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Pectobacterium chrysanthemi es el agente causal de la pudrición blanda que comúnmente afecta los cultivos de banano orgánico de todo el planeta. Las políticas actuales de control fitosanitario se basan en la sintomatología causada por la enfermedad. Sin embargo, al existir otras especies que causan síntomas similares, se recurre a pruebas de patogenicidad a las que se debe adicionar pruebas bioquímicas para llegar a identificar la bacteria, prescindiendo de ensayos moleculares que, en contraste, permitirían obtener resultados más específicos y en menor tiempo. Este artículo presenta una metodología alternativa en el diagnóstico rápido y específico de la pudrición blanda causada por Pectobacterium chrysanthemi en cultivos de banano orgánico del Perú. La detección mediante virulencia de la bacteria en tejido hospedante de Solanum tuberosum y la PCR del espaciador transcrito interno (ITS) del ADNr 16S/23S, permite el manejo oportuno de la enfermedad. Los resultados demuestran que en el complejo entre la prueba de patogenicidad y el ensayo PCR- ITS 16S/23S es posible detectar a Pectobacterium chrysanthemi en un periodo de 8 días, 3 horas y 15 minutos, demostrando que este método es más eficiente que las pruebas bioquímicas usualmente empleadas para el diagnóstico de la pudrición blanda en Musa sp.

The SINFONIA project’s main objective is to develop novel methodologies and tools that will provide a comprehensive risk appraisal for detrimental effects of radiation exposure on patients, workers, caretakers, and comforters, the public, and the environment during the management of patients suspected or diagnosed with lymphoma, brain tumors, and breast cancers. The project plan defines a series of key objectives to be achieved on the way to the main objective. One of these objectives is to develop and operate a repository to collect, pool, and share data from imaging and non-imaging examinations and radiation therapy sessions, histological results, and demographic information related to individual patients with lymphoma, brain tumors, and breast cancers. This paper presents the final version of that repository, a cloud-based platform for imaging and non-imaging data. It results from the implementation and integration of several software tools and programming frameworks under an evolutive architecture according to the project partners’ needs and the constraints of the General Data Protection Regulation. It provides, among other services, data uploading and downloading, data sharing, file decompression, data searching, DICOM previsualization, and an infrastructure for submitting and running Artificial Intelligence models.

The knowledge on financial management highly matters as it assists the micro-entrepreneurs in the making of right and sustainable business decisions. This research seeks to examine the effects of financial literacy on microenterprise decision-making in order to improve rational decision-making in financial management. A structured questionnaire with Likert-scaled options was used to measure micro-entrepreneurs’ financial decision-making capacity in terms of information processing and decision-making. They demonstrate a favorable relationship between financial education and rationality, which refers to micro-entrepreneurs’ capacity to select from a range of acceptable options. Based on the findings presented in this research, it is suggested that greater efforts should be paid to the integration of financial literacy within any form of entrepreneurial training targeting improvement in sustainability dimensions and qualities of decisions made by micro-entrepreneurs. Through increased financial knowledge, micro-entrepreneurs can manage financial problems effectively and thereby support the growth of sustainable microenterprises. Moreover, such observations suggest that all future policies must focus on and incorporate financial literacy as the defining strategy towards the improvement of the microenterprise sector and, therefore, economic growth.

Fipronil is an insecticide and acaricide widely used in agriculture and domestic animals worldwide. Ecotoxicology studies have shown that, even at the low concentrations used on target species, fipronil and its degradation products have a significant impact on non-target species, either by direct toxicity or indirect effects affecting the food chain. The negative effects of fipronil on non-target species of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates and indirect effects on food chains have led to its use being banned or severely restricted in numerous countries, including all of the European Union, China, and the United States. Some of the species highly susceptible to fipronil are of great economic and ecological importance, including crayfish, brown shrimp, and bees. In particular, the impact on decimating bee hives worldwide is an example of fipronil´s undesirable effects on agriculture. Other species affected by fipronil -for which there are few studies- are biological predators of the same pests controlled by fipronil. Considering all the impacts on non-target species, the commercialization and indiscriminate use of fipronil in agriculture seem irresponsible. In Colombia, as of September 2021 and pressed by local beekeepers, the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA) prohibited its use on avocado, coffee, citrus, and passiflower plantations. However, as long as its use is not prohibited in all agricultural applications, farmers could divert its use and continue using it in any other type of plantation. This paper describes the impact of fipronil on some of the beneficial invertebrate species of outmost economic and ecological importance.

Ivermectin (IVM) has been the most widely used antiparasitic agent in veterinary medicine since it came to the market in 1981. In its risk assessment, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that, although it is very toxic to aquatic organisms, it is unlikely to contaminate watercourses from current applications registered for animal use. However, the effects of IVM on non-target invertebrate fauna can greatly impact grassland ecology. The economic loss from undegraded dung on lowering the quality of pastures and reducing the area of pasture available and palatable to livestock was US $380 million for the American economy in 2003. We discuss selected aspects of IVM effects on non-target species, dung beetles in pastures. We do not consider confined or feedlot production. Ivermectin affects a highly beneficial and taxonomically diverse group inhabiting dung pats, including flies, parasitic wasps, and coprophilus and predatory dung beetles. Some studies show that dung from IVM-treated animals can remain in the pasture without noticeable signs of degradation for up to 340 days, while pats from untreated animals are almost completely degraded after 80 days. Field and laboratory studies have shown many invertebrates species are susceptible to IVM at concentrations well below those excreted in the feces of treated cattle. IVM affects reproduction and development of coleopteran larvae at concentrations up to 10 times lower that cause mortality. In Colombia, at least 68 species of the subfamily Scarabaeinae have been identified in dung communities. Greater diversity of dung beetles is associated with forests and silvopastoral systems that incorporate native trees and provide habitats for survival. IVM should be used selectively on animals on pasture to minimize parasite resistance and effects on dung beetle communities and other nontarget invertebrate communities.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a pesticide widely used in Colombia´s agriculture, including crops, farm animals and pets, despite it has been banned for use in the European Union and the United States. Studies demonstrate that even low blood levels of CPF -which do not inhibit blood acetylcholinesterase- can lead to child developmental and neurological disorders such as smaller head circumference and brain alterations, and psychomotor and cognitive deficits related to learning ability, attention and memory. In adults, CPF is an endocrine disruptor and breast carcinogen. High direct and indirect economic costs have been associated with CPF exposure. Not only farmers and their families -who have the highest exposures- but the general population consuming crops sprayed with CPF are also at risk. For these reasons CPF was recently banned by the European Union (2020) and the USA (2021). Pesticide regulation policies vary greatly depending on which and how scientific studies are used to assess health risks. Pesticide evaluations funded by the chemical industry should be rectified to avoid conflicts of interest. Furthermore, political alignment with the interests of the industry should not take precedence over independent scientific evidence. It is discouraging, to say the least, that until stricter health laws are passed in Colombia, CPFs and related pesticides will continue to be imported from those countries that have already banned them. Colombian scientists should raise their voice to challenge blind acceptance of profits over unintended consequences, and efforts to prevent pesticide´s abuse should be encouraged.

Ivermectin (IVM) has been the most widely used antiparasitic agent in veterinary medicine since it came to the market in 1981. In its risk assessment, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that, although it is very toxic to aquatic organisms, it is unlikely to contaminate watercourses from current applications registered for animal use. However, the effects of IVM on non-target invertebrate fauna can greatly impact grassland ecology. The economic loss from undegraded dung on lowering the quality of pastures and reducing the area of ​​pasture available and palatable to livestock was $380 million for the American economy in 2003. We discuss selected aspects of IVM effects on non-target species, dung beetles in pastures. We do not consider confined or feedlot production. Ivermectin affects a highly beneficial and taxonomically diverse group inhabiting dung pats, including flies, parasitic wasps, and coprophilus and predatory dung beetles. Some studies show that dung from IVM-treated animals can remain in the pasture without noticeable signs of degradation for up to 340 days, while pats from untreated animals are almost completely degraded after 80 days. Field and laboratory studies have shown many invertebrates species are susceptible to IVM at concentrations well below those excreted in the feces of treated cattle IVM affects reproduction and development of coleopteran larvae at concentrations up to 10 times lower than cause mortality. In Colombia, at least 68 species of the subfamily Scarabaeinae have been identified in dung communities. Greater diversity of dung beetles is associated with forests and silvopastoral systems that incorporate native trees and provide habitats for survival. IVM should be used selectively on animals on pasture to minimize parasite resistance and effects on dung beetle communities and other nontarget invertebrate communities.

Background: Commensal microflora such as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. are representative indicators of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as they are part of the normal intestinal microflora and can acquire and disseminate AMR to pathogenic or zoonotic bacteria like Salmonella spp. Objective: To investigate the state of AMR among E. coli and Salmonella spp., potential pathogens in humans, isolated from cecal contents of pigs submitted to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Colombia from 2016 to 2019. Methods: Susceptibility testing was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines for antimicrobial zone diameter breakpoints. An E. coli strain (ATCC 25922) was used as the quality control organism. Isolates showing resistance to three or more antimicrobial classes were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) as defined by a joint group of the European Centre for Disease prevention and Control and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the USA. Results: A total of 112 E. coli and 192 Salmonella spp. colonies were isolated from 557 samples received between 2016 and 2019. In order of decreasing frequency, E. coli was resistant to tetracycline (100%), sulfamethoxazol-trimethoprim (97.5%), amoxicillin (86.4%), enrofloxacin (82.6%), tylosin (82.1%), doxycycline (59%), neomycin (50%), ciprofloxacin (45.5%), ceftiofur (35%), gentamicin (30%), tilmicosin (29%), and fosfomycin (12.5%). When compared with E. coli, Salmonella spp. was generally resistant to the same agents with slightly less resistance (between 10-30%) to eight of the antimicrobials tested. Salmonella spp. showed

Canina raza caniche de 11.5 años se remitió con una historia incierta de posible hiperadrenocorticismo. La exploración física y exámenes paraclínicos evidenciaron signos y hallazgos presuntivos de hiperadrenocorticismo incluyendo: letargo, distensión abdominal, polidipsia/poliuria, jadeo, hipostenuria, linfopenia, elevación de enzimas hepáticas. Se hicieron dos pruebas hormonales de valoración del eje hipotálamo-hipófisis (o pituitaria)-adrenales (HHA ó HPA): prueba de supresión con dosis baja de dexametasona y medición de la hormona corticotropa (ACTH) endógena. El cortisol basal en suero estaba ligeramente elevado con un valor de 8.52 µg/dL (normal = 1.8 – 6.0). Los valores de cortisol a las 4 y 8 horas post-administración de dexametasona fueron de 2.46 y 6.91 µg/dL, respectivamente. Dichos resultados evidenciaron una falta de supresión a las 4 horas (concentraciones >1.4 µg/dL) y 8 horas (concentraciones >50% del valor basal). Además, el hecho de que a las 4 horas post-administración de dexametasona los valores estuviesen en 2.4 µg/dL, superando el punto de corte de 1.4 µg/dL, es sugerente de que el hiperadrenocorticismo no era de origen pituitario y sí de origen adrenal. El diagnóstico fue corroborado por la prueba endógena de ACTH, cuyos valores estuvieron por debajo del rango de referencia: 10 pg/mL (15,0 - 60,0 pg/mL). En conclusión, los pasos a seguir en el diagnóstico de hiperadrenocorticismo comienzan por un buen análisis clínico y laboratorial antes de realizar pruebas hormonales específicas para valorar el eje HPA. Del punto de vista de la terapia, es importante diferenciar entre hiperadrenocorticismo de origen pituitario y adrenal.

En el Texto Masorético de 1 y 2 Reyes hay una fórmula para expresar los sincronismos de las fórmulas de reinado de los reyes de Israel y Judá en hebreo: ( שָׁנהָ ) [año , בשִ נְׁ [ ת y dos para expresar los sincronismos suplementarios: [año] בשַָׁנהָ ה y שָׁנהָ año בִ. No obstante, estas tres expresiones están representadas por cuatro expresiones en griego (LXX): ἐν ἔτει [año] (ἔτει), ἐν τῷ ἔτει τῷ [año], ἐν τῷ [año] ἔτει y ἐν τῷ ἐνιαυτῷ τῷ [año]. Nuestro propósito es triple: primero, averiguar por qué hay tres fórmulas diferentes en hebreo para expresar los sincronismos; segundo, explicar por qué sólo una se usa en las fórmulas de reinado y, finalmente, determinar la relación existente entre las fórmulas hebreas y griegas para comprobar si la Fuente Hebrea del Antiguo Griego (OG) fue o no diferente.

Background: Leptospirosis in cattle is recognized as a major cause of reproductive loses due to abortions, early embryonic death, and infertility. The type of Leptospira serovars that are currently circulating in Colombian herds is largely unknown due to the lack of national reports. Objective: The prevalence of antibodies specific to 13 Leptospira spp serovars was investigated in unvaccinated cows from 26 herds in San Pedro de los Milagros (Province of Antioquia) dairy region. Methods: Microscopic agglutination test was used on serum samples, following WHO recommendations. Results: A total of 112/900 (12.4%) of the animals had antibody titers of 1:100 or greater to at least one Leptospira serovar. Of those positive, 34/900 (3,8%) animals seroconverted to two or more serovars. In order of decreasing prevalence, the serovars detected were: hardjo prajitno, pomona, grippotyphosa, tarassovi, copenhageni, canicola, cellodeni and bratislava. There were 28 animals seropositive to serovar hardjo. Conclusion: Our results indicate that leptospirosis should be included as a differential diagnosis for various reproductive problems in this region.

Previous results using a movement defective alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) vector revealed that citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C) movement protein (MP) generates a more efficient local movement, but not more systemic transport, than citrus leprosis virus C2 (CiLV-C2) MP, MPs belonging to two important viruses for the citrus industry. Here, competition experiment assays in transgenic tobacco plants (P12) between transcripts of AMV constructs expressing the cilevirus MPs, followed by several biological passages, showed the prevalence of the AMV construct carrying the CiLV-C2 MP. The analysis of AMV RNA 3 progeny recovered from P12 plant at the second viral passage revealed the presence of a mix of progeny encompassing the CiLV-C2 MP wild type (MPWT) and two variants carrying serines instead phenylalanines at positions 72 (MPS72F) or 259 (MPS259F), respectively. We evaluated the effects of each modified residue in virus replication, and cell-to-cell and long-distance movements. Results indicated that phenylalanine at position 259 favors viral cell-to-cell transport with an improvement in viral fitness, but has no effect on viral replication, whereas mutation at position 72 (MPS72F) has a penalty in the viral fitness. Our findings indicate that the prevalence of a viral population may be correlated with its greater efficiency in cell-to-cell and systemic movements.

This essay focuses on the thematic premise which realizes a suitable exhibition of the Israelite´s Exodus from Egypt. It is essential to rely on the contributions of the archaeological findings, the literary sources and the majority of the Bible with the most number of research studies conducted by the specialists of this matter. There is a theoretical - methodological perspective and a critical approach that leads to presenting, first, the contribution for each of the sources and the support for the diverse approaches. Later, it will focus on a contrast of all of this with the aim that the support for each of the analyzed topics has a strong theoretical and empirical support. -- El presente ensayo parte de la premisa temática de que para realizar una adecuada exposición sobre el Éxodo de los israelitas desde Egipto a Canaán es imprescindible contar con las aportaciones de los hallazgos arqueológicos y de las fuentes literarias, tanto de la Biblia como fuera de ella, y con el mayor número de investigaciones que los especialistas de esta materia hayan realizado. Se utiliza como perspectiva teórico-metodológica un enfoque crítico que lleva a presentar, en primer lugar, lo aportado por cada una de las fuentes y lo sostenido por los diversos enfoques, para después realizar una contrastación de todo ello con el objetivo de que lo sostenido en cada uno de los temas analizados tenga un fuerte apoyo teórico y empírico.

In Colombia, the convergence of drug trafficking, illegal armed groups, and gold production and trade threatens peace and stability in the post-FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) era, as had the narcotics trade previously. Armed groups and criminal organizations have increased and consolidated their influence over illegal mining and may be diverting US$5 billion from Colombia’s annual economy. As of 2014, 46% of the total area (78 939 ha) exploited for alluvial gold was in the Afro-Colombian Pacific States, in which unregulated mining was the main driver of deforestation. The informal job market represents 49% of the workforce and absent other economic alternatives, this workforce of ex-guerrillas, organized crime groups and corrupt officials will sustain the black markets that permeate gold mining. Human health consequences of unregulated gold mining are largely unrecognized, but include the spread of malaria and other insect-borne diseases, and we suggest diseases such as babesiosis.

Aunque la industria avícola colombiana ha crecido casi el doble en producción durante la última década, el diagnóstico de agentes infecciosos y caracterización de estos aún es escasa, y es poca la información acerca de las cepas virales circulantes en el país. Dentro de estos agentes se encuentra el Virus de la Enfermedad de Marek (VEM), el cual es un patógeno inmunosupresor que puede causar mortalidad elevada y graves pérdidas en la producción. Aunque es poco probable que ocurran casos clínicos de la enfermedad causada por el VEM, debido a los programas de vacunación generalizada con GaHV-2 (serotipo I) y HVT (serotipo III), la inmunosupresión que causan las infecciones subclínicas puede estar causando pérdidas considerables en la producción avícola nacional. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir brevemente la enfermedad de Marek y el estado actual del estudio de la infección en Colombia.

This study surveyed the prescribing behavior of Colombian companion animal veterinarians and compared the responses to the current guidelines of the International Society for Companion Animals on Infectious Diseases (ISCAID). A convenience sample of 100 primary-care veterinary practitioners was selected from the city of Medellin. A questionnaire was designed to present hypothetical clinical scenarios regarding prescription choices for systemic antimicrobials. The numbers of veterinarians empirically prescribing a course of systemic antimicrobials for each scenario were—perioperative elective surgeries (86%), superficial pyoderma (90%), lower urinary tract disease (52%), acute hemorrhagic diarrhea (50%), and kennel cough (46%). For urinary tract disease, cultures and susceptibility testing were only performed by half of the respondents, suggesting lower diagnostic standards. In superficial pyoderma cases, cytology was performed in the following percent of cases—0% (24), 20% (30), 40% (17), 60% (11), 80% (8), and 100% (10). Antimicrobials were over-prescribed relative to emerging standard for elective surgeries (86%), kennel cough (46%), and acute hemorrhagic diarrhea (50%). Critically important antimicrobials, such as fluoroquinolones, were applied commonly for superficial pyoderma (18%), kennel cough (12%), and lower urinary tract disease in dogs (20%) and cats (26%). In conclusion, antimicrobial prescribing behavior was inconsistent with current guidelines, and antimicrobial use could be improved by appropriate diagnostic steps allowing choice of an optimal antimicrobial drug. Overall, we documented the widespread use of antimicrobials for the treatment of these four common disease conditions.

Objectives. To determine Neospora caninum seroprevalence in nonvaccinated dairy cattle from the Northern plains of Antioquia. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of neosporosis in a major dairy area of Colombia. Blood samples were collected from 1003 dairy cattle in 29 herds located in the municipality of San Pedro de los Milagros, in Antioquia. N. caninum antibody levels were measured by an enzymatic immunoassay (ELISA) and the results classified as positive or negative. Results. Seropositive cattle were observed in all herds, with a prevalence ranging from 7 to 97% and a mean (±S.E) of 37.1% (±4.2). The distribution of seropositive animals by age groups of

A cross sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and intensity of parasitic infections in dairy cattle in the high tropics of Colombia. A total of 1003 rectal samples were collected from dairy cows at 29 farms between May and June 2014 to represent the number of farms, age groups, and size of the 65,000-cow population in the municipality of San Pedro de los Milagros. Coprological techniques were used to detect gastrointestinal nematodes, liver flukes, coccidian oocysts, and first larval stage counts of Dictyocaulus viviparus. In order of decreasing prevalence, the following parasites were detected: coccidial oocyst (36.7%; 95% CIs, 31.6–42.7), strongyle nematodes (31.6%, 27.8–35.4), liver flukes (30.9%, 21.5–37.5), cestodes (8.4%, 7.1–9.7), and D. viviparus (5.4%, 3.4–7.5). Co-infections by all possible combinations of the three most predominant groups occurred in 11 to 15% of the animals. There were significant differences in infection rates between age groups, with higher risk of liver fluke infection in animals older than 1 year of age (odds ratio (OR) = 3.2), but lower presence for coccidia and strongyles (OR = 0.19 and 0.51, respectively). For Fasciola hepatica, within-herd prevalences of >25% in 16 farms and 94 of 281 (33.5%) animals with >5 eggs per gram (epg) indicate that significant production losses are likely occurring. The variation in the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and liver flukes, together with the level of infection among age groups, could be used in integrated management programs to establish selective anthelmintic treatments and select for heritable traits of host resistance. These results serve as a baseline for future studies to determine the success of control measures and should increase awareness that subclinical parasitism is widespread in the livestock sector.

The susceptibility to antimicrobials of bacterial isolates from dogs (n = 1256) and cats (n = 94) was retrospectively evaluated in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory over a 4-year period (2016–2019). Out of 1316 isolates in dogs, 771 were Staphylococcus spp. distributed as follows: Staph. pseudointermedius (n = 406), Staph. intermedius (n = 160), Staph. aureus (n = 104), and Staph. coagulase-negative (n = 101). In common, all Staphylococcus spp. showed a high prevalence (20–50%) of resistance to ampicillin, cephalosporin, enrofloxacin, gentamicin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfonamide, but a low prevalence (1–10%) of resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate. With regards to the other families of bacteria, the number of antimicrobials for which resistance was high (>20%) in dogs was: Enterobacteriaceae (7/12), Enterococcus spp. (10/16), E. coli (11/15), Pseudomonas spp. (10/13), and Streptococcus spp. (4/9). For urinary tract infections caused by E. coli or Enterobacteriaceae (Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp.), amikacin and florfenicol were the only drugs that demonstrated 100% in vitro efficacy. Multi-drug resistance was observed in 18.7% (246/1316) and 22% (21/97) of the isolates from dogs and cats, respectively. Except for Pseudomonas spp., known for intrinsic resistance, resistance in other bacteria was likely attributed to high selection pressure. In conclusion, empirical antimicrobial use cannot be recommended to treat most common infections, and selection should be based on results from susceptibility testing.

Esta investigación, se llevó a cabo, debido a la poca información nacional existente en hemoparásitos equinos y su objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia de babesiosis y tripanosomiasis, en el Valle de Aburrá y Rionegro, municipios de Antioquia (Colombia), así como algunos factores de riesgo asociados a la presentación de seropositividad, a estas enfermedades. En 223 predios, con una población de 1.008 equinos, se tomó muestra de sangre venosa, para realizar el diagnóstico serológico y molecular. La información epidemiológica fue obtenida, a través de la aplicación de una encuesta dirigida a las personas a cargo de los animales. Para el análisis estadístico, se aplicó Chi cuadrado de independencia y la Prueba Exacta de Fisher, cuando fue necesario. Para las asociaciones bivariadas, se calcularon estimaciones del riesgo (OR) por variable explicativa, con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza, del 95% (I.C. 95%). Se encontró una prevalencia del 11,9%, para babesiosis y de 1,9%, para tripanosomiasis; como factor de protección, se encontró el hecho de salir a una feria. Para la piroplasmosis, el lugar geográfico, el sexo, estar castrado, ser positivos a Anemia Infecciosa Equina (AIE), estrongílidos u oxiurus fueron factores de riesgo. Para tripanosomiasis, el factor de riesgo fue estar infestado con Dermacentor nitens o ser mular. Se deben reforzar métodos de vigilancia epidemiológica activa, sobre todo, en casos de movilización continua de equinos o desarrollo de eventos, que involucren presencia masiva de ejemplares.

La resistencia desarrollada por las garrapatas frente a los acaricidas de síntesis, hace necesario replantear las estrategias utilizadas actualmen - te para su control. Los programas de manejo integrado de parásitos se presentan como una alternativa que, al promover estrategias de con - trol basadas en la ecología y la epidemiología de cada especie de parásito, reducen el riesgo de desarrollo de resistencia. Dichas estrategias incluyen la aplicación de vacunas antigarrapata y hongos entomopatógenos que afectan la viabi - lidad y la reproducción en las garrapatas. Sin embargo, la información obtenida entre estudios sobre hongos y vacunas ha sido inconsistente, por lo que hoy en día ambas representan áreas de investigación bastante activas. El propósito de este trabajo consistió en realizar una revisión descriptiva sobre los mecanismos de acción de la vacuna antigarrapata y los hongos entomopatógenos, en la búsqueda de una po - sible complementariedad que permita el diseño de planes de aplicación conjunta, con miras a mejorar los resultados de control en sistemas ganaderos. En la primera parte del documento se revisa la actual problemática asociada al uso y abuso de los acaricidas de síntesis, haciendo un énfasis particular en el tema de resistencia; posteriormente, se describen los mecanismos de acción de hongos y vacunas que afectan la re - producción y supervivencia en garrapatas, y se incluye información relevante sobre su eficacia. Se espera que la información aquí recolectada, sirva como base para elaborar estudios que permitan identificar la utilidad de los hongos entomopatógenos y las vacunas antigarrapata al interior de los programas de manejo integrado de parásitos en ganadería.

Background: molecular markers for genetic resistance can be used to control mastitis in dairy cattle. The Major Histocompatibility Complex and the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) are two promising genes that warrant investigation. Objective: to identify associations between genotypes of BoLA-DRB3 locus and T4CRBR2 fragment and subclinical mastitis (SM). Methods: 996 lactating cows from 32 herds comprising Holstein (80%), Holstein x Jersey cross (12.5%), and other crosses (7.5%) were evaluated monthly during two years, diagnosed for SM and genotyped for the second exon of BoLA DRB3 and the TLR4 coreceptor-binding region 2 (T4CRBR2) using a Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique (PCRRFLP). The association between candidate alleles and subclinical mastitis was measured by logistic regression. Results: the most frequently observed alleles for BoLA-DRB3 were DRB3.2 *8, *22, *24, *16, *10, *23, *gba, *11, *2, *mbb, *jba, *3, and *15, accounting for 58.9% of the population. Frequencies for T4CRBR2 alleles A and B were 0.352 and 0.647, respectively. Based on 57,408 observations during the period, the mean SM prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 13.0 and 19.4) per udder quarter and 37.6% (95% CI 32.1 and 43.2) per cow. The predominant microorganisms isolated from SM quarters were Streptococcus agalactiae and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CNS). Allele DRB3.2 *23 was associated with SM occurrence and CNS infection. No alleles were associated with Streptococcus agalactiae infection. Allele *mbb was associated with occurrence of CNS infection and alleles *jba and *15 were associated with resistance to CNS infection. No significant relationship between T4CRBR2 and SM was observed. Conclusion: DRB3.2 gen may play an important role in the occurrence of SM and certain alleles may confer resistance to specific pathogens.

RESUMEN Objetivos. Determinar la seroprevalencia de Neospora caninum en ganado lechero sin vacunar del altiplano Norte de Antioquia. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal para determinar la prevalencia de neosporosis en bovinos de la principal zona lechera antioqueña. En Mayo-Junio del 2014 se recolectaron muestras de sangre de 1003 bovinos en 29 hatos ubicados en el municipio de San Pedro de los Milagros, en Antioquia. Los niveles de anticuerpos de N. caninum se midieron mediante un kit de inmunoensayo enzimático (ELISA) y los resultados se clasificaron como positivos o negativos. Resultados. Se observaron bovinos seropositivos en todos los hatos, con una prevalencia entre el 7 y 97%, y una media (±SE) del 37.1% (±4.2). La distribución de los animales seropositivos por grupos de

Objetivo. La medición de la actividad colinesterasa (ChE) es una prueba rápida y económica que se emplea en el diagnóstico de intoxicaciones por insecticidas organofosforados y carbamatos. Como la interpretación por el laboratorio requiere valores de referencia para cada especie, en este estudio se establecieron las actividades de ChE normales en sangre, cerebro y retina de varias especies de animales domésticos mediante el método de Ellman. Materiales y métodos. Se obtuvieron encéfalos y globos oculares en el matadero central de Medellín, mientras que las muestras de sangre procedieron de animales remitidos al laboratorio de diagnóstico clínico de la Universidad de Antioquia. Resultados. Las medias (±D.E.) de actividad ChE sanguínea, expresada en μmoles de acetiltiocolina iodada hidrolizada/min/mL, fueron de 2.4± 0.2, 1.5±0.3, 1.9±0.3 y 2.5±0.2 para caninos, felinos, equinos y bovinos, respectivamente. En el encéfalo, la actividad ChE (μmol/min/g peso fresco), fue de 4.0±0.4, 5.4 ±0.3 y 4.9±0.3, en bovinos, porcinos y caninos, respectivamente. La retina bovina mostró una actividad de 21.7±2.45 μmol/min/g. Conclusiones. Los valores obtenidos coinciden ampliamente con los reportados por laboratorios certificados por la Asociación Americana de Laboratorios de Diagnostico Veterinarios (AAVLD), corroborando la buena reproducibilidad de la técnica y validando su uso como apoyo al diagnóstico de intoxicaciones por insecticidas inhibidores de la colinesterasa.

Una vaca Holstein de 6 años de edad fue sacrificada después de un curso de paraplejía progresiva de 3 semanas de duración. A pesar de las crecientes dificultades para levantarse y caminar, el animal se mantuvo alerta, sin fiebre y con buen apetito casi todo el transcurso de la enfermedad. Los análisis del hemograma, perfil bioquímico y líquido cefalorraquídeo no mostraron alteraciones fuera del rango normal. El análisis de ELISA frente al virus de la Leucosis Bovina resultó positivo, apoyando el diagnóstico diferencial de leucemia. El examen post-mortem reveló una forma localizada de linfosarcoma, con escasas y pequeñas tumoraciones nodulares de 2-5 cm confinadas a las paredes del tracto gastrointestinal, sobre todo en el abomaso. Además, los tumores estaban presentes en el canal vertebral rodeando la médula lumbar espinal y raíces nerviosas adyacentes. El examen microscópico reveló que las masas nodulares estaban compuestas de linfocitos neoplásicos; igualmente, el tejido conectivo rodeando la medula lumbar presentaba gran infiltración de dichos linfocitos. A diferencia de la presentación más corriente y crónica de la enfermedad en que existe un desgaste progresivo del animal asociado a una linfadenopatía generalizada, en este caso la rápida progresión de la enfermedad hacia una paraplejia total se podría explicar por la presencia de tumores localizados en el canal espinal.Uma vaca holandesa de seis anos de idade foi abatida após um curso de paraplegia progressiva de três semanas de duração. Ainda que a vaca teve muitas e crescentes dificuldades para levantarse e caminhar, o animal se manteve alerta, sem febre e com bom apetite quase todo o transcurso da doença. A análise do resultado de um hemograma, do perfil bioquímico e do líquido cefalorraquiano não mostraram alterações fora do padrão normal. A análise feita pelo teste de ELISA para o vírus da leucose bovina foi positivo, apoiando o diagnostico diferencial de leucemia. O exame post-mortem revelou uma forma localizada de linfosarcoma, com escassas e pequenas tumorações nodulares de 2-5 cm confinadas às paredes do trato gastrointestinal, principalmente no abomaso. Alem, os tumores estavam presentes no canal vertebral rodeando a medula espinhal na região lombar e as raízes nervosas adjacentes. A avaliação microscópica revelou que as massas nodulares estavam compostas de linfócitos neoplásicos; igualmente, o tecido conjuntivo ao redor da medula espinhal na região lombar apresentava uma grande infiltração desses linfócitos. A diferença deste caso com a forma mais comum e crônica da doença na qual existe um desgaste progressivo do animal associado a uma linfadenopatia generalizada, foi que neste caso houve uma rápida progressão da doença que evoluiu para uma paraplegia total que poderia explicar-se pela presença de tumores localizados na medula espinhal.A 6 year-old Holstein cow was euthanized after a 3 week course of progressive paraplegia. In spite of the increasing difficulties to rise and walk, the animal remained bright, alert, afebrile and with good appetite throughout most of the clinical course. Complete blood counts, biochemical profiles and analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid were reported within normal limits. Antibody was detected for bovine leukaemia virus using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, supporting a tentative diagnosis of bovine leukosis. Post-mortem examination revealed a localized form of lymphosarcoma with few 2-5 cm nodular tumors confined to the walls of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in the abomasum. In addition, soft grey tumors were found within the vertebral canal surrounding the lumbar spinal cord and associated nerve roots. Microscopic examination revealed the nodular masses were composed of neoplastic lymphocytes. Mass in the lumbar vertebral canal had extradural neoplastic lymphocytes infiltrating connective tissues around the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots. Unlike the more common chronic and wasting presentation of the disease with widespread lymphadenopathy, the rapid progression of the disease to total paraplegia in this animal could be explained by the localized presence of tumors in the spinal canal.

A questionnaire study was conducted among 131 veterinarians practicing in the city of Medellin, Colombia, to assess views on pain evaluation and management in dogs and cats. When pain recognition and quantification abilities were used as a perceived competence of proper pain assessment, only 83/131 (63.4%, confidence interval (CI) 0.55–0.72) were deemed to have satisfactory skills, with the rest considered to be deficient. There were 49/131 (37.4) veterinarians who had participated in continuing education programs and were more confident assessing pain, with an odds ratio (±standard error) of 2.84 ± 1.15 (p = 0.01; CI 1.27–6.32). In addition, the odds of using pain scales was 4.28 ± 2.17 (p < 0.01, CI 1.58–11.55) greater if they had also participated in continuing education programs. The term multimodal analgesia was familiar to 77 (58.7%) veterinarians who also claimed to use more than one approach to pain control. Nevertheless, homeopathy was the preferred alternative approach in 71/77 (92%). There were major misconceptions on side effects and/or contraindications for use of opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by most veterinarians. In addition, the lack of multimodal analgesia by at least 40% of the practitioners, combined with heavy reliance on weak analgesics (i.e., tramadol) or those with no proven record of efficacy (homeopathic remedies), denotes major deficits in education at the undergraduate level and a need for additional continuing education designed to fulfill the gaps in knowledge identified in this study, and overcome ideological convictions not supported by scientific evidence.

Two distant Antioquian cattle farms where systemic and topical acaricides had previously failed to control infestations by Rhipicephalus ( Boophilus) microplus were studied. An initial in vivo study was conducted using single subcutaneous injections with a long-acting formulation of ivermectin (630 μg/kg). Injections were made at 3-month intervals on animals at each farm to evaluate the therapeutic and persistent efficacy of ivermectin against R. microplus. Body tick counts and reproductive parameters of semi- or fully engorged females ≥5 mm) were assessed at 10-day intervals, and since no negative control group could be included, values were compared against those for day 0. Although there was an overall reduction of 50%-75% in tick numbers that persisted for 30-40 days, it was not significantly different at one of the farms and not enough to afford protection from severe infestations. The engorgement weight and egg mass weight of ticks from treated animals were significantly lower throughout the 50-day posttreatment period. Egg hatch was not significantly reduced posttreatment and remained at levels of 80%-90%. A random selection of 9 out of 28 commercial formulations of ivermectin sold in Colombia were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). All were within the expected labeled concentration (∓15% deviation) of 1% and 3.15% ivermectin except for one. A popular unregistered injectable widely used in both farms and labeled as “natural pyrethrin”, was found to contain 10.5% ivermectin. An adult immersion test was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of topical acaricides to recommended concentrations of five commercial products and/or their combinations. Efficacy was determined by comparing the reproductive index of each treated group to that of the control group. Cypermethrin (150 ppm) was completely ineffective at both farms. Amitraz (208 ppm) exhibited low and intermediate efficacies of 14% and 56%. The combination of amitraz (100 ppm) and cypermethrin (150 ppm) was less efficacious than the amitraz alone. A generic product based on amitraz + citronella (208 ppm + 10 ppm, respectively) was shown to be less efficacious than the name-brand amitraz product. Products containing the organophosphate chlorpyrifos or trichlorfon exhibited intermediate efficacies of approximately 60% at the Tarso farm. We conclude that at these two locations, there is a high degree of resistance to many of the acaricides available in Colombia and confirm suspicions that ivermectin is no longer able to eliminate tick infestations.

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