Seroprevalence of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in cattle from Sotaquirá, Colombia

Worldwide distributed Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) represents a high risk of infection in most bovine farms, in which it is associated with gastrointestinal, respiratory, and reproductive diseases. The purpose of this research was to establish the seroprevalence and the main risk factors associated with the presentation of BVDV in the municipality of Sotaquirá, Colombia. Samples were taken from 1000 cattle of Holstein, Ayrshire, Jersey, Normande Gyr and Holstein x Gyr. Epidemiological surveys were implemented, reproductive and management variables were taken into consideration. Indirect ELISA was performed to detect specific antibodies against BVDV using the commercial kit SERELISA® BVD p80 Ab Mono Blocking. The overall seroprevalence of antibodies against BVDV was 42.5% (425/1000), where the Gyr breed (59.1% apparent prevalence (AP); 60.3% real prevalence (PR)) and the age group > 4 years (53.0% PA; 54.4% PR) presented the highest seroprevalences. A significant statistical association was found for the breed, age, management practices evaluated and the presentation of PI3 (p ≤ 0.05). Age group > 4 years, Normande breed, presentation of PI3 and grazing lease were established as risk factors associated with BVDV in the herds. These infections are mainly associated with dairy cattle and herds with many animals, so it is important to consider vaccination plans as a preventive system and follow up on the most common diseases

Detección de Fasciola hepatica por medio de ELISA indirecto en ovinos y caprinos de Boavita, Colombia

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Fasciola hepatica by indirect ELISA in sheep and goats from Boavita (Boyaca, Colombia). A descriptive cross-sectional study with simple random sampling was carried out. A total of 297 blood samples from sheep and 337 from goats of different breeds and age groups were collected. The sera were analyzed by the indirect ELISA technique with the commercial ELISA kit BIO K 211 - Monoscreen AbELISA F. hepatica. Additionally, an epidemiological survey was carried out. The seroprevalence of F. hepatica was 67.34% (200/297) in sheep and 59.94% (202/337) in goats. Likewise, seroprevalence was higher in males (sheep: 77.78%, 21/27; goats: 63.89%, 23/36), in sheep older than 3 years (83.33%, 50/60) and in goats less than 1 year of age. (69.77%, 60/86), as well as in Creole breed (sheep: 69.84%; goats: 61.79%). Sheep over 3 years of age were determined as a risk factor, while in goats the Creole breed variables and extensive grazing were identified as risk factors.El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la seroprevalencia de Fasciola hepatica por medio de ELISA indirecto en ovinos y caprinos de Boavita (Boyacá, Colombia). Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal con muestreo aleatorio simple. Se colectaron 297 muestras de sangre de ovinos y 337 de caprinos de diferentes grupos raciales y etarios. Los sueros fueron analizados mediante la técnica ELISA indirecta con el kit comercial ELISA BIO K 211 - Monoscreen AbELISA F. hepatica. Adicionalmente se realizó una encuesta epidemiológica. La seroprevalencia de F. hepatica fue de 67.34% (200/297) en ovinos y de 59.94% (202/337) en caprinos. Asimismo, la seroprevalencia fue mayor en los machos (ovinos: 77.78%. 21/27; caprinos: 63.89%, 23/36), en ovinos mayores de 3 años (83.33%, 50/60) y en caprinos menores de 1 año (69.77%, 60/86), así como en los de raza criolla (ovinos: 69.84%; caprinos: 61.79%). Los ovinos mayores de 3 años se determinaron como factor de riesgo, en tanto que en los caprinos las variables raza criolla y el pastoreo extensivo se identificaron como factores de riesgo. El estudio demuestra una alta seropositividad de la enfermedad en la zona

Diagnóstico coproparasitológico de fascioliasis en ovinos y caprinos de Boavita, Boyacá (Colombia)

The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica through coprological analysis and to identify risk factors associated with the presentation of the parasite in sheep and goats in the municipality of Boavita, Boyacá. The study was observational, descriptive, cross-sectional with simple random sampling. Faecal samples were taken from 297 sheep and 337 goats to identify parasite eggs. The general prevalence was 8.0% (51/634), being 9.1% for sheep and 7.1% for goats. The prevalence in sheep was higher in males (14.8%) than in females (8.5%), likewise, sheep less than one year old (9.3%) and Criolla (11.1%) presented the highest prevalence. In goats, the prevalence was higher in females (7.3%) than in males (5.6%), and those less than one year old (10.5%) and the Alpine breed (8%) presented the greater prevalence. No significant statistical association was found between females and males. The Creole breed was established as a risk factor for sheep.El objetivo del estudio fue establecer la prevalencia de Fasciola hepatica mediante análisis coprológico e identificar factores de riesgo asociados a la presentación del parásito en ovinos y caprinos del municipio de Boavita, Boyacá. El estudio fue observacional, descriptivo de corte transversal con muestreo aleatorio simple. Se tomaron muestras de materia fecal a 297 ovinos y 337 caprinos para identificar los huevos del parásito. La prevalencia general fue de 8.0% (51/634), siendo de 9.1% para ovejas y de 7.1% para cabras. La prevalencia en ovinos fue mayor en machos (14.8%) que en hembras (8.5%); asimismo, los ovinos menores a un año (9.3%) y de Criolla (11.1%) presentaron las prevalencias más altas. En las cabras, la prevalencia fue mayor en hembras (7.3%) que en machos (5.6%), y los menores a un año (10.5%) y de la raza Alpina (8%) presentaron las prevalencias más altas. No se encontró asociación estadística significativa entre hembras y machos. La raza Criolla se estableció como factor de riesgo para los ovinos

Pf7: an open dataset of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation in 20,000 worldwide samples

We describe the MalariaGEN Pf7 data resource, the seventh release of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation data from the MalariaGEN network.  It comprises over 20,000 samples from 82 partner studies in 33 countries, including several malaria endemic regions that were previously underrepresented.  For the first time we include dried blood spot samples that were sequenced after selective whole genome amplification, necessitating new methods to genotype copy number variations.  We identify a large number of newly emerging crt mutations in parts of Southeast Asia, and show examples of heterogeneities in patterns of drug resistance within Africa and within the Indian subcontinent.  We describe the profile of variations in the C-terminal of the csp gene and relate this to the sequence used in the RTS,S and R21 malaria vaccines.  Pf7 provides high-quality data on genotype calls for 6 million SNPs and short indels, analysis of large deletions that cause failure of rapid diagnostic tests, and systematic characterisation of six major drug resistance loci, all of which can be freely downloaded from the MalariaGEN website

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

Resistencia in vitro de la garrapata Rhipicephalus microplus a organofosforados, piretroides y amitraz en el Departamento de Boyacá, Colombia

in vitro Resistance of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks to Organophosphates, Pyrethroids and Amitraz in Boyacá Department, ColombiaEl presente estudio evaluó la resistencia in vitro de la garrapata Rhipicephalus microplus a organofosforados (OF), piretroides sintéticos (PS) y amitraz (AM). Las garrapatas adultas fueron recolectadas en Boyacá, Colombia y sometidas a la prueba de inmersión para evaluar la eficacia de los fármacos, el efecto sobre la ovoposición y el porcentaje de eclosión larvaria. Se utilizó un diseño experimental completamente al azar con cinco grupos y tres repeticiones por tratamiento, con 10 garrapatas por repetición. Los resultados demostraron tasas de mortalidad a las moléculas evaluadas, encontrando 43, 56, 60 y 96% de mortalidad para el grupo control, PS, AM y OF, respectivamente, al día 21 del experimento. La inhibición de la ovoposición fue de 13,4% para el grupo control, 44,6% para AM, 45,5% para PS y 96% para OF. El porcentaje de eclosión de huevos fue de 88% para el grupo control, 16% para AM, 14% para PS y 4% para OF. El presente estudio in vitro representa el primer diagnóstico en el departamento de Boyacá, Colombia.AbstractThe present investigation evaluated the in vitro resistance of the Rhipicephalus microplus tick, to organophosphates (OP), synthetic pyretroids (SP), and amitraz. Adult ticks were collected in the Department of Boyacá, Colombia, and subjected to the immersion test, to assess the efficacy of drugs, their effect on oviposition, and the percentage of larvae eclosion. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with 5 groups and 3 replicates per group, with 10 ticks per replicate. The results showed that the mortality rates in terms of percentage (%) of the assessed molecules were: 43 for the control group; 56 for SP; 60 for AM, and 96 for OP, respectively, at day 21 of the study. The inhibition of oviposition was: 13.4% for the control group; 44.6% for AM; 45.5% for SP; and 96% for OP. The present in vitro study represents the first diagnostic of resistance in the Department of Boyacá, Colombia

Pf7: an open dataset of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation in 20,000 worldwide samples.

We describe the MalariaGEN Pf7 data resource, the seventh release of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation data from the MalariaGEN network.  It comprises over 20,000 samples from 82 partner studies in 33 countries, including several malaria endemic regions that were previously underrepresented.  For the first time we include dried blood spot samples that were sequenced after selective whole genome amplification, necessitating new methods to genotype copy number variations.  We identify a large number of newly emerging crt mutations in parts of Southeast Asia, and show examples of heterogeneities in patterns of drug resistance within Africa and within the Indian subcontinent.  We describe the profile of variations in the C-terminal of the csp gene and relate this to the sequence used in the RTS,S and R21 malaria vaccines.  Pf7 provides high-quality data on genotype calls for 6 million SNPs and short indels, analysis of large deletions that cause failure of rapid diagnostic tests, and systematic characterisation of six major drug resistance loci, all of which can be freely downloaded from the MalariaGEN website