Exploring viral diversity and metagenomics in livestock: insights into disease emergence and spillover risks in cattle.

Cattle have a significant impact on human societies in terms of both economics and health. Viral infections pose a relevant problem as they directly or indirectly disrupt the balance within cattle populations. This has negative consequences at the economic level for producers and territories, and also jeopardizes human health through the transmission of zoonotic diseases that can escalate into outbreaks or pandemics. To establish prevention strategies and control measures at various levels (animal, farm, region, or global), it is crucial to identify the viral agents present in animals. Various techniques, including virus isolation, serological tests, and molecular techniques like PCR, are typically employed for this purpose. However, these techniques have two major drawbacks: they are ineffective for non-culturable viruses, and they only detect a small fraction of the viruses present. In contrast, metagenomics offers a promising approach by providing a comprehensive and unbiased analysis for detecting all viruses in a given sample. It has the potential to identify rare or novel infectious agents promptly and establish a baseline of healthy animals. Nevertheless, the routine application of viral metagenomics for epidemiological surveillance and diagnostics faces challenges related to socioeconomic variables, such as resource availability and space dedicated to metagenomics, as well as the lack of standardized protocols and resulting heterogeneity in presenting results. This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge and prospects for using viral metagenomics to detect and identify viruses in cattle raised for livestock, while discussing the epidemiological and clinical implications.

High prevalence of Enterovirus E, Bovine Kobuvirus, and Astrovirus revealed by viral metagenomics in fecal samples from cattle in Central Colombia.

Livestock plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and driving the global economy. However, viral infections can have far-reaching consequences beyond economic productivity, affecting the health of cattle, as well as posing risks to human health and other animals. Identifying viruses present in fecal samples, a primary route of pathogen transmission, is essential for developing effective prevention, control, and surveillance strategies. Viral metagenomic approaches offer a broader perspective and hold great potential for detecting previously unknown viruses or uncovering previously undescribed agents. Ubaté Province is Colombia's dairy capital and a key center for livestock production in the country. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize viral communities in fecal samples from cattle in this region. A total of 42 samples were collected from three municipalities in Ubaté Province, located in central Colombia, using a convenient non-probabilistic sampling method. We utilized metagenomic sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), combined with diversity and phylogenetic analysis. The findings revealed a consistent and stable viral composition across the municipalities, primarily comprising members of the Picornaviridae family. At the species level, the most frequent viruses were Enterovirus E (EVE) and Bovine Astrovirus (BoAstV). Significantly, this study reported, for the first time in Colombia, the presence of viruses with veterinary importance occurring at notable frequencies: EVE (59%), Bovine Kobuvirus (BKV) (52%), and BoAstV (19%). Additionally, the study confirmed the existence of Circular replicase-encoding single-stranded (CRESS) Virus in animal feces. These sequences were phylogenetically grouped with samples obtained from Asia and Latin America, underscoring the importance of having adequate representation across the continent. The virome of bovine feces in Ubaté Province is characterized by the predominance of potentially pathogenic viruses such as BoAstV and EVE that have been reported with substantial frequency and quantities. Several of these viruses were identified in Colombia for the first time. This study showcases the utility of using metagenomic sequencing techniques in epidemiological surveillance. It also paves the way for further research on the influence of these agents on bovine health and their frecuency across the country.

Mantenimiento y conservación de la memoria en un grupo de ancianos. Segunda fase 2016-2019 / Memory maintenance and preservation in an elderly group. Second phase 2016-2019

Objetivo: determinar las diferencias en la valoración de una cohorte de ancianos que asisten a un programa de mantenimiento y conservación de la memoria tres años después de la primera medición. Materiales y Métodos: estudio de cohorte histórica comparando la medición inicial en 2016 con la final en 2019, para establecer si hay diferencia en el deterioro cognoscitivo, presencia de depresión, ansiedad, síntomas somáticos, disfunción social y satisfacción con la vida. Resultados y discusión: se estudiaron 20 de las 21 personas de la cohorte original. El promedio de edad actual fue 76,5 ± 7,1 años. La única diferencia en las variables sociodemográficas fue la viudez de una de las participantes. El deterioro cognoscitivo sin demencia tuvo un incremento de 16,2% al pasar de 23,8% (n: 5) a 40% (n: 8). El viraje a demencia fue de 10%. Desaparecieron las quejas somáticas y la depresión, y apareció ansiedad en la percepción del estado general de salud, la satisfacción con la vida disminuyó 55%. Conclusiones: la progresión del deterioro cognoscitivo tanto en el paso a la forma leve (DCL) como a demencia fue semejante a la de la población general. La satisfacción con la vida disminuyó a pesar de que la percepción general de la salud mejoró en todos los integrantes. El nivel de participación, adherencia e integración social de los ancianos de la comunidad en nueve años de funcionamiento respaldan las actividades del programa Mantenimiento y Conservación de la Memoria.

Objective: to determine the differences in the results among a group of older adults attending a memory maintenance and preservation program, three years after the first evaluation. Materials and methods: historical cohort study comparing the initial measure in 2016 with the final measure in 2019, to establish the difference in cognitive deterioration, signs of depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, social dysfunction, and life satisfaction. Results and discussion: twenty of the 21 participants of the original cohort were studied. Present mean age was 76.5 ± 7.1 years. The only difference in the sociodemographic variables was that one woman became widowed. Cognitive deterioration without dementia increased in 16.2%, from 23.8% (n: 5) to 40% (n: 8). Ten percent (10%) developed dementia. Somatic complaints and depression disappeared, and anxiety at perception of health status appeared, life satisfaction decreased in 55%. Conclusions: progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia was like in the general population. Satisfaction with life decreased despite perception of general health status improved in all participants. The level of participation, adherence, and social integration among the elderly group during nine- years support the memory maintenance and preservation program activities

Prevalencia y variables asociadas a Pediculus humanus capitis en escolares de Caloto, Cauca, Colombia / Prevalence and variables associated with Pediculus humanus capitis in schoolchildren from Caloto, Cauca, Colombia

Resumen Introducción: la pediculosis capitis (PC) es una ectoparasitosis que afecta la piel, el cuero cabelludo y el pelo, cuyo agente etiológico es el Pediculus humanus capitis. La PC afecta principalmente a la población pediátrica y puede tener repercusiones psicosociales severas. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la prevalencia y las variables asociadas a PC en escolares de tres instituciones de educación primaria de Caloto, Cauca, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo de corte transversal realizado en 279 niños de 3-12 años entre enero y febrero de 2019. Se realizó un examen físico del cuero cabelludo de los estudiantes para identificar ninfas y piojos adultos, y se aplicó una encuesta a uno de sus padres o tutor legal. Se realizó un análisis bivariado por medio de las pruebas chi cuadrado o exacta de Fisher, para establecer la asociación entre las variables de interés y la presencia de PC, calculándose los OR con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza (IC) del 95 % y un nivel de significancia estadística de p<0,05. Resultados: la prevalencia de PC fue de 17,56 %. Las variables que se asociaron significativamente con la presencia de PC fueron ser de sexo femenino, tener entre 8 y 12 años de edad, lavarse el pelo interdiario, tener pelo largo, tener antecedente de PC y tener prurito del cuero cabelludo. Conclusiones: la PC está presente en los estudiantes de Caloto. Es necesario aplicar estrategias de prevención y control.

Abstract Introduction: pediculosis capitis (PC) is an ectoparasitosis that affects the skin, scalp and hair, and its etiologic agent is Pediculus humanus capitis. PC mainly affects pediatric population and can have severe psychosocial repercussions. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and variables associated to PC in schoolchildren attending three primary schools in Caloto, Cauca, Colombia. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional study conducted in 279 children (aged 3 to 12) between January and February 2019. A physical examination of the children's heads was performed to identify nymphs and adult lice, and a survey was administered to one of their parents or their legal guardians. A bivariate analysis was carried out using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests to establish the association between the variables of interest and the presence of PC, calculating the ORs with their respective 95 % confidence intervals (CI) and a statistical significance level of p<0,05. Results: the prevalence of PC was 17,56 %. The following variables were significantly associated with the presence of PC: being female, being between 8 and 12 years of age, washing the hair every other day, having long hair, having a history of PC and having scalp pruritus. Conclusions: PC remains a health problem in rural schoolchildren. It is necessary to apply prevention and control strategies.