Trypanosoma cruzi in domestic and wild mammals in the northeast region of Colombia.

Trypanosoma cruzi hosts can serve as a source of infection for animals, vectors, and humans, contributing to the establishment of Chagas disease (CD) in a given area. Traditionally, the Department of Córdoba has not been considered a transmission area for CD; however, the report of several acute cases of Chagas disease highlights the importance of studying the dynamics of disease transmission in this region. This study aimed to detect T. cruzi in domestic and wild mammals in the department of Córdoba. In 2017, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in six villages in two municipalities in the department of Córdoba. Blood samples from dogs living in the zones were collected in EDTA vacutainer tubes for domestic mammals. Wild mammals were collected using Sherman and Tomahawk traps and mist nets in crops and peridomiciles. T. cruzi DNA was detected using the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) variable region and the tandem repeat satellite region of T. cruzi as molecular targets. We sampled 168 dogs and 146 wild mammals. The detected prevalence of T. cruzi was 6.37%; the TcI lineage was found in D. marsupialis, H. anomalus, and one canine. A specimen of D. marsupialis with TcI and TcII lineages was also identified. T. cruzi DNA was detected in domestic and wild animals in the study area, indicating the circulation of the parasite in peridomestic environments. D. marsupialis may represent an important host in maintaining this region's wild and domestic cycle.

BatFly: A database of Neotropical bat-fly interactions.

Global changes have increased the risk of emerging infectious diseases, which can be prevented or mitigated by studying host-parasite interactions, among other measures. Bats and their ectoparasitic flies of the families Streblidae and Nycteribiidae are an excellent study model but, so far, our knowledge has been restricted to fragmented records at a local scale. To help boost research, we assembled a data set of bat-fly interactions from 174 studies published between 1904 and 2022 plus three original data sets. Altogether, these studies were carried out at 650 sites in the Neotropics, mainly distributed in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, southern USA, and Colombia, among other countries. In total, our data set contains 3984 interaction records between 237 bat species and 255 fly species. The bat species with the largest number of recorded interactions were Carollia perspicillata (357), Artibeus jamaicensis (263), and Artibeus lituratus (228). The fly species with the largest number of recorded interactions were Trichobius joblingi (256), Megistopoda aranea (235), and Megistopoda proxima (215). The interaction data were extracted, filtered, taxonomically harmonized, and made available in a tidy format together with linked data on bat population, fly population, study reference, sampling methods and geographic information from the study sites. This interconnected structure enables the expansion of information for each interaction record, encompassing where and how each interaction occurred, as well as the number of bats and flies involved. We expect BatFly to open new avenues for research focused on different levels of ecological organization and spatial scales. It will help consolidate knowledge about ecological specialization, resource distribution, pathogen transmission, and the drivers of parasite prevalence over a broad spatial range. It may also help to answer key questions such as: Are there differences in fly prevalence or mean infestation across Neotropical ecoregions? What ecological drivers explain those differences? How do specialization patterns vary among fly species in the Neotropics? Furthermore, we expect BatFly to inspire research aimed at understanding how climate and land-use changes may impact host-parasite interactions and disease outbreaks. This kind of research may help us reach Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Wellbeing, outlined by the United Nations. The data are released under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Caracterización cromosómica y morfométrica de Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus 1758) en la región Caribe colombiano / Chromosomal and morphometric characterization of Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus 1758) in Colombian Caribbean region

El género Carollia es un grupo diverso de murciélagos neotropicales. La similitud de caracteres morfométricos y alto grado de diversidad, dificulta la identificación precisa de las especies del género. Pese a ser un género común en Colombia, no existen reportes citogenéticos para la región Caribe, por tanto, se caracterizó su cariotipo y morfometría craneal, aportando datos citogenéticos útiles para dilucidar la taxonomía del género. Se realizaron muestreos en fragmentos de bosque y reservas de la sociedad civil del departamento de Córdoba. Se capturaron 15 individuos (6 machos, 9 hembras) obteniendo valores promedios de antebrazo de 41.92 mm, tibia de 18.49 mm y peso de 16.80 g, además de los valores obtenidos para las medidas craneales, dentales y mandibulares que confirman que el material fue correctamente catalogado como C. perspicillata. Cinco ejemplares fueron cariotipados (3 machos, 2 hembras), contabilizando 262 metafases. El número diploide de C. perspicillata se determinó de 2n = 20/XX para hembras y 2n = 21XY1Y2 para machos con Número Fundamental = 36. Por bandeo G se encontró homogeneidad en los pares 1, 2, 3 y 5. Con este trabajo, se incrementa la representatividad geográfica de los estudios citogenéticos de C. perspicillata para la costa norte de Colombia, conservando normalidad en cuanto al número cromosómico reportado.

The Carollia genus is a diverse group of bats from the Neotropical region, the similarity of its morphometric characters and high level diversity make it difficult to pinpoint the exact identification of species from this genus along its distribution. However, despite the Carollia being common for Colombia, there does not exist some cytogenetic research for Colombian Caribbean region, therefore, it characterized its karyotype and cranial morphometry, providing useful data that can contribute to taxonomic identification of the genus. The specimens of C. perspicillata samples were collected in forest fragments and civil society reserves in the Córdoba department, Colombia. Captured 15 individuals (6 males and 9 females) obtaining average forearm values of 41.92 mm, tibia 18.49 mm and weight 16.80 g, in addition to the values obtained for the cranial, dental and mandibular measurements that confirm that the material was catalogued correctly as C. perspicillata. Five specimens were used for the karyotype analysis (3 males, 2 females), counting 262 metaphases. The diploid number of C. perspicillata was determined from 2n = 20/XX for females and 2n = 21XY1Y2 for males with Fundamental Number = 36. By band G, homogeneity was found in pairs 1, 2, 3 and 5. This research increases the geographic representativeness of the cytogenetic studies of C. perspicillata for the northern of Colombia, preserving normality in terms of the chromosomal number reported.

New Scenarios of Chagas Disease Transmission in Northern Colombia.

Chagas disease (CD) is a systemic parasitic infection caused by the flagellated form of Trypanosoma cruzi. Córdoba department, located in the Colombian Caribbean Coast, was not considered as a region at risk of T. cruzi transmission. In this article, we describe the first acute CD case in Salitral village in Sahagún, Córdoba, confirmed by microscopy and serological tests. Our results draw attention to a new scenario of transmission of acute CD in nonendemic areas of Colombia and highlight the need to include CD in the differential diagnosis of febrile syndromes in this region.

Caracterización hematológica de hicoteas (Trachemys callirostris Gray, 1856) en Córdoba, Colombia / Hematological Characterization of Hicotea Turtles (Trachemys callirostris Gray, 1856) in Córdoba (Colombia) / Caracterização hematológica de hicoteas (Trachemys callirostris Gray, 1856) em Córdoba, na Colômbia

Se recolectaron 69 muestras de Trachemys callirostris en condiciones ex situ e in situ, para determinar sus parámetros hematológicos, comparar estos valores (considerando sexo, edad y condición) y establecer la morfología de sus células. A los animales se les extrajo sangre de la vena yugular. Se determinaron hematocrito, concentración de hemoglobina, recuentos total de eritrocitos, leucocitos y trombocitos e índices eritrocitarios (volumen corpuscular medio, hemoglobina corpuscular media y concentración de hemoglobina corpuscular media). En extendidos sanguíneos se realizaron el conteo diferencial de leucocitos y la descripción de la morfología de las células encontradas. Los valores promedio encontrados para todos los individuos fueron: hematocrito (29,9% ± 5,1), hemoglobina (4,0 ± 1,0 g/dl), VCM (327 ± 15,3 fl), HCM (45 ± 17,5 pg), CMHC (14 ± 6%), conteo total de trombocitos (15,0 ± 5,4 X 10³ µL), conteo total de eritrocitos (0,92 x 10(6)/µL ± 0,12), conteo total de leucocitos (12,10 ± 5,0 x 10³ µL). Al aplicar el análisis de varianza se encontró que no existe diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p < 0,05) entre Trachemys callirostris de distintos pesos (500 a 2000 g). Sin embargo, existen diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) y altamente significativas (p < 0,01) de la mayoría de las variables hematológicas entre sexos y entre hicoteas mantenidas en condición in situ y ex situ. De esta forma, las diferencias encontradas entre individuos, dependiendo su peso, sexo y condición de mantenimiento (in situ o ex situ), sirven como referencia para el establecimiento de protocolos de manejo de la especie en cautiverio.

69 samples from Trachemys callirostris were collected in situ and ex situ, to determine their hematological parameters, to compare these values (considering sex, age, and condition), and to establish the morphology of their cells. Blood was collected from the jugular vein of the animals. Hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, total counts of erythrocytes, leukocytes and thrombocytes, and red cell indices were determined (mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration). Differential leukocyte count was performed, and the morphology of cells found in blood smears was described. The average values found for all individuals were: hematocrit (29.9% ± 5.1), hemoglobin (4.0 ± 1.0 g / dl), MCV (327 ± 15.3 fL), MCH (45 ± 17.5 pg), MCHC (14 ± 6%), total count of thrombocytes (15.0 ± 5.4 x 10³ µL), total count of erythrocytes (0.92 x 10(6) µL ± 0.12), and total count of leukocytes (12.10 ± 5.0 x 10³ µL). Analysis of variance showed no statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between Trachemys callirostris of different weights (500 to 2000 g). Nevertheless, it showed significant (p <0.05) and highly significant differences (p <0.01) for most hematologic variables between sexes and hicotea turtles maintained in situ and ex situ. Thus, differences found between individuals, depending on weight, sex and condition of maintenance (in situ or ex situ), serve as a reference to establish protocols for maintaining turtles in captivity.

Coletaram-se 69 amostras de Trachemys callirostris em condições ex situ e in situ, para determinar seus parâmetros hematológicos, comparar estes valores (considerando sexo, idade e condição) e estabelecer a morfologia de suas células. Aos animais lhes foi extraído sangue da veia jugular. Determinara-se hematócrito, concentração de hemoglobina, recontagens total de eritrócitos, leucócitos e trombócitos e índices eritrocitários (volume corpuscular médio, hemoglobina corpuscular média e concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média). No sangue estendido foi realizada a contagem diferencial de leucócitos e a descrição da morfologia das células encontradas. Os valores médios encontrados para todos os indivíduos foram: hematócrito (29,9% ± 5,1), hemoglobina (4,0 ± 1,0 g/dl), VCM (327 ± 15,3 fl), HCM (45 ± 17,5 pg), CMHC (14 ± 6%), contagem total de trombócitos (15,0 ± 5,4 x 10³ µL), contagem total de eritrocitos (0,92 x 10(6) µL ± 0,12), contagem total de leucócitos (12,10 ± 5,0 x 10³ µL). Ao aplicar a análise de variância se encontrou que não existe diferença estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,05) entre Trachemys callirostris de diferentes pesos (500 a 2000 g). Porém, existem diferenças significativas (p < 0,05) e altamente significativas (p < 0,01) da maioria das variáveis hematológicas entre sexos e entre hicoteas mantidas em condição in situ e ex situ. Desta forma, as diferenças encontradas entre indivíduos, dependendo seu peso, sexo e condição de manutenção (in situ ou ex situ), servem como referência para o estabelecimento de protocolos de manejo da espécie em cativeiro.

Histopatología de órganos y lesiones en hicoteas Trachemys callirostris callirostris (Gray, 1856) mantenidas en cautiverio en Córdoba, Colombia / Histopathology of organs and lesions in captive Colombian slider turtles (Trachemys callirostris callirostris) from Cordoba, Colombia / Histopatologia de órgãos e lesões em tartarugas icoteas Trachemys callirostris callirostris (Gray, 1856) em Córdoba, Colômbia

Resumen Se hizo una evaluación posmortem de 41 individuos de T. callirostris, mantenidos en cautiverio durante el 2009 en el Centro de Atención de Fauna (CAV-CVS), a través de exámenes histopatológicos de los principales órganos y lesiones encontradas. Para esto se realizó un examen clínico externo de los individuos y se evaluó cada uno de los órganos macroscópicamente. Los órganos que presentaron anomalías fueron colectados para histopatología con la tinción Hematoxilina-Eosina. De los individuos evaluados, el principal hallazgo patológico externo correspondió a la enfermedad septicémica ulcerativa cutánea (SCUD), el cual se presentó en el 90% de los individuos. A la evaluación macroscópica de los órganos internos, se observaron anomalías en la cavidad celómica, hígado, bazo y pulmones. Se presentaron lesiones en el 71% de los hígados, 92% de los bazos, 41% de los riñones y 40% de los pulmones. Lo anterior demuestra el efecto negativo que tiene el cautiverio sobre los individuos silvestres de esta especie que han sido decomisados producto del tráfico ilegal.

A postmortem evaluation of 41 T. callirostris kept in captivity during the year 2009 was conducted at CAV-CVS Wildlife Care Center. The evaluation was performed in animals confiscated as a result of illegal trafficking. Histopathological examination of main organs and lesions was conducted in all animals. External clinical examination was also conducted and organs were macroscopically evaluated. Organs with anomalies were collected for histopathology and stained with hematoxylin-eosin stain. The most common external pathology found was Septicemic Cutaneous Ulcerative Disease (SCUD), present in 90% of the individuals. Abnormalities in the coelomic cavity, liver, spleen and lungs were observed while performing the macroscopic evaluation of internal organs. Lesions were present in 71% of livers, 92% of spleens, 41% of kidneys, and 40% of the lungs. This study shows the negative effects of captivity on wild individuals of this species.

Avaliou-se o estado sanitário post-mortem de 41 indivíduos de T.callirostris, mantidos em cativeiro durante o 2009 no centro de atenção de fauna Silvestre (CAV-CVS). A avaliação se fez a traves de analise histopatológica dos principais órgãos e lesões encontradas. Para isto, realizou-se uma avaliação clinica externa dos indivíduos e avaliaram-se cada um dos órgãos macroscopicamente. Os órgãos que apresentaram anomalias foram coletados para histopatologia com Hematoxilina-Eosina. Dos indivíduos avaliados, a principal descoberta no exame patológico externo correspondeu a doença septicêmica ulcerativa cutânea (SCUD), o qual apresentou-se no 90% dos indivíduos (37/41). Na avaliação macroscópica dos órgãos internos, observaram-se anomalias na cavidade celômica, fígado, baço e pulmões. Apresentaram-se lesões no 71% dos fígados, 92% dos baços, 41% dos rins e 40% dos pulmões. O anterior demonstra o efeito negativo que tem o cativeiro sob os indivíduos silvestres desta espécie que tem sido decomisados como produto do trafego ilegal.