Large-scale molecular survey for piroplasmids in Iberian wild carnivores.

Piroplasmids are vector-borne hemoprotozoan parasites belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa that are of veterinary and medical importance. Wild carnivores are hosts for diverse piroplasmids, some of which are highly pathogenic for domestic dogs and cats. A large-scale survey including samples from 244 individuals belonging to eleven different species that were opportunistically obtained between 1993 and 2015 in four Autonomous Regions in Spain were tested for piroplasmid DNA with two different nested-PCR assays targeting the 18S rRNA gene.

Updating the epidemiology of canine leishmaniosis in the United Kingdom through the use of electronic health data.

Dogs infected with Leishmania infantum have been increasingly reported in the UK mostly related to imported/travelled dogs. Up-to-date epidemiologic data are essential for a better control of this zoonotic disease in such emerging areas. This study aimed for the first time, to estimate the percentage and temporal variation of dog and cat samples testing positive for L.

Relapses in canine leishmaniosis: risk factors identified through mixed-effects logistic regression.

Background: Canine leishmaniosis (CanL), caused by Leishmania infantum, is an important vector-borne parasitic disease in dogs with implications for human health. Despite advancements, managing CanL remains challenging due to its complexity, especially in chronic, relapsing cases. Mathematical modeling has emerged as a powerful tool in various medical fields, but its application in understanding CanL relapses remains unexplored.

Corrigendum: Clinical validation of circulating immune complexes for use as a diagnostic marker of canine leishmaniosis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.

Clinical validation of circulating immune complexes for use as a diagnostic marker of canine leishmaniosis.

Introduction: Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a systemic disease that affects dogs. When multiplication of the parasite cannot be controlled, dogs consistently show high levels of antigen and IgG antibodies, which lead to the formation of circulating immune complexes (CIC). Timely intervention to reduce the parasite load and CIC levels is crucial for preventing irreversible organ damage.

Cystoisospora spp. infection at a dog breeding facility in the Madrid region: Infection rate and clinical management based on toltrazuril metaphylaxis.

Canine coccidiosis caused by Cystoisospora canis and Cystoisospora ohioensis-complex is common in kennels. While often underestimated, coccidiosis may cause severe clinical signs in puppies and sometimes even lead to death, so preventative measures are important. This study examines Cystoisospora spp.

A comparative study of eight serological methods shows that spike protein-based ELISAs are the most accurate tests for serodiagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infections in cats and dogs.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious zoonotic disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Monitoring the infection in pets is recommended for human disease surveillance, prevention, and control since the virus can spread from people to animals during close contact. Several diagnostic tests have been adapted from humans to animals, but limited data on the validation process are available.

A High Prevalence of Cardiopulmonary Worms Detected in the Iberian Wolf (): A Threat for Wild and Domestic Canids.

Cardiopulmonary nematodes are highly pathogenic parasites affecting domestic and wild canids. As the result of conservation programs, the Iberian wolf () population has recently expanded, and its distribution range covers lands from where it had long disappeared. However, the exact epidemiological role of the wolf in the life cycle of zoonotic parasites causing diseases transmissible to pets and/or humans is largely unknown.

Multiple Polymerase Chain Reaction for Direct Detection of Bloodstream Infection After Cardiac Surgery in a PICU.

Unlabelled: Nosocomial infections are a prevalent cause of death and complications in critically ill children. Conventional cultures are able to detect only up to 25% of bacteremia. Several studies have suggested that molecular tests could be a faster and effective tool for detection of bacterial infections.

Investigation of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis Infection in Wild Mammals in Brazil.

Purpose: Leishmaniasis are infectious and zoonotic diseases and present in cutaneous and visceral forms. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic and widely distributed throughout the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Several cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans and dogs associated with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis have been reported in the state.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in One Cat and Three Dogs Living in COVID-19-Positive Households in Madrid, Spain.

In this study, we describe SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics in one cat and three dogs from households with confirmed human cases of COVID-19 living in the Madrid Community (Spain) at the time of expansion (December 2020 through June 2021) of the alpha variant (lineage B.1.1.

Role of in Meningoencephalitis of Unknown Origin in Dogs from a Canine Leishmaniosis Endemic Area.

The main hypothesis for the aetiology of meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) in dogs is an autoimmune or genetic cause that is associated with a triggering event (environmental factors/infectious agents). The aim of this ambispective cohort study was to test for infection in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of dogs with MUO in an endemic area of canine leishmaniosis. Dogs with MUO were selected amongst all dogs undergoing blood anti- antibody testing (control group).

Feline thelaziosis () in Spain: state-of-the-art and first prophylactic trial in cats.

Objectives: Thelaziosis caused by the nematode (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) affects the eyes of domestic and wild carnivores, lagomorphs and even humans. The role of cats in spreading thelaziosis remains unclear. The present study assesses the current status of feline infection in Spain and presents the results of the first prophylactic trial conducted in this species.

Antibodies elicited by the CaniLeish® vaccine: long-term clinical follow-up study of dogs in Spain.

The prevention of canine leishmaniosis in healthy dogs requires a multimodal approach combining repellents with an effective vaccine. A vaccine that modulates the cell-mediated immune response against the protozoan has been available in Europe since 2012 (CaniLeish®, Virbac, France). The aim of the present study was to monitor dogs vaccinated with CaniLeish® to examine the kinetics of the antibody response and the safety and tolerance of CaniLeish®.

Update on the treatment and prevention of ocular thelaziosis (Thelazia callipaeda) in naturally infected dogs from Spain.

This study examines the therapeutic and year-round prophylactic efficacy of different formulations used in dogs in three Spanish areas where canine thelaziosis is endemic. The study was conducted as a Good Clinical Practice, multicentre, randomised field study in privately owned outdoor dogs naturally infected with Thelazia callipaeda. The active pharmaceutical ingredients tested were: an oral formulation of milbemycin oxime 12.

Supported Molybdenum Carbide and Nitride Catalysts for Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation.

Catalysts based on molybdenum carbide or nitride nanoparticles (2-5 nm) supported on titania were prepared by wet impregnation followed by a thermal treatment under alkane (methane or ethane)/hydrogen or nitrogen/hydrogen mixture, respectively. The samples were characterized by elemental analysis, volumetric adsorption of nitrogen, X-ray diffraction, and aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy. They were evaluated for the hydrogenation of CO in the 2-3 MPa and 200-300°C ranges using a gas-phase flow fixed bed reactor.

Latest trends in Leishmania infantum infection in dogs in Spain, Part I: mapped seroprevalence and sand fly distributions.

Background: This report describes L. infantum infection seroprevalence in dogs in Spain through data obtained from peer-reviewed literature and a cross-sectional serological survey assessing epidemiological and habitat variables as risk factors for infection. The study also provides preliminary sand fly species distribution data and indicates factors affecting their distribution and density.

Latest trends in L. infantum infection in dogs in Spain, Part II: current clinical management and control according to a national survey of veterinary practitioners.

Background: Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a parasitic zoonotic disease, endemic in the Mediterranean basin including Spain. While knowledge about CanL, its management, treatment, prevention and control mounts, it remains unclear whether all clinical veterinarians follow the same international recommendations, such as those of the LeishVet group. This study was thus designed to assess recent trends in the clinical management of CanL in veterinary clinics across Spain through a questionnaire-based survey.

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) as a potential natural reservoir of human cryptosporidiosis by Cryptosporidium hominis in Northwest Spain.

Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. are ubiquitous intestinal protozoa that parasitize domestic and wild animals, as well as human beings. Due to their zoonotic potential, the objective of the present study was to determine the presence of these pathogens in the fox population (Vulpes vulpes) located in Northwest Spain.

Short Femur in the Second Trimester Scan Is Related to Maternal Preeclampsia and Small for Gestational Age Newborns.

Objective: To determine the contribution of short femur diaphysis length (FDL) at 19-22 weeks of gestation in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: The study included singleton pregnant women who underwent a routine anomaly scan at 19-22 weeks of gestation at the Virgen de la Arrixaca University Clinical Hospital (Murcia, Spain) between August 2011 and August 2012. Fetal biometry and Doppler ultrasound of uterine arteries were assessed as part of the anomaly scan, and the mean pulsatility index of both uterine arteries was recorded.

Spain as a dispersion model for Thelazia callipaeda eyeworm in dogs in Europe.

Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) causes ocular infection in carnivorous animals and humans. While growing numbers of companion dogs and sometimes cats are being diagnosed with thelaziosis, little is known about its real spread. As it has been also diagnosed in wild animals and human beings, it is considered a potential emerging zoonotic disease.

The role of healthy dog carriers of Babesia microti-like piroplasms.

Background: While in Europe Babesia canis has been traditionally held responsible for canine piroplasmosis, Babesia microti-like piroplasm (Bml) infection is being ever more observed in dogs, with the first clinical cases reported in northwestern Spain. This study examines the epidemiological role of healthy dogs living in endemic areas of Bml infection in Spain. The data obtained were used to describe the clinical status and map the geographical distribution of Bml infection in healthy dogs in northwestern Spain.

Effect of two treatments on changes in serum acute phase protein concentrations in dogs with clinical leishmaniosis.

The objective of this study was to compare changes in serum concentrations of acute phase proteins (APPs) and paraoxanase (PON-1) in response to two treatments in dogs with leishmaniosis (CanL). For this purpose, 20 dogs with CanL were assigned to two treatment groups: antimonial plus allopurinol (Group G, n=12) and miltefosine plus allopurinol (Group M, n=8). Serum concentrations of PON-1 and APPs including C-reactive protein, haptoglobin (Hp), ferritin (Ft) and albumin were monitored over a period of 3 months after treatment.