Seroprevalencia de Neospora caninum en Bovinos de una Feria Ganadera de la Región de la Araucanía, Chile

The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of neosporosis in cattle in a livestock fair in the Region of La Araucanía, Chile. Blood samples were collected in 437 cows and heifers belonging to nearby farms. Serum samples were analyzed by the indirect ELISA technique to detect antibodies against Neospora caninum. The results showed that 21.1% of the animals were positive to neosporosis, while 13.9% (61/437) was uncertain and 65.0% (284/437) was negative. The results indicate that the infection is spread in the farms of the region.El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la seroprevalencia de neosporosis en ganado bovino llevado a una feria ganadera en la Región de La Araucanía, Chile. Se muestrearon 437 vacas y vaquillas procedentes de predios ganaderos de comunas cercanas. Las muestras de suero fueron analizadas mediante la técnica ELISA indirecta para detectar anticuerpos contra Neospora caninum. El 21.1% (92/437) de las muestras resultaron positivas a N. caninum, mientras que 13.9% (61/437) resultó sospechoso y 65.0% (284/437) resultó negativo Los resultados obtenidos indican que la infección se encuentra diseminada en los predios y comunas de la región

Intra‐amoebic localization of Arcobacter butzleri as an endocytobiont of Acanthamoeba castellanii

Acanthamoeba castellanii is a free-living amoeba found mainly in humid environments and Arcobacter butzleri is an emerging zoonotic pathogen, both can establish in vitro endosymbiotic relationships in the absence of bacterial replication. We analyzed the localization of A. butzleri within A. castellanii establishing their association with endoplasmic reticulum vesicles and mitochondria. Through confocal microscopy, we observed that during the early stages of endosymbiosis, there is not colocalization between amoebic vacuoles containing A. butzleri and mitochondria or ER vesicles of A. castellanii. Considering that energy production of this bacterium occurs via metabolism of amino acids or the tricarboxylic acid cycle, these results contribute to explain the absence of bacterial replication, since A. butzleri would not have access to the nutrients found in endoplasmic reticulum vesicles and mitochondria. In addition, we observe that A. butzleri induces significantly the actin polymerization of A. castellanii during the early stages of endosymbiosis

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum un Cattle in a Livestock Fair in the Araucania Region, Chile

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la seroprevalencia de neosporosis en ganado bovino llevado a una feria ganadera en la Región de La Araucanía, Chile. Se muestrearon 437 vacas y vaquillas procedentes de predios ganaderos de comunas cercanas. Las muestras de suero fueron analizadas mediante la técnica ELISA indirecta para detectar anticuerpos contra Neospora caninum. El 21.1% (92/437) de las muestras resultaron positivas a N. caninum, mientras que 13.9% (61/437) resultó sospechoso y 65.0% (284/437) resultó negativo Los resultados obtenidos indican que la infección se encuentra diseminada en los predios y comunas de la región.The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of neosporosis in cattle in a livestock fair in the Region of La Araucanía, Chile. Blood samples were collected in 437 cows and heifers belonging to nearby farms. Serum samples were analyzed by the indirect ELISA technique to detect antibodies against Neospora caninum. The results showed that 21.1% of the animals were positive to neosporosis, while 13.9% (61/437) was uncertain and 65.0% (284/437) was negative. The results indicate that the infection is spread in the farms of the region

Knowledge and HIV/AIDS risk behaviors of Chilean adolescents attending urban and rural schools. Is it necessary to focus the prevention strategies according to territorial relevance?

Background: HIV infection has sustained increased in the Chilean young population. In order to focus on sexual education in adolescents, it is first necessary to establish the degree of knowledge and risk behaviors in this group. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the degree of knowledge and HIV/ AIDS risk behaviors in adolescents from rural and urban schools. Material and Methods: The study included 385 adolescents between 14 and 18 years old. Through an anonymous survey, sociodemographic data, knowledge about HIV/ AIDS, risk behaviors, and ways of accessing information were collected. Results: A third of the adolescents surveyed (33.6%) reported having initiated sexual activity, primarily men. Rural students showed lower knowledge of HIV/AIDS. 32.2% of individuals who initiated sexual activity reported nonuse or rarely use of condoms, and only 4.4% of students have had an HIV detection/diagnostic test. Although the students had received information mainly from their teachers, they reported that if they needed help, they would go to health centers, youth programs, and, to a lesser extent, to teachers. They also preferred access to information in workshops, on the Internet, and social networks. Conclusions: We observed regular knowledge of HIV/AIDS among adolescents. Rural students showed less knowledge and several risk behaviors. These findings emphasize the need to establish sexual education strategies in adolescents, considering the territory and the use of new technologies

Long-term survive of Aliarcobacterbutzleri in two models symbiotic interaction with Acanthamoebacastellanii

Aliarcobacter butzleri (formerly known as Arcobacter butzleri) is an emerging food-borne zoonotic pathogen that establishes in vitro endosymbiotic relationships with Acanthamoeba castellanii, a free-living amoeba. Previously, we described that this bacterium acts as an endocytobiont of A. castellanii, surviving for at least 10 days in absence of bacterial replication. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of A. butzleri to survive as a long-term endosymbiont of A. castellanii for 30 days in two models of symbiotic interaction with A. castellanii: (i) endosymbiotic culture followed by gentamicin protection assay and (ii) transwell co-culture assay. The results allow us to conclude that A. butzleri is capable of surviving as an endosymbiont of A. castellanii for at least 30 days, without multiplying, under controlled laboratory conditions. In addition, in the absence of nutrients and as both microorganisms remain in the same culture, separated by semi-permeable membranes, A. castellanii does not promote the survival of A. butzleri, nor does it multiply. Our findings suggest that the greater survival capacity of A. butzleri is associated with their endosymbiont status inside A. castellanii, pointing out the complexity of this type of symbiotic relationship