The presence of avian pox in endemic birds in the Galápagos Islands has led to concern that the health of these birds may be threatened by avipoxvirus introduction by domestic birds. We describe here a simple polymerase chain reaction-based method for identification and discrimination of avipoxvirus strains similar to the fowlpox or canarypox viruses. This method, in conjunction with DNA sequencing of two polymerase chain reaction-amplified loci totaling about 800 bp, was used to identify two avipoxvirus strains, Gal1 and Gal2, in pox lesions from yellow warblers (Dendroica petechia), finches (Geospiza spp.), and Galápagos mockingbirds (Nesomimus parvulus) from the inhabited islands of Santa Cruz and Isabela. Both strains were found in all three passerine taxa, and sequences from both strains were less than 5% different from each other and from canarypox virus. In contrast, chickens in Galápagos were infected with a virus that appears to be identical in sequence to the characterized fowlpox virus and about 30% different from the canarypox/Galápagos group viruses in the regions sequenced. These results indicate the presence of canarypox-like viruses in endemic passerine birds that are distinct from the fowlpox virus infecting chickens on Galápagos. Alignment of the sequence of a 5.9-kb region of the genome revealed that sequence identities among Gal1, Gal2, and canarypox viruses were clustered in discrete regions. This indicates that recombination between poxvirus strains in combination with mutation led to the canarypox-like viruses that are now prevalent in the Galápagos.

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Bovine leptospirosis is a highly prevalent infection worldwide causing serious losses in cattle production and serving as a source for human infection. Diagnosis and assessment of prevalence of this infection in bovine herds is difficult due to limitations of current procedures. The present report describes the adaptation of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol for detection of leptospiral DNA in bovine urine. The amplification products corresponded to a segment of the Leptospira 16S rRNA gene detected using two sets of primers (A/B and C/D). A total of 547 urine samples from Bos taurus (n=327) and Bos indicus (n=220) were collected from animals in Andean and Coastal regions of Ecuador, either by furosemide-induced urination or from bladders at the slaughterhouse. The results of this research showed a PCR positivity of 13.52% using primers A/B. Bos taurus samples obtained by urination and those obtained from bladder showed a significant difference in PCR positivity (P= 0.036). Differentiation of Leptospira species was preformed by DNA sequencing of the amplified products. Three amplicons showed 90 and 98% sequence identity with L. borgpetersenii and 98% identity with L. inadai. The results of this study suggest that PCR could be an excellent approach for epidemiological studies.

Previous studies suggest that the emerging G9P [8] genotype was the most prevalent rotavirus genotype in Ecuador during 2005. This present study provides a temporal analysis of the distribution of rotavirus genotypes in two locations within Ecuador by adding additional years (2006 -early 2008) to the originally reported 2005 data. Data were collected in a rural (northern coastal Ecuador) and urban (Quito) area. In the rural area, a community sample of cases (those presenting diarrhea) and controls (those not presenting diarrhea) were collected between August 2003 and March 2008 resulting in a total of 3,300 stool samples (876 cases and 2,424 controls). Of these samples, 260 were positive for rotavirus by an immunochromatographic test (196 cases and 64 controls). In Quito, 59 fecal samples were collected from children presenting diarrhea and diagnosed with rotavirus. An RT-PCR analysis of samples collected between 2005 and 2007 suggested that G9 was replaced by G1 and G2 in the rural and urban settings. During this period G9 decreased from 79% to 9% while G2 increased from 0% to 43% in the rural communities, and G9 decreased from 79% to 37% while G2 increased from 3% to 57% in the urban area of Quito. This rapid replacement of G9 by G1 and G2 reinforces the necessity of surveillance to inform vaccination programs.

El presente trabajo identificó mediante diagnóstico clínico la presencia de linfadenitis en cuyes (Cavia porcellus), en un plantel cavícola de la provincia de Imbabura, el resultado fue confirmado por un estudio histopatológico y bacteriológico.

Background Leptospirosis causes significant economic losses and is an occupational risk in the swine industry, especially in developing tropical regions where social and geoclimatic conditions are favorable for the transmission of this disease. Although vaccination can reduce infection risk, efficacy is diminished if local genetic and antigenic variants of the pathogen are not accounted for in the vaccine. Identifying and characterizing strains hosts, and potential mechanisms of transmission is therefore critical for public health mitigation practices. Methodology/Principal findings Our study was conducted on a rural breeding farm in Ecuador, where we used a PCR assay that targets lipL32 to detect Leptospira spp. and targeted gene sequencing to identify Leptospira santarosai in the kidneys, testicles, and ejaculate of a vaccinated boar. MAT results showed low titers against serovars found in the vaccine, but the MAT panel did not include serovars of L. santarosai. The boar showed no symptoms of leptospirosis but did show blood in the semen. However, no postmortem histopathological lesions were observed tissue samples. Vaccinated sows that were artificially inseminated with the semen from this boar had reproductive problems, suggesting that transmission had occurred. This is the first documented case of Leptospira santarosai in the reproductive tract of a boar. Conclusions/Significance As L. santarosai is pathogenic in other livestock species and humans, our finding highlights the need to evaluate the prevalence and epidemiological significance of this pathogen in livestock and consider the possibility of venereal transmission. In addition, further studies are needed to identify and characterize local serovars that may impact diagnosis and vaccination programs to better control leptospirosis in livestock and spillover into the human population.

Efecto del ozono en la disminución de carga bacteriana y en el mantenimiento de las propiedades fisicoquímicas de la leche: una alternativa para el consumo humano Introducción: La pasteurización de leche muy contaminada principalmente con esporas de clostridios, no es muy segura debido a que el calor no destruye a este agente biológico. Una alternativa es el uso de ozono (O 3 ), un gas altamente oxidativo con amplio espectro antimicrobiano, pero no se conoce la dosis máxima que pueda ser aplicada a los alimentos. Objetivo: Determinar la dosis y tiempo de exposición de la leche cruda al ozono, a fin de reducir la carga bacteriana, sin afectar las características físico-químicas. Métodos: Estudio experimental en muestras de leche cruda cultivadas antes y después de la aplicación de O 3 a diferentes dosis (50, 75 y 100 mg/L) y periodos de tiempo (10, 20 y 30 minutos), total nueve grupos (T1-T9) y un grupo control sin O 3 . El efecto del ozono fue evaluado a través de la determinación de carga de mesófilos, coliformes y Escherichia coli y de parámetros físico químicos en leche, en comparación con leche cruda, leche hervida y ultrapasteurizada. Resultados: Todos los tratamientos fueron efectivos en reducir la carga bacteriana con respecto a la leche cruda. El T9 (100 mg O 3 /L durante 30 minutos), fue el más efectivo al permitir una reducción del 64.87% (2.53 Log10 UFC/ mL) del conteo inicial de mesófilos aerobios totales, una reducción del 100% (3.68 Log 10 UFC/mL) para coliformes totales y una reducción del 100% (3.67 Log10 UFC/ml) para Escherichia coli. No hubo cambios físico-químicos en la leche ozonizada (P ≥0.05), pero si en leche hervida y UHT comparada con la leche cruda. Conclusiones: La ozonización es efectiva en la disminución de la carga bacteriana de leche cruda, sin alterar sus características físico-químicas. Palabras clave: Ozono, leche, carga bacteriana, características físico-químicas AbstractBackground: Pasteurization of heavily contaminated milk, mainly with clostridial spores, is not safe because heat does not destroy this biological agent. An alternative is the use of ozone (O 3 ), a highly oxidative gas with a broad antimicrobial spectrum, but the maximum dose that can be applied to food is unknown. Objective: To determine the dose and exposure time of raw milk to ozone, in order to reduce the bacterial load, without affecting the physical-chemical characteristics. Methods: Experimental study on raw milk samples grown before and after the application of ozone at different doses (50, 75 and 100 mg/L) and time periods (10, 20 and 30 minutes), total 9 groups (T1-T9) and a control group without O 3 . The effect of ozone was evaluated through determination of the load of mesophiles, coliforms and Escherichia coli, as well as the physical chemical parameters in milk, compared to raw milk, boiled and ultrapasteurized milk. Results: All treatments were effective in reducing the bacterial load with respect to raw milk. T9 (100 mg O 3 /L for 30 minutes) was the most effective, allowing a reduction of 64.8...

BackgroundLeptospirosis causes significant economic losses and is an occupational risk in the swine industry, especially in developing tropical regions where social and geoclimatic conditions are favorable for the transmission of this disease. Although vaccination can reduce infection risk, efficacy is diminished if local genetic and antigenic variants of the pathogen are not accounted for in the vaccine. Identifying and characterizing strains that circulate in different populations is therefore critical for public health mitigation practices.Methodology/Principal findingsOur study was conducted on a rural breeding farm in Ecuador, where we identified, for the first time, Leptospira santarosai in the kidneys, testicles, and ejaculate of a vaccinated boar. L. santarosai was detected with a PCR assay that targets lipL32, and identified by target MLST gene sequencing using an Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencer.Conclusions/SignificanceAs L. santarosai is pathogenic in other livestock species and humans, our finding highlights the need to evaluate the prevalence and epidemiological significance of this pathogen in pigs. In addition, further studies are needed to identify and characterize local serovars that may impact diagnosis and vaccination programs to better control leptospirosis in pigs and spillover into the human population.Author summaryLeptospirosis poses a significant threat to human and animal health. In tropical countries, leptospirosis is very common, and responsible of economic losses in the livestock industry. In peridomestic and rural farms, the spillover of leptospira to humans is particularly likely as humans live and work in close proximity to animals. Although animal vaccination can reduce risk of infection, efficacy is diminished when local variants are not included in the vaccine. This report describes, for the first time, the presence of Leptospira santarosai in the reproductive tract of a vaccinated domestic boar from a rural farm in Ecuador. We detected the pathogen in its semen and urine, and despite no tissue damage, was observed in the kidneys, testes or epididymis. The farm veterinarian reported reproductive problems in sows inseminated with the semen from this boar. Our results highlight the importance of recognizing locally circulating serovars and species so that they can be included in vaccines to prevent infection and disease. Effective control of leptospirosis in livestock not only reduces economic losses for breeders, but also reduces the risk of infection and disease in humans.