Publications by authors named "Pablo Matas-Mendez"
Recent molecular and metagenomic studies have revealed that the obligate anaerobic protist Blastocystis is found more prevalently and with higher subtype diversities in herbivore species than in carnivore species. However, information on wild carnivore species is scarce. Here, we investigated the presence of Blastocystis by molecular methods in fecal DNA samples of free-ranging and captive Iberian lynxes from Spain (n = 243) and Portugal (n = 30).
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- In a study of wild and captive Iberian lynxes in Spain, Enterocytozoon bieneusi was found in 3.2% of the animals, but no Encephalitozoon spp. were detected.
- The research identified four known and one novel genotype of E. bieneusi, suggesting that the Iberian lynx may be a spillover host rather than a primary reservoir, highlighting the need for further studies on its health impact.
Article Synopsis
- Major non-viral causes of diarrhea in humans and animals include specific protozoan species, but there's a lack of data on these in free-ranging carnivores, especially the endangered Iberian lynx.
- In a study of Iberian lynxes in Spain, two protozoan species were detected in small percentages of individuals, indicating the presence of both rodent/leporid-adapted and zoonotic variants.
- The findings highlight the Iberian lynx's role as a host for these parasites, though the risk of human transmission appears low, pointing to the need for further research on the impact of these infections on the species' health.
Zoonotic leishmaniasis caused by is distributed worldwide and affects humans and domestic and wild mammals. In Europe, specifically in the Mediterranean basin, leishmaniasis is endemic due to the concurrence of the phlebotomine vectors and reservoir mammals, including carnivorous wildlife species and other less studied wild species. In this article, spleen, skin, and eye or oral swabs taken from 134 wild mammals admitted to five wildlife recovery centers in Spain were used.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe wildcat () and the Iberian lynx () are important species in Spain, considered as near-threatened and endangered, respectively. Both can be infected by , a parasite that can cause morbidity and mortality in transplacentally-infected or immunocompromised mammals. The data on the prevalence of this parasite in wild populations of these species in Spain are outdated.
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