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Biomedical subjects

Manuel Morales

Publications and source records attributed to Manuel Morales.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Ocular lesions associated with Trypanosoma evansi in experimentally infected goats.

Ocular lesions associated with Trypanosoma spp. infection have been described in man and many animal species. However, loss of vision has not been demonstrated in humans presenting Chagas disease or in animals affected by different trypanosome species. In order to assess the possible ocular disorders caused by Trypanosoma evansi infection, six goats were inoculated with 1 x 10(5) T. evansi and maintained for 12 months and four goats were used as control. The inoculated animals became positive at serological and parasitological tests at 1-month post-inoculation and showed a subclinical course of the disease. Unilateral superficial corneal ulceration and retinochoroiditis were observed in two inoculated animals. Data from ocular neurologic examination and electroretinography showed no significant differences between inoculated and non-inoculated goats. It could be concluded that Trypanosoma evansi can produce ocular lesion but without apparent loss of vision in goats.

Animals↗

Trypanosomosis in goats: current status.

Trypanosomosis is a major constraint on ruminant livestock production in Africa, Asia, and South America. The principal host species affected varies geographically, but buffalo, cattle, camels, and horses are particularly sensitive. Natural infections with Trypanosoma congolense, T. vivax, T. brucei, and T. evansi have been described in goats. Trypanosomosis in goats produces acute, subacute, chronic, or subclinical forms, being T. vivax, T. congolense, and T. evansi, the most invasive trypanosomes for goats. However, the role of goats in the epidemiology of trypanosomosis is largely discussed and not well understood. Thus, it has commonly been assumed that trypanosomosis presents a subclinical course and that goats do not play an important role in the epidemiology of the disease. This can partially be due to parasitemia caused by trypanosomes which has been considered low in goats. However, this assumption is currently undergoing a critical reappraisal because of goats may also serve as a reservoir of trypanosome infection for other species, including the human beings in the case of T. brucei rhodesiense. The present article describes the current status of trypanosomosis in goats in Africa, Asia, and South America. Pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of the different trypanosomes are also described. The possible role in the epidemiology of the disease in the different areas is also discussed.

Animals↗

Biofilm: the microbial "bunker" for intravascular catheter-related infection.

Catheter-related infection in cancer patients remains an important health-care problem with major financial implications. During the last few years a better understanding of the pathogenesis of catheter-related infections and the interaction between microorganisms and catheter surfaces has emerged. Recently the influence of biofilm formation in catheter-related infections has been established. The development of biofilm by the colonizing microbes permits attachment of the organisms to the vascular access device and confers resistance to antibiotics and host defense mechanisms. Strategies to overcome the development of biofilm are being developed to prevent catheter- and other medical device-related infections.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

Normative data and reliability for a Spanish version of the verbal Selective Reminding Test.

The purpose of this paper was to extend the use of the verbal Selective Reminding Test to the Spanish-speaking population. Since valid and reliable tests, with appropriate norms are essential for an adequate assessment of cognitive functioning, in this study we provide normative data collected from 329 Spanish-speaking individuals for a Spanish version of the test. Age, gender and education effects were analyzed. In addition, the reliability of the test was also investigated. The adequacy of these norms to people from other Spanish-speaking countries is discussed. In addition to the measures typically reported, we have included three new indices.

Adolescent↗

Performance of serological tests for Trypanosoma evansi in experimentally inoculated goats.

Natural Trypanosoma evansi infection in the Canary Islands has only been diagnosed in the camel population, but dissemination of the disease in other hosts has not been excluded. The objective of this work was to assess the performance of serological antibody tests in experimentally inoculated goats. Five Canarian goats were inoculated intravenously with at least 1 x 10(5) T. evansi. The animals were kept for 8 months and checked monthly for the presence of the parasite and specific antibodies. The serological tests investigated were the direct card agglutination test CATT/T. evansi and the indirect card agglutination test LATEX/T. evansi. All animals became positive in the CATT/T. evansi 1 month post-infection and remained positive with a minimum end-titer of 1/4. Similar results were obtained with the LATEX/T. evansi, although at lower end-titers (1/2). We conclude that CATT/T. evansi is adequate for assessing infection of Canarian goats by T. evansi.

Agglutination Tests↗

Simultaneous PCR detection of ica cluster and methicillin and mupirocin resistance genes in catheter-isolated Staphylococcus.

Recent data show that more than 50% of catheter-associated bloodstream infections are caused by staphylococci. Staphylococcal infections produced by intercellular-adhesion cluster (ica) carriers can be even more problematic due to the presence of methicillin and mupirocin resistance genes. In the present study, a multiplex PCR protocol that allows the simultaneous identification of staphylococci and detection of both the ica and methicillin and/or mupirocin resistance genes was developed. Furthermore, the method allows differential detection of the ica locus from Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Base Sequence↗

Reliability and normative data for the Benton Visual Form Discrimination Test.

Visuoperceptual disorders are a common consequence of brain disease. The Visual Form Discrimination Test is a task designed to assess the ability to make fine visual discriminations. Although its validity to assess the visuoperceptual impairments in patients with different neurological conditions has been well established, the normative data base for the test has remained small. The clinical use of the test has been limited by the scanty normative data available. Thus, with the aim of assisting the clinicians in interpreting more accurately the performances of their patients we investigated the test-retest reliability of the Benton's VFDT and also provide normative data obtained on a sample of 397 healthy individuals.

Adolescent↗

Discrimination of normal from demented elderly on a Spanish version of the verbal Selective Reminding Test.

The verbal Selective Reminding Test (vSRT) is a frequently used test for evaluating verbal learning and memory. In the present study we investigated the construct validity of a Spanish version of the vSRT by determining its ability to distinguish between a group of healthy elderly subjects and a group of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Further validation of the test was assessed by comparing the pattern of memory deficits found in the group of patients with DAT with findings from previous neuropsychological research concerning with memory impairments in English-speaking patients with Alzheimer's disease. Analyses revealed that the test was able to differentiate normal individuals from patients with DAT. In addition the pattern of memory functioning found in the group of patients with DAT was consistent with findings of previous experimental and clinical reports. These results support the construct validity of the Spanish version of the vSRT.

Aged↗

Radiological findings in three cases of paraxial radial hemimelia in goats.

Hemimelia is a congenital abnormality characterized by the absence of a portion of the normal structures in a limb. Hemimelia is classified as transversal and paraxial and is related to genetical and environmental factors. This article shows the radiological findings observed in three different cases of paraxial hemimelia occurred in goats (radial agenesia, absence of the portion of the distal epiphysis of the radius and anomalous radius with ulnar hypoplasia). Possible causes related to these abnormalities are discussed.

Animals↗