Person:
Romero Martínez, Beatriz

Loading...
Profile Picture
First Name
Beatriz
Last Name
Romero Martínez
Affiliation
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Faculty / Institute
Veterinaria
Department
Sanidad Animal
Area
Sanidad Animal
Identifiers
UCM identifierORCIDScopus Author IDWeb of Science ResearcherIDDialnet IDGoogle Scholar ID

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 49
  • Item
    Evaluation of a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in goat milk
    (Research in Veterinary Science, 2020) Roy, A.; Infantes-Lorenzo, J.A.; Dominguez, M.; Moreno, I.; Pérez Sancho, Marta; García Benzaquén, Nerea; García-Seco Romero, María Teresa; Álvarez Sánchez, Julio; Romero Martínez, Beatriz; Gortázar, C.; Juan Ferré, Lucía De; Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas José; Bezos Garrido, Javier
    Caprine tuberculosis (TB) is a zoonosis with sanitary and economic repercussions. Caprine TB control programs are based on a test and cull strategy using the intradermal tuberculin tests and slaughterhouse surveillance. However, this approach is not always feasible and may have a limited sensitivity under specific circumstances. In this study, performance of a new experimental test based on the P22 protein complex (P22 ELISA) was evaluated in two TB-infected herds using milk and serum samples and compared with cell-based diagnostic tests. Samples from a low (n = 62, herd 1) and a high (n = 52, herd 2) TB prevalence herd were selected. Moreover, bulk tank milk samples from both herds were analysed using the P22 ELISA. At the end of the study, a group of animals (n = 21) was euthanized and subjected to post-mortem analysis and bacteriological culture. Significant differences (p < .001) on the qualitative and quantitative (ODs) results were observed between herds using both serum and milk samples in the P22 ELISA. The correlation observed in the quantitative results obtained in serum and milk samples was very strong in animals from flock 2 (rs = 0.91) and moderate in animals from flock 1 (rs = 0.46). Among the slaughtered animals, the P22 ELISA detected a higher proportion of lesion-culture positive animals than cell-based diagnostic tests (61.9 and 66.7% using milk and serum samples, respectively). The P22 ELISA using milk samples demonstrated a similar sensitivity compared with serum samples, suggesting it might be a valuable test for TB control in dairy goats.
  • Item
    Tuberculosis Epidemiology and Spatial Ecology at the Cattle-Wild Boar Interface in Northern Spain
    (Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2023) Herrero García, Gloria; Acevedo, Pelayo; Quirós, Pablo; Prieto, Miguel; Romero Martínez, Beatriz; Amado, Javier; Queipo, Manuel Antonio; Gortázar, Christian; Balseiro, Ana
    Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious chronic disease due to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) bacteria. Monitoring of wildlife, especially potential reservoirs, is important for detecting changes in disease occurrence and assessing the impact of interventions. Here, we examined whether wild boar (Sus scrofa) may contribute to the re-emergence of TB in Asturias (10,604 km2), northern Spain. Although this province was declared free of TB in cattle in November 2021, MTC bacteria remain prevalent in several “hotspots,” with the European badger (Meles meles) suggested as a TB potential wild reservoir. Drawing on data from the Spanish National Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program and the Government of the Principality of Asturias covering the period 2014–2020, we analyzed the prevalence of TB in cattle and wild boar in this region. In hotspots (592 km2), we also investigated the ranging behavior and habitat use of five cows that belonged to farms with a history of TB and six trapped sympatric wild boar. During the observation period, TB prevalence was 0.14% among cattle overall and 0.13–0.41% in hotspots, which was much lower than the prevalence in wild boar, which was 3.15% overall and 5.23–5.96% in hotspots. Infected cattle and infected wild boar in hotspots shared the same strains of M. bovis, and GPS tracking showed spatiotemporal overlap between the species, mainly around pastures during sunrise (06:00–07:00 h) and sunset (19:00–20:00 h). Our results suggest that in addition to cattle and badgers, wild boar possibly help maintain TB in northern Spain, increasing the host richness that influences TB transmission risk in the area, which should be taken into account in monitoring and eradication efforts.
  • Item
    Epidemiological investigation of bovine tuberculosis herd breakdowns in Spain 2009/2011
    (PLoS ONE, 2014) Guta, Sintayehu; Casal, Jordi; Napp, Sebastian; Saez, Jose Luis; Garcia Saenz, Ariadna; Perez de Val, Bernat; Romero Martínez, Beatriz; Alvarez, Julio; Allepuz, Alberto; Álvarez Sánchez, Julio
    We analyzed the most likely cause of 687 bovine tuberculosis (bTB) breakdowns detected in Spain between 2009 and 2011 (i.e., 22% of the total number of breakdowns detected during this period). Seven possible causes were considered: i) residual infection; ii) introduction of infected cattle from other herds; iii) sharing of pastures with infected herds; iv) contiguous spread from infected neighbor herds; v) presence of infected goats in the farm; vi) interaction with wildlife reservoirs and vii) contact with an infected human. For each possible cause a decision tree was developed and key questions were included in each of them. Answers to these key questions lead to different events within each decision tree. In order to assess the likelihood of occurrence of the different events a qualitative risk assessment approach was used. For this purpose, an expert opinion workshop was organized and ordinal values, ranging from 0 to 9 (i.e., null to very high likelihood of occurrence) were assigned. The analysis identified residual infection as the most frequent cause of bTB breakdowns (22.3%; 95%CI: 19.4-25.6), followed by interaction with wildlife reservoirs (13.1%; 95%CI: 10.8-15.8). The introduction of infected cattle, sharing of pastures and contiguous spread from infected neighbour herds were also identified as relevant causes. In 41.6% (95%CI: 38.0-45.4) of the breakdowns the origin of infection remained unknown. Veterinary officers conducting bTB breakdown investigations have to state their opinion about the possible cause of each breakdown. Comparison between the results of our analysis and the opinion from veterinary officers revealed a slight concordance. This slight agreement might reflect a lack of harmonized criteria to assess the most likely cause of bTB breakdowns as well as different perceptions about the importance of the possible causes. This is especially relevant in the case of the role of wildlife reservoirs.
  • Item
    Long-term assessment of wild boar harvesting and cattle removal for bovine tuberculosis control in free ranging populations
    (PLoS ONE, 2014) Mentaberre, Gregorio; Romero Martínez, Beatriz; Juan Ferré, Lucía De; Navarro González, Nora; Velarde, Roser; Marco, Ignasi; Mateos García, Ana Isabel; Olivé-Boix, Xavier; Lavín, Santiago; Serrano, Emmanuel; Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas José
    Wild boar is a recognized reservoir of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in the Mediterranean ecosystems, but information is scarce outside of hotspots in southern Spain. We describe the first high-prevalence focus of TB in a non-managed wild boar population in northern Spain and the result of eight years of TB management. Measures implemented for disease control included the control of the local wild boar population through culling and stamping out of a sympatric infected cattle herd. Post-mortem inspection for detection of tuberculosis-like lesions as well as cultures from selected head and cervical lymph nodes was done in 745 wild boar, 355 Iberian ibexes and five cattle between 2004 and 2012. The seasonal prevalence of TB reached 70% amongst adult wild boar and ten different spoligotypes and 13 MIRU-VNTR profiles were detected, although more than half of the isolates were included in the same clonal complex. Only 11% of infected boars had generalized lesions. None of the ibexes were affected, supporting their irrelevance in the epidemiology of TB. An infected cattle herd grazed the zone where 168 of the 197 infected boars were harvested. Cattle removal and wild boar culling together contributed to a decrease in TB prevalence. The need for holistic, sustained over time, intensive and adapted TB control strategies taking into account the multi-host nature of the disease is highlighted. The potential risk for tuberculosis emergence in wildlife scenarios where the risk is assumed to be low should be addressed.
  • Item
    Molecular epidemiology of Types I/III strains of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis isolated from goats and cattle
    (Veterinary Microbiology, 2006) Juan Ferré, Lucía De; Álvarez Sánchez, Julio; Aranaz Martín, Alicia; Rodríguez Bertos, Antonio Manuel; Romero Martínez, Beatriz; Bezos Garrido, Javier; Mateos García, Ana Isabel; Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas José
    Molecular characterization of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (M. a. paratuberculosis) isolates classifies them into three groups: cattle or Type II, sheep or Type I, and intermediate or Type III. To avoid problems associated with characterization of extremely slow growth strains, PCR-based techniques that divide the M. a. paratuberculosis strains in two main groups (cattle or Type II, and sheep or Types I/III) can be performed. The objectives of this study were to characterize the M. a. paratuberculosis isolates identified by different PCR-based tests (IS1311-PCR and restriction endonuclease analysis, PCR test based on a DNA sequence difference, and a PCR aimed at three Type I-specific loci), and to determine the clinical and epidemiological implications of Types I/III M. a. paratuberculosis strains in livestock. One hundred and fifty-eight M. a. paratuberculosis strains from domestic ruminants were analyzed. One hundred and six M. a. paratuberculosis isolates (61 from goats and 45 from cattle) were classified as Type II strains; and 52 (29 from cows, 20 from goats, and three from sheep) were included in the Types I/III. The Types I/III M. a. paratuberculosis strains were associated to Spanish native breeds. The majority of these animals had not been in direct or indirect contact with sheep flocks infected with M. a. paratuberculosis. This fact should be taken into account when implementing paratuberculosis control programs.
  • Item
    Effect of a recent intradermal test on the specificity of P22 ELISA for the diagnosis of caprine tuberculosis
    (Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2024) Romero Martínez, Beatriz; Juan Ferré, Lucía De; Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas José; Álvarez Sánchez, Julio; Bezos Garrido, Javier; Velasco, Carlos; Ortega, Javier; Domínguez, Mercedes; Ricón, Jaime; Moreno, Inmaculada
    Caprine tuberculosis (TB) is a zoonotic disease caused by members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. TB eradication programs in goats are based on the single and comparative intradermal tuberculin tests (SITT and CITT, respectively). Antibody-based diagnostic techniques have emerged as potential diagnostic tools for TB. P22 ELISA has been previously evaluated using samples collected after the intradermal tuberculin tests to maximize the sensitivity, a phenomenon known as booster effect. However, there is no information available on whether the use of this diagnostic strategy could lead to a decrease of its specificity (Sp). The aim of the present study was to elucidate the interference effect of a recent CITT on the Sp of the P22 ELISA in serum and milk samples collected at different times after the CITT from a TB-free herd (n = 113). The number of reactors to P22 ELISA was significantly higher (p < 0.01) on serum samples collected 15 days post-CITT compared to day 0, showing a decrease in Sp from 99.1% (95% CI; 95.2–99.8%) to 88.5% (95% CI; 81.3–93.2%). The number of reactors and the quantitative values of P22 ELISA were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in serum samples compared to milk. No significant (p > 0.05) changes in the Sp of the P22 ELISA were observed throughout the different time samplings using milk No significant (p > 0.05) changes were observed on days 30 and 60 post-CITT. In conclusion, the booster effect strategy may significantly decrease the Sp of P22 ELISA in TB-free herds when serum samples are used but not when milk is tested.
  • Item
    Protection against Tuberculosis in Eurasian Wild Boar Vaccinated with Heat-Inactivated Mycobacterium bovis
    (PLoS ONE, 2011) Dieli, Francesco; Garrido, Joseba M.; Sevilla, Iker A.; Beltrán-Beck, Beatriz; Minguijón, Esmeralda; Ballesteros, Cristina; Galindo, Ruth C.; Boadella, Mariana; Lyashchenko, Konstantin P.; Romero Martínez, Beatriz; Geijo, Maria Victoria; Ruiz Fons, Francisco; Aranaz Martín, Alicia; Juste, Ramón A.; Vicente, Joaquín; de la Fuente, José; Gortázar, Christian
    Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium bovis and closely related members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex continues to affect humans and animals worldwide and its control requires vaccination of wildlife reservoir species such as Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa). Vaccination efforts for TB control in wildlife have been based primarily on oral live BCG formulations. However, this is the first report of the use of oral inactivated vaccines for controlling TB in wildlife. In this study, four groups of 5 wild boar each were vaccinated with inactivated M. bovis by the oral and intramuscular routes, vaccinated with oral BCG or left unvaccinated as controls. All groups were later challenged with a field strain of M. bovis. The results of the IFN-gamma response, serum antibody levels, M. bovis culture, TB lesion scores, and the expression of C3 and MUT genes were compared between these four groups. The results suggested that vaccination with heat-inactivated M. bovis or BCG protect wild boar from TB. These results also encouraged testing combinations of BCG and inactivated M. bovis to vaccinate wild boar against TB. Vaccine formulations using heat-inactivated M. bovis for TB control in wildlife would have the advantage of being environmentally safe and more stable under field conditions when compared to live BCG vaccines. The antibody response and MUT expression levels can help differentiating between vaccinated and infected wild boar and as correlates of protective response in vaccinated animals. These results suggest that vaccine studies in free-living wild boar are now possible to reveal the full potential of protecting against TB using oral M. bovis inactivated and BCG vaccines
  • Item
    Project number: 219
    Infequus: plataforma de enfermedades infecciosas equinas
    (2019) Juan Ferré, Lucía De; Briones Dieste, Víctor; Bezos Garrido, Javier; Fores Jackson, Paloma; Camino Gutiérrez, Eliazar; Buendía Andrés, Aranzazu; Dorrego Rodríguez, Abel; Cruz López, Fátima; González Domínguez, Sergio; Romero Martínez, Beatriz; García Benzaquén, Nerea; Bárcena Asensio, Carmen; Mazariegos Martínez-Peñalver, María; Ancochea Nodal, Carlos; Hernández Carrillo, Javier; Pérez Sancho, Marta; Pérez Sancho, Marta
    Desarrollo de la herramienta de formación online Infequus, que ofrecerá a los alumnos y profesionales información actualizada sobre el diagnóstico y control de las enfermedades infecciosas en la especie equina.
  • Item
    Once bitten twice shy: Risk factors associated with bovine tuberculosis recurrence in Castilla y León, Spain
    (Research in Veterinary Science, 2023) Grau, Anna; Nácar, Jesús; Sáez-Lorente, José Luis; Mínguez, Olga; Pozo Piñol, Pilar; Bezos Garrido, Javier; Romero Martínez, Beatriz; Álvarez Sánchez, Julio
    Persistence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle herd remains a major challenge in disease elimination due to the ineffectual removal of all infected animals in a bTB breakdown. Characterization of herds with a higher probability of experiencing further bTB breakdowns can help to implement specific risk-based policies for disease control and eradication. Here, our aim was to identify herd- and breakdown-level risk factors in bTB infected herds in Castilla y Leon, Spain, associated with a decreased time to recurrence and an increased risk of recurrence using a mixed effects Cox proportional hazards model and a multivariable logistic regression model, respectively. Results revealed that location (province), herd size and number of incoming animals/contacts were good predictors of a decreased time to bTB recurrence and an increased risk of becoming a recurrent herd. Additionally, the duration of the previous outbreak and the number of IFN-γ herd-tests applied in it were associated with increased odds of (an early) recurrence. Risk factors identified here can be used for early identification of herds in which bTB eradication may be more challenging and that should thus be subjected to increased control efforts. The characterization of high-risk herds may help to minimize the risk of reinfection and emphasize early detection and removal of bTB positive animals in the herd.
  • Item
    Wild boar tuberculosis in Iberian Atlantic Spain: a different picture from Mediterranean habitats
    (BMC veterinary research, 2013) Muñoz Mendoza, Marta; Marreros, Nelson; Boadella, Mariana; Gortázar, Christian; Menéndez, Santiago; Juan Ferré, Lucía De; Bezos Garrido, Javier; Romero Martínez, Beatriz; Copano, María Francisca; Amado, Javier; Sáez, José Luis; Mourelo, Jorge; Balseiro, Ana
    BACKGROUND Infections with Mycobacterium bovis and closely related members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) are shared between livestock, wildlife and sporadically human beings. Wildlife reservoirs exist worldwide and can interfere with bovine tuberculosis (TB) eradication efforts. The Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a MTC maintenance host in Mediterranean Iberia (Spain and Portugal). However, few systematic studies in wild boar have been carried out in Atlantic regions. We describe the prevalence, distribution, pathology and epidemiology of MTC and other mycobacteria from wild boar in Atlantic Spain. A total of 2,067 wild boar were sampled between 2008 and 2012. RESULTS The results provide insight into the current status of wild boar as MTC and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) hosts in temperate regions of continental Europe. The main findings were a low TB prevalence (2.6%), a low proportion of MTC infected wild boar displaying generalized TB lesions (16.7%), and a higher proportion of MAC infections (4.5%). Molecular typing revealed epidemiological links between wild boar and domestic - cattle, sheep and goat - and other wildlife - Eurasian badger (Meles meles) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) - hosts. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the likelihood of MTC excretion by wild boar in Atlantic habitats is much lower than in Mediterranean areas. However, wild boar provide a good indicator of MTC circulation and, given the current re-emergence of animal TB, similar large-scale surveys would be advisable in other Atlantic regions of continental Europe.