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Ruiz-Fons F, García-Bocanegra I, Valero M, Cuadrado-Matías R, Relimpio D, Martínez R, Baz-Flores S, Gonzálvez M, Cano-Terriza D, Ortiz JA, Gortázar C, Risalde MA. Emergence of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in red deer (Cervus elaphus), Spain, 2022. Vet Microbiol 2024; 292:110069. [PMID: 38569324 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus serotype 8 (EHDV-8) emerged in Spain in autumn 2022. In this study, we aimed to (1) characterize the clinical and lesional presentation of EHDV infection in European red deer (Cervus elaphus), and (2) study the spatial spread of the virus in wild ruminants in Spain after its introduction, in 2022/2023. We confirmed EHDV infection in two clinically compatible sick red deer by PCR and detection of anti-EHDV specific antibodies. EHDV infection occurred in red deer with hyperacute to acute clinical signs and lesions associated to vascular changes leading to death of the animals. Partial sequences of variable segment 2 (VP2) and segment 5 (NS1) genes of the detected viruses had >99% nucleotide identity with EHDV-8 sequences from Tunisia and Italy. In a cross-sectional serological study of EHDV in 592 wild ruminants, mainly red deer (n=578), in southwestern Spain, we detected anti-EHDV antibodies in 37 of 592 samples (6.3%; 95% confidence interval: 4.3-8.2), all from red deer and from the localities where clinical cases of EHD were confirmed in red deer. We conclude that EHDV-8 infection causes severe EHD in European red deer. The serosurvey revealed a limited spread of EHDV-8 in Spanish wild ruminant populations in the first year of virus detection in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Ruiz-Fons
- SaBio (Health and Biotechnology) group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Marta Valero
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministerio de Agricultura y Pesca, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Cuadrado-Matías
- SaBio (Health and Biotechnology) group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - David Relimpio
- SaBio (Health and Biotechnology) group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Remigio Martínez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Sara Baz-Flores
- SaBio (Health and Biotechnology) group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Christian Gortázar
- SaBio (Health and Biotechnology) group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - María A Risalde
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
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Elmahallawy EK, Gareh A, Ghallab MMI, Köster PC, Dashti A, Aboelsoued D, Toaleb NI, Alzaylaee H, Gonzálvez M, Saleh AA, Alhegaili AS, Eldehn AF, Hernández-Castro C, Bailo B, González-Barrio D, Carmena D. Microscopy detection and molecular characterisation of Giardia duodenalis infection in outpatients seeking medical care in Egypt. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1377123. [PMID: 38645455 PMCID: PMC11026549 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1377123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Giardiosis remains one of the most prevalent enteric parasitic infections globally. Earlier molecular-based studies conducted in Egypt have primarily focused on paediatric clinical populations and most were based on single genotyping markers. As a result, there is limited information on the frequency and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis infections in individuals of all age groups. Methods Individual stool samples (n = 460) from outpatients seeking medical care were collected during January-December 2021 in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, northern Egypt. Initial screening for the presence of G. duodenalis was conducted by coprological examination. Microscopy-positive samples were further confirmed by real-time PCR. A multilocus sequence typing approach targeted amplification of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), beta-giardin (bg), and triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) genes was used for genotyping purposes. A standardised epidemiological questionnaire was used to gather basic sociodemographic and clinical features of the recruited patients. Results Giardia duodenalis cysts were observed in 5.4% (25/460, 95% CI: 3.6-7.9) of the stool samples examined by conventional microscopy. The infection was more frequent in children under the age of 10 years and in individuals presenting with diarrhoea but without reaching statistical significance. Stool samples collected during the winter period were more likely to harbour G. duodenalis. All 25 microscopy-positive samples were confirmed by real-time PCR, but genotyping data was only available for 56.0% (14/25) of the isolates. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of assemblages A (78.6%, 11/14) and B (21.4%, 3/14). All assemblage A isolates were identified as sub-assemblage AII, whereas the three assemblage B sequences belonged to the sub-assemblage BIII. Patients with giardiosis presenting with diarrhoea were more frequently infected by the assemblage A of the parasite. Conclusion This is one of the largest epidemiological studies evaluating G. duodenalis infection in individuals of all age groups in Egypt. Our molecular data suggest that G. duodenalis infections in the surveyed population are primarily of anthropic origin. However, because assemblages A and B are zoonotic, some of the infections identified can have an animal origin. Additional investigations targeting animal (domestic and free-living) and environmental (water) samples are warranted to better understand the epidemiology of giardiosis in Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ahmed Gareh
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt
| | - Marwa M. I. Ghallab
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El Sheikh, Egypt
| | - Pamela C. Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Spain
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Alfonso X El Sabio University (UAX), Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, Alfonso X El Sabio University (UAX), Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Dina Aboelsoued
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nagwa Ibrahim Toaleb
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hind Alzaylaee
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Amira A. Saleh
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Alaa S. Alhegaili
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdul Aziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Fathy Eldehn
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kasr Al-Ainy Medical School, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Carolina Hernández-Castro
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Spain
- Parasitology Group, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Corporation for the Study of Tropical Pathologies, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Infectious Diseases (CIBER), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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Beato-Benítez A, Cano-Terriza D, Gonzálvez M, Martínez R, Pérez-Cobo I, Ruano MJ, Guerra R, Mozos-Mora E, García-Bocanegra I. Fatal leptospirosis in endangered Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) kept in captivity: Assessing the role of sympatric rodents. Vet Microbiol 2024; 291:110028. [PMID: 38367538 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Between December 2020 and January 2021, an outbreak of acute mortality in endangered Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) kept in captivity was detected in a zoo in Spain. The main findings observed in the two fatally affected animals at post-mortem evaluation were jaundice, renal tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis. Leptospira spp. infection was confirmed by real time PCR (qPCR) in different tissues in both individuals. Analyses of secY gene from a positive individual showed 100% homology with a previously published sequence corresponding to Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni. Free-living sympatric brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from the affected zoo were also analyzed, and showed a prevalence and seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. of 18.2% (4/22; 95% CI: 2.1-34.3) and 41.9% (26/62; 95% CI: 29.7-54.2), respectively. We detected seropositive sera to five different serovars of Leptospira spp. (Copenhageni, Grippotyphosa, Pomona, Canicola and Hardjo) in the rodent population, with L. Copenhageni being the predominant one. This study describes for first time an outbreak of fatal leptospirosis in captive non-human primates in Europe. Our results show that Barbary macaques, an endangered species, are highly susceptible to Leptospira spp. infection, with sympatric wild rodents being the most likely reservoir animals involved in transmission in this outbreak. Our results suggest that rodent control could be an effective measure for minimizing exposure to Leptospira spp. in zoological collections. Given the potential implications for conservation, animal and public health, non-human primates and rodents should be included in surveillance programs for Leptospira spp. in zoos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Beato-Benítez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain.
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - Remigio Martínez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres 10003, Spain
| | - Iratxe Pérez-Cobo
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, 28110 Algete, Madrid, Spain
| | - María José Ruano
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, 28110 Algete, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Guerra
- Centro de Conservación Zoo Córdoba, Córdoba 14071, Spain
| | - Elena Mozos-Mora
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
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Rios-Muñoz L, Gonzálvez M, Caballero-Gomez J, Castro-Scholten S, Casares-Jimenez M, Agulló-Ros I, Corona-Mata D, García-Bocanegra I, Lopez-Lopez P, Fajardo T, Mesquita JR, Risalde MA, Rivero-Juarez A, Rivero A. Detection of Rat Hepatitis E Virus in Pigs, Spain, 2023. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:823-826. [PMID: 38526410 PMCID: PMC10977822 DOI: 10.3201/eid3004.231629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
We identified rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA in farmed pigs from Spain. Our results indicate that pigs might be susceptible to rat HEV and could serve as viral intermediaries between rodents and humans. Europe should evaluate the prevalence of rat HEV in farmed pigs to assess the risk to public health.
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Gómez JC, Cano-Terriza D, Segalés J, Vergara-Alert J, Zorrilla I, Del Rey T, Paniagua J, Gonzálvez M, Fernández-Bastit L, Nájera F, Montoya-Oliver JI, Salcedo J, García-Bocanegra I. Exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Vet Microbiol 2024; 290:110001. [PMID: 38280305 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging zoonotic virus of public and animal health concern, of which felids have been suggested as potential reservoirs. Although SARS-CoV-2 exposure has been detected in domestic and wild captive animals belonging to Felidae family, surveillance has not been carried out in free-ranging wild felids so far. The aim of the present study was to assess SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), the most endangered felid in the world. Between 2019 and 2022, we conducted a seroepidemiological study of SARS-CoV-2 in 276 free-ranging and captive Iberian lynxes. Our results evidenced limited (0.4%; 95%CI: 0.0-1.1) but not negligible exposure to this emerging virus in this endangered felid species, increasing the SARS-CoV-2 host range. The circulation of this virus in wildlife evidences the need of integrated European wildlife monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Caballero Gómez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Joaquim Segalés
- Unitat mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Cataluña, Spain; Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Júlia Vergara-Alert
- Unitat mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Cataluña, Spain; IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Zorrilla
- Centro de Análisis y Diagnóstico de la Fauna Silvestre, Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, Consejería de Sostenibilidad, Medio Ambiente y Economía Azul de la Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain
| | - Teresa Del Rey
- Centro de Análisis y Diagnóstico de la Fauna Silvestre, Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, Consejería de Sostenibilidad, Medio Ambiente y Economía Azul de la Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain
| | - Jorge Paniagua
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Leira Fernández-Bastit
- Unitat mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Cataluña, Spain; IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando Nájera
- Departamento de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Asistencia Técnica de la Dirección General del Medio Natural y Desarrollo Sostenible de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain; Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States
| | - Juan I Montoya-Oliver
- Organismo Autónomo Parques Nacionales (OAPN). Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Salcedo
- Consejería de Sostenibilidad, Medio Ambiente y Economía Azul, Junta de Andalucía, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Gonzálvez M, Muñoz-Hernández C. R programming environment in wildlife: Are Veterinary Sciences at the same level than other research areas? Res Vet Sci 2024; 166:105079. [PMID: 37963421 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
The computing environment has revolutionized the management and analysis of data in sciences during the last decades. This study aimed to evaluate the use of R software in research articles addressing the study of wildlife worldwide, particularly focusing on the research area "Veterinary Sciences". For this purpose, a systematic review mainly performed in the Web of Science database was conducted. Out of a total of 509 articles reviewed, our results show an increasing trend of the number of publications using the R software over time, as well as a wide geographical distribution at a global scale, particularly in North America, Europe, Australia and China. Most publications were categorized in research areas related to "Biological Sciences", while a minority of them was included in "Veterinary Sciences" (5.9%; 30/509). About the species groups assessed, many articles evaluated a single species group (96.5%), being mammals (50.7%) and birds (14.8%) the most studied ones. The present study showed a high variety of R-packages used in the publications reviewed, all of them related to data analysis, the study of genetic/phylogenetic information and graphical representation. Interestingly, the common use of packages between different research areas is indicative of the high interest of using R software in scientific articles. Our study points the R software as an open-source programming language that allows to support research addressing the study of wildlife, becoming a key software for many research areas, including "Veterinary Sciences". However, an in-depth methodological description about the use of R software in publications to improve the tracking, reproducibility and transparency is encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain.
| | - Clara Muñoz-Hernández
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; Grupo SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
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7
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Muñoz-Hernández C, Wipf A, Ortega N, Barberá GG, Salinas J, Gonzálvez M, Martínez-Carrasco C, Candela MG. Serological and molecular survey of canine distemper virus in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes): Exploring cut-off values and the use of protein A in ELISA tests. Prev Vet Med 2023; 221:106075. [PMID: 37984159 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.106075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The wide distribution and ecological plasticity of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) make it a potential reservoir for many infectious diseases shared with domestic and wild carnivores. One of such diseases is canine distemper, which is caused by an RNA virus and its main domestic reservoir is the dog. However, other carnivores can also participate in its maintenance, as shown by the recent upsurge of reported cases in wildlife in many parts of the world, and by the fact that red foxes may act as true reservoirs for canine distemper virus (CDV). The lack of validated serological tests for wildlife or other non-target species may be a handicap for monitoring this virus. In this study, serological assays were compared in 147 red fox sera using a commercial ELISA validated for its use in dogs and a non-specific modified ELISA with Protein A peroxidase conjugate to detect bound antibodies. In addition, the presence of CDV RNA in brain, spleen, lung, and liver samples from 144 foxes was investigated by a RT-qPCR. Through the comparison of the results of both ELISAs and the use of a finite mixture model of the optical density values obtained by both techniques, we adjusted the cut-off point of the commercial ELISA to obtain the seroprevalence in foxes. The overall seroprevalence detected was 53.7% (79/147) and 57.1% (84/147) by the commercial and modified ELISA, respectively, with a moderate agreement according to Cohen's Kappa statistic (κ = 0.491, z = 5.97, p < 0.0001). CDV RNA was detected in 30 out of 144 foxes, which resulted in 20.8% of CDV-infected foxes. At individual level, the results obtained by relating the serological status and the presence/absence of RNA in different organs were explained in terms of the pathogenesis of the infection. Our results highlight the convenience of adjusting the cut-off point when using an ELISA assay developed in domestic dogs for its use in foxes. Moreover, Protein A is confirmed to be a good alternative to be used in red foxes, presenting a good reactivity towards its IgG.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Muñoz-Hernández
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - A Wipf
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - N Ortega
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - G G Barberá
- Department of Water and Soil Conservation, CEBAS-CSIC, Campus Universitario, Espinardo 30100, Spain.
| | - J Salinas
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - M Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain.
| | - C Martínez-Carrasco
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - M G Candela
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
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8
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Gonzálvez M, Paniagua J, Jiménez-Martín D, Cano-Terriza D, Castro-Scholten S, Barbero-Moyano J, Jiménez-Ruiz S, García-Bocanegra I. Monitoring the dynamics of consumption of ungulate game by-products in vulture feeding stations in Iberian Mediterranean ecosystems. Res Vet Sci 2023; 164:105026. [PMID: 37776609 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Vulture feeding stations (VFS) are strategic sites for the management of ungulate game by-products, with major implications for the conservation of obligate avian scavengers. These feeding points are designed to prevent access by facultative mammalian scavengers and to reduce the risk of trophically transmitted pathogen infection through scavenging behaviour. The aim of this study, using camera trap video recordings, was to evaluate the feeding dynamics around 32 lots of ungulate game by-products deposited in VFS in southern Spain. During the study period (2017-2022), 11 different avian and mammal scavenger species was detected. Also, many feeding events involving all scavenger species (51.1%; 362/709) and mammal scavenger species (23.4%; 166/709) was recorded. A significantly earlier presence of major obligate scavengers (Gyps fulvus and Aegypius monachus) (P = 0.023) and a lower persistence of by-products deposited (P < 0.001) were detected during October-December compared to January-March. Our results confirm that VFS play an important role in vulture conservation in Iberian Mediterranean ecosystems. However, we also point out the potential risk of VFS as hotspots of foodborne pathogens for mammal scavengers, particularly when the hunting offal persists longer. Consequently, we urge the competent authorities to update the regulations affecting VFS management, and hunting estate managers to make every effort to correctly apply those preventing scavenging mammals from gaining access to VFS. Further studies tackling access of non-target species to VFS are also warranted to properly assess the sanitary implications and geographical extent of these problems for mammal species inhabiting areas where VFS are installed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Jorge Paniagua
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Débora Jiménez-Martín
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sabrina Castro-Scholten
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Jesús Barbero-Moyano
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Saúl Jiménez-Ruiz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources & Associated Laboratory (CIBIO-InBIO), Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning (BIOPOLIS), University of Porto, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal.
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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9
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Farag SI, Cano-Terriza D, Gonzálvez M, Salman D, Aref NEM, Mubaraki MA, Jiménez-Martín D, García-Bocanegra I, Elmahallawy EK. Serosurvey of selected reproductive pathogens in domestic ruminants from Upper Egypt. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1267640. [PMID: 37937151 PMCID: PMC10625909 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1267640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, neosporosis, and Q fever are among the most important abortifacient diseases in ruminants worldwide. These diseases result in huge economic losses in livestock besides the fact that some of are of public health concern. The present study aimed to update the data about the current seroepidemiological situation of these diseases in Upper Egypt. A total of 411 blood samples were collected from small and large ruminants and serologically tested against the presence of T. gondii, N. caninum, and C. burnetii. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were performed to assess the potential risk factors associated with the exposure to these pathogens. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 47.9% (197/411) with an individual seropositivity of 59.4% (63/106), 58.6% (17/29), 38.8% (54/139) and 46% (63/137) in cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats, respectively. Meanwhile, 9.7% (38/411) of the examined animals were tested positive for anti-N. caninum antibodies, with an individual seropositivity of 13.2% (12/106), 34.5% (10/29), 8.6% (12/139) and 2.9% (4/137) in cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats, respectively. Furthermore, the overall prevalence of antibodies against C. burnetii was 17.3% (63/411), and exposure to this pathogen was detected in 4.7% (5/106) of cattle, 19.3% (20/129) of sheep, 29.2% (38/130) of goats but none of the examined buffalo were found to be seropositive. A total of 12.1% (50/411) of the examined animals showed co-exposure to at least two of the tested pathogens. Regarding the potential risk factors, there were statistically significant differences among species in the frequency of exposure to the three tested pathogens. Age (> 6 months) was also shown to be a significant risk factor associated with T. gondii exposure. The results obtained provided updated information about the occurrence of three of the main reproductive pathogens in Upper Egypt. The high seropositivity values found for the tested zoonotic pathogens in most of the analyzed ruminant species suggest the necessity of performing additional in-depth studies to evaluate the epidemiology of these pathogens in the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimaa Ismail Farag
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Doaa Salman
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Nasr-Eldin M. Aref
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Murad A. Mubaraki
- Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Débora Jiménez-Martín
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
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10
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Gonzálvez M, Franco JJ, Barbero-Moyano J, Caballero-Gómez J, Ruano MJ, Martínez R, Cano-Terriza D, García-Bocanegra I. Monitoring the epidemic of West Nile virus in equids in Spain, 2020-2021. Prev Vet Med 2023; 217:105975. [PMID: 37481993 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.105975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
The largest epidemic of West Nile virus (WNV) reported ever in Spain in both humans and equines occurred in 2020, affecting 77 humans and 139 equine herds. Here, we aimed to monitor the outbreaks detected in equid herds in Andalusia (southern Spain), the Spanish region where 89.9% of the outbreaks were reported, and to evaluate the virus circulation and risk factor associated with WNV exposure in the affected herds. The first WNV case was detected in mid-July 2020, the number of outbreaks peaked in mid-August and the last one was confirmed on 26th October 2020. WNV lineage 1 was detected in 12 clinically affected horses using real time RT-PCR. Molecular analysis evidenced high nucleotide identity with WNV sequences obtained from humans, birds and mosquitoes from Spain and Italy between 2020 and 2022. Between five and eight months after the WNV epidemic, a total of 724 equids (including 485 unvaccinated and 239 vaccinated animals) from 113 of the 125 affected herds in Andalusia were sampled. IgM and IgG antibodies against WNV were detected in 1.6% (8/485; 95%IC: 0.0-2.5) and 61.9% (300/485; 95%IC: 58.3-65.5) of the unvaccinated individuals, respectively. The seropositivity in vaccinated horses was 86.6% (207/239). The main risk factors associated with WNV exposure in unvaccinated equids were the breed (crossbreed), the location of animals in spring-summer (outside), and the presence of natural water ponds close to the surveyed herds. The high individual seroprevalence obtained in the affected herds indicates that WNV circulation was more widespread than the reported by passive surveillance during the WNV epidemic in 2020. The re-emergence of WNV in 2020 in southern Spain evidenced the needed to improve integrated surveillance systems, minimizing the impact of future cases in equids and humans in high-risk areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan J Franco
- Inmunología y Genética Aplicada, S.A. (Eurofins-Ingenasa), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Barbero-Moyano
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - María J Ruano
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, Algete, Madrid, Spain
| | - Remigio Martínez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Unidad de Patología Infecciosa, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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11
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Martínez-Carrasco C, Moroni B, García-Garrigós A, Robetto S, Carella E, Zoppi S, Tizzani P, Gonzálvez M, Orusa R, Rossi L. Wolf Is Back: A Novel Sensitive Sentinel Rejoins the Trichinella Cycle in the Western Alps. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10030206. [PMID: 36977245 PMCID: PMC10055899 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10030206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichinella is a foodborne parasite whose wildlife reservoirs are represented by carnivores and omnivores with predatory and scavenger behavior. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Trichinella infection in grey wolves (Canis lupus) that recolonized the Western Alps from the end of the past century, and discuss the epidemiological role played by this apex predator in the early phases of its return. During the period 2017–2022, diaphragm samples were obtained from 130 individuals collected in the frame of a wolf mortality survey. Trichinella larvae were found in 15 wolves (11.53%) with a parasite intensity of 11.74 larvae per gram. Trichinella britovi was the only species identified. This is the first prevalence survey of Trichinella in wolves recolonizing the Alps. Results suggest that, in this particular biotope, the wolf has rejoined the Trichinella cycle and has the potential to play an increasingly important role as maintenance host. Arguments in favor and against this perspective are discussed and knowledge gaps highlighted. The calculated Trichinella larval biomass in the estimated wolf population roaming in Northwest Italy will serve as baseline value to explore possible shifts in the relative importance of wolves as Trichinella reservoir within the regional carnivore community. Finally, wolves re-colonizing the Alps already appear as sensitive sentinels to monitor the risk of Trichinella zoonotic transmission by infected wild boar meat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Martínez-Carrasco
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Barbara Moroni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy
- Correspondence: (B.M.); (E.C.)
| | - Anna García-Garrigós
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Serena Robetto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Centro di Referenza Nazionale Malattie Animali Selvatici (CERMAS), Località Amerique 7G, 11020 Quart, Italy
| | - Emanuele Carella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy
- Correspondence: (B.M.); (E.C.)
| | - Simona Zoppi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Paolo Tizzani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Riccardo Orusa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Centro di Referenza Nazionale Malattie Animali Selvatici (CERMAS), Località Amerique 7G, 11020 Quart, Italy
| | - Luca Rossi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
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12
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Perez R, Pérez‐Cutillas P, Gonzálvez M, Muñoz‐Hernández C, Arcenillas‐Hernández I, de Ruiz de Ybáñez R, Escribano F, Martínez‐Carrasco C. Predictive factors for flea occurrence in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from semi-arid Mediterranean environments. Med Vet Entomol 2023; 37:86-95. [PMID: 36125325 PMCID: PMC10087194 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The role of red fox as host for a wide range of parasites, particularly fleas and other arthropods causing vector-borne diseases, in combination with its capability to adapt to anthropized environments, makes this wild canid an epidemiologically remarkable species at the wildlife-domestic-human interface, especially in the present time of rise of emerging and re-emerging diseases. This study evaluated the prevalence and parasite intensity of fleas in 88 foxes from Murcia Region (Southeastern Spain) and determined the geographic distribution of areas with the highest potential risk of flea presence. Pulex irritans, Ctenocephalides felis, Spilopsyllus cuniculi and Nosopsyllus fasciatus were identified. The overall prevalence was 76.13%. This is the first time that N. fasciatus has been reported in foxes from Murcia Region. The predictive model established a certain pattern to determine the areas with the highest risk of acquiring fleas. Positive correlation of daily potential evapotranspiration (ET0 ) in winter and the opposite effect occurring for ET0 in summer were obtained, as well as positive correlations for mean daily temperature (Tmean ) in summer and mean precipitation (Pmean ) in winter and summer. The model was also found positively correlated in the forest habitat ecotone areas and the anthropized areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Perez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”Universidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | - Pedro Pérez‐Cutillas
- Departamento de Geografía, Facultad de Letras Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”Universidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”Universidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | - Clara Muñoz‐Hernández
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”Universidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | - Irene Arcenillas‐Hernández
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”Universidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | - Rocío de Ruiz de Ybáñez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”Universidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | | | - Carlos Martínez‐Carrasco
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”Universidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
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Gonzálvez M, Ruiz de Ybáñez R, Rodríguez-Caro RC, Maíz-García A, Gómez L, Giménez A, Graciá E. Assessing DESS solution for the long-term preservation of nematodes from faecal samples. Res Vet Sci 2022; 153:45-48. [PMID: 36308790 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Preservation of biological samples is a relevant issue for many scientific disciplines. Although traditional preservers, such as formaldehyde or ethanol, imply major disadvantages related to health risks, DNA degradation and distortion of structures, they are widely used. Hence, the search for viable alternatives preserving morphometry and genetics seems necessary. Here we assess the suitability of DESS solution to preserve adult nematodes and their eggs in faeces. Concretely, faecal samples of terrestrial tortoises with oxyurids were used to: (i) compare the 1-month storage efficacy of eggs from different conservation protocols (faeces without preserver at -20 °C, faeces with DESS solution at room temperature, faeces with DESS solution at -20 °C and faeces with ethanol 70% at room temperature); (ii) address morphological nematode identification after 2 years of storage with DESS. We also corroborated that nematode DNA remained viable after 2 years. Overall, our results showed that DESS solution at room temperature is an advisable alternative to conserve both parasite eggs and adult nematodes for morphological identification and genetic purposes. It also offers the advantages of being low-cost, safe and suitable for fieldwork conditions and shipments without refrigeration for nematode preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; Área de Ecología, Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Av. de la Universidad, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - R Ruiz de Ybáñez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - R C Rodríguez-Caro
- Área de Ecología, Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Av. de la Universidad, 03202 Elche, Spain; Department of Zoology, Oxford University, 11a Mansfield Road, OX1 3SZ, Oxford, England, UK; Department of Ecology, University of Alicante, Road. San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - A Maíz-García
- Área de Ecología, Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Av. de la Universidad, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - L Gómez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - A Giménez
- Área de Ecología, Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Av. de la Universidad, 03202 Elche, Spain; Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - E Graciá
- Área de Ecología, Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Av. de la Universidad, 03202 Elche, Spain; Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
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Gonzálvez M, Muñoz-Hernández C, Gómez de Ramón A, Buendía A, Escribano F, Martínez-Carrasco C. Flying across Europe: the case of the spread of Chaunocephalus ferox on a black stork ( Ciconia nigra). J Helminthol 2022; 96:e80. [PMID: 36321436 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x22000700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The annual migration of birds involves a very large number of inter-continental and intra-continental movements in which thousands of bird species participate. These migrations have been associated with the spread of pathogens worldwide, including bacteria, viruses and parasites. This study describes the case of a black stork (Ciconia nigra) that was ringed at the nest in Latvia and died five months later in the south-east of the Iberian Peninsula. Post-mortem examination revealed that the cause of death was electrocution. In addition, a massive infection by the trematode Chaunocephalus ferox (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) causing severe granulomatous lesions throughout the small intestine was detected. This is the first report of C. ferox infection in a black stork in the Iberian Peninsula, a trematode that, due to the severe lesions it causes, can affect the health of C. ferox-infected wild birds, particularly in severely infected long-distance migrants. The dispersal of platyhelminths associated with migratory birds is discussed. After the ringing at the nest, the black stork was sighted in Central Europe one month before its capture, and the trematodes found by necropsy were mostly mature adults. Consequently, we estimate that this juvenile animal acquired the infection during its migration in a European area other than the Iberian Peninsula, evidencing a long-distance parasite spread through its migratory host. Our study highlights that bird ringing can be used to understand the epidemiological implications that bird migratory behaviour may have on the dispersal of parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - C Muñoz-Hernández
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - A Gómez de Ramón
- Centro de Recuperación de Fauna Silvestre 'El Valle', Ctra. Subida del Valle, 62, 30150 La Alberca, Murcia, Spain
| | - A Buendía
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - F Escribano
- Centro de Recuperación de Fauna Silvestre 'El Valle', Ctra. Subida del Valle, 62, 30150 La Alberca, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Martínez-Carrasco
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
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García-Bocanegra I, Franco JJ, León CI, Barbero-Moyano J, García-Miña MV, Fernández-Molera V, Gómez MB, Cano-Terriza D, Gonzálvez M. High exposure of West Nile virus in equid and wild bird populations in Spain following the epidemic outbreak in 2020. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3624-3636. [PMID: 36222172 PMCID: PMC10092718 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the circulation and risk factors associated with West Nile virus (WNV) exposure in equine and wild bird populations following the largest epidemic outbreak ever reported in Spain. A total of 305 equids and 171 wild birds were sampled between November 2020 and June 2021. IgG antibodies against flaviviruses were detected by blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA) in 44.9% (109/243) and 87.1% (54/62) of unvaccinated and vaccinated equids, respectively. The individual seroprevalence in unvaccinated individuals (calculated on animals seropositive by both bELISA and virus microneutralization test [VNT]) was 38.3% (95%CI: 33.1-43.4). No IgM antibodies were detected in animals tested (0/243; 0.0%; 95%CI: 0.0-1.5) by capture-ELISA. The main risk factors associated with WNV exposure in equids were age (adult and geriatric), breed (crossbred) and the absence of a disinsection programme on the facilities. In wild birds, IgG antibodies against flaviviruses were found in 32.7% (56/171; 95%CI: 26.8-38.6) using bELISA, giving an individual WNV seroprevalence of 19.3% (95%CI: 14.3-24.3) after VNT. Seropositivity was found in 37.8% of the 37 species analysed. Species group (raptors), age (>1-year old) and size (large) were the main risk factors related to WNV seropositivity in wild birds. Our results indicate high exposure and widespread distribution of WNV in equid and wild bird populations in Spain after the epidemic outbreak in 2020. The present study highlights the need to continue and improve active surveillance programmes for the detection of WNV in Spain, particularly in those areas at greatest risk of virus circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Department of Animal Health, Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan J Franco
- Immunology and Applied Genetics, S.A. (Eurofins-Ingenasa), Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara I León
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía (AMAYA), Junta de Andalucía, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jesús Barbero-Moyano
- Department of Animal Health, Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - María V García-Miña
- Consejería de Agricultura, Pesca, Agua y Desarrollo Rural, Junta de Andalucía, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - María B Gómez
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, Algete, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Department of Animal Health, Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Department of Animal Health, Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.,Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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16
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Muñoz C, Gonzálvez M, Buendía A, Lara L, Escribano F, Martínez-Carrasco C. First report of a hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) parasitized by Harpirhynchus nidulans in the Iberian Peninsula. Parasitol Int 2022; 88:102552. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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17
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Gonzálvez M, Ruiz de Ybáñez R. What do we know about Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Spain? Current knowledge and future perspectives in a globalized world. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:3115-3120. [PMID: 34786875 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is an important emerging and zoonotic nematode that has been reported worldwide since its first description in Asia 86 years ago. Among places where this parasite has been recently described, insular regions of northwest Africa seem to be particularly relevant. We performed a systematic review in scientific databases to search and extract information about all reports describing cases of A. cantonensis in Spain until July 2021. As a result, seven surveys about the presence of this pathogen in Spanish insular regions were found, especially in the Canary Islands, as well as a non-autochthonous report of A. cantonensis in the mainland Spain. The lack of reliable information about the presence or absence of this nematode in the Iberian Peninsula highlights the need for further studies concerning this emerging pathogen since rodents acting as competent definitive hosts of A. cantonensis are widely distributed in the mainland. Moreover, the high maritime traffic daily registered in Spanish ports could be a main entrance pathway for A. cantonensis or its intermediate hosts in the country due to the frequent and direct connection between these points and regions where this pathogen is endemic. We encourage to focus further efforts on investigating the current epidemiological situation of A. cantonensis in the Iberian Peninsula, just as in other Mediterranean countries with similar epidemiological, ecological and geographical characteristics. In this sense, the relevant implications of this parasite for animal and public health make necessary to act integrating different viewpoints under the One Health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - Rocío Ruiz de Ybáñez
- Departamento Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
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Gonzálvez M, Moreno E, Pérez-Cutillas P, Gilbert T, Ortiz J, Valera F, Espeso G, Benzal J, Ibáñez B, Ruiz de Ybáñez MDR. Zoological institutions as hotspots of gastrointestinal parasites that may affect the success of ungulate reintroduction programmes. Vet Rec 2021; 189:e506. [PMID: 34047377 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ungulates from zoological institutions are frequently used as founders in reintroduction programmes. These animals are subject to specific parasite management as parasitic infections have previously been associated with failed Bovidae reintroductions. METHODS Questionnaires to obtain data on how these institutions screen for seasonal parasite presence and the clinical signs they induced in threatened ungulates were sent to 65 institutions involved in European Ex situ Programmes (58.5% response rate). Temperature and relative humidity data were also obtained to categorize each zoological centre. RESULTS Strongyloides spp. (52.6%), Trichuris spp. (42.1%), Trichostrongylidae family (39.4%) and Eimeria spp. (36.8%) were the most frequently reported parasites in the received questionnaires. Climatic variables did not influence parasite presence. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that artificial microenvironments created by husbandry practices and enclosure design in zoos could create hotspots for gastrointestinal parasites. To maximise the success of reintroduction projects, we recommend that the influence of microclimates on parasite burdens be evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Gonzálvez
- Dpto. Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Eulalia Moreno
- Dpto. Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, EEZA-CSIC, Ctra. de Sacramento s/n, Almería, 04120, Spain
| | - Pedro Pérez-Cutillas
- Dpto. Geografía, Facultad de Letras, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Campus de La Merced, Murcia, 30001, Spain
| | - Tania Gilbert
- Marwell Wildlife, Colden Common, Winchester, SO21 1JH, UK.,Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building 85, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Juana Ortiz
- Dpto. Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Francisco Valera
- Dpto. Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, EEZA-CSIC, Ctra. de Sacramento s/n, Almería, 04120, Spain
| | - Gerardo Espeso
- Dpto. Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, EEZA-CSIC, Ctra. de Sacramento s/n, Almería, 04120, Spain
| | - Jesús Benzal
- Dpto. Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, EEZA-CSIC, Ctra. de Sacramento s/n, Almería, 04120, Spain
| | - Belén Ibáñez
- Dpto. Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, EEZA-CSIC, Ctra. de Sacramento s/n, Almería, 04120, Spain
| | - María Del Rocío Ruiz de Ybáñez
- Dpto. Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, 30100, Spain
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19
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Cardells-Peris J, Gonzálvez M, Ortega-Porcel J, Ruiz de Ybáñez MR, Martínez-Herrero MC, Garijo-Toledo MM. Parasitofauna survey of song thrushes (Turdus philomelos) from the eastern part of Spain. Parasitol Int 2020; 79:102176. [PMID: 32777533 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Thrushes (Turdus spp.) are migratory passerine birds found in northern Europe during the summer months and in southern Europe and north of Africa during the winter. They constitute an important small game bird group very appreciated by Spanish hunters. Between October 2013 and February 2014, 90 adult song thrushes were collected for their exam. After necropsies, three species of helminths were macroscopically recovered from 15 birds (16.7%): Morishitium sp. (16.7%), Splendidofilaria mavis (6.7%) and Dilepis undula (7.8%). One of them showed an adult cestode in the lung. Moreover, 12 of the positive thrushes (80%) harboured microfilaria in pulmonary blood vessels and three of them (20%) were infected by Sarcocystis sp. on skeletal musculature. All parasitized birds showed lesions, ranging from mild to moderate airsacculitis, bronchitis and coelomitis associated to Morishitium sp. infection. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of Sarcocystis spp. in song thrushes from Spain. Our results reveal the need for further studies to evaluate the epidemiological role of song thrushes as spreaders of parasites during their annual migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Cardells-Peris
- Grupo PARAVET (Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias), PASAPTA, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/Tirant lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115. Valencia, Spain
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus Regional de Excelencia Internacional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Joaquín Ortega-Porcel
- Anatomía Patológica, Departamento de Producción y Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, C/Tirant lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115. Valencia, Spain
| | - María Rocío Ruiz de Ybáñez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus Regional de Excelencia Internacional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - María Carmen Martínez-Herrero
- Grupo PARAVET (Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias), PASAPTA, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/Tirant lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115. Valencia, Spain
| | - María Magdalena Garijo-Toledo
- Grupo PARAVET (Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias), PASAPTA, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/Tirant lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115. Valencia, Spain.
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20
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Muñoz C, Gonzálvez M, Rojas A, Martínez-Carrasco C, Baneth G, Berriatua E, Ortiz J. Massive microfilaremia in a dog subclinically infected with Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides. Parasitol Int 2020; 76:102070. [PMID: 32036036 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Canine filarioids are worldwide distributed nematodes transmitted by arthropods with variable virulence depending on the species. Dirofilaria immitis is the most virulent and serological antigen tests are commonly employed to detect it. This study reports on the heaviest cavity filariasis recorded so far in a dog, which showed no apparent clinical signs of infection. The 6-year-old male was positive to a D. immitis antigen test. Blood samples collected and analyzed with the modified Knott's test for microfilariae revealed 264,367 microfilariae/ml. In a post-mortem examination 791 adult filarial nematodes were found in the dog's thoracic and peritoneal cavities. Morphological and molecular analysis identified the nematode as Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides and no other species were present. This is evidence that massive A. dracunculoides infections in dogs may not be clinically evident, they may cause serologic cross-reaction with D. immitis infection and become a life-threatening condition if dogs are treated with a microfilaricidal treatment without previously performing an adequate diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Muñoz
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - Alicia Rojas
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Carlos Martínez-Carrasco
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Eduardo Berriatua
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Juana Ortiz
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
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21
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Muñoz-Lozano C, Martín-Vega D, Martínez-Carrasco C, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Morales-Reyes Z, Gonzálvez M, Moleón M. Avoidance of carnivore carcasses by vertebrate scavengers enables colonization by a diverse community of carrion insects. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221890. [PMID: 31465519 PMCID: PMC6715269 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Carrion resources sustain a complex and diverse community of both vertebrate and invertebrate scavengers, either obligate or facultative. However, although carrion ecology has received increasing scientific attention in recent years, our understanding of carrion partitioning in natural conditions is severely limited as most studies are restricted either to the vertebrate or the insect scavenger communities. Moreover, carnivore carcasses have been traditionally neglected as study model. Here, we provide the first data on the partitioning between vertebrate and invertebrate scavengers of medium-sized carnivore carcasses, red fox (Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus)), in two mountainous Mediterranean areas of south-eastern Spain. Carcasses were visited by several mammalian and avian scavengers, but only one carcass was partially consumed by golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos (Linnaeus). These results provide additional support to the carnivore carrion-avoidance hypothesis, which suggests that mammalian carnivores avoid the consumption of carnivore carcasses to prevent disease transmission risk. In turn, the absence of vertebrate scavengers at carnivore carcasses enabled a diverse and well-structured successional community of insects to colonise the carcasses. The observed richness and abundance of the most frequent families was more influenced by the decomposition time than by the study area. Overall, our study encourages further research on carrion resource partitioning in natural conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Muñoz-Lozano
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Daniel Martín-Vega
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, SW, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Carlos Martínez-Carrasco
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | | | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Marcos Moleón
- Department of Conservation Biology, Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC, Seville, Spain
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22
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Risueño J, Ortuño M, Pérez-Cutillas P, Goyena E, Maia C, Cortes S, Campino L, Bernal LJ, Muñoz C, Arcenillas I, Martínez-Rondán FJ, Gonzálvez M, Collantes F, Ortiz J, Martínez-Carrasco C, Berriatua E. Epidemiological and genetic studies suggest a common Leishmania infantum transmission cycle in wildlife, dogs and humans associated to vector abundance in Southeast Spain. Vet Parasitol 2018; 259:61-67. [PMID: 30056986 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania infantum infection was investigated in 202 wild carnivores, rodents and lagomorphs in Southeast Spain using a real-time PCR (rtPCR) in skin and organ samples, mostly spleen. Lesions compatible with leishmaniosis were not observed in any of the animals. Prevalence defined as the percentage of rtPCR-positive animals was 32% overall, and 45% in foxes (n = 69), 30% in rabbits (n = 80) and stone martens (n = 10), 19% in wood mice (n = 16), 0% in black rats (n = 10) and ranged between 0% and 100% in other minoritarian species including badgers, wild cats, wolves, raccoons, genets and hares. Most infected rabbits were rtPCR-positive in skin and not in spleen samples and the opposite was the case for foxes (p < 0.05). L. infantum prevalence was lowest in spring following months of non-exposure to phlebotomine sand fly vectors, and spatially matched recently estimated Phlebotomus perniciosus vector abundance and the prevalence of subclinical infection in dogs and humans. Prevalence increased with altitude and was greater in drier and less windy South and West compared to the coastal Southeast of the study area (p < 0.05). Genetic diversity of L. infantum from foxes, investigated by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphisms of kinetoplast DNA, revealed B genotype in all animals, which is frequent in people and dogs in the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco. The study provides further evidence that subclinical L. infantum infection is widespread in wildlife with prevalence depending on environmental factors and that parasite tissue tropism may vary according to host species. Moreover, it suggests that sylvatic and domestic transmission cycles are closely interconnected.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Risueño
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - M Ortuño
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - P Pérez-Cutillas
- Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CEBAS-CSIC), 30100, Murcia, Spain; Departamento de Geografía, Universidad de Murcia, 30001, Murcia, Spain
| | - E Goyena
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S Cortes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - L Campino
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - L J Bernal
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Muñoz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - I Arcenillas
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - F J Martínez-Rondán
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - M Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - F Collantes
- Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - J Ortiz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Martínez-Carrasco
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - E Berriatua
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
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Risueño J, Muñoz C, Pérez-Cutillas P, Goyena E, Gonzálvez M, Ortuño M, Bernal LJ, Ortiz J, Alten B, Berriatua E. Understanding Phlebotomus perniciosus abundance in south-east Spain: assessing the role of environmental and anthropic factors. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:189. [PMID: 28420407 PMCID: PMC5395901 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2135-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmaniosis is associated with Phlebotomus sand fly vector density, but our knowledge of the environmental framework that regulates highly overdispersed vector abundance distributions is limited. We used a standardized sampling procedure in the bioclimatically diverse Murcia Region in Spain and multilevel regression models for count data to estimate P. perniciosus abundance in relation to environmental and anthropic factors. Methods Twenty-five dog and sheep premises were sampled for sand flies using adhesive and light-attraction traps, from late May to early October 2015. Temperature, relative humidity and other animal- and premise-related data recorded on site and other environmental data were extracted from digital databases using a geographical information system. The relationship between sand fly abundance and explanatory variables was analysed using binomial regression models. Results The total number of sand flies captured, mostly with light-attraction traps, was 3,644 specimens, including 80% P. perniciosus, the main L. infantum vector in Spain. Abundance varied between and within zones and was positively associated with increasing altitude from 0 to 900 m above sea level, except from 500 to 700 m where it was low. Populations peaked in July and especially during a 3-day heat wave when relative humidity and wind speed plummeted. Regression models indicated that climate and not land use or soil characteristics have the greatest impact on this species density on a large geographical scale. In contrast, micro-environmental factors such as animal building characteristics and husbandry practices affect sand fly population size on a smaller scale. Conclusions A standardised sampling procedure and statistical analysis for highly overdispersed distributions allow reliable estimation of P. perniciosus abundance and identification of environmental drivers. While climatic variables have the greatest impact at macro-environmental scale, anthropic factors may be determinant at a micro-geographical scale. These finding may be used to elaborate predictive distribution maps useful for vector and pathogen control programs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2135-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Risueño
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Clara Muñoz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro Pérez-Cutillas
- Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CEBAS-CSIC), 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Departamento de Geografía, Universidad de Murcia, 30001, Murcia, Spain
| | - Elena Goyena
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - María Ortuño
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Luis Jesús Bernal
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juana Ortiz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Bulent Alten
- Department of Biology, Ecology section, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University HU-ESRL-VERG laboratories, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Eduardo Berriatua
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
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