Las siguientes son publicaciones realizadas por los investigadores de la Universidad de La Salle en Salud y Bienestar Animal.
A Survey on One Health Approach in Colombia and Some Latin American Countries: From a Fragmented Health Organization to an Integrated Health Response to Global Challenges
The One Health (OH) approach has been recognized by world health authorities such as FAO/OIE/WHO, advocating for effective, multi-sectoral, and transdisciplinary collaboration. However, there is a lack of published evidence of the awareness of the OH concept in Colombia and other countries in the Latin American Region. In order to explore existing collaboration amongst the animal health, human-public health, environmental health sectors, and to describe the perception, knowledge, and barriers on OH in Colombia and other countries of Latin America, an online questionnaire-based survey was distributed among key professionals representing the three OH pillars (August 2018-August 2020). Overall, 76 key respondents from 13 countries (Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala, Nicaragua Uruguay, and Venezuela) completed the questionnaire. Respondents worked in institutions of animal (59%), public (20%), human (7%), and environmental health (7%); they mainly belonged to higher academic institutions (59%), followed by ministries (11%), and research organizations (9%). Most participants (92%) were familiar with the OH term and 68% were aware of the formal cooperation among sectors in their countries, mostly on zoonoses; in 46% of the cases, such connections were established in the last 5 years. The main reported limiting factors to intersectorality were the lack of commitment of policy-makers, resources, and budget for OH (38%) and the siloed approach of sectors and disciplines (34%). Respondents ranked a median score of 3.0 (1-5 scoring) in how good OH activities are implemented in their countries, and a median score of 2.0 in the citizen awareness on OH as regards their countries. The most important OH issues were identified in vector-borne diseases, rabies, wrong and/or improper use of antimicrobials, emerging viral diseases, food-borne diseases, neglected parasitic diseases, deforestation, and ecosystem fragmentation. Although there is a high-perceived importance on conjoint cooperation, OH implementation, and operationalization remain weak, and the environmental component is not well-integrated. We consider that integration and implementation of the OH Approach can support countries to improve their health policies and health governance as well as to advocate the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of the Region.
From the Approach to the Concept: One Health in Latin America-Experiences and Perspectives in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia
Professionals throughout the world have been working to assess the interdisciplinary interaction and interdependence between health and wellbeing in a constantly changing environment. The One Health concept was developed to encourage sustainable collaborative partnerships and to promote optimal health for people, animals, plants, the environment, and the whole planet. The dissemination of scientific discoveries and policies, by working directly with diverse communities, has been one of the main goals for Global One Health. The One Health concept has also been referred or related to as One Medicine, One Medicine-One Health, One World-One Health, EcoHealth, and Planetary Health, depending on each fundamental view and approach. In Latin America, despite the concept still being discussed among health professionals and educators, several One Health initiatives have been used daily for more than decades. One Health action has been applied especially in rural and underserved urban areas where low socioeconomic status, lack of health professionals, and scarcity of medical resources may require professionals to work together. Local communities from diverse social and economic statuses, including indigenous populations have been working with institutions and social organizations for many years, accomplishing results through grassroots movements. These bottom-up socio-community approaches have also been tools for the prevention and control of diseases, such practice has preceded the One Health concepts in Latin American countries. It is strongly believed that collaborative, multidisciplinary, political, and economic initiatives with prosocial focus may become investments toward obtaining significant results in the face of global, economic and health challenges; working for a healthier world with inclusivity, equity, and equality. In this study, it is briefly presented how the One Health approach has been initiated and developed in Latin America, highlighting the events and actions taken in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia.
Abandonment of dogs in Latin America: Strategies and ideas
In this article, we gathered information from postgraduate theses and scientific articles published in several databases using inclusion criteria that had been made in Latin America, in countries with similar economic conditions, and also in the USA to present a point of comparison. The objective of this review is to broaden the readers' understanding of the causes of the increasing numbers of stray dogs and the reasons why people abandon pets in the streets, specifically in Latin America. It also discusses adoption and responsible ownership, identifies what failed in promoting positive human-dog interaction, and suggests strategies to address this problem. It concludes that adoption alone is not an effective solution but that it is necessary to offer education and awareness programs for owners, organize sterilization campaigns, and develop and apply - with the corresponding authorities - measures to ensure animal welfare that will provide benefits for society and improve animal quality of life. The role of veterinarians is fundamental in education and in disseminating the necessary information to orient people before they acquire a pet and prevent animal abandonment to resolve this problem.
Spatial Distribution and Chemical Composition of Road Dust in Two High-Altitude Latin American Cities
Road dust (RD) resuspension is one of the main sources of particulate matter in cities with adverse impacts on air quality, health, and climate. Studies on the variability of the deposited PM10 fraction of RD (RD10) have been limited in Latin America, whereby our understanding of the central factors that control this pollutant remains incomplete. In this study, forty-one RD10 samples were collected in two Andean cities (Bogota and Manizales) and analyzed for ions, minerals, and trace elements. RD10 levels varied between 1.8-45.7 mg/m(2), with an average of 11.8 mg/m(2), in Bogota and between 0.8-26.7 mg/m(2), with an average of 5.7 mg/m(2), in Manizales. Minerals were the most abundant species in both cities, with a fraction significantly larger in Manizales (38%) than Bogota (9%). The difference could be explained mainly by the complex topography and the composition of soil derived from volcanic ash in Manizales. The volcanic activity was also associated with SO4-2 and Cl-. Enrichment factors and principal component analysis were conducted to explore potential factors associated to sources of RD10. Elements such as Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, V, Sb, and Mo were mainly associated with exhaust and non-exhaust traffic emissions.
Minireview: Epidemiological impact of arboviral diseases in Latin American countries, arbovirus-vector interactions and control strategies
Mosquitoes are the most crucial insects in public health due to their vector capacity and competence to transmit pathogens, including arboviruses, bacterias and parasites. Re-emerging and emerging arboviral diseases, such as yellow fever virus (YFV), dengue virus (DENV), zika virus (ZIKV), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV), constitute one of the most critical health public concerns in Latin America. These diseases present a significant incidence within the human settlements increasing morbidity and mortality events. Likewise, among the different genus of mosquito vectors of arboviruses, those of the most significant medical importance corresponds to Aedes and Culex. In Latin America, the mosquito vector species of YFV, DENV, ZIKV, and CHIKV are mainly Aedes aegypti and Ae. Albopictus. Ae. aegypti is recognized as the primary vector in urban environments, whereas Ae. albopictus, recently introduced in the Americas, is more prone to rural settings. This minireview focuses on what is known about the epidemiological impact of mosquito-borne diseases in Latin American countries, with particular emphasis on YFV, DENV, ZIKV and CHIKV, vector mosquitoes, geographic distribution, and vector-arbovirus interactions. Besides, it was analyzed how climate change and social factors have influenced the spread of arboviruses and the control strategies developed against mosquitoes in this continent.
The Urban Water Cycle as a Planning Tool to Monitor SARS-CoV-2: A Review of the Literature
COVID-19 is a terrible virus that has impacted human health and the economy on a global scale. The detection and control of the pandemic have become necessities that require appropriate monitoring strategies. One of these strategies involves measuring and quantifying the virus in water at different stages of the Urban Water Cycle (UWC). This article presents a comprehensive literature review of the analyses and quantifications of SARS-CoV-2 in multiple UWC components from 2020 to June 2021. More than 140 studies worldwide with a focus on industrialized nations were identified, mainly in the USA, Australia, and Asia and the European Union. Wastewater treatment plants were the focus of most of these studies, followed by city sewerage systems and hospital effluents. The fewest studies examined the presence of this virus in bodies of water. Most of the studies were conducted for epidemiological purposes. However, a few focused on viral load and its removal using various treatment strategies or modelling and developing strategies to control the disease. Others compared methodologies for determining if SARS-CoV-2 was present or included risk assessments. This is the first study to emphasize the importance of the various individual components of the UWC and their potential impacts on viral transmission from the source to the public.
The in-utero experience of piglets born from sows with lameness shapes their life trajectory
Experiences during gestation can alter the mother's behavior and physiology, thereby potentially affecting the behavioral and physiological development of the offspring. In livestock, one common challenge for pregnant animals is lameness: a multifactorial condition that causes pain, stress, resulting in poor welfare outcomes. Since maternal pain can affect offspring development, we aimed to quantify the behavioral response in 142 piglets born from sows with different degrees of lameness during pregnancy. Gait scores of 22 pregnant group-housed sows were assessed six times at 2-week intervals. Lameness scores varied from 0 (no lameness) to 5 (most severe lameness score). Saliva samples and behavior were assessed in the sows throughout pregnancy. Sows were moved to individual farrowing pens and placental tissue was collected for glucocorticoid assessment. At 28 days of age, piglets were weaned, weighed, and regrouped by body size and sex. Skin lesions were counted for each piglet on days 28, 29, and 30 after birth. During open field and novel object tests on day 30, the vocalization and activity levels were evaluated. Piglet data were grouped by the lameness score of the sows as G1 (without lameness), G2 (moderate lameness), and G3 (severe lameness). Data analysis included ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests and pairwise comparisons which were performed using Tukey and Kramer (Nemenyi) test with Tukey-Dist approximation for independent samples. G2 piglets were heavier than G3 at weaning. G1 piglets had fewer skin lesions at days 28 and 29 than G2 piglets. Moreover, G1 piglets vocalized more than G2 when they were subjected to the combined open field and novel object test. We did not identify differences among sows showing different lameness scores in the concentration of placental or salivary glucocorticoids. Lameness in pregnant sows altered the offspring's weight gain, number of skin lesions and vocalizations, together showing evidence that lameness in sows affect offspring performance and behavior.
The eye: An organ that must not be forgotten in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) pandemic
The coronavirus family is a group of zoonotic viruses with some recognized reservoirs particularly some bats. A novel coronavirus emerged in the province of Wuhan (China) in December of 2019.The number of infected patient with serious respiratory infection quickly spread around the world to become a global pandemic. The clinical presentation and viral pathogenesis of the coronavirus disease named COVID-19 indicated that the virus is transmitted from person to person through infected droplets entering the respiratory mucosa. Close contact with infected individuals particularly in crowded environments has characterized the rapid spread of the infection. Clinical manifestations of the viral infection have mentioned the presence of some ocular findings such as conjunctival congestion, conjunctivitis and even corneal injury associated with the classical COVID-19 infection. Some animal models of different coronaviruses eye infections have described the viral pathogenesis through tear and conjunctival sampling. On the other hand, we are recommended protective measure to prevent contagion and limit the spread of the virus in health care professionals and contact lenses wearers. (c) 2020 Spanish General Council of Optometry. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Determination of Positional Parameters of the Distal Phalanx Within the Hoof Capsule in Sound Colombian Paso Horses
The economic relevance, populational importance and expansion of the Colombian Paso Horse to other latitudes calls for a growth in studies based on this type of horse. Lack of written reports about the relationship of the distal phalanx (DP) within the hoof in this gaited horse makes it important to establish a baseline to determine hoof health and possible alterations. The purpose of this study was to report, for the first time, the positional parameters of the distal phalanx, and its relationship within the hoof in sound Colombian Paso Horses. A latero-medial radiographic image of each digit was taken in 45 horses between 3 and 5 years old, distributed into groups according to the gaits determined by FEDEQUINAS. Three angles and three distances were measured. The dorsal wall thickness (W-T) was measured proximally and distally, and the sole depth (P-S) was measured dorsally and palmarly/plantarly. As expected, these distances showed moderate to strong positive correlations in front (W-Tp/W-Td r = 0.53; P-Sd/P-Sp r = 0.72) and hind feet (W-Tp/W-Td r = 0.61; P-Sd/P-Sp r = 0.71). The palmar/plantar angle of the distal phalanx (PA) and sole depth (P-S) showed that the distal phalanx of the hind feet is flatter compared to the front. The results of this study show differences in the positional parameters of distal phalanx compared to other breeds of horses and provides information for veterinarians and farriers working with Colombian Paso Horses. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Identification of Leptospira spp. in the animal-environment interface (swine-water) in pig production cycle
Introduction Leptospirosis, caused by Leptospira spp., is a zoonosis with multiple hosts and reservoirs. Thus, the One Health approach must be addressed in order to guide prevention and control measures regarding this microorganism. There are few studies involving all stages of the pig production cycle and potential sources of infection such as water sources, which could represent a risk for local rural communities. Objective To identify Leptospira spp. in the animal-environment interface (swine-water) in the pig production cycle. Materials and methods The study was conducted in a swine farm in Puerto Lopez in the department of Meta, Colombia. Swine blood samples (n = 65) were collected for microscopic agglutination test (MAT), while urine and water samples (n = 80) were tested for Leptospira using bacterial isolation, serotyping of the isolates, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results A total of 58 (89.2%) porcine sera were positive for at least one Leptospira serogroup, with Grippotyphosa as the most frequent serogroup. Leptospira spp. were isolated in 25% (20/80) of the urine and water samples. Leptospira-positive cultures were 100% (20/20) identified within the genus Leptospira (rrl gene) and 50% (10/20) corresponded to pathogenic species (lipL32 gene) by PCR, and 45% (9/20) were positive to at least one antiserum. None of the direct urine and water samples was positive by PCR. Conclusion It is suggested that the bacteria might be transmitted in the animal-environment interface in the pig production cycle.
Reporte de caso: Estesioneuroblastoma en un equino
Esthesioneuroblastoma or olfactory neuroblastoma is a malignant tumor and is derived from the olfactory neuroepithelium, rare in domestic species and particularly in equines. The present report corresponds to a 13-year-old equine patient who presented chronic respiratory disease with two years of evolution and in which period developed unilateral proptosis. At necropsy, an intracranial mass of soft consistency was found, partially delimited in the aboral region within the left nasal cavity, which extended, partially compromising the bones, presphenoids, ethmoids and membranous structures in the ethmoidal and orbital region, causing the partial protrusion of the eyeball and face compression of the left cerebral hemisphere, secondary lesions in the maxillary tuberosity, pterygopalatine fossa and guttural pouch. The microscopic findings corresponded to a neoplastic process of neuroendocrine origin, whose cells are arranged in supported nests and separated by a fine fibrovascular stroma. The neoplastic process was confirmed by immunohistochemical (IHC) and histochemical (HQ) methods, where the tumor cells were positively marked by antibodies against synaptophysin, S-100 protein antigen, neurospecific enolase (NSE) and chromogranin A. Stained Grimelius argyrophilargentaphin cells were identified. Based on the macroscopic and microscopic findings and the use of IHQ and HQ, the presence of esthesioneuroblastoma was established.
Distribution modeling ofAmblyomma rotundatumandAmblyomma dissimilein Brazil: estimates of environmental suitability
The number of reports of tick parasitism in amphibians and reptiles has increased over the past few years, including new host and location records forAmblyomma rotundatumandAmblyomma dissimile. However, knowledge of the geographical distribution remains incomplete, and in many regions of Brazil, the presence of these vectors has not been investigated. Several candidate models were built using a correlative maximum entropy approach, and best-fitting models were selected based on statistical significance, predictive ability, and complexity based on current climatic trends and future projected climate changes. Final models showed a good ability to discriminateA. rotundatumandA. dissimilecurrent and future potential distributions. The entire country had higher predicted suitability forA. rotundatumwhileA. dissimilewas mainly restricted to the Amazon and Pantanal biomes.A. rotundatumis a species with enormous potential for dissemination in the next decades, potentially through the legal and illegal transport of reptiles and amphibians. The proposed model is useful for targeting surveillance efforts increasing the efficiency and accuracy of future ecological research and tick management efforts.