Carlos Gutiérrez

Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria | ULPGC · Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences

RESUMEN La fiebre Q es una antropozoonosis cuyo agente causal es Coxiella burnetii que presenta una repercusión importante desde el punto de vista de la salud humana y animal. En esta revision, inicialmente se ha realizado una breve referencia histórica de la infección por C. burnetii y la fiebre Q. En un segundo apartado se describen los aspectos...

The aims of this cross-sectional study were to estimate the prevalence of IgG antibodies against Chlamydia abortus, the cause of enzootic abortion, in goats and to determine its associated risk factors on the Canary Islands. A total of 325 goats from 11 non-vaccinated herds were sampled and assessed using a commercial ELISA kit. Related data were a...

This book covers more than 40 indigenous goat breeds and several ecotypes around the globe. The authors describe genotypic and phenotype traits concerning species adaption to harsh environments and climate change. They also address sustainable global farming of local goat breeds in different production systems and agro-ecosystems. Three main overal...

This book explores the current trends and challenges of sustainable goat production in different global contexts. The authors provide valuable insights into this industry in adverse environments like mountain, semiarid and arid regions. In this volume, international experts discuss goat reproduction, genetic diversity and improvement. Readers will...

Many tropical and subtropical animal diseases are currently threatening the survival of livestock and people living in those affected regions. Unfortunately, they have received little attention by researchers and pharmaceutical companies but examples like rinderpest, officially eradicated in 2011, suppose a hope that global efforts can gain the bat...

This chapter aims to describe significant aspects of the most common nutritional/metabolic diseases caused by insufficient or disbalanced nutrients intake, such as carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and macro or trace minerals, and their repercussion in goat metabolism. Goats are opportunistic feeding behavior animals, choosing the best nutrients i...

Figure S1 Phylogenetic tree of Nanobodies (Nbs) directed against GFLV. Figure S2 Unrooted phylogenetic tree reconstructed from the amino acid sequence of the CP protein of the eight GFLV isolates and ArMV‐S. Figure S3 Evaluation of the resistance of T2 lines 23EG16 9 and 23EG38 4 to infection by viral RNA.

A rare case of congenital supernumerary teeth, also known as hyperdontia, observed in a healthy 8-month-old female ewe is presented. The congenital defect consisted of the presence of 2 incisor teeth embedded in the lateral areas of the dental pad. The anomaly was found during a routine physical examination and no other congenital abnormalities wer...

Since their discovery, single-domain antigen-binding fragments of camelid-derived heavy chain-only antibodies, also known as Nanobodies (Nbs), have proven to be of outstanding interest as therapeutics against human diseases and pathogens including viruses, but their use against phytopathogens remains limited. Many plant viruses including Grapevine...

Antivenoms developed from the plasma of hyper-immunized animals are the only effective treatment available against snakebite envenomation but shortage of supply contributes to the high morbidity and mortality toll of this tropical disease. We describe a synthetic biology approach to affordable and cost-effective antivenom production based on plant-...

Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of human Q fever, can infect mammals, birds, and arthropods. The Canary Islands (Spain) are considered an endemic territory, with a high prevalence in both humans and livestock. Nonetheless, there is no epidemiological information about the wild and peridomestic cycles of C. burnetii. Tissue samples from rod...

The small ruminants are considered as main reservoirs of Coxiella burnetii for humans and animals. Domestic sheep and goats have been implied in many human Q fever outbreaks. Thus, the knowledge of the epidemiological role of domestic small ruminants seems to be essential to control the disease in the flocks and to avoid dissemination of the bacter...

Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever in humans and animals, affects particularly ruminant species, being considered as the main reservoirs of the bacterium. Among them, goats and sheep have been implied in many human Q fever outbreaks worldwide and, for that, sanitary and control measures must be implemented when the disease is detecte...

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are protozoan parasites with worldwide distribution affecting different species. Previous studies performed in Gran Canaria Island on T. gondii revealed 63.3% of seroprevalence for both, humans and goats. Therefore, in order to evaluate the current status of both parasites in goats in the Canary Islands, 552 a...

Since their discovery, single-domain antigen-binding fragments of camelid-derived heavy chain-only antibodies, also known as Nanobodies (Nbs), have proven to be of outstanding interest as therapeutics against human diseases and pathogens including viruses, but their use against phytopathogens remains limited. Many plant viruses including Grapevine...

Abnormal levels of fibrinogen (Fib) in blood plasma are associated with several pathological conditions and hence methods for its detection in blood and body fluids are essential. Nanobodies (Nbs) or (VHHs) are single domain antibodies derived from camelids with excellent biophysical and antigen-binding properties, showing great promise in diagnost...

Unlabelled: The Gram-positive bacterium Lactococcus lactis, used for the production of cheeses and other fermented dairy products, falls victim frequently to fortuitous infection by tailed phages. The accompanying risk of dairy fermentation failures in industrial facilities has prompted in-depth investigations of these phages. Lactococcal phage Tu...

Contacts between the RBP and nano-L06. (A) Buried surface area (BSA [Å2]) calculated between the different components of the complex. (B) Residues of the RBP (I monomer) and VHH (C monomer) involved in the interaction. Shown are the accessible surface area (ASA) before complexation and the buried surface area (Å2) after complexation. H and HS ident...

The Canary Islands have been considered as Q fever endemic territory for humans and livestock, but those studies were carried out 20 years ago. In order to evaluate the current status of the disease in livestock, a cross-sectional survey was performed evaluating 22 milking goat farms and 550 goats throughout all the 7 Canary Islands. A questionnair...

The one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius L.) is not indigenous to the Canary Islands but based on historical references was introduced at the very beginning of the fifteenth century. The camel thrived in the subtropical dry environment. A long period of isolation from other animals of the same species meant that the animals were virtually disease...

In 2012, a new betacoronavirus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), was identified in humans. Several studies confirmed dromedary camels to be a potential reservoir and a source for human infection. Camels located on the Canary Islands were included in those studies and ca 10% of them were positive for MERS-CoV-specific antibod...

This study investigated the presence of Enterococcus spp. strains in camel faeces, their virulence factors, and resistance to the antibiotics commonly used as therapy of enterococcal infections. One hundred and seventy three Enterococcus strains were isolated and identified to species level using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Susceptibility to 1...

In scientific literature, a small amount of information is found concerning mycoplasmosis in camel species. Mycoplasma (M.) arginini, Acholeplasma (A.) laidlawii, and Acholeplasma oculi have been reported to be isolated from these host species. Serologically positive results have been reported for Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC type, Mycopl...

Introduction: Trypanosoma evansi was first identified in the Canary Islands in 1997, and is still present in a small area of the Archipelago. To date, the disease has exclusively affected camel herds, and has not been detected in any other animal hosts. However potential vectors of Trypanosoma evansi must be identified. Methods: One Nzi trap was...

Cyclin G associated kinase (GAK) is a key regulator of clathrin-coated vesicles trafficking and plays a central role during development. Additionally, due to the unusually high plasticity of its catalytic domain it is a frequent "off-target" of clinical kinase inhibitors associated with respiratory side effects of these drugs. Here, we determined t...

Trypanosomoses are protozoan diseases, affecting both human and animals, and mainly found in tropical Africa, Latin America and Asia. In Africa, trypanosomes produce serious diseases in human beings such as West and East Sleeping Sickness caused by T. brucei gambiense and T. brucei congolense respectively, while in the Americas T. cruzi causes the...

Screening of antibody (Ab) libraries by direct display on the surface of E. coli cells is hampered by the presence of the outer membrane (OM). In this work we demonstrate that the native β-domains of EhaA autotransporter and intimin, two proteins from enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 (EHEC) with opposite topologies in the OM, are effective systems...

The Canary Islands contain the most important dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) population in the European Union and are the main export point of dromedaries to continental Europe and Latin America. We investigated the presence of antibodies against relevant disease agents in 100 Canarian camel sera. Selected blood samples of the same animals w...

A new betacoronavirus-Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)-has been identified in patients with severe acute respiratory infection. Although related viruses infect bats, molecular clock analyses have been unable to identify direct ancestors of MERS-CoV. Anecdotal exposure histories suggest that patients had been in contact with d...

The presence of given antigens in environmental samples (e.g. biodegradative enzymes) report the quality and catalytic vigor of particular soils or aquatic ecosystems. In this context, we have developed the NanoPad system, consisting of a complete platform for isolation, amplification and extracellular production of specific antibodies against anti...

The preparation of a VHH (nanobody(TM)) named IH4 that recognizes human glycophorin A (GPA) is described. IH4 was isolated by screening a library prepared from the lymphocytes of a dromedary immunized by human blood transfusion. Phage display and panning against GPA as the immobilized antigen, allowed isolating this VHH. IH4, representing 67% of th...

The preparation of a VHH (nanobodyTM) named IH4 that recognizes human glycophorin A (GPA) is described. IH4 was isolated by screening a library prepared from the lymphocytes of a dromedary immunized by human blood transfusion. Phage display and panning against GPA as the immobilized antigen, allowed isolating this VHH. IH4, representing 67% of the...

The first description of caudal duplication (dipygus) in a pigeon (Columba livia) is presented. Congenital defect is macroscopically and radiologically described. A surgical exeresis was completed. Possible causes are discussed. Although it is unknown if congenital duplications are caused by genetic or environmental factors, or both, genetic factor...

Immunizing a camelid (camels and llamas) with soluble, properly folded proteins raises an affinity-matured immune response in the unique camelid heavy-chain only antibodies (HCAbs). The peripheral blood lymphocytes of the immunized animal are used to clone the antigen-binding antibody fragment from the HCAbs in a phage display vector. A representat...

Trypanosoma evansi is the most widely spread of the pathogenic African trypanosomes of animals. The disease (surra) was first diagnosed in the Canary Islands in a dromedary camel in 1997; thus, a control plan was implemented achieving the eventual eradication of T. evansi from most of the infected areas in the Archipelago. However, a little area re...

Three diamidines (DB 75, DB 867 and DB 1192) were selected and their ability to cure T. evansi experimentally infected goats was investigated. A toxicity assessment and pharmacokinetic analysis of these compounds were additionally carried out. Goats demonstrated no signs of acute toxicity, when treated with four doses of 1 mg/kg/day (total dose 4 m...

Functional studies of biodegradative activities in environmental microorganisms require molecular tools for monitoring catabolic enzymes in the members of the native microbiota. To this end, we have generated repertories of single-domain V(HH) fragments of camel immunoglobulins (nanobodies) able to interact with multiple proteins that are descripto...

Natural Trypanosoma evansi infection in the Canary Islands has only been diagnosed in the camel population, but dissemination of the disease in other hosts has not been excluded. To evaluate the role of the goats in the dissemination of the disease, 8 goats were inoculated and examined during 6 months using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a...

Trypanosomosis is an important constraint to the livestock production in many parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis (nagana) is a disease complex caused particularly by Trypanosoma vivax, T. congolense and T. brucei brucei. Non tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis, on the other hand, is principally caused by T. eva...

Tropical diseases are those that occur principally in the tropics and by extension in subtropics. Some of them are considered neglected because these diseases persist exclusively in the poorest and the most marginalized areas of the world, where the interest of both companies and researchers is limited. There is not an official list of neglected tr...

According to several authors, Trypanosoma evansi is a monomorphic trypanosome found exclusively in slender intermediate forms, although additional studies have revealed that many strains present stumpy forms on rare occasions. In a recent T. evansi outbreak in mainland Spain, several atypical forms were observed in blood smear examinations. Molecul...

Here, two recent outbreaks of Trypanosoma evansi infection in mainland France and Spain associated with the importation of dromedary camels from the Canary Islands, are reported. The disease is well-known on the Archipelago since 1997 and many efforts have been made towards control and eventual eradication, but some areas still remain affected. Bot...

Trypanosoma evansi was diagnosed for the first time in camels in the Canary Islands in 1997. Several sanitary measures including treatment of infected animals were taken; however, nowadays a little area is still infected. In order to determine possible reservoirs 138 wild rodents were trapped, 64 of them in the infected farms and the remaining 74 i...

Fy blood group antigens are carried by the Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC), a red cells receptor for Plasmodium vivax broadly implicated in human health and diseases. Recombinant VHHs, or nano-bodies, the smallest intact antigen binding fragment derivative from the heavy chain-only antibodies present in camelids, were prepared from a d...

Fy blood group antigens are carried by the Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC), a red cells receptor for Plasmodium vivax broadly implicated in human health and diseases. Recombinant VHHs, or nanobodies, the smallest intact antigen binding fragment derivative from the heavy chain-only antibodies present in camelids, were prepared from a dr...

Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever, a zoonosis with worldwide occurrence. In the Canary Islands, the overall seroprevalence in humans has been estimated to be 21.5%. Gran Canaria island concentrates the highest ruminant population in the archipelago and the prevalence of the human infection is 23.5%. To evaluate the seroprevalence...

Two tributyrin hydrolysis-negative Moraxella isolates obtained in cases of keratoconjunctivitis in Camelus dromedarius in the Canary Islands showed highest degrees of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Moraxella canis. A level of DNA relatedness to the M. canis type strain of 79% confirmed the identity of the isolates as a tributyrin hydrolysis-n...

An outbreak of Trypanosoma evansi infection that occurred in mainland Spain is described. The outbreak occurred on an equine and camel farm to which dromedary camels from an infected area of the Canary Islands had recently been introduced. One of these camels developed clinical signs and T. evansi was discovered in a blood smear examination. The he...

Corbera, J.A., Vilar, J.M. and Gutierrez, C. 2009. Transient tracheal collapse associated with bronchopneumonia in a kid goat. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 53–54. A case of transient tracheal collapse associated with bronchopneumonia occurred in α 3-week-old goat is presented. Tracheal collapse, affecting particularly the caudal cervical region, would...

Given recent evidence of a possible role of camelids in the epidemiology of diseases caused by mycoplasma species in other ruminants, we examined the prevalence of the mycoplasmas most commonly responsible for contagious agalactia (CA) in small ruminants among the dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) of Lanzarote. On this island, one of the most arid...

Toxicity and therapeutic trials using Cymelarsan (an arsenical compound) against Trypanosoma evansi infection were carried out using chronically infected goats. For the toxicity trial, 40 goats were divided into four groups of 10 animals each; the first three groups received s.c. injections of 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg bw of Cymelarsan, respectively, and...

Trypanosoma theileri (Laveran, 1902) has been diagnosed in many countries and is commonly considered as a nonpathogenic hemoparasite, although some authors have described clinical signs in cattle infected with T. theileri. In April and May, 2005, 12 blood samples were received at the Exopol Diagnostic Laboratory (Zaragoza, Spain) from a Spanish bul...

A case of transient tracheal collapse associated with bronchopneumonia occurred in a 3-week-old goat is presented. Tracheal collapse, affecting particularly the caudal cervical region, would have been secondary to great respiratory effort. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment was successful and the tracheal collapse was reversible. Possible p...

A rare case of arthritis, peri-arthiritis and pleurits associated with Salmonella enterica and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in a dromedary camel is reported. Articular infections caused by Non-typhoidal Salmonella have been exceptionally described in human medicine. To our knowledge, this would be the first description of articular...

An 8-year-old male dromedary camel was presented with a history of urine retention. Anamnesis revealed a 5 day history of lethargy, loss of appetite, oligodipsia and repetitive unsuccessful attempts at micturition. Careful rectal palpation revealed a urine filled urinary bladder. The animal was initially treated with butilscopolamine, 0.2 ml/kg int...

An 8-year-old male dromedary camel was presented with a history of urine retention. Anamnesis revealed a 5 day history of lethargy, loss of appetite, oligodipsia and repetitive unsuccessful attempts at micturition. Careful rectal palpation revealed a urine filled urinary bladder. The animal was initially treated with butilscopolamine, 0.2 ml/kg int...

Corbera, J.A., Morales, M., Doreste, F. and Gutierrez, C. 2007. Experimental struvite urolithiasis in goats. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 32: 191?194. To study the occurrence of the experimental struvite urolithiasis in goats in a semi-arid region of the Canary Islands, where urolithiasis is relatively common, 18 one-year old Canary female goats were divid...

This communication presents a case of peromelia associated with brachydactyly and hyperphalangism in a newborn female goat. Absence and rudimentary distal phalanx were observed in hands and feet at X-ray examination. According to the Bell's classification [Bell, J., 1951. On brachydactyly and symphalangism. In: Penrose (Ed.), Treasury of Human Inhe...

Ocular lesions associated with Trypanosoma spp. infection have been described in man and many animal species. However, loss of vision has not been demonstrated in humans presenting Chagas disease or in animals affected by different trypanosome species. In order to assess the possible ocular disorders caused by Trypanosoma evansi infection, six goat...

Trypanosomosis is a major constraint on ruminant livestock production in Africa, Asia, and South America. The principal host species affected varies geographically, but buffalo, cattle, camels, and horses are particularly sensitive. Natural infections with Trypanosoma congolense, T. vivax, T. brucei, and T. evansi have been described in goats. Tryp...

A cross-sectional study has been carried out in order to determine the prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi infection in susceptible hosts in the Punjab region (Pakistan). A total of 170 equines and 150 dromedary camels were examined. Five (3.3%) and 6 (4%) camels were positive at parasitological and serological examination, respectively. None of the e...

This article presents the clinical and laboratorial findings in an outbreak of abortions and high neonatal mortality attributable to Trypanosoma evansi infection in camels. A total of 16 females were diagnosed, 2 of which showed moderate signs of chronic form, particularly hyporexia and intolerance to exercise. The main laboratorial findings were r...

A case of vertebral osteoma observed in a female 4-year-old dromedary camel is presented. The patient showed a progressive ataxia, incoordination and finally a permanent recumbence position. Treatment was unfruitful and the animal was humanely euthanized. Postmortem examination revealed an expansive growth at vertebral body of the 10th thoracic ver...

Parasitological, serological and biochemical tests were used to determine Trypanosoma evansi infection in 170 horses and 150 camels sampled from Punjab region, Pakistan. The micro-Haematocrit Centrifugation Technique was used as gold standard method. Wet blood films, thin stained smears and thick stained smears showed a sensitivity of 0.8 and a spe...

A rapid urinary iodide test was assessed in goats to validate its effectiveness in field conditions. The test provides a semiquantitative assessment of the iodine intake and could be valuable for animal population. Two hundred and forty-six dairy goats were randomized selected for this study. According to iodide content in urine, results were class...

Trypanosoma evansi was diagnosed for the first time in the Canary Islands (Spain) in 1998 in a dromedary camel. Seroprevalences of 4.8% up to 9% have been observed using different diagnostic methods. Affected animals have been treated but the dissemination of the disease is unknown. This article presents an outbreak of abortions and high neonatal m...

A case of congenital duplication (monocephalus dipygus) in a goat is described. Two pelvis and four pelvic limbs were observed in the kid. Conjoined or fused symmetric twins were diagnosed. Associated abnormalities were cleft palate and anal atresia. Most of the classically recognized teratogens were ruled out by history and serology. However, prog...

DEAE (anion exchanger diethylaminoethyl)-cellulose and mini Anion Exchange Centrifugation Technique (mAECT) allow salivarian trypanosomes to be separated from the blood of affected animals. The purpose of this study was to assess the mAECT in goats infected with T. evansi. Five adult Canary goats were inoculated intravenously with at least 1 x 10(5...

Natural Trypanosoma evansi infection in the Canary Islands has only been diagnosed in the camel population, but dissemination of the disease in other hosts has not been excluded. The objective of this work was to assess the performance of serological antibody tests in experimentally inoculated goats. Five Canarian goats were inoculated intravenousl...

Corbera, J.A., Morales, M., Pulido, M., Montoya, J.A. and Gutierrez, C. 2002. An outbreak of nutritional muscular dystrophy in dromedary camels. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 23: 117–122. An outbreak of nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD) due to vitamin E/selenium deficiency in an intensive dromedary camel herd causing a mortality of 25 animals (22 calves...

Hemimelia is a congenital abnormality characterized by the absence of a portion of the normal structures in a limb. Hemimelia is classified as transversal and paraxial and is related to genetical and environmental factors. This article shows the radiological findings observed in three different cases of paraxial hemimelia occurred in goats (radial...

In 1998, two cases of silica urolithiasis occurred in castrated male dromedaries on an intensive camel farm in the Canary Islands. The immediate attributable cause was the ingestion of large amounts of silica in the feed, estimated as 84.44 g/day. An associated cause was the low level of salt in the diet. Daily ingestion of salt from feed and water...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the addition of fibrin (SAF) to titanium alloy implants coated with hydroxyapatite (HAP) on osteogenesis in rabbits. A titanium (Ti) alloy implant was inserted into the femoral neck of twenty-four adult rabbits. Six rabbits were included on each of the following groups: Ti control, HAP-coa...

Two cases of uterine prolapse in dromedary camels in a herd with concomitant cases of white muscle disease are described. Serum selenium and glutathione peroxidase in whole blood were investigated in both patients and showed statistical difference compared with a control group. Results suggest that selenium deficiency could promote uterine prolapse...

Blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in 709 normal dromedary camels (442 females and 267 males) were assessed in the Canary Islands. All animals were intensively reared, and three different nutritional systems were evaluated, depending on selenium content of the diet. Mean GSH-Px level in the total population was 288.5+/-157.2 IU x g(-1) Hb...

Rodriguez, J.L., Acosta, B., Navarro, R. and Gutierrez, C. 2000. Rhodococcus equi infection in goat: Apropos of two cases. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 18:149?151. Two cases of Rhodococcus equi infection in Spanish goats have been described. Clinical signs were chronic weight loss, agalactia, fever, prone position and apparent abdominal pain in one of them...

A case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) is described for the first time. The patient, a castrated 9-year-old animal, presented with a 6-month history of several episodes of syncope after moderate exercise and later at rest. The syncope had a sudden onset and a duration of 30 to 45 seconds. After clinical, el...