RESUMEN
The European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) is a mesocarnivore species widely distributed in Europe, from Eastern Europe to Portugal and from Scotland to Italy. Recent biogeographical studies of wildcat populations have endeavoured to assess in detail the various issues that pose a threat to this species, including hybridization with domestic cats. The use of non-invasive sampling methods supported by photo-trapping and some attractants has made it possible to gather genetic material for the detection of native wildcats in locally threatened populations, some of which live in the Iberian Peninsula. Testimonies of naturalists, hunters and farm workers led our team to choose specific areas in two large territories of Mediterranean forests where the presence of wildcats has been historically attested: the Almonte River basin and the Sierra de San Pedro Mountains. Between 2014 and 2018, non-invasive hair sampling was performed using valerian (Valeriana officinalis) as an attractant and supported by photo-trapping to guarantee the collection of genuine biological material (hair samples). The hair samples were genetically assessed by sequencing the nuclear gene IRBP (interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein) and the mtDNA gene ND4 (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4). Despite the low density of wildcats, this combined protocol proved to be an applicable tool for detecting the presence of elusive wildcats and other mesocarnivore species in this remote region of southern Europe. In addition, non-invasive hair trapping contributes to the collection of genetic material from current wildcat populations. This procedure could enhance future management actions focused on collecting quality individualized biological material.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Evaluation of biologic therapy response is vital to monitor its effectiveness. Authors have proposed various response criteria including good responder, super-responder, non-responder, and clinical remission. OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the prevalence of response and clinical remission after long-term treatment (>6 months) of anti-IgE and anti-IL-5/IL-5Rα biologics, compare these results with existing criteria, and identify predictors for non-responders and clinical remission. METHODS: A multicenter, real-life study involving severe asthma patients in Spain. Various outcomes were assessed to gauge response and clinical remission against established criteria. RESULTS: The study included 429 patients, 209 (48.7%) omalizumab, 112 (26.1%) mepolizumab, 19 (4.4%) reslizumab and 89 (20.7%) benralizumab, with a mean treatment duration of 55.3±38.8 months. In the final year of treatment, 218 (50.8%) were super-responders, 173 (40.3%) responders, 38 (8.9%) non-responders, and clinical remission in 116 (27%), without differences among biologics. The short-term non-responders (<6 months) were 25/545 (4.6%). Substantial variations in response and clinical remission were observed when applying different published criteria. Predictors of non-response included higher BMI (OR:1.14; 95% CI:1.06-1.23; p<0.001), admissions at ICU (2.69; 1.30-5.56; p=0.01), high count of SAE (1.21; 1.03-1.42; p=0.02) before biologic treatment. High FEV1% (0.96; 0.95-0.98; p<0.001), a high ACT score (0.93; 0.88-0.99; p=0.01) before biologic treatment or NSAID-ERD (0.52; 0.29-0.91; p=0.02) showed strong associations with achieving clinical remission. CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of severe asthma patients treated long-term with omalizumab or anti-IL5/IL-5Rα achieved a good response. Differences in response criteria highlight the need for harmonization in defining response and clinical remission in biologic therapy to enable meaningful cross-study comparisons.