First detection of Omicron variant BA.4.1 lineage in dogs, Chile.

SARS-CoV-2's rapid global spread caused the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic in March 2020. Alongside humans, domestic dogs and cats are also susceptible to infection. However, limited reports on pet infections in Chile prompted a comprehensive study to address this knowledge gap. Between March 2021 and March 2023, the study assessed 65 pets (26 dogs and 39 cats) from 33 COVID-19+ households alongside 700 nasal swabs from animals in households with unknown COVID-19 status. Using RT-PCR, nasal, fecal, and environmental samples were analyzed for the virus. In COVID-19+ households, 6.06% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, belonging to 3 dogs, indicating human-to-pet transmission. Pets from households with unknown COVID-19 status tested negative for the virus. We obtained 2 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from animals, that belonged to Omicron BA.4.1 variant, marking the first report of pets infected with this lineage globally. Phylogenetic analysis showed these sequences clustered with human sequences collected in Chile during the same period when the BA.4.1 variant was prevalent in the country. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Chilean pets was relatively low, likely due to the country's high human vaccination rate. Our study highlights the importance of upholding and strengthening human vaccination strategies to mitigate the risk of interspecies transmission. It underscores the critical role of the One Health approach in addressing emerging zoonotic diseases, calling for further research on infection dynamics and risk factors for a comprehensive understanding.

First report of porcine respirovirus 1 in South America.

Porcine respirovirus 1 (PRV1) is an emerging virus in pigs that has been previously described in the USA and China. There are no reports of its presence in the rest of the world. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of PRV1 in Chile and to determine its phylogeny. Thus, we collected samples (oral fluids, nasal swabs, and lungs) from a swine influenza A virus (IAV) surveillance program, most of which belonged to pigs with respiratory disease. The samples were analyzed by RT-PCR, and the viral sequencing was obtained using RNA whole-genome sequencing approach. Maximum likelihood phylogeny was constructed with the available references. Thirty-one of 164 samples (18.9 %) were RT-PCR positive for PRV1: 62.5 % oral fluids, 19.0 % nasal swabs, and 8.6 % lungs. All 6 farms in this study had at least one positive sample, with 6-40 % of positive results per farm, which suggests that PRV1 is disseminated in Chilean swine farms. Twenty-one of 31 (677%) PRV1-positive samples were also positive for IAV, so the role of PRV1 as secondary pathogen in respiratory disease needs to be further evaluated. Near to complete genome of two PRV1s were obtained from two farms. The phylogenies, in general, showed low bootstrap support, except the concatenated genome and the L gene trees which showed clustering of the Chilean PRV1 with Asian sequences, suggesting a close genetic relationship. This is the first report of PRV1 in the Southern Hemisphere. Further studies are necessary to determine the genetic diversity of this virus in Chile.

Actividades de la vida diaria en pacientes geriátricos ingresados en un Servicio de Medicina General / Daily life activities in ederly patients admitted in the general medicine service

Our country is in an advanced stage of demographic transition. The health care requierements of the growing number of elderly patients are different from those provided to other age groups.The present paper describes and analyses the independence situation of elderly patients admitted in the wards of the Department of Medicine during December 2003.Data resulted from questionnaires on daily life activities answered by inpatients aged over 60 or by their direct carers. The information gathered is analysed according to sex, age, economic activity, income, and home situation. Results: From a sample of 116 patients answering the criteria for inclusion in the survey 93 per cent were studied, 53.2 per cent are female; median age is 72.5 years (normal distribution); 96.2 per cent live with relatives; 9.2 per cent are economically active; 61.5 per cent have incomes below $70.000 (Chilean pesos). The questionnaire was answered directly by 72.5 per cent of patients.Independence: Barthel: 15.6 per cent; Katz: 27.5 per cent.Conclusion: Sample at high social risk, with low levels of independence.Adults admitted in the Department of Medicine are a group at high social risk, with low levels of independence.

Insuficiencia hepática aguda en amiloidosis hepática asociada a mieloma múltiple. Caso clínico / Acute liver failure in a patient with liver amyloidosis associated to multiple myeloma

We report a 67 years old woman admitted to the hospital for the study of a cholestatic jaundice and massive hepatomegaly. On admission, the patient did not have liver failure. During hospital stay, the patient experienced a progressive deterioration of liver function and a monoclonal gammopathy was detected. An IgG Kappa myeloma was diagnosed. A fine needle liver biopsy disclosed the presence of amyloid. The patient developed acute liver failure and died three weeks after admission (Rev Méd Chile 2003; 131: 1301-04).