Oestrid myiasis in European mouflon from Spain.

From February 1992 to March 1997, 245 European mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon) from Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park (southern Spain) were surveyed for oestrid larvae in order to estimate prevalence and mean intensity of parasitism by Oestrus ovis. Over 46 percent of the animals surveyed were infected, with a mean intensity of 9.6 larvae/host parasitized. No significant differences in prevalence rates between host sexes were observed, but older mouflons were infected with more larvae than younger ones.

Hematologic parameters of the Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica).

Thirteen hematologic parameters were measured in 52 Spanish ibexes (Capra pyrenaica) from Sierra Nevada Natural Park, southern Spain. The animals were captured, maintained in captivity, and physically restrained for blood collection. We compared hematologic values for healthy ibexes with animals infected with sarcoptic mites and animals treated for scabies and recovered. Ibexes with scabies showed a decreased number of erythrocytes, a higher mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and increased numbers of band neutrophils. The number of lymphocytes was significantly higher in animals that had recovered from scabies as compared with infested ones. The only difference observed between healthy and recovered animals was in the number of monocytes, which remained significantly higher in animals that had recovered from scabies. No hemoparasites were found in this study.

Oestrosis in red deer from Spain.

A survey of naso-pharyngeal myiasis affecting red deer (Cervus elaphus) in southern Spain was conducted. The parasites involved were the larvae of Pharyngomyia picta and Cephenemyia auribarbis (Diptera:Oestridae), which coexist sympatrically within this host. Males and older animals had higher prevalences and intensities of fly larvae. Differences in behaviour and habitat use by male and female deer, and the increase of head size in older males are possibly responsible for this. There were low densities of C. auribarbis while P. picta was the species most frequently observed, although both oestrids were located in the same host cavities. The earlier larviposition by C. auribarbis, and its faster larval development may reflect asynchronous life-cycles of both oestrids; this may decrease inter-specific competition between these sympatric species.

Gonotrophic and embryonic development of the Palaearctic screwworm fly Wohlfahrtia magnifica.

Gonotrophic and embryonic development of Wohlfahrtia magnifica were studied on pupae and adults reared in the laboratory. Gonotrophic development in screwworm begins 8 days after pupation in yellow eye pharate adults. The adult female emerges with its oocytes at stage 3 and requires only 2 days for complete oogenesis and 5 days for complete embryogenesis. Mating occurs 2-5 days after adult emergence, starting the embryonic development. Each female produces an average of 76.8 active larvae which can produce a traumatic lesion in their hosts. When food sources were regularly supplied synchronization of gonotrophic stages can be observed. These stages together with the embryonic ones are described.

Study of bone mineral density in lumbar spine and femoral neck in a Spanish population. Multicentre Research Project on Osteoporosis.

The aim of this study was to generate standard curves for bone mineral density (BMD) in a Spanish population using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), at both lumbar spine and femoral neck sites. The total sample size was 2442 subjects of both sexes aged 20-80 years, stratified according to survival rates, demographic distribution by local regions and sex ratio in the Spanish population. Subjects with suspected conditions affecting bone metabolism or receiving any treatment affecting bone mineralization were excluded. The study was carried out in 14 hospitals and bone density measurements were performed, using a QDR/ 1000 Hologic device. In the female population, the highest value for lumbar spine BMD was found within the 30-39 years age group, being significantly lower after the age of 49 years. In the male population, the highest values for lumbar spine BMD are found one decade earlier than in the female population and become significantly lower after the age of 69 years. The highest values for femoral neck BMD in men and women was found in the 20-29 year age group. Values for femoral neck BMD in the female population become statistically lower after the age of 49 years, while in the male population this effect was seen after the age of 69 years. Values for femoral neck BMD were higher in men than women at all ages.

Isolation and identification of bacteria associated with the screwworm fly Cochliomyia hominivorax, coquerel and its myiasis.

We studied eight different myiasis of sheep caused by screwworm flies under laboratory conditions. Swabs were taken from the wound, before, during, and after the myiasis. Seven hundred and thirty-one samples were streaked on different bacteriological media. All samples were identified by Api System (bioMerieuex). We found thirty-eight different bacterial species in the exudates from the myiasis (before, during, and after the parasitic cycle). The analysis of bacterial flora of the screwworm showed, on larvae stage 1, 10 different bacterial species, on larvae 2, 12 bacterial species; larvae 3, 15 bacterial species; crawl off, 15 bacteria species, pupa, 9 bacterial species; and adults, 2 bacterial species and on the pioneer fly, 14 different bacterial species were isolated and identified.

The role of botfly myiasis due to Dermatobia hominis L.Jr. (Diptera:Cuterebridae) as a predisposing factor to New World screwworm myiasis (Cochliomyia hominivorax coquerel) (Diptera:Calliphoridae).

In the tropics, the botfly Dermatobia hominis and the NWS Cochliomyia hominivorax are the most important myiasis agents in cattle. It is frequently reported that furuncular lesions due to D. hominis are a predisposing cause for screwworm myiasis. Our results pointed out that only 5.2 to 7.4% of C. hominivorax gravid females oviposited in the offered furuncular lesions. Of 3242 eggs layed on botfly lesions (BFL), only 82 (2.5%) developed to second instar and died. In the flies tested, the furuncular lesions due to Dermatobia were used as food supply in 81.3% of the cases. In our opinion, the role of pH, the microflora associated with BFL, and the foruncular structure were the reasons for this lack of attraction. BFL do not serve as a predisposing factor for screwworm myiasis in the tropics.

The associated microflora to the larvae of human bot fly Dermatobia hominis L. Jr. (Diptera: Cuterebridae) and its furuncular lesions in cattle.

The microflora associated to furuncular lesions, larvae and pupae of Dermatobia hominis, as well as the relationships between parasite, host and microflora associated, as a comprehensive microsystem, has been studied. One hundred and two furuncular myiasis due to D. hominis larvae in several breeds of cattle were studied and the following bacterial species were significant: Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, S. warneri, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. Closely related, the microflora associated to 141 samples from first, second, third instar larva and both external surface and larval cavities has been studied. The representative associated microflora to the larvae were: S. aureus, B. subtilis, S. hycus and Moraxella phenylpiruvica, Moerella wisconsiensis, Proteus mirabilis and P. vulgaris, M. phenylpiruvica, M. wisconsiensis, P. mirabilis and P. rettgeri were the representative microflora associated to 64 pupae of D. hominis.

Prevalence and seasonality of Oestrus caucasicus Grunin, 1948 (Diptera: Oestridae) parasitizing the Spanish ibex, Capra pyrenaica (Mammalia: Artiodactyla).

Prevalence and intensity of parasitism by oestrid larvae in the Spanish ibex Capra pyrenaica were determined for a period of 2.5 yr in Sierra Nevada Natural Park, southern Spain. The most relevant result of this study was to find Oestrus caucasicus parasitizing this ungulate in a geographical location far from its previously known distribution, e.g., the Caucasus mountain range and central Asia. Larvae were found within 74% of the heads examined (n = 180). Prevalence was higher in females and in older animals. Lowest prevalence occurred during the summer months. The mean intensity (+/- SD) was 25.4 +/- 27.3 larvae and was similar in both host sexes. The number of larvae increased with host age and reached the highest intensities in winter, during December and January.

Studies on the hypodermosis affecting red deer in central and southern Spain.

From November 1992 to February 1993, 455 red deer (Cervus elaphus) were surveyed in order to estimate the prevalence of warble fly (Hypoderma actaeon) larvae under the skin of this ungulate species. Material came from Montes de Toledo, Sierra Morena, Sierra de Alcaraz, and Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park (central and southern Spain). We observed a prevalence of 92%, with a mean +/- SD intensity of 35.7 +/- 41.3 grubs per parasitized host; there was a maximum of 317 larvae per host. No significant differences in prevalence by host sex were found, although significant differences were observed in prevalences among different host age classes. The main location of feeding larvae in deer was in the back tissues.

Occurrence and overlapping of pharyngeal bot flies Pharyngomyia picta and Cephenemyia auribarbis (Oestridae) in red deer of southern Spain.

From 1985 to 1990, 372 red deer (Cervus elaphus) from southern Spain were examined for larvae of pharyngeal bot flies Pharyngomyia picta and Cephenemyia auribarbis. The infestation was related to age, sex and intensity of infection. Fawns and adult deer (more than 5 years old) had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher prevalence and intensity of infection than younger deer. Conversely, no significant difference has been noted between sexes. Ninety percent of deer were found to be infested. A simultaneous occurrence of both species was found in 23% of cases, with noticeable differences between prevalence and intensity of infection (measured in number of bots per head for each species). Quantitative overlapping between P. picta and C. auribarbis seems relative and their biological cycles did not overlap completely.

[Mixed semi-specific cutaneous myiasis]. / Miasis cutánea semiespecífica mixta.

A case of mixed semi-specific cutaneous myiasis produced by larvae from Calliphora vicina Rob.-Desv. and Lucilia sericata Mg, in their third development stage, is described, as the first case in humans, although there is a precedent described in domestic animals. Main taxonomic characteristics and diagnostic features of the parasites are discussed, together with the implications of their biology in the observed clinical case, discussing, as well the prophylaxis and therapy.

Scanning electron microscope study of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner, 1862) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). I. Structures with parasitic and possible taxonomic meaning.

The larval development of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (the most important dipteran causing sheep myiasis in the Palearctic region) has been studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. The ultrastructure of mouth-hooks, oral ridges, labial lobes, body spines and anterior and posterior peritremes is described for the first time. Their possible adaptations to a parasitic lifeway are also discussed. Thus, the use of new structures in the Sarcophagidae taxonomy is proposed from the point of view of their ultrastructure and adaptative morphology.

Postembryonic development of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner, 1862) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae).

A description of the larval development of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner, 1862) is given. An interpretation of the morphological development correlated with functional and adaptive aspects of myiasis-causing flies is also included. A detailed analysis of morphological changes that occurred in W. magnifica larvae during postembryonic development is carried out. These changes happen in 2 larval interinstars, I-II and II-III, in which several structures such as anterior and posterior peritremes and cephalopharyngeal skeleton play an important role. The possible functions of these structures are considered. We also describe the first instar in W. magnifica to differentiate it from that belonging to Sarcophaga species, paying special attention to disposition of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, anterior peritremes, and spinulation on the last 3 segments. Several structures, not described previously in Sarcophagidae, were observed: modified spines of the buccal and peritremal cavities, peritremal tubercles, and modified spines on the ventral surface. Changes occurring in these structures during larval development are described. Their probable role in the taxonomy of the genus Wohlfahrtia and their application to Nearctic species belonging to this genus, Wohlfahrtia vigil and Wohlfahrtia opaca, are also discussed.

Treatment of mild to moderate hypertension with verapamil slow-release in outpatients. Collaborative Group of the Spanish League for the Fight Against Hypertension.

The efficacy of verapamil, a calcium channel blocker in slow-release form, 240 mg once a day, was assessed in 1,412 ambulatory, mildly to moderately hypertensive patients. Blood pressure decreased from 171.82 +/- 17/103.55 +/- 6 mm Hg at week 0 to 157 +/- 15/93.6 +/- 8 mm Hg at 2 weeks (p less than 0.001) in 78% of patients. At week 12 there were 1,249 patients (88%) controlled with therapy, either with verapamil alone (950 patients, 67%) or plus additional diuretic (21%). Blood pressure showed a mean decrease of 24.6 mm Hg in systolic and 17.2 mm Hg in diastolic pressure at week 12. Heart rate decreased from 81.4 +/- 11 beats/min at week 0 to 75.69 +/- 8.5 beats/min at week 12 (p less than 0.05). There were no statistical differences in the effect on diastolic blood pressure between elderly (greater than 65 years) and nonelderly patients in the study, although the elderly showed higher baseline systolic pressure (178.27 +/- 17 mm Hg vs. 168.97 +/- 16 mm Hg, p less than 0.001) than did nonelderly patients. Verapamil therapy produced a similar effect on systolic pressure (p = NS) in younger patients (23.96 mm Hg decrement) and in the elderly (25.93 mm Hg decrement). The overall incidence of adverse reactions was 16.58%, accounting for 1.06% of patients' withdrawals. Constipation (5%) was the most common side effect. We conclude that slow-release verapamil, 240 mg once a day, is an effective therapeutic alternative in systemic hypertension, and must be included in the first step of antihypertensive therapy.