Publications by authors named "R Calero-Bernal"

Introduction: Intestinal microeukaryote parasites are major contributors to the burden of diarrhoea in humans and domestic animals, but their epidemiology in wildlife is not fully understood. We investigated the frequency, genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of protists of animal and public health significance in free-ranging grey wolf (Canis lupus) populations in south-western Europe.

Methods: Individually formed faecal samples collected from necropsied wolves or scat trails in Italy (n = 47), Portugal (n = 43) and Spain (n = 225) during the period 2011-2023 were retrospectively analysed using molecular (PCR and Sanger sequencing) methods.

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The protozoan Sarcocystis neurona can cause severe disease in horses, marine mammals, and several other animal species in North America. The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is its definitive host, and the raccoon (Procyon lotor) has been considered its primary intermediate host in the USA. Although canids have not previously been identified as important intermediate hosts for this parasite, we here report several natural cases in the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus).

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Article Synopsis
  • The rise in wild boar populations in Europe is leading to increased human-wildlife conflicts and the potential for spreading diseases, particularly the protist Blastocystis, which can cause gastrointestinal issues in both animals and humans.
  • A study was conducted on 459 wild boar faecal samples from Spain and Portugal, revealing a 15.3% overall Blastocystis infection rate, with a significantly higher prevalence in Portugal (34.3%) compared to Spain (10.0%).
  • Seven different Blastocystis subtypes were found, with ST5 being the most common, indicating that wild boars can be significant carriers of zoonotic pathogens that may pose public health risks.
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  • Sarcocystis infections were identified for the first time in gray wolves in Minnesota, with all three examined wolves testing positive for two distinct types of sarcocysts (thin-walled and thick-walled).
  • The thin-walled sarcocyst, found in one wolf, matched the characteristics of Sarcocystis svanai, which is also seen in domestic dogs, while the thick-walled type found in two other wolves resembled Sarcocystis caninum.
  • Genetic analysis using various molecular markers confirmed that both sarcocyst types were identical to those previously described in domestic dogs, identifying them as Sarcocystis svanai and Sarcocystis caninum.
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