Juan Alberto Corbera

Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria | ULPGC · Department of Animal Pathology, Animal Production, and Food Science and Technology

Background Studies in human medicine have concluded that acetazolamide reduces pain associated with carbon dioxide insufflation during laparoscopic surgery. However, there are no published reports regarding the use of acetazolamide for this purpose in companion animals, despite the increasing popularity of laparoscopic techniques in veterinary medi...

Antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria isolated from cloacal samples of chicks of Canarian Egyptian vultures was investigated. Prevalence of Salmonella was also studied. Forty-seven isolates, obtained from 23 animals, were analysed. Escherichia coli (n=29), Proteus mirabilis (n=17) and Salmonella spp. (n=1) were identified using API 20E...

A one-year-old European shorthair feral cat with signs of heat was presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University. After the physical exam, histology, hormonal analysis, ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) studies were performed. Examination of the external genitalia revealed the absence of one of the tes...

Obesity in humans is a growing global problem and is one of the greatest public health challenges we face today. Most researchers agree that, as in humans, the incidence in the companion animal population is also increasing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors contributing to canine obesity in a region with a high rate of human o...

Several different species of animals host staphylococci as normal microbiota. These animals can be a source of staphylococci zoonotic infections. People with routine or occupational exposure to infected/colonized animals are at risk of a potential transmission. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the presence of S. aureus and other staphylococci in...

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants that escape from immune neutralization are challenging vaccines and antibodies developed to stop the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, it is important to establish therapeutics directed toward multiple or specific SARS-CoV-2 variants. The envelope spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 is the key target of neutralizing ant...

Osteomyelitis is a challenging infectious disease affecting humans and animals. It is difficult to diagnose because, in many cases, symptoms are non-specific and, for example in implant-related cases, can appear long time after surgery. In addition to this, it is also difficult to treat due to the need to find the appropriate antibiotic regime and...

The use of agriculture by-products is highly demanded for livestock nutrition. However, the employment of certain non-degradable materials could potentially induce concretions and lesions in ruminants’ forestomach. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the morphological lesions showed in rumen containing indigestible foreign objects, named f...

The presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli in cloacal samples from Canarian Egyptian vultures was investigated. Samples were obtained from chicks (n = 65) and from adults and immature birds (n = 38). Antimicrobial susceptibility to 16 antibiotics included in 12 different categories was determined for 103 E. coli isolates. MDR was de...

This study aimed to describe the anatomic features of the normal head of the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) identified by computed tomography. CT images were obtained in two dragons using a helical CT scanner. All sections were displayed with a bone and soft tissue windows setting. Head reconstructed, and maximum intensity projection images we...

Rumenotomy is one of the most widely used surgical techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of different rumen conditions in ruminants. It is commonly used for large ruminants, such as cattle. Although this technique is also applied to small ruminants, there is a lack of standardization. To date, it has not been fully described in the available l...

Antimicrobial resistance among isolates from wild animals is increasingly reported. Extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Enterobacteriaceae, and particularly Escherichia coli, have spread worldwide as one of the most common multidrug resistant organisms. The aim of this study was to determine the carriage rate of ESBL‐producing E. coli...

Objective: This work aimed to determine the carriage rate of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli as well as their genetic characteristics in camels from the Canary Islands, Spain. Methods: Fecal samples were recovered from 58 healthy camels from Gran Canaria (n = 32) and Fuerteventura Islands (n = 26) during July 2019. They were seeded on MacConkey...

Simple Summary: This research aimed to describe the normal appearance of the thorax in neonatal foals by computed tomography angiography (CTA). The newborn foals were imaged using a 16-slice helical CT scanner after the administration of an iodinated contrast medium. CTA images and three-dimensional cardiac volume-rendered reconstructed images were...

Due to their predatory habits, raptors may serve as indicators of the presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the environment, but they also represent a public health risk for livestock and humans because they can act as reservoirs, sources and spreaders of these bacteria. Our objective was to determine the presence of antimicrobial-resista...

Coagulase-positive Staphylococci (CoPS) can exist as commensals in humans, companion and food-producing animals, but can cause severe or even lethal diseases. Exchange of these bacteria between humans and animals has been described. Special attention has been focused on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, but other CoPS can also represent...

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious public health problem worldwide. Data on the occurrence of multidrug resistant Escherichia coli in camels are lacking. The aim of this work was to determine the carriage rate of ESBL-producing E. coli as well as their genetic lineages in camels from Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria (Canary Islands), in Spain. Fae...

BACKGROUND: Although wild animals are not directly exposed to clinically relevant antibiotics, the antimicrobial resistance in these animals has been increasingly reported worldwide, in parallel to the situation in human and veterinary medicine. The high prevalence of infections with organisms producing extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL, particu...

In human medicine, non-contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) is routinely used to assess the cardiovascular system. In this study, using non-contrast CMRI, we provide a thorough description of the normal appearance of the intrathoracic cardiovascular structures in one healthy cat using a magnet operating at a field of 1.5-Tesla. The CM...

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...

Capsule: Anthropogenic factors were identified as the main threats to wild birds in Gran Canaria. Aims: To analyse the causes of morbidity and mortality in a large sample of selected orders of birds admitted to the Tafira Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (TWRC) in Gran Canaria over 11 years, and to analyse the outcomes of such rehabilitation. Methods...

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...

Aims The aims of this study were to analyze the causes of morbidity and mortality in a large population of seabirds admitted to the Tafira Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (TWRC) in Gran Canaria Island, Spain, from 2003 to 2013, and to analyze the outcomes of the rehabilitation process. Methods We included 1,956 seabirds (133 dead on admission and 1...

Final outcome of raptors admitted to the Tafira Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Gran Canaria Island, Spain (2003-2013).— The outcomes of wild raptors admitted to the Tafira Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Gran Canaria Island, Spain, from 2003 to 2013 were analyzed using a quality auditing system based on the crude and stratified (by causes of adm...

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...

The aim of this study was to describe the normal magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the heart and associated vessels in a mature female cat using a 1.5-Tesla magnet. Non-contrast enhanced MRA was performed using a three-dimensional time of flight (TOF) sequence in parasagittal and dorsal aspects. Relevant cardiac and vascular structures were l...

We report the causes of morbidity of 2,458 free-living raptors admitted to the Tafira Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on Gran Canaria Island, Spain, during 2003-2013. The seasonal cumulative incidences were investigated while considering estimates of the wild populations in the region. These methods were used as a more accurate approach to assess th...

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...

La prevalencia real de hipertiroidismo en España era hasta ahora desconocida, si bien, en un estudio retrospectivo, la prevalencia fue significativamente inferior a otros países. Los objetivos de este estudio prospectivo son determinar la prevalencia de hipertiroidismo felino en España y evaluar la utilidad de la medición de TSH canina para el diag...

The purpose of the study was to provide a description of normal cross-sectional anatomy of the camel brain and associated structures using computed tomography (CT) and macroscopic cross sections. Transverse images of two isolated camel cadaver heads were obtained by an axial CT equipment. CT scans were processed with a detailed algorithm using bone...

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...

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...

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...

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...

The island of Gran Canaria is a hyperendemic area for canine dirofilariasis. The aim of the present study was to provide data on Dirofilaria immitis in dogs, cats, and humans on this island in 2010. The data confirms the prevalence in the overall canine population (19%), with a considerably higher prevalence (43%) in the autochthonous breed of Cana...

Cardiopulmonary biomarkers are biological parameters that can be objectively measured and quantified as indicators of pathogenic processes (heartworm disease) or as indicators of response to therapeutic intervention. To determine levels of cardiopulmonary biomarkers in canine dirofilariasis, measurements of cardiac troponin T, cardiac troponin I, m...

Umbilical hernias in goats are uncommon and can vary in their etiology and management. Hernioplasty can be done by closing the abdominal wall with a horizontal mattress pattern using absorbable sutures. However, larger defects (hernial ring size >3 cm) generally require the use of prosthetic materials that allow for a tension-free repair. In this...

Vilar, J.M., Corbera, J.A. and Ramírez, G.A. 2010. Dystocia and paraparesis associated with intra-pelvic space-restricting hematoma in a Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica). J. Appl. Anim. Res., 37: 89–91.This report presents a case of dystocia and mummification of a. co-twin fetus in a nine-year-old pregnant Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hisp...

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...

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...

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...

Melián, C., Morales, M., Perez-Alenza, M.D., Corbera, J.A. and Bru, N.D. 2006. Gallbladder mucocele in two dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism: a case report. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 30: 117–120.Gallbadder mucocele in two clinical cases of dogs with hyperadrenocorticism has been described. Decreased gallbladder motility, biliary stasis...

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...

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...

Gallbadder mucocele in two clinical cases of dogs with hyperadrenocorticism has been described. Decreased gallbladder motility, biliary stasis and altered absortion of water from the gallbladder lumen are predisposing factors to the formation of biliary sludge and it is possible that biliary sludge is a precipitating factor in the formation of gall...

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...

The objective of this study was to define the anatomy of the cranioencephalic structures and associated formations in camel using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MR images were acquired in sagittal, transverse and oblique dorsal planes, using spin-echo techniques, a magnet of 1.5 T and a standard human body coil. MR images were compared with corr...

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...

RESUMEN En la presente comunicación se describe un caso de duplicación congénita (monocephalus dipygus) en un cabrito. El animal presentaba 2 pelvis y cuatro extremidades posteriores. El caso fue clasificado como gemelos fusionados simétricos. Anormalidades asociadas fueron palatosquisis y atresia anal. La mayoría de los agentes teratógenos clásica...

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...

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...

To evaluate the effect of bumetanide, quinapril and a low-sodium diet on clinical response tolerance and side-effects on dogs with moderate congestive heart failure. A prospective clinical study, using 32 client-owned dogs with naturally occurring disease. Thirty-two dogs diagnosed with congestive heart failure (International Small Animal Cardiac H...

709 healthy dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) were included in the study, which represent 64% of total population. All animals were from the Canary Islands and were maintained on intensive management. The mean glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity obtained in the population was 288.5 ± 157.5 U/g Hb; also the influence of diet, age, sex, lac...

709 healthy dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) were included in the study, which represent 64% of total population. All animals were from the Canary Islands and were maintained on intensive management. The mean glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity obtained in the population was 288.5 ± 157.5 U/g Hb; also the influence of diet, age, sex, lac...

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...

Trypanosomosis due to Trypanosoma evansi (surra) is a major enzootic disease of the dromedary camel. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to assess seroprevalence and infection rates in the Canary Islands using antibody(-card agglutination test-CATT/T. evansi) and parasite detection tests (micro-Haematocrit Centrifugation technique, Giemsa st...