Publications by authors named "Claudia Almendra"

The impact of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamases (PMAβs) of animal origin has been a public health concern. In this study, 562 Salmonella enterica and 598 Escherichia coli isolates recovered from different animal species and food products were tested for antimicrobial resistance. Detection of ESBL-, PMAβ-, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR)-encoding genes and integrons was performed in isolates showing non-wild-type phenotypes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:9 has identical O-antigens to those of Brucella abortus and has apparently caused false-positive reactions in numerous brucellosis serologic tests in elk (Cervus canadensis) from southwest Montana. We investigated whether a similar phenomenon was occurring in brucellosis antibody-positive bison (Bison bison) using Y. enterocolitica culturing techniques and multiplex PCR of four diagnostic loci.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A new selective medium, named LNIV-M, has been developed for isolation of Brucella suis. In this work, we evaluated the growth of B. suis reference and field strains from domestic pigs in different basal media and the susceptibility to different antibiotics contained in the currently used Farrell's and modified Thayer-Martin media.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Identifying the source of infectious disease outbreaks is difficult, especially for pathogens that infect multiple wildlife species. Brucella spp. are among the most problematic zoonotic agents worldwide, and they are notoriously difficult to detect and identify.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A serologic survey for Canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) was performed on serum and lung extract from an opportunistic sample of 120 free-ranging wild carnivores (13 species) from Portugal, collected from 1995 to 2006. Antibodies to CDV were detected in wolf (Canis lupus; 3/27) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes; 2/22). Antibodies to CPV were detected in wolf (9/28), red fox (2/14), wildcat (Felis silvestris;1/8), genet (Genetta genetta; 17/18), and stone marten (Martes foina; 3/17).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We demonstrate that the "HOOF-Print" assay provides high power to discriminate among Brucella isolates collected on a small spatial scale (within Portugal). Additionally, we illustrate how haplotype identification using non-random association among markers allows resolution of B. melitensis biovars (1 and 3).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF