Identification of genes associated with environmental persistence in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates from processing in a broiler abattoir

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the htrA, htrB and ppk1 genes -all of which are related to environmental persistence- in C. jejuni and C. coli isolates obtained from abattoir samples at the arrival of broilers (initial stage) and in meat products after processing (final stage). A total of 119 DNA extracts (55 C. jejuni and 64 C. coli) were included in the study. Identification of genes was performed by conventional PCR (one for each gene). The overall prevalence was 40.3%, 93.3% and 68.9% for the htrA, htrB and ppk1 genes, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found (p < 0.05) between prevalence of C. jejuni and C. coli for all three genes. In C. coli the prevalence was significantly higher for the htrA (p = 0.007) and htrB (p = 0.015) genes, while ppk1 gene prevalence was significantly higher in C. jejuni (p < 0.001). In addition, statistically significant increase in the frequency of htrA (p = 0.007) and htrB (p = 0.013) genes in the final product compared to broilers on arrival at the abattoir was observed in C. jejuni, but not in C. coli. These results suggest that htrA and htrB genes are involved in environmental persistence of Campylobacter jejuni

Productive and sanitary characterization of suckling calves breeding in Córdoba and Santa Fé (Argentina)

A study has been made in 72 dairy farms in the Argentine provinces of Cordoba and Santa Fe between years 2000 and 2002. This article is mainly referring to the calves in suckling stage, before its transfer to the pasture. The objective was to make a valuation of the main charac-teristics of farms and the breeding system of dairy calves in the zone. A questionnaire was designed, structuring the questions in six different sections: questions of general type, workers, feeding, handling, other species and contagious, and biosecurity and health. Among the results, it emphasizes the big size of farms, the great diffusion of open systems and the little pursuit of biosecurity measures.Se ha realizado un estudio, entre los años 2000 y 2002, en 72 explotaciones bovinas de aptitud láctea situadas en las provincias argentinas de Córdoba y Santa Fé. El estudio se centró principalmente en las primeras fases de producción de terneros, previamente a su traslado a los pastos. El objetivo fue realizar una valoración de las principales características de las explotaciones y el sistema de cría de terneros en la zona. Para ello, se diseñó un cuestionario, estructu-rándose las preguntas en seis apartados: cuestiones de tipo general, personal, alimentación, prácticas de manejo, otras especies y contagio y, bioseguridad y sanidad. Entre los resultados, destaca el gran tamaño de las explotaciones, la amplia difusión de sistemas abiertos y el escaso seguimiento de medidas de bioseguridad

Risk factors against bovine respiratory diseade in suckling calves from Argentina

An observacional cross-sectional study was performed to determine the risk factors associated to the main viral agents of the bovine respiratory disease: bovine herpesvirus type 1 (HVB1), bovine viral diarrhoea virus (VDVB), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (VRSB) and parainfluenza 3 virus (VPI3). Blood samples from dairy calves in the provinces of Cordova and Santa Fe (Argentina) were obtained, and an epidemiological ques-tionnaire was filled. Antibodies against studied viruses were detected by commercial ELISA kits. A total of 852 blood samples from 55 dairy operations were obtained between years 2000 and 2002. Four epidemiologic logistic regression models were performed. We found significant associations between infection and variables related to the age of the calf, the season, the size population, the vaccinations, the feeding or the breeding system, among many others.Se ha realizado un estudio epidemiológico observacional de tipo transversal para conocer los factores que actúan sobre la seropositividad de los principales agentes víricos del síndrome respiratorio bovino: el herpesvirus bovino tipo 1 (HVB1), el virus de la diarrea vírica bovina (VDVB), el virus respiratorio sincitial bovino (VRSB) y el virus de la parainfluenza 3 (VPI3). Se tomaron muestras de sangre de terneros procedentes de explotaciones lecheras situadas en las provincias argentinas de Córdoba y Santa Fé, y se cumplimentaron cuestionarios epide-miológicos. Los análisis serológicos se realizaron mediante la técnica ELISA. En total se tomaron muestras de sangre de 852 terneros procedentes de 55 explotaciones entre los años 2000 y 2002. Se realizaron cuatro modelos epidemiológicos mediante regresión logística, uno por cada virus donde, entre otras, aparecen variables asociadas a la infección relacionadas con la edad del ternero, la estación del año, el número de animales, la alimentación, las vacunaciones o el sistema de crianza

Use of algorithms for the differential diagnosis of digestive and respiratory infectious disorders of pigs

La utilidad de los algoritmos en las especialidades médicas ha sido ampliamente documentada, aunque su empleo en sanidad animal resulta poco frecuente. Para este estudio se ha creado un algoritmo que incluyó el diagnóstico diferencial de los procesos infecciosos respiratorios y digestivos en la especie porcina. A continuación, se realizó una práctica con alumnos de tercer curso del Grado en Veterinaria de la asignatura “Enfermedades Infecciosas”, a los que se les ha facilitado información y la posibilidad de solicitar hasta cuatro pruebas diagnósticas laboratoriales para identificar correctamente el agente etiológico. Tras un período para la resolución del caso, en la que solo algunos grupos identificaron correctamente la enfermedad, se les facilitó el algoritmo, lo que permitió que todos los alumnos acertaran el diagnóstico. Finalizada la práctica, a los alumnos se les pasó una encuesta acerca de su experiencia con los algoritmos y su grado de satisfacción. El uso de algoritmos ha demostrado ser útil para la resolución de casos en la asignatura de enfermedades infecciosas según el 100% de los alumnos, habiendo un 96,9% de los mismos que los consideran útiles en el ámbito profesional. La práctica ha sido evaluada con un elevado grado de satisfacción (8,72 de media).The use of algorithms in medical specialties has been well documented. However, its use in animal health is not frequent. For this study, an algorithm on differential diagnosis of porcine infectious digestive and respiratory disorders has been designed. Then, a practice was carried out with third year students of the Degree in Veterinary Science enrolled in the subject "Infectious Diseases". During this practice, information on the outbreak was provided to the students, which had the possibility to request until four laboratory tests in order to identify the etiological agent. After a time for the resolution of the case, in which only some groups determined correctly the cause of the outbreak, the algorithm was provided to the students, which allowed to all of them the correct diagnosis of the disorder. After the practice, the students made a survey about their experience with the algorithms and their satisfaction degree. The use of algorithms was useful for the resolution of cases in the subject of infectious diseases according to 100% of the students, with 96.9% of them considering them useful in the professional work. The practice has been evaluated with a high degree of satisfaction (8.72 on average)

Development of skills and contents on wildlife within the Degree of Veterinary Medicine and Master's Degree of Animal Medicine, Healthcare and Improvement

El número y variedad de especies silvestres presentes en Andalucía hacen de esta Comunidad una de las regiones de mayor biodiversidad de Europa. Así mismo, los cambios en materia medioambiental producidos en la sociedad en las últimas décadas se han visto reflejados en una mayor integración y unificación de los distintos mecanismos de conservación y aprovechamiento de recursos naturales. Todo ello, implica una mayor demanda por parte de la sociedad de profesionales cualificados en materia de biología, gestión, sanidad y conservación de las especies silvestres. El objetivo principal del presente estudio fue proporcionar a los estudiantes de Grado en Veterinaria y Máster en Medicina, Sanidad y Mejora Animal de la Universidad de Córdoba (UCO; España), competencias, habilidades y destrezas necesarias para su desarrollo profesional en materia de biología, gestión, sanidad y conservación de las especies silvestres. Este estudio implicó la participación de un equipo multidisciplinar de profesores de diversas Áreas de conocimiento. En total, han participado 10 profesores y dos becarios de dos Departamentos y tres Áreas de conocimiento diferentes. Los resultados del estudio implicaron también el desarrollo de nuevas metodologías y material didáctico que se incorporó a la docencia teórico-práctica de cinco asignaturas del Grado en Veterinaria y del Máster Máster en Medicina, Sanidad y Mejora Animal. Un total de 105 alumnos matriculados en las asignaturas Enfermedades infecciosas en el Grado en Veterinaria y Enfermedades en animales silvestres y de zoológico en el Máster en Medicina, Sanidad y Mejora Animal de la UCO participaron en 28 salidas entre los meses de octubre de 2015 y junio de 2016. Las actividades realizadas permitieron a los estudiantes adquirir competencias básicas, transversales y específicas relacionadas con las principales funciones del veterinario que desarrolla su actividad profesional en el ámbito de la fauna silvestre y habilidades y destrezas relativas a la identifiación de especies silvestres, identificación de lesiones y técnicas de toma de muestras biológicas en estas especies. Además, los resultados de este estudio ha permitido elaborar material audiovisual y material biológico dirigidos a la asimilación de conceptos teóricos-prácticos de las diferentes asignaturas.The diversity of wildlife species present in Andalusia makes this community one of the most biodiverse within Europe. Furthermore, the environmental changes affecting the society over the last few decades show a greater integration and unification of conservation mechanisms and exploitation of natural resources. These factors implicate an higher demand of specialists in biology, management, healthcare and wildlife conservation. The main objective of this study was to provide undergraduates studying the Degree in Veterinary Medicine as well as postgraduates studying the Master's Degree in Animal Medicine, Health and Improvement at the University of Cordoba (Spain), the skills and abilities needed for their professional training, particularly across biology, management, health and wildlife conservation. This work involved the cooperation of a multidisciplinary team which included professors from different fields of knowledge. The present study was carried out by 10 professors and two PhD students from two departments and three fields of knowledge. New methodologies and teaching materials were developed and implemented as theoretical and practical teaching in at least four subjects of the Degree in Veterinary Medicine and another one in the Master's Degree in Animal Medicine, Healthcare and Improvement. A total of 105 students participated in 28 external fieldwork between October 2015 and June 2016. The activities enabled students to obtain basic, transversal and specif skills in the Degree in Veterinary Medicine related to the main functions of the wildlife vets, including species and diseases recognition and sampling methods in wildlife. Moreover, biological and audiovisual tools were developed in order to help the assimilation of theoretical-practical concepts of the differents subjets

HCV-coinfection is related to an increased HIV-1 reservoir size in cART-treated HIV patients: a cross-sectional study

In HIV-1/HCV-coinfected patients, chronic HCV infection leads to an increased T-lymphocyte immune activation compared to HIV-monoinfected patients, thereby likely contributing to increase HIV-1 reservoir that is the major barrier for its eradication. Our objective was to evaluate the influence of HCV coinfection in HIV-1 viral reservoir size in resting (r) CD4+ T-cells (CD25-CD69-HLADR-). Multicenter cross-sectional study of 97 cART-treated HIV-1 patients, including 36 patients with HIV and HCV-chronic co-infection without anti-HCV treatment, 32 HIV patients with HCV spontaneous clearance and 29 HIV-monoinfected patients. rCD4+ T-cells were isolated and total DNA was extracted. HIV viral reservoir was measured by Alu-LTR qPCR. Differences between groups were calculated with a generalized linear model. Overall, 63.9% were men, median age of 41 years and Caucasian. Median CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes were 725 and 858 cells/mm 3 , respectively. CD4+ T nadir cells was 305 cells/mm 3 . Proviral HIV-1 DNA size was significantly increased in chronic HIV/HCV-coinfected compared to HIV-monoinfected patients (206.21 ± 47.38 vs. 87.34 ± 22.46, respectively; P = 0.009), as well as in spontaneously clarified HCV co-infected patients when compared to HIV-monoinfected individuals (136.20 ± 33.20; P = 0.009). HIV-1/HCV co-infected patients showed a larger HIV-1 reservoir size in comparison to HIV-monoinfected individuals. This increase could lead to a greater complexity in the elimination of HIV-1 reservoir in HIV-1/HCV-coinfected individuals, which should be considered in the current strategies for the elimination of HIV-1 reservoir.Financial support was provided by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III to VB (PI15CIII/00031), by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness to MC (SAF2016–78480-R) and The SPANISH AIDS Research Network RD16CIII/0002/0001, RD16CIII/0002/0002 and RD16/0025/0013 - ISCIII – FEDER. MRLP is supported by ISCIII - Subdirección General de Evaluacion and European Funding for Regional Development (FEDER) (PIE 13/00040 and RD12/0017/0017 RETIC de SIDA). C.P. is supported by the Portuguese Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) (grant number SFRH/ BPD/77448/2011 is part of the EDCTP2 programme supported by the European Union). V.B., A.F.R. and N.R. are supported by the Miguel Servet programme from Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (ISCIII) (grant number CP13/00098, CP14/CIII/00010 and CP14/00198, respectively)

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Largest HIV-1 CRF02_AG Outbreak in Spain: Evidence for Onward Transmissions

Background and Aim: The circulating recombinant form 02_AG (CRF02_AG) is the predominant clade among the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) non-Bs with a prevalence of 5.97% (95% Confidence Interval-CI: 5.41–6.57%) across Spain. Our aim was to estimate the levels of regional clustering for CRF02_AG and the spatiotemporal characteristics of the largest CRF02_AG subepidemic in Spain.Methods: We studied 396 CRF02_AG sequences obtained from HIV-1 diagnosed patients during 2000–2014 from 10 autonomous communities of Spain. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the 391 CRF02_AG sequences along with all globally sampled CRF02_AG sequences (N = 3,302) as references. Phylodynamic and phylogeographic analysis was performed to the largest CRF02_AG monophyletic cluster by a Bayesian method in BEAST v1.8.0 and by reconstructing ancestral states using the criterion of parsimony in Mesquite v3.4, respectively.Results: The HIV-1 CRF02_AG prevalence differed across Spanish autonomous communities we sampled from (p &lt; 0.001). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 52.7% of the CRF02_AG sequences formed 56 monophyletic clusters, with a range of 2–79 sequences. The CRF02_AG regional dispersal differed across Spain (p = 0.003), as suggested by monophyletic clustering. For the largest monophyletic cluster (subepidemic) (N = 79), 49.4% of the clustered sequences originated from Madrid, while most sequences (51.9%) had been obtained from men having sex with men (MSM). Molecular clock analysis suggested that the origin (tMRCA) of the CRF02_AG subepidemic was in 2002 (median estimate; 95% Highest Posterior Density-HPD interval: 1999–2004). Additionally, we found significant clustering within the CRF02_AG subepidemic according to the ethnic origin.Conclusion: CRF02_AG has been introduced as a result of multiple introductions in Spain, following regional dispersal in several cases. We showed that CRF02_AG transmissions were mostly due to regional dispersal in Spain. The hot-spot for the largest CRF02_AG regional subepidemic in Spain was in Madrid associated with MSM transmission risk group. The existence of subepidemics suggest that several spillovers occurred from Madrid to other areas. CRF02_AG sequences from Hispanics were clustered in a separate subclade suggesting no linkage between the local and Hispanic subepidemics

Trabajos dirigidos para la resolución de casos clínicos en Enfermedades Infecciosas

La discusión de casos clínicos ha demostrado ser una herramienta eficaz para el aprendizaje del alumnado (García Máynez-Contreras et al., 2014). Dentro del marco de la docencia práctica de la asignatura de Enfermedades Infecciosas, que se imparte en el tercer curso del Grado en Veterinaria (Universidad de Córdoba), se ha diseñado un seminario destinado a la resolución de casos clínicos que tiene como características unos elevados niveles de participación y colaboración. Las prácticas se realizan en grupos con un máximo de 12 alumnos y se centran en una sola especie animal (porcina, ovina, caprina, bovina, equina, canina, felina o aviar), habiendo recibido previamente los alumnos docencia teórica sobre las enfermedades infecciosas que afectan a la especie sobre la que versa el seminario