LEISHMANIA INFANTUM INFECTION IN BENNETT'S WALLABIES (MACROPUS RUFOGRISEUS RUFOGRISEUS) IN A SPANISH WILDLIFE PARK.

Although dogs are the main reservoir for human Leishmania infantum infection, the disease has also been reported in other domestic and wild mammals. In 2011, a fatal case of naturally acquired leishmaniosis was described for the first time in a Bennett's wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus) kept in a wildlife park in Madrid (Spain). This study was designed to assess the infection status of twelve Bennett's wallabies in the same park one year after this incident. Phlebotomus perniciosus, the main vector of L. infantum in Spain, was screened for using sticky and Centers for Disease Control miniature light traps. L. infantum infection was confirmed by molecular diagnosis in four animals, but only one wallaby returned a positive serology result. The presence of the sand fly vector was also confirmed in this habitat. These results suggest that the first case of L. infantum in a wallaby in this park was not an isolated incident and stress the need for further work to determine the role of this parasite in the morbidity and mortality of these macropods. Madrid was recently the scene of an outbreak of human cutaneous and visceral leishmaniosis. Epidemiological studies have so far revealed the widespread presence of L. infantum infection in animals other than the dog. Our ongoing work suggests a risk of L. infantum infection not only among captive animals in Madrid, but also among threatened species or even species that are already extinct in the wild.

Epidemiology of sarcoptic mange in free-ranging vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna): a cross-sectional study in Andean highland communities in Peru.

Sarcoptic mange or scabies is a contagious parasitic skin disease that affects a wide range of domestic and wildlife species. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence, molecular identification, and characteristics of sarcoptic mange in vicuñas. A total of 3,274 vicuñas were examined. Following ritual harvesting events ("chaccus") in 13 Andean communities. The presence of mange mites was determined by the skin scraping technique and confirmed by PCR analysis using specific primers for the ITS2 gene of Sarcoptes scabiei. The presence of mange mites was also confirmed by microscopy using samples taken from wallows. A data collection form was used to register the characteristics of the vicuñas sampled. The prevalence of sarcoptic mange was 4.9% (95% CI: 4.1 - 5.6%). All samples from wallows tested positive (9/9). Importantly, the presence of the species S. scabiei was molecularly confirmed. Adult females with regular body condition were more susceptible to sarcoptic mange, although the lesions were mild. This study confirms the presence of S. scabiei in semi-captive vicuñas and points to the possible role of wallows in the dissemination of Sarcoptes mites.

Clot migration in patients treated with tenecteplase versus alteplase before mechanical thrombectomy.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to describe and analyze the rate of clot migration of vessel thrombosis to distal segments in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who received intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with tenecteplase (TNK) and alteplase (ALT) before mechanical thrombectomy (MT). In addition, we aimed to determine the relationship between thrombus migration and functional prognosis. METHODS: This study followed the STROBE reporting guidelines. We performed a retrospective analysis of a series of patients from November 2017 to April 2023 with an AIS with thrombosis on CT imaging, treated with IVT (TNK or ALT, split into two distinct groups) prior to mechanical thrombectomy. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-six patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) were included. Ninety-six had received TNK. One hundred and sixty had received ALT. Of the 96 TNK patients, 25 experienced either complete recanalization (n = 3) or thrombus migration (n = 22). Of the 160 ALT patients, 20 experienced either complete recanalization (n = 6) or thrombus migration (n = 14). The difference being statistically substantial for the thrombus migration rate (OR = 3.61, 95% confidence interval: 1.63; 7.98). Migration to an irretrievable very distal segment occurred in four (4%) patients with TNK and in three patients (2%) with ALT (p > 0.05). Thrombus migration was not significantly associated to a different functional prognosis, measured through Rankin scale after 3 months (OR = 0.44, 95% confidence interval: 0.17; 1.12). CONCLUSION: The use of TNK over ALT as a fibrinolytic agent is associated with a higher thrombus migration rate. The migration of thrombi to distal segments, which are theoretically less accessible for mechanical thrombectomy, did not result in worse clinical outcomes.

Vitrification of caprine secondary and early antral follicles as a perspective to preserve fertility function.

The present study aimed to evaluate the structure, survival and development of isolated caprine (secondary-SEC and early antral-EANT) follicles, after vitrification in the presence of synthetic polymers and in vitro culture. Additionally, transzonal projections (TZPs) and p450 aromatase enzyme were evaluated. After isolation, SEC and EANT follicles were in vitro cultured for six days or vitrified. After one week, SEC and EANT follicles were warmed and also in vitro cultured for six days. Data revealed that the percentage of morphologically normal follicles was similar between fresh and vitrified follicles in both follicular categories and antrum formation rate was similar between fresh and vitrified SEC follicles. Fluorescence by calcein-AM did not show difference between fresh and vitrified (SEC and EANT) follicles, however, the trypan blue test showed low viability for vitrified follicles. The integrity of TZPs was not affected between fresh and vitrified SEC follicles, however, in vitrified EANT follicles, there were signs of TZPs loss. Regarding steroidogenic function, it was observed a positive staining for p450 aromatase enzyme in fresh and vitrified SEC and EANT follicles. It was concluded that SEC follicles seem to be more resistant to vitrification than EANT follicles, as shown by the trypan blue test and TZPs assay. Future studies may confirm this hypothesis, in order to consolidate the use of SEC and EANT follicles as an alternative to ovary cryopreservation.

Tumoración mamaria en paciente joven no siempre es benigna / Breast lump in young patient is not always benign

Las tumoraciones en la mama son una de las patologías más prevalentes en las consultas de Atención Primaria desde la adolescencia hasta la vejez. El cáncer de mama es una patología que actualmente supone la causa más frecuente de cáncer en la mujer. Creemos necesario la correcta realización de una historia clínica en Atención Primaria y la utilización de herramientas para mejorar el diagnóstico y agilizar la consulta. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 17 años que acude a la consulta de Atención Primaria por aumento de densidad en la parte superior de la mama izquierda de 3 meses de evolución cuyo diagnóstico final fue un carcinoma ductal infiltrante

Breast masses are one of the most prevalent diseases in Primary care consultations from adolescence to old age. Breast cancer is currently the most frequent cancer in women. We deem it necessary to take a proper medical history and to use tools to improve diagnosis and streamline consultations. We present the case of a 17-year-old woman who consults her primary care physician for an increased density in the upper left breast for 3 month after onset, whose final diagnosis was infiltrating ductal carcinoma

Comprehensive serological analysis of two successive heterologous vaccines against H5N1 avian influenza virus in exotic birds in zoos.

In 2005, European Commission directive 2005/744/EC allowed controlled vaccination against avian influenza (AI) virus of valuable avian species housed in zoos. In 2006, 15 Spanish zoos and wildlife centers began a vaccination program with a commercial inactivated H5N9 vaccine. Between November 2007 and May 2008, birds from 10 of these centers were vaccinated again with a commercial inactivated H5N3 vaccine. During these campaigns, pre- and postvaccination samples from different bird orders were taken to study the response against AI virus H5 vaccines. Sera prior to vaccinations with both vaccines were examined for the presence of total antibodies against influenza A nucleoprotein (NP) by a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Humoral responses to vaccination were evaluated using a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. In some taxonomic orders, both vaccines elicited comparatively high titers of HI antibodies against H5. Interestingly, some orders, such as Psittaciformes, which did not develop HI antibodies to either vaccine formulation when used alone, triggered notable HI antibody production, albeit in low HI titers, when primed with H5N9 and during subsequent boosting with the H5N3 vaccine. Vaccination with successive heterologous vaccines may represent the best alternative to widely protect valuable and/or endangered bird species against highly pathogenic AI virus infection.

Pulchrosoma pulchrosoma (Trematoda: Cathaemasiidae) in ringed kingfishers (Megaceryle torquata torquata) from Iquitos, Peru: with inferences on life-cycle features.

In the winter of 2001, four Ringed kingfishers (Megaceryle torquata torquata) were imported from Iquitos, Peru for the zoological garden Faunia in Madrid. Two individuals were necropsied, and infections by the digenean trematode Pulchrosoma pulchrosoma were discovered inside granulomas located in the lung, trachea and coelomic cavity. The life cycle of this trematode species is unknown. In one case the host maintained the parasite infection for at least 5 months, which represents a relatively long prepatency period. Moreover, the body locations in the hosts may suggest that the parasite is able to actively cross the lungs from the coelomic cavity to propagate.