Seroprevalence of zoonotic pathogens in stray cats in an urban area of northeast Spain.

The feline population is extensive in urban areas worldwide, comprising stray and domestic cats. Cats, acting as reservoirs, can transmit various zoonotic organisms to humans, which can cause significant public health issues. We evaluated the seroprevalence of zoonotic pathogens in stray cats in an urban area of northeast Spain (the city of Zaragoza) to assess potential risks to human health.

Identification of spp. in Slaughtered Sheep from Spain and Evaluation of Bradyzoite Viability after Freezing.

spp. are complex apicomplexan parasites that cause a substantial economic impact on livestock used for meat production. These parasites are present worldwide.

in meat of adult sheep in Spain.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by , an intracellular parasite that presents a worldwide risk. Humans can become infected by ingesting meat infected with , and the consumption of infected sheep and goat meat is a significant public health issue. Antibodies against have been found in sheep in Spain, indicating the presence of the parasite in the country.

Effect of Domestic Freezing on the Viability of Toxoplasma gondii in Raw and Dry-Cured Ham from Experimentally Infected Pigs.

Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of the parasitic disease toxoplasmosis, which is an important foodborne zoonosis. Eating undercooked meat of infected animals has been considered the major transmission route of T. gondii to humans.

Preferences of Pet Owners in Regard to the Use of Insecticides for Flea Control.

A survey conducted from 2002 to 2012 of 759 customers from 84 veterinary practices allows us to examine the habits of dog and cat owners regarding the use of insecticides for flea control. The results indicate that the percentage of animals treated during the 12 mo prior to the survey was not very high (71% in dogs and 50% in cats), considering that 100% of animals included in the study were flea-infested. Statistical analysis shows that animals older than 4 mo are treated more frequently and that dogs are more likely to be treated than cats.

Toxoplasma gondii in raw and dry-cured ham: The influence of the curing process.

The aim of this work was to analyze Toxoplasma gondii in raw hams by mouse bioassay and to evaluate the effect of curing on the viability of the parasite to assess the risk of infection from eating dry-cured ham. After a serology study of 1200 pigs in Aragón (Spain), forty-one naturally infected pigs with different serological titers against T. gondii were selected.

Toxoplasma gondii: Pig seroprevalence, associated risk factors and viability in fresh pork meat.

This study was conducted on 161 fattening pig farms located in Aragón (Northeast Spain). Serum samples from 1200 pigs were tested for antibodies against T. gondii by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA).

Prevalence of Rickettsia and Bartonella species in Spanish cats and their fleas.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Bartonella henselae, Rickettsia felis, and Rickettsia typhi in fleas and companion cats (serum and claws) and to assess their presence as a function of host, host habitat, and level of parasitism. Eighty-nine serum and claw samples and 90 flea pools were collected. Cat sera were assayed by IFA for Bartonella henselae and Rickettssia species IgG antibodies.

Toxoplasma gondii in commercially available pork meat and cured ham: a contribution to risk assessment for consumers.

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, whose transmission has usually been attributed to ingestion of undercooked or raw meat. Dry-cured ham is a high-quality meat product of increasing economic relevance, and epidemiological studies point to cured meat products as a risk factor for acquiring toxoplasmosis. With the aim of contributing to the risk assessment process, 50 samples of fresh pork meat and commercial cured ham were collected in the city of Zaragoza (northeastern Spain), and the presence of viable forms of T.

Determination of the viability of Toxoplasma gondii in cured ham using bioassay: influence of technological processing and food safety implications.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii and distributed worldwide. Ingestion of viable cysts from infected raw or undercooked meat is an important route of horizontal transmission of the parasite to humans. Little information is available concerning the effect of commercial curing on cysts of T.

Prevalence and sequence comparison of Phyllodistomum folium from zebra mussel and from freshwater fish in the Ebro River.

We utilised DNA analysis to detect the presence of the digenean Phyllodistomum folium in three cyprinid species, Scardinius erythrophthalmus, Cyprinus carpio and Rutilus rutilus. DNA sequencing of the region containing the genes ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 revealed 100% sequence identity between DNA from the sporocysts found in zebra mussels and DNA from adults located in the urinary system of 29 cyprinid fish.

Epidemiology of Oestrus ovis infection of sheep in northeast Spain (mid-Ebro Valley).

Slaughterhouse surveys to determine the prevalence and intensity of larval Oestrus ovis Linnaeus (Diptera: Oestridae) in sheep, were conducted monthly for 1 year in northeastern Spain. The prevalence of O. ovis in 120 sheep in northeast Spain was 84.

Microwave-assisted versatile hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds using supported metal nanoparticles.

The efficient microwave-assisted transfer hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds was performed using supported Pt and Pd nanoparticles on Al-SBA-15 materials. Excellent conversions, with exceedingly higher TOF values (4,000-20,000 h(-1)) compared to any previous literature report, were achieved in very short times of reaction (5-30 min), together with complete selectivities to the hydrogenated product.

Phyllodistomum folium (Trematoda: Gorgoderidae) infecting zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in the Ebro River, Spain.

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were first found in the Ebro River (Spain) in Ribaroja reservoir, in the summer of 2001. This paper reports a study to detect parasites in this bivalve species. From September 2003 to August 2004, a total of 1380 zebra mussels were collected and dissected or sectioned in paraffin and haematoxylin and eosin staining.

Evaluation of a specific immunochemotherapy for the treatment of canine visceral leishmaniasis.

The efficacy of specific immunochemotherapy against Leishmania infantum infection in dog was studied. The effects on transmission of the disease, as well as the cellular and humoral immune response were examined. The treated animals showed a significant reduction in the infection rates that were detected in Phlebotomus perniciosus females fed on the dog.