Molecular detection of tick-borne bacteria and protozoa in cervids and wild boars from Portugal

Background: Wildlife can act as reservoir of different tick-borne pathogens, such as bacteria, parasites and viruses. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of tick-borne bacteria and protozoa with veterinary and zoonotic importance in cervids and wild boars from the Centre and South of Portugal.Methods: One hundred and forty one blood samples from free-ranging ungulates including 73 red deer (Cervus elaphus), 65 wild boars (Sus scrofa) and three fallow deer (Dama dama) were tested for the presence of Anaplasma marginale/A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., Babesia/Theileria spp., Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) (s.l.), and Rickettsia spp. DNA by PCR.Results: Anaplasma spp. DNA was detected in 33 (43.4 %) cervids (31 red deer and two fallow deer) and in two (3.1 %) wild boars while Theileria spp. were found in 34 (44.7 %) cervids (32 red deer and two fallow deer) and in three (4.6 %) wild boar blood samples. Sequence analysis of msp4 sequences identified A. marginale, A. ovis, while the analysis of rDNA sequence data disclosed the presence of A. platys and A. phagocytophilum and T. capreoli and Theileria sp. OT3. Anaplasma spp./Theileria spp. mixed infections were found in 17 cervids (22.4 %) and in two wild boars (3.1 %). All samples were negative for Babesia sp., B. burgdorferi (s.l.), Ehrlichia sp. or Rickettsia sp.Conclusions: This is the first detection of Anaplasma marginale, A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, Theileria capreoli and Theileria sp. OT3 in cervids and wild boars from Portugal. Further studies concerning the potential pathogenicity of the different species of Anaplasma and Theileria infecting wild ungulates, the identification of their vector range, and their putative infectivity to domestic livestock and humans should be undertaken

Manovacuometria realizada por meio de traqueias de diferentes comprimentos

Manovacuometry is a simple, fast, and non-invasive test, with maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) obtained to assist respiratory muscle assessment. Currently, there is a wide variety of models and brands of manovacuometers with different trachea diameters and lengths. However, the interference of these models in the measurements obtained by these equipments needs to be investigated. Thus, this study mainly aimed to verify the influence of tracheal length on maximal respiratory pressures (MRP), obtained by an analog manovacuometer, in healthy individuals. Our secondary objective was to verify the correlation between measurements. Fifty individuals, aged 18 to 30, of both sexes, were evaluated by spirometry and manovacuometry. MIP and MEP were performed using tracheas with same internal diameter (0.5 cm) and 30 cm, 60 cm, and 90 cm length. Significantly lower MIP values were observed when comparing a 90 cm trachea to 30 and 60 cm tracheas (Friedman’s ANOVA test and Wilcoxon test with Bonferroni adjustment). Tracheas with 30, 60, and 90 cm length and same diameter did not affect MIP and MEP values, except the 90 cm trachea for MIP values, which may interfere in the physical therapy clinical practice. Further studies are required to analyze the need for standardizing the trachea length used in manovacuometers.La manovacuometría es una prueba sencilla, rápida y no invasiva por la cual se obtienen la presión inspiratoria máxima (PImax) y la presión espiratoria máxima (PEmax), con el objetivo de ayudar en el examen muscular respiratorio. Hoy día se encuentran una gran variedad de modelos y marcas de manovacuometros, con diferentes diámetros y longitudes de las tráqueas, pero hacen falta estudios sobre la interferencia de estos modelos en las mediciones por este instrumento. En este texto se propone examinar en sujetos sanos, en primer lugar, la influencia en la longitud de las tráqueas en las presiones respiratorias máximas, obtenidas por manovacuometros analógicos, y en segundo lugar comprobar la existencia de correlación entre las mediciones. Se evaluaron a cincuenta sujetos entre 18 y 30 años de edad, tanto varones como mujeres, empleando la espirometría y la manovacuometría. Se midió la PImax y la PEmax empleando tráqueas de mismo diámetro interno (0,5 cm) y con longitudes de 30, 60 e 90 cm. Se observaron valores significativamente menores de PImax con la tráquea de longitud de 90 cm en comparación con las PImax con las tráqueas de 30 y 60 cm (prueba de Friedman’s ANOVA, la de Wilcoxon con ajustes de Bonferroni). Las tráqueas de 30, 60 y 90 cm de longitud y mismo diámetro no influyeron en los valores de la PEmax y de la PImax, con excepción de la tráquea de 90 cm en los valores de la PImax, lo que puede interferir la práctica clínica fisioterapéutica. Se necesitan más estudios para evaluar la necesidad de estándares de la longitud de tráqueas empleadas en manovacuometros.A manovacuometria é um teste simples, rápido e não invasivo por meio do qual a pressão inspiratória máxima (PImáx) e a pressão expiratória máxima (PEmáx) são obtidas, a fim de auxiliar na avaliação muscular respiratória. Atualmente, há grande variedade de modelos e marcas de manovacuômetros, com diferentes diâmetros e comprimentos de traqueias, no entanto, a interferência desses modelos nas medidas obtidas por esses equipamentos necessita de investigação. Desta forma, o objetivo primário deste estudo foi verificar a influência do comprimento de traqueias nas pressões respiratórias máximas, obtidas por meio de manovacuômetro analógico, em indivíduos saudáveis e, secundariamente, se há correlação entre as medidas. Foram avaliados 50 indivíduos, de 18 a 30 anos, de ambos os sexos, por meio da espirometria e manovacuometria. As PImáx e PEmáx foram realizadas com uso de traqueias de mesmo diâmetro interno (0,5 cm) e comprimentos de 30, 60 e 90 cm. Foram observados valores significativamente menores de PImáx obtidos com a traqueia de comprimento de 90 cm comparados às PImáx obtidas com as traqueias de 30 e 60 cm (teste de Friedman’s ANOVA com teste de Wilcoxon com ajuste de Bonferroni). As traqueias de 30, 60 e 90 cm de comprimento e mesmo diâmetro não influenciaram os valores de PEmáx e PImáx, exceto a traqueia de 90 cm para os valores de PImáx, o que pode interferir na prática clínica fisioterapêutica. Novos estudos são necessários para analisar a necessidade de padronização do comprimento da traqueia utilizada em manovacuômetros

The impact of surgical delay on resectability of colorectal cancer: An international prospective cohort study

AIM: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the impact of surgical delays on cancer resectability. This study aimed to compare resectability for colorectal cancer patients undergoing delayed versus non-delayed surgery. METHODS: This was an international prospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with a decision for curative surgery (January-April 2020). Surgical delay was defined as an operation taking place more than 4 weeks after treatment decision, in a patient who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. A subgroup analysis explored the effects of delay in elective patients only. The impact of longer delays was explored in a sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was complete resection, defined as curative resection with an R0 margin. RESULTS: Overall, 5453 patients from 304 hospitals in 47 countries were included, of whom 6.6% (358/5453) did not receive their planned operation. Of the 4304 operated patients without neoadjuvant therapy, 40.5% (1744/4304) were delayed beyond 4 weeks. Delayed patients were more likely to be older, men, more comorbid, have higher body mass index and have rectal cancer and early stage disease. Delayed patients had higher unadjusted rates of complete resection (93.7% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.032) and lower rates of emergency surgery (4.5% vs. 22.5%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, delay was not associated with a lower rate of complete resection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.90-1.55, P = 0.224), which was consistent in elective patients only (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.27, P = 0.672). Longer delays were not associated with poorer outcomes. CONCLUSION: One in 15 colorectal cancer patients did not receive their planned operation during the first wave of COVID-19. Surgical delay did not appear to compromise resectability, raising the hypothesis that any reduction in long-term survival attributable to delays is likely to be due to micro-metastatic disease

Occupational Determinants of Musculoskeletal Disorders

International audienc