Browsing by Author "Carvalho, C.L."
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- Assessment of Francisella Tularensis in PortugalPublication . Lopes de Carvalho, I.; Carvalho, C.L.; Kingry, L.R.; Zé-Zé, Líbia; Petersen, J.M.; Núncio, M.S.
- Francisella species in ticks and animals, Iberian PeninsulaPublication . Lopes de Carvalho, I.; Toledo, A.; Carvalho, C.L.; Barandika, J.F.; Respicio-Kingry, L.B.; Garcia-Amil, C.; García-Pérez, A. L.; Olmeda, A. S.; Zé-Zé, L.; Petersen, J.M.; Anda, P.; Núncio, M.S.; Escudero, R.The presence of Francisella species in 2134 ticks, 93 lagomorphs and 280 small mammals from the Iberian Peninsula was studied. Overall, 19 ticks and 6 lagomorphs were positive for Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica, suggesting, as described for other regions, that lagomorphs may have an important role in the maintenance of F. tularensis in nature. Of the 6 positive lagomorphs, 4 were identified as the European rabbit, Oryctogalus cuniculus. Additionally, 353 ticks and 3 small mammals were PCR positive for Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) and one small mammal was also positive for Francisella hispaniensis-like DNA sequences. Among FLE positive specimens, a variety of sequence types were detected: ticks were associated with 5 lpnA sequence types, with only one type identified per tick, in contrast to 2 lpnA sequence types detected in a single wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). To our knowledge, this is the first report of FLEs in free-living small mammals as well as the first detection of F. hispaniensis-like sequences in a natural setting.
- Francisella-like endosymbiont and Rickettsia aeschlimannii co-infection in a Hyalomma marginatum tickPublication . Carvalho, C.L.; Sousa, R.; Santos-Silva, M.M.; Santos, A.S.; Núncio, M.S.; Lopes de Carvalho, I.
- Screening of mosquitoes as vectors of Francisella tularensis in PortugalPublication . Carvalho, C.L.; Zé-Zé, Líbia; Duarte, E.L.; Núncio, M.S.; Carvalho, I.L.
- Tularaemia: a challenging zoonosisPublication . Carvalho, C.L.; Lopes de Carvalho, I.; Zé-Zé, Líbia; Núncio, M.S.; Duarte, E.L.In recent years, several emerging zoonotic vector-borne infections with potential impact on human health have been identified in Europe, including tularaemia, caused by Francisella tularensis. This remarkable pathogen, one of the most virulent microorganisms currently known, has been detected in increasingly new settings and in a wide range of wild species, including lagomorphs, rodents, carnivores, fish and invertebrate arthropods. Also, a renewed concern has arisen with regard to F. tularensis: its potential use by bioterrorists. Based on the information published concerning the latest outbreaks, the aim of this paper is to review the main features of the agent, its biology, immunology and epidemiology. Moreover, special focus will be given to zoonotic aspects of the disease, as tularaemia outbreaks in human populations have been frequently associated with disease in animals.