Browsing by Author "Santos, Carla"
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- A 2-Year Longitudinal Seroepidemiological Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in a Cohort of Autochthonous Sheep from Central PortugalPublication . Almeida, Daniela; Quirino, João; Barradas, Patrícia Ferreira; da Silva, Priscilla Gomes; Pereira, Maria; Cruz, Rita; Santos, Carla; Mega, Cristina; Esteves, Fernando; Nóbrega, Carmen; Vala, Helena; Gärtner, Fátima; Amorim, Irina; Mesquita, João R.Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonosis and one of the major causes of abortion in sheep worldwide. (2) Methods: We performed a 2-year longitudinal serological antiT. gondii IgG screening on a cohort of a spatially confined population of a Portuguese autochthonous sheep breed in central Portugal. (3) Results: From the screening of the 2015 and 2016 sera, an increase of seroprevalence was observed (57.7% (95% CI: 49.9–65.3%) versus 69.1% (95% CI: 61.5–75.9), from 2015 and 2016, respectively) (p = 0.031). (4) Conclusions The present study is the first to provide prospective data on the anti-T. gondii serological status of a sheep cohort in Portugal, showing an increase in the occurrence of T. gondii. There is a need to provide a clearer understanding of T. gondii epidemiology in Portugal, ideally by implementing monitoring programs on sentinel herds, not only due to the high impact of T. gondii on animal health but also for it being a zoonosis.
- ABC series on diagnostic parasitology part 1: the Willis methodPublication . Mesquita, João R.; Esteves, Fernando; Santos, Carla; Mega, Ana Cristina; Coelho, Catarina; Cruz, Rita; Vala, Helena; Nóbrega, CármenDiagnosis of parasitic infections in animals is an interesting task that can be developed by veterinary nurses. To perform direct identification of parasites, particularly ova present in faeces, it is possible to use faecal smears, flotation and sedimentation tests. Faecal flotation is fast and inexpensive, and can be quickly implemented as a measure for infection control. Herewith we describe the Willis method, one of the most used flotation methods.
- ABC series on diagnostic parasitology part 2: the McMaster methodPublication . Nóbrega, Cármen; Santos, Carla; Mega, Ana Cristina; Coelho, Catarina; Cruz, Rita; Vala, Helena; Esteves, Fernando; Mesquita, João R.Classical coprological methods allow for inexpensive, quick and reliable detection of parasitic elements. However, the detection of these parasitic elements may be insufficient and quantification of the parasitic burden may be required. As such, faecal egg counts can play a crucial role in providing these extra data. Herewith we describe the McMaster method, one of the most used faecal egg count methods described.
- ABC series on diagnostic parasitology part 3: the Baermann techniquePublication . Mesquita, João R.; Mega, Ana Cristina; Coelho, Catarina; Cruz, Rita; Vala, Helena; Esteves, Fernando; Santos, Carla; Nóbrega, CármenDiagnosis of parasitic larval forms is typically associated with complex, costly methods. As such, simple, low-cost diagnostic tools for larvae identification are of the utmost importance in diagnostic parasitology in the veterinary clinic. Herewith we describe the Baermann technique, one of the most used larvae identification methods
- Adaptação do modelo ABCDE para comunicar a má notícia ao proprietário do paciente oncológico em medicina veterináriaPublication . Vala, Helena; Esteves, Fernando; Mega, Ana Cristina; Santos, Carla; Nóbrega, Carmen; Mesquita, JoãoIntrodução: À semelhança do que ocorre na Medicina Humana, também em Medicina Veterinária, a prevalência da doença oncológica em animais de companhia tem vindo a aumentar significativamente. Desenvolvimento: A evolução da Medicina Veterinária, nas últimas décadas, veio trazer mudança nos paradigmas clínicos, nomeadamente no respeitante à relação com o animal mas também com o proprietário. Sendo a oncologia a especialidade em que há maior probabilidade de ter que comunicar uma má notícia, neste trabalho propõe-se a adaptação do modelo ABCDE da Medicina Humana para a Medicina Veterinária. Conclusões: A adaptação do modelo ABCDE para a Medicina Veterinária permite melhorar a comunicação com o proprietário cuidador e dotar os profissionais da equipe Médica Veterinária de melhores competências.
- Adaptation of the ABCDE model from human medicine to communicate bad news to the owner of the oncologic patient in veterinary medicinePublication . Vala, Helena; Esteves, Fernando; Mega, Ana Cristina; Santos, Carla; Nóbrega, Carmen; Mesquita, JoãoSimilar to what occurs in Human Medicine, also in Veterinary Medicine, the prevalence of oncological diseases has significantly increased. The evolution of Veterinary Medicine, in last decades has brought changes in clinical paradigms, particularly concerning the relationship with the animal and also with the owner. More than any other specialty, members of the Veterinary Medical Team that work in the oncology field, are unavoidably forced to break bad news. This paper proposes the adaptation of the ABCDE model from Human Medicine to Veterinary Medicine. The adaptation of the ABCDE model for Veterinary Medicine improves communication with the owner and offers all the members of the Veterinary Medical Team better communication skills.
- Bulk-Tank Milk Longitudinal Serosurvey Reveals Decreasing Schmallenberg Virus Circulation in a Confined Population of Portuguese SheepPublication . Esteves, Fernando; Cruz, Rita; Nóbrega, Carmen; Santos, Carla; Ferreira, Ana S.; Petrovic, Tamas; Cardoso, Luís; Vala, Helena; Nascimento, Maria S.J.; Mesquita, João R.Introduction: In 2011, Schmallenberg virus (SBV) was first detected in dairy cattle herds in The Netherlands and Germany having since then spread across Europe. Today studies are starting to show a decrease in new SBV infections, a circumstance that raises alerts for possible re-emergence if ideal conditions for vector development occur. To assess the potential decrease in SBV circulation, we performed a 2-year longitudinal serological investigation for SBV infection at the herd level by using bulk-tank milk of a specific sheep breed from central Portugal. Materials and Methods: Bulk-tank milk samples from 68 flocks were collected in both 2015 and 2016, and lactosera were tested for IgG anti-SBV by EIA. Results and Discussion: Results show that in 2015, 92.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 83.9–96.8) of the bulk-tank milk samples were positive, whereas in 2016 only 77.9% (95% CI: 66.7–86.1 of the samples from the same flocks were positive. Differences in the 2015/2016 seroprevalences showed to be statistically significant (p = 0.027). This significant decrease at the herd level seems to be in agreement with reported data from other European countries and raise alerts, since increasingly favorable conditions (higher number of susceptible animals) are now present, potentially favoring SBV epidemics if improved conditions for midge replication occur in the future.
- A case of giant cell tumourPublication . Vala, Helena; Andrade, Luís; Nóbrega, Carmen; Santos, Carla; Cruz, Rita; Mega, Cristina; Esteves, Fernando; Gomes, A.; Mesquita, JoãoMalignant fibrous histiocytoma refers to a group of soft tissue tumours that represents a diagnostic challenge which must be based in the predominant cellular type present. The authors describe an unusual case of tumour in which the presence of giant cells was the distinctive feature. A 7 year old Cocker Spaniel male dog was presented with a subcutaneous nodule in the labial commissure, measuring 1.5 cm in diameter. Sample was fixed in 10 % buffered formalin solution, embedded in paraffin wax and 3 μm thick sections were stained for routine histopathological diagnosis with Haematoxylin and Eosin. A standard Streptavidin-Biotin Complex technique for immunohistochemical evaluation was also performed. Macroscopic examination revealed dark brown, slightly lobed tissues, alternating with whitish tissues, both with moderate consistency on the cut surface. Microscopic examination revealed ulceration and necrosis of the epidermis, under which a high cellular population of undifferentiated cells was observed. These cells population exhibited oval, normo or eucromatic nucleus, with notorious nucleolus and moderate cytoplasm that, resembled fusiform fenotype, intermixed with blood vessels and multinucleated giant cells, as well as intense immunoreactivity for vimentin. The authors suggest the diagnosis of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of giant cell subtype, based on the multinucleated giant cells predominance and submit it to the discussion, particularly for histological grade assessment and prognosis, since there is still some discrepancy in the literature.
- Chronic splenic lesions in surviving pigs from outbreaks of gastric disordersPublication . Vala, Helena; Carreira, Patrícia; Esteves, Fernando; Santos, Carla; Cruz, Rita; Mesquita, João R.; Nóbrega, Carmen; Resendes, A.; Ségalez, J.The gastric problems in pigs acquired the new expression as intensive practices currently adoptes. The authors document, using macro and microscopic figures, a case of high mortality rate in a sow breeding stock in an indoor farm, aiming to discuss the best resolution to adopt. A breeding stock with 500 sows and high animal welfare standards, presented outbreaks of sudden death, in 2014 and 2016, that led to nutritional management changes. Several sows were necropsied and samples fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin and processed for routine histopathological diagnosis. Macroscopic exam, realized during outbreaks, revealed severe gastric ulcers and/or torsions. During the present year, cases of death, due to different etiologies, were necropsied and also showed splenic atrophy, irregularities and thickening at the capsule level. Microscopic exam revealed hypertrophy of smooth muscle of the capsule and splenic trabeculae, with presence of siderocalcary and hemorrhagic nodules. The authors suggest the diagnosis of postprandial gastric dilatation in animals surviving the outbreaks reported, with severe spleen repercussions that are still observed on the farm.
- Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus circulating among sheep of Portugal: a nationwide serosurvey assessmentPublication . Mesquita, João; Cruz, Rita; Esteves, Fernando; Santos, Carla; Pousa, Humberto; Coelho, Catarina; Mega, Cristina; Nóbrega, Carmen; Vala, Helena; Peyrefitte, Christophe Nicolas; Nascimento, Maria São José; Barradas, Patrícia FerreiraCrimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a widespread zoonotic pathogen that can cause mild to severe hemorrhagic disease in humans. CCHFV may be transmitted through direct contact with tissue or blood of viremic animals; however, the primary transmission route is through infected tick bites. CCHFV RNA has been detected in ticks feeding on domestic and wild animals in western Spain, suggesting an established circulation of CCHFV in Western Europe. Ruminants have been recognized as important CCHFV reservoirs and have been linked to human cases in endemic regions. Given the emergence of CCHF in neighboring Spain, and a report of two CCHFV seropositive humans in southern Portugal in 1985, we investigated the potential circulation of this virus in the country by performing a nationwide anti-CCHFV IgG serosurvey in sentinel sheep of Portugal. Sera (n = 459) randomly selected from widely distributed farms (n = 20) of Portugal were tested using a commercial double-antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, yielding an overall seroprevalence of 0.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04-1.56%). Positive sheep were from the southern region of Portugal (Alentejo region), which raise the seroprevalence of this region to 0.74% (95% CI 0.09-2.66%). This is the first study reporting the presence of CCHFV antibodies in sheep of Portugal, thus suggesting a geographical expansion of CCHFV to this country. It seems likely that CCHFV may exist focally in southern Portugal.