From LMX to Individual Creativity: Interactive Effect of Engagement and Job Complexity.

This study explores how the quality of leader-member exchange (LMX) is associated with employees' creativity via engagement, and the moderating role of a job characteristic related to knowledge (job complexity) in this relationship. A moderated mediation model was tested on a sample of 320 employees from emergent high-tech and knowledge-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Spain. The results supported an indirect influence of LMX on individual creativity through engagement. Additionally, this study found that job complexity accentuated the impact of engagement on creativity. More importantly, the findings confirmed that the intensity of the LMX-engagement-creativity relationship was moderated by job complexity. That is, the relationship was stronger when job complexity was high. Taken together, this study improves the understanding of the factors that contribute to increased employee creativity, an important outcome for high-tech and knowledge-based SMEs.

Hypervitaminosis D has no positive effects on goat tuberculosis and may cause chronic renal lesions.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence for a link between vitamin D deficiency and active tuberculosis (TB). In human beings, several trials have evaluated the role of vitamin D supplementation in TB treatment with conflicting results. However, the role of vitamin D supplementation in animal TB control has received less attention. The authors evaluated the benefit of vitamin D supplementation for preventing mycobacterial infection or reducing TB lesions (TBL) in a controlled trial with goats naturally exposed to Mycobacterium caprae. METHODS: Two groups of goats, a vitamin D-supplemented group and a non-supplemented control group, were housed for 10 months in direct contact with M caprae-infected adult goats. Upon contact with the infected adult goats, all animals were TB-tested every two months. RESULTS: No experimental evidence of a protective effect of vitamin D supplementation based on M caprae culture prevalence, TBL prevalence, median TBL score or the proportion of single versus multiple organs presenting TBL was observed. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that, in the conditions used in this study, vitamin D supplementation in goats does not reduce TB infection risk nor the diffusion and severity of TBL. In addition, vitamin D-supplemented goats presented hyperphosphataemia and renal injury with calcifications suggestive of vitamin D intoxication.

Response of goats to intramuscular vaccination with heat-killed Mycobacterium bovis and natural challenge.

Caprine TB causes chronic disease with severe economic and health consequences. We assessed the effect of intramuscularly administered heat-inactivated Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) on 20 kid goats (10 vaccinated, 10 controls), naturally exposed to M. caprae through close contact with infected goats. At necropsy, visible TB-compatible lesions were recorded in all animals with the exception of 1 control and 2 vaccinated goats. The median of the total lesion score was 9 (IQR 3-13.5) and 5 (IQR 3-6.75) in control and vaccinated goats, respectively (median lesion reduction 44.4%, p = 0.224). The lung lesions of the vaccinated goats were restricted to the caudal lobes, while 6 controls had additional lung lobes affected (p = 0.01). The median lung lesion score reduction in vaccinated goats was 100%; however, this reduction was not significant (p = 0.124), possibly due to the low sample size. Regarding the abdomen, only one vaccinated goat presented visible lesions compared to three goats in the control group. The results provide further evidence of the potential of heat-inactivated M. bovis for controlling TB in different host species, including ruminants.

Mammalian HP1 Isoforms Have Specific Roles in Heterochromatin Structure and Organization.

HP1 is a structural component of heterochromatin. Mammalian HP1 isoforms HP1α, HP1ß, and HP1γ play different roles in genome stability, but their precise role in heterochromatin structure is unclear. Analysis of Hp1α-/-, Hp1ß-/-, and Hp1γ-/- MEFs show that HP1 proteins have both redundant and unique functions within pericentric heterochromatin (PCH) and also act globally throughout the genome. HP1α confines H4K20me3 and H3K27me3 to regions within PCH, while its absence results in a global hyper-compaction of chromatin associated with a specific pattern of mitotic defects. In contrast, HP1ß is functionally associated with Suv4-20h2 and H4K20me3, and its loss induces global chromatin decompaction and an abnormal enrichment of CTCF in PCH and other genomic regions. Our work provides insight into the roles of HP1 proteins in heterochromatin structure and genome stability.

Oral Vaccination with Heat-Inactivated Mycobacterium bovis Does Not Interfere with the Antemortem Diagnostic Techniques for Tuberculosis in Goats.

Vaccination against tuberculosis (TB) is prohibited in cattle or other species subjected to specific TB eradication campaigns, due to the interference that it may cause with the official diagnostic tests. However, immunization with a heat-inactivated (HI) Mycobacterium bovis vaccine via the oral route has been suggested to overcome this issue. In this study, the main goal was to assess the interference of the HI vaccine by different routes of administration using a previous vaccination and re-vaccination (boosting) protocol. TB-free kid goats were divided into three groups: oral (n = 16), intramuscular (IM; n = 16), and control (n = 16). Results showed that there was a significant difference in the percentage of animals positive to the single intradermal test (SIT) and blood based interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) caused by vaccination when performed in the IM group compared to the oral group (p < 0.001). Nevertheless, no positivity to the SIT or IGRA test was observed in orally vaccinated goats regardless of the different interpretation criteria applied. None of the groups presented positive antibody titers using an in-house ELISA and samples collected 2 months after the boost. These results suggest the potential usefulness of the HI vaccine by the oral route in goats to minimize the interference on diagnostic tests (skin and IGRA tests) and reducing the necessity of defined antigens to replace the traditional purified protein derivatives for diagnosis. Finally, the results pave the way to future efficacy studies in goats using different routes of HI vaccination.

An HP1 isoform-specific feedback mechanism regulates Suv39h1 activity under stress conditions.

The presence of H3K9me3 and heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) are hallmarks of heterochromatin conserved in eukaryotes. The spreading and maintenance of H3K9me3 is effected by the functional interplay between the H3K9me3-specific histone methyltransferase Suv39h1 and HP1. This interplay is complex in mammals because the three HP1 isoforms, HP1α, ß, and γ, are thought to play a redundant role in Suv39h1-dependent deposition of H3K9me3 in pericentric heterochromatin (PCH). Here, we demonstrate that despite this redundancy, HP1α and, to a lesser extent, HP1γ have a closer functional link to Suv39h1, compared to HP1ß. HP1α and γ preferentially interact in vivo with Suv39h1, regulate its dynamics in heterochromatin, and increase Suv39h1 protein stability through an inhibition of MDM2-dependent Suv39h1-K87 polyubiquitination. The reverse is also observed, where Suv39h1 increases HP1α stability compared HP1ß and γ. The interplay between Suv39h1 and HP1 isoforms appears to be relevant under genotoxic stress. Specifically, loss of HP1α and γ isoforms inhibits the upregulation of Suv39h1 and H3K9me3 that is observed under stress conditions. Reciprocally, Suv39h1 deficiency abrogates stress-dependent upregulation of HP1α and γ, and enhances HP1ß levels. Our work defines a specific role for HP1 isoforms in regulating Suv39h1 function under stress via a feedback mechanism that likely regulates heterochromatin formation.

Reconstrucción de partes blandas faciales con colgajos cervicales. Presentación de dos casos / Reconstruction of facial soft parts with cervical flaps. Two cases presentation

La reconstrucción de importantes defectos de partes blandas en la región órbito-maxilo-malar continúa siendo un gran reto para el cirujano. En cirugía reconstructiva, por su parte, hay que abordar dos problemas fundamentales: la recuperación estética y la funcional. Por supuesto que ni el criterio estético ni funcional debe anteponerse al oncológico. En este trabajo se presentaron dos pacientes operados de carcinoma de la glándula parótida, reconstruidos con colgajos cervicales. El primero, con el cérvico-pectoral, y el segundo, con el fascio-cérvico-pectoral. Estos colgajos deberían ser considerados como una de las primeras opciones para reconstruir los defectos en la región maxilofacial, dado su predictibilidad, versatilidad y fácil disección.

The reconstruction of important defects of soft parts in the orbital-maxillary-malar region is still a great challenge for the surgeon. Thus, in reconstructive surgery we have to approach two main problems: esthetic and functional recuperation. Of course, neither the esthetic nor the functional criteria should be placed before the oncological one. In this work we presented the cases of two patients operated of parotid gland carcinoma, reconstructed with cervical flaps; the first one, with the cervico-pectoral flap, and the second with the fascia-cervico-pectoral flap. These flaps should be considered one of the first options for reconstructing the defects of the maxilla-facial region, due to their predictability, versatility and easy dissection.

Impacto bio-psico-social del uso indiscriminado de dispositivos de audio / Bio-Psycho-social impact of the indiscriminate use of audio devices

La sociedad del siglo XXI se caracteriza por un gran desarrollo de la ciencia y las tecnologías y, esto entre otras causas, ha generado un uso indiscriminado de dispositivos de audio que a su vez traen consigo contaminación sonora y repercusiones negativas en la salud del hombre. El objetivo general de esta investigación fue determinar la discapacidad auditiva producida por el uso de dispositivos de audio, entre jóvenes y adolescentes. Se realizó estudio observacional, descriptivo y prospectivo de los pacientes con sintomatología audiológica, que asistieron a las consultas de Otocirugía y Audiología del Hospital Faustino Pérez de Matanzas, entre enero del 2014 a febrero del 2015, y que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, exclusión y salida, además de ajustarse a las consideraciones éticas sobre el tipo de estudio. Se midieron las variables: clínico epidemiológicas, tiempo de uso del dispositivo, grado de lesión, síntomas audiológicos y subjetivos asociados. El grupo más afectado fue el de 20 a 24 años. Los audífonos pequeños generaron mayor daño auditivo, así como la exposición al ruido durante más de 60 min de forma continua y a altas intensidades. Síntomas de la esfera psicoafectiva como la irritabilidad y el insomnio se expresaron con elevada incidencia. Después de ser diagnosticados y tratados, las secuelas audiológicas persistieron necesitando, en algunos casos, la rehabilitación protésica. La educación otoaudiológica es un pilar indispensable en la prevención del trauma acústico inducido por ruidos. Se ofertaron plegables educativos para generalizar los resultados en el nivel primario de atención.

The XXI century society is characterized by a great development of sciences and technologies and this, among other things, has generated an indiscriminate use of audio devices bringing with them a sound contamination and negative repercussion on people´s health. The general aim of this research was determining the hearing disability due to the use of audio devices by young people and teenagers. We carried out a prospective, descriptive, observational study of the patients with audiological symptomatology who assisted the Otosurgery and Audiology consultations of the Hospital Faustino Perez of Matanzas, in the period from january 2014 to february 2015 and fulfilled the inclusion, exclusion and exit criteria, and also adjusted to ethical considerations on the kind of study. The easured variables were: the clinical-epidemiological ones, time of device use, lesion level, associated audiological and subjective symptoms. The most affected age group was the 20-24 years one. The small audiphones are the ones generating more auditory damage, and also the exposition to noise during more than 60 minutes, in a continuous form and at high intensities. There they were appreciated symptoms of the psycho-affective sphere like irritability and insomnia expressed with a high incidence. After being diagnosed and treated, audiological sequels persisted, needing, in some cases, prosthetic rehabilitation. Oto-audiological education is an unavoidable pillar in preventing the noise-induced acoustical trauma. Educative leaflets were given to generalize the outcomes at the primary health care level.

Papilomatosis laríngea recurrente con seguimiento multidisciplinario. A propósito de un caso / Recurrent laryngeal papilomatosis with multidiscipline follow-up. A propos of a case

La papilomatosis laríngea es una enfermedad producida por el virus del papiloma humano, que frecuentemente afecta las cuerdas vocales, la epiglotis, así como las bandas ventriculares, pudiendo extenderse a todo el órgano. La enfermedad tiene un curso impredecible y ha sido reportada la extensión pulmonar y la transformación maligna. En la práctica clínico quirúrgica otorrinolaringológica constituye un reto lograr un manejo adecuado del paciente cuando la evolución tiende a las recidivas. Se presentó el caso de una paciente de 53 años, sin historia conocida de enfermedad anterior, a la que se le diagnosticó papilomatosis laríngea, recibiendo tratamiento con Interferón82b humano recombinante y microcirugías laríngeas. En un período de 4 meses presentó 6 recidivas: las 5 primeras mediando entre ellas de 10 a 15 días, y la sexta se presentó a 1 mes de la anterior. Se enunció la secuencia utilizada para su estudio, incluyendo dosificación de anticuerpos antiinterferón, estudios serológicos buscando concomitancia con otros virus, tipificación viral, dosificación de inmunoglobulinas y complementos. Se realizó, además, una propuesta de seguimiento clínico teniendo en cuenta el grado y estadio de las lesiones. Se evidenció la importancia del manejo multidisciplinario del paciente por inmunólogos, infectólogos, otorrinolaringólogos y foniatras, para una total recuperación.

Laryngeal papillomatosis is a disease produced by the human papillomavirus, frequently affecting the vocal cords, epiglottis, and also the ventricular bands, that may extend to the entire organ. The disease has an unpredictable course and the pulmonary extension and malignant transformation has been reported. In the clinic-surgical otorhinolaryngological practice it is a challenge to achieve an adequate manage of the patient when the evolution tends to recidivisms. The case of a female patient aged 53 years was presented; she had no record of previous disease, and was diagnosed of laryngeal papillomatosis, being treated with human recombinant Interferon82b and laryngeal microsurgeries. In a period of 4 months, she presented 6 recidivisms: the first five of them mediated by 10-15 days, and the 6ths one a month after the precedent. The sequence used for the study was enounced, including the dosage of interferon antibodies, serologic studies searching for concomitance with other viruses, viral typing, dosage of immunoglobulins and complements. Besides that, it was carried out a proposal of clinical follow-up taking into account the lesions status and level. It was evidenced the importance of the multidiscipline management of the patient by immunologists, infection diseases specialists, otolaryngologists and phoniatrists for his/her total recuperation.

[Age discrimination. Point of view of the professionals]. / ¿Se discrimina a los mayores en función de su edad? Visión del profesional.

INTRODUCTION: It is generally believed that legislation is an essential resource in the prevention of discriminatory behaviour against older people. This study first examines the Spanish legislation for potential age discrimination and then uses the C-EVE-D questionnaire to ask professionals in social work and health care settings the extent to what certain ageist behaviours described in the questionnaire are observed in practice. METHODS: The field study was carried out with professionals in geriatrics and gerontology, who are members of Spanish Society for Geriatrics and Gerontology (SEGG). The EVE discrimination questionnaire consists of 28 items which investigate the existence of age discrimination in medical and social care contexts. RESULTS: A total of 174 people (63% women; mean age: 45.6 years) took part in the study, with a mean professional experience of 17.2 years. Doctors made up 59% of the sample, psychologists 19%, with the rest coming from other professions. The first 20 discrimination items of the EVE-D questionnaire were significantly positively reported by more than 60% of the sample. CONCLUSIONS: Although Spanish legislation, from the constitution down to the rules that govern social and health care settings, clearly prohibits any kind of discrimination with regard to age, our results show that Spanish professionals most closely involved in the care of older people perceive both direct and indirect age discrimination. Furthermore, evidence was found of prejudice in the treatment of older people as a phenomenon in day-to-day health and social services care, both when analysing medical cases and, to a greater extent, cases of a more general nature and/or relating to co-existence.

Cirugía conservadora de laringe. Experiencia del Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández. 2005-2012 / Larynx conservative surgery. Experience of the Teaching Clinical Surgical Hospital Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández. 2005-2012

La implementación en Cuba de técnicas quirúrgicas para el tratamiento del cáncer laríngeo con conservación del órgano ha ganado adeptos en los últimos años. La morbilidad por esta entidad en la provincia de Matanzas manifestó una incidencia ascendente en la quinta década de la vida, lo que justifica adoptar posiciones que permitan cambiar el curso de los acontecimientos y restaurar la salud, minimizando la mutilación, el sufrimiento y la sensación de amenaza vital. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue evaluar los resultados obtenidos con las técnicas de cirugía conservadora de laringe en el período comprendido de 2005 al 2012. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de tipo transversal. El universo estuvo constituido por pacientes portadores de cáncer de laringe que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, exclusión y salida. Treinta y cinco pacientes fueron sometidos a cirugía parcial de laringe. Se apreció un predominio de pacientes con cáncer de laringe del sexo masculino, blancos y con edades comprendidas entre 45 y 60 años. Se reiteró la estrecha relación entre el cáncer de laringe y los hábitos tóxicos. El sitio de más frecuente de localización del tumor fue la glotis. El carcinoma de células escamosas es el diagnóstico histopatológico más representado. La técnica quirúrgica más empleada en nuestro centro y la de mejores resultados oncológicos fue la cordectomía. La evolución postquirúrgica fue favorable en un 74,3 %.

The use of surgical techniques for the larynx cancer treatment with that organ conservation has got adepts in the last years in Cuba. Morbidity caused by this entity in the province of Matanzas showed an increasing incidence in the fifth decade of life. It validates the adoption of positions that allow changing the disease course and restoring health, minimizing mutilation, suffering and the sense of life threatening at the same time. The aim of the current research was assessing the results obtained with the larynx conservative technique in the period from 2005 till 2012. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out. The universe was formed by patients with larynx cancer fulfilling the inclusion, exclusion and exit criteria. Thirty-five patients were object of larynx partial surgery. It was appreciated an increase of male, white patients, aged 45-60 years, with larynx cancer. It was stated again the tight relation between larynx cancer and toxic habits. The most common cancer location was the glottis. The squamous cell carcinoma was the most represented histopathologic diagnosis. Cordectomy was the most used surgical technique in our hospital and the one showing the best oncologic results. The postsurgical evolution was favorable in 74.3 % of the cases.

Evaluation of the immunogenicity and diagnostic interference caused by M. tuberculosis SO2 vaccination against tuberculosis in goats.

The immunogenicity and diagnostic interference caused by M. tuberculosis SO2, a prototype vaccine first time tested in goats was evaluated. Tuberculosis-free goats were distributed in four groups: [1], non-vaccinated; [2], subcutaneously (SC) BCG vaccinated; [3], intranasally (IN) SO2 vaccinated and [4], SC SO2 vaccinated. Intradermal tuberculin and IFN-γ tests using PPDs and alternative antigenic cocktails containing mainly ESAT-6 and CFP-10 (E/C) were applied at different times post-vaccination. Results showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in the number of reactors detected using both PPD-based intradermal and IFN-γ tests at different times in all the vaccinated groups. No intradermal reactivity was detected in the vaccinated goats using a cocktail containing E/C, Rv3615c and Rv3020c. A higher overall reactivity was observed in the group [4] in comparison with the other vaccinated groups. Results showed that antigens used to differentiate BCG vaccinated animals could be potentially used to differentiate SO2 vaccinated ones.

Effect of the inoculation site of bovine purified protein derivative (PPD) on the skin fold thickness increase in cattle from officially tuberculosis free and tuberculosis-infected herds.

The official technique for diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) worldwide is the tuberculin skin test, based on the evaluation of the skin thickness increase after the intradermal inoculation of a purified protein derivative (PPD) in cattle. A number of studies performed on experimentally infected or sensitized cattle have suggested that the relative sensitivity of the cervical test (performed in the neck) may vary depending on the exact location in which the PPD is injected. However, quantitative evidence on the variation of the test accuracy associated to changes in the site of inoculation in naturally infected animals (the population in which performance of the test is most critical for disease eradication) is lacking. Here, the probability of obtaining a positive reaction (>2 or 4 millimeters and/or presence of local clinical signs) after multiple inoculations of bovine PPD in different cervical and scapular locations was assessed in animals from five bTB-infected herds (818 cattle receiving eight inoculations) using a hierarchical Bayesian logistic regression model and adjusting for the potential effect of age and sex. The effect of the inoculation site was also assessed qualitatively in animals from four officially tuberculosis free (OTF) herds (two inoculations in 210 animals and eight inoculations in 38 cattle). Although no differences in the qualitative outcome of the test were observed in cattle from OTF herds, a statistically important association between the test outcome and the inoculation site in animals from infected herds was observed, with higher probabilities of positive results when the test was performed in the neck anterior area. Our results suggest that test sensitivity may be maximized by considering the area of the neck in which the test is applied, although lack of effect of the inoculation site in the specificity of the test should be confirmed in a larger sample.

Lack of interference with diagnostic testing for tuberculosis in goats experimentally exposed to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis.

It has been suggested that infection with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, the pathogen responsible for caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), might interfere with diagnostic testing for tuberculosis (TB), due to antigenic similarities between this particular type of bacterium and those expressed by mycobacteria. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether experimental infection with C. pseudotuberculosis in goats impacted on TB testing, using single and comparative intradermal tuberculin (SIT and SCIT respectively) tests and interferon (IFN)-γ assay. No positive reactors were detected among the CLA-affected goats using the SIT/SCIT tests or the interferon IFN-γ assay. A proportion of goats showed inconclusive results to the SIT test and reactions to Mycobacterium avium. There was no evidence that infection with C. pseudotuberculosis interferes with diagnostic testing for TB using standard interpretation of the SIT, SCIT and IFN-γ tests.

Spatial dynamics of bovine tuberculosis in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, Spain (2010-2012).

Progress in control of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is often not uniform, usually due to the effect of one or more sometimes unknown epidemiological factors impairing the success of eradication programs. Use of spatial analysis can help to identify clusters of persistence of disease, leading to the identification of these factors thus allowing the implementation of targeted control measures, and may provide some insights of disease transmission, particularly when combined with molecular typing techniques. Here, the spatial dynamics of bTB in a high prevalence region of Spain were assessed during a three year period (2010-2012) using data from the eradication campaigns to detect clusters of positive bTB herds and of those infected with certain Mycobacterium bovis strains (characterized using spoligotyping and VNTR typing). In addition, the within-herd transmission coefficient (ß) was estimated in infected herds and its spatial distribution and association with other potential outbreak and herd variables was evaluated. Significant clustering of positive herds was identified in the three years of the study in the same location ("high risk area"). Three spoligotypes (SB0339, SB0121 and SB1142) accounted for >70% of the outbreaks detected in the three years. VNTR subtyping revealed the presence of few but highly prevalent strains within the high risk area, suggesting maintained transmission in the area. The spatial autocorrelation found in the distribution of the estimated within-herd transmission coefficients in herds located within distances <14 km and the results of the spatial regression analysis, support the hypothesis of shared local factors affecting disease transmission in farms located at a close proximity.

Relevance of IGFBP2 proteolysis in glioma and contribution of the extracellular protease ADAMTS1.

Expression of IGFBP2 (Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2) has been positively correlated with glioma progression. Although the proteolysis of IGFBP2 has been widely recognized, with consequences as a major modulator of IGFII signaling, the relevance of this post-translational modification has not been well studied in tumors. Using an in vivo proteomic approach by Isotope-Coded Protein Label (ICPL), we identified IGFBP2 as a target of the extracellular protease ADAMTS1 (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin motifs 1). Notably, the proteolytic pattern of IGFBP2 was also detected in human glioma culture cells and, more importantly, in all glioma samples evaluated. In addition, high expression of ADAMTS1 correlates with higher levels of cleaved IGFBP2 in glioblastoma multiforme cases. Using gene expression public databases, we confirmed that IGFBP2 is a poor prognosis marker for gliomas, and we also observed an important contribution of ADAMTS1.Finally, we showed the impact of ADAMTS1 on IGFII-mediated IGF1R phosphorylation and cellular migration. Our results support a functional interaction between IGFBP2 and ADAMTS1 and suggest the need to evaluate post-translational modifications of IGFBP2 in glioma, in order to approach new therapies.

Tonsils of the soft palate do not mediate the response of pigs to oral vaccination with heat-inactivated Mycobacterium bovis.

Mycobacterium bovis causes animal tuberculosis (TB) in cattle, humans, and other mammalian species, including pigs. The goal of this study was to experimentally assess the responses of pigs with and without a history of tonsillectomy to oral vaccination with heat-inactivated M. bovis and challenge with a virulent M. bovis field strain, to compare pig and wild boar responses using the same vaccination model as previously used in the Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa), to evaluate the use of several enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and lateral flow tests for in vivo TB diagnosis in pigs, and to verify if these tests are influenced by oral vaccination with inactivated M. bovis. At necropsy, the lesion and culture scores were 20% to 43% higher in the controls than those in the vaccinated pigs. Massive M. bovis growth from thoracic tissue samples was observed in 4 out of 9 controls but in none of the 10 vaccinated pigs. No effect of the presence or absence of tonsils was observed on these scores, suggesting that tonsils are not involved in the protective response to this vaccine in pigs. The serum antibody levels increased significantly only after challenge. At necropsy, the estimated sensitivities of the ELISAs and dual path platform (DPP) assays ranged from 89% to 94%. In the oral mucosa, no differences in gene expression were observed in the control group between the pigs with and without tonsils. In the vaccinated group, the mRNA levels for chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 7 (CCR7), interferon beta (IFN-ß), and methylmalonyl coenzyme A mutase (MUT) were higher in pigs with tonsils. Complement component 3 mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) increased with vaccination and decreased after M. bovis challenge. This information is relevant for pig production in regions that are endemic for M. bovis and for TB vaccine research.

Bovine tuberculosis: within-herd transmission models to support and direct the decision-making process.

Use of mathematical models to study the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases is becoming increasingly common in veterinary sciences. However, modeling chronic infectious diseases such as bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is particularly challenging due to the substantial uncertainty associated with the epidemiology of the disease. Here, the methodological approaches used to model bTB and published in the peer-reviewed literature in the last decades were reviewed with a focus on the impact that the models' assumptions may have had on their results, such as the assumption of density vs. frequency-dependent transmission, the existence of non-infectious and non-detectable stages, and the effect of extrinsic sources of infection (usually associated with wildlife reservoirs). Although all studies suggested a relatively low rate of within-herd transmission of bTB when test-and-cull programs are in place, differences in the estimated length of the infection stages, sensitivity and specificity of the tests used and probable type of transmission (density or frequency dependent) were observed. Additional improvements, such as exploring the usefulness of contact-networks instead of assuming homogeneous mixing of animals, may help to build better models that can help to design, evaluate and monitor control and eradication strategies against bTB.

Strategic use of serology for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis after intradermal skin testing.

Diagnostic tests based on cell-mediated immunity are used in programmes for eradication of bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis). Serological assays could be applied as ancillary methods to detect infected animals. Our objective was to evaluate two serological techniques: M. bovis Ab Test (IDEXX, USA) and Enferplex™ TB assay (Enfer, Ireland) in animals tested simultaneously with the single and comparative intradermal tests and the interferon-gamma assay. This work was performed at two stages. First, a preliminary panel of samples collected prior to intradermal tests from tuberculosis-free (n=60) and M. bovis-infected herds (n=78) was assayed, obtaining high specificity: 100% (M. bovis Ab Test) and 98.3% (Enferplex TB assay) but low sensitivity (detection of M. bovis infected animals): 23.9% (M. bovis Ab Test) and 32.6% (Enferplex TB assay). Subsequently, the use of serological techniques was further studied in two herds with M. bovis infection (n=77) using samples collected prior to, and 72 h and 15 days after PPD inoculation. The highest level of detection of infected animals for serology was achieved at 15 days post-intradermal tests taking advantage of the anamnestic effect: 70.4% and 85.2% in herd A, and 66.7% and 83.3% in herd B, using M. bovis Ab Test and Enferplex TB assay, respectively. Quantitative results (average values obtained with M. bovis Ab Test ELISA and degree of positivity obtained with Enferplex TB assay) were higher in animals showing lesions compatible with tuberculosis. No significant differences were observed in the number of confirmed infected animals detected with either serological technique.