Publications by authors named "Maria Granados-Presa"
Article Synopsis
- Fleas and ticks are carriers of pathogens like Rickettsia and Bartonella, which can cause diseases in humans and animals, yet little research exists on this in Guatemala.
- The research involved collecting and analyzing fleas and ticks from dogs in rural Guatemala, revealing that a significant number of dogs were infested with these parasites.
- The study identified new strains of Rickettsia and Bartonella in Guatemala, highlighting the potential zoonotic disease risk and demonstrating the importance of dogs in understanding human exposure to these pathogens.
Background: Fleas and ticks serve as vectors of multiple pathogens in the genera and cause diseases in humans and other animals. Although human rickettsiosis and bartonellosis have been reported in all countries in Central America, limited research has been conducted to investigate the natural cycles of flea- and tick-borne rickettsiosis and bartonellosis, especially in Guatemala.
Methods: We evaluated dog parasites as sentinels for zoonotic disease risk in rural Guatemala by sampling ticks and fleas from dogs, which were then identified and individually screened for and .
Article Synopsis
- Fungi biofilms have been discovered on various spacecraft surfaces, and while their presence is problematic, it's challenging to prevent.
- The study investigated how microgravity affects fungal biofilm formation by sending seven types of materials inoculated with fungal spores to the International Space Station for different incubation periods.
- Results showed that microgravity generally didn't alter biofilm shape, biomass, or thickness, but it did impact formation rates based on material and incubation time, with nanograss exhibiting significantly less biofilm formation.