An epidemiological survey on the leishmaniosis in the Campo de Nijar' s area (Almeria)

Se ha realizado un estudio epidemiológico sobre la leishmaniosis en el área Sur del matiz climático Mediterráneo Subdesértico de la provincia de Almería (Campo de Níjar, Sudeste de España). A una muestra de la población humana se le aplicó la Intradermorreacción de Montenegro (IDR): de 1.370 inoculados, sólo 33 (2'4 %) fueron positivos (induración >= 5 mm). De la población canina, se analizaron mediante Inmunofluorescencia Indirecta (IFI) 286 muestras de suero, de las que 174 (60'8 %) fueron negativas, y las 112 restantes tuvieron algún título (39'2 % de seropositividad); de éstas últimas sólo 13 presentaron titulo >= 160 (seroprevalencia del 4'5 %). El estudio se completó con la captura de vectores: 1) con trampas adhesivas se capturaron 216 ejemplares pertenecientes a las especies Sergentomyia minuta (62 %), Phlebotomus perniciosus (34'3 %), Y P. ariasi y P. papatasí (3'7 %). 2) Trampas CDC: se capturaron 790 ejemplares pertenecientes a las especies P. perniciosus (73 %), P. papatasi (22'2 %), Y P. ariasi, P. longicuspis, P. alexandri, P. sergenti y S. minuta (4'8 %). Aunque se diseccionaron 530 ejemplares hembras ninguna estuvo parasitada por Leíshmania.We have realised an epidemiological study on the Leishmaniosis in the Southem area from Subdesertic Mediterranean bioclimatic zone, of the Almeria' s province (Campo de Níjar, Southeast Spain). The Montenegro Skin test (IDR) was applied to a sample of human population: of 1.370 individuals inoculated, only 33 (2'4 %) were positives (induration >= 5 mm). The canine population was analysed by Immunofluorescent Antibody test (IFI): of 286 sample of serum analysed, 174 were negatives (60'9%) and 112 were with antibody titles >= 20 (39'2 % seropositivites); of these only 13 were with title >= 160 (seroprevalence of 4'5 %).   The study was completed with the capture of vectors: 1) with sticky traps we capture 216 specimens belonging to the species S. minuta (62 %), P. perniciosus, (34'3 %), and P. ariasi and P. papatasi (3 '7 %). 2) With CDC traps we capture 790 specimens to the species P. perniciosus (73 %), P. papatas; (22'2), P. ariasi, P. longicuspis, P. sergenti, P. alexandri and S. minuta (4' 8 %). Although we have diseccionate 530 specimens female none of them was parasitized by Leishmania

Orbits and emission spectra from the 2014 Camelopardalids

We have analyzed the meteor activity associated with meteoroids of fresh dust trails of Comet 209P/LINEAR, which produced an outburst of the Camelopardalid meteor shower (IAU code #451, CAM) in May 2014. With this aim, we have employed an array of high-sensitivity CCD video devices and spectrographs deployed at 10 meteor observing stations in Spain in the framework of the Spanish Meteor Network (SPMN). Additional meteoroid flux data were obtained by means of two forward-scatter radio systems. The observed peak zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) was much lower than expected, of around 20 meteors h-1. Despite of the small meteor flux in the optical range, we have obtained precise atmospheric trajectory, radiant and orbital information for 11 meteor and fireball events associated with this stream. The ablation behaviour and low tensile strength calculated for these particles reveal that Camelopardalid meteoroids are very fragile, mostly pristine aggregates with strength similar to that of the Orionids and the Leonids. The mineral grains seem to be glued together by a volatile phase. We also present and discuss two unique emission spectra produced by two Camelopardalid bright meteors. These suggest a non-chondritic nature for these particles, which exhibit Fe depletion in their composition.Comment: Accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society on Sept. 22, 201

High efficacy of Sofosbuvir plus Simeprevir in a large cohort of Spanish cirrhotic patients infected with genotypes 1 and 4

[Abstract] Background and Aims. Hepatitis C (HCV) therapy with Sofosbuvir (SOF)/Simeprevir (SMV) in clinical trials and real‐world clinical practice, showed high rates of sustained virological response (SVR) in non‐cirrhotic genotype (GT)‐1 and GT‐4 patients. These results were slightly lower in cirrhotic patients. We investigated real‐life effectiveness and safety of SOF/SMV with or without ribavirin (RBV) in a large cohort of cirrhotic patients. Methods. This collaborative multicentre study included data from 968 patients with cirrhosis infected with HCV‐GT1 or 4, treated with SOF/SMV±RBV in 30 centres across Spain between January‐2014 and December‐2015. Demographic, clinical, virological and safety data were analysed. Results. Overall SVR was 92.3%; the majority of patients were treated with RBV (62%) for 12 weeks (92.4%). No significant differences in SVR were observed between genotypes (GT1a:94.3%; GT1b:91.7%; GT4:91.1%). Those patients with more advanced liver disease (Child B/C, MELD≥10) or portal hypertension (platelet count≤100×109/L, transient elastography≥21 Kpa) showed significantly lower SVR rates (84.4%‐91.9%) than patients with less advanced liver disease (93.8%‐95.9%, P<.01 in all cases). In the multivariate analysis, the use of RBV, female gender, baseline albumin≥35 g/L, MELD<10 and lack of exposure to a triple therapy regimen were independent predictors of SVR (P<.05). Serious adverse events (SAEs) and SAE‐associated discontinuation events occurred in 5.9% and 2.6%. Conclusions. In this large cohort of cirrhotic patients managed in the real‐world setting in Spain, SOF/SMV±RBV yielded to excellent SVR rates, especially in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. In addition, this combination showed to be safe, with low rates of SAEs and early discontinuations.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI15/0015

Liberal governmentality in Spain: bodies, minds, and the medical construction of the “outsider,” 1870–1910

This paper traces the fragility of the subject in the period extending from the aftermath of the Sexenio through to the early twentieth century. In particular, two case studies are focused upon: the question of gender “deviance” and the figure of the genius, in order to understand how medicine participated in the construction of “outsider” identities within the context of the emerging liberal order. How did liberal rationales exclude or curtail certain wayward expressions of identity and subjectivity? What consequences did the marking of “excessive” figures or outsiders have for notions of inclusiveness and citizenship within the late-nineteenth-century liberal order? By concentrating primarily on medical texts and journals published during the period, this study builds on existing research to tease out answers to these questions

Seropositivity rates for agents of canine vector-borne diseases in Spain : a multicentre study

Background: Controlling canine vector-borne diseases (CVBD) is a major concern, since some of these diseases are serious zoonoses. This study was designed to determine seropositivity rates in Spain for agents causing the following five CVBD: leishmaniosis (Leishmania infantum: Li), heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis: Di), ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis: Ec), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum/Anaplasma platys: An) and Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi: Bb). Methods: Anti-An, -Bb, and -Ec antibodies and the Di antigen were determined using the 4DX SNAP® Test (IDEXX Laboratories) and anti-L. infantum (Li) antibodies using the Leishmania SNAP® Test (IDEXX Laboratories) in blood and/or serum samples. Results: Among 1100 dogs examined, overall seropositivity rates were: Li (15.7%), Ec (5%), An (3.1%), Di (1.25%) and Bb (0.4%). While seropositivity towards Bb and Di was similar in all geographic regions, rates were significantly higher in the east of Spain (8.3%) for An, significantly higher in the north (20%) for Ec, and significantly higher in the Southeast (46.6%) and South (27.4%), and significantly lower in the north (0%) for Li. No statistical associations were observed between sex and the CVBD analyzed (p ≥ 0.05) while the following associations with other variables were detected: a higher seropositivity to Ec (40%) and Bb (6.7%) in dogs under one year of age compared with adults (p < 0.05); and a higher seropositivity to An and Li in dogs that lived outdoors versus indoors (p = 0.01; p < 0.001, respectively). Seropositivity rates of 2.1%, 0%, 1.7%, 0.5% and 4.2% were recorded respectively for An, Bb, Ec, Di and Li in dogs with no clinical signs (n = 556) versus 3.8%, 0.6%, 7.5%, 1.8% and 25.9% for those with signs (n = 507) suggestive of a CVBD. Conclusion: The data obtained indicate a risk for dogs in Spain of acquiring any of the five CVBD examined. Veterinarians in the different regions should include these diseases in their differential diagnoses and recommend the use of repellents and other prophylactic measures to prevent disease transmission by arthropod vectors. Public health authorities also need to become more involved in the problem, since some of the CVBD examined here also affect humans

Deep-sequencing reveals broad subtype-specific HCV resistance mutations associated with treatment failure

A percentage of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients fail direct acting antiviral (DAA)-based treatment regimens, often because of drug resistance-associated substitutions (RAS). The aim of this study was to characterize the resistance profile of a large cohort of patients failing DAA-based treatments, and investigate the relationship between HCV subtype and failure, as an aid to optimizing management of these patients. A new, standardized HCV-RAS testing protocol based on deep sequencing was designed and applied to 220 previously subtyped samples from patients failing DAA treatment, collected in 39 Spanish hospitals. The majority had received DAA-based interferon (IFN) a-free regimens; 79% had failed sofosbuvir-containing therapy. Genomic regions encoding the nonstructural protein (NS) 3, NS5A, and NS5B (DAA target regions) were analyzed using subtype-specific primers. Viral subtype distribution was as follows: genotype (G) 1, 62.7%; G3a, 21.4%; G4d, 12.3%; G2, 1.8%; and mixed infections 1.8%. Overall, 88.6% of patients carried at least 1 RAS, and 19% carried RAS at frequencies below 20% in the mutant spectrum. There were no differences in RAS selection between treatments with and without ribavirin. Regardless of the treatment received, each HCV subtype showed specific types of RAS. Of note, no RAS were detected in the target proteins of 18.6% of patients failing treatment, and 30.4% of patients had RAS in proteins that were not targets of the inhibitors they received. HCV patients failing DAA therapy showed a high diversity of RAS. Ribavirin use did not influence the type or number of RAS at failure. The subtype-specific pattern of RAS emergence underscores the importance of accurate HCV subtyping. The frequency of “extra-target” RAS suggests the need for RAS screening in all three DAA target regions

Estudio epidemiológico de la leishmaniosis en la comarca del Campo de Níjar (Almería)

Se ha realizado un estudio epidemiológico sobre la leishmaniosis en el área Sur del matiz climático Mediterráneo Subdesértico de la provincia de Almería (Campo de Níjar, Sudeste de España). A una muestra de la población humana se le aplicó la Intradermorreacción de Montenegro (IDR): de 1.370 inoculados, sólo 33 (2'4 %) fueron positivos (induración >= 5 mm). De la población canina, se analizaron mediante Inmunofluorescencia Indirecta (IFI) 286 muestras de suero, de las que 174 (60'8 %) fueron negativas, y las 112 restantes tuvieron algún título (39'2 % de seropositividad); de éstas últimas sólo 13 presentaron titulo >= 160 (seroprevalencia del 4'5 %). El estudio se completó con la captura de vectores: 1) con trampas adhesivas se capturaron 216 ejemplares pertenecientes a las especies Sergentomyia minuta (62 %), Phlebotomus perniciosus (34'3 %), Y P. ariasi y P. papatasí (3'7 %). 2) Trampas CDC: se capturaron 790 ejemplares pertenecientes a las especies P. perniciosus (73 %), P. papatasi (22'2 %), Y P. ariasi, P. longicuspis, P. alexandri, P. sergenti y S. minuta (4'8 %). Aunque se diseccionaron 530 ejemplares hembras ninguna estuvo parasitada por Leíshmania.We have realised an epidemiological study on the Leishmaniosis in the Southem area from Subdesertic Mediterranean bioclimatic zone, of the Almeria' s province (Campo de Níjar, Southeast Spain). The Montenegro Skin test (IDR) was applied to a sample of human population: of 1.370 individuals inoculated, only 33 (2'4 %) were positives (induration >= 5 mm). The canine population was analysed by Immunofluorescent Antibody test (IFI): of 286 sample of serum analysed, 174 were negatives (60'9%) and 112 were with antibody titles >= 20 (39'2 % seropositivites); of these only 13 were with title >= 160 (seroprevalence of 4'5 %). The study was completed with the capture of vectors: 1) with sticky traps we capture 216 specimens belonging to the species S. minuta (62 %), P. perniciosus, (34'3 %), and P. ariasi and P. papatasi (3 '7 %). 2) With CDC traps we capture 790 specimens to the species P. perniciosus (73 %), P. papatas; (22'2), P. ariasi, P. longicuspis, P. sergenti, P. alexandri and S. minuta (4' 8 %). Although we have diseccionate 530 specimens female none of them was parasitized by Leishmania