Blastocystis is frequently reported in fecal samples from animals and humans worldwide, and a variety of subtypes (STs) have been observed in wild and domestic animals. In Colombia, few studies have focused on the transmission dynamics and epidemiological importance of Blastocystis in animals. In this study, we characterized the frequency and subtypes of Blastocystis in fecal samples of domestic animals including pigs, minipigs, cows, dogs, horses, goats, sheep, and llama from three departments of Colombia. Of the 118 fecal samples included in this study 81.4% (n = 96) were positive for Blastocystis using a PCR that amplifies a fragment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. PCR positive samples were sequenced by next generation amplicon sequencing (NGS) to determine subtypes. Eleven subtypes were detected, ten previously reported, ST5 (50.7%), ST10 (47.8%), ST25 (34.3%), ST26 (29.8%), ST21 (22.4%), ST23 (22.4%), ST1 (17.9%), ST14 (16.4%), ST24 (14.9%), ST3 (7.5%), and a novel subtype, named ST32 (3.0%). Mixed infection and/or intra -subtype variations were identified in most of the samples. Novel ST32 was observed in two samples from a goat and a cow. To support novel subtype designation, a MinION based sequencing strategy was used to generate the full-length of the SSU rRNA gene. Comparison of full-length nucleotide sequences with those from current valid subtypes supported the designation of ST32. This is the first study in Colombia using NGS to molecularly characterize subtypes of Blastocystis in farm animals. A great diversity of subtypes was observed in domestic animals including subtypes previously identified in humans. Additionally, subtype overlap between the different hosts examined in this study were observed. These findings highlight the presence of Blastocystis subtypes with zoonotic potential in farm animals indicating that farm animals could play a role in transmission to humans.

The ability to identify compositional changes in the intestinal microbiota of parasitized hosts is important for understanding the physiological processes that may affect animal productivity. Within the field of host–parasite interactions, many studies have suggested that helminths can influence the microbial composition of their hosts via their immunomodulatory effects. Bovine fascioliasis is a helminthiasis widely studied by immunologists, but with little information available regarding gut microbial communities. Thus, we aimed to describe the composition of the intestinal microbiota of Holstein Fasciola-positive and -negative cattle using parasitological methods and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Bovine fecal samples (n = 65) were obtained from livestock slaughter plants in the Cundi-Boyacense Colombian highlands (a hyperendemic region for bovine fascioliasis) and studied by amplicon-based next-generation 16S-rRNA and 18S-rRNA gene sequencing. From these samples, 35 were Fasciola hepatica-negative and, 30 were F. hepatica-positive in our detection analysis. Our results showed a reduction in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Ascomycota in the Fasciola-positive samples, along with decreased relative abundances of the commensal taxa previously associated with fermentation and digestion processes. However, metabolomic approaches and functional analyzes of the intestinal microbiota are necessary to support this hypothesis. These findings are a small first step in the development of research aimed at understanding how microbial populations in bovines are modulated in liver helminth infections.

Highlights There is a high distribution of BVDV in the evaluated área. Significant statistical association was found for breed, age, management practices. Age group > 4 years, Normande breed, PI3 and grazing lease were risk factors.

Parasitic diseases are considered to be one of the most prevalent pathologies worldwide. They are characterized as one of the most critical sanitary problems in cattle, causing a decrease in the productive capacity of parasitized animals, which translates into economic losses. Intestinal parasitism in cattle is caused by protozoa and helminths, and its manifestation is generally multi-etiological. Clinical signs in gastrointestinal parasitism may vary depending on parasite load, parasite species, and host immunity. This research aimed to determine the prevalence of the main parasitic families affecting cattle in the central province of the department of Boyacá. A cross-sectional study with simple random sampling was carried out, where 716 fecal samples were taken and processed using a modified Ritchie technique. An overall prevalence of 95,6% was determined, and the most prevalent families were Trichostrongylidae, Eimeriidae, Taeniidae, and Trichuridae. The age showed no significant statistical association with most of the parasitic families, except for the Strongyloididae family. The breeds showed a correlation with the Trichostrongylidae, Eimeriidae, Strongylidae, Chabertiidae, and Taeniidae families. The results show the high prevalence of GIP (gastrointestinal parasites) in cattle of the central province of the department of Boyacá.

La presente revisión tuvo como objetivo de identificar la importancia de la leptospirosis en la salud pública a través de un análisis de literatura en bases de datos a partir del año 2004 al 2019 para realizar un aporte teórico a este importante tema. Se dio a conocer las características de la bacteria Leptospira spp. y sus principales reservorios, la epidemiología y las prevalencias de la enfermedad, ubicaciones geográficas, las herramientas diagnósticas y el control y prevención de la leptospirosis. Se identificó cuantiosa información en cuanto a generalidades de leptospirosis y sobre el curso de la enfermedad, se denota la ausencia de información en varios sectores sociales para evitar su contagio, controlar la diseminación de la enfermedad, realizar diagnósticos tempranos y los pocos tratamientos para esta zoonosis.

Background and Aim: Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is an infectious disease widely distributed globally and is considered the main cause of various reproductive and respiratory tract diseases in cattle and buffaloes. This study aimed to estimate seroprevalence and determine risk factors associated with the presentation of IBR in the municipality of Sotaquirá, Boyacá (Colombia). Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with simple random sampling was performed, and the sample size was 1,000 cattle. Blood samples were obtained by coccygeal venipuncture and processed through indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the Synbiotics® kit (Zoetis, New Jersey, USA) with a sensitivity and specificity of 96% and 98%, respectively. Data were processed using the statistical program EpiInfo® (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta, Georgia). Results: A high seroprevalence of 57.5% was established. Seroprevalence was the highest in cattle >4 years of age (65.0% apparent seroprevalence [AS]; 67% true seroprevalence [TS]) and in the Holstein breed (65.5% AS; 67.8% TS). The breed and age of the animals were significantly associated with each other. The Holstein breed, age group >4 years, uncertified semen, and fetal death were established as risk factors for IBR. In comparison, the age groups of <1 and 1–2 years and the Normande breed were established as protective factors against the bovine herpesvirus-1 virus. Conclusion: Management factors, such as livestock from other owners and animal purchases, which affect disease presentation, are evident. The implementation and development of novel prevention and control measures for IBR at the national level are necessary.

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de distomatosis hepática en bovinos faenados en la planta de beneficio de Sogamoso (Boyacá, Colombia), y definir la técnica diagnóstica más efectiva para establecer la presencia del parásito. Se estableció un tamaño muestral de 343 individuos teniendo en cuenta la tasa de sacrificio mensual de la planta. Se tomaron muestras de heces, sangre y contenido biliar y se colectaron los parásitos adultos del ducto biliar. En el examen coproparasitológico se utilizó la técnica de Ritchie modificada, el contenido biliar fue analizado mediante sedimentación y para el diagnóstico serológico se implementó un ELISA in house estandarizado a partir de parásitos adultos de Fasciola hepatica. El 29.7% (102/343) de los individuos muestreados fueron positivos a la presencia de F. hepatica en por lo menos una de las técnicas empleadas. La evaluación post mortem presentó el valor más alto (19.8%; 68/343), seguido por el ELISA in house (13.7%; 47/343), detección de huevos en bilis (117%; 40/343) y la técnica coprológica (7.3%; 25/343).

La diarrea viral bovina (DVB) es una patología infecciosa generada por un pestivirus de distribución mundial, causante de problemas reproductivos y pérdidas económicas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue establecer la positividad al virus de diarrea viral bovina (vDVB) en vacas del municipio de Tuta (Boyacá, Colombia), y analizar los grupos etarios, raciales y las variables reproductivas y de manejo como posibles factores de riesgo. Se tomaron 374 muestras de sangre, a las cuales se les realizó la prueba ELISA indirecta, implementando el kit Serelisa® BVD p80 Ab Mono Blocking; los datos se procesaron con EpiInfo®. Se encontró una seroprevalencia del 41,7 %. Los cruces raciales y los bovinos >4 años presentaron la seroprevalencia más alta. Los animales >4 años (p= 0,0000001922) presentaron asociación estadística con la presencia de la enfermedad, y se consideró factor de riesgo para vDVB. Se deben establecer programas de control y prevención que dificulten su diseminación en la zona.