Tortosa Pablo

Research Interests

I have been working in molecular bacteriology during my PhD (Paris, France), Post Doc (NYC, USA) and in La Réunion (France) as associate Professor. The models I have been working on include Bacillus subtilis, Wolbachia pipientis and pathogenic Leptospira. This latter species is an environmental zoonotic pathogen that I have been extensively studying for the last 5-7 years. The team I lead at UMR PIMIT/University of La Réunion has described Leptospira diversity and biological cycles in most of the islands of the western Indian Ocean, showing fairly distinct transmission chains in the different insular ecosystems, including either introduced species/lineages or endemic bacteria that have co-evolved with their mammalian reservoirs. Beside pathogenic Leptospira, I am interested in developing innovative and environmental-friendly strategies for the control of the tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus, using my academic experience in Wolbachia endosymbiotic bacteria.

Education and Academic Appointments

• 1998 PhD, University Paris Sud-Orsay, France. Control of bacterial  anti-terminators by multiple phosphorylation in Bacillus subtilis.

• 1992 Master degree in genetics & physiology of microorganisms, University Paris Sud-Orsay, France.

• 2016 : Scientific Advisor SAS SymbioTIC (Symbiosis Technology for Insect Control).

• 2010 : Associate Professor in microbiology, University of La Réunion, France.

• 2008-2010 : Research Engineer, CRVOI, La Réunion, France.

• 1998-2001 Postdoctorte fellow at Public Health Research Institute. Control of natural competence in Bacillus subtilis. New York, USA.

Expertise

• National Centre for Expertise on Vectors : Member of the expertise group working on the emergence of murine typhus on La Réunion.

Main Research projects
As coordinator: 

• International Agency of Atomic Energy. “Generic approach for the development of genetic sexing strains for SIT applications” (2019-2024).
• Feder “Ecospir: Eco-epidemiology of leptospires endemic to indian ocean: a risk to human populations?” (2018-2021).

As collaborator/Work Package leader:

• NIH RO1. Identifying ecological and evolutionary drivers of infectious disease transmission pathways in Madagascar. 2019-2024. Project Leader: Charles Nunn
• French National Research Agency: ANR JCJC SEXIBAT (2017-2022). Project Leader: Muriel Dietrich

Publications

2019

Cordonin C, Turpin M, Bascands J-L, Dellagi K, Mavingui P, Tortosa P, Roche M. 2019. Three Leptospira Strains From Western Indian Ocean Wildlife Show Highly Distinct Virulence Phenotypes Through Hamster Experimental Infection. Front Microbiol 10.
Gamble A, Garnier R, Jaeger A, Gantelet H, Thibault E, Tortosa P, Bourret V, Thiebot J-B, Delord K, Weimerskirch H, Tornos J, Barbraud C, Boulinier T. 2019. Exposure of breeding albatrosses to the agent of avian cholera: dynamics of antibody levels and ecological implications. Oecologia.
Gomard Y, Lagadec E, Humeau L, Pinet P, Bureau S, Silva DD, Turpin M, Mattoir YS, Georger S, Mavingui P, Tortosa P. 2019. Feral cats do not play a major role in leptospirosis epidemiology on Reunion Island. Epidemiology & Infection 147.
Jaeger A, Gamble A, Lagadec E, Lebarbenchon C, Bourret V, Tornos J, Barbraud C, Lemberger K, Delord K, Weimerskirch H, Thiebot J-B, Boulinier T, Tortosa P. 2019. Exploring the infection dynamics of a bacterial pathogen on a remote oceanic island reveals annual epizootics impacting an albatross population. bioRxiv 711283.

2018

Bourret V, Gamble A, Tornos J, Jaeger A, Delord K, Barbraud C, Tortosa P, Kada S, Thiebot JB, Eric T, Gantelet H, Weimerskirch H, Garnier R, Boulinier T. 2018. Vaccination protects endangered albatross chicks against avian cholera. Conservation Letters 0:e12443.
Cordonin C, Toty C, Mavingui P, Tortosa P. 2018. Complete Genome Sequences of Three Leptospira mayottensis Strains from Tenrecs That Are Endemic in the Malagasy Region. Microbiol Res Announc 7:e01188-18.
Dietrich M, Gomard Y, Lagadec E, Ramasindrazana B, Le Minter G, Guernier V, Benlali A, Rocamora G, Markotter W, Goodman SM, Dellagi K, Tortosa P. 2018. Biogeography of Leptospira in wild animal communities inhabiting the insular ecosystem of the western Indian Ocean islands and neighboring Africa. Emerg Microbes Infect 7:57.
Gomard Y, Cornuault J, Licciardi S, Lagadec E, Belqat B, Dsouli N, Mavingui P, Tortosa P. 2018. Evidence of multiple colonizations as a driver of black fly diversification in an oceanic island. PLOS ONE 13:e0202015.
Ibouroi MT, Cheha A, Arnal V, Lagadec E, Tortosa P, Le Minter G, Dhurham SAO, Montgelard C, Besnard A. 2018. The contrasting genetic patterns of two sympatric flying fox species from the Comoros and the implications for conservation. Conserv Genet.
Jaeger A, Lebarbenchon C, Bourret V, Bastien M, Lagadec E, Thiebot J-B, Boulinier T, Delord K, Barbraud C, Marteau C, Dellagi K, Tortosa P, Weimerskirch H. 2018. Avian cholera outbreaks threaten seabird species on Amsterdam Island. PLOS ONE 13:e0197291.
Lebon C, Benlali A, Atyame CM, Mavingui P, Tortosa P. 2018. Construction of a Genetic Sexing Strain for Aedes albopictus: a promising tool for the development of sterilizing insect control strategies targeting the tiger mosquito. Parasites & Vectors. 11:658.

2017

Biscornet L, Dellagi K, Pagès F, Bibi J, Comarmond J de, Mélade J, Govinden G, Tirant M, Gomard Y, Guernier V, Lagadec E, Mélanie J, Rocamora G, Minter GL, Jaubert J, Mavingui P, Tortosa P. 2017. Human leptospirosis in Seychelles: A prospective study confirms the heavy burden of the disease but suggests that rats are not the main reservoir. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 11:e0005831.
Goodman S, Anbdou Y, Andriamiarantsoa Y, Fisher BL, Griffiths O, Keitt B, Rafanomezantsoa J-J, Rajoelison ET, Rakotonirina J-C, Ranaivoarisoa L, Ranirison P, Soarimalala V, Tantely LM, Tortosa P, Raselimanana A. 2017. Results of a biological inventory of the Nosy Ankao island group, Parc National de Loky-Manambato, northeastern Madagascar. Malagasy Nature 11.
Lebarbenchon C, Ramasindrazana B, Joffrin L, Bos S, Lagadec E, Le Minter G, Gomard Y, Tortosa P, Wilkinson DA, Goodman SM, Mavingui P. 2017. Astroviruses in bats, Madagascar. Emerg Microbes Infect 6:e58.
Ramasindrazana B, Goodman SM, Gomard Y, Dick CW, Tortosa P. 2017. Hidden diversity of Nycteribiidae (Diptera) bat flies from the Malagasy region and insights on host-parasite interactions. Parasites & Vectors 10:630.
Tortosa P, Dellagi KM, Mavingui P. 2017. Leptospiroses on the French islands of the Indian Ocean. Bulletin Epidémiologique Hebdomadaire - BEH 8–9.

2016

Atyame CM, Labbé P, Lebon C, Weill M, Moretti R, Marini F, Gouagna LC, Calvitti M, Tortosa P. 2016. Comparison of Irradiation and Wolbachia Based Approaches for Sterile-Male Strategies Targeting Aedes albopictus. PloS One 11:e0146834.
Gomard Y, Dietrich M, Wieseke N, Ramasindrazana B, Lagadec E, Goodman SM, Dellagi K, Tortosa P. 2016. Malagasy bats shelter a considerable genetic diversity of pathogenic Leptospira suggesting notable host-specificity patterns. FEMS Microbiol Ecol.
Guernier V, Lagadec E, Cordonin C, Minter GL, Gomard Y, Pagès F, Jaffar-Bandjee M-C, Michault A, Tortosa P, Dellagi K. 2016. Human Leptospirosis on Reunion Island, Indian Ocean: Are Rodents the (Only) Ones to Blame? PLOS Negl Trop Dis 10:e0004733.
Lagadec E, Gomard Y, Minter GL, Cordonin C, Cardinale E, Ramasindrazana B, Dietrich M, Goodman SM, Tortosa P, Dellagi K. 2016. Identification of Tenrec ecaudatus, a Wild Mammal Introduced to Mayotte Island, as a Reservoir of the Newly Identified Human Pathogenic Leptospira mayottensis. PLOS Negl Trop Dis 10:e0004933.
McCoy KD, Dietrich M, Jaeger A, Wilkinson DA, Bastien M, Lagadec E, Boulinier T, Pascalis H, Tortosa P, Le Corre M, Dellagi K, Lebarbenchon C. 2016. The role of seabirds of the Iles Eparses as reservoirs and disseminators of parasites and pathogens. Acta Oecologica.
Ramasindrazana B, Dellagi K, Lagadec E, Randrianarivelojosia M, Goodman SM, Tortosa P. 2016. Diversity, Host Specialization, and Geographic Structure of Filarial Nematodes Infecting Malagasy Bats. PLoS ONE 11:e0145709.
Séré M, Wilkinson DA, Schleyer MH, Chabanet P, Quod J-P, Tortosa P. 2016. Characterisation of an atypical manifestation of black band disease on Porites lutea in the Western Indian Ocean. PeerJ 4:e2073.
Wilkinson DA, Duron O, Cordonin C, Gomard Y, Ramasindrazana B, Mavingui P, Goodman SM, Tortosa P. 2016. The bacteriome of bat flies (Nycteribiidae) from the Malagasy region: a community shaped by host ecology, bacterial transmission mode, and host-vector specificity. Appl Environ Microbiol.

2015

Atyame CM, Cattel J, Lebon C, Flores O, Dehecq J-S, Weill M, Gouagna LC, Tortosa P. 2015. Wolbachia-Based Population Control Strategy Targeting Culex quinquefasciatus Mosquitoes Proves Efficient under Semi-Field Conditions. PloS One 10:e0119288.
Dieme C, Parola P, Guernier V, Lagadec E, Le Minter G, Balleydier E, Pagès F, Dellagi K, Tortosa P, Raoult D, Socolovschi C. 2015. Rickettsia and Bartonella species in fleas from Reunion Island. Am J Trop Med Hyg 92:617–619.
Pagès F, Larrieu S, Simoes J, Lenabat P, Kurtkowiak B, Guernier V, LE Minter G, Lagadec E, Gomard Y, Michault A, Jaffar-Bandjee MC, Dellagi K, Picardeau M, Tortosa P, Filleul L. 2015. Investigation of a leptospirosis outbreak in triathlon participants, Réunion Island, 2013. Epidemiol Infect 1–9.
Révillion C, Lagadec E, Minter GL, Dessay N, Guernier V, Sand A, Tortosa P, Dellagi K, Herbreteau V. 2015. Utilisation de la très haute résolution spatiale pour la caractérisation des habitats de rongeurs, vecteurs de zoonoses à la Réunion. Rev Fr Photogrammétrie Télédétection 0:65–71.
Séré MG, Tortosa P, Chabanet P, Quod J-P, Sweet MJ, Schleyer MH. 2015. Identification of a bacterial pathogen associated with Porites white patch syndrome in the Western Indian Ocean. Mol Ecol 24:4570–4581.
Dietrich M, Mühldorfer K, Tortosa P, Markotter W. 2015. Leptospira and Bats: Story of an Emerging Friendship. PLoS Pathog 11:e1005176.
Dietrich M, Wilkinson DA, Benlali A, Lagadec E, Ramasindrazana B, Dellagi K, Tortosa P. 2015. Leptospira and Paramyxovirus infection dynamics in a bat maternity enlightens pathogen maintenance in wildlife. Environ Microbiol 17:4280–4289.

2014

Dietrich M, Wilkinson DA, Soarimalala V, Goodman SM, Dellagi K, Tortosa P. 2014. Diversification of an emerging pathogen in a biodiversity hotspot: Leptospira in endemic small mammals of Madagascar. Mol Ecol 23:2783–2796.
Guernier V, Lagadec E, LeMinter G, Licciardi S, Balleydier E, Pagès F, Laudisoit A, Dellagi K, Tortosa P. 2014. Fleas of Small Mammals on Reunion Island: Diversity, Distribution and Epidemiological Consequences. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 8:e3129.
Dietrich M, Lebarbenchon C, Jaeger A, Le Rouzic C, Bastien M, Lagadec E, McCoy KD, Pascalis H, Le Corre M, Dellagi K, Tortosa P. 2014. Rickettsia spp. in Seabird Ticks from Western Indian Ocean Islands, 2011–2012. Emerg Infect Dis 20:838–842.
Duron O, Schneppat UE, Berthomieu A, Goodman SM, Droz B, Paupy C, Obame Nkoghe J, Rahola N, Tortosa P. 2014. Origin, acquisition and diversification of heritable bacterial endosymbionts in louse flies and bat flies. Mol Ecol 23:2105–2117.
Bastien M, Jaeger A, Le Corre M, Tortosa P, Lebarbenchon C. 2014. Haemoproteus iwa in Great Frigatebirds (Fregata minor) in the Islands of the Western Indian Ocean. PLoS ONE 9:e97185.
Yssouf A, Socolovschi C, Kernif T, Temmam S, Lagadec E, Tortosa P, Parola P. 2014. First molecular detection of Rickettsia africae in ticks from the Union of the Comoros. Parasit Vectors 7:444.
Gomard Y, Silai R, Hoarau G, Bon K, Gonneau F, Yssouf A, Michault A, Dellagi K, Tortosa P. 2014. Serologic Evidence of Leptospirosis in Humans, Union of the Comoros, 2011. Emerg Infect Dis 20:720–722.
Wilkinson DA, Dietrich M, Lebarbenchon C, Jaeger A, Rouzic CL, Bastien M, Lagadec E, McCoy KD, Pascalis H, Corre ML, Dellagi K, Tortosa P. 2014. Massive infection of seabird ticks with Coxiella burnetii related species. Appl Environ Microbiol AEM.00477-14.
Wilkinson DA, Mélade J, Dietrich M, Ramasindrazana B, Soarimalala V, Lagadec E, Minter G le, Tortosa P, Heraud J-M, Lamballerie X de, Goodman SM, Dellagi K, Pascalis H. 2014. Highly diverse Morbillivirus-related paramyxoviruses in the wild fauna of southwestern Indian Ocean islands: evidence of exchange between introduced and endemic small mammals. J Virol JVI.01211-14.