Joan Pujols - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Joan Pujols

Research in Veterinary Science, Oct 1, 2006

The objective of the study was to analyze changes in peripheral blood leukocyte subsets in cases ... more The objective of the study was to analyze changes in peripheral blood leukocyte subsets in cases of naturally occurring exudative epidermitis (EE) in pigs. Five of ten piglets developed the chronic clinical form of EE 2-5 days after weaning (PW). Blood samples were obtained at 7, 14 and 21 days from both normal and clinically affected piglets for routine haematology and for the determination of CD45, CD21, CD4, CD8 and gammadeltaTCR cell markers by flow cytometry. When compared with clinically normal piglets EE affected pigs showed significantly decreased values of monocytes at 14 and 21 days PW, and increased numbers of neutrophils and leukocytes at 21 days PW. The EE affected pigs also had an early significant CD4(+) and CD8(high+) T lymphocyte proliferative response at 7 days PW. However affected pigs had a significantly reduced number of B (CD21(+)) and gammadeltaTCR(+) T lymphocytes in blood at 21 days PW. Although all values remained within the normal range, the significant differences in some peripheral blood leukocyte subsets between the two groups of piglets suggest that the generalised cutaneous infection with Staphylococcus hyicus is severe enough to induce a systemic inflammatory and immune responses.

Journal of Animal Science, Sep 21, 2022

Male Holstein calves (n = 80; 42.7 ± 1.44 kg and 14.2 ± 0.81 days of age) were used to evaluate t... more Male Holstein calves (n = 80; 42.7 ± 1.44 kg and 14.2 ± 0.81 days of age) were used to evaluate the effects of colostrum consumption and feed restriction on gut functionality in calves subjected to an assembly center simulation (ACS). Well-colostrated (WC) calves received 4L of colostrum within the first 2h after birth and 2L of colostrum in the next 3 feedings, and poor-colostrated (PC) calves received 2L of colostrum within the first 2h after birth. At approximately 14 d of age, calves were subjected to ACS (d-4 to d-1) before a 19h-transport (d0) where they were fed 4L of milk replacer/d (moderate restriction; MO) or 4L of a rehydration solution/d (severe restriction; SV). Treatments were: WCMO, WCSV, PCMO, PCSV and a group of control calves (WCCT) also fed concentrate ad-libitum during ACS and not transported. Twenty-four hours after transportation, a gut permeability test using Cr-EDTA was performed and blood samples for the determination of serum citrulline concentration were collected. Afterwards, one-half of the calves/treatment were euthanized to obtain tissue samples for a gut permeability in vitro analysis and morphometry. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Serum Cr-EDTA concentration was greater (P< 0.01) for the WCSV and PCSV compared with the WCMO, PCMO, and WCCT had the least Cr-EDTA concentration after transportation. The PCSV, WCMO and WCSV calves had the least (P< 0.01) serum concentration of citrulline. In vitro measurements of ileum permeability tended (P=0.06) to be greater for PCSV compared with the other treatments. In WCSV, WCMO and PCSV Goblet cells numbers in the ileum were lesser (P=0.02) than in WCCT and PCMO. Feeding rehydrated solution to poor colostrated calves before transport negatively affected gut functionality as indicated by the greatest permeability to Cr-EDTA, the lest serum citrulline concentration, and ileum Globet cells numbers, these findings are supported by the in vitro gut permeability data.

Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, Apr 1, 2021

Three commercial ELISAs -two based on spike (E1 and E3) and one on nucleocapsid protein (E2)-were... more Three commercial ELISAs -two based on spike (E1 and E3) and one on nucleocapsid protein (E2)-were used to analyze the development and persistence of antibodies against Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). Seventy-five four-week-old PEDV-negative piglets were inoculated orally with a European G1b PEDV (INOC) and fourteen were kept as controls (CTRL). After the inoculation, E3 detected positive animals as soon as 7 days post inoculation (dpi), while the earliest detection with E1 and E2 was at 14 dpi. All samples were positive at 21 and 28 dpi using E1 and E3, respectively, while E2 failed to detect 23.3 % of the inoculated pigs at any time point. The percentages of positive samples were different through the study: E1 and E3 > E2 from 14 to 56 dpi; and E3 > E1 > E2 from 56 to 154 dpi (P < 0.05). Five months after the inoculation, E3 still detected 92.0 % (IC95 % = 85.1-98.8 %) of pigs as positive, while E1 and E2 detected only 27.0 % (IC95 % = 16.0-37.9 %) and 0%, respectively. The sensitivity for E2 never exceeded 0.62. Specificity was 1 for all ELISAs. These different outcomes could be related to the ELISA strategies (indirect versus competition), the antigens used, the cut-off, or to other intrinsic factors of each test. The observed differences could be of importance when assessing whether older animals, such as fatteners or gilts, had previously been in contact with PEDV.

Viruses, Sep 9, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Jun 1, 2020

Bluetongue (BT) is a reportable re-emerging vector-borne disease of animal health concern. Enzyme... more Bluetongue (BT) is a reportable re-emerging vector-borne disease of animal health concern. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are frequently used in BT surveillance programs in domestic ruminants, but their diagnostic accuracy has not been evaluated for wild ruminants, which can play an important role as natural reservoirs of bluetongue virus (BTV). The aim of this study was to assess two commercial ELISAs for BT diagnosis in wild ruminants using control sera of known BTV infection status and field samples. When control sera were tested, the double recognition ELISA (DR-ELISA) showed 100% sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp), while the competitive ELISA (C-ELISA) had 86.4% Se and 97.1% Sp. Using field samples, the selected latent-class analysis model showed 95.7% Se and 85.9% Sp for DR-ELISA, 58.2% Se and 95.8% Sp for C-ELISA and 84.2% Se for the serum neutralization test (SNT). Our results indicate that the DR-ELISA may be a useful diagnostic method to assess BTV circulation in endemic areas, while the C-ELISA should be selected when free-areas are surveyed. The discrepancy between control and field samples point out that the inclusion of field samples is required to assess the accuracy of commercial ELISAs for the serological diagnosis of BTV in wild ruminants.

Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series B-infectious Diseases and Veterinary Public Health, Jan 12, 1997

A case of bilateral encephalomalacia in a pig related to latent Aujeszky's disease virus infectio... more A case of bilateral encephalomalacia in a pig related to latent Aujeszky's disease virus infection is reported. The pig was experimentally inoculated with the NIA-3 strain and survived the infection after showing intense central nervous system disease. Abnormal behaviour was observed up to the date o f death. The pig was demonstrated to be latently infected with the virus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The main microscopic lesion was a bilateral encephalomalacia which involved structures related to the limbic system. A complete description of lesions observed and their relation to abnormalities shown by the pig are exposed.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential benefits of feeding spray-dried porcine... more The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential benefits of feeding spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) to pigs infected with African swine fever virus (ASFV). Two groups of twelve weaned pigs each were fed with CONVENTIONAL or 8% SDPP enriched diets. Two pigs (trojans)/group) were injected intramuscularly with the pandemic ASFV (Georgia 2007/01) and comingled with the rest of the pigs (1:5 trojan:naïve ratio) to simulate a natural route of transmission. Trojans developed ASF and died within the first week after inoculation but contact pigs did not develop ASF, viremia or seroconversion. Therefore, three more trojans per group were introduced to optimize the ASFV transmission (1:2 trojan:naïve ratio). Blood, nasal and rectal swabs were weekly harvested and at end of the study, ASFV-target organs collected. After the second exposure, rectal temperature of conventionally fed contact pigs increased >40.5˚C while fever was delayed in the SDPP contact pigs. Additionally, PCR C...

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) on the prot... more This study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) on the protection afforded by the BA71∆CD2 African swine fever virus (ASFV) vaccine prototype. Two groups of pigs ac-climated to diets without or with 8% SDPP were intranasally inoculated with 105 plaque forming units (PFU) of live attenuated ASFV strain BA71∆CD2 and three weeks later left in direct contact with pigs infected with the pandemic Georgia2007/01 ASFV strain. During the post-exposure (pe) period, 2/6 from the conventional diet group showed a transient peak rectal temperature >40.5ºC before day 20 pe and some tissue samples collected at 20 d pe from 5/6 were PCR+ for ASFV, albeit showing Ct values much higher than Trojan pigs. Interestingly, the SDPP group did not show fever, neither PCR+ in blood nor rectal swab at any time pe and none of the postmortem collected tissue samples were PCR+ for ASFV. Differential serum cytokine profiles among groups at vaccination, and a higher number o...

Journal of Dairy Science

Colostrum consumption is crucial for passive immunization and development of the newborn calf. Ho... more Colostrum consumption is crucial for passive immunization and development of the newborn calf. However, the incidence on failed transfer of passive immunity in male calves destined to dairy-beef production remains high to date. In addition, the lack of an automated procedure to validate the immunization status upon arrival at rearing facilities in calves beyond 14 d of age impedes the identification of failed transfer of passive immunity, and therefore, of those calves at high risk of suffering diseases. For this study, 82 newborn male Holstein calves (43.3 ± 0.86 kg of body weight; mean ± standard error) from a commercial dairy farm were used to investigate potential serum biomarkers of colostrum provision. The potential biomarkers selected were IgG, IgG1, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, gammaglutamyl transferase (GGT), and total protein (TP). Treatments were as follows: high-colostrum (HC; n = 49), in which calves received 4 L of colostrum within the first 2 h after birth and 2 L of colostrum in the next 3 feedings within the first 24 h after birth, for a total of 10 L of colostrum; and low-colostrum (LC; n = 33), in which calves received only 2 L of colostrum within the first 2 h after birth. After colostrum consumption, calves were allocated to individual hutches and fed 2 L of milk replacer twice daily at a concentration of 125 g/L as fed. Starter feed and water were offered ad libitum. At approximately 14 d of age (14.2 ± 0.81 d of age; mean ± standard error) calves were transported 2.5 h to a research unit at IRTA (Torre Marimon, Spain) simulating the arrival to a rearing facility. Blood samples were collected before feeding at birth, 48 h after birth, and at arrival to the rearing facility. Results on the serum concentrations of the potential biomark-ers at arrival to the rearing facility showed that IgG, IgG1, GGT, and TP were greater for the HC calves compared with the LC calves. Serum concentrations of cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase did not show differences between treatment groups. Additionally, body weight losses from birth until arrival to the rearing facility were greater for the LC treatment compared with the HC. Because of their low cost, quickness, and ease of measurement, GGT and TP were good indicators of colostrum intake in calves arriving at rearing facilities beyond 14 d of age.

Viruses

A wide range of animal species are susceptible to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavir... more A wide range of animal species are susceptible to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Natural and/or experimental infections have been reported in pet, zoo, farmed and wild animals. Interestingly, some SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as B.1.1.7/Alpha, B.1.351/Beta, and B.1.1.529/Omicron, were demonstrated to infect some animal species not susceptible to classical viral variants. The present study aimed to elucidate if goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) are susceptible to the B.1.351/Beta variant. First, an in silico approach was used to predict the affinity between the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351/Beta variant and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 from goats. Moreover, we performed an experimental inoculation with this variant in domestic goat and showed evidence of infection. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in nasal swabs and tissues by RT-qPCR and/or immunohistochemistry, and seroneutralisation was confirmed via ELISA and li...

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PLOS ONE, 2013

aSample positive to conventional RT-PCR.bSample negative to conventio... more aSample positive to conventional RT-PCR.bSample negative to conventional RT-PCR.Undetermined results (out of the detection level) are shown as Negative (N). Samples without superscript were coincident with conventional RT-PCR. The tissue samples from the non vaccinated and non inoculated ibex were all negative.</p

Veterinary Microbiology, 2019

Liquid porcine plasma is an animal origin raw material for the manufacturing process of spray-dri... more Liquid porcine plasma is an animal origin raw material for the manufacturing process of spray-dried porcine plasma that is used in pig nutrition worldwide. In previous studies we found that the application of ultraviolet light C (UV-C) in liquid plasma that was inoculated with a variety of bacteria or viruses of importance in the swine industry can be considered as redundant safety steps because in general achieve around 4 logs reduction for most of these pathogens. However, the final validation of the UV-C light as safety feature should be conducted with commercial liquid plasma and using the pig bioassay model. As a first objective, the potential infectivity of a raw liquid plasma product collected from an abattoir was tested by means of a swine bioassay. We used Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2), a ubiquitous virus that has been systematically detected by PCR in porcine plasma at abattoirs as selection criteria for commercial liquid plasma lot. As a second aim of the study, the effects of different doses of UV-C irradiation on the selected raw liquid plasma were assayed in the animal bioassay. Moreover, other swine infecting agents, including Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), were also determined in the original plasma and monitored in the inoculated animals. Pigs negative for PCV-2 and PRRSV genome and antibodies were allotted to one of five groups (6 to 8 pigs/ group) and injected intraperitoneally with 10 mL of their assigned inoculum at 50 d of age. Negative control pigs (group 1) were injected with PBS. Positive control pigs (group 5) were injected with a PCV-2 inoculum. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were injected with liquid porcine plasma that had been subjected to 0 (raw plasma), 3000 or 9000 J/L UV-C irradiation, respectively. Group 2 pigs (0 J/L UV-C) got infection by PRRSV but no PCV-2 infection or seroconversion. However, one pig from group 2 seroconverted to Rotavirus A (RVA) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) and three group 2 pigs seroconverted to Porcine parvovirus (PPV). Groups 1, 3 and 4 pigs showed no evidence of infection or seroconversion associated with the tested viruses or any other pathogens found in the liquid plasma before UV-C irradiation. Group 5 pigs developed PCV-2 infectivity as expected. UV-C irradiation of liquid plasma at 3000 and 9000 J/L was effective in preventing PRRSV and other pathogens transmission. Moreover, raw liquid plasma was non-infectious for PCV-2 in naïve pigs.

Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 2001

The objective of the present study was to analyze, by flow cytometry, changes in PBMC subsets in ... more The objective of the present study was to analyze, by flow cytometry, changes in PBMC subsets in pigs having postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), a new condition associated to porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection. Thirteen acutely PMWS affected pigs were selected from a farm seronegative to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and to Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV); 11 clinically healthy pigs were selected from a high health farm with no history of PMWS and free of the major swine pathogens, and used as a control group. All pigs were necropsied, and tissue samples were fixed in formalin; blood with EDTA anticoagulant was used to perform the flow cytometric analysis. PBMC were incubated with mAb against porcine CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, CD45, IgM, SWC3, and SLA-Class II. Flow cytometric analysis showed substantial changes in leukocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of PMWS-affected pigs, which were characterized by an increase of monocytes, a reduction of T (mainly CD4(+)) and B-lymphocytes, and the presence of low-density immature granulocytes. Altogether, these changes would suggest an inability of acutely PMWS-affected pigs to mount an effective immune response.

Journal of Comparative Pathology, 2013

Journal of Animal Science, 2013

We thank K. Lin (Iowa State University) and N. Navarro and E. Cano (CReSA) for their assistance w... more We thank K. Lin (Iowa State University) and N. Navarro and E. Cano (CReSA) for their assistance with the laboratory work. This study has been partially fi nanced by the programs CDTI (IDI-20080591 and IDI-20101014) of the Spanish Government.

Journal of Animal Science, 2006

We evaluated the effects of a 6% spraydried porcine plasma (SDPP) and a plant extracts mixture (X... more We evaluated the effects of a 6% spraydried porcine plasma (SDPP) and a plant extracts mixture (XT; 5% carvacrol, 3% cinnamaldehyde, and 2% capsicum oleoresin) on the productive performance, intestinal morphology, and leukocyte cell subsets of earlyweaned pigs compared with a control group. Morphometry of the jejunum, ileum, and colon, and immune cell analysis of blood, ileocolic lymph node (LN), and ileal Peyer's patches were done in 24 weaned pigs (20 ± 2 d) at 19 or 21 d postweaning. Although SDPP and XT treatments did not increase ADG or ADFI, SDPP improved the G:F ratio (P = 0.024) compared with the control group. Dietary SDPP reduced the percentages of blood monocytes (P = 0.006) and macrophages in ileal Peyer's patches and LN (P = 0.04), of B lymphocytes

Journal of Animal Science, 2012