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Biomedical subjects

J F Gutiérrez

Publications and source records attributed to J F Gutiérrez.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Bovine piroplasms in Minorca (Balearic Islands, Spain): a comparison of PCR-based and light microscopy detection.

The present study provides the first epidemiological data regarding infection by Theileria and Babesia piroplasms in cattle in Minorca. More than 94% of the studied animals were positive for the presence of Theileria sp., and of those, 41.3% were positive for the presence of Theileria annulata. These results indicate that the prevalence of Mediterranean theileriosis caused by T. annulata is very high in Minorcan dairy farms and that other Theileria sp. are also present in the area. The prevalence of infection was similar throughout the study indicating an endemic situation in this island. The use of PCR resulted in significantly higher efficacy of detection of Theileria sp. compared to microscopical observation (MO) of blood smears and allowed the specific discrimination between pathogenic and non-pathogenic theilerias which cannot be accomplished by traditional diagnosis by MO. Babesia infection in the area was mainly due to Babesia bigemina (6.0% of the studied animals were infected), while one animal (0.75%) was found to be infected by Babesia bovis. It was observed that 31% of animals infected with B. bigemina had a concurrent infection of T. annulata. PCR also resulted in a significantly higher efficacy of detection of Babesia sp. compared to MO when infection levels were higher, towards the end of the study period. The results clearly demonstrate that parasitic infection by piroplasms, especially Theileria sp. is common and endemic in the island of Minorca and that PCR is the optimal approach for the detection and discrimination of these important parasites.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Brain mitochondrial complex I inactivation by oxidative modification.

In vitro oxidation of the brain mitochondrial complex I by the hydroxyl radical generating system ascorbate/Fe(III)/O(2) has been carried out. Complex I inactivation, by oxidation, has been studied using a method based on the resolution of proteins by blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE), followed by total protein quantification by staining with Coomassie brilliant blue, in-gel activity quantification, and quantification of oxidized proteins by labelling with DIG-hydrazide and immunodetection with an anti-DIG-AP. Quantification was carried out by densitometry procedure. Our results show that oxidation is a continuous process, increasing rapidly at the beginning, reaching a plateau after 8 h of incubation. There is practically no inactivation until a threshold value of damage is reached. Below this, the complex activity is resistant to the aggression of oxygen-reactive substances and free radicals, but once the threshold value is passed, activity is lost rapidly.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Seroprevalence of Babesia ovis in sheep in Catalonia, northeastern Spain.

An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was developed in order to detect antibodies against Babesia ovis in different sheep flocks from Catalonia, northeastern Spain. Of the total 2174 sera included in the study, 133 (6.1%) were positive. Considerable differences in seroprevalence were detected depending on the geographical areas from which the animals originated. This must have been a consequence of the presence or absence of the vector tick, Rhipicephalus bursa, the distribution of which depends upon the bioclimate and vegetation present in the different areas studied. Even within those areas which afford suitable conditions for the presence of Rh. bursa ticks, and therefore in which positive titres were found, great differences in seroprevalence were detected among different flocks.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Seroprevalence of Babesia ovis in Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) in Catalonia, northeastern Spain.

A serologic survey was carried out in order to detect antibodies against Babesia ovis in a large population of Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) from a hunting reserve in Catalonia, northeastern Spain. For this purpose, an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was developed using a B. ovis isolate of ovine origin as antigen. Of the total 475 sera tested, 155 (32.6%) showed titres between 1:160 and 1:1280 and were considered positive. These results reveal that exposure of Spanish ibex to B. ovis is common in the studied area. No significant differences could be detected when comparing season or year of capture and age or sex of the animals in positive and negative samples. A high proportion of low titres was found in comparison to those reported by other researchers in sheep in Spain; this could be a consequence of the existence of some minor antigenic differences between B. ovis of domestic sheep and that found in Spanish ibex.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1998

Seroprevalence of Babesia ovis in mouflon sheep in Spain.

A serological survey detected antibodies against Babesia ovis in mouflon sheep (Ovis musimon) from two different reserves located in Catalonia in northeastern Spain. An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was developed using a B. ovis isolate of ovine origin as the antigen. Of 50 sera tested, six (12%) showed titres between 1:160 and 1:640 and were considered positive. These results indicate that exposure of mouflon to Babesia ovis is common in this region.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Isolation of the trichomonad Tetratrichomonas buttreyi (Hibler et al., 1960) Honigberg, 1963 in bovine diarrhoeic faeces.

A trichomonad was found in the faeces of a heifer with watery diarrhoea. It was classified as Tetratrichomonas buttreyi according to its morphology as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. This flagellate was successfully maintained in a cysteine-peptone-liver medium. It is, to our knowledge, the first report of Tetratrichomonas buttreyi in Spain. This trichomonad appears to be a nonpathogenic commensal which often proliferates in fluid faeces.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Prevalence of sarcoptic mange in fattening pigs sacrificed in a slaughterhouse of northeastern Spain.

A study was conducted in fattening pigs from NE Spain to determine the prevalence of sarcoptic mange. Pigs were sacrificed in a slaughterhouse in the province of Barcelona (Catalonia, NE Spain) in November 1990, April 1991, and October 1991. From 7906 pigs slaughtered on those dates, 818 ear scrapings were taken. The survey results indicate that 276 (33.7%) of 818 pigs sampled from 58 (86.6%) of 67 herds were positive for Sarcoptes scabiei (De Geer). The presence of Sarcoptes-induced skin lesions was examined in 816 pigs. Of the 660 pigs showing skin lesions, 244 (37.0%) were positive for mites. A sucrose flotation-concentration method was more effective than a direct examination technique to detect S. scabiei mites.

Abattoirs↗