Genetic and morphological identification of filarial worm from Iberian hare in Portugal.

The Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) is an endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula and the only hare species found in Portugal, although also being present in some areas of Spain. The reduction of wild hare populations due to several ecological and sanitary factors, has been raising growing concerns in the recent years. Despite different helminth species were already described in Iberian hares in Portugal, to this date, no filarial worms have been identified in this species. Furthermore, only a few studies on lagomorphs' onchocercid worms are available, referring to other hosts species of hares and/or rabbits. In this study, we describe the presence of filarial worms in the blood vessels of two adult Iberian hares collected in 2019 in continental Portugal. Morphology and sequencing data from the 12S rRNA, coxI, 18S rRNA, myoHC, hsp70 and rbp1 genes, showed that the filaroid species were genetically related with Micipsella numidica. However, the extension of the genetic differences found with M. numidica suggests that the filaroids specimens under study belong to a new species, that we provisionally named Micipsella iberica n. sp.. The body location of this putative new parasite species and its physiological implications indicate that it may constitute a potential menace to the already fragile Iberian hare justifying, therefore, further investigation regarding the morphological characterization, prevalence and real clinical impact of this new parasite in hares.

First description of a herpesvirus infection in genus Lepus.

During the necropsies of Iberian hares obtained in 2018/2019, along with signs of the nodular form of myxomatosis, other unexpected external lesions were also observed. Histopathology revealed nuclear inclusion bodies in stromal cells suggesting the additional presence of a nuclear replicating virus. Transmission electron microscopy further demonstrated the presence of herpesvirus particles in the tissues of affected hares. We confirmed the presence of herpesvirus in 13 MYXV-positive hares by PCR and sequencing analysis. Herpesvirus-DNA was also detected in seven healthy hares, suggesting its asymptomatic circulation. Phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated partial sequences of DNA polymerase gene and glycoprotein B gene enabled greater resolution than analysing the sequences individually. The hare' virus was classified close to herpesviruses from rodents within the Rhadinovirus genus of the gammaherpesvirus subfamily. We propose to name this new virus Leporid gammaherpesvirus 5 (LeHV-5), according to the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses standards. The impact of herpesvirus infection on the reproduction and mortality of the Iberian hare is yet unknown but may aggravate the decline of wild populations caused by the recently emerged natural recombinant myxoma virus.

Detection of rabbit Haemorrhagic disease virus 2 during the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) eradication from the Berlengas archipelago, Portugal.

BACKGROUND: In the regular wildlife monitoring action carried out in the summer of the past few years at the Berlenga Island, wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have been repeatedly found dead. However, the origin of those deaths was never investigated. Our aim was to investigate the cause of death of 11 rabbits collected between April and May 2016. RESULTS: While screening samples from rabbit carcasses for the major viral rabbit pathogens, five tested positive to RHDV2 but all were negative for RHDV and myxoma virus (MYXV). For six RHDV2-negative specimens, emaciation and parasitism were considered the most probable cause of death. Lesions identified in the RHDV2-positive rabbits included non-suppurative diffuse hepatic necrosis and pulmonary lesions varying from congestion and oedema of the lungs to interstitial pneumonia. Sequencing analysis of the vp60 gene obtained from two specimens showed identical vp60 sequences. Comparison with other known RHDV2 strains from public databases through BLAST analysis revealed a closer similarity with strains from Alentejo collected during 2013. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis showed that the 2016 strains from the archipelago have a higher resemblance with a group of strains mostly collected in the South of Portugal between 2013 and 2014. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that RHDV2 may have been introduced on the Berlenga Island a few years ago, having evolved separately from mainland strains due to insularity.

Leiomioma vascular bucal: reporte de un caso / Vascular leiomioma: case report

Leiomiomas son neoplasias benignas de músculo liso, poço frecuentes en cavidad bucal, que presentan crecimiento lento y se asemejan a otras lesiones de tejido conectivo. Clinicamente de tamaño entre 0,5 y 3 cm de diámetro, los leiomiomas vasculares generalmente tienen base pedunculada y coloración diversa debido a su ubicación y vascularización. El propósito de este artículo es presentar un reporte de caso de leiomioma vascular en lábio inferior y discutir su etiología, diagnóstico diferencial y tratamiento

Leiomyomas are benign smooth muscle neoplasms, rarely seen in oral cavity, that presents slow growth and are similar to others lesions of conjuntive tissue. Clinically with a size between 0,5 and 3 cm in diameter, vascular leiomyomas generally have pedunculated basis and diverse coloration due to location and vascularity. The purpose of this article is to present a case report of oral vascular leiomyoma in the lower lip and discuss their etiology, differential diagnosis and treatment

A correct formulation for a spatially implicit predator-prey metacommunity model.

In order to mitigate the problem of increasing model complexity with increasing number of occupation states in spatially implicit metacommunity models, the assumption of independency among species distributions is often required. In the present paper, we show that this approach only works correctly if set relations among patch occupancy states are considered adequately. This is illustrated by means of a well-known, although incorrectly formulated, predator-prey metacommunity model devised by Bascompte and Solé[1]. We demonstrate that this model shows anomalous dynamical behavior caused by inconsistence between the model formulation and its assumptions. In order to formalize our finding we develop a corrected model formulation that accounts for the principles of set theory so that the sum of the system compartments change rate is nulled. Applying this method successfully rules out the occurrence of anomalous dynamical behavior found in the original model. Finally we discuss the implications of our findings for the accuracy of model predictions.

[American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the sugar cane-producing area of Pernambuco, North-East Brazil]. / La leishmaniose tégumentaire américaine dans la région sucrière du Pernambouc, Nord-Est du Brésil.

The cases of American cutaneous leishmaniasis reported here were observed between 1995 and 1998 in outpatients at a health clinic in the sugar cane-producing region in the south of Pernambuco State (Brazil), in which the disease is known to be endemic. Two hundred thirty eight cases were reported, equivalent to about ten cases per thousand patients. The disease affected patients of all ages, with a slight male predominance. The lesions were generally single and located on the legs. They were successfully treated with Glucantime. Vectors of the disease, sandflies of the genus Lutzomyia, were captured in and around homes, particularly in stables. This field work demonstrates the extent of a long-standing endemic that can be effectively treated within motivated health structures.