Genetic characterization of infectious feline emerging and zoonotic pathogens.
Emerging viruses including domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH) and feline bocavirus (FBoV) have been reported in cats worldwide in the last decades.
Emerging pathogens may contribute to severe clinical diseases in cats, and their pathogenicity is still under investigation.
Moreover, zoonotic pathogens have been reported in cats, including the newly identified Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), the pandemic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus, along with previously known pathogens such as Bartonella henselae or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
Owing the close and direct contact of cats with humans and according to the One Health concept, also antimicrobial multidrug-resistant microorganisms, that may be transmitted between pets and their owners, should be monitored.
The aim of the present project is to evaluate the prevalence and the pathogenic role of emerging viruses and bacteria in privately-owned or stray cats, mostly visited at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of Lodi.
Detection of emerging viruses and bacteria will be performed on samples analyzed for diagnostic purposes and also on previously stored ones. The pathogenic role of the infectious agent in cats will be determined by the correlation of results with clinical and clinico-pathological parameters.
The pathogens will be genetically characterized for epidemiological and phylogenetic investigations, identification of virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes and understanding of potential threats for humans.
Master’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Milan (UNIMI) in October 2025 with the final evaluation of 110/110 cum laude
Master thesis title: “Escherichia coli e Klebsiella pneumoniae produttori e non produttori di β-lattamasi a spettro esteso (ESBL) isolati da campioni urinari di cani in Italia: valutazione della produzione di biofilm e della resistenza antimicrobica” (doi: 10.3390/antibiotics14010031)
My main interests are antimicrobial resistance, infectious diseases of companion animals, public health and microbiology and molecular techiniques.
Publications: Orcid
Supervisor Prof. Stefania Lauzi
Co-supervisor
