Person: Pérez Sancho, Marta
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First Name
Marta
Last Name
Pérez Sancho
Affiliation
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Faculty / Institute
Veterinaria
Department
Sanidad Animal
Area
Sanidad Animal
Identifiers
14 results
Search Results
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Item Non-invasive surveillance of shared pathogens in the Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos) human interface(One Health, 2024) Herrero García, Gloria; Barroso, Patricia; Dashti, Alejandro; González Barrio, David; Naves, Javier; Fernández Gil, Alberto; Ugarte Ruiz, María; Pérez Sancho, Marta; Royo, Luis José; Carmena, David; De Miguel, Arturo; García Rodríguez, Alberto; Gortázar, Christian; Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas José; Balseiro, AnaMulti-host communities are perfect scenarios for the emergence and spread of pathogens, threatening the recovery of endangered, isolated, or inbred populations, such as the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in northwestern Spain. The population recovery in recent years has forced bears to occupy highly anthropized areas, increasing their interaction with human and domestic animals, with potential consequences for global health. During 2022–2023 a survey of parasites, bacteria and viruses shared between wildlife, domestic animals and humans was performed in this population using non-invasive surveillance, i.e., bear fecal samples (n = 73) and sponge-based sampling of trees (n = 42; 14 rubbed trees and 28 control trees). Pathogen detection rates were defined as the percentage of qPCR or culture-positive samples. Generalized linear models were fitted to assess their relationship with environmental variables including dispersion of the human population, and percentage of agricultural and periurban habitats in a 6 km-buffer around each sample. Canine Adenovirus type 1 (45.2%), Giardia spp. (15.1%), Salmonella spp. (12.3%), and extended-spectrum-beta-lactamases (ESBL) Escherichia coli (1.4%) were identified in fecal samples. In contrast, only five sponges from three rubbed and two control trees resulted positive to E. coli (14.3%). The results suggest that several pathogens are common in the Cantabrian brown bear population and that anthropization of the territory modulates their prevalence and richness. The effective design of management programs for bear conservation will require a one-health approach, in which genetic analysis of non-invasive samples can be key tools for the sanitary surveillance at the wildlife-livestock-human interface.Item Epidemiological factors associated with the exposure of cattle to Coxiella burnetii in the Madrid region of Spain(The Veterinary Journal, 2012) Álvarez Sánchez, Julio; Perez, A.; Mardones, F.O.; Pérez Sancho, Marta; García-Seco Romero, María Teresa; Pagés, E.; Mirat, F.; Díaz, R.; Carpintero, J.; Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas JoséDomestic ruminants are considered to be the major source of Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever. Even though Q fever is considered to be present worldwide, its distribution in many areas and countries remains unknown. Here, a serological assay was used to estimate the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in cattle in the Madrid region of Spain, to assess its spatial distribution, and to identify risk factors associated with positive results. Ten animals from each of 110 herds (n=1100) were randomly selected and analyzed using an ELISA test. In addition, epidemiological information, at both the herd and individual level, was collected. Variables for which an association with test results was detected in a bivariate analysis were included as predictors (main effects) in a multivariable logistic regression model. Herd and individual seroprevalences were 30% (95% CI=22.2-39.1) and 6.76% (95% CI=5.42-8.41), respectively, and a strong spatial dependence was identified at the first neighbour level using the Cuzick-Edwards test. Production type (dairy >beef >bullfighting) and age of animals (old vs. young) were the only variables significantly associated (P<0.05) with positive serological results at the herd and individual levels, respectively. These results indicate that cattle are exposed to C. burnetii in the Madrid region The high herd seroprevalence found in dairy herds (75%) indicates a higher risk of infection (probably for management reasons) whereas no C. burnetii positive bullfighting herds were identified.Item Short communication: Isolation frequency of bacteria causing lymphadenitis and abscesses in small ruminants in central Spain(Small Ruminant Research, 2017) Heras, Moisés de las; Torrijos, Carlos; Carrión Herrero, Francisco Javier; Fuente López, Ricardo De La; Díez De Tejada Martín, María Paloma; Pérez Sancho, Marta; Orden Gutiérrez, José Antonio; Domínguez Bernal, Gustavo RamónInfectious lymphadenitis in small ruminants caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus subsp. anaerobius are widely distributed throughout the world, and result in significant economic losses. Trueperella pyogenes has also been associated with lymphadenitis in sheep and goats. In order to determinate the isolation frequency of the different agents associated with lymphadenitis and abscesses, 171 pus samples (135 from sheep and 36 from goats) from 46 flocks were investigated. Isolated bacteria were identified by MALDI-TOF method. S. aureus subsp. anaerobius was the most frequently detected agent. It was identified in 76 animals (59 sheep and 17 goats) from 24 of the surveyed flocks. Of these infected animal, 25 (32,9%) were over one year old, confirming that abscess disease may occur in a significant percentage of adult animals. C. pseudotuberculosis was identified in 45 of the sampled animals (36 sheep and 9 goats) from 24 flocks. Only 5 of animals suffering caseous lymphadenitis were under one year old. T. pyogenes was isolated from 17 animals (13 sheep and 4 goats) in 11 flocks. Seven of these samples were taken from subcutaneous abscesses located in not lymph nodes regions. A notable finding of this work is the isolation of Actinomyces hyovaginalis from 5 of the samples analyzed all of them taken from subcutaneous abscesses located in superficial lymph nodes regions. Thus, T. pyogenes and A. hyovaginalis should be included in the differential diagnosis of lymphadenitis in small ruminants. In 19 of the 46 surveyed flocks at least two of the four agents were detected, which underlines the need to analyze samples from several animals to reach an accurate diagnosis in flocks affected by lymphadenitis.Item Active surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in companion animals: A pilot study in a Spanish Veterinary Teaching Hospital(Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 2024) Scarpellini, Raffaele; Leal Vélez de Mendizábal, Laura; Quevedo Caraballo, Sergio; Blanco Cancelo, José Luis; García Sánchez, Marta Eulalia; Pérez Sancho, Marta; Portero Fuentes, Miriam; Penelo Hidalgo, Silvia; Esposito, Erika; Mondo, Elisabetta; Piva, SilviaThe role of small animal veterinary hospitals in the onset and dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant organisms (AMROs) is still not clear, and the implementation of an internal surveillance systems is a cost-effective tool to better understand their impact. The aim of this study was to describe a pilot program of active surveillance in a Spanish Veterinary Teaching Hospital, developed to estimate the detection frequency of AMROs in the commensal flora of patients and in the environment. Surveillance was focused on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococci (MRS), third generation cephalosporins resistant gram-negative bacteria (3GCR-GNB), and carbapenems-resistant gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB). Oral and perirectal swabs were collected in the same dogs and cats hospitalized > 48 h, at their admission and before their discharge. Out of 50 patients sampled, 24% (12/50) were carriers at admission of at least one of the three investigated AMROs. Twenty-eight percent of patients (14/50) acquired at least one AMRO during the hospital stay. MRS detection frequency at admission was 12% (6/50), while acquisition was 6% (3/50). 3GCR-GNB detection frequency was 14% at admission (7/50) and acquisition 22% (11/50), while CR-GNB detection frequency was 2% at admission (1/50) and acquisition 2% (1/50). Environmental surveillance (98 samples) showed a total detection frequency of 22.4% for MRS (22/98), 2% for 3GCR-GNB and CR-GNB (2/98). Clinical staff’ shoe soles showed high detection frequency for MRS (50%). 3GCR Escherichia coli was the most isolated species in patients (n = 17). The results show how active surveillance can be used as a tool to assess the impact of AMROs in veterinary hospitals to subsequently build up tailored control plans based on specific issues.Item Non-invasive surveillance of shared pathogens in the Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos) human interface(One Health, 2024) Herrero García, Gloria; Barroso, Patricia; Dashti, Alejandro; González Barrio, David; Naves, Javier; Fernández-Gil, Alberto; Ugarte Ruiz, María; Pérez Sancho, Marta; Royo, Luis José; Carmena, David; De Miguel, Arturo; García Rodríguez, Alberto; Gortázar, Christian; Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas José; Balseiro, AnaMulti-host communities are perfect scenarios for the emergence and spread of pathogens, threatening the recovery of endangered, isolated, or inbred populations, such as the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in northwestern Spain. The population recovery in recent years has forced bears to occupy highly anthropized areas, increasing their interaction with human and domestic animals, with potential consequences for global health. During 2022-2023 a survey of parasites, bacteria and viruses shared between wildlife, domestic animals and humans was performed in this population using non-invasive surveillance, i.e., bear fecal samples (n = 73) and sponge-based sampling of trees (n = 42; 14 rubbed trees and 28 control trees). Pathogen detection rates were defined as the percentage of qPCR or culture-positive samples. Generalized linear models were fitted to assess their relationship with environmental variables including dispersion of the human population, and percentage of agricultural and periurban habitats in a 6 km-buffer around each sample. Canine Adenovirus type 1 (45.2%), Giardia spp. (15.1%), Salmonella spp. (12.3%), and extended-spectrum-beta-lactamases (ESBL) Escherichia coli (1.4%) were identified in fecal samples. In contrast, only five sponges from three rubbed and two control trees resulted positive to E. coli (14.3%). The results suggest that several pathogens are common in the Cantabrian brown bear population and that anthropization of the territory modulates their prevalence and richness. The effective design of management programs for bear conservation will require a one-health approach, in which genetic analysis of non-invasive samples can be key tools for the sanitary surveillance at the wildlife-livestock-human interface.Item Neuropathological lesions in intravenous BCG-stimulated K18-hACE2 mice challenged with SARS-CoV-2(Veterinary Research, 2024) Sánchez Morales, Lidia; Porras González, Néstor; García-Seco Romero, María Teresa; Pérez Sancho, Marta; Cruz López, Fátima; Chinchilla Rodríguez, Blanca; Barroso Arévalo, Sandra; Díaz Frutos, Marta; Buendía Andrés, Aránzazu; Moreno, Inmaculada; Briones Dieste, Víctor; Risalde, María A.; De la Fuente, José; Juste, Ramón; Garrido, Joseba; Balseiro, Ana; Gortázar, Christian; Rodríguez Bertos, Antonio Manuel; Domínguez, Mercedes; Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas JoséIn the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, questions emerged about the potential effects of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine on the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, including the neurodegenerative diseases it may contribute to. To explore this, an experimental study was carried out in BCG-stimulated and non-stimulated k18-hACE2 mice challenged with SARS-CoV-2. Viral loads in tissues determined by RT-qPCR, histopathology in brain and lungs, immunohistochemical study in brain (IHC) as well as mortality rates, clinical signs and plasma inflammatory and coagulation biomarkers were assessed. Our results showed BCG-SARS-CoV-2 challenged mice presented higher viral loads in the brain and an increased frequency of neuroinvasion, with the greatest differences observed between groups at 3–4 days post-infection (dpi). Histopathological examination showed a higher severity of brain lesions in BCG-SARS-CoV-2 challenged mice, mainly consisting of neuroinflammation, increased glial cell population and neuronal degeneration, from 5 dpi onwards. This group also presented higher interstitial pneumonia and vascular thrombosis in lungs (3–4 dpi), BCG-SARS-CoV-2 mice showed higher values for TNF-α and D-dimer values, while iNOS values were higher in SARS-CoV-2 mice at 3–4 dpi. Results presented in this study indicate that BCG stimulation could have intensified the inflammatory and neurodegenerative lesions promoting virus neuroinvasion and dissemination in this experimental model. Although k18-hACE2 mice show higher hACE2 expression and neurodissemination, this study suggests that, although the benefits of BCG on enhancing heterologous protection against pathogens and tumour cells have been broadly demonstrated, potential adverse outcomes due to the non-specific effects of BCG should be considered.Item Management of an outbreak of brucellosis due to B. melitensis in dairy cattle in Spain(Research in Veterinary Science, 2011) Álvarez Sánchez, Julio; Sáez, Jose Luis; García Benzaquén, Nerea; Serrat, Carles; Pérez Sancho, Marta; González Domínguez, Sergio; Ortega, Maria Jesús; Gou, Josep; Carbajo, Lucio; Garrido, Fulgencio; Goyache Goñi, Joaquín; Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas JoséBrucella melitensis is a major human and animal pathogen, with a wide host range that includes all domestic ruminant species, although small ruminants are its preferred hosts. Outbreaks in cattle due to B. melitensis have become a worldwide emerging problem particularly difficult to control due to the lack of knowledge on the epidemiology in this host species and of an effective vaccine. However, combination of molecular tools and strict biosecurity measures can help to solve these difficulties and eventually eradicate the disease from infected herds. In the present report, management of an outbreak in Spain involving four farms, more than 2000 cattle and several human cases is described. Application of Multiple Locus VNTR Analysis (MLVA) allowed identifying the most likely source of infection. Stamping out and test-and-slaughter strategies were applied, proving their usefulness to control the outbreak depending on infection level, and without the need of other alternative measures.Item Development and evaluation of an IS711-based loop mediated isothermal amplification method (LAMP) for detection of Brucella spp. on clinical samples(Research in Veterinary Science, 2013) Pérez Sancho, Marta; García-Seco Romero, María Teresa; Arrogante, L; García, N; García Benzaquén, Nerea; Martínez Alares, Irene; Díez Guerrier, Alberto Antoine; Perales, A; Goyache Goñi, Joaquín; Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas José; Álvarez Sánchez, JulioDNA-based methods have emerged as an additional tool for Brucella infection-confirmation at a herd level. However, their implementation may require the use of specialized equipment. In this context the recently developed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique may constitute an additional and cost-effective tool for rapid and specific DNA detection, especially in low income areas. In the present study the usefulness of a newly developed LAMP assay aiming at the multicopy-IS711 sequence was assessed on a variety of clinical samples (n = 81 from abortions and ewes; cattle, n = 3; swine, n = 4) that were analyzed in parallel using real-time PCR and bacteriology. Although overall sensitivities obtained with the three methods were comparable (p > 0.05), our results highlighted the complementarity between bacteriology and molecular-based methods for increased sensitivity. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed with all techniques depending on the nature of the sample. Our results demonstrate the potential of the IS711-LAMP technique for direct Brucella detection.Item Interferon-gamma responses in sheep exposed to virulent and attenuated Brucella melitensis strains(Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 2014) Pérez Sancho, Marta; Durán-Ferrer, Manuel; García-Seco Romero, María Teresa; Macías, Paula; García Benzaquén, Nerea; Martínez Alares, Irene; Ruiz, Elena; Legaz, Emilio; Díez Guerrier, Alberto Antoine; González Domínguez, Sergio; Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas José; Álvarez Sánchez, JulioAntibody detection is the basis of large-scale sheep brucellosis diagnosis because of its sensitivity and specificity. In contrast, information on the cellular mediated immune (CMI) response triggered after Brucella melitensis infection, a cornerstone in the protection against this pathogen, is more limited, particularly regarding the effect of the virulence of the infecting strain in the induced CMI reaction. Here, the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) profiles evoked after exposure by different routes to virulent (H38) and attenuated (Rev.1) B. melitensis strains in 14 pregnant sheep and 87 ewe lambs, respectively, were characterized accounting for different host-related factors, and compared with their serological response and with the basal IFN-gamma responses observed in 155 animals non exposed to Brucella. No significant differences in the IFN-gamma response of Rev.1 vaccinated animals depending on the inoculation route was observed, in contrast with their serological results. Response in H38- challenged followed a similar trend although peaked later, and an effect of the abortion on the IFN-gamma response was detected. This information could help to understand the interaction bacteria–host that leads to its intracellular survival and could be useful for the design of new diagnostic approaches.Item A ten-year-surveillance program of zoonotic pathogens in feral pigeons in the City of Madrid (2005–2014): The importance of a systematic pest control(Research in Veterinary Science, 2020) Pérez Sancho, Marta; García-Seco Romero, María Teresa; Porrero, Concepción; García Benzaquén, Nerea; Gómez Barrero, Susana; Cámara, José María; Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas José; Álvarez Sánchez, JulioFeral pigeons have increased in urban settings worldwide becoming a potential health risk for humans and other animals. Control and surveillance programs are essential to prevent the possible transmission of zoonotic pathogens carried by pigeons. A surveillance program was carried out in Madrid City (Spain) during 2005–2014 to determine the role of urban pigeons as carriers of zoonotic agents comparing these results with studies performed elsewhere in the last fifteen years. A total of 1372 pigeons were randomly captured and tested for detection of Antimicrobial susceptibility and genetic heterogeneity of Campylobacter and Salmonella isolates were determined. During the first phase (August 2005–July 2010), 428 animals were analyzed individually, while in the second period (August 2010–December 2014), 944 pigeons were analyzed in pools (n = 2–3 in 2010 and n = 5–6 in 2013 and 2014). The most prevalent pathogen during the first phase was Campylobacter spp., (6.57%, 95% confidence interval 3.05–12.10%) followed by Salmonella spp. (4.41%, 95% CI: 2.30–7.58%) and C. psittaci (2.56%, 95% CI: 0.70–6.53%)]. The PCR techniques, used during the 2010–2014 phase of the study, confirmed the presence of Campylobacter spp. (prevalence of 0–14.83%) and C. psittaci (0–12,94%) among pigeons of Madrid. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing suggested low levels of resistance. Presence of zoonotic agents in feral pigeons highlights the importance of surveillance programs on this species, although the relative low prevalence found suggests a limited risk to Public and Animal Health in Madrid.