Clinical and Pathological Findings Associated with Mycobacteriosis in Captive Syngnathids

[EN] Mycobacteriosis is an important disease that affects captive and wild aquatic fish. Syngnathids are susceptible to infection by non-tuberculous mycobacteria. The aim of this study was to describe clinical signs, and macroscopic and histological lesions in 25 syngnathids and the molecular characterization of the causative mycobacteria. Clinical presentation ranged from sudden death to non-specific signs, including anorexia, poor body condition, weight loss and marked dyspnea with increased respiratory effort and rate. Gross lesions were mostly ulcers on the tail and small white nodules in the liver, coelomic cavity and inside the eye. The most affected organs were gills, liver, intestine and coelomic mesentery. Microscopic lesions consisted of areas of multifocal to diffuse granulomatous inflammation and bacterial emboli with numerous intralesional acid-fast bacilli. Epithelioid cells, multinucleated giant cells, lymphocytes and fibrous connective tissue, which are commonly observed in granulomatous inflammation, were not observed here. In the real-time PCR, M. fortuitum, M. chelonae and M. marinum common primers, Mycobacterium spp. were detected in 4, 7 and 14 individuals, respectively. In addition, this is the first description of mycobacteriosis found in Syngnathus acusSIThis research was funded by projects INDI 21-11 and IDOC21-05 from Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universitie

Experiencias de los adolescentes frente al confinamiento y la pandemia de la COVID-19

Experiences of adolescents in the face of lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has had harmful effects on emotional health, especially in young people. In the present study, the questionnaire «Experiences of adolescents in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic» was designed and validated. Participants were 4,011 Mexican adolescents aged 14 to 25 years (M = 18.21); 33 % men and 67 % women. The questionnaire was administered online and, afterwards, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyzes were performed and Cronbach’s Alpha was calculated. Satisfactory levels of validity and reliability were obtained. The instrument consisted of eight factors: favorable family interaction, entertaining-creative activities, conflict experiences, unfavorable mood, longing for the previous life, fear of contagion, general sanitary measures and sanitary measures adopted when returning home. It is concluded that the questionnaire is valid and reliable and will be useful to find out how adolescents experience the changes caused by health crises. Keywords: Factor analysis; adolescence; experiences questionnaire; COVID-19 pandemic. Resumen: La pandemia de la COVID-19 ha generado efectos nocivos en la salud emocional especialmente en los jóvenes. En el presente trabajo se diseñó y validó el cuestionario «Experiencias de adolescentes frente a la pandemia de la COVID-19». Participaron 4011 adolescentes mexicanos de entre 14 y 25 años (M = 18.21), 33% hombres y 67% mujeres. El cuestionario se aplicó en línea, y, posteriormente, se realizaron los análisis factoriales (exploratorio y confirmatorio) y se calculó el alfa de Cronbach. Se consiguieron niveles satisfactorios de validez y confiabilidad. El instrumento quedó conformado por ocho factores: interacción familiar favorable, actividades de entretenimiento-creativas, vivencias de conflicto, ánimo desfavorable, añoranza por la vida anterior, miedo al contagio, medidas sanitarias generales y medidas sanitarias adoptadas al volver a casa. Se concluye que el instrumento es válido y confiable y será útil para conocer cómo los adolescentes viven los cambios ocasionados por las crisis sanitarias. Palabras clave: Análisis factorial; adolescencia; cuestionario de experiencias; pandemia de la COVID-19

Updates on antifungal pharmacotherapy in elasmobranchs: pharmacokinetics of 4 mg/kg voriconazole after IM and IV administration in undulate skates (Raja undulata) maintained under human care

IntroductionFungal diseases are frequently associated with elevated mortality rates in elasmobranchs. Currently, there is a notable absence of scientifically validated therapeutic medications that can ensure both effectiveness and safety when administered to this group of animals. The empirical prescription of azole antifungal agents, particularly voriconazole, has been posited as a potentially efficacious treatment approach for addressing most common mycoses in sharks and rays. However, there are still no published pharmacokinetic studies supporting its use in elasmobranchs and there is a lack of scientific base for its utilization in elasmobranchs.MethodsFor this study, voriconazole was administered intravenously (IV) and intramuscularly (IM), at a single dose of 4 mg/kg to six adult undulate skates (Raja undulata). A washout period of 8 weeks was left between each route of administration. Blood samples were collected both before and at ten predetermined intervals after each dosing (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 36 h after drug administration). Plasma concentrations were quantified using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method, and pharmacokinetic (PK) data was analyzed through non-compartmental methods.ResultsThe mean extrapolated concentration at 0 h (C0) after IV administration was 27.19 ± 7.15 μg/mL and the mean peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) ± SEM after IM administration resulted 2.98 ± 0.28 μg/mL at a mean time to maximum concentration (T max) of 1.33 ± 0.17 h. Terminal half-lives were calculated and resulted 11.18 ± 1.32 h for IV injections and 9.59 ± 1.38 h for IM injections. The area under the curve extrapolated to infinity was determined as 58.14 ± 2.79 h·μg/ml following IV injections and 37.60 ± 6.67 h·μg/ml following IM injections. The IM-administered voriconazole exhibited a mean absolute bioavailability of 64.67 ± 11.47%.DiscussionThese discoveries provide backing for the possible application of voriconazole through the intramuscular route in undulate skates and support using lower dosage regimens compared to those required for oral administration, emphasizing the importance of conducting further pharmacokinetic studies with antifungals in elasmobranchs

Pharmacokinetic Studies in Elasmobranchs: Meloxicam Administered at 0.5 mg/kg Using Intravenous, Intramuscular, and Oral Routes to Nursehound Sharks (Scyliorhinus stellaris)

Infectious and inflammatory diseases are the most frequently diagnosed pathologies in elasmobranchs maintained under human care. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used in veterinary medicine for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. Meloxicam is a commonly prescribed NSAID in elasmobranchs, but there are still no published pharmacokinetic (PK) studies supporting its use in this group of animals. In this study, meloxicam was administered at a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg to eight healthy adult nursehound sharks (Scyliorhinus stellaris) intravenously (IV), intramuscularly (IM), and orally (PO), with a minimum 4-week washout period between administrations. Blood samples were obtained both beforehand and at predetermined times after each administration. Plasma concentrations were measured using a validated high performance liquid chromatography method, and PK data was obtained using a non-compartmental analysis. Meloxicam administered orally did not produce detectable concentrations in blood plasma, while mean peak plasma concentration was 0.38 ± 0.08 μg/ml after IM administration. The mean terminal half-life was 10.71 ± 2.77 h and 11.27 ± 3.96 h for IV and IM injections, respectively. The area under the curve extrapolated to infinity was 11.37 ± 2.29 h·μg/ml after IV injections and 5.98 ± 0.90 h·μg/ml after IM injections. Meloxicam administered IM had a mean absolute bioavailability of 56.22 ± 13.29%. These numbers support meloxicam as a promising drug to be used IM in nursehounds, questions the efficacy of its single PO use in elasmobranchs, elucidate the need for higher dosage regimes, and evidence the need for further PK studies in sharks and rays

Ciencia Odontológica 2.0

Libro que muestra avances de la Investigación Odontológica en MéxicoEs para los integrantes de la Red de Investigación en Estomatología (RIE) una enorme alegría presentar el segundo de una serie de 6 libros sobre casos clínicos, revisiones de la literatura e investigaciones. La RIE está integrada por cuerpos académicos de la UAEH, UAEM, UAC y UdeG

El seminario de trabajo en el Campus Virtual UCM: una herramienta para actividades de investigación en grupo

Los proyectos de investigación cuyos resultados son de utilidad por su aplicabilidad clínica necesitan de herramientas de comunicación eficaces. Por otra parte, la organización de un grupo numeroso de personas requiere de herramientas que optimicen tanto el tiempo como las tareas a realizar. Además, la participación coral en la discusión y elaboración de los resultados enriquece la investigación y culmina el espíritu colaborativo del trabajo de un equipo. Éstos han sido los objetivos que se perseguían al organizar el Seminario de Investigación sobre Terapéutica de Animales Exóticos (SITAE) en el Campus Virtual de la UCM. Esta herramienta nos ha sido de gran ayuda en la organización, consulta, generación de materiales y difusión de los resultados derivados del citado proyecto de investigación. La presente comunicación pretende mostrar la utilidad de los seminarios de trabajo en el Campus Virtual UCM (CV-UCM) como herramienta de apoyo al trabajo en un proyecto de investigación de tipo colaborativo en el que participan distintos profesionales con diferentes localizaciones geográficas

Clinical and Pathological Findings Associated with Mycobacteriosis in Captive Syngnathids

Mycobacteriosis is an important disease that affects captive and wild aquatic fish. Syngnathids are susceptible to infection by non-tuberculous mycobacteria. The aim of this study was to describe clinical signs, and macroscopic and histological lesions in 25 syngnathids and the molecular characterization of the causative mycobacteria. Clinical presentation ranged from sudden death to non-specific signs, including anorexia, poor body condition, weight loss and marked dyspnea with increased respiratory effort and rate. Gross lesions were mostly ulcers on the tail and small white nodules in the liver, coelomic cavity and inside the eye. The most affected organs were gills, liver, intestine and coelomic mesentery. Microscopic lesions consisted of areas of multifocal to diffuse granulomatous inflammation and bacterial emboli with numerous intralesional acid-fast bacilli. Epithelioid cells, multinucleated giant cells, lymphocytes and fibrous connective tissue, which are commonly observed in granulomatous inflammation, were not observed here. In the real-time PCR, M. fortuitum, M. chelonae and M. marinum common primers, Mycobacterium spp. were detected in 4, 7 and 14 individuals, respectively. In addition, this is the first description of mycobacteriosis found in Syngnathus acus

Updates on antifungal pharmacotherapy in elasmobranchs: pharmacokinetics of 4 mg/kg voriconazole after IM and IV administration in undulate skates (Raja undulata) maintained under human care

Introduction: Fungal diseases are frequently associated with elevated mortality rates in elasmobranchs. Currently, there is a notable absence of scientifically validated therapeutic medications that can ensure both effectiveness and safety when administered to this group of animals. The empirical prescription of azole antifungal agents, particularly voriconazole, has been posited as a potentially efficacious treatment approach for addressing most common mycoses in sharks and rays. However, there are still no published pharmacokinetic studies supporting its use in elasmobranchs and there is a lack of scientific base for its utilization in elasmobranchs. Methods: For this study, voriconazole was administered intravenously (IV) and intramuscularly (IM), at a single dose of 4 mg/kg to six adult undulate skates (Raja undulata). A washout period of 8 weeks was left between each route of administration. Blood samples were collected both before and at ten predetermined intervals after each dosing (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 36 h after drug administration). Plasma concentrations were quantified using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method, and pharmacokinetic (PK) data was analyzed through non-compartmental methods. Results: The mean extrapolated concentration at 0 h (C0) after IV administration was 27.19 ± 7.15 μg/mL and the mean peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) ± SEM after IM administration resulted 2.98 ± 0.28 μg/mL at a mean time to maximum concentration (T max) of 1.33 ± 0.17 h. Terminal half-lives were calculated and resulted 11.18 ± 1.32 h for IV injections and 9.59 ± 1.38 h for IM injections. The area under the curve extrapolated to infinity was determined as 58.14 ± 2.79 h·μg/ml following IV injections and 37.60 ± 6.67 h·μg/ml following IM injections. The IM-administered voriconazole exhibited a mean absolute bioavailability of 64.67 ± 11.47%. Discussion: These discoveries provide backing for the possible application of voriconazole through the intramuscular route in undulate skates and support using lower dosage regimens compared to those required for oral administration, emphasizing the importance of conducting further pharmacokinetic studies with antifungals in elasmobranchs.Fundación OceanogràficSección Deptal. de Farmacología y Toxicología (Veterinaria)Fac. de VeterinariaTRUEpu

Fungal Diseases in Elasmobranchs and Their Possible Treatment with a Special Mention to Azole Antifungal Agents

Author Contributions: D.C.-C., P.M-E. and T.E. designed the review; D.C.-C., P.M.-E. and T.E. wrote, edited and reviewed the manuscript, D.G.-P., C.R.-S. and E.P.-G. reviewed the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscriptIntroduction: Elasmobranchs currently constitute an important part of the animal collection of many aquariums worldwide. Their maintenance under human care has allowed us to describe and identify new pathogens and diseases affecting them, as well as to determine different treatments for these diseases. Great advances in elasmobranch husbandry have been developed. Methods: A search was performed on scientific databases as PubMed and other specialized sources (IAAAM archive). Results: Little information on pharmacotherapeutics is available in this taxonomic group, and treatments lack a scientific base and instead are frequently dependent on empirical knowledge. Pharmacokinetic studies are the first step to determining therapeutic protocols that are safe and effective. The available bibliography shows that a majority of the mycoses recorded in cartilaginous fish are severe, aggravated by the fact that the antifungal treatments administered, following the guidelines used for teleost species, are ineffective in elasmobranchs. Azoles appear to be a promising group of antifungals for use in treating systemic mycoses in sharks and rays. Conclusions: Based on the findings of this review, it is essential to investigate the pharmacokinetics of the different antifungals in these species in order to provide therapeutic options for fungal infections in cartilaginous fish.Simple Summary: Fungal diseases, despite their low incidence in fish, appear to be lethal in many teleost and elasmobranch species. There are many fungi involved, including Paecilomyces spp., Exophiala spp. and Fusarium spp., among the most frequently diagnosed. Fungal diseases in elasmobranchs have been documented in animals under human care in aquariums since 1980. Most cases have resulted in high mortality due to a lack of information concerning the treatment and medical and environmental management of mycoses in these species. Antifungal drugs are frequently prescribed to improve clinical signs or lesions in animals affected by fungal infections. Azole agents appear to be the most effective antifungals in the treatment of systemic fungal infections. However, more evidence concerning the use of these drugs in elasmobranchs is needed.Sección Deptal. de Farmacología y Toxicología (Veterinaria)Fac. de VeterinariaTRUEpu

Pharmacokinetics of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam after administration of multiple doses to nursehound sharks (Scyliorhinus stellaris)

Authors’ contributions: PME: study design, conducting experiments, data acquisition, photography, preparation of the manuscript. CRS: conducting experiments, data acquisition, revision of the manuscript. TAA and MVT: conducting experiments, revision of the manuscript. DGP: study design, revision of the manuscript. TE: study design, data acquisition, revision of the manuscript.Objective: To determine the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in the nursehound shark (Scyliorhinus stellaris) during multiple dose administration. Study design: Prospective experimental trial. Animals: A total of eight clinically healthy adult nursehounds (four males, four females). Methods: Meloxicam was administered intramuscularly at a dose of 1.5 mg kg–1 once daily for 7 days. Blood samples were collected from the caudal vein for pharmacokinetic analysis at 2.5 hours and 24 hours after drug administration. After a 4 week washout period, meloxicam was administered orally at the same dose at 12 hour intervals for three repeated doses. Blood samples were collected at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after the first administration. Sharks were visually monitored during each study and 4 weeks afterwards for side effects or signs of toxicity. Time required to achieve steady state was assessed by visual inspection and statistical comparison of peak and trough concentrations using a Friedman test; comparison between sexes was performed using a Mann–Whitney U test and p-value was set at 0.05. Results: No animal died or showed clinical signs of toxicity during the study. Meloxicam administered orally did not produce detectable concentrations in plasma. After intramuscular administration, steady state was achieved after five doses, and mean trough and peak plasma concentrations at steady state were 1.76 ± 0.21 μg mL–1 and 3.02 ± 0.23 μg mL–1, respectively. Mean peak concentration accumulation ratio was 2.50 ± 0.22. Conclusions and clinical relevance: This study shows that intramuscular posology produces plasma concentrations considered therapeutic for other species. However, meloxicam was not detected in plasma after oral administration. These results suggest that meloxicam administered intramuscularly may be a useful non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug in nursehound sharks. Further pharmacodynamic studies are needed to fully evaluate its clinical use in this species.Universidad Complutense de MadridFundación OceanogràficSección Deptal. de Farmacología y Toxicología (Veterinaria)Fac. de VeterinariaTRUEpu