Native Fauna of Tardigrades from Two Natural Areas of the Argentina Republic.

Understanding and preserving biodiversity in natural habitats is crucial due to their rapid degradation and destruction. The meiofauna of natural areas is less well known than the macroscopic life. Tardigrades are common in limno-terrestrial meiofauna and can indicate environmental conditions. In this study, we expand our understanding of the taxonomy and ecology of tardigrade communities in two natural reserves in Argentina by examining the environmental factors that can affect them and the species that could be used as indicators. In 2018, sampling occurred in the Parque Luro Provincial Reserve (province of La Pampa) and the Poligono A Municipal Ecological Reserve (province of Salta). Samples were taken from epiphytic communities that grow on the bark of trees. Various environmental and microhabitat factors were taken into account. In the province of La Pampa, there were 1326 specimens of five species, and in the province of Salta, there were 212 specimens of nine species. The tardigrade communities in Salta exhibited statistically higher diversity than those in La Pampa. Temperature and moisture affected the tardigrade community of Parque Luro Provincial Reserve, while the microhabitat thickness affected those of Poligono A Municipal Ecological Reserve. The species turnover shaped the community of Salta, while nesting shaped the community of La Pampa.

Effect of Agroecosystems on Seroprevalence of St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile Viruses in Birds, La Pampa, Argentina, 2017-2019.

In Argentina, the Pampa ecoregion has been almost completely transformed into agroecosystems. To evaluate the environmental (agricultural area, tree coverage, distance to the nearest water body and urban site) and biological (dove, cowbird, and sparrow abundance) effects on free-ranging bird exposure to St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and West Nile virus (WNV), we used generalized linear mixed models. For 1,019 birds sampled during 2017-2019, neutralizing antibodies were found against SLEV in samples from 60 (5.8%) birds and against WNV for 21 (2.1%). The best variable for explaining SLEV seroprevalence was agricultural area, which had a positive effect; however, for WNV, no model was conclusive. Our results suggest that agroecosystems in the La Pampa ecoregion increase the exposure of avian hosts to SLEV, thus potentially increasing virus activity.

Las epidemias en La Pampa (Argentina), en perspectiva histórica* / The epidemics in La Pampa (Argentina), from a historical perspective

Resumen Este artículo describe el inicio de las preocupaciones sanitarias vinculadas a las epidemias ocurridas durante el siglo XX en La Pampa, provincia argentina. Las epidemias, como las de la viruela, fueron un estímulo para estas políticas que frecuentemente tuvieron origen en Buenos Aires, la capital del país. El contagio de muchas epidemias dependía de carencias de infraestructura: agua, desagüe y desecho adecuado de basuras, de la ausencia de un número suficiente de trabajadores de salud, de la presencia de vectores transmisores de enfermedades como los mosquitos y, en última instancia, de la pobreza. La experiencia histórica descrita en este texto resalta la importancia de analizar el impacto del SARS-CoV-2 más allá de las grandes ciudades.

Abstract This article describes the emergence of health concerns relating to the epidemics that occurred during the twentieth century in La Pampa, a province in Argentina. Epidemics such as smallpox drove such policies, which frequently originated in Buenos Aires, the country's capital. The spread of many epidemics was due to shortages: water, sewage and adequate refuse disposal, an insufficient number of health care workers, the presence of disease transmission vectors such as mosquitos, and, ultimately, poverty. The historical experience described in this text highlights the importance of analyzing the impact of SARS-CoV-2 beyond the big cities.

Las epidemias en La Pampa (Argentina), en perspectiva histórica / The epidemics in La Pampa (Argentina), from a historical perspective

Este artículo describe el inicio de las preocupaciones sanitarias vinculadas a las epidemias ocurridas durante el siglo XX en La Pampa, provincia argentina. Las epidemias, como las de la viruela, fueron un estímulo para estas políticas que frecuentemente tuvieron origen en Buenos Aires, la capital del país. El contagio de muchas epidemias dependía de carencias de infraestructura: agua, desagüe y desecho adecuado de basuras, de la ausencia de un número suficiente de trabajadores de salud, de la presencia de vectores transmisores de enfermedades como los mosquitos y, en última instancia, de la pobreza. La experiencia histórica descrita en este texto resalta la importancia de analizar el impacto del SARS-CoV-2 más allá de las grandes ciudades

Hydrogeochemical controls on the mobility of arsenic, fluoride and other geogenic co-contaminants in the shallow aquifers of northeastern La Pampa Province in Argentina.

Elevated Arsenic (As) and Fluoride (F) concentrations in groundwater have been studied in the shallow aquifers of northeastern of La Pampa province, in the Chaco-Pampean plain, Argentina. The source of As and co-contaminants is mainly geogenic, from the weathering of volcanic ash and loess (rhyolitic glass) that erupted from the Andean volcanic range. In this study we have assessed the groundwater quality in two semi-arid areas of La Pampa. We have also identified the spatial distribution of As and co-contaminants in groundwater and determined the major factors controlling the mobilization of As in the shallow aquifers. The groundwater samples were circum-neutral to alkaline (7.4 to 9.2), oxidizing (Eh ~0.24 V) and characterized by high salinity (EC = 456-11,400 µS/cm) and Na+-HCO3- water types in recharge areas. Carbonate concretions ("tosca") were abundant in the upper layers of the shallow aquifer. The concentration of total As (5.6 to 535 µg/L) and F (0.5 to 14.2 mg/L) were heterogeneous and exceeded the recommended WHO Guidelines and the Argentine Standards for drinking water. The predominant As species were arsenate As(V) oxyanions, determined by thermodynamic calculations. Arsenic was positively correlated with bicarbonate (HCO3-), fluoride (F), boron (B) and vanadium (V), but negatively correlated with iron (Fe), aluminium (Al), and manganese (Mn), which were present in low concentrations. The highest amount of As in sediments was from the surface of the dry lake. The mechanisms for As mobilization are associated with multiple factors: geochemical reactions, hydrogeological characteristics of the local aquifer and climatic factors. Desorption of As(V) at high pH, and ion competition for adsorption sites are considered the principal mechanisms for As mobilization in the shallow aquifers. In addition, the long-term consumption of the groundwater could pose a threat for the health of the local community and low cost remediation techniques are required to improve the drinking water quality.

The austral-most record of the genus Haemagogus Williston (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The genus Haemagogus Williston is restricted to Central America and North and middle of South America and it includes numerous species of yellow fever virus vectors. METHODS: Adult female and larvae mosquitoes were collected using hand aspirators and dipper and pipette, respectively. RESULTS: The first record of a species of Haemagogus and particularly of Haemagogus spegazzinii was from La Pampa, Argentina. With this registry, the number of species found in La Pampa province rises to 18. CONCLUSIONS: New information on breeding sites for the species and implications of this new record suggest a possible extension of distribution in the near future.

Conocimiento tradicional de la flora silvestre en las comunidades campesinas del Santuario Histórico de la Pampa de Ayacucho (Quinua, Ayacucho, Perú) / Traditional knowledge of the wild flora in the rural communities of the Pampa de Ayacucho Historic Sanctuary (Quinua, Ayacucho, Peru)

El presente estudio registra el uso, conocimiento tradicional y distribución de la flora silvestre en las ocho comunidades campesinas andinas que rodean al Santuario Histórico de la Pampa de Ayacucho, ubicada en el distrito de Quinua, Perú. La metodología se basó en la recolección de la flora silvestre utilizada por los pobladores, entrevistas abiertas y semiestructuradas. Se reportan 137 especies utilizadas, agrupadas en 49 familias y 101 géneros, siendo las familias Asteraceae, Poaceae y Fabaceae las de mayor número de especies, con 34, 11 y 9 especies respectivamente. Las especies fueron clasificadas en nueve categorías de usos, siendo las categorías Medicinal (91 especies), Social (46 especies) y Alimenticio (35 especies) las más representativas por el número de especies que presentan. Se concluye que los pobladores del área de estudio aún conservan el conocimiento tradicional de sus recursos vegetales, evidenciado en el número de especies y en la diversidad de usos que presentan.

This study records the use, traditional knowledge and distribution of the wild flora in the eight Andean rural communities surrounding the Pampa de Ayacucho Historic Sanctuary, placed in the Quinua District, Peru. The methodology was based on the collection of the wild flora used by local people, open and semi-structured interviews. A total of 137 species used, grouped in 49 families and 101 genera, were registered; Asteraceae, Poaceae and Fabaceae are the families with the highest number of species, with 34, 11 and 9 species respectively. The species were classified into nine categories of uses; being the categories Medicinal (91 species), Social (46 species) and Food (35 species) being the most representative by the number of species present. We conclude that people living in the study area still maintaining the traditional knowledge of their vegetal resources, evidenced by the number of species and the diversity of uses that they present.

Presencia de Acanthamoeba spp. en agua para consumo ganadero en la provincia de La Pampa, Argentina / Presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in watering trough in La Pampa province, Argentina

Las amebas de vida libre del género Acanthamoeba incluyen cepas patógenas y no patógenas que actualmente se encuentran clasificadas en 18 genotipos diferentes (T1-T18). Se llevó a cabo un relevamiento para determinar la presencia de cepas de Acanthamoeba en agua de bebida para consumo ganadero en la provincia de La Pampa, Argentina. Las muestras fueron sembradas en agar no nutritivo. La identificación de cepas de Acanthamoeba se realizó mediante polymerase chain reaction con los primers JDP1/JDP2 específicos para género. De las 65 muestras tomadas, 13 fueron positivas a Acanthamoeba spp. Estas fueron caracterizadas a nivel de genotipo mediante la secuenciación del fragmento DF3. Los resultados de la secuenciación revelaron la presencia de los genotipos T4, T5 y T15 dentro de las muestras estudiadas, siendo la más frecuente la T4. Nuestro estudio revela importancia de la presencia de Acanthamoeba en el ambiente ganadero y la necesidad de realizar más estudios, para asociar la presencia de estos organismos y el papel que cumplen en patologías veterinarias. Este es el primer estudio en la provincia de La Pampa que demuestra la presencia de Acanthamoeba y el primero estudiado a nivel de genotipo de Argentina.

Free-living Amoebae of Acanthamoeba genus include non-pathogenic and pathogenic strains that are currently classified in 18 different genotypes, T1-T18. In this study, a survey was carried out to evaluate the presence of Acanthamoeba strains inwatering trough sample in La Pampa province, Argentina. Sample were inoculated onto non-nutrient agar plates and were checked for the presence of Acanthamoeba. Polymerase chain reaction was performed with genus-specific primers JDP1/JDP2, followed by direct sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction product for molecular identification. Sequencing results revealed the presence of T4, T5 and T15 genotypes within the studied samples. Sequencing revealed presence of T4, T5 and T15 in the samples studied genotypes, the most frequent T4. Our study reveals importance of the presence of Acanthamoeba in the livestock environment and the need for further studies to associate the presence of these organisms and the role in veterinary pathology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the presence Acanthamoeba in La Pampa province and the first study at the genotype level in Argentina.

[Presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in watering trough in La Pampa province, Argentina]. / Presencia de Acanthamoeba spp. en agua para consumo ganadero en la provincia de La Pampa, Argentina.

Free-living Amoebae of Acanthamoeba genus include non-pathogenic and pathogenic strains that are currently classified in 18 different genotypes, T1-T18. In this study, a survey was carried out to evaluate the presence of Acanthamoeba strains inwatering trough sample in La Pampa province, Argentina. Sample were inoculated onto non-nutrient agar plates and were checked for the presence of Acanthamoeba. Polymerase chain reaction was performed with genus-specific primers JDP1/JDP2, followed by direct sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction product for molecular identification. Sequencing results revealed the presence of T4, T5 and T15 genotypes within the studied samples. Sequencing revealed presence of T4, T5 and T15 in the samples studied genotypes, the most frequent T4. Our study reveals importance of the presence of Acanthamoeba in the livestock environment and the need for further studies to associate the presence of these organisms and the role in veterinary pathology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the presence Acanthamoeba in La Pampa province and the first study at the genotype level in Argentina.

Underweight, overweight and obesity prevalence among adolescent school children in the Province of La Pamp Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: While different epidemiological studies as part of their survey include data of adolescents of the province of La Pampa regarding overweight and obesity prevalence, their experimental designs have certain limitations as far as the description of the regional reality. OBJECTIVE: To obtain a diagnosis of the situation regarding the body composition profile among 13 year old adolescents in the Province of La Pampa. POPULATION AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of male and female adolescents born in 2001. Weight, height, waist circumference, scapular and tricipital skinfolds were measured. RESULTS: Of the 711 adolescents assessed, 5 subjects (0.7%) had a weight below the third percentile for age and sex. In relation to overweight and obesity, the sample values were 26.4% and 14.1%, respectively (27.5% and 16.9% of male; 25.5% and 11.7% of female adolescents). Of the total sample, 15.8% (16.5% of male and 15.6% of female adolescents) had waist circumference values compatible with abdominal obesity. As far as body fat values, 36.8% (37.4% of male and 36% of female adolescents) had above normal values according to skinfold thickness measurements. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast with the small prevalence of low weight in the region, overweight and obesity are a significant problem among the studied population in La Pampa.

INTRODUCTION: Introducción. Mientras que diversos estudios epidemiológicos incluyen como parte de su relevamiento datos de jóvenes de la provincia de La Pampa en relación con la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad, sus diseños experimentales presentan ciertas limitaciones en cuanto a la descripción de la realidad regional. OBJECTIVE: Obtener un diagnóstico de situación acerca del perfil de composición corporal de adolescentes de 13 años de edad de la provincia de La Pampa. POBLACIÓN Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal en una muestra de varones y niñas nacidos en el año 2001, a los que se les tomó peso, tall perímetro de cintur pliegue subescapular y tricipital. RESULTS: De los 711 varones y niñas evaluados, 5 sujetos (0,7%) presentaron un peso por debajo del percentilo 3 para sexo y edad. En lo que hace a sobrepeso y obesidad, los valores de la muestra fueron 26,4% y 14,1%, respectivamente (27,5% y 16,9% en varones; 25,5% y 11,7% en niñas). Un 15,8% del total de la muestra (16,5% de los varones y 15,6% de las niñas) presentó valores de perímetro de cintura compatibles con obesidad abdominal. Un 36,8% (37,4% de varones y 36% de mujeres) mostró valores de grasa por encima de lo normal de acuerdo con la evaluación realizada a partir de los pliegues cutáneos. CONCLUSIÓN: En contraposición a la pequeña prevalencia de bajo peso en la región, el sobrepeso y la obesidad constituyen una problemática de magnitudes elevadas en nuestra provincia en lapoblación estudiada.

Las medicinas tradicionales en la pampa argentina. Reflexiones sobre síntesis de praxis y conocimientos médicos, saberes populares y rituales católicos / Traditional medicines in the Argentine pampa. Reflections on the synthesis of praxis and medical knowledge, popular knowledge and Catholic rituals

En este artículo el autor sostiene que las medicinas tradicionales en la Provincia de La Pampa, Argentina -la práctica de legos o medicina casera y el curanderismo- sintetizan principalmente tradiciones de la antigua medicina académica -especialmente la humoralsaberes populares y terapéuticas rituales en su mayoría de raigambre católica, o reformuladas en el marco de dicha religión. El autor aclara que dichas medicinas son de origen europeo sin que se registre una síntesis con tradiciones indígenas, dado que los mapuches fueron expulsados y semi-aniquilados por la llamada Conquista del Desierto con anterioridad a la instalación de los colonos inmigrantes. A fin demostrar este hecho, en primera instancia el autor analiza la influencia de las antiguas concepciones médicas en las prácticas y saberes de los curanderos y de los legos. A continuación define a la cura de palabra o ensalmo como el ritual terapéutico típico de la medicina casera, dando cuenta de las acciones y los significados que ella conlleva, así como otros rituales de sanación, practicados por legos, de raigambre popular pero que dejan ver la influencia de las creencias católicas. Finalmente, enfoca la terapéutica ritual propia de los curanderos, distinguiendo procedimientos particulares para el tratamiento de unas pocas dolencias de los procedimientos rituales de uso generalizado. En toda circunstancia, hace hincapié en mostrar cómo prácticas y nociones terapéuticas, así como las teorías etiológicas de la enfermedad adquieren significación en cosmovisiones de raigambre hispana y, más genéricamente, europea.

Brucelosis en el zorro gris pampeano (Pseudalopex gymnocercus) en la provincia de La Pampa (Argentina) / Brucelosis in the grey fox of the pampas (Pseudalopex gymnocercus) in La Pampa province (Argentina)

Brucella abortus (Br abortus) es una de las principales causas de abortos y pérdidas reproductivas en el ganado bovino. Los fetos abortados y sus fluidos fetales son la mayor fuente de infección. Es así como la enfermedad puede llegar a animales silvestres cuando ingieren esos tejidos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la prevalencia serológica de brucelosis en el zorro gris pampeano (Pseudalopex gymnocercus). Se tomaron muestras de sangre de 41 zorros de la región centro-este de la provincia de La Pampa, Argentina. Para determinar la presencia de anticuerpos específicos contra Br abortus se utilizaron las Pruebas de Polarización de la Fluorescencia (FPA), Seroaglutinación en Microplaca (SAP) y Seroaglutinación en Microplaca con 2-mercaptoetanol (2-ME). Sobre un total de 41 sueros procesados por FPA, en 7 (17,1%) se detectaron anticuerpos contra Br abortus. Sólo 34 sueros fueron analizados por las pruebas de SAP y 2-ME, encontrando 5 (14,7%) y 4 (11,8%) muestras positivas, respectivamente. Los resultados permiten inferir que el zorro gris pampeano es susceptible a infectarse con Br. abortus a una tasa de incidencia importante. Es necesario realizar futuros estudios para establecer el rol del zorro en la transmisión de la enfermedad y sus consecuencias en esta especie.

Brucellosis is produced by several species of Brucella. Brucella abortus causes abortion and reproductive loss in bovine cattle. In the epidemiology of brucellosis, aborted fetus and their fetal fluids are the main source of infection and dissemination. Although the biological cycle and the disease consequences to domestic cattle have been widely studied, it is not the case with wild fauna. The objective of this study was to determine the serologic prevalence to brucellosis in the grey fox of the pampas (Pseudalopex gymnocercus). To that purpose, 41 foxes were sampled in the centre-east area of La Pampa province (Argentina). Blood samples for serologic studies were collected. A test of agglutination in microplate (SAP), another SAP with the addition of 2-mercapto-etanol (2-ME) and a test of polarization of the fluorescence (FPA) were used for the diagnosis of antibodies against Brucella abortus. For this, 17.1%, 14.7% and 11.8% was the prevalence found by FPA, SAP and SAP with 2-ME. More studies will be necessary to know the role of foxes in disease transmission and maintenance as well as the consequence of the diseases in foxes.