Search

Abstract: This paper reports on an entomological survey performed over the period 2006–2008 in Central Spain (mainly in the Madrid province) where canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is endemic. The study area was selected on the grounds of its wide altitude range, which determines both broad climate and vegetation ranges that could affect sand fly distributions. This area was surveyed from NE to SW across its mountain range (Sistema Central) and plateau area using sticky traps mainly on embankments. In 2006 and 2007, 123 sites were sampled (9557 sand flies captured) to establish possible relations between environmental or meteorological factors and vector densities (Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus ariasi). The factors correlated with higher vector densities were: a sample site between villages or at the edge of a village, the lack of a paved road, a rural habitat, an east or south-facing wall or wall sheltered from the wind, the presence of livestock or birds, a holm-oak wood vegetation, a lower summer mean temperature and lower annual mean precipitation. This study was followed by a seasonal survey conducted at 16 selected sites (14,353 sand flies) sampled them monthly from May to November 2008. P. perniciosus showed a diphasic seasonal trend with two abundance peaks in July and September whereas P. ariasi showed a monophasic trend with one peak in August. Comparing with data from studies performed in 1991 in the same area, vector densities are significantly higher. A possible explanation for this is that the vectors (mainly P. ariasi) are moving towards higher altitudes perhaps because of global change. This increasing trend could have an impact on CanL and its geographical distribution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This report describes a cross-sectional serological survey of the epidemiology of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) performed in 2006 and 2007 in the Madrid region (central Spain) where the disease is endemic. The work presented here is one of the several studies conducted in different Spanish regions under the Integrated Project of the European Commission entitled Emerging Diseases in a changing European eNvironment (EDEN). The aim of this project is to identify and catalogue European ecosystems and environmental conditions that determine the spatial and temporal distributions and dynamics of several pathogenic agents including Leishmania infantum (EDEN-LEI). The study area (Madrid Autonomous Region) was selected on the grounds of its wide altitude range. This area was surveyed from NE to SW across its mountain range (Sistema Central) and plateau area. One thousand and seventy-six dogs from 32 villages were examined for clinical signs of CanL, and serum samples were obtained to determine several haematological and biochemical variables. Leishmaniosis-specific antibodies were identified using an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). 87 of the 1076 dogs were seropositive for the protozoan (IFAT: cut-off≥1/80) indicating a seroprevalence of 8.1% (0–16.1% depending on the village). On the basis of a physical examination and the biochemical/haematological status of each dog, 32 of the 87 infected dogs were described as clinically healthy (37%). Seroprevalence showed a peak in young dogs (1–2 years) and a second larger peak among the older dogs (7–8 years). Factors correlated with a higher infection risk were age (OR=1.15 [95% CI: 1.07–1.22]), weight (OR=1.10 [95% CI: 1.04–1.16]), and living outdoors as opposed to in a home (OR=3.38 [95% CI: 1.42–8.05]). According to data from studies performed in 1992 in the same area, the seroprevalence of CanL has increased 1.54-fold [95% CI: 1.04–2.29]. Given that this increasing trend cannot be attributed to differences in the sociodemographic characteristics of the dog populations, it is proposed that environmental changes could have had an impact on vector and reservoir densities and their geographical distributions. Further studies designed to explain this trend should attempt to correlate sand fly densities and CanL seroprevalences with climate, land use and human changes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The incidence and distribution of human rotavirus G types among children under 5 years old with acute gastroenteritis were determined over a 4-year period (1998 to 2002) by using monoclonal antibodies and reverse transcription-PCR methods. Rotavirus was detected in 1,155 (31%) of 3,760 specimens tested. Rotavirus was studied in every month of the 48-month survey period. Rotavirus activity occurred mainly (51%) in the typically cooler months in Spain (November to February). The age distribution of rotavirus-positive cases showed that 90% of patients (1,038 of 1,155) were under 2 years old. Rotavirus types were determined for 576 of 1,155 patients (50%). G1 was the main genotype detected (53%), and the second most common was G4 (24%). The G2, G9, and G3 rotavirus types were detected in 14, 6, and 2% of the cases, respectively. Dual infections were detected in only 0.6%. The seasonal distribution of genotypes showed a significant genotypic shift: whereas G4 strains predominated (57%) during the 1998 to 2000 seasons, the G1 gradually increased to account for 75% in the 2000 to 2002 seasons. In addition, the present study reports the first detection of the G9 genotype in human fecal samples in Spain. Therefore, additional types may be required for vaccine development strategies that currently target only types G1 to G4.