessandra Buratin, Marica Toson, Andrea Marsella, Anna Toffan, Francesco Pascoli
Summary: European sea bass is an important species for Mediterranean aquaculture and is susceptible to betanodavirus infections. This study evaluated the pathogenicity of different RGNNV/SJNNV strains in European sea bass and found that reassortants of these strains can cause varying levels of mortality. Additionally, high viral loads were detected in asymptomatic survivors, suggesting a possible reservoir role for the species. Comparison of complete genomic segments identified amino acid residues likely involved in the variable pathogenicity of RGNNV/SJNNV strains in European sea bass.
Review
Microbiology
Francesc Padros, Massimo Caggiano, Anna Toffan, Maria Constenla, Carlos Zarza, Sara Ciulli
Summary: Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) is the most important viral disease affecting farmed fish in the Mediterranean. The main risks concerning VNN affecting gilthead seabream and European seabass have been identified as restocking from wild fish in broodstock facilities, the origin of eggs and juveniles, quality water supply and live food in hatcheries and nurseries, and infected juveniles and location of farms in endemic areas for on-growing sites. A holistic integrated management approach is the best strategy to control VNN in marine fish farms, which includes continuous surveillance and early intervention, biosecurity measures, disinfection procedures, and systematic vaccination with effective vaccines.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Lucia Vazquez-Salgado, Francesco Pascoli, Andrea Marsella, Lorena Biasini, Alessandra Buratin, Tobia Pretto, Miriam Abbadi, Erica Melchiotti, Isabel Bandin, Anna Toffan
Summary: This study demonstrated the horizontal transmission of NNV to sea bass larvae through rotifers, highlighting the importance of establishing strict routine controls on live food to prevent the introduction of potential pathogens to hatcheries.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Tania Audino, Elena Berrone, Carla Grattarola, Federica Giorda, Virginia Mattioda, Walter Martelli, Antonio Pintore, Giuliana Terracciano, Cristiano Cocumelli, Giuseppe Lucifora, Fabio Di Nocera, Gabriella Di Francesco, Ludovica Di Renzo, Silva Rubini, Stefano Gavaudan, Anna Toffan, Roberto Puleio, Dashzeveg Bold, Francesco Brunelli, Maria Goria, Antonio Petrella, Maria Caramelli, Cristiano Corona, Sandro Mazzariol, Juergen A. Richt, Giovanni Di Guardo, Cristina Casalone
Summary: This study suggests that marine mammals, especially inshore species like bottlenose dolphins, may be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The presence of ACE2 and the role of macrophages in antiviral defense were investigated.
Article
Immunology
Andrea Marsella, Francesco Pascoli, Tobia Pretto, Alessandra Buratin, Lorena Biasini, Miriam Abbadi, Luana Cortinovis, Paola Berto, Amedeo Manfrin, Marco Vanelli, Simona Perulli, Jesper S. Rasmussen, Dagoberto Sepulveda, Niccolo Vendramin, Niels Lorenzen, Anna Toffan
Summary: Despite the negative impact of VHS and IHN on European rainbow trout farming, no vaccines are commercially available in Europe. This study developed and tested two DNA vaccines encoding the glycoproteins of recent Italian VHSV and IHNV isolates. The results showed that the DNA vaccines were safe and efficient in reducing the impact of VHS and IHN in farmed rainbow trout.
Article
Fisheries
Luciana Mandrioli, Tim Barbe, Marco Bonazza Foselli, Ginevra Brocca, Ranieri Verin, Errani Francesca, Enrico Volpe, Francesco Montesi, Rubina Sirri, Maria Morini, Jane Budai, Anna Toffan, Sara Ciulli
Summary: The skin is an indicator of an animal's health status, and cutaneous diseases in fish are often caused by biological agents. However, fish skin diseases can also result from a complex interaction of infectious and non-infectious causes, making it difficult to identify a specific cause. Four koi carp from two European countries exhibited multifocal, irregularly round, raised cutaneous reddened areas between April and September 2019-2022. Microbiological and molecular analysis did not reveal a primary pathogenic agent, but histological findings indicated a reactive process centered on dermal vessels. The condition resembled angiomatosis, a benign proliferative disease affecting the dermal vessels of mammals.
JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Miriam Abbadi, Andrea Basso, Lorena Biasini, Rosita Quartesan, Alessandra Buratin, Nadav Davidovich, Anna Toffan
Summary: Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV), an emerging pathogen, has spread globally since its first report in Israel in 2014, causing mortality rates up to 90% in tilapia. However, the lack of complete genomes hinders the understanding of its origin, evolution, and epidemiology.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Federica Gallocchio, Alessandra Moressa, Francesco Pascoli, Alessia Vetri, Anna Toffan, Tobia Pretto, Giuseppe Arcangeli, Roberto Angeletti, Antonia Ricci
Summary: The interaction of nanomaterials with pollutants in the marine environment can change the bioavailability and toxicity of both nanomaterials and pollutants, posing a risk to marine organisms and consumers through the food chain. This study aimed to investigate the impact of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the bioaccumulation and toxicity of non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (ndl-PCBs) in edible mussels. The results showed that titanium dioxide nanoparticles did not affect the accumulation of ndl-PCBs in mussels, but their combination amplified the toxic effect. During the depuration process, most titanium dioxide nanoparticles were eliminated, and their presence had a synergistic effect on the elimination of ndl-PCBs.
Article
Microbiology
Nadav Davidovich, Andrei Makhon, Gal Zizelski Valenci, Zeev Dveyrin, Tal Yahav, Tobia Pretto, Dan Tchernov, Danny Morick
Summary: The emergence and genomic characterization of Mycobacterium pseudoshottsii in Israel have been reported, indicating its ability to infect different fish species. This finding is of great importance to fish farmers, researchers, and environmental organizations.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Andrea Basso, Valentina Paolini, Daniela Ghia, Gianluca Fea, Marica Toson, Tobia Pretto
Summary: In endangered crayfish conservation projects, it is important to map the distribution of the crayfish plague pathogen Aphanomyces astaci in native populations. This study explored non-invasive sampling techniques, such as environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis and cuticular swabbing, to detect A. astaci. The findings suggest that filtering 5 liters of water with filters of 2.7 μm porosity for eDNA analysis and using cuticular swabs are effective methods for sampling. Storage in absolute ethanol is recommended for preserving samples. Integrated sampling methods are suggested for monitoring A. astaci in conservation efforts.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sara Faggion, Paolo Carnier, Rafaella Franch, Massimiliano Babbucci, Francesco Pascoli, Giulia Dalla Rovere, Massimo Caggiano, Herve Chavanne, Anna Toffan, Luca Bargelloni
Summary: This study found that the resistance of gilthead sea bream to viral nervous necrosis has a certain heritability and can be improved through selective breeding. Additionally, the use of genomic information allows for the development of prediction tools for resistance to the disease, and genomic models can be trained using all data or phenotypes with minimal differences in classification performance. However, as the genomic ties between animals in the training and test sets weaken, the accuracy of genomic prediction decreases, necessitating regular updates of the reference population.
GENETICS SELECTION EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Matteo Mazzucato, Tiziano Dorotea, Eleonora Franzago, Paolo Mulatti, Giulio Marchetti, Claudia Casarotto, Andrea Fabris, Nicola Ferre, Anna Toffan, Andrea Marsella, Azzurra Callegaro, Grazia Manca, Manuela Dalla Pozza
Summary: This study aimed to classify and evaluate the trout farms in the Autonomous Province of Trento in Italy by identifying and assessing biosecurity factors. The critical biosecurity measures identified included cleaning and disinfection, dead fish handling, anti-bird nets, dedicated equipment, and loading areas.