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Objetivo: Describir características microbiológicas de las infecciones en pacientes pediátricos con cáncer en un centro de referencia del Eje Cafetero Colombiano 2014 – 2016. Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, corte transversal de pacientes oncológicos menores de 18 años hospitalizados en una institución de referencia en Colombia; los cuales hayan presentado una infección y se les haya realizado un cultivo con antibiograma. La ficha de recolección validada por expertos es reportada a través de WHONET 5.6. Análisis estadísticos descriptivos fueron realizados con STATA 14.2, versión oficial. Resultados. 2691 cultivos de 596 pacientes fueron incluidos. 53,86% correspondió a sexo masculino, la edad media fue de 8,86 años. El 76,89% de los cultivos se realizaron en el área de hospitalización. El 74,36% de los cultivos fueron de sangre, con un 22,04% de reportes positivos. La segunda muestra con mayor número de cultivos fue orina con 16,16%, con 25,75% de cultivos positivos. El mayor porcentaje de cultivos positivos fue para heces y biopsias con 71,21% y 53,13%, respectivamente. Se presentó una tasa de positividad global del 25.75%. Los tres principales microorganismos aislados fueron Gram negativos. Los microorganismos de mayor aislamiento fueron K. pneumoniae (24,4%), E. coli (21,06%) y P. aeruginosa (17,46%). Conclusión. Se presenta un patrón de infecciones similar al reportado en adultos, siendo los Gram negativos los más comunes. Recomendamos establecer políticas de dispensación de antibióticos y mejorar la vigilancia epidemiológica., Objective: To describe microbiological characteristics of infections in pediatric patients with cancer in a reference center of the Colombian coffee region, 2014-2016. Materials and methods. Cross-sectional, descriptive study including underaged oncological inpatients managed in a reference institution in Colombia; who have been dated an infection with a subsequent antibiogram done. The collection sheet validated by experts is reported through WHONET 5.6. Descriptive statistical analyzes were performed with STATA 14.2, official version. Results. 2691 cultures from 596 patients were included. 53.86% were male, the mean age was 8.86 years. 76.89% of the cultures were performed in the hospitalization area. 74.36% of the cultures were blood, with 22.04% positive reports. The second sample with the highest number of cultures was urine with 16.16%, with 25.75% positive cultures. The highest percentage of positive cultures was for feces and biopsies with 71.21% and 53.13%, respectively. An overall positivity rate of 25.75% was presented. The three main microorganisms isolated were Gram negative. The most isolated microorganisms were K. pneumoniae (24.4%), E. coli (21.06%) and P. aeruginosa (17.46%). Conclusion. Infection pattern similar to the one reported in adults, being the Gram-negatives the most prevalent agents. We recommend establishing antibiotic dispensing policies thus achieving microbiological risk control and improving epidemiological surveillance.

Population densities of invasive species fluctuate spatially and temporally, suggesting that the intensity of their aggressive interactions with native species is similarly variable. Although inter-specific aggression is often thought to increase with population density, it is often theorized that it should be exceeded by intra-specific aggression since conspecifics share a greater degree of resource overlap. Yet, the magnitude of intra-specific aggression is seldom considered when examining aggressive interactions, particularly those between invasive and native species. Here, we manipulated the density of the invasive eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki, and observed its aggressive interactions with juveniles of the native Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata in a laboratory setting. For both species, the magnitudes of intra- and inter-specific aggression were recorded. Regardless of density, the native M. novemaculeata was more aggressive towards heterospecifics than G. holbrooki was. In addition to this, M. novemaculeata was more aggressive to G. holbrooki than towards conspecifics, at both low- and high-density conditions. In contrast, G. holbrooki was similarly aggressive towards M. novemaculeata and G. holbrooki at a high density, yet at low density, displayed significantly more aggression towards conspecifics than M. novemaculeata. These findings demonstrate the importance of considering intra-specific aggression when exploring behavioural interactions between native and invasive species.

Invasive species are known to competitively displace native species via direct behavioural interactions, or contests, which can result in limited access to valuable resources such as food or shelter for the native. Here, we aimed to determine the dynamics and outcome of agonistic contests between the critically endangered Fitzroy Falls Spiny Crayfish (Euastacus dharawalus) and the invasive yabby (Cherax destructor) in a controlled laboratory setting. Although C. destructor has been listed as a key threatening process for E. dharawalus, the magnitude and nature of its impact have not been formerly assessed. We recorded the frequency and intensity of aggressive interactions between the species, as well as the winner of the contest and subsequent dominance during staged encounters. In addition to this, we recorded the time individuals spent consuming food and actively moving on the substratum. Contrary to our predictions, the frequency of aggressive behaviours performed by the two species did not significantly differ, but E. dharawalus engaged in more intensely aggressive behaviours and was less submissive than C. destructor. As a result, E. dharawalus won significantly more contests than its invasive rival and subsequently achieved a higher dominance score overall. Despite this result, C. destructor spent significantly more time consuming food than did E. dharawalus. These results suggest that dominance in agonistic contests did not translate into dominance over food resources in our study. Ultimately, reduced access to food, combined with the costs of agonistic contests including injury and the relatively low reproductive rates of E. dharawalus indicate that C. destructor may have a negative effect on the survival and persistence of the critically endangered E. dharawalus.