Browsing by Author "Pardal, Sara"
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- Borrelia garinii and Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica detected in migratory shorebirds in PortugalPublication . de Carvalho, Isabel Lopes; Alves, Ana Sofia; Pardal, Sara; Lopes, Ricardo Jorge; Mendes, Luísa; Núncio, Maria Sofia; Zé-Zé, LíbiaMigratory shorebirds use, among many, the East Atlantic Flyway that links breeding areas as north as Tundra habitats to aquatic wintering grounds in West Africa. As a consequence, they are potentially important in the spread of global zoonotic diseases transmitted by ticks, such as Lyme borreliosis and tularemia—two diseases previously detected in Portugal. In this study, we looked at the infection status of seven populations of shorebirds during their migration, breeding, or wintering in the Portuguese wetlands to access if they carry these pathogens and to discuss their potential risk in the Portuguese wetlands. A total of 212 migratory shorebirds captured in the Tagus and Sado estuaries; key staging and wintering sites in this flyway and important breeding areas for some species were analyzed for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Francisella tularensis. In the present study, B. garinii was identified in seven (3%) specimens (five black-tailed godwits Limosa limosa, one common redshank Tringa totanus, and one little stint Calidris minuta), whereas F. tularensis subsp. holarctica was identified in one (0.4%) little stint. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence that shorebirds that migrate through or winter in Portugal transport these pathogens, potentially contributing for their introduction along the flyway, including the Mediterranean region.
- Mosquito species distribution in mainland Portugal 2005-2008Publication . Osório, Hugo C.; Amaro, Fátima; Zé-Zé, Líbia; Pardal, Sara; Mendes, Luísa; Ventim, Rita; Ramos, Jaime A.; Nunes, Sofia; Alves, M.J.; REVIVE workgroupInformation on distribution and relative abundance of the mosquito fauna of mainland Portugal has been collected by several surveillance programmes and projects over a long period. The work presented here documents additional information provided by capture of adult mosquitoes by the use of CDC light traps baited with CO2 in 48 localities in 13 districts in different parts of mainland Portugal during the period 2005-2008, and by larval surveys using dippers. More than 150,000 adult mosquitoes and 3,000 larvae belonging to 16 species were identified at the National Institute of Health / Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research. The three commonest species were Ochlerotatus caspius, Culex pipiens, and Cx. theileri. The most widespread species was Cx. pipiens, followed by Culiseta longiareolata. The composition and abundance of the different mosquito populations varied between geographical locations. Only larvae of two species, Cx. hortensis and Cx. laticinctus, were found. Some effects of collection methods on a complete picture of mosquito distribution and abundance are discussed.