Luca Bano

@izsvenezie.it

Microviology and Diagnostic Veterinary Laboratory
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie

Luca Bano


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https://researchid.co/banol

EDUCATION

PhD in Animal Pathology and Veterinary Hygiene, University of Milan
Doctor in Veterinary Medicine, University of Bologna

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Clostridia, botulism, antimicrobial resistances, animal pathology, bacterial characterization, avian pathology, rabbit pathology, bovine pathology, bacteric agents of bioterrorism
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Scopus Publications

Scopus Publications

  • Machine learning-based typing of Clostridium botulinum group III by FT-IR spectroscopy
    Ilenia Drigo, Angela Guolo, Alessia Rizzardi, Miriam Cordovana, Manuel Garbuio, et al.
    Microbiology Spectrum, 2026
    This study aimed to investigate the utility of Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IRS) for differentiating Clostridium botulinum ( C. botulinum ) based on its botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT)-encoding gene type and its potential as an epidemiological tool for investigating botulism outbreaks. A total of 110 botulinum neurotoxin-producing clostridia (BNPC) strains, including reference, animal isolates, and human outbreak strains, were analyzed in four replicates using the IR Biotyper system (IRBT). Samples preparation was carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Similarity analysis was performed by hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The artificial intelligence capabilities of the IRBT software were applied to develop a classifier for C. botulinum differentiation at toxin-serotype or subtype level. HCA, PCA, and LDA showed a good clustering of strains belonging to the same type. In accordance with the lineages evidenced in whole-genome sequencing (WGS) studies, types A, B, and F BNPC appeared clearly separated from types C, CD, DC, and D. Considering only C, CD, DC, and D types, the highest discriminatory power is achieved in the wavenumber range 1,800–1,500 cm −1 . Four different clusters were detected. Support vector machine algorithm with linear kernel (Linear SVM) showed the highest accuracy of discrimination at the BoNT type level with an accuracy of 97%. Although these preliminary results need to be confirmed with a higher number of strains, the IRBT system proved to be a very promising, user-friendly, and cost-effective tool for C. botulinum typing, and the application of machine learning algorithms represents a novel approach for BNPC typing. IMPORTANCE Botulism outbreaks represent a significant threat to public and animal health. Rapid and accurate typing methods are essential for effective epidemiological investigations, source tracing, and the implementation of appropriate control measures. Current methods for botulinum neurotoxin serotyping are often time-consuming, expensive, and require specialized expertise. Our research demonstrated that FT-IRS, a rapid, user-friendly, and cost-effective technique already well established in microbiology for broader bacterial characterization, can be successfully adapted for this crucial task. The use of a commercially available system like the IRBT significantly enhances the potential for widespread adoption of this methodology in routine diagnostics and surveillance.
  • Intra-farm dynamic of environmental conditions in commercial rabbitries with respiratory disorders using an innovative IoT device
    Manuel Garbuio, Benedetta Cordioli, Elisabetta Riva, Luca Bano, Giorgio Provolo
    Smart Agricultural Technology, 2026
  • Botulism
    Caroline Le Maréchal, Fabrizio Anniballi, Luca Bano, Martin B. Dorner, Miriam Koene, et al.
    Clostridial Diseases of Animals, 2026
  • Experimental model for the reproduction of necrotic enteritis in turkeys using different Clostridium perfringens strains
    B. Cordioli, M. Vereecken, I. Drigo, M. Garbuio, C. Zanardello, et al.
    Avian Pathology, 2026
  • Enteric botulinum neurotoxins facilitate infection by Salmonella and Shigella
    Science Advances, 2026
  • Unusual Epidemic of Tyzzer’s Disease in Commercial Rabbit Breeders: Clinical, Pathological, and Therapeutic Observations
    Benedetta Cordioli, Manuel Garbuio, Luca Palazzolo, Francesco Dorigo, Luca Zandonà, et al.
    Animals, 2025
    Clostridium piliforme (Cp) is a pleomorphic spore-forming obligate intracellular bacterium and the causative agent of Tyzzer’s disease. The condition affects multiple species, including rabbits, in which the disease is sporadic in recently weaned animals. This report details a case of disease caused by Cp observed exclusively in breeding rabbits of a commercial farm. The clinical manifestations were a higher mortality rate in does and late-gestation abortions. We performed necropsy and further microbiological, parasitological and histopathological analyses. Anatomopathological lesions were suggestive of Tyzzer’s disease and the presence of Cp was confirmed by PCR. Parasitological analysis tested negative and standard bacteriological examination of intestines revealed a high load of Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens, which were considered secondary pathogens. Chlamydophila sp. and Toxoplasma gondii infections were excluded by PCR as causative agents of abortions. Moreover, in the months following the diagnosed outbreak, episodes of subcutaneous edema occurred in multiple does and young breeders born after the resolution of the epidemic. The constant reduction in the use of antimicrobials in recent years could make some neglected diseases emerge again. Therefore, it is crucial to suspect such uncommon pathologies in commercial rabbitries to properly manage them on farms.
  • Isolation of Clostridium botulinum type C from a wound in a pig
    Benedetta Cordioli, Manuel Garbuio, Eliana Schiavon, Alessia Rizzardi, Angela Guolo, et al.
    Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 2025
    We report here the isolation of Clostridium botulinum type C from the medial muscles of the thigh of a gestating gilt with a claw wound and without evidence of septicemia. The pig died with paralytic signs, consistent with wound botulism, similar to episodes in humans.
  • Effectiveness of a Bivalent Recombinant Vaccine on the Production of Neutralizing Antibodies Against BoNT/C, BoNT/D, BoNT/CD e BoNT/DC in Bovines
    Ilenia Drigo, Luca Zandonà, Elena Tonon, Katia Capello, Luca Bano
    Vaccines, 2025
    Background/Objectives. Bovine botulism, although relatively rare, presents significant economic losses due to high mortality rates and restrictions on livestock product trade. Vaccination remains the most effective strategy for preventing botulism-related mortality. This study evaluated the efficacy of a bivalent recombinant vaccine targeting the C-terminal portion of the heavy chain (Hc) of botulinum neurotoxin serotype C (BoNT/C) (Hc BoNT/C) and botulinum neurotoxin serotype D (BoNT/D) (Hc BoNT/D) in inducing neutralizing antibodies against these toxins and their mosaic variants BoNT/CD and BoNT/DC in cattle. This comparison aims to improve the design of an optimal recombinant vaccine for preventing bovine botulism caused by the most common serotypes. Methods. Twenty, four-month-old Holstein Friesian calves were randomly assigned to two groups of ten animals: vaccinated group and control group. Sera were collected at various time points to assess antibody titers using ELISA and neutralizing antibody titers using a mouse protection assay. Neutralizing antibody titers were compared to those obtained with a commercially available toxoid vaccine. Results. The recombinant vaccine elicited significant increases in anti-HcBoNT/C and anti-HcBoNT/D IgG antibody levels in vaccinated animals compared to controls animals with no adverse effects. Specifically, post-vaccination, the calves showed no local reactions (swelling, warmth) or behavioral changes suggestive of systemic illness. Neutralizing antibody titers against BoNT/C and BoNT/D were significantly higher in the recombinant vaccine group compared to the toxoid vaccine group. However, the recombinant vaccine showed lower neutralizing activity against BoNT/DC compared to the toxoid vaccine. Conclusions. The bivalent recombinant vaccine demonstrated promising immunogenicity in cattle, inducing high neutralizing antibody titers against BoNT/C and BoNT/D. While effective against these toxins, the lower efficacy against BoNT/DC highlights the need for further research to optimize the vaccine formulation, potentially by incorporating a BoNT/DC Hc component, to provide broader protection against bovine botulism.
  • Neurotoxic phospholipase A2: A proposed cause of equine grass sickness and other animal dysautonomias (multiple system neuropathies)
    Bruce McGorum, R. Scott Pirie, Luca Bano, Tracey Davey, John Harris, et al.
    Equine Veterinary Journal, 2025
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility of Clostridium botulinum group III field strains isolated in Europe from animal outbreaks
    Benedetta Cordioli, Alessia Rizzardi, Angela Guolo, Tiziana Ferro, Cosetta Bacchin, et al.
    Veterinary Microbiology, 2024
  • Rhodococcus equi infection in a dairy goat from a herd in northeastern Italy
    Large Animal Review, 2024
  • A possible cause and therapy for equine grass sickness
    Cesare Montecucco, Luca Bano
    Toxicon, 2024
  • No viable bacterial communities reside in the urinary bladder of cats with feline idiopathic cystitis
    Andrea Balboni, Giovanni Franzo, Luca Bano, Lorenza Urbani, Sofia Segatore, et al.
    Research in Veterinary Science, 2024
  • The “best practices for farming” successfully contributed to decrease the antibiotic resistance gene abundances within dairy farms
    Barbara Salerno, Matteo Cornaggia, Raffaella Sabatino, Andrea Di Cesare, Claudio Mantovani, et al.
    Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2024
  • Assessment of the antimicrobial resistance level in two dairy herds with different antimicrobial consumption
    Large Animal Review, 2023
  • Botulism in Cattle: A Case Report of an Outbreak in Sardinia (Italy)
    Luigia Pinna, Annamaria Coccollone, Marcella Maxia, Luca Bano, Concetta Scalfaro, et al.
    Animals, 2023
  • Association between ability to form biofilm and virulence factors of poultry extra-intestinal Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli
    Andrea Laconi, Roberta Tolosi, Ilenia Drigo, Luca Bano, Alessandra Piccirillo
    Veterinary Microbiology, 2023
  • Calves as Main Reservoir of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Dairy Farms
    Barbara Salerno, Matteo Cornaggia, Raffaella Sabatino, Andrea Di Cesare, Maddalena Furlan, et al.
    Frontiers in Public Health, 2022
  • Genome Sequence of Campylobacter Strain 19-13652, Isolated from Breeding Pheasants
    Arianna Peruzzo, Carmen Losasso, Adriana Di Castri, Ilenia Drigo, Luca Bano, et al.
    Microbiology Resource Announcements, 2022
  • Severe gastroenteropathy associated with Clostridium perfringens isolation in starving juvenile sturgeons
    Ginevra Brocca, Samuele Zamparo, Tobia Pretto, Alessandro Calore, Andrea Marsella, et al.
    Journal of Fish Diseases, 2022
  • Extensive genome exploration of clostridium botulinum group III field strains
    Silvia Fillo, Francesco Giordani, Elena Tonon, Ilenia Drigo, Anna Anselmo, et al.
    Microorganisms, 2021
  • Genomic analysis of extra-intestinal Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from commercial chickens
    Andrea Laconi, Ilenia Drigo, Nicola Palmieri, Lisa Carraro, Elena Tonon, et al.
    Veterinary Microbiology, 2021
  • Closing clostridium botulinum group III genomes using long-read sequencing
    Cedric Woudstra, Tommi Mäklin, Yagmur Derman, Luca Bano, Hanna Skarin, et al.
    Microbiology Resource Announcements, 2021
  • Business intelligence tools to optimize the appropriateness of the diagnostic process for clinical and epidemiologic purposes in a multicenter veterinary pathology service
    Nicola Pozzato, Laura D’Este, Laura Gagliazzo, Marta Vascellari, Monia Cocchi, et al.
    Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 2021
  • Clostridioides difficile in calves in central italy: Prevalence, molecular typing, antimicrobial susceptibility and association with antibiotic administration
    Francesca Blasi, Carmela Lovito, Elisa Albini, Luca Bano, Gastone Dalmonte, et al.
    Animals, 2021