Genomic diversity of Salmonella enterica isolated from raw chicken at retail establishments in Mexico.

The genomic diversity of circulating non-typhoidal Salmonella in raw chicken was investigated in three states of central Mexico. A total of 192 S. enterica strains from chicken meat samples collected at supermarkets, fresh markets, and butcher shops were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing. The serovar distribution, occurrence of genes encoding for antimicrobial resistance, metal resistance, biocide resistance, plasmids and virulence factors, and clonal relatedness based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis were investigated. Serovars Infantis, Schwarzengrund and Enteritidis predominated among twenty identified. The distribution of serovars and proportion of AMR genes was different according to the state, year, season, and retail establishment (p < 0.001). Genes encoding metals resistance were identified in all the strains. A total of 145 virulence genes were identified and strains were classified into 32 virulotypes; serovars Infantis, Typhimurium, and Enteritidis showed the highest number of virulence genes. The strains matched 34 SNP clusters in the NCBI Pathogen Detection server and 59 %, which corresponded to Infantis, Schwarzengrund, Saintpaul, and Enteritidis, were associated with five major clusters and matched with chicken, environmental and clinical isolates from at least three countries. These results provide useful information to understand the epidemiology of Salmonella, conduct microbial risk assessment, and design risk-based control measures.

The Role of Medication, Mental Illness, and Social Isolation on the Development of the Fetus in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

As we enter the COVID-19 post-pandemic period, uncertainty surrounds the impact of the varied effects of medications, mental illness, and social isolation on children born during the pandemic. Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines during pregnancy, coupled with pandemic-induced social isolation, may contribute to anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues in the offspring. Supporting evidence shows SSRIs' influence on brain development, while third-trimester benzodiazepine use may lead to neonatal withdrawal syndrome. Social isolation during the pandemic has also been linked to increased maternal depression and anxiety. This editorial emphasizes the need for increased surveillance in educational settings and early behavioral assessments by pediatricians. Further research is required to understand the long-term effects of maternal SSRIs. This knowledge can aid in timely interventions to protect the well-being of children born during COVID-19.

Evolución Genética del Virus Influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 en Paraguay 2009-2016

RESUMEN Una cepa triple reasortante del virus Influenza A emergió en al año 2009 dando origen a una pandemia que alcanzó a Paraguay en junio del mismo año. Con el fin de investigar la evolución genética del virus influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 en Paraguay fueron analizadas las secuencias nucleotídicas del Gen de la Hemaglutinina de 20 cepas de Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, aisladas en el Centro Nacional de Influenza de Paraguay entre los años 2009 y 2016, y secuenciadas en el Centro Colaborador de OPS/OMS en Atlanta USA. El análisis filogenético muestra la circulación de al menos 5 grupos genéticos bien diferenciados de Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 en Paraguay desde el 2009. Solamente los virus aislados en el 2016 pertenecen al sub Grupo genético 6B.1 en el cual se encuentra la actual cepa vacunal A/Michigan/45/2015 recomendada para el hemisferio Sur desde el año 2017. Los virus circulantes en años anteriores pertenecen a grupos antigénicamente indistinguibles de la cepa vacunal previa A/California/7/2009. No se encontraron diferencias resaltantes en las secuencias de los virus, relacionadas a severidad clínica ni a distribución geográfica. Los resultados de este estudio reafirman la necesidad de una vigilancia virológica sistemática para orientar el establecimiento de estrategias adecuadas de prevención y control de la influenza.

ABSTRACT A triple reassortant strain of Influenza A virus emerged in 2009, leading to a pandemic that reached Paraguay by June the same year. In order to investigate the genetic evolution of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus in Paraguay, we analized the nucleotide sequences of the Hemagglutinin gene of 20 Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 strains, isolated at the Paraguayan National Influenza Centre between 2009 and 2016, and sequenced at the PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center in Atlanta, USA. Phylogenetic analysis shows the circulation of at least 5 well-differentiated genetic groups of Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 in Paraguay since 2009. Only the viruses isolated in 2016 belong to genetic subgroup 6B.1, the same as the current vaccine strain A/Michigan/45/2015, recommended for the Southern hemisphere since 2017. The viruses circulated previous years belong to groups antigenically indistinguishable from the previous vaccine strain A/California/7/2009. No significant differences were found in sequences of the viruses, related to clinical severity or geographic distribution. The results of this study reaffirm the need for systematic virological surveillance to guide the establishment of adequate strategies for the prevention and control of influenza.