Serological Detection of Viral Infections in Captive Wild Cats from Costa Rica

Serum samples from a total of 44 wildcats, 28 margays (Leopardus wiedii), 10 ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), four jaguaroundis (Herpailurus yaguaroundi), one oncilla (Leopardus tigrina), and one jaguar (Panthera onca) were obtained between January 2001 and August 2002 from the Profelis Centre for rehabilitation of wild felids, located in the northwestern region of Costa Rica. Forty three samples were tested for antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and p27 antigen of feline leukemia virus (FeLV), 42 samples for antibodies against feline parvovirus (FPV), and 30 for antibodies against feline calicivirus (FCV). None of the samples contained detectable antibodies against FIV or p27 antigen of FeLV, all samples contained antibodies against FPV, and one sample contained antibodies against FCV

Seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. in dairy cattle from the Huetar Norte Region in Costa Rica

Se realizó un estudio transversal, en la región Huetar Norte de Costa Rica, para determinar la seropositividad a Leptospira spp en ganado bovino lechero (2010-2012). Esta región presenta alta incidencia de la infección en humanos.  Es la de mayor producción lechera en el país. Se procesó 2375 muestras de suero por la técnica del microaglutinación (MAT), correspondientes a 36 fincas lecheras asociadas a la Cooperativa de Productores de Leche Dos Pinos. La seroprevalencia global detectada, al considerar como positivos aquellos títulos mayores a 1:160, fue de 9.13%, observándose títulos de hasta 1:5120 en animales clínicamente sanos. El comportamiento, entre fincas, fue heterogéneo, detectándose porcentajes de positividad entre 0-25% en los animales analizados. Los serogrupos, más frecuentemente identificados, correspondieron a Pomona (15.7%), Tarassovi (16.6%) y Hebdomadis (25.8%). Se detectó una asociación, estadísticamente significativa (p<0.05) con serogrupos asociados a algunas de las fincas muestreadas. De igual manera, las fuentes de agua utilizadas por las fincas presentaron asociación estadística (p< 0.05) con la positividad hacia Leptospira spp. Esta asociación no se identificó para la edad o la raza del animal (p>0.05).A cross-sectional study was performed in the Huetar Norte region of Costa Rica (2010-2012) to establish seroprevalence to Leptospira spp among dairy cows. This region presents a high incidence of human infection.  It also has the largest milk production index in the country.  A total of 2375 individual samples was processed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), which corresponded to 36 farms belonging to the Dairy Farmers’ Cooperative Cooperativa de Productores de Leche Dos Pinos. Samples yielding a titer ˃ 1:160 were considered positive. Under that criterion a 9.13%, overall seroprevalence was obtained but titers as high as 1:5210 were observed in clinically healthy animals. Seroprevalence among farms was heterogeneous ranging from 0–25%.  The most frequently detected serovars were Pomona (15.7%); Tarassovi (16.6%), and Hebdomadis (25.8%).  A statistically significant association was detected (p<0.05) between certain serovars and farms.  Similarly, water sources used by the farms showed a statistical association (p< 0.05) with seroprevalence to Leptospira spp. (p> 0.05).  This association was not identified for the animal’s age or breed (p> 0.05)

Detection of antibodies to West Nile virus in horses, Costa Rica, 2004

We conducted a serosurvey for West Nile virus (WNV) infection in equines in Costa Rica in 2004. Antibodies to WNV were detected in 28% of the horses using an epitope blocking ELISA that is specific for WNV. WNV infection was confirmed for a subset of these sera by plaque reduction neutralization tests and Western blot. This is the first evidence of WNV activity in Costa Rica

Multidrug-Resistant CTX-M and CMY-2 producing Escherichia coli Isolated from healthy household dogs from the great metropolitan area, Costa Rica

Objective:This study aimed to determine the prevalence of fecal carriage of antibiotic-resistantEscherichia coliof healthy household dogs with an emphasis on extended-spectrumb-lactamases (ESBL), AmpC-typeb-lactamases and resistance to quinolones.Materials and Methods:Rectal swabs were collected from 74 dogs without any clinical evidence of gastro-intestinal disease. Samples were cultured on MacConkey agar plates and MacConkey supplemented with2mg/mL cefotaxime or 5mg/mL ciprofloxacin. Isolates were identified with Vitek 2 Compact and susceptibilitytesting performed by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Minimal inhibitory concentration ( MIC) was done onisolates resistant to cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, and nalidixic acid. PCR amplification was performed to detectCTX-M and CMY-2. Isolates positive for CTX-M and/or CMY-2 were selected for whole-genome sequencing.Results:Multiresistance was detected in 56% of the isolates. A high percentage of resistance was detected forcefazolin (63%), ampicillin (54%), streptomycin (49%), nalidixic acid (42%) and tetracycline (38%). The MIC50andMIC90for isolates resistant to cefotaxime (24%) was determined as 16 and>250mg/mL, respectively; for cipro-floxacin (18%), 125 and 250mg/mL, respectively. ESBL (CTX-M type) and AmpC (CMY-2 type) were detected in 6(7.1%) and 14 (19%) of the isolates, respectively. Whole-genome sequence analysis showed high genetic diversity inmost of the isolates and a large variety of resistance mechanisms, including mobile genetic elements.Conclusion:The frequency of multidrug-resistantE. coliis worrying, mainly because of the presence of manyisolates producing ESBL and AmpCb-lactamases. Based on the ‘‘One Health’’ concept, considering therelationships between animals, humans, and the environment, these data support the notion that companionanimals are important reservoirs of multidrug-resistant bacteriaObjetivo: El objetivo de este estudio era determinar la prevalencia del transporte fecal de Escherichia coli resistente a los antibióticos en perros domésticos sanos, haciendo hincapié en las blactamasas de espectro ampliado (ESBL), las blactamasas de tipo AmpC y la resistencia a las quinolonas. Materiales y métodos: Se recogieron hisopos rectales de 74 perros sin ninguna evidencia clínica de enfermedad gastrointestinal. Las muestras se cultivaron en placas de agar MacConkey y MacConkey se complementó con 2mg/mL de cefotaxima o 5mg/mL ciprofloxacin. Los aislamientos fueron identified con Vitek 2 Compact y las pruebas de susceptibilidad realizadas por el método de difusión en disco de Kirby Bauer. Se realizó una concentración inhibitoria mínima (CIM) en aislamientos resistentes a la cefotaxima, ciprofloxacin, y al ácido nalidíxico. Se realizó la PCR amplification para detectar CTX-M y CMY-2. Se seleccionaron los aislados positivos para CTX-M y/o CMY-2 para la secuenciación del genoma completo. Resultados: Se detectó multirresistencia en el 56% de los aislados. Se detectó un alto porcentaje de resistencia para cefazolina (63%), ampicilina (54%), estreptomicina (49%), ácido nalidíxico (42%) y tetraciclina (38%). Se determinó que la MIC50 y la MIC90 para las cepas resistentes a la cefotaxima (24%) eran 16 y >250mg/mL, respectivamente; para ciprofloxacin(18%), 125 y 250mg/mL, respectivamente.se detectaron ESBL (tipo CTX-M) y AmpC (tipo CMY-2) en 6 (7,1%) y 14 (19%) de las cepas, respectivamente. El análisis de la secuencia del genoma completo mostró una alta diversidad genética en la mayoría de los aislados y una gran variedad de mecanismos de resistencia, incluidos elementos genéticos móviles. Conclusión: La frecuencia de E. coli multirresistente a las drogas es preocupante, principalmente debido a la presencia de muchos aislados que producen ESBL y AmpC blactamasas. Basándose en el concepto de ''Una Salud'', considerando las relaciones entre los animales, los seres humanos y el medio ambiente, estos datos apoyan la noción de que los animales de compañía son importantes reservorios de bacterias multirresistentes.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaEscuela de Medicina Veterinari