ELISA for detection of variant rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus RHDV2 antigen in liver extracts.

The emergence and rapid spread of variant of the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV2) require new diagnostic tools to ensure that efficient control measures are adopted. In the present study, a specific sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of RHDV2 antigens in rabbit liver homogenates, based on the use of an RHDV2-specific monoclonal antibody (Mab) 2D9 for antigen capture and an anti-RHDV2 goat polyclonal antibody (Pab), was developed. This ELISA was able to successfully detect RHDV2 and RHDV2 recombinant virions with high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (97.22%). No cross-reactions were detected with RHDV G1 viruses while low cross-reactivity was detected with one of the RHDVa samples analyzed. The ELISA afforded good repeatability and had high analytical sensitivity as it was able to detect a dilution 1:163,640 (6.10ng/mL) of purified RHDV-N11 VLPs, which contained approximately 3.4×108molecules/mL particles. The reliable discrimination between closely related viruses is crucial to understand the epidemiology and the interaction of co-existing pathogens. In the work described here we design and validate an ELISA for laboratory based, specific, sensitive and reliable detection of RHDVb/RHDV2. This ELISA is a valuable, specific virological tool for monitoring virus circulation, which will permit a better control of this disease.

Fast specific field detection of RHDVb.

This work describes a simple and rapid test for field detection of the emerging rabbit pathogen RHDVb. The assay is specific for RHDVb, showing no cross-reactivity with other RHDV types giving a specific result in under 10 min using rabbit liquid exudates or liver homogenate samples taken at necropsy.

Repercusión familiar de la enfermedad de Alzheimer / FAmily repercussions due to Alzheimer disease

Se valora la repercusión (física, psíquica, familiar y socioeconómica) del cuidado de un paciente con Alzheimer en sus familiares, mediante un estudio descriptivo, basado en entrevistas al cuidador principal y cuestionarios autocumplimentados al resto de familiares. El perfil del cuidador principal (CP) es el de una mujer, cónyuge del enfermo/a y con edad media de 64,5 años. El 14,7% percibe algún sueldo por el cuidado del enfermo. La autopercepción de su estado de salud es peor en los CP que en los demás, igual que la sensación de sobrecarga. También la presencia de ansiedad y depresión. Las relaciones sociales y laborales son consideradas bastante o muy afectadas por el 21,8 y el 21,4% respectivamente. Un 30,3% cree afectadas negativamente las relaciones intrafamiliares

The authors evaluate the physical, psychological, family relations effects and socio-economic repercussions that the care of a patient suffering Alzheimer has on his/her relatives by means of a descriptive study based on interviews with the main care-taker and self-administered questionnaires filled in by the rest of the patient´s family. Teh main caretaker profile is a woman who is the spouse of patient and has an average age of64.5 years. 14.7% receive some payment for the care of the patient. The main caretaker´s self-perception of her state of health is worse than that of other family members; furthermore, she has a greater sensation of being overloaded. Anxiety and depression are also present. Social and working relationship are considered to be sufficiently, or very, affected by 21.8% and 21.4% of the caretakers respectively. 30.3% believe their intrafamily relationships are negatively affected