Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System
PADLS People Fabio Del Piero

Areas of Interest

I am interested in the identification of infectious agents in tissues as a diagnostic aid, and the study of the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, diagnostic pathology, diseases of the conceptus (embryo, fetus) and perinatal losses. I use standard diagnostic techniques, immunohistochemistry, other molecular techniques, and ancillary testing to pursue these interests. Most of the studies I am involved with are clinically oriented and frequently involve collaboration with clinicians, pathologists, toxicologists and virologists. I am also involved with collaborative studies regarding neoplasia and toxicological pathology. I am part of Pennsylvania Associated Animal Diagnostic Laboratories (PADLS)-New Bolton Center whose mission is to provide rapid and accurate diagnostic assistance to veterinarians involved with food-fiber animals, equine, aquaculture and wildlife. PADLS exists for the purpose of protecting animals and humans from health threats by providing accurate diagnoses to assist Pennsylvania's agricultural community in controlling diseases to minimize economic loss.

Selected Publications: Peer Review Journals

1. F. Del Piero, B.A. Summers, J.F. Cummings, E.A. Blomme: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors in equids. Vet Pathol 38 (6), 2001.
2. F. Del Piero, P.A. Wilkins: Pulmonary vasculotropic EHV-1 infection in equids. Veterinary Pathology 38 (4): 474, 2001.
3. P.A. Wilkins, S. Wacholder, T.J. Nolan, D.C. Bolin, P. Hunt, W. Bernard, H. Acland, F. Del Piero. Evidence for transmission of Helicephalobus deletrix (H. gingivalis) from dam to foal. Jorunal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 15 (4): 412- 417, 2001.
4. F. Del Piero, P.A. Wilkins, E.J. Dubovi, B. Biolatti, C. Cantile. Clinical, pathologic, immunohistochemical and virologic findings of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis in two horses. Veterinary Pathology 38 (4): 451-6, 2001.
5. C. Cantile, F. Del Piero, G. DiGuardo, M. Arispici: Pathologic and immunohistochemical findings in naturally occurring West Nile virus infection in horses. Veterinary Pathology 38 (4): 414-421, 2001.
6. C. Snook, S.S. Hyman, F. Del Piero, J.E. Palmer, E.N. Ostlund, B.S. Barr, A-M. Desrochers, L.K. Reilly: West Nile virus encephalomyelitis in eight horses. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2001 218 (10): 1576-1579.
7. E. Scanziani, K.W. Simpson, S. Monestiroli, S. Soldati, D. Strauss-Ayali, F. Del Piero: Histological and immunohistochemical detection of different Helicobacter species in the gastric mucosa of cats. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 13 (1): 3-12, 2001.
8. G.M. Griffin, T. Zhu, M. Solonenko, F. Del Piero, A. Kapatkin, T.M. Busch, A. Yodh, G. Polin, T. Bauer, D. Fraker, S.M. Hahn. Preclinical evaluation of motexafin lutetium-mediated intraperitoneal photodynamic therapy in a canine model. Clinical Cancer Research 7 (2): 374-381, 2001.
9. M.M. McEwen, R.D. Gleed, J.W. Ludders, T. Stokol, F. Del Piero, H.N. Erb: Hepatic effects of halothane and isoflurane anesthesia in goats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 217 (11): 1697-1700, 2000.
10. F. Del Piero, P.A. Wilkins, P.J. Timoney, J. Kadushin, H. Vogelbacker, J.W. Lee, S.J. Berkowitz, K.M. La Perle: Fatal nonneurological EHV-1 infection in a yearling filly. Veterinary Pathology 37(6): 672-676, 2000.
11. F. Del Piero: Diagnosis of equine arteritis virus infection in two horses by using monoclonal antibody immunoperoxidase histochemistry on skin biopsies Veterinary Pathology 37(5): 486-487, 2000.
12. F. Del Piero. Equine Viral Arteritis. Veterinary Pathology 37(4): 287-296, 2000.
13. P.A. Wilkins, P.S. Marsh, H. Acland, F. Del Piero: Listeria monocytogenes septicemia in a Thoroughbred foal. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 2000 12 (2): 173-176.
14. B.A. Valentine, F. Del Piero, R.B. Edwards 3rd: Intramuscular desmoid tumor (musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis) in two horses. Veterinary Pathology 36 (5):468-470, 1999.
15. F. Del Piero, P.A. Wilkins, A. DeLahunta, C. Trimarchi, E.J. Dubovi: Rabies in horses in New York State: clinical, pathological, immunohistochemical and virological findings. Equine infectious diseases VIII: Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference, Dubai, 23rd - 26th March 1998. R & W Publications (Newmarket) Ltd, Newmarket, UK: 1999. 291-296.
16. Y-F. Chang, V. Novosel, E.J. Dubovi, S.J. Wong, F.K. Chu, C-F Chang, F. Del Piero, S. Shin, D.H. Lein: Experimental infection of the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent in horses. Veterinary Parasitology, 78: 137-145, 1998.
17. M.J. Murray, F. Del Piero, S.C. Jeffrey, M.S. Davis, M.O. Furr, E.J. Dubovi, J.A. Mayo: Neonatal equine herpesvirus type 1 infection on a thoroughbred breeding farm. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 12: 36-41, 1998.
18. F. Del Piero, P.A. Wilkins, E.J. Dubovi. BVD virus antigen in Purkinje fibres in a calf. Veterinary Record, 140 (15): 407-408, 1997.
19. F. Del Piero, P.A. Wilkins, J.W. Lopez, A. Glaser, E.J. Dubovi, D.H. Schlafer, D. Lein. Equine arteritis virus in newborn foals: clinical, pathological, serological, microbiological and immunoperoxidase histochemical findings. Equine Veterinary Journal, 29 (3): 178-185, 1997.
20. J. Lopez, F. Del Piero, A. Glaser. M. Finazzi: Immunoperoxidase histochemistry as a diagnostic tool for detection of Equine Arteritis Virus Antigen in formalin fixed tissues. Equine Veterinary Journal, 28 (1): 1996.

Selected Publications: Book Chapters

1. B. Biolatti, S. Pau, F. Del Piero. Pathology of embryo and fetus and abortions. In: F. Guarda & G. Mandelli, Anatomic pathology of domestic animals. UTET, 2001.
2. F. Del Piero, P.A. Wilkins. Equine thoracic neoplasia. In: B.P. Smith, Large animal internal medicine. Diseases of the respiratory system, 507-509, Mosby, 2002.
3. F. Del Piero, P.A. Wilkins. Equine Viral arteritis. Current therapy in equine medicine 5, 2002.

Selected conference papers

1. Immunohistochemical detection of West Nile flavivirus in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded avian, equine and murine tissues. X International Symposium of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and OIE Seminar on Biotechnology, Salsomaggiore, Italy 4th - 7th July, 2001.
2. Rabies. Proceedings of the 18th American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum, Denver, Colorado, 23rd - 26th May 2001.
3. How to manage a broodmare farm in the middle of an epizootic. Italian Society of Equine Practitioners (SIVE) Annual Meeting, Salsomaggiore, Parma, Italy: 27th-29th January 2001.
4. Infectious diseases of equines. Italian Society of Equine Practitioners (SIVE) Annual Meeting, Salsomaggiore, Parma, Italy: 27th-29th January 2001.
5. Abortion and natimortality in horses. Italian Society of Equine Practitioners (SIVE) Annual Meeting, Salsomaggiore, Parma, Italy: 27th-29th January 2001.
6. Pathology of the foal. Italian Society of Equine Practitioners (SIVE) Annual Meeting, Salsomaggiore, Parma, Italy: 27th-29th January 2001.
7. Investigative approach to sporadic and epizootic fetal and perinatal losses. American College of Veterinary Theriogenology. S. Antonio, Texas. 28th November-2nd December, 2000.
8. Comparative veterinary tumor pathology. Proceedings of the 11th Jurak Symposium of Comparative Pathology, Zagreb Croatia, June 9th - 10th, 2000.
9. The role of vascular factors in tumor growth. Proceedings of the 11th Jurak Symposium of Comparative Pathology, Zagreb, Croatia, June 9th - 10th, 2000.
10. Immunohistochemistry as a diagnostic aid for the diagnosis of infectious diseases in small companion animals. Proceedings of the 18th American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum, Seattle, Washington, 419-421, May 24th -28th, 2000.
11. Equine herpesvirus infection...is it forever? Proceedings of the 18th American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum, Seattle, Washington, 175-177, May 24th -28th 2000.
12. Immunohistochemistry as a diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of infectious diseases in large animals. Proceedings of the 17th American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Congress, Chicago, Illinois, 138-140, June 10th -13th 1999.
13. Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and other causes of abortion and stillbirth in horses. Veterinarski Dani '98 - Societas Veterinaria Croatica, Rovinj, Dalmatia, Croatia, 181-184, October 14th 1998.

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