Veterinary Microbiology Prof, PhD. Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Research Group. IUSA-ULPGC Phone: +34 928 451108 Address: División de Epidemiología y Medicina Preventiva Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA) Facultad de Veterinaria. Transmontaña s/n. 35413 Arucas Gran Canaria- Spain
The basic pathogenic mechanisms of the human viral haemorragic fevers (HVHFs) and African Swine F... more The basic pathogenic mechanisms of the human viral haemorragic fevers (HVHFs) and African Swine Fever (ASF) are described and discussed in the present review article. Trombocytopcnia, coagulation factors, intravascular disseminated coagulopathy, endothelial cell disfunction and Icucocytic activation are also reviewed in the different viral haemorrhagic diseases.
Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a complex and multifactorial aetiology. Infectious agent... more Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a complex and multifactorial aetiology. Infectious agents could start this disease. The majority of the characteristics of this infirmity can be observed in chronic arthritis produced by mycoplasmas in animals. In this study the association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae and RA has been evaluated. Methods. A case–control study was performed. Sera taken from 78 RA patients and from 156 controls were analysed to ascertain the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against M. pneumoniae. Other variables, like age, gender, work status, history of pneumonia, etc., were recorded in a questionnaire. Results. The presence of antibodies against M. pneumoniae was associated with RA (odds ratio^2.34, P<0.001). Conclusions. The results suggest thatM. pneumoniae could be a cofactor in the pathogenesis of RA; however, more studies need to be done. KEY WORDS: Case–control studies, Rheumatoid arthritis, Mollicutes, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, ELISA. Rheumatoid arthri...
Using indirect immunoperoxidase (IIP), peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP) and avidin biotin-peroxid... more Using indirect immunoperoxidase (IIP), peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP) and avidin biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) immunohistochemical methods, Mycoplasma gallinarum and M gallinaceum antigens were demonstrated in ethanol-fixed paraffin-embedded oviduct sections from hens the eggs from which showed suboptimal hatchability. Specific immunoperoxidase staining was detected at the mucosa in the magnum portion of the oviduct. Optimal staining was achieved by applying the ABC method, though both IIP and PAP methods can also be used for diagnosis. Isolation and identification techniques gave similar results for the species of avian mycoplasmas involved.
Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, 1999
The genes encoding the 62-kDa lipoproteins from the Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides large-col... more The genes encoding the 62-kDa lipoproteins from the Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides large-colony type (LC) strain Y-goat and the M. mycoides subsp. capri strain PG3 were cloned and analyzed by sequencing. These two lipoproteins have been named LppA[MmymyLC] and LppA[Mmyca], and their corresponding genes have been named lppA[MmymyLC] and lppA[Mmyca], respectively. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of these two lipoproteins showed a very high degree of similarity between these two mycoplasmas. Given the sequence data, LppA seems to fulfill the same structural functions as the previously described major lipoproteins P72 of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides small-colony type and P67 of the Mycoplasma species bovine group 7. Based on lppA gene sequences of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC and M. mycoides subsp. capri type strains, a specific PCR assay was developed so that it amplified this gene in all field strains of the two species analyzed in this study but not in the other...
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mh) is a bacterium that specifically infects the surface of bronchi and... more Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mh) is a bacterium that specifically infects the surface of bronchi and bronchioles of pigs without invading the host cells, and it is considered to be the primary agent of porcine enzootic pneumonia (PEN). The present study investigates the morphological and immunohistological changes induced in bronchiolar epithelium by Mh infection. Lungs from 20 pigs with naturally occurring Mh pneumonia were compared with those from 10 uninfected controls. Bronchiolar epithelial height, inflammatory infiltration, hyperplasia of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) and mucin subtype MUC5AC-producing cells significantly increased in all infected animals. Mh antigen was detected in association with the cilia of the bronchial and bronchiolar epithelium. Interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 were expressed consistently by epithelial and mononuclear cells of the airways of infected animals. The expression of these cytokines in the bronchial and bronchiolar tissues is related to...
An encephalitic disease in pigeons, characterized by paralysis of extremities, torticollis, head ... more An encephalitic disease in pigeons, characterized by paralysis of extremities, torticollis, head tremor, and diarrhea, is described. The negative titers in the hemagglutination tests, the presence of Feulgen-positive intranuclear inclusions in the cells of the granular layer of the cerebellum and the fibroblast culture, and the presence of viral particles with an icosahedral-herpetic morphology and a diameter of 100-170 nm all indicate that the etiology of this outbreak may be related to the encephalitis caused by herpesvirus, at present diagnosed only in Iraq and some African countries.
OBJECTIVE Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a complex and multifactorial aetiology. Infectious agents... more OBJECTIVE Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a complex and multifactorial aetiology. Infectious agents could start this disease. The majority of the characteristics of this infirmity can be observed in chronic arthritis produced by mycoplasmas in animals. In this study the association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae and RA has been evaluated. METHODS A case-control study was performed. Sera taken from 78 RA patients and from 156 controls were analysed to ascertain the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against M. pneumoniae. Other variables, like age, gender, work status, history of pneumonia, etc., were recorded in a questionnaire. RESULTS The presence of antibodies against M. pneumoniae was associated with RA (odds ratio=2.34, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that M. pneumoniae could be a cofactor in the pathogenesis of RA; however, more studies need to be done.
Phytoplasmas and mycoplasmas are bacteria belonging to the class Mollicutes. In this study, a fin... more Phytoplasmas and mycoplasmas are bacteria belonging to the class Mollicutes. In this study, a fine tuning of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with a universal mycoplasma primer pair (GPO3F/MGSO) targeting the 16S rRNA gene was carried out on phytoplasmas. The dissociation curves of DNAs from Catharanthus roseus phytoplasma-infected micropropagated shoots and from phytoplasma field-infected plant samples showed a single peak at 82.5 °C (±0.5) specifically detecting phytoplasmas belonging to several ribosomal groups. Assay specificity was determined with DNA of selected bacteria: 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum', Xylella fastidiosa, Ralstonia solanacearum and Clavibacter michiganensis. No amplification curves were observed with any of these tested bacteria except 'Ca. L. solanacearum' that was amplified with a melting temperature at 85 °C. Absolute quantification of phytoplasma titer was calculated using standard curves prepared from serial dilutions...
We describe three different outbreaks of mastitis caused by M. mycoides subspecies mycoides LC ty... more We describe three different outbreaks of mastitis caused by M. mycoides subspecies mycoides LC type (Mmm LC) in three goat flocks from the Extremadura Region of south-west Spain. Thirty-two fast-growing isolates were obtained on Hayflick&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s and Friis&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s media with inhibitors from different specimens. All were identified as Mmm LC in spite of their cultural, biochemical and serological features.
The basic pathogenic mechanisms of the human viral haemorragic fevers (HVHFs) and African Swine F... more The basic pathogenic mechanisms of the human viral haemorragic fevers (HVHFs) and African Swine Fever (ASF) are described and discussed in the present review article. Trombocytopcnia, coagulation factors, intravascular disseminated coagulopathy, endothelial cell disfunction and Icucocytic activation are also reviewed in the different viral haemorrhagic diseases.
Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a complex and multifactorial aetiology. Infectious agent... more Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a complex and multifactorial aetiology. Infectious agents could start this disease. The majority of the characteristics of this infirmity can be observed in chronic arthritis produced by mycoplasmas in animals. In this study the association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae and RA has been evaluated. Methods. A case–control study was performed. Sera taken from 78 RA patients and from 156 controls were analysed to ascertain the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against M. pneumoniae. Other variables, like age, gender, work status, history of pneumonia, etc., were recorded in a questionnaire. Results. The presence of antibodies against M. pneumoniae was associated with RA (odds ratio^2.34, P<0.001). Conclusions. The results suggest thatM. pneumoniae could be a cofactor in the pathogenesis of RA; however, more studies need to be done. KEY WORDS: Case–control studies, Rheumatoid arthritis, Mollicutes, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, ELISA. Rheumatoid arthri...
Using indirect immunoperoxidase (IIP), peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP) and avidin biotin-peroxid... more Using indirect immunoperoxidase (IIP), peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP) and avidin biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) immunohistochemical methods, Mycoplasma gallinarum and M gallinaceum antigens were demonstrated in ethanol-fixed paraffin-embedded oviduct sections from hens the eggs from which showed suboptimal hatchability. Specific immunoperoxidase staining was detected at the mucosa in the magnum portion of the oviduct. Optimal staining was achieved by applying the ABC method, though both IIP and PAP methods can also be used for diagnosis. Isolation and identification techniques gave similar results for the species of avian mycoplasmas involved.
Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, 1999
The genes encoding the 62-kDa lipoproteins from the Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides large-col... more The genes encoding the 62-kDa lipoproteins from the Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides large-colony type (LC) strain Y-goat and the M. mycoides subsp. capri strain PG3 were cloned and analyzed by sequencing. These two lipoproteins have been named LppA[MmymyLC] and LppA[Mmyca], and their corresponding genes have been named lppA[MmymyLC] and lppA[Mmyca], respectively. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of these two lipoproteins showed a very high degree of similarity between these two mycoplasmas. Given the sequence data, LppA seems to fulfill the same structural functions as the previously described major lipoproteins P72 of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides small-colony type and P67 of the Mycoplasma species bovine group 7. Based on lppA gene sequences of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC and M. mycoides subsp. capri type strains, a specific PCR assay was developed so that it amplified this gene in all field strains of the two species analyzed in this study but not in the other...
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mh) is a bacterium that specifically infects the surface of bronchi and... more Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mh) is a bacterium that specifically infects the surface of bronchi and bronchioles of pigs without invading the host cells, and it is considered to be the primary agent of porcine enzootic pneumonia (PEN). The present study investigates the morphological and immunohistological changes induced in bronchiolar epithelium by Mh infection. Lungs from 20 pigs with naturally occurring Mh pneumonia were compared with those from 10 uninfected controls. Bronchiolar epithelial height, inflammatory infiltration, hyperplasia of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) and mucin subtype MUC5AC-producing cells significantly increased in all infected animals. Mh antigen was detected in association with the cilia of the bronchial and bronchiolar epithelium. Interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 were expressed consistently by epithelial and mononuclear cells of the airways of infected animals. The expression of these cytokines in the bronchial and bronchiolar tissues is related to...
An encephalitic disease in pigeons, characterized by paralysis of extremities, torticollis, head ... more An encephalitic disease in pigeons, characterized by paralysis of extremities, torticollis, head tremor, and diarrhea, is described. The negative titers in the hemagglutination tests, the presence of Feulgen-positive intranuclear inclusions in the cells of the granular layer of the cerebellum and the fibroblast culture, and the presence of viral particles with an icosahedral-herpetic morphology and a diameter of 100-170 nm all indicate that the etiology of this outbreak may be related to the encephalitis caused by herpesvirus, at present diagnosed only in Iraq and some African countries.
OBJECTIVE Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a complex and multifactorial aetiology. Infectious agents... more OBJECTIVE Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a complex and multifactorial aetiology. Infectious agents could start this disease. The majority of the characteristics of this infirmity can be observed in chronic arthritis produced by mycoplasmas in animals. In this study the association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae and RA has been evaluated. METHODS A case-control study was performed. Sera taken from 78 RA patients and from 156 controls were analysed to ascertain the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against M. pneumoniae. Other variables, like age, gender, work status, history of pneumonia, etc., were recorded in a questionnaire. RESULTS The presence of antibodies against M. pneumoniae was associated with RA (odds ratio=2.34, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that M. pneumoniae could be a cofactor in the pathogenesis of RA; however, more studies need to be done.
Phytoplasmas and mycoplasmas are bacteria belonging to the class Mollicutes. In this study, a fin... more Phytoplasmas and mycoplasmas are bacteria belonging to the class Mollicutes. In this study, a fine tuning of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with a universal mycoplasma primer pair (GPO3F/MGSO) targeting the 16S rRNA gene was carried out on phytoplasmas. The dissociation curves of DNAs from Catharanthus roseus phytoplasma-infected micropropagated shoots and from phytoplasma field-infected plant samples showed a single peak at 82.5 °C (±0.5) specifically detecting phytoplasmas belonging to several ribosomal groups. Assay specificity was determined with DNA of selected bacteria: 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum', Xylella fastidiosa, Ralstonia solanacearum and Clavibacter michiganensis. No amplification curves were observed with any of these tested bacteria except 'Ca. L. solanacearum' that was amplified with a melting temperature at 85 °C. Absolute quantification of phytoplasma titer was calculated using standard curves prepared from serial dilutions...
We describe three different outbreaks of mastitis caused by M. mycoides subspecies mycoides LC ty... more We describe three different outbreaks of mastitis caused by M. mycoides subspecies mycoides LC type (Mmm LC) in three goat flocks from the Extremadura Region of south-west Spain. Thirty-two fast-growing isolates were obtained on Hayflick&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s and Friis&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s media with inhibitors from different specimens. All were identified as Mmm LC in spite of their cultural, biochemical and serological features.
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