Serum samples can be substituted by plasma samples for the diagnosis of paratuberculosis

Employing plasma samples rather than serum samples for serological paratuberculosis diagnosis is practical, especially when bovine TB is assessed in the same cattle herd with the gamma interferon bovine avian (IFN- BA) test. We demonstrate that antibody titers in serum and plasma samples, utilizing the PARACHECK® ELISA kit, are highly comparable (Cohen’s kappa test, k = 0.955). We conclude that serum can be replaced with plasma in this commercially available antibody detection assay resulting in working hour savings for sampling and blood sample work-up and cost reductions for materials and sample storage.Employing plasma samples rather than serum samples for serological paratuberculosis diagnosis is practical, especially when bovine TB is assessed in the same cattle herd with the gamma interferon bovine avian (IFN- BA) test. We demonstrate that antibody titers in serum and plasma samples, utilizing the PARACHECK® ELISA kit, are highly comparable (Cohen’s kappa test, k = 0.955). We conclude that serum can be replaced with plasma in this commercially available antibody detection assay resulting in working hour savings for sampling and blood sample work-up and cost reductions for materials and sample storage

Nasopharyngeal Microbiota Profiles in Rural Venezuelan Children Are Associated With Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Infections

BACKGROUND: Recent research suggests that the microbiota affects susceptibility to both respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and gastrointestinal infections (GIIs). In order to optimize global treatment options, it is important to characterize microbiota profiles across different niches and geographic/socioeconomic areas where RTI and GII prevalences are high. METHODS: We performed 16S sequencing of nasopharyngeal swabs from 209 Venezuelan Amerindian children aged 6 weeks-59 months who were participating in a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) study. Using random forest models, differential abundance testing, and regression analysis, we determined whether specific bacteria were associated with RTIs or GIIs and variation in PCV13 response. RESULTS: Microbiota compositions differed between children with or without RTIs (P = .018) or GIIs (P = .001). Several species were associated with the absence of infections. Some of these health-associated bacteria are also observed in developed regions, such as Corynebacterium (log2(fold change [FC]) = 3.30 for RTIs and log2(FC) = 1.71 for GIIs), while others are not commonly observed in developed regions, such as Acinetobacter (log2(FC) = 2.82 and log2(FC) = 5.06, respectively). Klebsiella spp. presence was associated with both RTIs (log2(FC) = 5.48) and GIIs (log2(FC) = 7.20). CONCLUSIONS: The nasopharyngeal microbiota of rural Venezuelan children included several bacteria that thrive in tropical humid climates. Interestingly, nasopharyngeal microbiota composition not only differed in children with an RTI but also in those with a GII, which suggests a reciprocal interplay between the 2 environments. Knowledge of region-specific microbiota patterns enables tailoring of preventive and therapeutic approaches

Control of paratuberculosis: who, why and how. A review of 48 countries

Paratuberculosis, a chronic disease affecting ruminant livestock, is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). It has direct and indirect economic costs, impacts animal welfare and arouses public health concerns. In a survey of 48 countries we found paratuberculosis to be very common in livestock. In about half the countries more than 20% of herds and flocks were infected with MAP. Most countries had large ruminant populations (millions), several types of farmed ruminants, multiple husbandry systems and tens of thousands of individual farms, creating challenges for disease control. In addition, numerous species of free-living wildlife were infected. Paratuberculosis was notifiable in most countries, but formal control programs were present in only 22 countries. Generally, these were the more highly developed countries with advanced veterinary services. Of the countries without a formal control program for paratuberculosis, 76% were in South and Central America, Asia and Africa while 20% were in Europe. Control programs were justified most commonly on animal health grounds, but protecting market access and public health were other factors. Prevalence reduction was the major objective in most countries, but Norway and Sweden aimed to eradicate the disease, so surveillance and response were their major objectives. Government funding was involved in about two thirds of countries, but operations tended to be funded by farmers and their organizations and not by government alone. The majority of countries (60%) had voluntary control programs. Generally, programs were supported by incentives for joining, financial compensation and/or penalties for non-participation. Performance indicators, structure, leadership, practices and tools used in control programs are also presented. Securing funding for long-term control activities was a widespread problem. Control programs were reported to be successful in 16 (73%) of the 22 countries. Recommendations are made for future control programs, including a primary goal of establishing an international code for paratuberculosis, leading to universal acknowledgment of the principles and methods of control in relation to endemic and transboundary disease. An holistic approach across all ruminant livestock industries and long-term commitment is required for control of paratuberculosis

¿Ordeñando micobacterias del ganado?: impacto económico y en salud de Tuberculosis bovina y Paratuberculosis en Colombia

La tuberculosis bovina y la paratuberculosis o enfermedad de Johne’s son enfermedades infecciosas en rumiantes, causadas por M. bovis y M. paratuberculosis respectivamente. La tuberculosis bovina es una enfermedad crónica de los rumiantes que guarda estrecha relación con la tuberculosis humana y provoca un deterioro progresivo del estado general de salud del animal, pérdida de peso, muy a menudo con tos y, a la larga, la muerte. La Paratuberculosis es una enfermedad infecto-contagiosa del tracto intestinal y se caracteriza por provocar enteritis granulomatosa crónica y progresiva, y diarreas sin respuesta a un tratamiento. Ambas enfermedades afectan especialmente los bovinos. Ambas bacterias son excretadas en la leche de los bovinos afectados, y por eso el consumo de leche cruda o queso fresco elaborado con leche cruda es la fuente de diseminación más importante de estas enfermedades tanto como entre los animales y al hombre. El impacto de estas enfermedades para la salud humana y la sanidad animal, la economía y el comercio es significativo y por esta razón están entre las enfermedades de declaración obligatoria a La Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal (OIE) (1)

Factores determinantes de tuberculosis entre los indígenas Warao del Delta Venezolano: genética e inmunidad

En Venezuela existen 724.592 habitantes de los 52 pueblos indígenas venezolanos; los indígenas Warao el segundo pueblo más importante del país, fueron conocidos en la literatura histórica y antropológica de los siglos XVI-XX como Guaraúnos; no obstante, su auto denominación es la voz: Warao; su significado: “dueños de la canoa”. El pueblo Warao habita principalmente en las islas y caños del delta del río Orinoco, estado Delta Amacuro. Su contacto con las infecciones ha sido reciente luego del acceso de tanto los Criollos como de los misioneros europeos que arribaron a sus comunidades luego de que permanecieron aislados por mucho tiempo. Trabajo sobre la cultura Warao deja saber desde 1980, que los Warao sufrían y morían en forma trágica de enfermedades tales como; la tuberculosis, el catarro, la viruela, el sarampión y los padecimientos gastrointestinales. La poca difusión y el marginamiento al que ha sido relegado el conocimiento del sufrimiento de las enfermedades de nuestras comunidades indígenas, es el motivo por el cual queremos hacerlas del conocimiento no solo a los especialistas sino a un numeroso público, que aún las desconoce. El objetivo de la presente información en salud alrededor del pueblo Warao, es darla a conocer a las autoridades sanitarias con la finalidad de que se implementen las medidas para el control de la tuberculosis. Los resultados presentados de manera resumida y derivados de las investigaciones científicas apoyadas por el Instituto de Biomedicina “Dr. Jacinto Convit”, nos han permitido avanzar en el conocimiento para entender que factores de riesgo como; genéticos, inmunológicos y ambientales están contribuyendo a que permanezca una alta prevalencia de tuberculosis entre los indígenas Warao