MICROSCOPIC DETECTION OF HEMOPARASITE INFECTION IN GREY PARROTS (Psittacus erithacus) IN PORTUGAL

Species belonging to the genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon are vector-borne parasites infecting blood cells and several organs of their hosts. These three parasite genera are commonly reported as being pathogenic and recent studies suggest that some species could sometimes be lethal, more frequently than previously reported. The prevalence of infection is closely related to the distribution of these vectors. These hemoparasites are widely described in countries with mild temperatures since their vectors need warm temperatures to survive and reproduce. Climate change, namely an increase in average temperature, increases the likelihood of the spread of these vectors and, for that reason, the spread of hemoparasites. Since there’s a lack of knowledge of the infection by haemosporidia not only in Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus) but also in family Psittacidae, the main objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of haemosporidia in healthy Psittacus erithacus in mainland Portugal. A total of 70 blood samples were taken from asymptomatic Psittacus erithacus kept in private bird collections in several regions of mainland Portugal. The presence of haemosporidia was assessed by microscopic observation. Microscopic analysis revealed the presence of haemosporidian pathogens in 8 samples, accounting for a prevalence of 11.43% (8/70). This work represents an important epidemiological contribution to the captive fauna of Psittacus erithacus in this country and, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first surveillance study of haemosporidia in this species in Portugal

Bacterial Signatures of Paediatric Respiratory Disease : An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis

Introduction: The airway microbiota has been linked to specific paediatric respiratory diseases, but studies are often small. It remains unclear whether particular bacteria are associated with a given disease, or if a more general, non-specific microbiota association with disease exists, as suggested for the gut. We investigated overarching patterns of bacterial association with acute and chronic paediatric respiratory disease in an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences from published respiratory microbiota studies.Methods: We obtained raw microbiota data from public repositories or via communication with corresponding authors. Cross-sectional analyses of the paediatric (10 case subjects were included. Sequence data were processed using a uniform bioinformatics pipeline, removing a potentially substantial source of variation. Microbiota differences across diagnoses were assessed using alpha- and beta-diversity approaches, machine learning, and biomarker analyses.Results: We ultimately included 20 studies containing individual data from 2624 children. Disease was associated with lower bacterial diversity in nasal and lower airway samples and higher relative abundances of specific nasal taxa including Streptococcus and Haemophilus. Machine learning success in assigning samples to diagnostic groupings varied with anatomical site, with positive predictive value and sensitivity ranging from 43 to 100 and 8 to 99%, respectively.Conclusion: IPD meta-analysis of the respiratory microbiota across multiple diseases allowed identification of a non-specific disease association which cannot be recognised by studying a single disease. Whilst imperfect, machine learning offers promise as a potential additional tool to aid clinical diagnosis.Peer reviewe

First Report of 13 Species of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Mainland Portugal and Azores by Morphological and Molecular Characterization

The genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) contains important vectors of animal and human diseases, including bluetongue, African horse sickness and filariosis. A major outbreak of bluetongue occurred in mainland Portugal in 2004, forty eight years after the last recorded case. A national Entomological Surveillance Plan was initiated in mainland Portugal, Azores and the Madeira archipelagos in 2005 in order to better understand the disease and facilitate policy decisions. During the survey, the most prevalent Culicoides species in mainland Portugal was C. imicola (75.3%) and species belonging to the Obsoletus group (6.5%). The latter were the most prevalent in Azores archipelago, accounting for 96.7% of the total species identified. The Obsoletus group was further characterized by multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction to species level showing that only two species of this group were present: C. obsoletus sensu strictu (69.6%) and C. scoticus (30.4%). Nine species of Culicoides were detected for the first time in mainland Portugal: C. alazanicus, C. bahrainensis, C. deltus, C. lupicaris, C. picturatus, C. santonicus, C. semimaculatus, C. simulator and C. subfagineus. In the Azores, C. newsteadi and C. circumscriptus were identified for the first time from some islands, and bluetongue vectors belonging to the Obsoletus group (C. obsoletus and C. scoticus) were found to be widespread

Colonization of the Mediterranean Basin by the vector biting midge species Culicoides imicola: an old story

Understanding the demographic history and genetic make-up of colonizing species is critical for inferring population sources and colonization routes. This is of main interest for designing accurate control measures in areas newly colonized by vector species of economically important pathogens. The biting midge Culicoides imicola is a major vector of Orbiviruses to livestock. Historically, the distribution of this species was limited to the Afrotropical region. Entomological surveys first revealed the presence of C. imicola in the south of the Mediterranean basin by the 1970's. Following recurrent reports of massive bluetongue outbreaks since the 1990s, the presence of the species was confirmed in northern areas. In this study, we addressed the chronology and processes of C. imicola colonization in the Mediterranean basin. We characterized the genetic structure of its populations across Mediterranean and African regions using both mitochondrial and nuclear markers, and combined phylogeographical analyses with population genetics and approximate Bayesian computation. We found a west/east genetic differentiation between populations, occurring both within Africa and within the Mediterranean basin. We demonstrated that three of these groups had experienced demographic expansions in the Pleistocene, probably because of climate changes during this period. Finally, we showed that C. imicola could have colonized the Mediterranean basin in the late Pleistocene or early Holocene through a single event of introduction; however we cannot exclude the hypothesis involving two routes of colonization. Thus, the recent bluetongue outbreaks are not linked to C. imicola colonization event, but rather to biological changes in the vector or the virus

The tree that hides the forest: cryptic diversity and phylogenetic relationships in the Palaearctic vector Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) at the European level

Abstract Background Culicoides obsoletus is an abundant and widely distributed Holarctic biting midge species, involved in the transmission of bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV) to wild and domestic ruminants. Females of this vector species are often reported jointly with two morphologically very close species, C. scoticus and C. montanus, forming the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex. Recently, cryptic diversity within C. obsoletus was reported in geographically distant sites. Clear delineation of species and characterization of genetic variability is mandatory to revise their taxonomic status and assess the vector role of each taxonomic entity. Our objectives were to characterize and map the cryptic diversity within the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex. Methods Portion of the cox1 mitochondrial gene of 3763 individuals belonging to the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex was sequenced. Populations from 20 countries along a Palaearctic Mediterranean transect covering Scandinavia to Canary islands (North to South) and Canary islands to Turkey (West to East) were included. Genetic diversity based on cox1 barcoding was supported by 16S rDNA mitochondrial gene sequences and a gene coding for ribosomal 28S rDNA. Species delimitation using a multi-marker methodology was used to revise the current taxonomic scheme of the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex. Results Our analysis showed the existence of three phylogenetic clades (C. obsoletus clade O2, C. obsoletus clade dark and one not yet named and identified) within C. obsoletus. These analyses also revealed two intra-specific clades within C. scoticus and raised questions about the taxonomic status of C. montanus. Conclusions To our knowledge, our study provides the first genetic characterization of the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex on a large geographical scale and allows a revision of the current taxonomic classification for an important group of vector species of livestock viruses in the Palaearctic region

Correction to: The tree that hides the forest : cryptic diversity and phylogenetic relationships in the Palaearctic vector Obsoletus/Scoticus complex (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) at the European level

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article

VectorNet Data Series 3: Culicoides Abundance Distribution Models for Europe and Surrounding Regions

This is the third in a planned series of data papers presenting modelled vector distributions produced during the ECDC and EFSA funded VectorNet project. The data package presented here includes those Culicoides vectors species first modelled in 2015 as part of the VectorNet gap analysis work namely C. imicola, C. obsoletus, C. scoticus, C. dewulfi, C. chiopterus, C. pulicaris, C. lupicaris, C. punctatus, and C. newsteadi. The known distributions of these species within the Project area (Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, and Eurasia) are currently incomplete to a greater or lesser degree. The models are designed to fill the gaps with predicted distributions, to provide a) first indication of vector species distributions across the project geographical extent, and b) assistance in targeting surveys to collect distribution data for those areas with no field validated information. The models are based on input data from light trap surveillance of adult Culicoides across continental Europe and surrounding regions (71.8°N –33.5°S, – 11.2°W – 62°E), concentrated in Western countries, supplemented by transect samples in eastern and northern Europe. Data from central EU are relatively sparse.Peer reviewe

Influenza vaccination for immunocompromised patients: systematic review and meta-analysis from a public health policy perspective.

Immunocompromised patients are vulnerable to severe or complicated influenza infection. Vaccination is widely recommended for this group. This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses influenza vaccination for immunocompromised patients in terms of preventing influenza-like illness and laboratory confirmed influenza, serological response and adverse events

Impacto da pandemia nos sinais do trato urinário inferior em gatos

Objetivos: Em março de 2020, a OMS a declarou estado de pandemia devido ao SARS-CoV-2. Em vários países, foram impostos confinamentos/ quarentenas com o objetivo de mitigar a transmissão do vírus, interrompendo as rotinas diárias das populações, expondo as pessoas e os animais a fatores de stress adicionais, tais como, stress psicossocial. Estudos recentes sugerem que o stress está totalmente envolvido na patofisiologia dos STUI. Este estudo retrospetivo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da pandemia e dos confinamentos nos sinais do trato urinário inferior em gatos. Materiais e Métodos: Este estudo resulta de uma pesquisa por palavra-chave: Urianálise, na base de dados do Hospital Veterinário da AZP. Participaram no estudo 298 gatos, atendidos entre 2019 e 2021. Foi utilizado um grupo de controlo: grupo período pré-pandemia (PPP) com 142 gatos, atendidos entre 1/fevereiro/19 e 31/janeiro/20, e um grupo de estudo: grupo período durante a pandemia (PDP) com 156 gatos atendidos entre 1/fevereiro/20 e 31/janeiro/21. Resultados: Observou-se uma diminuição das obstruções/recidivas subsequente (p < 0,001) e uma diminuição da taxa de mortalidade (p < 0,05) no grupo PDP, comparativamente ao grupo de controlo. E foi observado ainda, uma diferença estatisticamente significativa relativamente ao número de episódios, com o grupo PPP associado a dois episódios, enquanto o grupo PDP se mostrou mais frequentemente com um episódio apenas (p < 0.01). Conclusão: Os resultados parecem demostrar um efeito positivo no comportamento e bem-estar dos gatos devido ao aumento de tempo despendido com os seus tutores, durante o período de confinamento.   Palavras-chave: SARS-CoV-2, Confinamento, Stress, Sinais do trato urinário inferior, Gatos. &nbsp

No trilho da investigação em Parasitologia

O primeiro autor deste resumo iniciou o seu doutoramento em 2012, tendo como tema os estudos morfológicos e genéticos em insetos Culicoides, assim como o efeito de moléculas inseticidas em órgãos sensoriais dos mesmos. Após a conclusão do doutoramento em 2016, os estudos na área de Culicoides continuaram durante o seu pós-doutoramento (2017-2020). Adicionalmente, outros trabalhos de investigação foram conduzidos no âmbito da orientação e coorientação de alunos do mestrado integrado em Medicina Veterinária (MIMV) e do mestrado em Biologia Humana e Ambiente (MBHA). O mesmo autor encontra-se a realizar a sua residência no Colégio Europeu de Parasitologia Veterinária (EVPC) desde 2018. Como resultado de todos estes trabalhos, já foram publicados vários artigos científicos em revistas nacionais e internacionais, capítulos de livros e também apresentados diversos trabalhos em congressos nacionais e internacionais, tanto em comunicações orais como em póster. Várias colaborações podem surgir no âmbito da residência do EVPC, na clínica de pequenos animais, animais de produção, equinos, novos animais de companhia e animais silváticos, com vista à produção de artigos científicos e apresentações em congressos. Desta forma, este trabalho mostra as publicações e outros trabalhos apresentados em congressos e as colaborações que podem ser estabelecidas com os colegas das áreas de clínica, assim como propostas de temas para dissertações de MIMV, considerando a importância da colaboração interdisciplinar e interinstitucional, no âmbito do conceito de Uma Só Saúde.   Palavras-chave: Colégio Europeu de Parasitologia Veterinária, Culicoides, Doenças parasitárias, Parasitologia, Residência.   Financiamento: FCT – Fundação Portuguesa para a Ciência e Tecnologia, no âmbito do projeto UIDB/00276/2020. A participação de David W. Ramilo e Isabel Pereira da Fonseca é apoiada pelo projeto LA/P/0059/2020 financiado pela FCT. A participação de Luís Cardoso é apoiada pelos projetos UIDB/CVT/00772/2020 e LA/P/0059/2020 e a de Maria Teresa Rebelo pelos projetos FCT/MCTES/UIDP/50017/2020 e UIDB/50017/2020+LA/P/0094/2020. &nbsp