[Evaluation of the validity of Ag PANBIO-COVID19 in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in asymptomatic or mildly infected patients]. / Evaluación de la validez del Ag PANBIO-COVID19 de Abbott en el diagnóstico de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes asintomáticos o con infección leve.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity of SARS-CoV-2 Antigen (Ag) detection for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in mildly infected or asymptomatic patients. METHODS: Observational study to evaluate diagnostic tests. Non-hospitalized patients with indication for diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. The diagnostic test to be evaluated was the determination of Ag and as a reference standard to determine the presence of viral RNA the RT-PCR was used. RESULTS: A total of 494 patients were included. Of these 71.5% (353/494) had symptoms and 28.5% (141/494) were asymptomatic (presurgery screening (35/494) and confirmed case-contact (106/494). The overall sensitivity of the Ag test was 61.1% and the specificity was 99.7%. The sensitivity and specificity in the asymptomatic group were 40% and 100% respectively, and in the symptomatic group 63.5% and 99.6% respectively. In turn, the sensitivity and specificity in the group of symptomatic patients varied according to the time of symptom evolution: in patients with recent symptoms, they were 71.4% and 99.6% respectively, while in patients with symptoms of more than 5 days of evolution, they were 26.7% and 100% respectively. In all groups studied, the presence of antigen is associated with a high viral load (Ct<30 cycles). CONCLUSIONS: The use of Ag detection test is not indicated for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in asymptomatic patients or with symptoms of more than 5 days of evolution, but it could be useful in patients with symptoms of 1-5 days of evolution.

Altered endothelial dysfunction-related miRs in plasma from ME/CFS patients.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex disease characterized by unexplained debilitating fatigue. Although the etiology is unknown, evidence supports immunological abnormalities, such as persistent inflammation and immune-cell activation, in a subset of patients. Since the interplay between inflammation and vascular alterations is well-established in other diseases, endothelial dysfunction has emerged as another player in ME/CFS pathogenesis. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) generates nitric oxide (NO) that maintains endothelial homeostasis. eNOS is activated by silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1), an anti-inflammatory protein. Despite its relevance, no study has addressed the Sirt1/eNOS axis in ME/CFS. The interest in circulating microRNAs (miRs) as potential biomarkers in ME/CFS has increased in recent years. Accordingly, we analyze a set of miRs reported to modulate the Sirt1/eNOS axis using plasma from ME/CFS patients. Our results show that miR-21, miR-34a, miR-92a, miR-126, and miR-200c are jointly increased in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls. A similar finding was obtained when analyzing public miR data on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Bioinformatics analysis shows that endothelial function-related signaling pathways are associated with these miRs, including oxidative stress and oxygen regulation. Interestingly, histone deacetylase 1, a protein responsible for epigenetic regulations, represented the most relevant node within the network. In conclusion, our study provides a basis to find endothelial dysfunction-related biomarkers and explore novel targets in ME/CFS.

H2A.Z overexpression suppresses senescence and chemosensitivity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most intractable and devastating malignant tumors. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and histone modification regulate tumor initiation and progression. However, the contribution of histone variants in PDAC is unknown. Here, we demonstrated that the histone variant H2A.Z is highly expressed in PDAC cell lines and PDAC patients and that its overexpression correlates with poor prognosis. Moreover, all three H2A.Z isoforms (H2A.Z.1, H2A.Z.2.1, and H2A.Z.2.2) are highly expressed in PDAC cell lines and PDAC patients. Knockdown of these H2A.Z isoforms in PDAC cell lines induces a senescent phenotype, cell cycle arrest in phase G2/M, increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor CDKN2A/p16, SA-ß-galactosidase activity and interleukin 8 production. Transcriptome analysis of H2A.Z-depleted PDAC cells showed altered gene expression in fatty acid biosynthesis pathways and those that regulate cell cycle and DNA damage repair. Importantly, depletion of H2A.Z isoforms reduces the tumor size in a mouse xenograft model in vivo and sensitizes PDAC cells to gemcitabine. Overexpression of H2A.Z.1 and H2A.Z.2.1 more than H2A.Z.2.2 partially restores the oncogenic phenotype. Therefore, our data suggest that overexpression of H2A.Z isoforms enables cells to overcome the oncoprotective barrier associated with senescence, favoring PDAC tumor grow and chemoresistance. These results make H2A.Z a potential candidate as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for PDAC.

Curcumin induces p53-independent inactivation of Nrf2 during oxidative stress-induced apoptosis.

The transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) is a master regulator of a battery of antioxidant and detoxificant genes with cytoprotective function. Since Nrf2 inactivation is necessary for the complete execution of apoptosis in the presence of extensive cellular damage caused by oxidative stress, constant activation of Nrf2 may protect tumoral cells from apoptosis. The tumor suppressor gene p53 has been suggested to participate in apoptosis-related repression of Nrf2. Thus, we studied the inactivation of Nrf2 during oxidant-induced apoptosis in a p53 dysfunctional cellular model. Using curcumin dose-response assay and time-response assay in an immortalized lymphoblastoid cell line (control line 45), we observed a time-dependent increase in apoptotic markers such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation, phosphatidylserine exposure, and caspase-3, caspase-9 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP) cleavage. Interestingly, at early times of exposure to a proapoptotic dose of curcumin (15 µM), we observed nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 and the expression of Nrf2 target genes, whereas at late exposure times we found a reduction of total and nuclear protein levels of Nrf2 as well as downregulation of Nrf2 target genes in the absence of p53 activation. These data suggest that apoptosis-related inactivation of Nrf2 could occur in a p53 dysfunctional background, opening the possible occurrence of p53-independent mechanism to explain Nrf2 inactivation during apoptosis.

mTORC1 Prevents Epithelial Damage During Inflammation and Inhibits Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer Development.

Epithelial cells lining the intestinal mucosa constitute a selective-semipermeable barrier acting as first line of defense in the organism. The number of those cells remains constant during physiological conditions, but disruption of epithelial cell homeostasis has been observed in several pathologies. During colitis, epithelial cell proliferation decreases and cell death augments. The mechanism responsible for these changes remains unknown. Here, we show that the pro-inflammatory cytokine IFNγ contributes to the inhibition of epithelial cell proliferation in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) by inducing the activation of mTORC1. Activation of mTORC1 in response to IFNγ was detected in IECs present along the crypt axis and in colonic macrophages. mTORC1 inhibition enhances cell proliferation, increases DNA damage in IEC. In macrophages, mTORC1 inhibition strongly reduces the expression of pro-inflammatory markers. As a consequence, mTORC1 inhibition exacerbated disease activity, increased mucosal damage, enhanced ulceration, augmented cell infiltration, decreased survival and stimulated tumor formation in a model of colorectal cancer CRC associated to colitis. Thus, our findings suggest that mTORC1 signaling downstream of IFNγ prevents epithelial DNA damage and cancer development during colitis.

Auditoría de oxígenoterapia de pacientes hospitalizados en establecimientos del Servicio de Salud Talcahuano / Audit on oxygen therapy in hospitalized patients from Public Health Service of Talcahuano, Chile

El oxígeno (O2) es una de las drogas más utilizadas en clínica, su uso no está exento de riesgos. Existen guias internacionales para su uso, pero en nuestro medio no sabemos si se aplican. Nuestro objetivo fue describir la forma en que se utiliza y controla la oxígenoterapia en los 3 hospitales de la red del Servicio de Salud Talcahuano. Aplicamos una encuesta un día de agosto de 2016 a los pacientes hospitalizados en las instituciones de la red que recibían O2 en ese momento. Se recolectaron datos sobre la prescripción, administración y seguimiento de la terapia de O2. De los 381 pacientes auditados, un 13,7% recibía oxígenoterapia. Los diagnósticos más frecuentes fueron de causa respiratoria (46,15%) y cardiológica (25%). La indicación la dio un médico en 88,5% de los casos y en un 3,8% no había registro. En un 17,3% de los pacientes no había fundamento para la indicación. Se indicó una dosis fija en el 75% con una meta de SaO2 en el 50%, siendo naricera y máscara de Venturi los métodos de administración más frecuentes monitorizándose con oximetría de pulso en los hospitales menos complejos y gasometría arterial en el hospital terciario. La duración media de la oxígenoterapia fue de 7,8 días. Habiendo un buen fundamento y control de la oxígenoterapia aún no se indican metas a obtener. No hay un buen registro de la indicación ni de los cambios realizados. Creemos útil la realización periódica de este tipo de control para optimizar su uso evitando los potenciales efectos adversos en los pacientes.

Abstract Oxygen is a commonly used drug in clinics and its use must be judicious. There are guidelines for oxygen therapy but we ignore if these are respected in our country. We conducted an audit of oxygen therapy by applying a survey to 381 patients in the three hospitals of Talcahuano Public Health Service. The day of the audit 13.7% of the hospitalized patients were on oxygen, most of them with respiratory (46.15%) or cardiovascular (25%) diseases. Indication of O2 administration was given by a physician in 88.5% and there was not registry in 3.8% of the cases. There was not foundation for supplying O2 in 13.3% of patients. A fixed dose was indicated in 75% of cases and 50% had an oximetry value as a target. Oxygen was administered in most of the cases by nasal prongs and Venturi masks. Monitoring was based on pulse oximetry in the less complex hospitals and on arterial blood gases in the tertiary hospital. 100% of patients at urgency ward were receiving a different dose from that indicated at their admission time and none of them had a registry of the new dose. Mean duration of therapy was 7.8 days. We believe our results might represent what is going on with oxygen therapy in our country; having a good foundation and monitoring, we still don t use targets and there is a bad system of registry. We think that it would be advisably to carry out audits on oxygen therapy at national level on regular basis.

14-3-3 Proteins regulate Akt Thr308 phosphorylation in intestinal epithelial cells.

Akt activation has been associated with proliferation, differentiation, survival and death of epithelial cells. Phosphorylation of Thr308 of Akt by phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) is critical for optimal stimulation of its kinase activity. However, the mechanism(s) regulating this process remain elusive. Here, we report that 14-3-3 proteins control Akt Thr308 phosphorylation during intestinal inflammation. Mechanistically, we found that IFNγ and TNFα treatment induce degradation of the PDK1 inhibitor, 14-3-3η, in intestinal epithelial cells. This mechanism requires association of 14-3-3ζ with raptor in a process that triggers autophagy and leads to 14-3-3η degradation. Notably, inhibition of 14-3-3 function by the chemical inhibitor BV02 induces uncontrolled Akt activation, nuclear Akt accumulation and ultimately intestinal epithelial cell death. Our results suggest that 14-3-3 proteins control Akt activation and regulate its biological functions, thereby providing a new mechanistic link between cell survival and apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells during inflammation.

Determination of fatty acid profile in ram spermatozoa and seminal plasma.

Fatty acids are important in male reproductive function because they are associated with membrane fluidity, acrosome reaction, sperm motility and viability, but limited information exists about the fatty acid profile of ram semen. Our aim was to determine the fatty acid composition in ram spermatozoa and seminal plasma. Sixty ejaculates were obtained from three ram (20 ejaculates/ram) using artificial vagina. Ram spermatozoa (RS) and seminal plasma (SP) were separated using centrifugation, and the fatty acids were analysed by gas chromatography. Total lipids obtained in ram spermatozoa were 1.8% and 1.6% in seminal plasma. Saturated fatty acid (SFA) was proportionally major in SP (66.6%) that RS (49.9%). The highest proportions of SFA corresponded to C4:0 (RS = 16.3% and SP = 28.8%) and C16:0 (RS = 16.3% and PS = 20%). The most important unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) was docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), 44.9% in RS and 31.5% in SP. The profile of fatty acid and their proportions showed differences between spermatozoa and seminal plasma.

Sperm traits in farmed and wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar.

Differences in sperm metabolism and morphology between wild and non-local farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar were assessed by measuring metabolic enzyme activities and length of sperm flagella. No differences were observed between wild and farmed S. salar sperm with regards to cell counts or any of the biochemical variables assessed. Flagella of sperm cells were significantly longer in wild than farmed S. salar; however, this did not result in higher energy levels or different fertilization rates.

Monitoring acute phase proteins in retrovirus infected cats undergoing feline interferon-ω therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Recombinant feline interferon-ω therapy is an immunomodulator currently used in the treatment of different retroviral diseases including feline immune deficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus. Although its mechanism of action remains unclear, this drug appears to potentiate the innate response. Acute phase proteins are one of the key components of innate immunity and studies describing their use as a monitoring tool for the immune system in animals undergoing interferon-ω therapy are lacking. This study aimed to determine whether interferon-ω therapy influences acute phase protein concentrations namely serum amyloid-A, α-1-glycoprotein and C-reactive protein. METHODS: A single-arm study was performed using 16 cats, living in an animal shelter, naturally infected with retroviruses and subjected to the interferon-ω therapy licensed protocol. Samples were collected before (D0), during (D10 and D30) and after therapy (D65). Serum amyloid-A and C-reactive protein were measured by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits and α-1-glycoprotein by single radial immunodiffusion. RESULTS: All the acute phase proteins significantly increased in cats undergoing interferon-ω therapy (D0/D65: P<0·05) CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Acute phase proteins appear to be reasonable predictors of innate-immune stimulation and may be useful in the individual monitoring of naturally retroviral infected cats undergoing interferon-ω therapy.

Fc gamma receptor IIa-H131R polymorphism and malaria susceptibility in sympatric ethnic groups, Fulani and Dogon of Mali.

It has been previously shown that there are some interethnic differences in susceptibility to malaria between two sympatric ethnic groups of Mali, the Fulani and the Dogon. The lower susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum malaria seen in the Fulani has not been fully explained by genetic polymorphisms previously known to be associated with malaria resistance, including haemoglobin S (HbS), haemoglobin C (HbC), alpha-thalassaemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Given the observed differences in the distribution of FcγRIIa allotypes among different ethnic groups and with malaria susceptibility that have been reported, we analysed the rs1801274-R131H polymorphism in the FcγRIIa gene in a study of Dogon and Fulani in Mali (n = 939). We confirm that the Fulani have less parasite densities, less parasite prevalence, more spleen enlargement and higher levels of total IgG antibodies (anti-CSP, anti-AMA1, anti-MSP1 and anti-MSP2) and more total IgE (P < 0.05) compared with the Dogon ethnic group. Furthermore, the Fulani exhibit higher frequencies of the blood group O (56.5%) compared with the Dogon (43.5%) (P < 0.001). With regard to the FcγRIIa polymorphism and allele frequency, the Fulani group have a higher frequency of the H allele (Fulani 0.474, Dogon 0.341, P < 0.0001), which was associated with greater total IgE production (P = 0.004). Our findings show that the FcγRIIa polymorphism might have an implication in the relative protection seen in the Fulani tribe, with confirmatory studies required in other malaria endemic settings.

Oral Recombinant Feline Interferon-Omega as an alternative immune modulation therapy in FIV positive cats: clinical and laboratory evaluation.

Recombinant-Feline Interferon-Omega (rFeIFN-ω) is an immune-modulator licensed for use subcutaneously in Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV) therapy. Despite oral protocols have been suggested, little is known about such use in FIV-infected cats. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical improvement, laboratory findings, concurrent viral excretion and acute phase proteins (APPs) in naturally FIV-infected cats under oral rFeIFN-ω therapy (0.1 MU/cat rFeIFN-ω PO, SID, 90 days). 11 FIV-positive cats were treated with oral rFeIFN-ω (PO Group). Results were compared to previous data from 7 FIV-positive cats treated with the subcutaneous licensed protocol (SC Group). Initial clinical scores were similar in both groups. Independently of the protocol, rFeIFN-ω induced a significant clinical improvement of treated cats. Concurrent viral excretion and APP's variation were not significant in the PO Group. Oral rFeIFN-ω can be an effective alternative therapy for FIV-infected cats, being also an option for treatment follow-up in cats submitted to the licensed protocol.

Identification of fatty acids in canine seminal plasma.

Seminal plasma contains various biochemical components associated with sperm function. However, there is limited information regarding the fatty acid composition of seminal plasma and their effect on sperm. The aim of this study was to identify the fatty acid content in canine seminal plasma using gas chromatography. Twelve ejaculates were studied, the seminal plasma was obtained by centrifugation and then the lipids were extracted, methylated and analysed by chromatography. The total lipids in the seminal plasma were 2.5 ± 0.3%, corresponding to 85% saturated fatty acids (SFA) and 15% unsaturated fatty acids (UFA). The greatest proportions of SFA were palmitic acid (30.4%), stearic acid (23.4%) and myristic acid (5.3%) and of UFA oleic acid (9.0%). Therefore, the protocols and techniques used enabled the identification of 18 different fatty acids in canine seminal plasma, which constitutes a good method to evaluate and quantify the fatty acid profile in this species.

A prime-boost vaccination of mice with attenuated Salmonella expressing a 30-mer peptide from the Trichinella spiralis gp43 antigen.

Protection against Trichinella infections has been achieved using various parasite antigens and adjuvants. Recently, we reported that immunization of mice with an attenuated Salmonella strain displaying a 30-mer peptide (residues 210-239) from the Trichinella spiralis gp43 antigen using the ShdA autotransporter induced partial protection against T. spiralis infection. To improve the efficacy of vaccination, we used the MisL autotransporter system to display the Ts30mer peptide on the surface of Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium in combination with a prime-boost vaccination strategy. This vector and immunization regimen induced superior protection against T. spiralis when compared to our previously reported approach. Data presented herein showed a significant reduction in adult worm and muscle larvae burdens, high IgG titers, and increased production of intestinal mucus with entrapped adult worms. This prime-boost vaccination scheme is a suitable strategy to elicit enhanced protective immunity against T. spiralis.

Composición de ácidos grasos (MUFA y CLA) en tejido muscular de bovino relacionado con la presencia del polimorfismo g.878TC en el gen SCD / Fatty acid composition (MUFA and CLA) in bovine muscle tissue related with the presence of the g.878TC SCD gene polymorphism

El tejido muscular de muchos animales domésticos es fuente de proteínas, grasa y minerales para los seres humanos y está compuesto por una serie de estructuras que le otorgan propiedades nutricionales y bioquímicas. En los ultimos años se ha identificado un polimorfismo de único nucleótido (SNP) en el gen SCD (g.878TC), que influye sobre la composición de ácidos grasos en los bovinos. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la presencia del SNP g.878TC en músculo Longissimus dorsi de bovino (Bos taurus) por medio de la técnica PCR-RFLP. Fue utilizada una muestra de 100 novillos de raza Aberdeen Angus criados y sacrificados en la Región de La Araucanía (Chile). La frecuencia genotípica del polimorfismo fue de: 0,33 para TT, 0,43 para TC y 0,24 para el genotipo CC. La frecuencia alélica fue de 0,54 para el alelo T y 0,63 para el alelo C. De acuerdo a la composición de ácidos grasos, se determinó que existe una relación positiva entre el genotipo CC y el contenido de ácidos grasos MUFA y CLA presentes en el músculo Longissimus dorsi de novillos Angus. Por lo tanto, el SNP g.878TC podría ser considerado como un marcador genético para la selección de animales Aberdeen Angus, con una composición de ácidos grasos más saludable...

The muscle tissue of many domestic animals is a source of protein, fat and minerals to humans and consists of a series of structures that give nutritional and biochemical properties. In recent years it has identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the SCD gene (g.878TC), which influences the fatty acid composition in cattle. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of SNP g.878TC in Longissimus dorsi bovine (Bos taurus) using the PCR-RFLP. It was used a sample of 100 Aberdeen Angus steers raised and slaughtered in the region of Araucania (Chile). Polymorphism genotype frequency were: 0.33 for TT, 043 for CT and 0.24 for the CC genotype. The allelic frequency was 0.54 for the T allele and 0.63 for allele C. According to the fatty acid composition was determined that a positive relationship between genotype CC and the content of MUFA and CLA fatty acids present in the Longissimus dorsi muscle of Angus steers. Therefore, the SNP g.878TC could be considered as a genetic marker for selection of animals Aberdeen Angus, with a fatty acid composition more healthy...

Detección del polimorfismo en el gen del receptor de melatonina (MT1) en la oveja criolla Araucana / Detection of MT1 melatonin receptor gene polymorphism (MT1) in the Araucana creole sheep

La melatonina es una hormona que regula los ciclos circadianos y muchos de los aspectos reproductivos de los mamíferos y es secretada por la glándula pineal en las horas de ausencia de luz. Esta hormona posee receptores de alta afinidad acoplados a proteínas de tipo G, denominados MT1. Un polimorfismo de la secuencia que codifica para estos receptores estaría involucrado en el control de la reproducción estacional de los ovinos. El propósito de este estudio busca determinar la presencia del polimorfismo del receptor MT1 en la oveja criolla Araucana, un ovino local en el que se ha registrado un corto anestro reproductivo. Para poder realizar este trabajo se utilizó la técnica denominada reacción en cadena de la polimerasa para polimorfismo en el tamaño de los fragmentos de restricción PCR-RFLP, para lo cual, se obtuvieron muestras de ADN genómico de 50 ovejas Araucanas, las cuales fueron digeridas con la endonucleasa de restricción Mnl1. Se logró identificar la presencia del polimorfismo del receptor MT1 en la oveja Araucana. Los genotipos se hallaron en una frecuencia de 68 por ciento para el genotipo +/+, 28 por ciento para el genotipo +/- y4 por ciento para el genotipo -/-. Este alto porcentaje de animales con genotipo +/+ podría explicar el corto anestro reproductivo que presenta esta raza.

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates circadian rhythms and many of the reproductive aspects of mammals and is secreted by the pineal gland during the hours of absence of light. This hormone has high affinity receptors coupled to G-like proteins, termed MT1. A polymorphism of the sequence coding for these receptors was involved in the control of seasonal reproduction in sheep. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of MT1 receptor polymorphism in Araucana creole sheep, a local breed with a short reproductive anestrus. To carry out this work, we used a technique called polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment lengh polymorphism PCR-RFLP, for which samples were obtained from genomic DNA of 50 Araucana sheep, which were digested with Mnl1 restriction endonuclease. It was possible to identify the presence of MT1 receptor polymorphism in Araucana sheep. The genotypes were found in a genotype frequency of 68 percent for genotype + / +, 28 percent for genotype + / - y4 percent for genotype - / -. This high percentage of animals with genotype + / + could explain the short reproductive anestrus featuring this breed.

Use of morphometric variables for differentiating spanish hound breeds / Uso de variables morfométricas para la diferenciación de razas de sabueso español

The term Podencos refers to a group of dog breeds from Spain and classification in Group 5 of dog breeds by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). The aim of this study was to compare traits morphometric breeds of Podencos; Canario, Ibecenco, Andaluz (small, medium and large) and Orito. Ten morphometric variables were measured in 385 animals (245 females and 140 males), head length, muzzle length, height at withers, rump height, body length, head width, rump width, chest depth, chest girth and the shin circumference. Morphostructural variables were more homogeneous in the Podenco Ibicenco and the Podengo Canario, because for many years there were gradually distinctive trait standards for each breed. The discriminate analysis indicated morphostructural differences between all breeds, as reflected in the significant Mahalanobis distance, and confirmed that the hound Orito may be accepted as a different dog population.

El término Podencos se refiere a un grupo de razas de perros originarios de España y clasificados en el grupo 5 de razas caninas por la Federación Cinológica Internacional (FCI). El objetivo del presente trabajo fue comparar caracteristicas morfométricas de las razas caninas de Podencos; Canario, Ibecenco, Andaluz (pequeño, medio y grande) y Orito. Se midieron diez variables morfométricas en 385 animales (245 hembras y 140 machos); longitud de la cabeza, la longitud hocico, altura a la cruz, alzada a la grupa, la longitud del cuerpo, ancho de la cabeza, ancho de la grupa, la profundidad del pecho, la circunferencia del pecho y la circunferencia de la caña. Las variables morfoestructurales fueron más homogéneas en el Podenco Ibicenco y el Podenco Canario, porque por muchos años fueron fijados gradualmente los rasgos distintivos para los estandares de cada raza. El análisis discriminante manifestó diferencias morfoestructurales entre todas las razas, lo que se refleja en la significativa distancia de Mahalanobis, y confirmó que el podenco Orito puede ser aceptado como una población de perros diferentes.