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Ticks are vectors of a wide variety of pathogens that are implicated in mild to severe disease in humans and other animals. Nonetheless, the full range of tick-borne pathogens is unknown. Viruses, in particular, have been neglected in discovery efforts targeting tick-borne agents. High throughput sequencing was used to characterize the virome of 638 ticks, including Rhipicephalus microplus (n = 320), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n = 300), and Amblyomma ovale (n = 18) collected throughout Trinidad and Tobago in 2017 and 2018. Sequences representing nine viruses were identified, including five novel species within Tymovirales , Bunyavirales , Chuviridae , Rhabdoviridae , and Flaviviridae . Thereafter the frequency of detection of viral sequences in individual tick species was investigated.

Two canine haemoplasma species have been recognised to date; Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc), which has been associated with anaemia in splenectomised or immunocompromised dogs, and “Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum” (CMhp), recently described in an anaemic splenectomised dog undergoing chemotherapy. The study aim was to develop quantitative real-time PCR assays (qPCRs) incorporating an endogenous internal control to detect Mhc and CMhp and to apply these assays to DNA samples extracted from canine blood collected in Northern Tanzania (n = 100) and from dogs presented to a Trinidadian veterinary hospital (n = 185).QPCRs specific for Mhc and CMhp were designed using 16S rRNA gene sequence data, and each was duplexed with an assay specific for canine glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). The assays detected ≤10 copies of a sequence-specific haemoplasma plasmid per reaction and neither assay showed cross-reactivity with 106 copies of the sequence-specific plasmid from the non-target canine haemoplasma species.Nineteen of the 100 Tanzanian samples (19%) were positive for Mhc alone and one (1%) was dually infected. One Trinidadian sample was negative for canine GAPDH DNA and was excluded from the study. Of the 184 remaining Trinidadian samples, nine (4.9%) were positive for Mhc alone, five (2.7%) for CMhp alone, and two (1.1%) dually infected.This is the first report of canine haemoplasma qPCR assays that use an internal control to confirm the presence of amplifiable sample DNA, and their application to prevalence studies. Mhc was the most commonly detected canine haemoplasma species.

A survey of the microbial quality of table eggs sold in Trinidad was conducted. For 23 poultry layer farms each visited twice approximately 1 month apart, 25 pooled eggs constituted a composite sample, for 14 shopping malls each visited twice approximately 1 month apart, six pooled eggs made a composite sample and for a total of 102 other retailers across the country each visited once over a 4-month period, six pooled eggs constituted a composite sample. Swabs of egg shells and egg content were tested for selected bacteria. Twenty-four (13.0%), 68 (37.0%), and two (1.1%) of a total of 184 composite eggs (shells, egg content or both) sampled were positive for Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter respectively. All 184 samples tested were negative for Listeria spp. Salmonella was recovered from seven (3.8%) egg shell samples only compared with 14 (7.6%) egg content samples only positive for the pathogen. Fifty-two (28.3%) egg shell samples and seven (3.8%) egg content samples were positive for E. coli. Both isolates of Campylobacter coli originated from egg contents. Of a total of 24 composite egg samples positive for Salmonella, eight different serotypes of Salmonella were isolated from a total of 24 Salmonella-positive composite eggs of which S. Enteritidis was the most prevalent, 58.3% (14/24). Salmonella Georgia was isolated for the first time in Trinidad. Failure to properly handle or heat table eggs sold in Trinidad poses a potential health hazard to consumers because of their poor microbial quality.

Background: Ethnomedicines are used by hunters for themselves and their hunting dogs in Trinidad. Plants are used for snakebites, scorpion stings, for injuries and mange of dogs and to facilitate hunting success.

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BackgroundThis cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and their serotypes on dressed chicken sold at retail outlets in Trinidad. The study also investigated the risk factors for contamination of dressed carcasses by Salmonella spp. at cottage poultry processor outlets where chickens are slaughtered and processed for sale.MethodsA total of 133 dressed, whole chickens and 87 chicken parts from 44 cottage poultry processors and 36 dressed, whole chickens and 194 chicken parts from 46 supermarket outlets were randomly collected throughout the country. Isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. were performed using standard bacteriological techniques. Serotyping was performed by a regional reference laboratory.ResultsThe prevalence of Salmonella spp. in chicken carcasses sampled from cottage poultry processors and supermarkets was 20.5% and 8.3% respectively (p <0.001). The frequency of isolation of Salmonella spp. at cottage poultry processors was 22.4%, 23.0%, 7.1%, and 10.0% for non-chilled whole chicken, non-chilled chicken parts, chilled whole chicken and chilled chicken parts respectively. Fresh, non-chilled chicken (22.6%) yielded a higher frequency of isolation of Salmonella spp. than chilled chickens (8.3%). For supermarket samples, the frequency of isolation of Salmonella spp. was 19.0%, 8.1%, 0.0% and 7.6% for chilled whole chickens, chill chicken parts, frozen whole chicken and frozen chicken parts respectively. The swab method of sampling yielded a statistically significantly (p = 0.029) higher frequency (3.2%) of Salmonella spp. than the rinse method (1.6%). The predominant serotypes isolated were Kentucky (30.9%) and Javiana (22.7%). Use of chilled water-bath to cool carcasses was the only risk factor significantly (p = 0.044) associated with isolation of Salmonella spp.ConclusionRaw chicken carcasses purchased from cottage poultry processors pose a significantly higher risk of contamination with Salmonella spp. than those sold at supermarkets.

This paper investigates the commonalities in ethnoveterinary medicine used for horses between Trinidad (West Indies) and British Columbia (Canada). These research areas are part of a common market in pharmaceuticals and are both involved in the North American racing circuit. There has been very little research conducted on medicinal plants used for horses although their use is widespread. The data on ethnoveterinary medicines used for horses was obtained through key informant interviews with horse owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, grooms and animal care specialists in two research areas: Trinidad and British Columbia (BC). A participatory validation workshop was held in BC. An extensive literature review and botanical identification of the plants was also done. In all, 20 plants were found to be used in treating racehorses in Trinidad and 97 in BC. Of these the most-evidently effective plants 19 of the plants used in Trinidad and 66 of those used in BC are described and evaluated in this paper. Aloe vera, Curcuma longa and Ricinus communis are used in both research areas. More research is needed in Trinidad to identify plants that respondents claimed were used in the past. Far more studies have been conducted on the temperate and Chinese medicinal plants used in BC and therefore these ethnoveterinary remedies reflect stronger evidence of efficacy.