CONSULTANT MEMBER

Three main research lines in the last 20 years:

i) Understanding canine leishmaniosis. From the different investigations done a new disease model was proposed and now is considered the valid paradigm for this important zoonosis. The latest investigations are focused on the relationship between genetic and infection progression in this disease.

ii) Molecular pathogenesis of mucinosis of chinese shar peis. Mucinosis (hyaluronosis) of chinese shar peis is an extraordinary model to understand how genomic Copy Number Variation can cause systemic disease and systemic effects of HA dysregulation. The investigations done in the last 5 years demonstrated that cutaneous mucinosis in this breed is consequence of a CNV upstream the HAS2 gen.

iii) Deconstructing canine demodicosis. The working hypothesis is that canine demodicosis is an example of an abnormal function of innate skin immunity (TLRs and other components of innate immunity).

Ferrer L. Canine leishmaniasis. Clinicians Brief. April 2013.

Ravera I, Altet L, Francino O, Sanchez A, Roldan W, Villanueva S, Bardagi M, Ferrer L. Small Demodex populations colonize most parts of the skin of healthy dogs. Veterinary Dermatology DOI 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2012.01099.x (2013).

Sastre N, Ravera I, Villanueva S, Altet L, Bardagí M, Sánchez A, Francino O, Ferrer L. Phylogenetic relationships in three species of canine Demodex mite based on partial sequences of mitochondrial 16S rDNA. Veterinary Dermatology 2012 Dec;23(6):509-e101. doi: 10.1111/vde.12001.

Quílez J, Martínez V, Sánchez A, Woolliams J, Pong-Wong R, Kennedy L, Quinnell R, Ollier W, Roura X, Ferrer L, Altet L, Francino O. Genetic Predisposition to Clinical Progression of Leishmaniosis from Infection Using High-Density SNP Arrays and the Dog as Animal Model. PLoSOne, 2012;7(4):e35349. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035349. Epub 2012 Apr 25.

Mueller R, Bensignor E, Ferrer L, Holm B, Lemarie S, Paradis M, Shipstone MA. Treatment of demodicosis in dogs: 2011 clinical practice guidelines. Veterinary Dermatology 2012 [Epub ahead of print].

Zanna G, Fondevila D., Ferrer L, Espada Y. Evalutaion of ultrasonography for measurement of skin thickness in Shar-Peis. American Journal of Veterinary Research 73, 220-6 (2012).

Docampo MJ, Zanna G, Fondevila D, Cabrera J, López-Iglesias C, Carvalho A, Cerrato S, Ferrer L, Bassols A. Increased HAS2-driven hyaluronic acid synthesis in shar-pei dogs with hereditary cutaneous hyaluronosis (mucinosis). Veterinary Dermatology doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2011.00986.x., (2011).

Bardagi M, Fondevila D, Ferrer L. Immunohistochemical Detection of COX-2 in Feline and Canine Actinic Keratoses and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Article in press. Journal of Comparative Pathology doi:10.1016/j.jcpa.2011.03.012, (2011).

Solano-Gallego L, Miró G, Koutinas A, Cardoso L, Pennisi M, Ferrer L, Bourdeau P, Oliva G, Baneth G. LeishVet guidelines for the practical management of canine leishmaniosis. Parasites and Vectors 4, 1-16, (2011).

Olsson M, Meadows J, Truvé K, Pielberg R, Puppo Mauceli E, Quilez J, Tonomura T, Zanna G, Docampo MJ, Bassols A, Avery A, Karlsson EK, Thomas A, Kastner D, Bongcam-Rudloff E, Webster MT, Sanchez A, Hedhammar A, Remmers E, Andersson L, Ferrer L, Tintle L, Lindblad-Toh K. A Novel Unstable Duplication Upstream of HAS2 Predisposes to a Breed-Defining Skin Phenotype and a Periodic Fever Syndrome in Chinese Shar-Pei Dogs. PLoS Genetics 7, p.1001332, (2011).

Bardagi M, Montoliu P, Ferrer L, Fondevila D, Pumarola M. Acral Mutilation Syndrome in a Miniature Pinscher. Journal of Comparative Pathology 144: 235-8, (2011).

Ravera I, Altet L, Francino O, Bardagí M, Sánchez A, Ferrer L. Development of a real-time PCR to detect Demodex canis DNA in different tissue samples.Parasitology Research 108: 305-8, (2011).

Torres M, Bardagí M, Roura X, Zanna G, Ravera I, Ferrer L. Long term follow-up of dogs diagnosed with leishmaniosis (clinical stage II) and treated with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol. The Veterinary Journal, 188: 346-51, (2011).

Tabar MD, Altet L, Roura X, Sánchez A, Ferrer L, Francino O (2010). Presence of opportunistic bacteria (Rhizobium spp.) with potential for molecular misdiagnosis among canine and feline clinical samples. Canadian Veterinary Journal 51, 895-7, (2010).

Ferrer L. Response to the letter: “Some remarks about the Leishvet directions for the treatment of canine leishmaniosis”. Veterinary Parasitology, published on line, (2010).

Bardagí M, Fondevila D, Zanna G, Ferrer L. Histopathological differences between canine idiopathic sebaceous adenitis and canine leishmaniosis with sebaceous adenitis. Veterinary Dermatology 21: 159-65, (2010).

Zanna G. Docampo MJ, Fondevila D, Bardagi M, Bassols A, Ferrer L. Hereditary cutaneous mucinosis in shar pei dogs is associated with increased hyaluronan synthase-2 mRNA trasncription by cultured dermal fibroblasts. Veterinary Dermatology 20: 377-82, (2009).

Solano-Gallego L, Koutinas A, Miró G, Cardoso L, Pennisi MG, Ferrer L, Bourdeau P, Oliva G, Baneth G. Directions for the diagnosis, clinical staging, treatment and prevention of canine leishmaniasis. Veterinary Parasitology 165: 1-18, (2009).

Ordeix L, Bardagí M, Sacarampella F, Ferrer L, Fondati A. Demodex injai infestation and dorsal greasy skin and hair in eight wirehaired Fox terrier dogs. Veterinary Dermatology 20: 267-72, (2009).

Tabar MD, Francino O, Altet L, Sánchez A, Ferrer L, Roura X. PCR survey of vectorborne pathogens in dogs living in anda round Barcelona, an área endemic for leishmaniosis. The Veterinary Record 164: 112-6, (2009).

Willemse T, Bardagi M, Carlotti DN, Ferrer L, Fondati A, Fontaine J, Leistra M, Noli C, Ordeix L, Scarampella F, Schleifer S, Sinke J, Roosje P. Dermatophagoides farinae-specific immunotherapy in atopic dogs with hypersensitivity to multiple allergens: A randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study. The Veterinary Journal 180: 337-2, (2009).

Baneth G, Koutinas AF, Solano-Gallego L, Bourdeau P, Ferrer L. Canine leishmaniosis-new concepts and insights on an expanding zoonosis: part one. Trends in Parasitology 24: 324-30, (2008).

Miranda S, Roura X, Picado A, Ferrer L, Ramis A. Characterization of sex, age and breed for a population of canine leishmaniosis diseased dogs. Research in Veterinary Science 85: 35-8, (2008).

Tabar MD, Altet L, Francino O, Sánchez A, Ferrer L, Roura X. Vector-borne infections in cats: molecular study in Barcelona area (Spain). Veterinary Parasitology151: 332-6, (2008).

G. Zanna, D. Fondevila, M. Bardagí, M.J. Docampo, A. Bassols, L. Ferrer. Cutaneous mucinosis in shar-pei dogs is due to hyaluronic acid deposition and is associated with high levels of hyaluronic acid in serum. Veterinary Dermatology 19: 318-23, (2008).

Fernández-Bellon H, Solano-Gallego L, Rodríguez-Cortés A, Ferrer L, Gallego M, Alberola J, Ramis A. Little Evidence of Seasonal Variation of Natural Infection byLeishmania Infantum Dogs in Spain. Veterinary Parasitology 155: 323-6, (2008).

de Mora F, de la Fuente C, Jasmin P, Gatto H, Marco A, Ferrer L, Fondatia A, Fondevila D, Torres R. Evaluation of the expression of P-selectin, ICAM-1, and TNF-alpha in bacteria-free lesional skin of atopic dogs with low-to-mild inflammation. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 115: 223-9, (2007).

Serra M, Brazís P, Puigdemont A, Fondevila D, Romano V, Torre C, Ferrer L. Development and characterization of a canine skin equivalent. Experimental Dermatology 16: 135-42, (2007).

Bardagi M, Lloret A, Fondati A, Ferrer L. Neutrophilic dermatosis resembling pyoderma gangrenosum in a dog with polyarthritis. Journal of Small Animal Practice48: 229-32, (2007).

Miranda S, Martorell S, Costa M, Ferrer L, Ramis A. Characterization of circulating lymphocyte subpopulations in canine leishmaniasis throughout treatment with antimonials and allopurinol. Veterinary Parasitology 144: 251-60, (2007).

Rodríguez-Cortés A, Fernández-Bellón H, Ramis A, Ferrer L, Alberola J, Solano-Gallego L. Leishmania-specific isotype levels and their relationship with specific cell-mediated immunity parameters in canine leishmaniasis. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 116: 190-8, (2007).

Ferrer L, Bardagí M . Advances in skin neoplasia. In: DeBoer D, Affolter V, Hill P. Advances in Veterinary Dermatology Vol 6. Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell; (2010).

Ferrer L, Solano-Gallego L, Arboix M, Alberola, J. Evaluation of the specific immune response in dogs infected by Leishmania infantum. In: Thoday KL, Foil CS, Bond R. Advances in Veterinary Dermatology Vol 4. Oxford, Blackwell Science; (2003).

Ferrer L, Badiola J. Visceral Leishmaniasis. In: The Merck Veterinary Manual : a Handbook of Diagnosis and Therapy for the Veterinarian . Rahway, Merck & Co; p. 566-567, (1998).

Ferrer L. Leishmaniasis. In: Greene, G.E. Infectious Diseases in the Dog and Cat. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders (1998).

Ferrer L. Leishmaniasis. En:R. Kirk and J. Bonagura. Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy. XI. Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders; p.266-270 (1992).

Ferrer L, Domingo M. Cytologie cutanée tumorale. En: Guaguere, E. Dermatologie. París, PMAC Editions; p 99-106 (1991).

Walder E, Ferrer L. The pathogenesis and histopathology of newly recognized skin diseases. En: R. Halliwell and C. von Tscharner. Advances in Veterinary Dermatology vol 1. London, Ballière Tindall, p.440-443 (1990).

L. Ferrer has participated in all editions of the World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology (1989, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008) and presented in all of them research communications/lectures and also participated in the continuing education program. He has also participated in most Congresses of the ESVD-ECVD and in the AAVD-ACVD – NAVDF Meetings, also presenting scientific communications.

He has extensively participated as lecturer in national and international meetings and congresses in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, The Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom, USA, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentine and Uruguay.

LF has directed or codirected 13 PhD thesis and numerous Master research Thesis.

LF has been main researcher of over 15 competitive research projects or grants, awarded by the Catalan Government, the Spanish Government or the European Union. At present time he participates in a big research project of the European Union VII Framework Program (LUPA, Genetics of canine diseases, Total amount of the project: 12 millions €) and he is main investigator of one project of the Spanish Research Plan 2010-2015 (Genetics and molecular pathogenesis of the mucinosis of the chinese shar pei).

Ha has also obtained and developed numerous research contracts with private companies, among others: Purina, Novartis, Affinity Petcare, Esteve Laboratories, Intervet, Elanco Animal Health, Virbac, LETI laboratories. He has actively participated as main investigator in translational research in collaboration with private companies.

Member of the International Scientific Advisory Board of Novartis Animal Health and of Advisory Board of Affinity Petcare.

Languages: Catalan and Spanish (mother tongues). Fluent (written and oral) in English, German and French.
Co-editor of the journal Veterinary Dermatology, since January 2010.
Award to the best graduating student (Universidad de Zaragoza – Veterinary Schoool, 1981).
Award to the best Spanish Veterinary Student (1981).
Golden Award of the Spanish Association of Small Animal Veterinarians (AVEPA).
Member of the Academia de Ciències Veterinàries.
Ramon Llull Prize of the Government of the Balearic Islands to the academic-scientific Merit (2010).
Elected member of the Catalan Academy of Medicine and of the Institut d’Estudis Catalans (IEC; created in 1907).
Honorary member of the Spanish Association of Women in Science and Technology due to the personal commitment to the development of policies for the gender equality.
Winner of the first PhD grant of the ECVD to the project “Deconstructing demodicosis” (competitive call among all European Veterinary Schools; 2011).