Detection of Zoonotic Enteropathogens in Children and Domestic Animals in a Semirural Community in Ecuador.

UNLABELLED: Animals are important reservoirs of zoonotic enteropathogens, and transmission to humans occurs more frequently in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where small-scale livestock production is common. In this study, we investigated the presence of zoonotic enteropathogens in stool samples from 64 asymptomatic children and 203 domestic animals of 62 households in a semirural community in Ecuador between June and August 2014. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to assess zoonotic transmission of Campylobacter jejuni and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC), which were the most prevalent bacterial pathogens in children and domestic animals (30.7% and 10.5%, respectively). Four sequence types (STs) of C. jejuni and four STs of aEPEC were identical between children and domestic animals. The apparent sources of human infection were chickens, dogs, guinea pigs, and rabbits for C. jejuni and pigs, dogs, and chickens for aEPEC. Other pathogens detected in children and domestic animals were Giardia lamblia (13.1%), Cryptosporidium parvum (1.1%), and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) (2.6%). Salmonella enterica was detected in 5 dogs and Yersinia enterocolitica was identified in 1 pig. Even though we identified 7 enteric pathogens in children, we encountered evidence of active transmission between domestic animals and humans only for C. jejuni and aEPEC. We also found evidence that C. jejuni strains from chickens were more likely to be transmitted to humans than those coming from other domestic animals. Our findings demonstrate the complex nature of enteropathogen transmission between domestic animals and humans and stress the need for further studies. IMPORTANCE: We found evidence that Campylobacter jejuni, Giardia, and aEPEC organisms were the most common zoonotic enteropathogens in children and domestic animals in a region close to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Genetic analysis of the isolates suggests transmission of some genotypes of C. jejuni and aEPEC from domestic animals to humans in this region. We also found that the genotypes associated with C. jejuni from chickens were present more often in children than were those from other domestic animals. The potential environmental factors associated with transmission of these pathogens to humans then are discussed

Determinants of Childhood Zoonotic Enteric Infections in a Semirural Community of Quito, Ecuador.

Domestic animals in the household environment have the potential to affect a child's carriage of zoonotic enteric pathogens and risk of diarrhea. This study examines the risk factors associated with pediatric diarrhea and carriage of zoonotic enteric pathogens among children living in communities where smallholder livestock production is prevalent. We conducted an observational study of children younger than 5 years that included the analysis of child (n = 306) and animal (n = 480) fecal samples for Campylobacter spp., atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp., Cryptosporidium parvum, and Giardia lamblia. Among these seven pathogens, Giardia was the most commonly identified pathogen among children and animals in the same household, most of which was found in child-dog pairs. Campylobacter spp. was also relatively common within households, particularly among child-chicken and child-guinea pig pairs. We used multivariable Poisson regression models to assess risk factors associated with a child being positive for at least one zoonotic enteric pathogen or having diarrhea during the last week. Children who interacted with domestic animals-a behavior reported by nearly three-quarters of households owning animals-were at an increased risk of colonization with at least one zoonotic enteric pathogen (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.00-2.42). The risk of diarrhea in the last seven days was elevated but not statistically significant (PR = 2.27, CI: 0.91, 5.67). Interventions that aim to reduce pediatric exposures to enteric pathogens will likely need to be incorporated with approaches that remove animal fecal contamination from the domestic environment and encourage behavior change aimed at reducing children's contact with animal feces through diverse exposure pathways

Antibiotic Resistance in Animal and Environmental Samples Associated with Small-Scale Poultry Farming in Northwestern Ecuador

The effects of animal agriculture on the spread of antibiotic resistance (AR) are cross-cutting and thus require a multidisciplinary perspective. Here we use ecological, epidemiological, and ethnographic methods to examine populations of Escherichia coli circulating in the production poultry farming environment versus the domestic environment in rural Ecuador, where small-scale poultry production employing nontherapeutic antibiotics is increasingly common. We sampled 262 “production birds” (commercially raised broiler chickens and laying hens) and 455 “household birds” (raised for domestic use) and household and coop environmental samples from 17 villages between 2010 and 2013. We analyzed data on zones of inhibition from Kirby-Bauer tests, rather than established clinical breakpoints for AR, to distinguish between populations of organisms. We saw significantly higher levels of AR in bacteria from production versus household birds; resistance to either amoxicillin-clavulanate, cephalothin, cefotaxime, and gentamicin was found in 52.8% of production bird isolates and 16% of household ones. A strain jointly resistant to the 4 drugs was exclusive to a subset of isolates from production birds (7.6%) and coop surfaces (6.5%) and was associated with a particular purchase site. The prevalence of AR in production birds declined with bird age (P 0.01 for all antibiotics tested except tetracycline, sulfisoxazole, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole). Farming status did not impact AR in domestic environments at the household or village level. Our results suggest that AR associated with small-scale poultry farming is present in the immediate production environment and likely originates from sources outside the study area. These outside sources might be a better place to target control efforts than local management practices

Blood Gases, Biochemistry, and Hematology of Galapagos Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas)

The green turtle, Chelonia mydas, is an endangered marine chelonian with a circum-global distribution. Reference blood parameter intervals have been published for some chelonian species, but baseline hematology, biochemical, and blood gas values are lacking from the Galapagos sea turtles. Analyses were done on blood samples drawn from 28 green turtles captured in two foraging locations on San Cristóbal Island (14 from each site). Of these turtles, 20 were immature and of unknown sex; the other eight were males (five mature, three immature). A portable blood analyzer (iSTAT) was used to obtain near immediate field results for pH, lactate, pO2, pCO2, HCO3−, Hct, Hb, Na, K, iCa, and Glu. Parameter values affected by temperature were corrected in two ways: (1) with standard formulas; and (2) with auto-corrections made by the iSTAT. The two methods yielded clinically equivalent results. Standard laboratory hematology techniques were employed for the red and white blood cell counts and the hematocrit determination, which was also compared to the hematocrit values generated by the iSTAT. Of all blood analytes, only lactate concentrations were positively correlated with body size. All other values showed no significant difference between the two sample locations nor were they correlated with body size or internal temperature. For hematocrit count, the iSTAT blood analyzer yielded results indistinguishable from those obtained with high-speed centrifugation. The values reported in this study provide baseline data that may be useful in comparisons among populations and in detecting changes in health status among Galapagos sea turtles. The findings might also be helpful in future efforts to demonstrate associations between specific biochemical parameters and disease

The Detection and Sequencing of a Broad-Host-Range Conjugative IncP-1 beta Plasmid in an Epidemic Strain of Mycobacterium abscessus subsp bolletii

Background: An extended outbreak of mycobacterial surgical infections occurred in Brazil during 2004-2008. Most infections were caused by a single strain of Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii, which was characterized by a specific rpoB sequevar and two highly similar pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns differentiated by the presence of a similar to 50 kb band. the nature of this band was investigated.Methodology/Principal Findings: Genomic sequencing of the prototype outbreak isolate INCQS 00594 using the SOLiD platform demonstrated the presence of a 56,264-bp circular plasmid, designated pMAB01. Identity matrices, genetic distances and phylogeny analyses indicated that pMAB01 belongs to the broad-host-range plasmid subgroup IncP-1 beta and is highly related to BRA100, pJP4, pAKD33 and pB10. the presence of pMAB01-derived sequences in 41 M. abscessus subsp. bolletii isolates was evaluated using PCR, PFGE and Southern blot hybridization. Sixteen of the 41 isolates showed the presence of the plasmid. the plasmid was visualized as a similar to 50-kb band using PFGE and Southern blot hybridization in 12 isolates. the remaining 25 isolates did not exhibit any evidence of this plasmid. the plasmid was successfully transferred to Escherichia coli by conjugation and transformation. Lateral transfer of pMAB01 to the high efficient plasmid transformation strain Mycobacterium smegmatis mc(2)155 could not be demonstrated.Conclusions/Significance: the occurrence of a broad-host-range IncP-1 beta plasmid in mycobacteria is reported for the first time. Thus, genetic exchange could result in the emergence of specific strains that might be better adapted to cause human disease.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Disciplina Microbiol, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ Para, Inst Ciencias Biol, Lab Polimorfismo DNA, BR-66059 Belem, Para, BrazilInst Evandro Chagas, Secao Bacteriol & Micol, Ananindeua, PA, BrazilFed Univ Para, Inst Estudos Costeiros, Braganca, PA, BrazilUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Disciplina Microbiol, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: FAPESP - 06/01533-9Fundao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo: FAPESP - 8/01451-8Web of Scienc

Predicción de la actividad anti-Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense de un grupo de 3,5-Difenilisoxazoles dicationicos por medio de la Topología Molecular

Currently, there are more than 65 million people at risk of contracting sleeping sickness caused by Trypanosoma brucei. Available treatments for this parasitic disease are limited and have side effects. There is a necessity to investigate novel, effective compounds that also yield low in toxicity. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship models (QSAR) have been used in this study for predicting anti-Trypanosoma brucei activity and potency in a group of dicationic 3,5-Diphenylisoxazoles. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) correctly classified anti-Trypanosoma brucei activity in 100 % of cases (sensitivity) and inactivity in 86.7 % (specificity). Theoretical bioactivity (pIC50) of the studied compounds was predicted using Multilinear Regression Analysis (MLRA), demonstrating a high correlation between in vitro and in silico results (r2=0.82). Topologic models obtained with LDA and MLRA were applied to the screening of a group of dicationic analogs which presented a high in silico activity. These compounds when selected for in vitro analysis could reduce both time and costs in future drug research.Actualmente más de 65 millones de personas se encuentran en riesgo de contraer la enfermedad del sueño producida por Trypanosoma brucei. Los tratamientos actuales para esta parasitosis son limitados y poseen efectos colaterales, por lo que es necesario buscar nuevos compuestos activos que sean potentes y de baja toxicidad. En este estudio se utilizaron los métodos de relación cuantitativa estructura-actividad (QSAR) para predecir potencia y actividad anti-Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense de un grupo de 3,5-Difenilisoxazoles Dicationicos. Mediante el Análisis Lineal Discriminante (ALD) se clasificó correctamente la actividad anti-Trypanosoma brucei en el 100% de los casos (sensibilidad) y la inactividad en el 86,7% (especificidad). Adicionalmente, a través del análisis de regresión multilineal (MLRA) se predijo la bioactividad teórica (pIC50) de los compuestos estudiados, mostrando una elevada correlación de los resultados obtenidos in vitro e in silico (r2=0,82). Finalmente, los modelos topológicos obtenidos en el ALD y MLRA fueron aplicados a un grupo de análogos dicatiónicos para cribado molecular que presentaron una teórica elevada actividad y podrían ser seleccionados para su futuro análisis in vitro ahorrando tiempo y costes en la búsqueda de futuros tratamiento

Desenvolvimento e validação de cartilha educativa sobre atividades físicas para pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca: relato de experiência

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate of an educational booklet of physical activity for patients with heart failure (HF). Methods: The creation of educational booklet was developed in five steps: content selection, creation of illustration; content-based scientific literature filtering; validation of the educational material by expert judges and correction. Results: The judges evaluated language’s clarity criteria and practical and theoretical content relevance. Therefore the opinion of the judges allowed a better understanding of the items and provided benefits to reading the target audience. Conclusion: After the changes, the booklet has a new version, with fifteen pages and became valid from a technical view, with easy to understanding of your target audience and showing them the positive effects on prevention.Objetivo: Elaborar e validar uma cartilha para orientação de atividades físicas em pacientes portadores de insuficiência cardíaca (IC). Métodos: A construção da cartilha educativa foi realizada em cinco etapas: seleção do conteúdo, criação das ilustrações, preparação do material baseado na literatura científica; validação do material por peritos e correção do material. Resultados: Na revisão os juízes julgaram critérios de clareza de linguagem, pertinência prática e relevância teórica. Sendo assim, o parecer dos jurados permitiu uma melhor compreensão dos itens e proporcionou benefícios a leitura do público alvo. Conclusão: Após a realização das alterações, a cartilha ganhou uma nova versão, apresentando quinze páginas e tornou-se válida do ponto de vista técnico, apresentando fácil compreensão ao público alvo e mostrando-lhes os efeitos positivos da prevenção

Rapid adaptive radiation of Darwin's finches depends on ancestral genetic modules

Recent adaptive radiations are models for investigating mechanisms contributing to the evolution of biodiversity. An unresolved question is the relative importance of new mutations, ancestral variants, and introgressive hybridization for phenotypic evolution and speciation. Here, we address this issue using Darwin's finches and investigate the genomic architecture underlying their phenotypic diversity. Admixture mapping for beak and body size in the small, medium, and large ground finches revealed 28 loci showing strong genetic differentiation. These loci represent ancestral haplotype blocks with origins predating speciation events during the Darwin's finch radiation. Genes expressed in the developing beak are overrepresented in these genomic regions. Ancestral haplotypes constitute genetic modules for selection and act as key determinants of the unusual phenotypic diversity of Darwin's finches. Such ancestral haplotype blocks can be critical for how species adapt to environmental variability and change

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality