DNA multigene characterization of Fasciola hepatica and Lymnaea neotropica and its fascioliasis transmission capacity in Uruguay, with historical correlation, human report review and infection risk analysis

Fascioliasis is a highly pathogenic zoonotic disease emerging in recent decades, in part due to the effects of climate and global changes. South America is the continent presenting more numerous human fascioliasis endemic areas and the highest Fasciola hepatica infection prevalences and intensities known in humans. These serious public health scenarios appear mainly linked to altitude areas in Andean countries, whereas lowland areas of non-Andean countries, such as Uruguay, only show sporadic human cases or outbreaks. To understand this difference, we characterized F. hepatica from cattle and horses and lymnaeids of Uruguay by sequencing of ribosomal DNA ITS-2 and ITS-1 spacers and mitochondrial DNA cox1, nad1 and 16S genes. Results indicate that vectors belong to Lymnaea neotropica instead of to Lymnaea viator, as always reported from Uruguay. Our correlation of fasciolid and lymnaeid haplotypes with historical data on the introduction and spread of livestock species into Uruguay allow to understand the molecular diversity detected. We study the life cycle and transmission features of F. hepatica by L. neotropica of Uruguay under standardized experimental conditions to enable a comparison with the transmission capacity of F. hepatica by Galba truncatula at very high altitude in Bolivia. Results demonstrate that although L. neotropica is a highly efficient vector in the lowlands, its transmission capacity is markedly lower than that of G. truncatula in the highlands. On this baseline, we review the human fascioliasis cases reported in Uruguay and analyze the present and future risk of human infection in front of future climate change estimations

Overview of the Mycorrhizal Fungi in South America

The advances in plant cataloging and the increase of studies on mycorrhiza in South America (SA) have led to the compilation of information to better understand the native ecosystems and their constraints. Selected environments ranging from natural to anthropized ecosystems were analyzed according to their fungal-endophyte-associations and fungal-symbionts occurrence in relation to relevant physical-chemical properties of soils of the principal biomes in SA. Considering conservation units, no National Park is under continuous research in SA and few ones have been investigated for mycorrhizal symbioses. Ectomycorrhizas, with scant host-tree species in SA, are also investigated in Argentina and Chile forestry and mostly in exotic trees in Brazil. The study of the mycorrhizas and mycorrhizal fungi ecology and their response to global change, which is urgently recommended, is still incipient. Further, the publication revisions showed that Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, and Ecuador are the countries with more published reports. Studies on mycorrhizas have developed largely; however, most of them were concerned with diversity and morphology, while the applications of mycorrhizas in environmental issues are still limited. The cooperative work between researchers from the Northern Hemisphere and SA could lead to greater advances on the quick and improved knowledge of the wonderful SA ecosystems and their mycorrhizas. This chapter revises and discusses the advances in mycorrhizal fungi understanding drawing on recent research.Fil: Lugo, Mónica Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Pagano, Marcela Claudia. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Brasi