Partner 8: P8

Participating Institution: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, (PD), Italy
Research Laboratory: Rabies Unit of the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie
Principal Scientist: Dr Franco Mutinelli

Role and contribution:

  • To collect baseline data

  • To participate in the standardisation of sampling and diagnosis tools

  • To investigate bat population in Italy, with particular reference to the centre-south

  • To collect dead bats found in shelters, perform necropsy and collect of different tissues for RNA extraction

  • To perform immunofluorescence and serology on bat samples

  • To contribute to ecological information about positive bat species

  • To contribute to the determination of the bat species which may constitute the infectious links between Africa and the South-West of Europe

  • To perform serology on bat handlers/professionally exposed people to investigate immune response after standard vaccination protocol and the protection level


Qualifications and experience:

Dr. F. Mutinelli, DVM, Diplomate ECVP, is in charge of the Pathology Department and responsible for the Rabies Unit of the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro (northeastern Italy) since 1989. The Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie is a government institute for animal disease diagnosis and prevention, and food hygiene, which is responsible for these tasks in northeastern Italy. Among different departments, a relevant Virology Department also exists.
The Rabies Unit has been involved in rabies diagnosis and control at national level since 1970. It has also been involved in WHO/EU supported programmes of wildlife rabies control in Italy, actively contributing to the oral fox vaccination campaings initiated in 1984, both in terms of campaign organization and management as well as follow-up.
The Unit was approved for blood testing by OIE and DEFRA in 1995 and 1999 respectively, according to the new rules on pets movement.
A service of consultancy on rabies is currently provided to First Aid Units and medical doctors.
The Unit participated in the FAIR Project CT 97 - 3515 ÒWildlife vaccination against rabies in difficult and emergency situations and its potential impact on environmentÓ carried out in 1998-2001 and financed by EU.
The Unit was appointed the National Reference Laboratory for Rabies in February 2002.
A co-operation with the Italian group of research on chiropters is already effective.


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