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Investigation
Toxoplasmosis and intestinal protozoa
Research Lines
Content with Investigacion .
Neisseria, Listeria y Bordetella
• Invasive Meningococcal Disease.
o Laboratory surveillance based on whole-genome sequencing and its application in Public Health.
o Study and characterization of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.
o Study and evaluation of conventional (polysaccharide) and new-generation (protein) vaccines.
• Gonococcal Infection (Gonorrhea).
o Laboratory surveillance based on whole-genome sequencing and its application in Public Health.
o Study and characterization of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.
• Listeriosis.
o Laboratory surveillance based on whole-genome sequencing and its application in Public Health.
• Pertussis.
o Development and application of molecular techniques for the diagnosis and characterization of Bordetella pertussis, B. parapertussis, B. holmessi, and B. bronchiseptica.
Research projects
Content with Investigacion .
1. Project Title: Determination of the degree of identity of common antigens of N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae using genomic and immunological tools.
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII. Program: Strategic Action in Intramural Health
Reference: PI23CIII/00040
Period: 2024-2026
Amount Awarded: €68,500
2. Project Title: Meningococcal Disease and Molecular Epidemiology (MEMORY).
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca and Julio A. Vázquez Moreno
Funding Entity: Pfizer Inc.
Reference: MVP 352/21
Period: 2022-2024
Amount Awarded: €82,834.50
3. Project Title: Modelling Approaches to Guide Intelligent Surveillance for the Sustainable Introduction of Novel Antibiotics. MAGIcIAN.
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII / International Joint Action / Joint Programming Initiatives (JPI) Program
Reference: AC19CIII/00002
Period: 2020-2024
Amount Awarded: €46,000
4. Project Title: Epidemiological, Microbiological, and Clinical Analysis of the Listeriosis Outbreak in Andalusia. LISMOAN Study.
Principal Investigator: José Miguel Cisneros Herreros
Funding Entity: FISEVI (Andalusian Public Foundation for Health Research Management)/FPS2020 Call for Proposals
Reference: PI-0001-2020
Period: 2020-2023
Amount Awarded: €114,954
5. Project Title: Population Structure of Neisseria meningitidis Using Massive Sequencing: A Potential Tool for Estimating Vaccine Effectiveness?
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII / Strategic Action in Intramural Health
Reference: PI19CIII/00030
Period: 2020-2023
Amount Awarded: €67,153
6. Project Title: Management agreement between the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality (Directorate General of Public Health, Quality and Innovation) and the Carlos III Health Institute, for the laboratory determinations corresponding to the 2nd seroprevalence study in Spain.
Principal Investigator: Fernando de Ory and Julio A. Vázquez
Funding Entity: Directorate General of Public Health, Ministry of Health
Reference: MEG151/17
Period: 2018-2020
Amount Awarded: €565,663
7. Project Title: Effectiveness of the Meningococcal B Vaccine in Immunocompromised Children with Sickle Cell Disease
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Foundation (SEHOP)
Reference: MVP 199/18
Period: 2018-2020
Amount Awarded: €18,285
8. Project Title: Application of Massive Sequencing and Immunological Approaches in the Expression Analysis of New Vaccine Antigens in Meningococcal Populations
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII / Strategic Action in Intramural Health
Reference: PI16CIII/00023
Period: 2017-2020
Amount Awarded: €115,084
9. Project Title: fHbp variability over time and potential coverage of the new meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (bivalent rLP2086/fHbp) in Spain.
Principal Investigators: Raquel Abad and Julio A. Vázquez
Funding Entity: Pfizer SLU
Reference: MVP 1273/16
Period: 2017-2020
Amount Awarded: €125,350
10. Project Title: Estimation of protection of a conjugate vaccine against meningococcus serogroup C based on a mathematical model.
Principal Investigator: Julio A. Vázquez and Javier Díez
Funding Entity: Higher Center for Research in Public Health (CSISP)
Reference: MVP 1116/11
Period: 2011-2017
Amount awarded: €143,750
Publications
Cryptococcus neoformans can form titan-like cells in vitro in response to multiple signals
Trevijano-Contador N, de Oliveira HC, García-Rodas R, Rossi SA, Llorente I, Zaballos Á, Janbon G, Ariño J, Zaragoza Ó. Cryptococcus neoformans can form titan-like cells in vitro in response to multiple signals. PLoS Pathog. 2018 May 18;14(5):e1007007. PMCID: PMC6454888.
PUBMED DOICell Wall Changes in Amphotericin B-Resistant Strains from Candida tropicalis and Relationship with the Immune Responses Elicited by the Host
5: Mesa-Arango AC, Rueda C, Román E, Quintin J, Terrón MC, Luque D, Netea MG, Pla J, Zaragoza O. Cell Wall Changes in Amphotericin B-Resistant Strains from Candida tropicalis and Relationship with the Immune Responses Elicited by the Host. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2016 Mar 25;60(4):2326-35. PMCID: PMC4808153.
PUBMED DOIThe production of reactive oxygen species is a universal action mechanism of Amphotericin B against pathogenic yeasts and contributes to the fungicidal effect of this drug
8: Mesa-Arango AC, Trevijano-Contador N, Román E, Sánchez-Fresneda R, Casas C, Herrero E, Argüelles JC, Pla J, Cuenca-Estrella M, Zaragoza O. The production of reactive oxygen species is a universal action mechanism of Amphotericin B against pathogenic yeasts and contributes to the fungicidal effect of this drug. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2014 Nov;58(11):6627-38. PMCID: PMC4249417.
PUBMED DOICapsule Growth in Cryptococcus neoformans Is Coordinated with Cell Cycle Progression
9: García-Rodas R, Cordero RJ, Trevijano-Contador N, Janbon G, Moyrand F, Casadevall A, Zaragoza O. Capsule growth in Cryptococcus neoformans is coordinated with cell cycle progression. mBio. 2014 Jun 17;5(3):e00945-14. PMCID: PMC4056547.
PUBMED DOIThe interaction between Candida krusei and murine macrophages results in multiple outcomes, including intracellular survival and escape from killing
12: García-Rodas R, González-Camacho F, Rodríguez-Tudela JL, Cuenca-Estrella M, Zaragoza O. The interaction between Candida krusei and murine macrophages results in multiple outcomes, including intracellular survival and escape from killing. Infect Immun. 2011 Jun;79(6):2136-44. PMCID: PMC3125833.
PUBMED DOIHuman IgM Inhibits the Formation of Titan-Like Cells in Cryptococcus neoformans
14: Trevijano-Contador N, Pianalto KM, Nichols CB, Zaragoza O, Alspaugh JA, Pirofski LA. Human IgM Inhibits the Formation of Titan-Like Cells in Cryptococcus neoformans. Infect Immun. 2020 Mar 23;88(4):e00046-20. PMCID: PMC7093138.
PUBMED DOIThe lymphocyte scavenger receptor CD5 plays a nonredundant role in fungal infection
15: Velasco-de-Andrés M, Català C, Casadó-Llombart S, Simões I, Zaragoza O, Carreras E, Lozano F. The lymphocyte scavenger receptor CD5 plays a nonredundant role in fungal infection. Cell Mol Immunol. 2020 Apr 24.
PUBMED DOIAdditional Information
Our group carries out research studies in the diagnosis, reference and epidemiology of zoonoses and emerging diseases, both indigenous and imported, caused by protozoa. Coordinates the study in the human field with the relevance of the animal field and the environment (One Health initiative), with special interest in Toxoplasmosis, a highly prevalent zoonosis (WHO lists it as the 3rd food-borne zoonosis in Europe), presents a complex epidemiological cycle and causes neurological, ocular and systemic symptoms. We carry out diagnostic and characterization studies of Toxoplasma gondii from human and animal cases, to obtain greater epidemiological information and analyze the possible relationship with virulence and pathology.
Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Blastocystis and Entamoeba histolytica cause gastrointestinal diseases, affecting children, immunosuppressed people and travelers. They can cause outbreaks. We develop diagnostic and characterization studies of isolates from humans and animals, from different areas and countries, to establish the presence of the main species and genotypes and the epidemiological situation. We are beginning the study of associations between these parasites and the intestinal microbiota.
The pathogenic Free-Living Amoebas, Acanthamoeba, Naegleria fowleri and Balamuthia mandrillaris, cause emerging diseases, highlighting the importance of the environment in transmission. They cause underdiagnosed neurological and ocular cases. The diagnostic and genotyping study of human and animal isolates that we are carrying out aims to establish the real prevalence, transmission routes and epidemiology.
Our group carries out research studies in the diagnosis, reference and epidemiology of zoonoses and emerging diseases, both indigenous and imported, caused by protozoa. Coordinates the study in the human field with the relevance of the animal field and the environment (One Health initiative), with special interest in Toxoplasmosis, a highly prevalent zoonosis (WHO lists it as the 3rd food-borne zoonosis in Europe), presents a complex epidemiological cycle and causes neurological, ocular and systemic symptoms. We carry out diagnostic and characterization studies of Toxoplasma gondii from human and animal cases, to obtain greater epidemiological information and analyze the possible relationship with virulence and pathology.
Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Blastocystis and Entamoeba histolytica cause gastrointestinal diseases, affecting children, immunosuppressed people and travelers. They can cause outbreaks. We develop diagnostic and characterization studies of isolates from humans and animals, from different areas and countries, to establish the presence of the main species and genotypes and the epidemiological situation. We are beginning the study of associations between these parasites and the intestinal microbiota.
The pathogenic Free-Living Amoebas, Acanthamoeba, Naegleria fowleri and Balamuthia mandrillaris, cause emerging diseases, highlighting the importance of the environment in transmission. They cause underdiagnosed neurological and ocular cases. The diagnostic and genotyping study of human and animal isolates that we are carrying out aims to establish the real prevalence, transmission routes and epidemiology.