Oral trichomonosis: Description and severity of lesions in birds in Spain.

Avian trichomonosis is a parasitic disease caused by the flagellated protozoan Trichomonas gallinae. Columbiformes are the reservoir host of the parasite, with high levels of infection, but also other domestic and wild birds from a variety of orders are susceptible to the infection and development of gross lesions. In this paper we describe the type and severity of lesions in wild birds in four avian orders (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes, Strigiformes and Columbiformes). A total of 94 clinical cases diagnosed of trichomonosis were selected for the categorization of their lesions in the upper digestive tract. The affected birds were classified into three different categories (mild, moderate and severe) based on size (in relation to the tracheal opening), depth and location of the lesions. Mild cases are those with small and superficial lesions far from the oropharyngeal opening; moderate cases possess larger and deeper lesions, and severe cases very large and deep lesions that impede swallowing or affect the skull. Mild lesions were found in 10.6 % of cases; moderate lesions were observed in 18.1 % of the birds and severe lesions in 71.3 %. Treatment outcomes in birds with either mild or moderate lesions were favorable, while severe lesions were related to poor body score, leading to death or euthanasia in most cases. A relationship between severe lesions and avian order was found, with a higher percentage of birds with this type in Falconiformes, Columbiformes and Strigiformes. Multifocal lesions were more frequent in Columbiformes and Falconiformes. In Strigiformes, 93.3 % of birds showed lesions in the upper jaw. This study seeks to further understanding of avian trichomonosis and to provide information that will be useful to veterinarians and related professionals for assessment, prognosis and treatment choice for these birds.

Genetic characterization of oropharyngeal trichomonad isolates from wild birds indicates that genotype is associated with host species, diet and presence of pathognomonic lesions.

Oropharyngeal trichomonad isolates of wild birds from Spain were studied. A total of 1688 samples (1214 of predator birds and 474 of prey species) from wildlife recovery centres and scientific bird-ringing campaigns were analysed from 2011 to 2013. The overall infection prevalence was 20.3% (11.4% in predator birds and 43.3% in prey species). Pathognomonic lesions were present in 26% of the infected birds (57.3% in predator birds and 4.9% in prey species). The most commonly parasitized species were the goshawk (Accipiter gentilis, 74.5%) and the rock pigeon (Columba livia, 79.4%). Host species in which the parasite has not been previously analysed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing in Spain are also reported: Columba palumbus, Streptopelia turtur, Pica pica, A. gentilis, Accipiter nisus, Asio otus, Bubo bubo, Buteo buteo, Circus aeruginosus, Circus cyaneus, Falco naumanni, Falco peregrinus, Neophron percnopterus, Otus scops, Pernis apivorus and Strix aluco. Sequence analysis of the ITS1/5.8S/ITS2 region revealed five different genotypes and also some mixed infections. A relationship between genotype and host species was observed, but only two genotypes (ITS-OBT-Tg-1and ITS-OBT-Tg-2) were widely distributed. Genotype ITS-OBT-Tg-1 was most frequently found in predator birds and statistically associated with pathognomonic lesions. Non-strict ornithophagous species were at higher risk to develop disease than ornithophagous ones. Genotypes ITS-OBT-Tcl-1 and ITS-OBT-Tcl-2 are new reports, and ITS-OBT-Tvl-5 is reported for the first time in Spain. They showed higher genetic homology to Trichomonas canistomae and Trichomonas vaginalis than to Trichomonas gallinae, indicating the possibility of new species within this genus.

Efecto del entrenamiento al ejercicio en cifoescoliosis / Effect of exercise training in kyphoscoliosis

FUNDAMENTOS: Analizar el efecto de un programa rehabilitación respiratoria sobre el control de los síntomas respiratorios en pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria hipercápnica (IRH)secundaria a cifoescoliosis. MÉTODOS: Estudiamos a 15 pacientes, 8 hombres y 7 mujeres, diagnosticados de IRH secundaria a cifoescoliosis, en tratamiento con ventilación mecánica domiciliaria (VMD) al menos durante 6 meses y sin control completo de los síntomas. Iniciamos protocolo de entrenamiento al ejercicio, creando aleatoriamente dos grupos: control y entrenamiento. Al inicio y al final del estudio se les realizó una valoración funcional: espirometría forzada, pletismografía, gasometría arterial, PMI y PME, fuerza muscular periférica (test 1RM), test de esfuerzo máximo y submáximo en cicloergómetro, Shuttle Walking Test (SWT) y disnea por escalas de MRC y BDI/TDI. El grupo entrenamiento: realizó tratamiento con VMD y programa de entrenamiento mixto al ejercicio. El grupo control realizó tratamiento con VMD. RESULTADOS: Con VMD mejoraron significativamente los síntomas por hipoventilación, sin mejoría significativa del síntoma disnea. Tras programa de entrenamiento: el grupo control no mostró cambios significativos en los parámetros evaluados; el grupo entrenamiento mostró cambios significativos en síntoma disnea: tanto basal, de Pre-RR=4(0,75) a Post-RR=3,50 (1) según la escala de MRC, y de Pre-RR=2,33(2) a Post-RR=4(2,33) según índice de disnea basal de Mahler, como tras esfuerzo, de Pre-RR=9(1,75) a Post- RR=7(5) según la escala de Borg tras el test de endurance. Se observó además una mejora en la capacidad de esfuerzo de aquellos pacientes que realizaron el programa de entrenamiento al ejercicio. CONCLUSIONES: La rehabilitación respiratoria (RR) asociada a VMD, consigue mejorar la disnea, capacidad de esfuerzo y por tanto, la calidad de vida en pacientes con cifoescoliosis severa en situación de IRH (AU)

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the effect of a respiratory rehabilitation programme on the control of the respiratory symptoms in patients with hypercapnic respiratory insufficiency (HRF) secondaryto kyphoscoliosis. METHODS: We studied 15 patients, 8 men and 7 women, diagnosed with HRF secondary to kyphoscoliosis, under treatment with home mechanical ventilation (HMV) for at least 6 months and without complete control of the symptoms. We initiated an exercise training protocol, randomly creating two groups: control and training. The patients underwent a functional evaluation at the beginning and at the end of the study consisting of: forced spirometry, plethysmography, arterial gasometry, MIP and MEP, one repetition maximum strength test (1-RM test), maximum and sub-maximum effort tests on a cycloergometer, Shuttle Walking Test (SWT)and dyspnoea by MRC and BDI/TDI scales. The training group: were treated with HMV and a mixed exercise training programme. The control group received treatment with HMV. RESULTS: With HMV the hypoventilation symptoms improved significantly, without significant improvement of the dyspnea symptom. After the training programme: the control group did not show significant changes in the measured parameters; the training group showed significant changes in the dyspnoea symptom: both basal (from Pre-RR = 4[0.75] to Post-RR = 3.50[1] according to the MRC scale, and Pre-RR = 2.33[2] to Post-RR = 4[2.33] according to the basal dyspnoea index of Mahler) and after effort (from Pre-RR = 9[1.75] to Post- RR = 7[5] according to the Borg scale after the endurance test). In addition, an improvement was observed in the effort capacity of those patients who underwent the exercise training programme. CONCLUSIONS: The respiratory rehabilitation (RR) associated to HMV, is able to improve the dyspnoea, effort capacity and therefore, the quality of life in patients with severe kyphoscoliosis in the HRF situation (AU)