Articles publicats en revistes (Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient)

New diagnostic methods, such as rapid tests (RDTs) to diagnose chronic Chagas disease, or loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), to detect acute infections, represent valuable alternatives, but the parasite’s remarkable genetic diversity might make its implementation difficult. Furthermore, determining the efficacy of Chagas disease treatment is complicated, given the slow reversion of serological anti-T. cruzi antibody reactivity, which may even take decades to occur. New biomarkers to evaluate early therapeutic efficacy, as well as diagnostic tests able to detect the wide variety of circulating genotypes, are therefore, urgently required.

To carry out studies that address these needs, high-quality and traceable samples from T. cruzi-infected individuals with different geographical backgrounds, along with associated clinical and epidemiological data, are necessary. This work describes the framework for the creation of such repositories, following standardized and uniform protocols, and considering the ethical, technical and logistic aspects of the process. The manual can be adapted according to the resources of each laboratory, to guarantee that samples are obtained in a reproducible way, favouring the exchange of data among different work groups, and their generalizable evaluation and analysis. The main objective of this is to accelerate the development of new diagnostic methods and the identification of biomarkers for Chagas disease.

Methods: Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences were analyzed from 167 P. perniciosus specimens, including 100 morphologically identified field-collected specimens from Majorca and Barcelona, supplemented with reference data from the South and West Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. Population differentiation was assessed using genetic diversity indices, Bayesian phylogenetic inference, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), pairwise Fst values and Nm estimates, haplotype networks, and a Mantel test.

Results: Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the morphological identification of all P. perniciosus specimens, grouping them into a single clade, with distinct subclades corresponding to the geographical origin. Haplotype analysis revealed 56 genetic variants, with the predominant haplotype represented by 37 specimens in Majorca and 40 in Barcelona. Significant genetic differentiation was observed between populations from Majorca and Barcelona (Fst = 0.78262; p < 0.00001), indicating limited gene flow. Nucleotide diversity was higher in Majorca (π ± SD = 0.0037 ± 0.00090) than in Barcelona (π ± SD = 0.0006 ± 0.00021). Majorcan specimens showed close genetic affinity to the Algerian and Tunisian populations (Fst = 0.02470; p > 0.05), while Barcelona specimens were more closely related to those of the South and West Iberian Peninsula (Fst = 0.51225; p < 0.00001).

Conclusions: These findings indicate that geographic isolation and historical dispersal may have shaped the P. perniciosus genetic structure. The Balearic Sea appears to act as a significant barrier, restricting gene flow between island and Iberian mainland populations. The study supports the utility of COI in phylogeographic research and demonstrates how island-mainland comparisons can help reveal evolutionary processes in vector species.

like plants or water bodies, to mitigate climate change impacts and enhance human well-being. However, urban

green infrastructures (UGIs) can influence the distribution of disease vectors, potentially affecting vectorborne

diseases (VBDs). UGIs may provide new suitable environments for urban vectors, while also creating

opportunities to mitigate VBD risks through predation, competition, and dilution effects. This article examined

the relationships between UGIs, vectors, and associated pathogens, impacting both human and animal health,

highlighting knowledge gaps and identifying research priorities to support VBD risk mitigation measures and

to guide smart urban planning and design. A systematic literature search was conducted following PRISMA

guidelines in three databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science). Selected articles involved (i) any aspect of

a urban vector system, (ii) in UGIs, and (iii) statistical analysis of the effects of UGIs on VBD risk. Methods

employed to characterize UGIs and VBDs were described and the identified impacts were summarized by vector

group. Among the 98 articles reviewed, most addressed mosquito-pathogen systems (66), tick-pathogen

systems (29), and few other vector-borne pathogen systems (3), with studies often confined to a single city or

several cities within the same country and focused on one vector group. Urban vegetation generally appeared

to heighten the risk of tick-borne diseases. In contrast, the influence of UGIs on the risk of mosquito-borne diseases

varied depending on the vector system and on the environmental and climatic context. The diversity of

indicators used to assess UGIs and VBD risks may affect the observed impact on VBD risk. Given the increasing

popularity of urban greening, it is crucial to investigate its potential implications for public health, and thereby

urban planning decisions. However, the lack of standardized protocols complicates the accurate assessment of

the effects of UGIs on the risk for VBD emergence and transmission and consequently, on potential mitigation.

Studies of insect biodiversity and parasitism are often based on adult stages, as immature stages are poorly known and often cannot be identified to species level. However, sucking lice (Anoplura) are permanent, hematophagous parasites with single-host life cycles, making it possible to track the occurrence of all life stages. Only the complete identification of all life stages provides a full picture of parasitism, including infestation levels, parasite topography preferences on the host, and host specificity. The detection of different development stages on a host provides strong evidence that lice of a particular species are actively reproducing and completing their life cycle on that host, making full use of its resources. Conversely, the presence of adult lice alone, particularly when found sporadically, may suggest a failed or incidental attempt at host colonization rather than an established parasitic association.

Methodology

The description of the nymphal stages of Hoplopleura malabarica is based on specimens of sucking lice from the greater bandicoot rat Bandicota indica from Southeast Asia, specifically from the Vientiane area of Lao PDR. The study used morphometric analysis and scanning microscopy techniques.

Results

This study presents the first description of the nymphal stages of Hoplopleura malabarica, an oligoxenous parasite of rodents of the genus Bandicota. In addition, a global checklist of Anoplura parasitizing rodents of the genus Bandicota was provided.

Conclusions

The detection of different life stages of lice within the host confirms that they reproduce and develop on a given host species, fully utilizing its resources.

interest in the Mediterranean basin. This study investigated the PCR prevalence of L. tarentolae and L. infantum

in two gecko species (Tarentola mauritanica and Hemidactylus turcicus) present on Mallorca Island, Spain,

using duplex quantitative PCR. A total of 59 geckos were sampled across the island, including 53 T. mauritanica

and six H. turcicus. Tissue and blood samples were screened by PCR for both parasites. The results revealed the

prevalence of Leishmania infection in adult T. mauritanica, with 10/49 (20.41 %) testing PCR positive for L. tarentolae

only and with 1/49 (2.04 %) for L. infantum only. Coinfection with both parasites was detected in 3/49

geckos (6.12 %). No positives were identified in H. turcicus, probably due to small sample size. Regarding PCR

positivity by tissues, coleomic organs were more likely to be positive for L. tarentolae in adult T. mauritanica than

blood, with a slighter PCR positivity in the liver, spleen and lung. This study provides further insight into the interaction

between Leishmania and geckos in leishmaniosis-endemic areas such as Mallorca.

epidemiological data on these infections are limited in Europe. A total of 448 serum samples from household ferrets

were collected between December 2019 and December 2023 in Spain. In this study, we assessed the seroprevalence of

L. infantum and D. immitis using an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and T. gondii using an inhouse

immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Among the ferrets tested, the seroprevalence was 10.49% (47/448) for L.

infantum, 2.68% (12/448) for T. gondii and 10.27% (46/448) for D. immitis. There was no significant association between

seropositivity and age, gender, neutering status, cohabitation, lifestyle, and collection date. Ferrets classified as sick animals

related to the presence of compatible or non-compatible signs showed a higher seropositivity rate for L. infantum

(15.90%) compared to subclinical animals (4.76%). Overall, 23.44% (105/448) of the samples were seropositive for at

least one of the three parasitic agents, 3.12% (15/448) were positive for two agents, and 0.22% (1/448) tested positive for

all three agents. Co-infections were also evaluated, revealing that 12.76% (6/47) of L. infantum seropositive ferrets were

also positive for T. gondii (p = 0.011) and 21.27% (10/47) for D. immitis (p = 0.009). To the best of our knowledge, this

is the first report on the seroprevalence of L. infantum, D. immitis, and T. gondii within the ferret population in Spain.

Understanding the epidemiological status of these and other zoonotic pathogens is crucial for enhancing surveillance in

both veterinary and public health sectors, as well as for strengthening prevention and control strategies.