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Shewanella algae is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacillus that inhabits marine ecosystems and can cause sepsis in humans. This case report describes an 80-year-old obese woman with liver cirrhosis who presented with neurological and respiratory impairment. Shewanella algae were isolated in the blood cultures. Due to age and comorbidities, sepsis could be the cause of the patient’s fatal outcome. Shewanella algae infection is a risk for immunocompromised people in the tropics.

Although more than half of the world's population is already vaccinated, the appearance of new variants of concern puts public health at risk due to the generation of new immunogens against the virus as a crucial and relevant strategy in the control of these new variants.A preclinical study used a potential vaccine candidate (RBD, SARS-CoV-2). Four groups of BALB/c mice were used, a control group, an adjuvant group, a group inoculated with one dose of RBD subunit protein, and the fourth group inoculated with two doses of RBD subunit protein.No inflammatory or cellular changes were shown in the mice's anatomopathological evaluation. Higher kinetics and 75% seroconversion were obtained in the mice inoculated with two doses of RBD (P 0.0001).The application of two doses of the RBD vaccine candidate in BALB/c mice proved safe and immunogenic against SARS-CoV-2.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic, has been proven to have a broad range of host species, including non-human primates, as well as domestic animals and pets. A high conservation degree in the structure of the ACE2 receptor, which is the critical protein for viral infection among vertebrate species, could lead to anthroponotic events. The present paper reports the first symptomatic human-to-dog transmission event of the SARS-CoV-2 Iota variant in Latin America. We found a total of 21 mutations shared across the complete genomes of owner and dog viral sequences. Further phylogenetic and molecular analysis showed a 100% support of clade co-localization supporting the transmission event. Spike protein structure prediction of sequenced virus and docking analyses showed that E484K mutation in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) could enhance viral affinity towards dACE2. Therefore, close contact should be avoided between humans infected with SARS-CoV-2 and pets to avoid the appearance of novel mutations of importance in public health from anthroponotic events.

Background Serological evaluation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an alternative that allows us to determine the prevalence and dynamics of this infection in populations. The goal of this study was to determine the clinical and sociodemographic dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a region of the Colombian Caribbean. Methods Between July and November 2020, a cross-sectional observational study was carried out in Córdoba, located in northeast Colombia in the Caribbean area. Eight municipalities with the largest populations were chosen and 2564 blood samples were taken. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used with the recombinant protein antigen N of SARS-CoV-2. The people included in the study were asked for sociodemographic and clinical data, which were analysed by statistical methods. Results A seroprevalence of 40.8% was obtained for SARS-CoV-2 in the Córdoba region. In the bivariate analysis, no differences were observed in seropositivity against SARS-CoV-2 for gender or age range (p>0.05). Higher seropositivity was found in low socio-economic status and symptomatic patients (p Conclusions The high seropositivity in Córdoba is due to widespread SARS-CoV-2 in this population. The relationship between seropositivity and socio-economic status suggests a higher exposure risk to the virus caused by informal economic activities in low-income groups. Clinical manifestations such as anosmia and ageusia could be clinical predictors of infection by the new emergent coronavirus.

There are many doubts about the SARS-CoV-2 immune response's length, and it is unknown whether those patients may exhibit different kinetics in the secretion of IgG anti-SARS-CoV2 according to the severity of their infection. This research aimed to evaluate IgG antibodies' kinetics and persistence against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein in a group of COVID-19 patients with different clinical disease presentations in the Colombian Caribbean region. Two blood samples were taken. The first one was at the first surge in August 2020; the second was six months later, February 2021. The study showed a decrease of 61.1% in their median of IgG antibodies after six months (P > 0.0001). According to the clinical form of COVD-19, the patients that required hospitalization (moderate or severe) COVD-19 showed a lower secretion of IgG against SARS-CoV2 and a higher negative seroconversion for IgG 69.2% in the second serological evaluation (P

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging viral pandemic disease. In the last 6 months, SARS-CoV-2 has caused millions of reported cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths. As other world regions, South America has not contained the pandemic’s advance since it lacks the hospital and economic capacities. Public health implications of transmission, while the asymptomatic/presymptomatic infection is a critical concern at the current pandemic. Objective Describe the socio-demographic, clinical, and viral features of a cohort of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals from the Colombian Caribbean. Methods Six hundred eighty-six clinical samples of suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection cases and contacts individuals from several hospital centers in the department of Córdoba, Colombia, were received at our laboratory between April 9th and May 16th, 2020. RNA was extracted using lysis buffers and spin columns. The samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) using commercially available multiplex real-time PCR assay for simultaneous detection of 3 target genes of SARS-CoV-2 (Allplex™, 2019-nCoV assay, Korea). Viral copies quantification was done using a standard curve constructed from seriated dilutions of a SARS-CoV-2 positive control. Statics descriptive methods were used. Results Thirty-five nasopharyngeal samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection; the average age was 43 (range, 1–95 years). Seventeen of 35 (49%) of the patients showed symptoms. Most of them had a cough, fever, and odynophagia; three of the patients reported having arthralgia. Only two patients required hospitalization. None of the patients had known co-morbidities. RT-qPCR results show that two of the symptomatic patients had significantly higher RNA copies than the rest. Eighteen of 35 (51%) individuals were asymptomatic, and the average age was 30 (range, 6–61 years). Four asymptomatic individuals showed a higher copy than some symptomatic patients; nonetheless, the average of RNA copies 8.26 × 1010 was lower than the symptomatic. Conclusions This study shows that asymptomatic patients may develop infections with a high number of RNA copies. Since a considerable percentage of infections may be asymptomatic/presymptomatic, enhanced testing approaches may be needed to detect these persons. Due the occurrence of a large proportion of infections being a result from transmission originated in asymptomatic/presymptomatic individuals, public health interventions in Colombia should be based on two steps: a massive molecular screening, and viral load quantification. Finally, a remarkable issue in our study is the average age of symptomatic and asymptomatic groups (43 and 30 respectively) which may be important because of the economic impact that has been caused by the coronavirus pandemic and may be probably the cause of the reduced lethality observed in the country and the department at the time of this study.

Mosquito-borne viruses such as dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV), and Zika (ZIKV) have spread in recent decades. We aimed to assess seroprevalence of arboviral infections in pregnant women living in Cereté, Caribbean Colombia. In 2016 a cross-sectional facility-based sero-survey study was performed among pregnant women (N = 90). Most of them (66%) reported at least one symptom or sign compatible with arboviral infection over the previous 15 days. All screened women had a positive IgG for DENV, 89% for ZIKV, and 82% for CHIKV. One woman tested positive for ZIKV IgM. This study shows the high exposure among pregnant women to arboviruses in endemic areas, shown by the high seroprevalence of past arboviral infections. Given the evidence on the potential risks of these arboviral infections on pregnancy and infant outcomes, these results highlight the need for continuous epidemiological surveillance of arboviral diseases, particularly among those most of risk of their harmful consequences.

A serological survey was carried out in Monteria (500 000 population), a mid-size city in Colombia. An overall prevalence of 55.3% (95% confidence interval, 52.5%–57.8%) was found among a sample of 1.368 people randomly selected from the population. Test positivity was related to economic characteristics with the highest prevalence found in the most impoverished areas, representing 83.8% of the city’s population. We found a prevalence that might be associated with some important level of population immunity.

Highlights • Colombia as an endemic country for Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika virus. • Co-epidemics of SARS-CoV-2 with other etiologies is a matter for concern. • Serological cross-reactivity in acute Zika infection using a SARS-CoV-2 ELISA test., Objectives We investigated seroreactivity, using a commercial SARS-CoV-2 ELISA test, in samples collected from different individuals’ groups, including patients diagnosed as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya infection during 2015 and 2019, from an endemic area at the Caribbean Colombian region. Methods A total of 127 sera, obtained from six different groups of individuals, were included in this study: Group A: patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection; Group B: patients with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 or asymptomatic contacts of confirmed patients; Group C: patients with acute or recent dengue virus infection; Group D: patients with acute Zika virus infection; Group E: patients with previous Chikungunya virus infection; and Group F: individuals with exposure to spotted fever group rickettsiae. Results Overall, group A, group B, and group D showed seroreactivity to SARS-CoV-2 in 92%, 75%, and 26% of samples, respectively; meanwhile, group C, group E, and group F showed 100% of seronegative. Conclusions We found 26% of serological cross-reactivity in patients with acute Zika virus infection using a commercial SARS-CoV-2 ELISA test. Further studies could evaluate if serological cross-reaction is maintaining along the time in a non-acute patient with previous exposure to the Zika virus and its effect in SARS-CoV-2 serosurveys in endemic areas for this arbovirus.

Background. Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging viral pandemic disease. In the last six months, SARS-CoV-2 has caused millions of reported cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths. As other world regions, nowadays, South America has not contained the pandemic's advance since it lacks the hospital and economic capacities. Public health implications of transmission, while the asymptomatic infection is a critical concern at the current pandemic.Objective: Describe the socio-demographic, clinical, and viral kinetics features of a cohort of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals from the Colombian Caribbean. Methods: Six hundred eighty-six clinical samples of suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection cases and contacts individuals from several hospital centers in the department of Córdoba, Colombia, were received at our laboratory between April 9th and May 16th, 2020. RNA was extracted using lysis buffers and spin columns. The samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR (Reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction) using commercially available multiplex real-time PCR assay for simultaneous detection of 3 target genes of SARS-CoV-2 (AllplexTM, 2019-nCoV assay, Korea). Viral copies quantification was done using a standard curve constructed from seriated dilutions of a SARS-CoV-2 positive control. Statics descriptive methods were used. Results: Thirty-five nasopharyngeal samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection; the average age was 43 (range, 1-95 years). Seventeen of 35 (49%) of the patients showed symptoms. Most of them had a cough, fever, and odynophagia; three of the patients reported having arthralgia. Only two patients required hospitalization. None of the patients had known co-morbidities. RT-qPCR results show that two of the symptomatic patients had significantly higher RNA copies than the rest. Eighteen of 35 (51%) individuals were asymptomatic, and the average age was 30 (range, 6-61 years). Four asymptomatic individuals showed a higher copy than some symptomatic patients; nonetheless, the average of RNA copies 8.26 x10+10 was lower than the symptomatic.Conclusions: the population studied was young, with an average of 43 years in symptomatic and 30 years of asymptomatic; this is important because of the high impact in the economy. Because a large proportion of infections may result from transmission from asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic persons, the usefulness of public health interventions in Colombian provinces should be based on molecular screening in a vast conglomerate population and quantify the viral load.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy can cause neurological manifestations such as microcephaly. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of ZIKV and mental health in women exposed to ZIKV during pregnancy in Colombia. This was a mixed-methods study based on structured interviews and psychological tests. Structured interviews were transcribed and analysed with Atlas Ti software. A grounded theory approach was applied. Quantitative analysis was performed with Statistical Package for Social Science, SPSS, V. 20. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Universidad de C&oacute, rdoba, Monter&iacute, a. Seventeen women participated in the study, nine of them were mothers of children with microcephaly. Maternal age ranged from 16 to 41 years old. The main themes discussed during interviews were: feelings, support, sources of information, and consequences on children&rsquo, s health. Women with children affected by microcephaly showed worse mental health compared to women with normocephalic children. Maternal mental health worsened after 24 months from giving birth. Perceptions regarding disease severity and lack of knowledge were considered to affect maternal mental health. Social support and spirituality were key determinants for caregivers. Future research is needed to further study coping mechanisms and mental health outcomes over time by affected populations.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is considered a public health problem due to its rapid spread and high morbidity. This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of CHIKVs in Colombia. A descriptive and retrospective study was carried out using sera of patients infected with Chikungunya during the outbreak in Colombia. The whole genomes of CHIKV (n = 16) were sequenced with an Illumina Hi-seq 2500 and were assembled using the Iterative Virus Assembler software. A Bayesian inference phylogenetic analysis was carried out with 157 strains of worldwide origin. The Colombian CHIKV sequences were grouped in the Asian genotype; however, three independent phylogenetic subclades were observed, probably the result of three separate introductions from Panama, Nicaragua, and St. Barts. Each subclade showed several different non-synonymous mutations (nsP2-A153V; nsp2-Y543H; nsp2-G720A; nsP3-L458P; Capside R78Q), that may have functional consequences for CHIKV biology and pathogenesis. These same mutations may affect the efficacy of potential CHIKV vaccines.

Zika virus (ZIKV) can cause pregnancy loss and congenital Zika syndrome, among other poor health outcomes. The ZIKV epidemic in 2015&ndash, 2017 disproportionately affected pregnant women in poor-resource settings. We aimed to understand perceptions and attitudes towards a hypothetical ZIKV vaccine, women&rsquo, s willingness to be vaccinated, and potential barriers and facilitators for vaccine acceptance in 1) migrant women living in Spain who travelled to their countries of origin and were diagnosed with ZIKV infection during pregnancy, and their healthcare providers, and 2) women living in Colombia who delivered a child with microcephaly. An exploratory qualitative study based on phenomenology and grounded theory was conducted. Data were collected through in-depth, paired and semi-structured interviews. Overall, women from both sites were willing to receive a hypothetical ZIKV vaccine. However, some expressed concerns of being vaccinated during pregnancy, yet they would accept it if the vaccine was recommended by a healthcare professional they trust. Main fears towards vaccination were related to vaccine safety and potential adverse effects on child&rsquo, s health. Women reported feeling hesitant to participate in a ZIKV vaccine trial. These results may contribute to guiding the effective delivery of future ZIKV vaccines among populations most at risk and particularly vulnerable.

Background The Zika virus disease (ZVD) has had a huge impact on public health in Colombia for the numbers of people affected and the presentation of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and microcephaly cases associated to ZVD. Methods A retrospective descriptive study was carried out, we analyze the epidemiological situation of ZVD and its association with microcephaly and GBS during a 21-month period, from October 2015 to June 2017. The variables studied were: (i) ZVD cases, (ii) ZVD cases in pregnant women, (iii) laboratory-confirmed ZVD in pregnant women, (iv) ZVD cases associated with microcephaly, (v) laboratory-confirmed ZVD associated with microcephaly, and (vi) ZVD associated to GBS cases. Average number of cases, attack rates (AR) and proportions were also calculated. The studied variables were plotted by epidemiological weeks and months. The distribution of ZVD cases in Colombia was mapped across the time using Kernel density estimator and QGIS software; we adopted Kernel Ridge Regression (KRR) and the Gaussian Kernel to estimate the number of Guillain Barre cases given the number of ZVD cases. Results One hundred eight thousand eighty-seven ZVD cases had been reported in Colombia, including 19,963 (18.5%) in pregnant women, 710 (0.66%) associated with microcephaly (AR, 4.87 cases per 10,000 live births) and 453 (0.42%) ZVD associated to GBS cases (AR, 41.9 GBS cases per 10,000 ZVD cases). It appears the cases of GBS increased in parallel with the cases of ZVD, cases of microcephaly appeared 5 months after recognition of the outbreak. The kernel density map shows that throughout the study period, the states most affected by the Zika outbreak in Colombia were mainly San Andrés and Providencia islands, Casanare, Norte de Santander, Arauca and Huila. The KRR shows that there is no proportional relationship between the number of GBS and ZVD cases. During the cross validation, the RMSE achieved for the second order polynomial kernel, the linear kernel, the sigmoid kernel, and the Gaussian kernel are 9.15, 9.2, 10.7, and 7.2 respectively. Conclusions This study updates the epidemiological analysis of the ZVD situation in Colombia describes the geographical distribution of ZVD and shows the functional relationship between ZVD cases and GBS.

German ArrietaUniversidad de Cordoba, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Instituto de Investigaciones Biologicasdel Tropico. *Correspondencia: smattar@escarsa.net.co - A.A. 354, Monteria, Colombia.En los ultimos anos, la enfermedad diarreica aguda(EDA) se ha convertido en un serio problema de sa-lud publica; la EDA tiene las caracteristicas de unaverdadera pandemia si tenemos en cuenta que haafectado a multiples paises en Europa y America. Anivel mundial, la EDA es una de las causas mas impor-tantes de morbi-mortalidad sobre todo en lactantes, ni-nos y ancianos. Se ha estimado que en Asia, Africa yLatinoamerica, en razon a los factores socioeconomicosy nutricionales, la probabilidad de que un nino muerapor enfermedad diarreica antes de los 7 anos puedallegar al 50%. En los paises desarrollados la mortali-dad es mucho menor, pero todavia significativa.(Mattar 1998). Segun la organizacion mundial de lasalud (OMS), la EDA, afecta a 750 millones de ni-nos anualmente, y en este periodo se calcula queunos 4.6 millones mueren debido a la deshidrata-cion que producen estos procesos infecciosos. Datosdel Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS) y del Ministerio deSalud de Colombia, muestran que en 1993 se presen-taron 470.772 casos de EDA en una poblacion de4.224.121 ninos menores de 5 anos para los 33 de-partamentos del pais, siendo asi una de las patologiasmas comunes en la poblacion infantil y en especial enlos menores de 5 anos (Mattar 1996). EDA es una delas principales causantes de muerte infantil en Colom-bia (Mattar 1996); es una entidad multifactorial en laque principalmente, el criterio diagnostico ha sido cli-nico a traves del tiempo, y donde, el diagnosticoetiologico preciso no es usualmente el empleado.La EDA es producida por bacterias, virus, protozoosy hongos. La experiencia indica queepidemiologicamente se ubican primero las bacterias ylos virus. Con respecto a la etiologia bacteriana, la

Background Recently there has been a large outbreak of Zika virus infections in Colombia, South America. The epidemic began in September 2015 and continued to April 2017, for the total number of Zika cases reported of 107,870. For those confirmed Zika cases, there were nearly 20,000 (18.5%) suspected to be pregnant women, resulting in 157 confirmed cases of microcephaly in newborns reported by their health government agency. There is a clear under-estimation of the total number of cases and in addition no prior publications have been published to demonstrate the clinical aspects of the Zika infection in Colombia. We characterized one Zika presentation to be able to compare and contrast with other cases of Zika infection already reported in the literature. Case presentation In this case report, we demonstrate congenital microcephaly at week 19 of gestation in a 34-year-old mother who showed symptoms compatible with Zika virus infection from Sincelejo, State of Sucre, in the Colombian Caribbean. Zika virus RNA was detected in the placenta using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). At week 25, the fetus weigh estimate was 770 g, had a cephalic perimeter of 20.2 cm (5th percentile), ventriculomegaly on the right side and dilatation of the fourth ventricle. At week 32, the microcephaly was confirmed with a cephalic perimeter of 22 cm, dilatation of the posterior atrium to 13 mm, an abnormally small cerebellum (29 mm), and an augmented cisterna magna. At birth (39 weeks by cesarean section), the head circumference was 27.5 cm, and computerized axial tomography (Siemens Corp, 32-slides) confirmed microcephaly with calcifications. Conclusion We report a first case of maternal Zika virus infection associated with fetal microcephaly in Colombia and confirmed similar presentation to those observed previous in Brazil, 2015–2016.

Background The first autochthonous Chikungunya virus transmission in Colombia was reported in September 2014. Three months later, every town in the Caribbean region was affected, including the bordering towns of Ovejas and Corozal, in the department of Sucre. The objective of the study was to analyze and compare the temporal dynamics of the outbreak of Chikungunya in two towns of the department of Sucre. Methods Households with suspicious cases with clinical symptomatology for Chikungunya were enrolled. In each house an epidemiological questionnaire was applied to collect economic and social information and methods for vector control. Results The study analyzed data collected between 09/01/2014 and 01/31/2015; 458 families in Corozal and 516 families in Ovejas were identified with Chikungunya cases. Estimated attack rates were 10,621 cases and 1640 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, in Ovejas and Corozal, respectively. The 75-day survival curve was 27.2% lower (0.632, CI = 0.614–0.651) in Ovejas than in Corozal (0.904, CI = 0.891–0.917). After 120 days, both curves showed a stable horizontal slope, close to a survival probability of 0.54, indicating the end of the epidemic period. The log-rank test (X 2 = 94.6, 1fd, p-value = 0.000) showed the improved survival of Chikungunya in the town of Corozal. The relative risk between the two towns was 0.863 (CI = 0.809–0.921; p-value

Emerging infectious diseases are a growing threat to human health and a great challenge for global medical attention systems. Governmental agencies in tropical regions with abundant zoonotic pathogens should implement an active vigilance/monitoring model in bat reservoir populations because of their species richness, abundance and dispersal capabilities. Chiropterans represent approximately 20% of all mammal species, the second largest order in terms of number of species after rodents. Importantly, bats constitute natural reservoirs for potential infection of humans of several infectious disease agents such as Coronavirus, Filovirus, Lyssavirus, Paramyxovirus, and Flavivirus. Local disease outbreaks caused by new pathogens can expand globally as a result of human intrusion on wildlife ecosystems and subsequent dispersion of pathogens facilitated by international travel—for example, what happened in 2003 during the severe acute respiratory syndrome pandemic (SARS). At this time, it is not possible to predict which pathogen will cross the species barrier in the future. Nonetheless, a better understanding of a holistic transmission process could help the design of strategies to prevent and control of future pandemics. In this work, we present a summary of the potential societal (economic and epidemiological) effect of disease outbreaks of virus families associated with bats, and the preventive and control measures that could be anticipated.

RESUMEN: La leptospirosis es una zoonosis reemergente de distribución mundial causada por espiroquetas patógenas del género Leptospira. Ha sido catalogada como una enfermedad ocupacional; su presentación está relacionada con una serie de factores epidemiológicos que resaltan la presencia de animales portadores (roedores, caninos) y la calidad del agua entre otros. El objetivo fue determinar la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos contra L. interrogans (sensu lato) en caninos semidomésticos del área urbana de Sincelejo, Sucre. Mediante un diseño no probabilístico de conveniencia, se escogieron tres comunas con el mayor número de caninos. Se tomaron muestras de sangre de 61 caninos, que se identificaron, posteriormente se obtuvo el suero y se implementó la prueba de la microaglutinación (MAT) con 11 serogrupos y 14 serovares. La seroprevalencia de anticuerpos contra L. interrogans (sensu lato) fue del 54,10%. El 9,84% de los caninos presentaron títulos bajos, el 8,19% títulos moderados, el 13,11% títulos altos y el 22,95% títulos muy altos. No se presentaron diferencias significativas entre las serorreactividades cuando se compararon por sexo, edad y raza. El serovar Grippotyphosa fue el que presentó la mayor frecuencia (47,54%) seguido del serovar Canicola (26,23%) y del serovar Pomona (18,03%). Estos resultados sugieren que estos caninos semidomésticos evaluados, han exhibido infecciones asintomáticas con diferentes serovares de L. interrogans (sensu lato) y se constituyen en hospederos y portadores renales, convirtiéndose en un riesgo potencial en salud pública.

Salmonella está asociada frecuentemente con la enfermedad diarreica aguda; la bacteria se propaga principalmente por la ingestión de alimentos o de aguas contaminadas o por personas infectadas que manipulan los alimentos. En Colombia no se conoce la distribución de los serotipos de Salmonella en los alimentos. El objetivo de este estudio fue el de establecer la frecuencia de Salmonella spp. en alimentos del Caribe colombiano. Se analizaron 636 muestras de alimentos obtenidas en ventas de comidas rápidas callejeras y en plazas de mercados de Barranquilla (n=245), Montería (n=222), Sincelejo (n=87) y Cartagena (n=82). El aislamiento de la bacteria se realizó por el método convencional de la Food and Drug Administration (FDA) de los Estados Unidos. Se inocularon 25 g de cada muestra de alimento en 225 ml de caldo de preenriquecimiento; posteriormente, se inoculó 1 ml a los caldos de enriquecimiento y, finalmente, se sembraron en medios de cultivo selectivos para Salmonella. Las colonias sospechosas se identificaron por pruebas bioquímicas y serológicas convencionales para Salmonella. Se aislaron 47 (7,4%) Salmonella spp. Del total de muestras de carne de res, 9,3% fueron positivas para Salmonella spp., 12,6% de chorizo, 7,9% de queso, 5,2% de carne de cerdo, 1,6% de pollo y 10,5% de arepa de huevo. Los principales serotipos encontrados fueron S. Anatum (26%), S. Newport (13%), S. Typhimurium (9%), S. Gaminara (9%) y S. Uganda (9%). Este estudio permitió establecer la distribución de los serotipos de Salmonella spp. en alimentos de la Costa Atlántica colombiana. No se observaron diferencias estadísticas significativas entre los estratos 1 y 4, ni entre los estratos 2 y 3 (p>0,05), pero sí entre los estratos 1, 2 y 3 (p

Leptospirosis is a reemerging zoonosis of global distribution and is one of the causes of hemorrhagic fevers in the tropics. We sought to determine seroprevalence in humans and animals and isolate Leptospira interrogans sensu lato in domestic animals, rodents, and water sources. The study was conducted in a tropical area of the middle Sinu in Cordoba, Colombia. In a prospective descriptive study, we collected blood and urine from pigs and dogs, sera from rural human workers, sera and kidney macerates of rodents, and water samples from environmental sources. We used microagglutination to screen for antibodies to 13 serovars. Strains were cultured on the Ellinghausen–McCullough–Johnson–Harris medium and confirmed by PCR amplifying lipL32 gene. Seroprevalence was 55.9 % in pigs, 35.2 % in dogs, and 75.8 % in humans; no antibody was detected, and no Leptospira were isolated from kidney macerates of rodents. Seven L. interrogans sensu lato strains were isolated: three from pigs, two from dogs, and two from water. High seroprevalence in pigs, dogs, and humans, concomitant to isolation of strains, demonstrates that in Cordoba, transmission exists among animals, the environment, and humans, which warrants the implementation of public health intervention measures to reduce the epidemiological impact of leptospirosis in the region.

Mastitis is the inflammation of the mammary glands in response to neutralize infectious agents and return to normal function. This inflammatory response decreases the synthesis of different components, which reduce the milk quality. The purpose of this study was to determine physicochemical and microbiological quality of tank milk and the udder health in 15 dual-purpose system enterprises in Monteria (Cordoba), chosen by non-probability sampling and a cross-sectional study. A tank milk sample in each of the enterprises involved in the study was collected. The density, acidity percentage, protein, lactose, mesophilic and somatic cell count was determined. Also, the prevalence of mastitis and, by extrapolation, economic losses were calculated. Statistical analysis was executed using SAS software. Physicochemical values were within normal values. Mesophilic count was 160.347 ± 213.354 Cfu/mL and somatic cell count of 345.133 ± 302.241 SC/mL. In all enterprises the prevalence of mastitis varied from 13.8% to 74.7%. Linear regression was found between the prevalence of mastitis and somatic cell count (R2=0,867). In seven of these enterprises, somatic cell count was up to 250.000 SC/mL, which warrants the immediate implementation of prevention and control of bovine mastitis. La mastitis es la inflamación de las glándulas mamarias, como respuesta para neutralizar agentes infecciosos y retornar a la función normal. Esta respuesta inflamatoria afecta la síntesis de los diferentes componentes, lo que reduce la calidad de la leche. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar calidad fisicoquímica y microbiológica de la leche cruda de tanques y la sanidad de las ubres, en 15 empresas del sistema doble propósito, en Montería (Córdoba), escogidas por muestreo no probabilístico y un estudio transversal. Se recolectó una muestra de leche de tanque en cada una de las empresas involucradas en el estudio. Se determinó densidad, porcentajes de acidez, proteína, lactosa, mesófilos, recuento de células somáticas y la prevalencia de la mastitis, por medio de la prueba del CMT. Por extrapolación, se calcularon las pérdidas económicas. El análisis estadístico, se realizó mediante el programa SAS. Los valores fisicoquímicos, se encontraron dentro de los valores normales. El recuento de mesófilos fue de 160.347 ± 213.354 Ufc/mL y el de células somáticas de 345.133 ± 302.241 CS/mL. En todas las empresas, la prevalencia de la mastitis varió desde el 13,8% hasta el 74,7%. Se encontró regresión lineal entre la prevalencia de la mastitis y el recuento de células somáticas (R2=0,867). En siete de estas empresas, el recuento de células somáticas fue mayor a 250.000 CS/mL, lo cual, amerita la implementación inmediata de programas de prevención y de control de la mastitis bovina. Incluye referencias bibliográficas

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease transmitted directly or indirectly from animals to humans that may result in severe hemorrhagic, hepatic/renal and pulmonary disease. There are 20 known Leptospira species and hundreds of serovars, some of which belong to different species. It is essential to identify pathogenic Leptospira serovars and their potential reservoirs to prepare adequate control strategies.To characterize the Leptospira serovars isolated from rodents, dogs, pigs and water samples in Colombia.Leptospira organisms were isolated and cultured, and pathogenic strains were identified using a polymerase chain-reaction (PCR). Leptospira DNA and Salmonella Braenderup H9812 (molecular weight standard) DNA were cleaved using NotI and subjected to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The PFGE patterns were analyzed based on bacterial strain-typing criteria and Dice coefficients (DCs) between these isolates and over 200 Leptospira organisms isolated from other parts of the world.All of the isolates were pathogenic strains, and five were genetically characterized. The P275 (84% DC) and P282 (95% DC) pig isolates were related to the Leptospira interrogans Pomona serovar; the I15 (DC: 100%) rat isolate was identical to the Leptospira interrogans Icterohameorrhagiae or Copenhageni serovars, while the C67 (64% DC) dog and A42 (60% DC) water isolates were not related (73.7% DC) to any of the 200 reference serovars; the closest serovars were the Leptospira noguchii Nicaragua and Orleans serovars, respectively.This was the first molecular characterization of Colombian Leptospira spp isolates; these isolates will be used to develop a Colombian diagnostic panel.

La leptospirosis representa un problema con implicaciones en salud pública. En los caninos es una enfermedad no siempre diagnosticada, a pesar de su difusión y el rol que desempeñan éstos como reservorios de leptospiras patógenas, convirtiéndose en una importante fuente de infección hacia el humano y otras especies de interés zootécnico. Se hace necesario estudiar la epidemiología de la leptospirosis en la especie canina, para contribuir al diseño de estrategias de prevención y de control. Para determinar la seroprevalencia de Leptospira interrogans y los serovares más frecuentes, se adelantó un estudio epidemiológico transversal que incluyó una muestra de 70, caninos mayores de cuatro meses, existentes en la comunidad rural del corregimiento de Berástegui, municipio de Ciénaga de Oro (Córdoba) y por medio de la aglutinación microscópica (MAT,) implementado con 14 serovares. Se consideró un suero positivo cuando se observó aglutinación del 50%, en una dilución ≥ 1:100. La seroprevalencia de leptospirosis en la población canina fue del 47,14% y la mayor frecuencia fue para los serovares grippotyphosa, con el 37,14%, seguido de icterohaemorrhagiae y pomona, con el 34,29 y 25,71%, respectivamente. Al discriminar la seroprevalencia por el número de serovares, se encontró que el 10,01% de las infecciones ocurrió por un sólo serovar; el 5,72%, por dos; el 4,24%, por tres y el 27,17%, por cuatro o más serovares. Los patrones de coaglutinación más frecuentes fueron icterohaemorrhagiae–grippotyphosa. La mayor seropositividad, se determinó en los machos, por ser este el mayor grupo muestreado en la población canina evaluada. Estos resultados sugieren que la población canina puede ser un posible reservorio de leptospirosis en la zona de estudio; es necesario ejecutar estudios que permitan el aislamiento y la tipificación de los serovares prevalentes en esta región. Leptospirosis is a problem with public health implications. In dogs the disease is not always diagnosed, despite its diffusion and the role that the canines have as reservoirs of pathogenic leptospires, becoming an important source of infections for humans and species of zootechnical interest. It is necessary to study the epidemiology of canine leptospirosis in order to design strategies for prevention and control. To determine the seroprevalence of Leptospira interrognas and the most frequent serovars, an advanced cross sectional epidemiological study was carried out. Samples of 70 dogs over four months in the rural community of Berástegui township, municipality of Ciénaga de Oro, Córdoba, were analyzed through MAT with 14 serovars. A serum was considered positive with 50% of agglutination at a dilution ≥ 1:100 Seroprevalence of leptospirosis in the dog population was 47.14% and the highest frequency was for serovar gryppotyphosa with 37.14%, followed by icterohaemorrhagiae and pomona with 34.29% and 25.71% respectively. Seroprevalence, discriminated by the number of serotypes, was found in 10.01% of the infections that occurred by a single serovar, 5.72% for two, 4.24% for three and 27.17% for four or more serovars. A most frequent coagglutination pattern was grippotyphosa-icterohaemorrhagiae. The highest seroprevalences was found in males since it was the largest group in the canine population tested. These results suggest that the canine population may be a possible reservoir of leptospirosis in the studied area. It is necessary to conduct studies that permit the isolation and characterization of the serovars prevalent in this region. Incluye referencias bibliográficas

Omphalitis problems are very common in cattle farms, but its origin is occasionally unknown. With this study it was sought to isolate and identify bacterial pathogens, omphalitis producers in calves. A cross sectional non-probabilistic study of no convenience was performed in calves affected by omphalitis, using 35 calves, aged between 3 to 90 days, randomly selected at ten live-stook farms in the municipality of Cereté-Córdoba (Colombia). The animals were evaluated by conducting a general clinical exam and detailed examination of the umbilicus, thus determining the production of inflammation at this organ and taking into account the absence or presence of fistula with drainage of purulent material. 48.57% of the calves observed showed omphalitis cannulae, while 51.42% did not present this problemwith cannulae. 100% of the animals studied had omphalitis. The most prevalent bacteria obtained from the samples were Staphylococcusaureus (22.5%), Escherichiacoli (22.5%), Staphylococcus sp. (15%), Klebsiella sp. (9.68%), Proteusvulgaris (9.68%), Pseudomonas spp. (6.46%), Proteusmirabilis (3.23%), Enterobacter sp. (3.23%), Chryseobacteriummeningosepticus (3.23%), Alcaligenes sp. (1.40%), Citrobacterkoseri (1.40%). It should be noted that 37% of the isolated bacteria were umbilical infections belonging to the group of total coliforms, which indicated the absence of a strict aseptic procedure in the management of neonatal umbilicus. Las onfalitis son problemas muy frecuentes en las explotaciones bovinas, razón por la cual, con el presente trabajo, se pretendió aislar e identificar agentes bacterianos productores de onfalitis en terneros. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, de tipo no probabilístico de conveniencia en terneros con onfalitis; se utilizaron 35 terneros con edades comprendidas entre 3 y 90 días de nacidos, escogidos en diez explotaciones ganaderas, del municipio de Cereté, Córdoba. Los animales fueron evaluados mediante la realización de un examen clínico general y examen detallado del ombligo, determinando así la presentación de inflamación, a este nivel, y teniendo en cuenta la ausencia o presencia de fístula, con secreción de material purulento. El 48,57% de los animales estudiados presentaron onfalitis fistulada y el 51,42%, onfalitis no fistulada. El 100% de los animales estudiados manifestaron onfalitis. Las bacterias con mayor prevalencia en las muestras analizadas fueron Staphylococcus aureus (22,5%), Escherichia coli (22,5%), Staphylococcus sp. (15%), Klebsiella sp. (9,68%), Proteus vulgaris (9,68%), Pseudomona sp. (6,46%), Proteus mirabilis (3,23%), Enterobacter sp. (3,23%), Chryseobacterium meningosepticus (3,23%), Alcaligenes sp. (1,40%), Citrobacter koseri (1.40%). Cabe destacar que el 37% de los agentes etiológicos aislados en la infecciones de ombligo pertenecen al grupo de los coliformes totales, lo que indica que no existe un riguroso procedimiento de asepsia en el manejo de ombligo del neonato. Incluye referencias bibliográficas

Salmonella is frequently involved in diarrhoeal disease throughout the world and is disseminated mainly by food, polluted waters or infected food-handlers. In Colombia, the serotypes of Salmonella and their distribution in food have not been characterized. Therefore, the objective was to establish the epidemiology of Salmonella in the Caribbean zone. Six hundred thirty-six samples were obtained in fast food outlets located in city squares or markets of Barranquilla (n=245), Montería (n=222), Sincelejo (n=87) and Cartagena (n=82). Salmonella was isolated by the conventional methods recommended by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Briefly, 25 g of each sample was inoculated in 225 ml of broth. Twenty-four hours later, a 1 ml aliquot was inoculated onto selective media for Salmonella. Suspicious colonies were identified by conventional biochemical tests and confirmed by conventional serology for Salmonella detection. Forty-seven Salmonella serotypes were isolated from meat (40%), sausage (25%), cheese (13%), pig (13%), chicken (4.2%) and egg 'arepas' (4.2%). The serologic characterization indicated the following serotypes: S. Anatum (26%), S. Newport (13%), S. Typhimurium (9%), S. Gaminara (9%) and S. Uganda (9%). No statistically significant Salmonella isolations among 4 socioeconomic categories were observed (p=0.05). However, differences were observed when rates were compared for Salmonella by food type for socioeconomic categories 1, 2 and 3 (p0.05), categories 2 and 3 did not show differences between them (p0.05).

E l p r imer bro te conf i rmado de E . co l i O157 verotoxigenico ocurrio en 1983. El mas grave de todos ocurrio en 1985 en una residencia de la tercera edad en Ontario (Canada) y en el se vieron afectados 55 de los 169 residentes y 18 de los 137 empleados del centro, murieron 19 personas (Bell 1994). Otro de los brotes afecto a un grupo de estudiantes canadienses que al visitar una granja consumieron leche fresca recien ordenada (Bell et al 1994). Entre 1986 y 1988 se realizo un estudio epidemiologico en ninos para definir el rasgo distintivo del SUH en pacientes en que E.coli O157:H7 fue aislado en materia fecal; en una poblacion de estudio de 226 ninos; 60 de ellos desarrollaron HUS en 1986; 86 en 1987 y 80 en 1988, la edad promedio de los ninos fue de 2.75 anos y el 72% fueron menores de 5 anos. El analisis mostro un alto estatus socio-economico entre los ninos con SUH como se ha observado tambien en Argentina. Se ha propuesto como hipotesis que los ninos con bajo estrato socio-economico puedan estar protegidos por una temprana exposicion a E.coli verotoxigenica y desarrollan inmunidad antes que se presenten efectos sistemicos de las verotoxinas.