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The uneven spatial distribution of biodiversity is a defining feature of nature. In fact, the implementation of conservation actions both locally and globally has progressively been guided by the identification of biodiversity 'hotspots' (areas with exceptional biodiversity). However, different regions of the world differ drastically in the availability of fine-scale data on the diversity and distribution of species, thus limiting the potential to assess their local environmental priorities. Within South America-a megadiverse continent-Uruguay represents a peculiar area where multiple tropical and non-tropical eco-regions converge, creating highly heterogeneous ecosystems, but where the systematic quantification of biodiversity remains largely anecdotal. To investigate the constraints posed by the limited access to biodiversity data, we employ the most comprehensive database for tetrapod vertebrates in Uruguay (spanning 664 species) assembled to date, to identify hotspots of species-richness, endemism and threatened species for the first time. Our results reveal negligible spatial congruence among biodiversity hotspots, and that tetrapod sampling has historically concentrated in only a few areas. Collectively, our study provides a detailed account of the areas where urgent biodiversity monitoring efforts are needed to develop more accurate knowledge on biodiversity patterns, offering government and environmental bodies a critical scientific resource for future planning.

Background: Febrile seizures are VAERS often associated with whole-cells Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus vaccines., Aim: To analyze the association of febrile seizures with the administration of pentavalent vaccine in children under two-years-old assisted in the Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell (CHPR), in Montevideo during 2014., Methods: Self-controlled case series study. We included children from Montevideo from two to 24-month-old at the time of admission, with diagnosis of febrile seizure at the time of discharge. We estimated the relative risk in three time periods: 0 to 3 days (risk period), 4 to 14 days (wash-out) and more than 14 days after vaccination (no-risk)., Results: We recorded 135 febrile seizures in 114 children, 16 of whom presented two or more events. The total number of events was 7 (5.2%) in risk periods and 8 (5.9%) in wash-out periods. The risk period showed a significantly increased risk (RR = 4.14, CI 95% = [1.73; 8.36])., Conclusions: This work allowed us to establish a national base line for the risk of febrile seizures associated with pentavalent vaccination, by using for the first time in the country a methodology specifically designed for this goal.

Torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) infection is common worldwide in both healthy and diseased swine and a relationship between this virus and a particular disease in pigs has not been established. This work aimed to investigate the presence of TTSuV1 and TTSuVk2a in Porcine Circovirus type 2 (PCV2)-infected and non-infected domestic pigs and free-living wild boars from Uruguay. Our data evidenced a high frequency of detection and a wide circulation of TTSuV among pig herds and wild boar populations. Furthermore, TTSuV1+TTSuVk2a co-infection was more frequent than single infections in domestic pigs. In addition, we thoroughly characterized at the molecular level TTSuV strains by extensive sequence data analysis. Our findings revealed an extremely high genetic heterogeneity among Uruguayan isolates. On the basis of detailed analyses, we proposed a more comprehensive criterion of TTSuV classification which would contribute to shedding light over the genetic diversity of these viruses worldwide. On the other hand, data obtained suggested that neither TTSuV1 nor TTSuVk2a frequency of infection or viral loads have any correlation with PCV2 infection, health status or age. The role of TTSuV during co-infection with other pathogens and the age-related dynamics of TTSuV infection are currently under debate. Therefore, taking into account the controversial epidemiological data regarding these viruses and their ubiquitous infection, a likely role as components of the host microbiota should be brought into discussion., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)