Characterization of sex, age, and breed for a population of canine leishmaniosis diseased dogs.

Our study of a large canine population investigated whether the development of symptomatic canine leishmaniosis revealed any predilection for sex, age, or breed. Included in the study were 390 leishmaniosis-affected dogs that had been treated at the Hospital Clínic Veterinari attached to the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Of the diseased dogs, 238 were male (61%) and 152 were females (39%), whereas percentages for males and females in the overall reference population of dogs treated at this unit were 53% and 47%, respectively, (P<0.05). Age distribution was bimodal, with the highest prevalence of the disease occurring at 2-4 years of age and a secondary peak occurring at seven years or over. The over represented breeds were the German shepherd (13.6% versus 6.35%, P<0.001), the Rottweiler (13.1% versus 3.0%, P<0.001), and the Boxer (7.9% versus 4.7%, P=0.002), whereas the underrepresented breeds were the Yorkshire terrier (0.5% versus 6.5%, P<0.001), and the Poodle (0.3% versus 3.0%, P<0.001)

Análisis de los factores de victimización en mujeres delincuentes

This work aimed to describe victimization risk factors that are present and their impact on women offenders. This study was applied to 76 women inmates in a female module at Penitentiary Centre in Salamanca. Through a cross-sectional descriptive study with structured interview in multiple sign-in, it seeks to identify social vulnerability of this group of people according to victimization vulnerability models. The results show a high prevalence of partner violence (57%) before their entry into the prison, as well as other risk factors that may be related both victimization process and criminalization process. This study suggests the need to open new lines of investigation about criminality, victimization and social exclusion triangle, particularly for women.El presente trabajo pretende describir los factores de riesgo de victimización presentes y su impacto en la delincuencia femenina. El estudio se aplicó a 76 mujeres internas en el módulo de mujeres del Centro Penitenciario de Salamanca. Mediante un estudio transversal con entrevista estructurada en sesión múltiple se pretende identificar la vulnerabilidad de este colectivo en base a los modelos de vulnerabilidad de victimización. Los resultados indican la alta prevalencia de violencia de pareja (57%) previa a la entrada en prisión, así como otros factores de riesgo que pueden estar relacionados tanto en el proceso de victimización como en el de criminalidad. Este estudio pone de manifiesto la necesidad de abrir nuevas líneas de investigación sobre el triángulo criminalidad, victimización y exclusión social especialmente en el caso de las mujeres

Creencias sobre el amor romántico y violencia de género. Un estudio con víctimas y agresores en población penitenciaria

[ES] En este estudio se analizan las creencias relacionadas con el amor romántico como elemento de influencia en la violencia de género. La investigación se realizó sobre una muestra de 60 participantes, 30 mujeres y 30 hombres, internos del centro penitenciario de Salamanca que en el momento de la entrevista se encontraran participando los hombres en un programa de tratamiento con agresores y las mujeres en un programa de tratamiento de víctimas de violencia de género. Los resultados más significativos indican mayores sesgos cognitivos en caso de los hombres en relación a anteponer necesidades, deseos e intereses propios frente a los de la pareja y a la anticipación del pensamiento necesario en el amor romántico. En el caso de las mujeres destaca la necesidad de celotipia y atracción única hacia la pareja para describir el amor auténtico. Este estudio pone de manifiesto la necesidad de analizar la definición de amor romántico por parte de hombres y mujeres, para detectar las distorsiones cognitivas más relacionadas con la violencia de género. [EN] This study analyses the beliefs about romantic love as a means of influencing on gender-based violence. The research was conducted on a sample of 60 participants, 30 women and 30 men, inmates in Salamanca penitentiary center, and selected because they were taking part, at the time of the interview, on a treatment program for aggressors, the men, and for victims of gender-based violence, the women. The most remarkable results indicate higher cognitive distortions for men in relation to putt he needs, own wishes and interests against couple’s and thought anticipation to be necessary in romantic love, and for women highlight the need of jealousy and unique attraction to their couple to describe genuine love. This study shows the need to analyze the definition of romantic love, by men and women, to detect cognitive distortions more connected to gender-based violenc

Victimization factors analysis on women offenders

[ES] El presente trabajo pretende describir los factores de riesgo de victimización presentes y su impacto en la delincuencia femenina. El estudio se aplicó a 76 mujeres internas en el módulo de mujeres del Centro Penitenciario de Salamanca. Mediante un estudio transversal con entrevista estructurada en sesión múltiple se pretende identificar la vulnerabilidad de este colectivo en base a los modelos de vulnerabilidad de victimización. Los resultados indican la alta prevalencia de violencia de pareja (57%) previa a la entrada en prisión, así como otros factores de riesgo que pueden estar relacionados tanto en el proceso de victimización como en el de criminalidad. Este estudio pone de manifiesto la necesidad de abrir nuevas líneas de investigación sobre el triángulo criminalidad, victimización y exclusión social especialmente en el caso de las mujeres. [EN] This work aimed to describe victimization risk factors that are present and their impact on women offenders. This study was applied to 76 women inmates in a female module at Penitentiary Centre in Salamanca. Through a cross-sectional descriptive study with structured interview in multiple sign-in, it seeks to identify social vulnerability of this group of people according to victimization vulnerability models. The results show a high prevalence of partner violence (57%) before their entry into the prison, as well as other risk factors that may be related both victimization process and criminalization process. This study suggests the need to open new lines of investigation about criminality, victimization and social exclusion triangle, particularly for wom

Creencias sobre el amor romántico y violencia de género. Un estudio con víctimas y agresores en población penitenciaria

En este estudio se analizan las creencias relacionadas con el amor romántico como elemento de influencia en la violencia de género. La investigación se realizó sobre una muestra de 60 participantes, 30 mujeres y 30 hombres, internos del centro penitenciario de Salamanca que en el momento de la entrevista se encontraran participando los hombres en un programa de tratamiento con agresores y las mujeres en un programa de tratamiento de víctimas de violencia de género. Los resultados más significativos indican mayores sesgos cognitivos en caso de los hombres en relación a anteponer necesidades, deseos e intereses propios frente a los de la pareja y a la anticipación del pensamiento necesario en el amor romántico. En el caso de las mujeres destaca la necesidad de celotipia y atracción única hacia la pareja para describir el amor auténtico. Este estudio pone de manifiesto la necesidad de analizar la definición de amor romántico por parte de hombres y mujeres, para detectar las distorsiones cognitivas más relacionadas con la violencia de género.This study analyses the beliefs about romantic love as a means of influencing on gender-based violence. The research was conducted on a sample of 60 participants, 30 women and 30 men, inmates in Salamanca penitentiary center, and selected because they were taking part, at the time of the interview, on a treatment program for aggressors, the men, and for victims of gender-based violence, the women. The most remarkable results indicate higher cognitive distortions for men in relation to putt he needs, own wishes and interests against couple’s and thought anticipation to be necessary in romantic love, and for women highlight the need of jealousy and unique attraction to their couple to describe genuine love. This study shows the need to analyze the definition of romantic love, by men and women, to detect cognitive distortions more connected to gender-based violence

A randomized, blinded, controlled trial to assess sand fly mortality of fluralaner administered orally in dogs

Background: Leishmania infantum is the parasite responsible for the disease in humans known as zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL). Dogs are considered the main domestic reservoir of ZVL and sand flies are the proven vectors. The use of systemic insecticides in dogs has been studied as an alternative strategy to control ZVL in endemic areas. One systemic insecticide in dogs, fluralaner, has a proven anti-sand fly effect in membrane-fed studies. However, the efficacy and duration on sand flies directly feeding from dogs treated with fluralaner remains unknown. Methods: Direct feeding bioassays were performed on 10 beagle dogs that had been randomly assigned to two groups: one with five dogs orally treated with Bravecto® (fluralaner) and other five as a control. About 30 females of Phlebotomus papatasi were allowed to directly feed from dogs at seven days before the administration of the treatment and Days 3, 17, 31, 45 and 73 post-treatment. Sand fly mortality after feeding was observed every 24 h for 5 days. The Kaplan-Meyer method, Henderson-Tilton formula and a negative binomial mixed model were used to respectively calculate: (i) mortality and its 95% confidence interval (CI); (ii) efficacy of the insecticide at killing sand flies in 24 h; and (iii) differences in the risk of sand fly death at 24 h after feeding. Results: Control sand fly mortality 24 h after feeding was always ≤ 20% and mortality in the fluralaner group ranged from 2% (95% CI: 0–4%) 7 days before treatment to 100% at 3 days post-treatment. Fluralaner efficacy was 100, 93, 94 and 75% at Days 3, 17, 31 and 45, respectively (P < 0.0001). The increase in the risk of sand fly death was 32.9 (95% CI: 4–263), 76 (95% CI: 8–705), 95.8 (95% CI: 9–1029) and 10.6 times (95% CI: 1.43–79) on Days 3, 17, 31 and 45, respectively Conclusions: The efficacy of fluralaner, orally administered to dogs, against sand-flies was above 90% for 31 days. Fluralaner administered to dogs should be further evaluated as a control strategy in ZVL endemic areas

Phlebotomine mortality effect of systemic insecticides administered to dogs

BACKGROUND: Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum is an important disease in humans and dogs. Different mammal species are reservoirs but dogs are considered to be the main one. Phlebotomine sand flies are the proven vector. Four systemic insecticides approved for their use in dogs were previously selected based on their potential to be used in endemic countries as part of the control programs of ZVL. These insecticides are proved to be safe and effective against the on-label insects and parasites, but there is no information about their activity against phlebotomine sand flies. METHODS: The phlebotomine mortality of four systemic insecticides in dogs was evaluated using two randomized clinical trials. For the first trial, thirty dogs were randomly allocated into five groups: four treatments and one control, of equal size. The treatments evaluated were: Guardian(R)SR, Elanco (moxidectin); Comfortis(R), Elanco (spinosad); Bravecto(R), Merck Animal Health (fluralaner); and NexGard(R), Merial (afoxolaner). Blood from dogs was taken at days 2, 4, 21 and 31 post-treatment (trial 1). The compound that showed the highest efficacy was selected for a second trial (trial 2) with 20 dogs sampled at days 0, 2, 4, 7, 14, 18, 32, 39, 51 and 84 post-treatment. Membrane feeding bioassays with Phlebotomus papatasi were used to evaluate the phlebotomine mortality efficacy of the different treatments. Phlebotomine mortality was observed every 24 h following the membrane feeding during 5 days. A mixed model for a negative binomial logistic regression, and a Cox proportional hazard mixed model were used to estimate phlebotomine mortality due to different treatments. RESULTS: Fluralaner was the only compound that showed significant phlebotomine mortality. Fluralaner maintained the phlebotomine mortality between 60-80% for 30 days after treatment. In trial 1 we found that fluralaner increased the risk of death by 1.9 times (95% CI: 1.02-3.6) and 1.7 times (95% CI: 1.09-2.6) at days 2 and 4 after treatment. The Cox model resulted in an increase of 1.47 (95% CI: 1.1-1.96) times in hazard risk at day 2 and 1.89 (95% CI: 1.35-2.45) at day 4 after treatment. In trial 2 we found that fluralaner increased the risk of death by 1.64 times (95% CI: 1.16-2.54) and 1.97 times (95% CI: 1.23-3.17) at days 14 and 32. The hazard risk was also increased by 1.92 (95% CI: 1.4-2.64) times at day 14 after treatment. Phlebotomine survival including all experimental days was significantly lower in the fluralaner group in both trials. CONCLUSIONS: A single oral treatment of fluralaner in dogs induces phlebotomine mortality. Systemic insecticides in dogs should be considered as a potential preventive measure of ZVL

Systemic insecticide treatment of the canine reservoir of Trypanosoma cruzi induces high levels of lethality in Triatoma infestans, a principal vector of Chagas disease

BACKGROUND: Despite large-scale reductions in Chagas disease prevalence across Central and South America, Trypanosoma cruzi infection remains a considerable public health problem in the Gran Chaco region where vector-borne transmission persists. In these communities, peridomestic animals are major blood-meal sources for triatomines, and household presence of infected dogs increases T. cruzi transmission risk for humans. To address the pressing need for field-friendly, complementary methods to reduce triatomine infestation and interrupt T. cruzi transmission, this study evaluated the systemic activity of three commercial, oral, single dose insecticides Fluralaner (Bravecto(R)), Afoxolaner (NexGard(R)) and Spinosad (Comfortis(R)) in canine feed-through assays against Triatoma infestans, the principal domestic vector species in the Southern Cone of South America. METHODS: Twelve healthy, outbred dogs were recruited from the Zoonosis Surveillance and Control Program in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and randomized to three treatment groups, each containing one control and three treated dogs. Following oral drug administration, colony-reared second and third stage T. infestans instars were offered to feed on dogs for 30 min at 2, 7, 21, 34 and 51 days post-treatment. RESULTS: Eighty-five per cent (768/907) of T. infestans successfully blood-fed during bioassays, with significantly higher proportions of bugs becoming fully-engorged when exposed to Bravecto(R) treated dogs (P < 0.001) for reasons unknown. Exposure to Bravecto(R) or NexGard(R) induced 100% triatomine mortality in fully- or semi-engorged bugs within 5 days of feeding for the entire follow-up period. The lethality effect for Comfortis(R) was much lower (50-70%) and declined almost entirely after 51 days. Instead Comfortis(R) treatment resulted in substantial morbidity; of these, 30% fully recovered whereas 53% remained morbid after 120 h, the latter subsequently unable to feed 30 days later. CONCLUSIONS: A single oral dose of Fluralaner or Afoxolaner was safe and well tolerated, producing complete triatomine mortality on treated dogs over 7.3 weeks. While both drugs were highly efficacious, more bugs exposed to Fluralaner took complete blood-meals, and experienced rapid knock-down. Coupled with its longer residual activity, Fluralaner represents an ideal insecticide for development into a complementary, operationally-feasible, community-level method of reducing triatomine infestation and potentially controlling T. cruzi transmission, in the Gran Chaco region

Clinical and immunological characteristics of tegumentary leishmaniasis cases in Bolivia

Background Tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is a parasitic disease that can present a cutaneous or mucocutaneous clinical form (CL and MCL, respectively). The disease is caused by different Leishmania species and transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. Bolivia has one of the highest incidences of the disease in South America and the diagnosis is done by parasitological techniques. Our aim was to describe the clinical and immunological characteristics of CL and MCL patients attending the leishmaniasis reference center in Cochabamba, Bolivia, in order to gain updated clinical and epidemiological information, to evaluate the diagnostic methods used and to identify biomarkers related to clinical disease and its evolution. Methodology/Principal findings The study was conducted from September 2014 to November 2015 and 135 patients with lesions compatible with CL or MCL were included. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Two parasitological diagnostic methods were used: Giemsa-stained smears and culture of lesion aspirates. Blood samples obtained from participants were used to measure the concentrations of different cytokines. 59.2% (80/135) were leishmaniasis confirmed cases (CL: 71.3%; MCL: 28.7%). Sixty percent of the confirmed cases were positive by smears and 90.6% were positive by culture. 53.8% were primo-infections. Eotaxin and monokine induced by IFN-γ presented higher serum concentrations in the MCL clinical presentation compared to CL cases and no-cases. None of the cytokines presented different concentrations between primo-infections and secondary infections due to treatment failure. Conclusions/Significance In Bolivia, parasitological diagnosis remains the reference standard in diagnosis of leishmaniasis because of its high specificity, whereas the sensitivity varies over a wide range leading to loss of cases. Until more accurate tools are implemented, all patients should be tested by both smears and culture of lesion aspirates to minimize the risk of false negatives. Our results showed higher concentrations of several cytokines in MCL compared to CL, but no differences were observed between CL and no-cases. In addition, none of the cytokines differed between primary and secondary infections. These results highlight the need of further research to identify biomarkers of susceptibility and disease progression, in addition to looking at the local cellular immune responses in the lesions