Presence of Bartonella Species in Wild Carnivores of Northern Spain

ABSTRACTThe genusBartonellawas detected by PCR in 5.7% (12/212) of wild carnivores from Northern Spain. Based on hybridization and sequence analyses,Bartonella henselaewas identified in a wildcat (Felis silvestris),Bartonella rochalimaein a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and in a wolf (Canis lupus), andBartonellasp. in badgers (Meles meles).

Download Full-text

Occurrence and genetic diversity of piroplasms and other apicomplexa in wild carnivores

Parasitology Open ◽

10.1017/pao.2016.4 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

J. F. BARANDIKA ◽

A. ESPÍ ◽

B. OPORTO ◽

A. DEL CERRO ◽

M. BARRAL ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Abundant Species ◽

Meles Meles ◽

Domestic Animals ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Ixodid Ticks ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Northern Spain ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Wild Carnivores ◽

Pcr Targeting

SUMMARYTick-borne apicomplexan haemoparasites infect wild and domestic animals, but studies on their distribution among free-living animals are comparatively fewer. Tissues from 241 wild carnivores of eight Mustelidae, two Canidae, one Viverridae and one Felidae species were collected in Northern Spain, and analysed by real-time PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene and sequencing.Babesia vulpes(formerly known asTheileria annae) was the only piroplasm detected in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Badgers (Meles meles) were shown to harbour two novelBabesiasp. sequence types (A and B) that only shared 96.7% homology between them and were closely related (ca. 97–98%) to, but distinct fromB. vulpesand other babesia from carnivores. Analysis of PCR-derived sequences also revealed the presence ofCystoisosporasp. andHepatozoonsp. in badgers and showed that wild cats (Felis silvestris catus) were infected withCytauxzoonsp. Forty-two per cent of the animals subjected to a detailed external examination were parasitized by ixodid ticks, beingIxodes hexagonusandIxodes ricinusthe most abundant species. This study provided novel data on the different haemoparasites that can infect European wild carnivores and showed that they can be hosts for a range of haemoparasites and pose a potential risk for transmission to domestic animals.

Download Full-text

Helminths of Wild Predatory Mammals of Ukraine. Nematodes

Vestnik Zoologii ◽

10.1515/vzoo-2017-0026 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 51 (3) ◽

pp. 187-202 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

E. I. Varodi ◽

A. M. Malega ◽

Y. I. Kuzmin ◽

V. V. Kornyushin

Keyword(s):

Canis Lupus ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Red Fox ◽

Nematode Species ◽

Lynx Lynx ◽

Felis Silvestris ◽

Forest Zone ◽

The North ◽

Comprehensive Information ◽

The Family

Abstract The article summarizes information on the nematodes parasitic in wild Carnivora of Ukraine. Totally, 50 species of nematodes are known to parasitise carnivorans in the country, 30 species were registered in the present study. Nematodes were found in 14 species of examined hosts from the families Canidae, Mustelidae and Felidae. Maximum diversity of nematodes of carnivorans was observed in Polissia (forest zone in the north of the country) and in Kherson Region in the south. Hosts from the family Canidae harboured 19 nematode species; studied species of the Mustelidae were infected with 15 nematode species, 6 of them were also found in Canidae. The wildcat (Felis silvestris Schreber) and the lynx (Lynx lynx Linnaeus) harboured only two species of nematodes, both are specific parasites of these hosts. The most comprehensive information concerns the nematode communities of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus) and the wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeus), with 19 and 9 nematode species found, correspondingly. From 1 to 6 nematode species were found in other species of carnivorans.

Download Full-text

Pathology of Urinary Bladder in Pearsonema spp. Infected Wildlife from Central Italy

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10040474 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 474

Author(s):

Claudia Eleni ◽

Alessia Mariacher ◽

Goffredo Grifoni ◽

Elena Cardini ◽

Sara Tonon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Canis Lupus ◽

Red Fox ◽

Central Italy ◽

Meles Meles ◽

Pathological Examination ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Eosinophilic Cystitis ◽

Wildlife Species ◽

Domestic Carnivores

The genus Pearsonema, in the nematode family Capillariidae, includes several species that parasitize the urinary bladders of wild and domestic carnivores. The infection has been reported worldwide from several wildlife species, including canids, mustelids, and felids, but the pathological aspects have seldom been investigated. In order to assess the presence and severity of the lesions in Pearsonema-infected wildlife, we performed a parasitological and pathological examination of urinary bladders from 72 animals, belonging to the families Canidae (red fox Vulpes vulpes, n = 28, and wolf Canis lupus, n = 29) and Mustelidae (beech marten Martes foina, n = 3; pine marten Martes martes, n = 2; and European badger Meles meles, n = 10). A greater prevalence of infection for canids (64.91%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 52.52–77.30%) than for mustelids (13.33%) (p < 0.001) was recorded. The prevalence of infection in red foxes was 75.0% (95% CI, 58.96–91.04%), in accordance with other reports from European countries, supporting the role of this species as a reservoir for infection. Eosinophilic cystitis was observed in 34 out of the 72 examined animals (47.22%). The influence of Pearsonema sp. infection on the occurrence of eosinophilic cystitis was statistically significant in wolves (p < 0.01), which were also affected by more severe histological lesions compared to foxes.

Download Full-text

Why are companies still struggling to reach higher continuous improvement maturity levels? Empirical evidence from high performance companies

The TQM Journal ◽

10.1108/tqm-11-2013-0123 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 316-327 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Daniel Jurburg ◽

Elisabeth Viles ◽

Carmen Jaca ◽

Martin Tanco

Keyword(s):

Continuous Improvement ◽

Measurement System ◽

High Performance ◽

Basque Country ◽

Holistic Approach ◽

Special Focus ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Northern Spain ◽

Content Type ◽

High Performing

Purpose – Continuous improvement (CI) is regarded as a powerful approach to achieve business excellence. However, the implementation is not simple as it involves managing a considerable amount of tangible and intangible factors throughout the whole organization. The purpose of this paper is to fill the gap by presenting first-hand information about how companies really implement and organize their CI processes. Design/methodology/approach – The study was based on semi-structured interviews in ten high performing companies in the Basque Country, a region in northern Spain well known for its business quality. The objective was to analyze the state of their CI processes, putting special focus on how the organizational structure integrates with the CI processes and what are the characteristics of the corresponding measurement system. Findings – The study shows a lack of company-wide focus on CI, little written evidence of previous improvement activities, unclear improvement process owner, and poor use of adequate measurement systems to monitor CI. Practical implications – Managers should understand that is not enough to guarantee their own commitment and provide the structure, since in order to become learning organization, a different holistic approach towards the CI process must be adopted. Originality/value – While most previous work on this field have focused primarily on how to implement different techniques in order to achieve better productive performance, this study presents empirical research from a more holistic approach, assessing the characteristics affecting CI by considering strategy, structure, and the measurement system.

Download Full-text

Adaptation of gltA and ssrA assays for diversity profiling by Illumina sequencing to identify Bartonella henselae, B. clarridgeiae and B. koehlerae

Journal of Medical Microbiology ◽

10.1099/jmm.0.001400 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 70 (7) ◽

Author(s):

Rosemonde Isabella Power ◽

Nichola Elisa Davies Calvani ◽

Yaarit Nachum-Biala ◽

Harold Salant ◽

Shimon Harrus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Illumina Sequencing ◽

Type Species ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Sanger Sequencing ◽

Bartonella Henselae ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Mixed Infections ◽

Accurate Identification ◽

Content Type ◽

Link Type

Introduction. Bartonellosis is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Bartonella . Mixed Bartonella infections are a well-documented phenomenon in mammals and their ectoparasites. The accurate identification of Bartonella species in single and mixed infections is valuable, as different Bartonella species have varying impacts on infected hosts. Gap Statement. Current diagnostic methods are inadequate at identifying the Bartonella species present in mixed infections. Aim. The aim of this study was to adopt a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) approach using Illumina sequencing technology to identify Bartonella species and demonstrate that this approach can resolve mixed Bartonella infections. Methodology. We used Illumina PCR amplicon NGS to target the ssrA and gltA genes of Bartonella in fleas collected from cats, dogs and a hedgehog in Israel. We included artificially mixed Bartonella samples to demonstrate the ability for NGS to resolve mixed infections and we compared NGS to traditional Sanger sequencing. Results. In total, we identified 74 Ctenocephalides felis, two Ctenocephalides canis, two Pulex irritans and three Archaeopsylla e. erinacei fleas. Real-time PCR of a subset of 48 fleas revealed that twelve were positive for Bartonella , all of which were cat fleas. Sanger sequencing of the ssrA and gltA genes confirmed the presence of Bartonella henselae , Bartonella clarridgeiae and Bartonella koehlerae . Illumina NGS of ssrA and gltA amplicons further confirmed the Bartonella species identity in all 12 flea samples and unambiguously resolved the artificially mixed Bartonella samples. Conclusion. The adaptation and multiplexing of existing PCR assays for diversity profiling via NGS is a feasible approach that is superior to traditional Sanger sequencing for Bartonella speciation and resolving mixed Bartonella infections. The adaptation of other PCR primers for Illumina NGS will be useful in future studies where mixed bacterial infections may be present.

Download Full-text

Temporal and geographical variation in skull size of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) in Austria

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society ◽

10.1111/j.1095-8312.2012.02028.x ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 108 (3) ◽

pp. 579-585 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Yoram Yom-Tov ◽

Shlomith Yom-Tov ◽

Frank E. Zachos

Keyword(s):

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Geographical Variation ◽

Red Fox ◽

Meles Meles ◽

Skull Size ◽

Eurasian Badger

Download Full-text

Isolation and phylogenetic analysis of Bartonella species from wild carnivores of the suborder Caniformia in Japan

Veterinary Microbiology ◽

10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.07.012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 161 (1-2) ◽

pp. 130-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Shingo Sato ◽

Hidenori Kabeya ◽

Tatsuya Miura ◽

Kazuo Suzuki ◽

Ying Bai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Bartonella Species ◽

Wild Carnivores

Download Full-text

Prevalence of Cefotaxime-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates from Healthy Cattle and Sheep in Northern Spain: Phenotypic and Genome-Based Characterization of Antimicrobial Susceptibility

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.00742-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 86 (15) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maitane Tello ◽

Medelin Ocejo ◽

Beatriz Oporto ◽

Ana Hurtado

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽

Basque Country ◽

Northern Spain ◽

Content Type ◽

E Coli ◽

Extended Spectrum ◽

Cattle Herds ◽

Cattle And Sheep

ABSTRACT In order to estimate herd-level prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase/AmpC β-lactamase (ESBL/AmpC)- and carbapenemase-producing commensal Escherichia coli in ruminants in the Basque Country (northern Spain), a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2014 to 2016 in 300 herds using selective isolation. ESBL-/AmpC-producing E. coli was isolated in 32.9% of dairy cattle herds, 9.6% of beef cattle herds, and 7.0% of sheep flocks. No carbapenemase-producing E. coli was isolated. Phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility determined by broth microdilution using EUCAST epidemiological cutoff values identified widespread coresistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and other antimicrobials (110/135 isolates), particularly tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and ciprofloxacin. All isolates were susceptible to tigecycline, imipenem, meropenem, and colistin. The genomes of 66 isolates were sequenced using an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 and screened for antimicrobial resistance determinants against ResFinder and PointFinder. The plasmid/chromosomal locations of resistance genes were predicted with PlasFlow, and plasmid replicons were identified using PlasmidFinder. Fifty-two acquired resistance genes and point mutations in another four genes that coded for resistance to 11 antimicrobial classes were identified. Fifty-five genomes carried ESBL-encoding genes, blaCTX-M-14 being the most common, and 11 carried determinants of the AmpC phenotype, mostly the blaCMY-2 gene. Additionally, genes coding for β-lactamases of the CTX-M group 9 were detected as well as the sporadic presence of blaSHV-12, blaCMY-4, and a point mutation in the ampC promoter. Only a bovine isolate coharbored more than one ESBL/AmpC genetic determinant (blaCTX-M-14 and a mutation in the ampC promoter), confirming its ESBL- and AmpC β-lactamase-producing phenotype. Most ESBL/AmpC genes were located in IncI1 plasmids, which also carried a great variety of other antimicrobial resistance genes. IMPORTANCE Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and AmpC β-lactamase (AmpC)-producing E. coli isolates have emerged in recent years as some of the fastest spreading antimicrobial resistance determinants in humans and food-producing animals, becoming a concern for animal and public health. This study provided insight into the prevalence of cefotaxime-resistant E. coli in cattle and sheep in the Basque Country and the associated genetic determinants of antimicrobial resistance. These constituted an important contribution to the limited repository of such data for cattle in the region and for sheep worldwide. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by phenotypic and molecular methods is key in surveillance programs to enhance early detection of resistance development, monitor resistance trends, and provide guidance to clinicians in selecting the adequate therapy.

Download Full-text