Widespread Circulation of Flaviviruses in Horses and Birds in Northeastern Spain (Catalonia) between 2010 and 2019.

The surveillance for West Nile virus (WNV) in Catalonia (northeastern Spain) has consistently detected flaviviruses not identified as WNV. With the aim of characterizing the flaviviruses circulating in Catalonia, serum samples from birds and horses collected between 2010 and 2019 and positive by panflavivirus competition ELISA (cELISA) were analyzed by microneutralization test (MNT) against different flaviviruses. A third of the samples tested were inconclusive by MNT, highlighting the limitations of current diagnostic techniques. Our results evidenced the widespread circulation of flaviviruses, in particular WNV, but also Usutu virus (USUV), and suggest that chicken and horses could serve as sentinels for both viruses. In several regions, WNV and USUV overlapped, but no significant geographical aggregation was observed. Bagaza virus (BAGV) was not detected in birds, while positivity to tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) was sporadically detected in horses although no endemic foci were observed. So far, no human infections by WNV, USUV, or TBEV have been reported in Catalonia. However, these zoonotic flaviviruses need to be kept under surveillance, ideally within a One Health framework.

Endothelial cell density and characterization of corneal endothelial cells in the Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) using specular microscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine endothelial cell density (ECD) and morphology and morphometry of corneal endothelial cells in the tawny owl (Strix aluco), as well as to report the effects of aging on these parameters. ANIMAL STUDY AND PROCEDURES: Twenty tawny owls were included in the study and classified into 2 groups according to their age: fledglings (<1 year old) and adults (>1 year old). Central corneal endothelium was studied by means of noncontact specular microscopy (Specular Microscope SP-2000P; Topcon, Tokyo, Japan), and results for ECD (cells/mm2 ), mean cell area ((MCA (µm2 )), polymegathism (CV), and pleomorphism (% hexagonal cells) were obtained. Results are described by median, interquartile range (25th, 75th percentiles), and absolute range for ECD, MCA, pleomorphism, and polymegathism. In addition, inferential analyses by Mann-Whitney U test were also performed. A two-tailed Type I error of 5% was established. RESULTS: Results in fledglings were as follows: ECD = 2864 cells/mm2 , MCA = 348 µm2 , % hexagonal cells = 72.75%, and CV = 21. Results in adults were as follows: ECD = 2602 cells/mm2 , MCA = 384 µm2 , % hexagonal cells = 78.83%, and CV = 16. No significant differences in ECD and MCA were seen between the groups (P > .05), although there were significant differences in % hexagonal cells and CV (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Tawny owls present a uniform endothelium in cell size and shape, although ECD and MCA differ greatly from other bird species. Differences in ECD and MCA could not be found between fledglings and adults probably because of the youth of adult specimens, although there were differences in pleomorphism and polymegathism.

Detection of West Nile virus lineage 2 in North-Eastern Spain (Catalonia).

In September 2017, West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 was detected in Catalonia (Northern Spain) in northern goshawks by passive surveillance. The phylogenetic analyses showed that it was related to the Central/Southern European strains, evidencing WNV lineage 2 spread to Western Europe. WNV local transmission was later detected in bearded vultures housed at the Wildlife Recovery center where the goshawk was transferred to. Further studies, before the following period of high mosquito activity, indicated that WNV had circulated intensively in poultry and horses but only surrounding of the area where the virus was detected. In other areas of Catalonia, circulation of flaviviruses different to WNV was identified. Public Health investigations failed to detect WNV infection in humans.

Assessment of the exposure to heavy metals in Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) from the Iberian Peninsula.

Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus), by virtue of their position at the top of the food chain and as obligate scavengers, are at risk of accumulating and concentrating heavy metals in their tissues and may be more predisposed to their toxic effects. The aim of this study is to investigate heavy metal concentrations in Griffon vultures in Portugal and Catalonia, Spain and to determine if heavy metal concentrations in the blood of weak and/or injured Griffon vultures admitted to wildlife rehabilitation centres (WRC) reflect contamination profiles in the local, free-living and outwardly healthy population. Whole-blood samples taken from 121 Griffon vultures caught in the wild or admitted to WRC in Portugal and Catalonia, Spain were examined for cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Cd and Hg were not detected in most samples (98.3% and 95%, respectively), while Pb was detected in all birds in concentrations ranging between 4.97 and 300.23 µg/dl. Birds admitted to WRC had significantly lower Pb concentrations (24.15 ± 15.07 and 25.98 ± 18.04 µg/dl in Portugal and Catalonia, Spain, respectively) than animals caught in the wild (29.67 ± 13.19 and 42.22 ± 50.08 µg/dl in Portugal and Catalonia, Spain, respectively) (p<0.05). This may be explained by the fact that malnutrition was the main cause of admission of Griffon vultures to WRC, as ingestion has been described as the most significant pathway for Pb exposure in raptors. Therefore Griffon vultures admitted to WRC do not seem to be representative of the local, free-flying populations, so it remains necessary to continue catching when one intends to monitor Pb exposure in this species. The population of vultures captured in Catalonia, Spain showed the highest mean blood Pb concentration, perhaps due to the municipal rubbish dump located near the feeding station, with rubbish providing a significant fraction of their trophic needs. The ingestion of game meat with bullet fragments in carcasses or with Pb shots embedded in their flesh could also be the cause of the high blood Pb concentrations found in some vultures. The potential risk of Pb exposure in Griffon vulture populations must be given consideration, since most individuals evaluated had Pb concentrations between 20 and 100µg/dl, which is considered to be subclinical exposure to Pb, and which is above the threshold level at which Pb can affect antioxidant system in this species (15 µg/dl).

Detection and assessment of electrocution in endangered raptors by infrared thermography.

BACKGROUND: Most European birds of prey find themselves in a poor state of conservation, with electrocution as one of the most frequent causes of unnatural death. Since early detection of electrocution is difficult, treatment is usually implemented late, which reduces its effectiveness. By considering that electrocution reduces tissue temperature, it may be detectable by thermography, which would allow a more rapid identification. Three individuals from three endangered raptor species [Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti), Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) and Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)] were studied thermographically from the time they were admitted to a rehabilitation centre to the time their clinical cases were resolved. CASES PRESENTATION: The three raptors presented lesions lacking thermal bilateral symmetry and were consistent with electrocution of feet, wings and eyes, visible by thermography before than clinically; lesions were well-defined and showed a lower temperature than the surrounding tissue. Some lesions evolved thermally and clinically until the appearance of normal tissue recovered, while others evolved and became necrotic. A histopathological analysis of a damaged finger amputated off a Lammergeier, and the necropsy and histopathology examination of an osprey, confirmed the electrocution diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that thermography is effective and useful for the objective and early detection and monitoring of electrocuted birds, and that it may prove especially useful for examining live animals that require no amputation or cannot be subjected to invasive histopathology.

Novel lyssavirus in bat, Spain.

A new tentative lyssavirus, Lleida bat lyssavirus, was found in a bent-winged bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) in Spain. It does not belong to phylogroups I or II, and it seems to be more closely related to the West Causasian bat virus, and especially to the Ikoma lyssavirus.

Estudio descriptivo de tablas-control de usuarios de mejora de los aspectos cualitativos de la calidad del servicio deportivo / Descriptive study of user control tables for the improvemente of qualitative aspects quality of service sports

El objeto del estudio consiste en realizar un control descriptivo y gráfico soEl objeto del estudio consiste en realizar un control descriptivo y gráfico sotivo Mediterráneo Cartagena con el fin de controlar, buscar y orientar hacia donde se mueven los intereses de los usuarios en relación a preferencias de bandas horarias y actividades más demandadas, buscando los aspectos e indicadores que nos lleven a una mejora de los niveles en la calidad del servicio.Los resultados, además de ayudarnos a rediseñar la oferta de servicios nos servirá para ofrecer recomendaciones para el diseño de tablas de control de usuario para su posterior uso como herramienta de control y evaluación (AU)

The purpose of the study is to perform descriptive and graphic control on the activities on offer targeted and developed in the Centro Deportivo Mediterráneo Cartagena to manage, search and moving guide to where the interests of users in relation to preferences time bands and most popular activities, looking for issues and indicators that will lead to improved levels of service quality.The results, as well as help to redesign the service offering will help us to provide recommendations for the design of user control tables for later use as a tool for monitoring and evaluation (AU)