Aflatoxins in mixed feeds for rabbits

Se analizaron 10 muestras de alimentos y una muestra de alfalfa, destinados a la  alimentación de conejos, suministradas por plantas procesadoras de la Provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina. Los lotes correspondientes fueron objeto de reclamo por parte de diversosestablecimientos de cría y considerados posible causa de intoxicación de los animales. Se investigó el grado y tipo de contaminación fúngica y la presencia de las siguientes micotoxinas en las muestras: aflatoxinas (AFI), ocratoxina A, citrinina, ácidó penicílico, zearalenona (ZE4) y los tricotecenos, toxina T-2, diacetoxiscirpenol (DAS) y deoxinivalenol (DON). El recuento total de hongos se efectuó por el método de dilución en placa con agar dicloran-rosa de bengala-cloranfenicol (ORBC).El aislamiento de especies se realizó en cámara húmeda, sobre agar Aspergillus flavus-parasiticus (AFPA), agar papa-dextrosa-cloranfenicol (PDAC) y agar diclorán-glicerol 18% (DG 18). Para la identificación de especies se empleó: agar extracto de malta (MEA) , agar Czapek extracto de levadura (CYA), agar papa-dextrosa (PDA) y agar nitrato-glicerol 25% (G25N). La detección y cuantificación de micotoxinas se efectuó por cromatografía en capa delgada. No es posible asegurarque las intoxicaciones observadas por los criadores hayan sido originadas por micotoxinas. Sin embargo, las aflatoxinas presentes en 7/11 muestras y los altos niveles hallados en dos de ellas (200 y 300 ug/kg)pudieron ser la causa de las mismas

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF Fusarium STRAINS IN CORN FROM THE PROVINCE OF SANTA FE, ARGENTINA

Se identificaron a nivel de especie cepas de Fusarium aisladas de granos de maíz provenientes de diferentes campos del área centro-norte de la provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina, estudiandose su distribución y prevalencia en esta región.Se examinaron muestras de granos secos de reciente cosecha y almacenados de post-cosecha.  El aislamiento de las cepas de Fusarium se llevó a cabo medianteplaqueo directo de los granos en agar papa-dextrosa-cloranfenicol (PDA + CAF)y se registraron los porcentajes de granos colonizados por las diferentes especies. Para su identificación, se efectuaron cullivos monospóricos en agar PDA y SNA para inducir la formación de esporodoquios. Se realizaron observaciones macro ymicroscópicas a las 4, 8 y 14 días de incubación a temperatura ambiente (22º- 25ºC).La prevalencia de Fusarium en las muestras fue del 100 %. El 29 % de las mismas se colonizó por más de una especie. Se identificaron F.moniliforme, en el 52.6 % de las muestras, F.subglutinans - F.graminearum, en el 29% y F.oxysporum en el 2.6%. La primera especie, presentó los niveles más altos de granos colonizados (7.5- 52.5%).Según los reportes en la literatura, referente a las diferentes especies aisladas, consideramos conveniente orientar posteriores estudios de prevalencia de micotoxinas de Fusar¡um en granos de maíz de la región, hacia los tricotecenos tipo B, zearalenona,  moniliformina y fumosina

Seroprevalence of Chagas disease in urban and rural indigenous populations of the south of Gran Chaco

Background: In Latin America, Chagas disease is endemic, with a high prevalence in rural indigenous communities and an increasing prevalence in urban areas owing to migration from rural areas with active vector transmission. This study aimed to assess differences in the prevalence of Chagas disease in urban and rural moqoit communities, one of the main ethnic indigenous groups in the south of Gran Chaco. Methods: A seroprevalence study was conducted in six moqoit populations in the Santa Fe province, Argentina. The variables studied were serology results for Chagas disease, residents of urban or rural areas, age, and sex. Results: The results showed that 9.26% of the 702 volunteers evaluated and 18.32% of the 131women of childbearing potential were seropositive. According to the calculated prevalence ratio, the prevalence of Chagas disease in urban communities was6.41 (95% confidence inverval: 3.73-11.02) times higher than that in rural communities: 21.59% in urban communities vs. 3.37%in rural communities. Conclusions: The seroprevalence found in the moqoit community was higher than the estimated level for the general population of the same region, with a greater impact in urban areas than in rural areas. The urbanization of groups of people with poor socio-sanitary conditions in the second half of the 20th century could have caused this higher seroprevalence of Chagas disease.Fil: Colussi, Carlina Leila. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Centro de Investigaciones sobre Endemias Nacionales; ArgentinaFil: Stafuza, Mariana. Gobierno de la Provincia de Santa Fe. Hospital Central de Reconquista Olga Stucky de Rizzi; ArgentinaFil: Nepote, Marcelo Carlos. Gobierno de la Provincia de Santa Fe. Ministerio de Salud. Programa Provincial de Control de la Enfermedad de Chagas.; ArgentinaFil: Mendicino, Diego Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Centro de Investigaciones sobre Endemias Nacionales; Argentin

Seroprevalence of Chagas´Disease in older than 14 years old in rural Chaco areas of Santa Fe Province

Introduction. Chagas´Disease (CD) is endemic en Chaco Región. It is unknown the seroprevalence in population older than 14 years old from rural Chaco areas of Santa Fe Province. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of and socio-environmental factors associated with CD in inhabitants &gt;14 years old of rural Chaco areas of Santa Fe, Argentina. Methods.  A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2010 and 2015, in people over 14 years old, in the rural districts of the Chaco region, in the North of Santa Fe Province, Argentina. Blood serology for Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies based on two serological tests, and a third in case of discordance, were analized. Semi-structured survey was administered. Association between CD and socio-environmental variables were analyzed using prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results. A total of 749 individual were analyzed, with an average of 29.5 years. The seroprevalence was 24.70% (26.69% in women and 20.26% in men). Socio-environmental variables showed association with Trypanosoma cruzi seropositive. The seroprevalence was 7.83 times higher in the children of mothers who had not reached secondary education. Conclusions Chaco region of Santa Fe is endemic for CD, as well as other provinces of the Region. The low level of education is the more important conditioning for this endemic disease.</p

Chagas Disease: Seroprevalence and Associated Factors in Indigenous Communities of the Southern Limit of Argentine Chaco

Chagas disease is more prevalent in socially vulnerable communities in the Gran Chaco Eco-region. The study evaluated the seroprevalence of Chagas disease and associated factors between May 2014 and September 2015, in indigenous communities of Santa Fe, Argentina, in the southern Chaco. Lysate ELISA and indirect hemagglutination tests were used to detect antibodies against Trypanosoma cruzi, and recombinant ELISA was used in the case of disagreement. Household surveys were conducted with the head of household about risk factors for the disease. Serological tests were conducted on 298 people from three indigenous communities, 127 male and 171 female. Seroprevalence was 18.5%. A total of 64 surveys were conducted; 82.8% of the heads of household were male, with a median age of 39 years, and 61.0% had not completed primary school. In 35.9% of the households, there was at least one member of the cohabiting group infected with T. cruzi. The level of education of the head of household showed a statistically significant association with Chagas disease (OR = 3.43), among all the risk factors studied. The prevalence of infection is lower than that of other indigenous communities of the Gran Chaco, probably because environmental conditions are moderating and disfavoring the establishment of the insect vector in homes, but also because of socioeconomic differences with the rest of the eco-region. Beyond this, serological controls are needed to prevent vertical transmission

Epidemiología de la enfermedad de Chagas en comunidades mocovíes y criollas en el sur del Chaco Argentino

Señor editor: La enfermedad de Chagas constituye un serio problema sanitario, social y de impacto económico, particularmente en poblaciones rurales desatendidas y postergadas de Latinoamérica. Es esencial entender los contextos sociales y culturales para explicar la persistencia de esta enfermedad, así como promover intervenciones adaptadas a las necesidades de cada población.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21149/spm.v58i1.815

Distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the Chaco region, Argentina, 2010

Fil: Salomón, Oscar Daniel. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical; Argentina.Fil: Rosa, Juan R. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina.Fil: Fabiani, Mariela. Ministerio de Salud Pública de la Provincia del Chaco. Dirección de Epidemiología; Argentina.Fil: San Miguel, Silvia R. Ministerio de Desarrollo Humano de la Provincia de Formosa; Argentina.Fil: Szelag, Enrique A. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina.Fil: Nepote, Marcelo. Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Santa Fe. Dirección Provincial de Promoción y Protección de la Salud; Argentina.Fil: Parras, Matías A. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina.The appearance of the vector of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) Lutzomyia longipalpis in the province of Formosa in 2004 was associated with urban epidemic risk for the first time in Argentina. During 2006, vectors, canine and human cases of VL were reported in the province of Misiones, and in summer 2008-2009, in the province of Corrientes. In Santiago del Estero province in 2008, cases of human and canine VL were associated with secondary vectors. Therefore, with the aim to know the current distribution of VL risk in the Chaco region, systematic captures of the vector were performed between January and April 2010 in 30 localities of Formosa and Chaco, and in the city of Reconquista, province of Santa Fe (224 traps/night). Lu. longipalpis was reported for the first time in the cities of Resistencia and Puerto Antequera (Chaco). Clorinda and Puerto Pilcomayo (Formosa) are the localities where the traps with more individuals were obtained, 158 and 241 Lu. longipalpis trap / site / night respectively. These results showed that the vector of urban epidemic VL is still spreading in Argentina, and already reached the province of Chaco. Sporadic cases reported in the Chaco region, transmitted by secondary vectors as Lu. migonei would also increase due to intensified surveillance, and the dispersion of the parasite associated with the transit of asymptomatic or symptomatic infected dogs

Distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the Chaco region, Argentina, 2010

Fil: Salomón, Oscar Daniel. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical; Argentina.Fil: Rosa, Juan R. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina.Fil: Fabiani, Mariela. Ministerio de Salud Pública de la Provincia del Chaco. Dirección de Epidemiología; Argentina.Fil: San Miguel, Silvia R. Ministerio de Desarrollo Humano de la Provincia de Formosa; Argentina.Fil: Szelag, Enrique A. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina.Fil: Nepote, Marcelo. Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Santa Fe. Dirección Provincial de Promoción y Protección de la Salud; Argentina.Fil: Parras, Matías A. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina.The appearance of the vector of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) Lutzomyia longipalpis in the province of Formosa in 2004 was associated with urban epidemic risk for the first time in Argentina. During 2006, vectors, canine and human cases of VL were reported in the province of Misiones, and in summer 2008-2009, in the province of Corrientes. In Santiago del Estero province in 2008, cases of human and canine VL were associated with secondary vectors. Therefore, with the aim to know the current distribution of VL risk in the Chaco region, systematic captures of the vector were performed between January and April 2010 in 30 localities of Formosa and Chaco, and in the city of Reconquista, province of Santa Fe (224 traps/night). Lu. longipalpis was reported for the first time in the cities of Resistencia and Puerto Antequera (Chaco). Clorinda and Puerto Pilcomayo (Formosa) are the localities where the traps with more individuals were obtained, 158 and 241 Lu. longipalpis trap / site / night respectively. These results showed that the vector of urban epidemic VL is still spreading in Argentina, and already reached the province of Chaco. Sporadic cases reported in the Chaco region, transmitted by secondary vectors as Lu. migonei would also increase due to intensified surveillance, and the dispersion of the parasite associated with the transit of asymptomatic or symptomatic infected dogs