No abstract

Several public health measures have been implemented to contain the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. The adherence to control measures is known to be influenced by people’s knowledge, attitudes and practices with regard to the disease. This study aimed at assessing COVID-19 knowledge in individuals who were tested for the virus. An online cross-sectional survey of 32 items, adapted to the national context, was conducted among 1656 Ecuadorians. The mean knowledge score was 22.5 ± 3 out of 28, with significant differences being observed with regard to educational attainment. People with postgraduate training scored higher than those with college, secondary and elementary instruction. Indeed, multiple linear regression revealed that lower scores were associated significantly with the latter three levels of education. Interviewees were knowledgeable about the symptoms, detection, transmission and prevention of the disease. However, they were less assertive regarding the characteristics of the virus as well as the usefulness of traditional and unproven treatments. These outcomes indicated a lack of knowledge in fundamental aspects of virus biology, which may limit the effectiveness of further prevention campaigns. Conclusively, educational and communicational programs must place emphasis on explaining the basic molecular characteristics of SARS-CoV-2; such information will certainly contribute to improve the public’s adherence to control measures.

There are no studies reporting the effects of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Infantis (S. Infantis) on intestinal architecture and immunoglobulin serum levels in chickens. Here, we measured these parameters and hypothesized whether probiotic administration could modulate the observed outcomes. Two-hundred 1-day-old COBB 500 male chicks were allocated into four groups: (I) the control, (II) the group treated with L. fermentum, (III) the group exposed to S. Infantis, and (IV) the group inoculated with both bacteria. At 11 days post infection, blood was gathered from animals which were then euthanized, and samples from the small intestine were collected. Intestinal conditions, as well as IgA and IgM serum levels, were assessed. S. Infantis reduced villus-height-to-crypt-depth (VH:CD) ratios in duodenal, jejunal, and ileal sections compared to control conditions, although no differences were found regarding the number of goblet cells, muc-2 expression, and immunoglobulin concentration. L. fermentum improved intestinal measurements compared to the control; this effect was also evidenced in birds infected with S. Infantis. IgM serum levels augmented in response to the probiotic in infected animals. Certainly, the application of L. fermentum elicited positive outcomes in S. Infantis-challenged chickens and thus must be considered for developing novel treatments designed to reduce unwanted infections.

No abstract

The Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) A23403G associated with the D to G change in position 614 of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has recently become dominant. The most utilized and robust approach is the study of whole genome sequences, generally available at public databases. However, this technology is not suited for massive testing as it requires expensive reagents, equipment, and infrastructure. Consequently, developing rapid and accessible protocols will be fundamental for producing epidemiological data linked to this SNP, especially in countries with limited resources. This report has evaluated an easy cost-effective approach, based on sanger sequencing, for detection of the A23403G (D614G) mutation. This strategy was tested in SARS-CoV-2 positive samples collected in Quito during March and October of 2020. In March, a total of 264 out of 1319 samples yielded positive results (20%), while 777 out of 5032 (15%) did so in October. From these cases, almost all samples were associated with the G23403 (G614) variant (>98%). This technique proved to be reliable, reproducible, and might be expandable to study other mutations without major protocol amendments. The application of this method allowed the production of epidemiological data regarding the A23403G (D614G) mutation in Quito, where no previous reports were available. This approach will be crucial for producing relevant information for public health management, especially during the ongoing pandemic.