Virological and serological characterization of vaccinated and non-vaccinated piglet subpopulations coming from vaccinated and non-vaccinated sows.

The present study describes the virological and serological profiles of PCV2 vaccinated (V) and non-vaccinated (NV) piglet subpopulations coming from V and NV sows in a PCV2 subclinically infected farm. Four hundred seventy-six piglets born from V or NV sows were further subdivided in a total of four groups: NV sows-NV pigs (NV-NV), NV sows-V pigs (NV-V); V sows-NV pigs (V-NV) and V sows-V pigs (V-V). Seventy-five pigs were randomly selected at the beginning of the trial from each group and they were bled at 4, 8, 12, 16, 21 and 25 weeks of age. All animals included in the trial were weighed at 4 and 25 weeks of age and their average daily weight gain (ADWG) was calculated. Serum samples obtained at different time points were used to assess PCV2 infection (viremia) and the level of antibodies by means of immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA) against this pathogen. IPMA titers (classified in high, medium or low) and PCR results (positive or negative) were analyzed using a multiple correspondence and K-means cluster analysis. According to these tests, animals included in the study were classified into the following four clusters: (1) 93 piglets that were viremic mainly from 12 to 25 weeks of age and with PCV2 antibody titers increasing over time; (2) 75 piglets with late PCV2 infection and seroconversion (later than 16 weeks of age); (3) 26 piglets with high but decreasing PCV2 antibody titers and low percentages of PCV2 PCR positive serum samples; and (4) 105 piglets with medium and high IPMA titers throughout the trial and sporadic PCR positive samples. The defined subpopulations of piglets were observed in all experimental groups (NV-NV, NV-V, V-NV and V-V) although in variable percentages. Thus, animals from clusters 1 and 2 belonged mainly to the NV-NV and V-NV groups and animals from clusters 3 and 4 were distributed mainly into the NV-V and V-V groups. Finally, the ADWG of pigs belonging to clusters 3 and 4 was significantly higher (p=0.02) than that of pigs belonging to clusters 1 and 2. Within each cluster, no statistically significant differences were found in ADWG between treatment groups.

Humoral response and colostral antibody transfer following 'one-dose' pre-mating vaccination of sows against porcine circovirus type-2.

The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) DNA and antibody to the virus in the serum and colostrum of sows vaccinated prior to mating and in their offspring. Seventy-seven sows were randomly distributed into vaccinated (V, n=36) and non-vaccinated (NV, n=41) groups. One week before mating, sows were given a PCV2 vaccine (V group) or PBS (NV group) IM. Blood samples were taken from the sows at fixed time-points and colostrum samples were taken at farrowing. Blood samples were also taken from the piglets of the sows at 4 weeks of age. The results indicated that vaccination prior to mating elicited a strong, homogeneous humoral response and, in consequence, more homogeneous colostral PCV2 antibody concentrations.

Risk factors associated with pleuritis and cranio-ventral pulmonary consolidation in slaughter-aged pigs.

Examination of lung lesions at the slaughterhouse is a useful tool to estimate the importance of respiratory disease at farm, regional or national level. The objective of the present work was to describe the prevalence of gross lung lesions at slaughter, with a special focus on pleuritis and cranio-ventral pulmonary consolidation, and to identify major risk factors for these lesions. Data from 107 farms involving approximately 11,000 pigs enabled gross lung lesions to be correlated with serology to different swine respiratory pathogens as well as with production system characteristics and vaccination schedules. Pleuritis and cranio-ventral pulmonary consolidation lesions were recorded in 26.8% and 55.7% of slaughter-aged pigs, respectively. Among lungs with pleuritis, 50.1% had lesions compatible with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) infection. Antibodies to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRSV), three subtypes (H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2) of swine influenza virus (SIV), App and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo) were highly prevalent (>82%) in most of the farms. In a multivariable analysis, it was estimated (R(2)=0.40) that the percentage of animals with pleuritis compatible with App infection depended on the existence of an all in-all out by room management system and App and PRRSV herd seroprevalence. Moreover, it was possible to foresee (R(2)=0.59) that cranio-ventral pulmonary consolidation lesions (EP-like lesions) were affected by the type of farm ventilation, the presence of respiratory symptoms during the fattening period and Mhyo and SIV H1N2 herd seroprevalence.

Tratamiento fisioterápico en el anciano con fracturas osteoporóticas / Physiotherapeutic treatment in the elderly with osteoporotic fractures

La osteoporosis, epidemia silenciosa del siglo xxi, afecta a gran parte de la población, ocasionando múltiples problemas sociosanitarios. Ante este problema de salud, se requiere la actuación conjunta de todo el equipo multidisciplinar, entendiendo por tal el trabajo de todo el personal sanitario, el entorno familiar del paciente y el propio individuo, que es la parte fundamental del equipo, por lo que no podemos olvidar la necesidad de educar y aconsejar al paciente sobre su patología en todas las fases de ésta. La actuación debe hacerse a todos los niveles, tanto en la prevención como en el tratamiento, donde tendrán especial relevancia las fracturas osteoporóticas, complicación más grave de esta patología

Osteoporosis, the silent plague of xxi century affects the majority of population, causing various social and health problems. With regard to its health problems combined effors are required, that is, the efford of hospital staff, the patient’s environment and the patient, who is the main part of the equipment. For this reason, we must not forget the importance of educating and advising the patient about his illness in all its stages. The action will be carried out in all different levels as in prevention of it as in its treatment, where the bone fractures will have a special relevance, the most serious stage of this pathology

[An epidemiological study of dental health in a population of pensioners]. / Estudio epidemiológico de la salud dental en una población de jubilados.

OBJECTIVE: To find the health status of teeth and mouths among a pensioner population drawn from the Autonomous Community of Madrid. SETTING: The study was performed on 491 retired people over 56 and belonging to Madrid's Tetuan district. Data were recorded on indexes in line with WHO-established procedures. DESIGN: An epidemiological observation study of a crossover type was carried out. RESULTS: 52.8% of the patients never brushed their teeth. 90.6% did not regularly attend the dentist. 62.1% used the dentist as an emergency service. 57.8% of teeth had been lost. 28.3% of patients were toothless. The group under study had a 12.35 CAOD. Only 5% had a healthy periodontal status. CONCLUSIONS: The mouth and teeth hygiene of this population group is very precarious. Preventive measures must be applied to help maintain life-long oral health.