Seropositividad de Chlamydia psittaci en trabajadores expuestos a aves y revisión de la literatura: evidencia de circulación en Antioquia / Chlamydia psittaci seropositivity in workers exposed to birds and review of the literature: Evidence of circulation in Antioquia

Introducción. La psitacosis es una enfermedad zoonótica causada por Chlamydia psittaci. Esta bacteria es catalogada como un agente con potencial bioterrorista y ha causado múltiples brotes en trabajadores con exposición laboral a aves en diferentes lugares del mundo. En Colombia, no se hace seguimiento epidemiológico de la infección y existe una gran brecha en el conocimiento. Objetivos. Determinar la frecuencia de anticuerpos contra C. psittaci en trabajadores con exposición laboral a aves y sus factores asociados. Además, revisar la literatura en relación con los estudios sobre el tema realizados en Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo, transversal, con intención analítica, en trabajadores en contacto con aves y se revisó la literatura científica relacionada en Colombia. Se detectaron anticuerpos IgM e IgG contra C. psittaci en suero por microinmunofluorescencia. La descripción de las características sociodemográficas y de exposición se hizo con frecuencias y medidas de resumen. Se exploraron factores asociados por análisis bivariados y multivariados. La revisión de la literatura científica y gris se hizo con búsqueda estructurada. Resultados. Se analizaron 54 trabajadores en contacto con aves y se encontró una prevalencia de anticuerpos del 31,5 %. El ejercer funciones de sacrificio y faenado de las aves sin ser médico veterinario fue un factor de riesgo para la presencia de anticuerpos. Solo se encontraron cuatro estudios previos sobre C. psittaci hechos en Colombia. Conclusiones. Este estudio constituye la primera evidencia de la circulación de C. psittaci en trabajadores en contacto con aves en Antioquia y el segundo reporte en el país. Estos hallazgos aportan desde la salud pública a la estrategia One Health.

Introduction. Psittacosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci, a bacterium classified as an agent with bioterrorist potential. It has caused multiple outbreaks in exposed poultry workers around the world. Colombia has no epidemiological follow-up of the infection and a big knowledge gap. Objectives. To determine the antibodies' frequency against C. psittaci in workers with occupational exposure to birds and to review the literature on studies conducted in Colombia. Materials and methods. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study with analytical intent on workers in contact with birds and reviewed the related literature in Colombia. IgM and IgG serum antibodies against C. psittaci were detected by microimmunofluorescence. The sociodemographic and exposure characteristics were expressed as frequencies and summary measures. Associated factors were explored by bivariate and multivariate analysis. The scientific and gray literature review was done with a structured search. Results. We analyzed 54 workers in contact with birds. Antibody prevalence was 31.5%. Slaughtering and evisceration by non-veterinarians was a risk factor for antibody presence. There are only four previous studies on C. psittaci in Colombia. Conclusions. Here, we present the first evidence of C. psittaci circulation among workers exposed to birds in Antioquia and the second report in the country. These findings contribute to the "One Health" public health strategy.

Comparison of capillary blood and plasma samples for the evaluation of seroprevalence to SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by lateral flow immunoassay in a university population in Medellín, Colombia, 2020.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using the SARS-CoV-2 antibody test in a university population. Capillary blood and plasma samples were compared and correlated with symptomatology to establish rapid treatment processes and develop a public health strategy within the community. Study design: Descriptive study of seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a university population. Methods: Standardised and validated laboratory serological tests were used to assess the immune response detected in capillary blood and plasma samples. In this study, 280 participants from the University Colegio Mayor de Antioquia in the Municipality of Medellín, Colombia, were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in capillary blood and plasma samples between November 2020 and January 2021. Results: In total, 29 (11.2%) individuals had positive results for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgG/IgM); 28 (96.6%) had positive results in plasma samples and 11 (37.9%) in capillary blood samples. The two tests were compared, and the overall sensitivity and specificity of capillary vs plasma samples was 36.7% and 99.6%, respectively. Conclusions: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgG/IgM) can be used to estimate the seroprevalence in populations, including immunity by vaccination; however, capillary blood samples should not be used to detect previous infection as they provide low sensitivity compared to plasma samples.