Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterium worldwide and the causative agent of trachoma. Its strains are classified according to their ompA genotypes, which are strongly linked to differential tissue tropism and disease outcomes [ocular disease, urogenital disease and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)]. While the genome-based species phylogenetic tree presents four main clades correlating with tropism/prevalence, namely ocular, LGV, urogenital T1 (more prevalent genotypes) and urogenital T2 (less prevalent genotypes), inter-clade exchange of ompA is considered a rare phenomenon probably mediating marked tropism alterations. An LGV epidemic, associated with the clonal expansion of the L2b genotype, has emerged in the last few decades, raising concerns particularly due to its atypical clinical presentation (ulcerative proctitis) and circulation among men who have sex with men (MSM). Here, we report an LGV outbreak, mostly affecting human immunodeficiency virus-positive MSM engaging in high-risk sexual practices, caused by an L2b strain with a rather unique non-LGV ompA signature that precluded the laboratory notification of this outbreak as LGV. C. trachomatis whole-genome capture and sequencing directly from clinical samples was applied to deeply characterize the genomic backbone of this novel LGV outbreak-causing clone. It revealed a chimeric genome structure due to the genetic transfer of ompA and four neighbouring genes from a serovar D/Da strain, likely possessing the genomic backbone associated with the more prevalent urogenital genotypes (T1 clade), to an LGV (L2b) strain. The hybrid L2b/D-Da strain presents the adhesin and immunodominant antigen MOMP (major outer membrane protein) (encoded by ompA) with an epitope repertoire typical of non-invasive genital strains, while keeping the genome-dispersed virulence fingerprint of a classical LGV strain. As previously reported for inter-clade ompA exchange among non-LGV clades, this novel C. trachomatis genomic mosaic involving a contemporary epidemiologically and clinically relevant LGV strain may have implications on its transmission, tissue tropism and pathogenic capabilities. The emergence of variants with epidemic and pathogenic potential highlights the need for more focused surveillance strategies to capture C. trachomatis evolution in action.

Chlamydia trachomatisis the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacteria worldwide and the causative agent of blinding trachoma. Strains are classified based onompAgenotypes, which are strongly linked with differential tissue tropism and disease outcomes. A lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) epidemics, characterized by ulcerative proctitis, has emerged in the last two decades (mainly L2b genotype), raising high concern especially due to its circulation among men who have sex with men (MSM). Here, we report an ongoing outbreak (mostly affecting HIV-positive MSM engaging in high-risk practices) caused by an L2b strain with a rather unique genome makeup that precluded the laboratory notification of this outbreak as LGV due to its non-LGVompAsignature. Homologous recombination mediated the transfer of a ~4.5Kbp fragment enrollingCT681/ompAand neighboring genes (CT677/rrf, CT678/pyrH, CT679/tsf, CT680/rpsB) from a serovar D/Da strain likely possessing the typical T1 clade genome backbone associated with most prevalent genotypes (E and F). The hybrid L2b/D-Da strain presents the adhesin and immunodominant antigen MOMP (coded byompA) with an epitope repertoire typical of non-invasive genital strains, while keeping the genome-dispersed virulence fingerprint of a classical LGV (L2b) strain. As previously reported for inter-cladeompAexchange among non-LGV clades, this unprecedentedC. trachomatisgenomic mosaic involving a contemporary epidemiologically and clinically relevant LGV strain may have implications on its transmission, tissue tropism and pathogenic capabilities. The emergence of such variants with epidemic and pathogenic potential highlights the need of more oriented surveillance strategies focused on capturing the C.trachomatisevolution in action.

Agua y Saneamientos Argentinos S.A. (AySA) delivers essential services as drinking water production and wastewater treatment for more than 14.5 million inhabitants of Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA), Argentina, and collects residual liquids of 8.5 million through 16,178 km network. Since the very moment the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic, AySA developed a methodology to determine SARS-CoV-2 viral genetic load in untreated wastewater as an epidemiological surveillance tool, based on international experiences. In order to monitor viral load in the representative areas of the sewage collection system, more than 1500 samples where concentrated, by using an adapted ultracentrifugation method followed by RNA extraction and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), to measure the target Orf1ab gene of SARS-CoV-2 in our molecular microbiology laboratory.This research was developed for a period that lasted from January 01 to June 02, 2021, in order to anticipate to the current second wave. The results achieved have demonstrated that changes in SARS-CoV-2 RNA are satisfactorily related to local epidemiological data for COVID-19. The association of variables is statistically significant when analyzing data from four large wastewater treatment plants, (R2 > 0.5 and p-value < 0.05), obtaining significant correlations between log10 viral genomic load and log10 positive cases reported one and two weeks later after samples were analyzed.From the results obtained, it is concluded that the virus sewage system levels were a good predictor of clinical cases to be diagnosed in the immediate future and it is feasible to use this methodology, at local level, as an additional tool for decision-making in public health strategy.Highlights⍰Development of an integrated molecular sampling, analysis and detection system that can alert about the circulation of SARS-CoV-2.⍰Early warning of infected population.⍰First laboratory in a public water company to develop a monitoring method in Argentina.⍰Use of poly aluminum chloride (PAC) as a coagulant in the viral concentration stage.

De un estudio integral de la normativa de prevención de riesgos laborales, pue­de colegirse que, cuando los trabajadores se enfrentan a riesgos en el trabajo, generalmente por un incumplimiento empresarial, se encuentran no solo ante el derecho sino también ante el deber de protegerse. Las implicaciones jurídicas que esta posición, también deudora, conlleva deben ser analizadas con detalle, e integrando la labor tuitiva del Derecho del Trabajo con la protección eficaz de los trabajadores en materia de seguridad y salud laboral.

En el último año, la tormenta normativa en la que nos hemos sumido ha contribuido, entre otros logros, a una mayor ¿y mejor? codificación de los derechos a la igualdad de trato y no discriminación, a través de diversas regulaciones. Con mayor o menor acierto técnico-jurídico, lo evidente es que han alcanzado una significancia a la que no ha sido ajena el ordenamiento laboral. Reflexionamos aquí sobre las novedades más destacadas recogidas en estas normas en la medida en que han terminado afectando a nuestra disciplina.