Effect of climate on the epidemiology of bovine hypodermosis in algeria

In order to explore the effect of climate on cattle warble fly infestation, a total of 1.635 animals from 4 departments of Northern Algeria were examined visually and by manual palpation for the presence of warbles. Cattle were examined from March to June 2014, coinciding with the peak of emergence of warbles, and both the prevalence and intensity of infestation were recorded. The departments included in this study were located in the two different climatic areas in Northern Algeria: humid (Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou) and semi-arid (Tissemssilt and Ain Defla). The overall prevalence was 28.75%; the intensity of infestation ranged from 1 to 98 warbles per animal (mean 18.93±11.05). The prevalence and intensity of infestation within the departments with semi-arid climate (38.23%; 21.57±11.98) was significantly higher than in those with humid climate (20.74%; 14.84±7.86). The CHAID algorithm showed the climate as the most influencing factor for warble fly prevalence, followed by the husbandry system and breed. Logistic regression and multivariate ANOVA indicate that in addition to climate, other intrinsic (age, breed) and extrinsic factors (husbandry system, treatment) included in the study also were associated with both, prevalence and intensity of infestation. Our results indicate that in semiarid areas of Northern Algeria environmental conditions are more favorable for the development of free stages (pupae and adult flies) of Hypoderma spp life-cycle than in humid areas

Occurrence and limited zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Balantioides coli infections in free-ranging and farmed wild ungulates in Spain

Little information is currently available on the occurrence and molecular diversity of the enteric protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Balantioides coli in wild ungulates and the role of these host species as potential sources of environmental contamination and consequent human infections. The presence of these three pathogens was investigated in eight wild ungulate species present in Spain (genera Ammotragus, Capra, Capreolus, Cervus, Dama, Ovis, Rupicapra, and Sus) by molecular methods. Faecal samples were retrospectively collected from free-ranging (n = 1058) and farmed (n = 324) wild ungulates from the five Spanish bioregions. Overall infection rates were 3.0% (42/1382; 95% CI: 2.1–3.9%) for Cryptosporidium spp., 5.4% (74/1382; 95% CI: 4.2–6.5%) for G. duodenalis, and 0.7% (9/1382; 95% CI: 0.3–1.2%) for B. coli. Cryptosporidium infection was detected in roe deer (7.5%), wild boar (7.0%) and red deer (1.5%), and G. duodenalis in southern chamois (12.9%), mouflon (10.0%), Iberian wild goat (9.0%), roe deer (7.5%), wild boar (5.6%), fallow deer (5.2%) and red deer (3.8%). Balantioides coli was only detected in wild boar (2.5%, 9/359). Sequence analyses revealed the presence of six distinct Cryptosporidium species: C. ryanae in red deer, roe deer, and wild boar; C. parvum in red deer and wild boar; C. ubiquitum in roe deer; C. scrofarum in wild boar; C. canis in roe deer; and C. suis in red deer. Zoonotic assemblages A and B were detected in wild boar and red deer, respectively. Ungulate-adapted assemblage E was identified in mouflon, red deer, and southern chamois. Attempts to genotype samples positive for B. coli failed. Sporadic infections by canine- or swine-adapted species may be indicative of potential cross-species transmission, although spurious infections cannot be ruled out. Molecular evidence gathered is consistent with parasite mild infections and limited environmental contamination with (oo)cysts. Free-ranging wild ungulate species would not presumably play a significant role as source of human infections by these pathogens. Wild ruminants do not seem to be susceptible hosts for B. coli

Intrinsic Factors Influencing the Infection by Helminth Parasites in Horses under an Oceanic Climate Area (NW Spain)

A coprological survey to determine the influence of some intrinsic factors (breed, age, and sex) on the infection by helminth parasites in equine livestock (n = 418) under an oceanic climate area (NW Spain) was conducted. Faecal samples were individually collected and analyzed by the coprological techniques. The main strongylid genera identified were Trichonema and Cyalocephalus spp (small strongyles) and Strongylus and Triodontophorus (large strongyles). The prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode was 89% (95% CI 86, 92) and 1% cestoda (0, 2). The percentage of horses with strongyloid parasites was 89% (86, 92), 11% (8, 14) for Parascaris, and 3% (1, 5) for Oxyuris. The highest prevalence for ascariosis was observed in the youngest horses (<3 years), for oxyurosis in the >10 years animals, and for strongylosis in the 3–10 years ones. Females were significantly more parasitized than males. A negative correlation between the age and the egg-excretion of ascarids and strongyles was recorded. The autochthonous and the English Pure Blood horses were the most parasitized. We concluded that the infections by helminths, especially the strongyloids, are significantly common in the region, so that greater importance should be given to this situation

Clasificación microscópica de las lesiones cutáneas producidas por Hypoderma lineatum

Trabajo presentado a la: XXVII Reunión de la Sociedad Española de Anatomía Patológica Veterinaria. (Barcelona, España, 17 al 19 Junio, 2015).Peer Reviewe

Hispanic Latin America, Spain and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean: A rich source of reference material for public health, epidemiology and tropical medicine

There is a multiplicity of journals originating in Spain and the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (SSLAC) in the health sciences of relevance to the fields of epidemiology and public health. While the subject matter of epidemiology in Spain shares many features with its neighbours in Western Europe, many aspects of epidemiology in Latin America are particular to that region. There are also distinctive theoretical and philosophical approaches to the study of epidemiology and public health arising from traditions such as the Latin American social medicine movement, of which there may be limited awareness. A number of online bibliographic databases are available which focus primarily on health sciences literature arising in Spain and Latin America, the most prominent being Literatura Latinoamericana en Ciencias de la Salud (LILACS) and LATINDEX. Some such as LILACS also extensively index grey literature. As well as in Spanish, interfaces are provided in English and Portuguese. Abstracts of articles may also be provided in English with an increasing number of journals beginning to publish entire articles written in English. Free full text articles are becoming accessible, one of the most comprehensive sources being the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). There is thus an extensive range of literature originating in Spain and SSLAC freely identifiable and often accessible online, and with the potential to provide useful inputs to the study of epidemiology and public health provided that any reluctance to explore these resources can be overcome. In this article we provide an introduction to such resources

Presencia y potencial zoonósico de Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis y Balantioides coli en ungulados en libertad y semilibertad en España

Trabajo presentado al: XXVI Simposio Anual de AVEDILA. Elche, 19-21 noviembre. (2023)Peer reviewe