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Content with Investigacion Legionella .

Legionella

Desde su creación hasta la actualidad, La Unidad de Legionella tiene como principal función dar apoyo científico-técnico a la Administración General del Estado, a las Comunidades Autónomas y al Sistema Nacional de Salud en el campo de la prevención y control de la legionelosis, así como llevar a cabo investigaciones científicas en el contexto de la legionelosis. Además, la Unidad de Legionella también actúa como Laboratorio de Referencia de España frente al European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), siendo miembro de la red europea de vigilancia de la legionelosis, “European Legionnaires’ Disease Surveillance Network (ELDSNet). Finalmente, la unidad también realiza una actividad docente, participando en cursos de formación especializada, así como en Máster Universitarios.

 

Principales líneas de investigación

Vigilancia microbiológica

Búsqueda de marcadores moleculares con capacidad de predecir el riesgo de una instalación de provocar legionelosis. Factores de virulencia de Legionella spp.

Estudio de la capacidad formadora de biofilms de Legionella spp. Colonización y dispersión.

Búsqueda de marcadores fenotípicos capaces de discriminar especies del Género Legionella; grupos y subgrupos de Legionella pneumophila.

Diferentes estructuras de biofilms en función de la cepa formadora de Legionella pneumophila. En verde la biomasa bacteriana, en rojo el exopolisacárido de la matriz extracelular.

Apoyo al Sistema Nacional de Salud de la Unidad de Legionella

 

La Unidad de Legionella tambien desarrolla actividades con el fin de proporcionar asistencia al sistema nacional de salud a traves de la oferta disponible en la cartera de servicios del CNM, así como a través de programas de vigilancia microbiológica.

Research projects

Content with Investigacion Legionella .

1: Título del proyecto: Búsqueda de biomarcadores de patogenicidad en Legionella spp con interés predictivo de riesgo de infección.
Investigador principal: Fernando González Camacho
Entidad financiadora: ISCIII (AESI). Referencia:  MPY 341/22
Periodo: 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2025

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Publications

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Co-occurrence of the cephalosporinase cepA and carbapenemase cfiA genes in a Bacteroides fragilis division II strain, an unexpected finding

Valdezate S, Medina-Pascual MJ, Villalón P, Garrido N, Monzón S, Cuesta I, Cobo F (2024). Co-occurrence of the cephalosporinase cepA and carbapenemase cfiA genes in a Bacteroides fragilis division II strain, an unexpected finding. J Antimicrobial Chem. 2024 Jul 1;79(7):1683-1687

PUBMED DOI

Hookworm secreted extracellular vesicles interact with host cells and prevent inducible colitis in mice.

Eichenberger RM, Ryan S, Jones L, Buitrago G, Polster R, Montes de Oca M, Zuvelek J, Giacomin PR, Dent LA, Engwerda CR, Field MA, Sotillo J, Loukas A. Hookworm secreted extracellular vesicles interact with host cells and prevent inducible colitis in mice. Front Immunol. 2018 Apr 30;9:850.

PUBMED DOI

StaR Is a positive regulator of topoisomerase I activity involved in supercoiling maintenance in Streptococcus pneumoniae

de Vasconcelos Junior AA, Tirado-Vélez JM, Martín-Galiano AJ, Megias D, Ferrándiz MJ, Hernández P, Amblar M, de la Campa AG. Int J Mol Sci. 2023; 24:5973.

PUBMED DOI

Toll-like receptor signaling-deficient cells enhance antitumor activity of cell-based immunotherapy by increasing tumor homing

A. Morales-Molina, M.A. Rodríguez-Milla, S,. Gambera, T. Cejalvo, B. de Andrés M.L. Gaspar, J. Garcia-Castro. Cancer Res Commun 2023 Mar 1;3(3):347-360. eCollection 2023 Mar

PUBMED DOI

Characterizing carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli isolates from Spain: high genetic heterogeneity and wide geographical spread.

1. Characterizing carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli isolates from Spain: high genetic heterogeneity and wide geographical spread. Dahdouh E, Gómez-Marcos L, Cañada-García JE, de Arellano ER, Sánchez-García A, Sánchez-Romero I, López-Urrutia L, de la Iglesia P, Gonzalez-Praetorius A, Sotelo J, Valle-Millares D, Alonso-González I, Bautista V, Lara N, García-Cobos S, Cercenado E, Aracil B, Oteo-Iglesias J, Pérez-Vázquez M; Spanish Eco-Carba Study Group. Revista: Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024 May 16;14:1390966.

PUBMED DOI

The Association of HIV-1 Neutralization in Aviremic Children and Adults with Time to ART Initiation and CD4+/CD8+ Ratios

Sanchez-Merino V, Martin-Serrano M, Beltran M, Lazaro-Martin B, Cervantes E, Oltra M, Sainz T, Garcia F, Navarro ML, Yuste E; Vaccines (Basel). 2023 Dec 20;12(1):8;

PUBMED DOI

The sulfur-related metabolic status of Aspergillus fumigatus during infection reveals cytosolic serine hydroxymethyltransferase as a promising antifungal target

Alharthi R, Sueiro-Olivares M, Storer I, Bin Shuraym H, Scott J, Al-Shidhani R, Fortune-Grant R, Bignell E, Tabernero L, Bromley M and Amich J. 2025. Virulence, 16(1):2449075

PUBMED DOI

The importance of microbiology reference laboratories and adequate funding for infectious disease surveillance

Shaw D, Torreblanca RA, Amin-Chowdhury Z, Bautista A, Bennett D, Broughton K, Casanova C, Choi EH, Claus H, Corcoran M, Cottrell S, Cunney R, Cuypers L, Dalby T, Davies H, de Gouveia L, Deghmane AE, Desmet S, Domenech M, Drew R, Plessis MD, Duarte C, Fuursted K, Golden A, Almeida SCG, Henares D, Henriques-Normark B, Hilty M, Hoffmann S, Humphreys H, Jacobsson S, Johnson C, Jolley KA, Kawabata A, Kozakova J, Kristinsson KG, Krizova P, Kuch A, Ladhani S, Lâm TT, Ayala MEL, Lindholm L, Litt D, Maiden MCJ, Martin I, Martiny D, Mattheus W, McCarthy ND, Meehan M, Meiring S, Mölling P, Morfeldt E, Morgan J, Mulhall R, Muñoz-Almagro C, Murdoch D, Musilek M, Novakova L, Oftadeh S, Perez-Arguello A, Pérez-Vázquez MD, Perrin M, Prevost B, Roberts M, Rokney A, Ron M, Sanabria OM, Scott KJ, Sempere J, Siira L, de Lemos APS, Sintchenko V, Skoczyńska A, Slotved HC, Smith AJ, Taha MK, Toropainen M, Tzanakaki G, Vainio A, van der Linden MPG, van Sorge NM, Varon E, Moreno JV, Vohrnova S, von Gottberg A, Yuste J, Brueggemann AB. Lancet Digit Health. 2025 Apr;7(4):e275-e281.

PUBMED DOI

ETP-46321, a dual p110α/δ class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor modulates T lymphocyte activation and collagen-induced arthritis.

2. Aragoneses-Fenoll L, Montes-CasadoM, Ojeda G, Acosta YY, Herranz J, Martínez S, Blanco-Aparicio C, Criado G, Pastor J, Dianzani U, Portolés P, Rojo JM. ETP-46321, a dual p110α/δ class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor modulates T lymphocyte activation and collagen-induced arthritis. Biochem. Pharmacol. 2016 Apr 15;106:56-69. Epub 2016 Feb 13.

PUBMED DOI

Structure and Immunogenicity of the Human Metapneumovirus F Protein in the Postfusion Conformation.

5. Mas V, Rodriguez L, Olmedillas E, Cano O, Palomo C, Terron MC, et al. Engineering, Structure and Immunogenicity of the Human Metapneumovirus F Protein in the Postfusion Conformation. PLoS Pathog. 2016;12(9):e1005859.

PUBMED DOI

Godet C, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Flick H, Hennequin C, Mikilps-Mikgelbs R, Munteanu O, Page I, Seidel D, Salzer HJF. A CPAnet consensus statement on research priorities for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: a neglected fungal infection that requires attention. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2018 ​

Godet C, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Flick H, Hennequin C, Mikilps-Mikgelbs R, Munteanu O, Page I, Seidel D, Salzer HJF. A CPAnet consensus statement on research priorities for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: a neglected fungal infection that requires attention. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2018 Feb 1;73(2):280-286. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkx390. PMID: 29126309.​

PUBMED DOI

Ultrastructure of the Babesia divergens free merozoite

Terrón M.C, González-Camacho F., González L.M., Luque D.*, Montero E. 2016. Ultrastructure of the Babesia divergens free merozoite. Ticks Tick Borne Diseases. 7(6):1274-1279. *Corresponding author. IF: 3.23, Q1.

PUBMED DOI

Exploring the genetic background of the botulism neurotoxin BoNT/B2 in Spain

Valdezate S, Carrasco G, Medina MJ, Garrido N, Del Pino S, Valiente M, Pallarés MP, Villalon P. (2023). Exploring the genetic background of the botulism neurotoxin BoNT/B2 in Spain. Microbiol Spectr. Sep 26;11(5):e0238023

PUBMED DOI

HDP2: a ribosomal DNA (NTS-ETS) sequence as a target for species-specific molecular diagnosis of intestinal taeniasis in humans.

Flores MD, Gonzalez LM, Hurtado C, Motta YM, Domínguez-Hidalgo C, Merino FJ, Perteguer MJ, Gárate T. HDP2: a ribosomal DNA (NTS-ETS) sequence as a target for species-specific molecular diagnosis of intestinal taeniasis in humans. Parasit Vectors. 2018 Feb 27;11(1):117. doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-2646-6.

PUBMED DOI

The balance between gyrase and topoisomerase I activities determines levels of supercoiling, nucleoid compaction, and viability in bacteria

García-López M, Megias D, Ferrándiz MJ, de la Campa AG. Front Microbiol. 2023; 11;1094692.

PUBMED DOI

Immune stress suppresses innate immune signaling in preleukemic precursor B-cells to provoke leukemia in predisposed mice

Isidro-Hernández M, Casado-García A, Oak N, Alemán-Arteaga S, Ruiz-Corzo B, Martínez-Cano J, Mayado A, G. Sánchez E, Blanco O, Gaspar ML, Orfao A, Alonso-López D, De las Rivas J, Riesco S, Prieto-Matos P, González-Murilo A, García Criado FJ, García Cenador MB, Ramírez-Orellana M, De Andrés B, Vicente-Dueñas C, Cobaleda C, Nichols KE, Sánchez-García I. Nat Commun 2023 Aug 24;14(1):5159.

PUBMED DOI

Clinical, microbiological, and molecular characterization of pediatric invasive infections by Streptococcus pyogenes in Spain in a context of global outbreak.

2. Clinical, microbiological, and molecular characterization of pediatric invasive infections by Streptococcus pyogenes in Spain in a context of global outbreak. Autores: Ramírez de Arellano E, Saavedra-Lozano J, Villalón P, Jové-Blanco A, Grandioso D, Sotelo J, Gamell A, González-López JJ, Cervantes E, Gónzalez MJ, Rello-Saltor V, Esteva C, Sanz-Santaeufemia F, Yagüe G, Manzanares Á, Brañas P, Ruiz de Gopegui E, Carrasco-Colom J, García F, Cercenado E, Mellado I, Del Castillo E, Pérez-Vazquez M, Oteo-Iglesias J, Calvo C; Spanish PedGAS-Net/CIBERINFEC GAS Study Group. Revista: mSphere. 2024 Mar 26;9(3):e0072923.

PUBMED DOI

Potent Induction of Envelope-Specific Antibody Responses by Virus-Like Particle Immunogens Based on HIV-1 Envelopes from Patients with Early Broadly Neutralizing Responses

Beltran-Pavez C, Bontjer I, Gonzalez N, Pernas M, Merino-Mansilla A, Olvera A, Miro JM, Brander C, Alcami J, Sanders RW, Sanchez-Merino V, Yuste E; J Virol. 2022 Jan 12;96(1):e0134321.

PUBMED DOI

Fungal burden assessment in hospital zones with different protection degrees

García-Gutiérrez L, Baena Rojas B, Ruiz M, Hernández Egido S, Ruiz-Gaitán AC, Laiz L, Pemán J, Cuétara-García MS, Mellado E & Martin-Sanchez PM. Build Environ, Volume 269, 1 February 2025, 112454

DOI

Antimicrobial resistance and epidemiological aspects of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the province of Lleida, Spain (2017-2024).

Cumplido A, Aramburu J, Font M, Montes M, Abad R, López E, Bernet A, Mormeneo S, Prats I, García M, Sánchez E, Bellés A. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin (Engl Ed). 2025 Mar;43(3):156-161.

PUBMED DOI

Content with Investigacion Legionella .

List of staff

Additional Information

Our group is interested in the mechanisms of generation of hematopoietic cells throughout ontogeny and the influence that the first hematopoietic cells, belonging to the innate/pseudoinnate immune system, exert on the adaptive immune system in the adult individual. Our lines of research include the analysis of pseudoinnate lymphoid populations, which connect the innate and adaptive immune systems, and whose origin is in progenitors of early ontogeny. We are trying to understand its role in the immune response through TLR receptors (“Toll-like receptors”) throughout life, particularly in animal models of bacterial infection, with the aim of designing new vaccine therapies. We analyze immune diversity in animal models and in human samples of children and elderly people diagnosed with respiratory disease, by: a) analyzing the lymphoid subpopulations of the local response. b) the study of the genetic rearrangements of the immunoglobulins that are produced. c) the systemic effector response and in peripheral organs. These approaches, carried out both in the mouse model and in human samples, will facilitate the design of more effective therapies and the characterization of biomarkers, adapted to the pediatric and elderly population, useful for the health field and technological innovation.rupo está interesado en los mecanismos de generación de células hematopoyéticas a lo largo de la ontogenia y la influencia que las primeras células hematopoyéticas, pertenecientes al sistema inmune innato/pseudoinnato, ejercen sobre el sistema inmune adaptativo en el individuo adulto. Nuestras líneas de investigación incluyen el análisis de poblaciones linfoides pseudoinnatas, que conectan el sistema inmune innato y adaptativo, y cuyo origen está en progenitores de la ontogenia temprana. Intentamos entender su papel en la respuesta inmune a través de receptores TLR (“Toll-like receptors”) a lo largo de la vida, en particular en modelos animales de infección bacteriana, con objeto de diseñar nuevas terapias vacunales. Analizamos la diversidad inmune en modelos animales y en muestras humanas de niños y ancianos diagnosticados de enfermedad respiratoria, mediante: a) el análisis de las subpoblaciones linfoides de la respuesta local. b) el estudio de los reordenamientos genéticos de las inmunoglobulinas que se producen. c) la respuesta efectora sistémica y en órganos periféricos. Estas aproximaciones, realizadas tanto en el modelo de ratón como en muestras humanas, facilitarán el diseño de terapias más eficaces y la caracterización de biomarcadores, adaptados a la población infantil y envejecida, de utilidad para el ámbito sanitario y de innovación tecnológica.

Doctoral theses

“Expression and functionality of tlr2 and tlr4 in lymphomyeloid populations present in the lung and lymphoid organs during embryonic and neonatal life in mouse models.”  Carolina Ruiz Sánchez. Complutense University of Madrid, 2022

Master's thesis

Detection and characterization of extracellular vesicles of platelet origin in lung supernatants from SPN-infected animals. Marta Paris, Alcalá University, 2024

Study of TLR-dependent activation in the RAW 264.7 macrophage line. Iñigo Merino de Saracho, Alcalá University, 2023

Study of the functionality of TLR receptors in the lung and other lymphoid organs in B cell populations using the neonatal mouse model. Yolanda Campanero, Alcalá University, 2023

Exploratory study of T lymphoid progenitors in the neonatal mouse lung. Alejandro Arrabal, Complutense University of Madrid, 2022

Study of B lymphoid differentiation in mice deficient for CD5 and CD6 molecules. Cristina Martín, Alcalá University, 2022

Role of platelets and their progenitor cells in two animal models of infection: SPN and RSV. Ana de Lucas Rius, Alcalá University, 2020

Pilot study of RSV infection in the mouse model: cellular phenotype of myeloid and lymphoid populations in the lung in two animal models of infection: SPN and RSV. Juan Antonio Martín Quesada, Alcalá University, 2020

B cell response during Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Eva Castro, 2020

Study of the hematopoietic potential of neonatal lung cells in the mouse model. Ana Cogollo García, Alcalá University, 2018

Innate immune response to S. pneumoniae in the lung. Rodrigo Sánchez, Complutense University of Madrid, 2018

Neonatal immunity in the mouse model: localization and function of the innate and adaptive response. Alba Ezequiel Fernández, Alcalá University, 2017

Characterization of immunoglobulin gene diversity in the mouse model of TLR4 homeostasis and activation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Cristina García Caballero, Alcalá University, 2017

Altered lymphopoiesis and splenic B cell subsets on Telomerase Activity Deficient Mice (TERC-/-). Juliana Manosalva, Complutense University of Madrid, 2017

Study of the Immune Response in Nasopharyngeal Washings of Infants with Bronchiolitis. Isabel Martín Barrios, Complutense University of Madrid, 2016

Dynamics of B1-REL lymphocytes in the in vivo immunization model with DNP-LPS. Inmaculada Sanz Ramos University Alcalá, 2015

Megakaryocyte differentiation pathways in the mouse model. Marta Cobos Briz, Alcalá University, 2015

Role of megakaryocytes in infectious processes. Melania Guerrero Hue, Complutense University of Madrid, 2015

 

Final degree projects

Study of new bacterial vaccines in the mouse (Mus musculus) infection model due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Alejandro Arrabal, Polytechnic University of Madrid, 2021

Megakaryocytes and platelets in SPN respiratory infection: Role of TLR4. Óscar González Hervás, Complutense University of Madrid, 2021

Study of the immune response mediated by pseudo-innate B lymphocytes against TLR4-dependent immunization models. Rodrigo Sánchez, Complutense University of Madrid, 2017.

Study of the diversity in the immunoglobulin repertoire in healthy individuals. Isabel Martín, Francisco de Vitoria University, 2015.

Dynamics of hematopoietic populations in the perinatal spleen. Inmaculada Sanz, Alcalá University, 2014

Teaching in training courses

Training course: Introduction to Flow Cytometry (from 2015 to present)
Training Course: Flow Cytometry Data Analysis (2018 to present)

Outreach / Citizen Science

• Collaboration in the 4th+Company CAM program.

• Collaboration with the ISCIII Scientific Culture Unit in Science Week at the ISCIII

• Scientific Dissemination Project "Talking about Science", carried out in Majadahonda primary, secondary and high school schools, since 2015 in collaboration with the Department of Education and Youth of the Majadahonda City Council: “How your Immune System works and healthy lifestyle habits to take care of it”

Doctoral theses

“Expression and functionality of tlr2 and tlr4 in lymphomyeloid populations present in the lung and lymphoid organs during embryonic and neonatal life in mouse models.”  Carolina Ruiz Sánchez. Complutense University of Madrid, 2022

Master's thesis

Detection and characterization of extracellular vesicles of platelet origin in lung supernatants from SPN-infected animals. Marta Paris, Alcalá University, 2024

Study of TLR-dependent activation in the RAW 264.7 macrophage line. Iñigo Merino de Saracho, Alcalá University, 2023

Study of the functionality of TLR receptors in the lung and other lymphoid organs in B cell populations using the neonatal mouse model. Yolanda Campanero, Alcalá University, 2023

Exploratory study of T lymphoid progenitors in the neonatal mouse lung. Alejandro Arrabal, Complutense University of Madrid, 2022

Study of B lymphoid differentiation in mice deficient for CD5 and CD6 molecules. Cristina Martín, Alcalá University, 2022

Role of platelets and their progenitor cells in two animal models of infection: SPN and RSV. Ana de Lucas Rius, Alcalá University, 2020

Pilot study of RSV infection in the mouse model: cellular phenotype of myeloid and lymphoid populations in the lung in two animal models of infection: SPN and RSV. Juan Antonio Martín Quesada, Alcalá University, 2020

B cell response during Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Eva Castro, 2020

Study of the hematopoietic potential of neonatal lung cells in the mouse model. Ana Cogollo García, Alcalá University, 2018

Innate immune response to S. pneumoniae in the lung. Rodrigo Sánchez, Complutense University of Madrid, 2018

Neonatal immunity in the mouse model: localization and function of the innate and adaptive response. Alba Ezequiel Fernández, Alcalá University, 2017

Characterization of immunoglobulin gene diversity in the mouse model of TLR4 homeostasis and activation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Cristina García Caballero, Alcalá University, 2017

Altered lymphopoiesis and splenic B cell subsets on Telomerase Activity Deficient Mice (TERC-/-). Juliana Manosalva, Complutense University of Madrid, 2017

Study of the Immune Response in Nasopharyngeal Washings of Infants with Bronchiolitis. Isabel Martín Barrios, Complutense University of Madrid, 2016

Dynamics of B1-REL lymphocytes in the in vivo immunization model with DNP-LPS. Inmaculada Sanz Ramos University Alcalá, 2015

Megakaryocyte differentiation pathways in the mouse model. Marta Cobos Briz, Alcalá University, 2015

Role of megakaryocytes in infectious processes. Melania Guerrero Hue, Complutense University of Madrid, 2015

 

Final degree projects

Study of new bacterial vaccines in the mouse (Mus musculus) infection model due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Alejandro Arrabal, Polytechnic University of Madrid, 2021

Megakaryocytes and platelets in SPN respiratory infection: Role of TLR4. Óscar González Hervás, Complutense University of Madrid, 2021

Study of the immune response mediated by pseudo-innate B lymphocytes against TLR4-dependent immunization models. Rodrigo Sánchez, Complutense University of Madrid, 2017.

Study of the diversity in the immunoglobulin repertoire in healthy individuals. Isabel Martín, Francisco de Vitoria University, 2015.

Dynamics of hematopoietic populations in the perinatal spleen. Inmaculada Sanz, Alcalá University, 2014

Teaching in training courses

Training course: Introduction to Flow Cytometry (from 2015 to present)
Training Course: Flow Cytometry Data Analysis (2018 to present)

Outreach / Citizen Science

• Collaboration in the 4th+Company CAM program.

• Collaboration with the ISCIII Scientific Culture Unit in Science Week at the ISCIII

• Scientific Dissemination Project "Talking about Science", carried out in Majadahonda primary, secondary and high school schools, since 2015 in collaboration with the Department of Education and Youth of the Majadahonda City Council: “How your Immune System works and healthy lifestyle habits to take care of it”

Content with Investigacion Legionella .