Micología
Líneas de investigación
Content with Investigacion .
The Laboratory of Medical Entomology (LME) develops an intense reference and research activity, focused on the field of disease vectors of interest in Public Health. The LME has an insectary where biological cycles of insect vectors are currently maintained, allowing the performance, among others, of vector competence and xenodiagnostic studies. The LME supports the national health system by offering techniques available in the portfolio of services for the taxonomic identification of arthropods of health interest. In addition, it performs entomological surveillance of outbreaks, supporting Surveillance Plans. In particular, the LME plays a leading role in the Entomological Surveillance Plan for Leishmaniasis in the Community of Madrid. On the other hand, the LME offers scientific advice to the CCAES (Centro de Coordinación de Alertas y Emergencias Sanitarias, Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social), and participates in the elaboration of reports and rapid risk assessments.
The main research lines of the Laboratory of Medical Entomology are:
1. Maintenance of insect vector colonies: phlebotomine sand flies (Phlebotomus perniciosus, Phlebotomus papatasi and Phlebotomus argentipes, vectors of Leishmania infantum, Leishmania major and Leishmania donovani, respectively), Culex and Aedes mosquitoes (vectors of various arboviruses) and Rhodnius prolixus (vector of Trypanosoma cruzi).
2. Biology of disease vectors of public health interest: biology, vector competence, experimental infections. The CNM has a BSL3 safety laboratory to carry out vector competence studies with culicidae and phlebotomine sand flies.
3. Entomological sampling, infectivity of potential reservoirs of leishmaniasis.
4. Insecticides and repellents: evaluation of their efficacy.
5. Characterization of saliva proteins of hematophagous Diptera: genomics, proteomics, biochemistry and gene editing. Study of salivary proteins as markers of bite exposure, virulence factors and/or vaccines.
6. Xenodiagnosis of leishmaniasis.
7. Molecular biology and taxonomy of phlebotomine sand flies. Molecular detection of Leishmania infantum in phlebotomine sand flies and characterization of Leishmania spp. Molecular identification of blood ingested by vectors.
Publicaciones destacadas
Leon KE, Schubert RD, Casas-Alba D, Hawes IA, Ramachandran PS, Ramesh A, Pak JE, Wu W, Cheung CK, Crawford ED, Khan LM, Launes C, Sample HA, Zorn KC, Cabrerizo M, Valero-Rello A, Langelier C, Muñoz-Almagro C, DeRisi JL, Wilson MR. Genomic and serologic characterization of enterovirus A71 brainstem encephalitis. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2020
Leon KE, Schubert RD, Casas-Alba D, Hawes IA, Ramachandran PS, Ramesh A, Pak JE, Wu W, Cheung CK, Crawford ED, Khan LM, Launes C, Sample HA, Zorn KC, Cabrerizo M, Valero-Rello A, Langelier C, Muñoz-Almagro C, DeRisi JL, Wilson MR. Genomic and serologic characterization of enterovirus A71 brainstem encephalitis. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2020 Mar 5;7(3):e703. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000703. PMID: 32139440; PMCID: PMC7136061.
González-Sanz R, Casas-Alba D, Launes C, Muñoz-Almagro C, Ruiz-García MM, Alonso M, González-Abad MJ, Megías G, Rabella N, Del Cuerpo M, Gozalo-Margüello M, González-Praetorius A, Martínez-Sapiña A, Goyanes-Galán MJ, Romero MP, Calvo C, Antón A, Imaz M, Aranzamendi M, Hernández-Rodríguez Á, Moreno-Docón A, Rey- Cao S, Navascués A, Otero A, Cabrerizo M. Molecular epidemiology of an enterovirus A71 outbreak associated with severe neurological disease, Spain, 2016. Euro Surveill. 2019
González-Sanz R, Casas-Alba D, Launes C, Muñoz-Almagro C, Ruiz-García MM, Alonso M, González-Abad MJ, Megías G, Rabella N, Del Cuerpo M, Gozalo-Margüello M, González-Praetorius A, Martínez-Sapiña A, Goyanes-Galán MJ, Romero MP, Calvo C, Antón A, Imaz M, Aranzamendi M, Hernández-Rodríguez Á, Moreno-Docón A, Rey- Cao S, Navascués A, Otero A, Cabrerizo M. Molecular epidemiology of an enterovirus A71 outbreak associated with severe neurological disease, Spain, 2016. Euro Surveill. 2019 Feb;24(7):1800089. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.7.1800089. PMID: 30782267; PMCID: PMC6381658.
Spanish Afp Surveillance Working Group. Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance: challenges and opportunities from 18 years' experience, Spain, 1998 to 2015. Euro Surveill.
Spanish Afp Surveillance Working Group. Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance: challenges and opportunities from 18 years' experience, Spain, 1998 to 2015. Euro Surveill. 2018 Nov;23(47):1700423. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2018.23.47.1700423. PMID: 30482263; PMCID: PMC6341937.
Molecular Epidemiology of Human Parechoviruses in Children With Acute Respiratory Infection in Spain
M Cabrerizo*, C Calvo, G Trallero, ML García-García, M Arroyas, V Sánchez, F Pozo, I Casas. Molecular epidemiology of human parechoviruses children with acute respiratory infection in Spain. Pediatric Infect Dis J 32:802-3 (2013).
PUBMED DOIIdentification of novel Betaherpesviruses in iberian bats reveals parallel evolution
Pozo F, Juste J, Vázquez-Morón S., Aznar-López C, Ibáñez C, Garin I, Aihartza J, Casa I, Tenorio A, Echevarría JE. Identification of novel Betaherpesviruses in iberian bats reveals parallel evolution. PLoS ONE. 2016. 11(12): e0169153. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0169153
PUBMED DOIDetection of Rhabdovirus viral RNA in oropharyngeal swabs and ectoparasites of Spanish bats
Aznar C, Vazquez-Moron S, Martson D, Juste J, Ibáñez C, Berciano JM, Salsamendi E, Aihartza J, Banyard AC, McElhinney L, Fooks AR, Echevarria JE. Detection of Rhabdovirus viral RNA in oropharyngeal swabs and ectoparasites of Spanish bats. Journal of General Virology. 2013. 94: 69-75.
PUBMED DOIGenomic non-coding regions reveal hidden patterns of mumps virus circulation in Spain, 2005 to 2015
Gavilán AM, Fernández-García A*, Rueda A, Castellanos A, Masa J, López-Perea N, Torres de Mier MV, de Ory F, Echevarría JE. Non-coding sequences reveal hidden patterns of mumps virus circulation in Spain, 2005 to 2015. Eurosurveillance,2018, 23(15): 1-8. *Corresponding author.
PUBMED DOIFirst cases of European Bat Lyssavirus type 1 in Iberian serotine bats: implications for the molecular epidemiology of bat rabies in Europe.
Mingo-Casas P, Sandonís V, Obón E, Berciano JM, Vázquez-Morón S, Juste J, Echevarría JE. First cases of European Bat Lyssavirus type 1 in Iberian serotine bats: implications for the molecular epidemiology of bat rabies in Europe. Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2018: 12(4): e0006290.
PUBMED DOILast cases of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in Spain, 1997–2016: The success of a vaccination program
Seppälä EM, López-Perea N, Torres de Mier MV, Echevarría JE, Fernández García A, Masa-Calles J. Last cases of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in Spain, 1997–2016: The success of a vaccination program. Vaccine, 2019, 37(1):169-175.
PUBMED DOICombination of Cefditoren and N-acetyl-l-Cysteine Shows a Synergistic Effect against Multidrug-Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae Biofilms
Llamosí M, Sempere J, Coronel P, Gimeno M, Yuste J, Domenech M. Combination of Cefditoren and N-acetyl-l-Cysteine Shows a Synergistic Effect against Multidrug-Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae Biofilms. Microbiol Spectr. 2022 Dec 21;10(6):e0341522
PUBMED DOIClearance of mixed biofilms of Streptococcus pneumoniae and methicillin-susceptible/resistant Staphylococcus aureus by antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine and cysteamine
Sempere J, Llamosí M, Román F, Lago D, González-Camacho F, Pérez-García C, Yuste J, Domenech M. Clearance of mixed biofilms of Streptococcus pneumoniae and methicillin-susceptible/resistant Staphylococcus aureus by antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine and cysteamine. Sci Rep. 2022 Apr 23;12(1):6668
PUBMED DOIClinical Relevance and Molecular Pathogenesis of the Emerging Serotypes 22F and 33F of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Spain
Sempere J, de Miguel S, González-Camacho F, Yuste J, Domenech M. Clinical Relevance and Molecular Pathogenesis of the Emerging Serotypes 22F and 33F of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Spain. Front Microbiol. 2020 Feb 27;11:309.
PUBMED DOICombination of Antibodies and Antibiotics as a Promising Strategy Against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens of the Respiratory Tract
Domenech M, Sempere J, de Miguel S, Yuste J. Combination of Antibodies and Antibiotics as a Promising Strategy Against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens of the Respiratory Tract. Front Immunol. 2018 Nov 20;9:2700. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02700. PMID: 30515172; PMCID: PMC6256034.
DOIChemotherapy with Phage Lysins Reduces Pneumococcal Colonization of the Respiratory Tract
Corsini B, Díez-Martínez R, Aguinagalde L, González-Camacho F, García-Fernández E, Letrado P, García P, Yuste J. Chemotherapy with Phage Lysins Reduces Pneumococcal Colonization of the Respiratory Tract. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2018 May 25;62(6):e02212-17. doi: 10.1128/AAC.02212-17. PMID: 29581113; PMCID: PMC5971604.
DOIImpact of Biological Therapies on the Immune Response after Pneumococcal Vaccination in Patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Diseases
Richi P, Yuste J, Navío T, González-Hombrado L, Salido M, Thuissard-Vasallo I, Jiménez-Díaz A, Llorente J, Cebrián L, Lojo L, Steiner M, Cobo T, Martín MD, García-Castro M, Castro P, Muñoz-Fernández S. Impact of Biological Therapies on the Immune Response after Pneumococcal Vaccination in Patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Diseases. Vaccines. 2021 Feb 28;9(3):203. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9030203. PMID: 33671007; PMCID: PMC7997274.
DOIPleiotropic Effects of Cell Wall Amidase LytA on Streptococcus pneumoniae Sensitivity to the Host Immune Response
Ramos-Sevillano E, Urzainqui A, Campuzano S, Moscoso M, González-Camacho F, Domenech M, Rodríguez de Córdoba S, Sánchez-Madrid F, Brown JS, García E, Yuste J. Pleiotropic effects of cell wall amidase LytA on Streptococcus pneumoniae sensitivity to the host immune response. Infect Immun. 2015 Feb;83(2):591-603. doi: 10.1128/IAI.02811-14. PMID: 25404032; PMCID: PMC4294232.
DOIPSGL-1 on Leukocytes is a Critical Component of the Host Immune Response against Invasive Pneumococcal Disease
Ramos-Sevillano E, Urzainqui A, de Andrés B, González-Tajuelo R, Domenech M, González-Camacho F, Sánchez-Madrid F, Brown JS, García E, Yuste J. PSGL-1 on Leukocytes is a Critical Component of the Host Immune Response against Invasive Pneumococcal Disease. PLoS Pathog. 2016 Mar 14;12(3):e1005500. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005500. PMID: 26975045; PMCID: PMC4790886.
DOIComparison of methods and characterization of small RNAs from plasma extracellular vesicles of HIV/HCV coinfected patients
Martínez-González E; Brochado-Kith O; Gómez-Sanz A; et al; Fernández-Rodríguez A (AC). (9/9). 2020. Small RNA sequencing from plasma extracellular vesicles of HIV/HCV coinfected patients: a protocol comparison SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 9. ISSN 2045-2322.
DOIRelative telomere length impact on mortality of COVID-19: Sex differences
Virseda-Berdices A; Concostrina-Martinez L; Martínez-González O;et al; Fernández-Rodríguez A (AC). (14/14). 2022. Relative telomere length impact on mortality of COVID-19: Sex differences.Journal of medical virology. 95, pp.e28368. ISSN 0146-6615.
DOIHepatitis C Virus Influences HIV-1 Viral Splicing in Coinfected Patients
Martínez-Román P; López-Huertas MR; Crespo-Bermejo C; et al; Briz V (AC). (16/15). 2020. Hepatitis C virus influences HIV-1 viral splicing in coinfected patients JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE. MDPI. ISSN 2077-0383.
DOIContent with Investigacion .
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Maribel Jiménez Alonso
Tenured Scientist
ORCID code: 0000-0002-5615-3087
Doctor in Pharmacy from the Complutense University of Madrid (1994) and Extraordinary Doctorate Award. She started her research activity at ISCIII in 1990 in the field of leishmaniasis. Currently, she is the head of the LEM where she develops her scientific work in the field of entomological surveillance of phlebotomine sandflies in the CM and other studies in the field of molecular biology, mainly applied to the model of Leishmania infantum and its vector Phlebotomus perniciosus. Member of the team of experts of the ISCIII that participates in the elaboration of Rapid Risk Assessments and in the working groups in charge of the elaboration of National Plans of Prevention, Surveillance and Control of Vector-borne Diseases of the CCAES, Ministry of Health. She is currently “Operational Focal Point” for vector-borne diseases at national level for the One Health-Vectornet network (EFSA and ECDC) and coordinator of the VectorNet-Spain network since July 2024. In addition, she is a member of the expert committee of the Network of Surveillance and Control of Vectors with public health interest in the Community of Madrid. In addition, she is part of a research group from CIBER (CIBERINFEC; CB21/13/00110).
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Ricardo Molina Moreno
Doctor Ad Honorem
ORCID code: 0000-0001-6662-173X
Doctor in Biological Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid (1994). In 1979 he began his professional career at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), where he became a researcher in 1985. He was in charge of the Medical Entomology Laboratory from that year until his retirement in 2023. He is currently a doctor linked “Ad Honorem”. He has extensive experience in medical entomology, advising the Ministry of Health (CCAES) and Health Departments of Autonomous Communities, on surveillance and control of arthropods transmitting vector-borne diseases. In recent years he has been involved in surveillance programs in Spain for leishmaniasis vectors, especially in the Fuenlabrada outbreak, and for viruses causing Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and dengue. Also in the surveillance of invasive exotic mosquitoes, especially Aedes albopictus, in ports and airports. In his last stage he has been part of the research group within the CIBER (CIBERINFEC; CB21/13/00110).
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Eva Pérez Martínez
Clinical and Biomedical Laboratory Technician
ORCID code: 0000-0002-6553-9969
Graduated in 2019 from the Advanced Vocational Training Program in Clinical and Biomedical Laboratory Sciences. I began my professional career in 2020 at Eurofins Megalab laboratories. In 2024, I started working as a freelance professional on an international project focused on the bioecology of phlebotomine sand flies in urban environments across the Mediterranean Basin, conducting fieldwork in Spain, Italy, Greece, and southern France within the framework of citizen science. Since 2025, I have been part of the Medical Entomology Laboratory at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), where I work as a laboratory technician on the project “Biochemical and functional characterization of salivary proteins from Phlebotomus perniciosus and their role in Leishmania infantum infection (PERNIPROT)”, led by Dr. Inés Martín Martín.
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Inés Martín Martín
Tenured Scientist
ORCID code: 0000-0002-0956-7324
Within Medical Entomology, my work focuses on the study of phlebotomine sand flies and culicidae as vectors of leishmaniasis and arbovirosis, respectively. In 2014 I obtained my PhD degree “cum laude” with European mention from the Complutense University of Madrid. My PhD Thesis (developed at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III), focused on the study of phlebotomine sandfly saliva. Subsequently, during my postdoctoral period, I worked on insect gene editing, molecular, biochemical and functional characterization of insect saliva proteins and their role in the infection and transmission of pathogens. Most of my scientific career has been developed at the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA. Since 2021 I am a Senior Scientist at the Laboratory of Medical Entomology (ISCIII).
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Marcos López de Felipe Escudero
Predoctoral contract FPU
ORCID code: 0000-0002-2919-836X
Graduated in Biology from the Autonomous University of Madrid and Master in Tropical Parasitic Diseases from the University of Valencia. He started his professional career in 2019 in surveillance and management of hematophagous diptera of veterinary-medical interest, as well as other urban pests. In 2024 he began his work at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) within the framework of the project “Evaluation of the anti-leishmanicidal effect of the bacterium Tc1 and its derivatives in the intravectorial cycle of the parasite” directed by Dr. Inés Martín Martín where he continues after the award of a FPU fellowship. He has extensive experience in medical entomology, especially in surveillance and vector control and taxonomic identification. Her career so far has focused mainly on the study of phlebotomine sand flies, simulids and culicidae, with special attention to citizen science.
List of staff