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Biomedical subjects

J Vicente

Publications and source records attributed to J Vicente.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Estimation of European wild boar relative abundance and aggregation: a novel method in epidemiological risk assessment.

Wild boars are important disease reservoirs. It is well known that abundance estimates are needed in wildlife epidemiology, but the expense and effort required to obtain them is prohibitive. We evaluated a simple method based on the frequency of faecal droppings found on transects (FBII), and developed a spatial aggregation index, based on the runs test statistic. Estimates were compared with hunting data, and with porcine circovirus and Aujeszky's disease virus seroprevalences and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and Metastrongylus spp. prevalence. The FBII and the aggregation index were correlated with the hunting index, but both of the former estimates correlated better than the latter with the disease prevalences. Hence, at least in habitats with high wild boar densities, the FBII combined with the aggregation index constitutes a cheap and reliable alternative for wild boar abundance estimation that can be used for epidemiological risk assessment, even outside the hunting season and in areas with no available data on hunting activities.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Echinococcus granulosus (Cestoda, Taeniidae) in the Iberian wolf.

The intestinal contents of 27 Iberian wolves (Canis lupus signatus) from Spain were screened for the presence of the taenid cestode Echinococcus granulosus. Four animals were found positive (15% prevalence). The intensity of parasitation was variable (mean 71, range 1-147 E. granulosus per host). Gravid individuals were found in all wolves positive with the parasite. Molecular characterization of the parasite material showed that the wolf strain belongs to the G1 genotype. According to the results, we conclude that the Iberian wolf takes part in the maintenance of the life cycle of this zoonotic parasite in Spain and that this fact could have public health relevance.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of municipal wastewater treatment plants with different technologies at Las Rozas, Madrid (Spain).

Eight small-scale municipal wastewater treatment plants were evaluated over a period of 19 months in the suburb of Las Rozas in Madrid (Spain). Four plants used compact extended aeration, two used conventional activated sludge, two used conventional extended aeration, one used a rotary biodisc reactor and the other used a peat bed reactor. The best results were obtained from the plants that used conventional technologies and the biodisc. Conventional activated sludge and extended aeration had higher removal efficiencies for ammonia, TSS, COD and BOD(5) and produced good quality final effluents for final disposal in accordance with the discharge standard. Empirical equations that correlated the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the effluents with the efficiencies of TSS, ammonia, COD and BOD(5) removals for all plants evaluated were obtained. The performance of the plants using compact extended aeration was affected more than those using conventional technologies or rotary biodisc when the capacity exceeded that of its initial design.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed2006

Optimal dose and timing in phytohaemagglutinin skin-testing of deer.

AIM: To establish the optimal dose of the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and the optimal time for measuring increased skin-fold thickness in red deer following intradermal injection, as an indicator of cell-mediated immune response. METHODS: Three doses (10, 50 and 250 microg) of PHA were injected intradermally in the right side of the neck, and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was injected at a fourth site as a control, in 20 captive Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) hinds. Skin-fold thicknesses were measured at 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84 and 96 h following injection. RESULTS: The highest dose of PHA tested (250 microg) resulted in a clear and long-lasting cellular response; increases in skin-fold thickness between 48 and 84 h post-injection varied minimally and response correlated positively with liveweight. No correlations with liveweight and no clear increases in skin-fold thickness occurred at the lower doses of PHA or the PBS. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This technique could be applied with minimal training and without specialised equipment in deer, for immunological and ecological research.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The seroprevalence of human infection with Rickettsia slovaca, in an area of northern Spain.

An epidemiological survey was undertaken to explore human exposure to Rickettsia slovaca in two provinces of northern Spain. When IFAT were used to test 200 members of the general population for antibodies to rickettsiae of the spotted-fever group, six (3.3%) were found positive, presumably, since Dermacentor is one of the most common genera of human-biting tick in the study area, for antibodies to R. slovaca. Thirty-one (16.9%) of an additional 183 subjects who presented shortly after being bitten by ticks were also found seropositive. The difference in seroprevalence between the general and the tick-bitten populations was significant. Subject gender had no influence on seroprevalence in either population, although, in the tick-bitten group, age and occupation did have a significant influence on the prevalence recorded. Immunoblotting was used to confirm the presence of antibodies in the five subjects, all from the tick-bitten group, found to have acute infections. Three D. marginatus ticks obtained from three of these acute cases were found PCR-positive for R. slovaca DNA.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in red deer (Cervus elaphus) and other wild ruminants from Spain.

Serum samples from 441 red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 161 other wild ruminant species, collected between 1993 and 2005 from six regions of Spain were tested for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies to T. gondii (MAT 1:25 or higher) were detected in 15.6% of red deer. Statistically significant differences were observed among sampling sites with seroprevalence in red deer from Catalonia (42.2%) being significantly higher compared with other Spanish regions (8.7%) (P < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were not observed between T. gondii seroprevalence and sex, age or management of hunting estates (open versus fenced). Seroprevalence of T.gondii infection in other ruminants species was 24% of 79 fallow deer (Dama dama), 21.8% of 33 in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), 33.3% of three Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica), 20% of 10 chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica), 10% of 10 barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia), and 14.8% of 27 mouflon (Ovis ammon) in areas not including Catalonia, where no samples from these species were available. Serological results indicated a widespread exposure to T. gondii among wildlife in Spain and suggest that consumption of raw or inadequately cooked meat, as well as handling carcasses of wild game, should be taken into account as a source of infection for humans.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed2005

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in wild pigs (Sus scrofa) from Spain.

Sera collected from 507 hunter-killed wild pigs (Sus scrofa) between 1993 and 2004 from five geographic regions in northern Spain and seven regions in southern Spain were assayed for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 185 (38.4%) of 507 pigs with titers of 1:25 in 71, 1:50 in 111 and > or =1:500 in 3; seroprevalence was significantly higher (P<0.05) in pigs from southern regions. Seroprevalence was density dependent; it was higher in pigs from high stocking per hectare and availability of forage. Statistically significant differences were not observed between T. gondii seroprevalence and hunting estates (open versus fenced), sex or age. Serological results indicate a widespread exposure to T. gondii among Spanish wild boars, suggesting that this population could represent a public health risk for persons that handle or consume raw or undercooked infected wild pig meat.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed2005

Serosurvey of Aujeszky's disease virus infection in European wild boar in Spain.

Serum samples from 693 hunted wild boar (Sus scrofa) were analysed by means of a blocking ELISA technique, and the mean (se) prevalence of antibodies to Aujeszky's disease virus was 44 (4) per cent. All the seropositive wild boar were from south central Spain, except for one from central Spain, close to the main positive area. In this area, where large game species are increasingly managed for hunting, the seroprevalence was affected by the type of management. More intensively managed populations had a higher prevalence than wild boar living in natural situations, and the seroprevalence increased with the age of the animals; the seroprevalence was higher in females in all age groups. The seroprevalence in males more than one year old peaked after the breeding season, whereas females of the same age had a higher and constant seroprevalence throughout the year.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Relationship between bronchopulmonary nematode larvae and relative abundances of Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) from Castilla-La Mancha, Spain.

The excretion of bronchopulmonary nematode infective larvae was evaluated in 160 faecal samples of Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) collected from 13 populations in Castilla-La Mancha, south-central Spain in September 2003. Intensities and prevalences were compared with pasture availability, abundances of wild and domestic ungulates at both levels, i.e. for populations and for faeces in a two-step procedure. Protostrongylid larvae showed similar infection rates (mean intensity: 1.56+/-0.12, n=94; mean prevalence: 25.62+/-6.86%, n=160) to Dictyocaulus spp. (mean intensity: 1.03+/-0.11, n=48; mean prevalence: 30.00+/-7.11%, n=160). At the population level, positive correlations were found between the prevalences of both bronchopulmonary taxa. The prevalence in both groups, but not intensity, also correlated positively with Spanish ibex abundance indexes both for the populations and individual faeces. These findings suggest that: (i) parasite spreading across Spanish ibex populations in Castilla-La Mancha could respond to host density-dependent processes; and (ii) these populations may have similar exposition and/or susceptibility to both bronchopulmonary taxa resulting in similar host-parasite patterns, despite their different life cycles. Bronchopulmonary outputs in the Spanish ibex from Castilla-La Mancha seems not to represent a health risk for this endemic wild ungulate but may be useful in any health surveillance scheme for the increasing populations of Spanish ibex.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Systemic AA-amyloidosis in a European wild boar (Sus scrofa) suffering from generalized tuberculosis.

Summary An adult female wild boar (Sus scrofa) was found moribund in Cabaneros National Park (central Spain). The animal had a markedly emaciated carcass, with body weight of 25.9 kg. At necropsy, most of the parenchymatous organs had widespread variably sized granulomas. Generalized tuberculosis was confirmed by PCR detection of Mycobacterium bovis in the mandibular lymph node. Large amounts of a hyaline, pale eosinophilic material were observed in liver, kidney and intestine. Congo red staining and green birefringence identified amyloid, which was further classified as AA type based on immunohistochemical results. It is speculated that the abundant serum amyloid A derivatives deposited in the tissues as AA-amyloid may be associated with the generalized tuberculosis. This is the first report of amyloidosis in the European wild boar.

Amyloidosis↗
PubMed2005

Genetic diversity of Anaplasma marginale strains from cattle farms in the province of Palermo, Sicily.

Bovine anaplasmosis, caused by the tick-borne rickettsia Anaplasma marginale, is endemic in Sicily and results in economic loss to the cattle industry. This study was designed to characterize strains of A. marginale at the molecular level from cattle in the Province of Palermo, Sicily. Seropositivity of cattle >or=1 year old for A. marginale in the study area ranged from 62% to 100%. The observed prevalence of A. marginale infections in cattle herds ranged from 25% to 100%. Two predominant A. marginale msp4 genotypes were found. A positive correlation was found between the prevalence of infection and the presence of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus. Phylogenetic analysis of msp4 sequences of European strains of A. marginale did not provide phylogeographical information. These results suggest that development of farm husbandry systems and vaccines for genetically heterogeneous populations of A. marginale are needed for control of anaplasmosis in this region of Sicily.

Anaplasma marginale↗
PubMed2004

The risks of translocating wildlife. Pathogenic infection with Theileria sp. and Elaeophora elaphi in an imported red deer.

It is well known that the translocation of wild animals poses risks of the introduction of pathogens into populations, and regulations and recommendations regarding quarantine and screening protocols for wild animals do exist. Less is known about the infection of imported animals with local endemic pathogens. A red deer stag that had been imported from Germany was found recumbent and died from hemolytic anaemia and a process of exertional myopathy. Infection with Theileria sp. was detected in thin blood smears and confirmed by PCR and sequencing. In addition, massive parasitation by Elaeophora elaphi, a parasite endemic to Iberian red deer, was detected. Sequence comparison between the 18S rRNA gene sequence determined that the Theileria strain involved in this case had a 99.7% identity with a Theileria sp. strain obtained from sika-deer, and 95.3% identity with T. cervi. Using sequence distance analysis, the strain from red deer grouped with isolates from Cervus spp. as opposed to isolates from Odocoileus spp. and bovines. Both detected parasites are of little pathogenicity to local red deer, but were pathogenic for the imported red deer from Northern Europe. This case demonstrates that local endemic pathogens may pose naive translocated animals at risk, and illustrates the need for thorough examination and planification of translocation protocols.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Long-term epidemiology, effect on body condition and interspecific interactions of concomitant infection by nasopharyngeal bot fly larvae (Cephenemyia auribarbis and Pharyngomyia picta, Oestridae) in a population of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus).

We studied the pattern of infection and the inter-annual variation and individual factors affecting the infection of 2 species of nasopharyngeal bot flies, Cephenemyia auribarbis and Pharyngomyia picta (Diptera: Oestridae), in a population of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) from south central Spain (10 annual periods between 1990 and 2003). Mean prevalence+/-S.E.95%CI of infection was 35.19+/-4.24% (n=486). The frequency distribution of the parasites was markedly aggregated (K: 0.213, mean abundance+/-S.D.: 5.49+/-12.12). Parasite load of Oestridae peaked at calf and subadult age groups and declined thereafter, which suggests that acquired immunity may be acting. In common with other host-parasite relationships, male hosts were found to have higher prevalence and abundance levels than females. The prevalence of P. picta was positively affected by the presence of C. auribarbis whereas the intensity of infection of P. picta was negatively affected by the presence of C. auribarbis. Intensity of P. picta in concomitant infections with C. auribarbis was lower than in pure P. picta infections, whilst the intensity of C. auribarbis infections did not change. This provides good evidence of interspecific competence, which could be dealt with by parasites by means of asynchronous life-cycles and different maturation periods. Weather also affects the dynamics and transmission rates of these parasites. Previous annual rainfalls positively affected the level of infection with oestrids. Yearly autumn rainfalls affected positively P. picta, possibly due to an effect on the pupal stage survival. Infection of Oestridae affected body condition in calves and subadults, suggesting that oestrids could have sublethal effects on Iberian red deer. Future research is needed to investigate the effect of parasites on the dynamics of the Iberian red deer.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Epidemiology of Ancylostoma spp. in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in the Doñana National Park, south-west Spain.

The epidemiology of Ancylostoma spp. was studied in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in the Doñana National Park, south-west Spain. Faecal samples were collected throughout a complete annual cycle (August 1997 to September 1998). The overall egg prevalence of Ancylostoma spp. was 57.8%. The pattern of abundance of Ancylostoma spp. eggs in faeces was overdispersed. Juvenile lynx demonstrated a statistically higher prevalence and abundance of Ancylostoma spp. than in adults. These levels of egg output (maximum 21195 epg), as previously reported in free ranging large felid cubs, could be close to disease involvement. The potential pathogenicity of hookworms and the influence of individual and ecological factors on hookworm transmission in the Iberian lynx from the Doñana National Park population are discussed.

Ancylostoma↗
PubMed2004

Bilateral ovarian teratoma in a free-living Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus).

CASE HISTORY: A 8.5 x 5.7 x 5 cm irregularly shaped mass was detected in the location of the left ovary of a 9-year-old Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) hind shot during a hunting drive. PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: On the cut surface, the mass consisted of numerous fluid- or keratin-filled inter-communicating cysts, separated by connective tissue containing solid nodules of dark-coloured foci and hairy skin. The right ovary was of normal size, but contained a 1.5 cm mass of hairy skin and spongy structures. Histologically, the large mass comprised differentiated structures such as cartilage, fibrous connective tissue, smooth muscle, stratified squamous keratinised epithelium, cuboidal multi-layered and respiratory epithelium, clusters of pigment-laden cells, hair follicles, nervous tissue and glandular structures. The hind had a grossly and microscopically normal uterus that contained a 449.5 g female fetus. DIAGNOSIS: Bilateral mature ovarian teratomas. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This case describes the first known description of an ovarian teratoma in a free-living red deer. The tumour had unique features, such as bilateral presence and concurrency with a normal pregnancy.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

HLA class I expression in bladder carcinomas.

HLA class I molecules are frequently lost in a large variety of human carcinomas, possibly because of T-cell immune selection of major histocompatibility complex class I deficient tumor variants. We report that this phenomenon is also a frequent event in bladder carcinomas. Of a total of 72 bladder carcinomas, 72% of the tumors had at least one alteration in HLA class I expression. These altered HLA class I phenotypes were classified as total HLA class I loss (25%; phenotype I); HLA-A or/and HLA-B locus-specific loss (12%; phenotype III); and HLA class I allelic loss (35%; phenotype II or IV). Comparison of histopathological parameters with HLA class I expression showed a statistically significant relationship with the degree of differentiation and tumor recurrence.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed2002

Natural Aujeszky's disease in a Spanish wild boar population.

We describe an outbreak of Aujeszky's disease (AD) in a wild boar (Sus scrofa) population from central Spain. Mortality was estimated to be at least 14% (14/100) in juveniles and 7.5% (3/40) in adults. Most of the affected animals (12/17) were between 4 and 8 months of age. Gross lesions mainly consisted of enlarged and congestive tonsils and lymph nodes, petechial hemorrhages on the small intestine, and engorged blood vessels in the brain and meninges. Histopathology revealed mild nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis. Positivity to the fluorescent antibody test was found in tissues from the affected animals. Seroprevalence of antibodies to AD virus (ADV) was 56% (9/16). To our knowledge, this is the first description of clinical cases in a wild suid population.

Age Factors↗