Caracterización epidemiológica de la infección por Leptospira spp. en caballos de trabajo y en personas ocupacionalmente expuestas en seis unidades de la Policía Nacional de Colombia / Epidemiological characterization of Leptospira spp. infection in working horses and in an occupationally exposed population in six Colombian police stations

Resumen Introducción. Los caballos de trabajo de la Policía Nacional tienen un estrecho contacto con sus manejadores y la población en general durante las actividades recreativas y de patrullaje, lo cual puede favorecer la transmisión de la leptospirosis en los caballos y el personal ocupacionalmente expuesto. Objetivo. Caracterizar epidemiológicamente la leptospirosis mediante pruebas de serología, urocultivo y reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR) en caballos de trabajo y personal con riesgo ocupacional pertenecientes a seis unidades de la Policía Nacional de Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se evaluaron 153 caballos machos castrados y 123 personas en las seis unidades en los municipios de Manizales, Pereira, Armenia, Ibagué, Tuluá y Cali. Se utilizaron tres formatos estructurados para recabar información y se obtuvieron muestras sanguíneas de las personas y de los caballos, las cuales se procesaron con la prueba de aglutinación microscópica (Macroscopic Agglutination Test, MAT) para 24 serogrupos. Se practicó el examen clínico de los caballos y se obtuvieron muestras de orina para el urocultivo y la PCR convencional. Resultados. La seroprevalencia de Leptospira spp. fue de 3,25 % (n=4) en las personas y de 85 % (n=130) en los caballos. Entre los caballos, los serogrupos Djasiman y Shermani fueron los más prevalentes. El urocultivo fue positivo en el 64,7 % (99/153) de las muestras, en tanto que los análisis de PCR fueron negativos. Se encontró una asociación estadísticamente significativa de la frecuencia de salida de las instalaciones (p=0,009) y la presencia de fauna silvestre (p=0,051) con la infección por el serogrupo Shermani. Conclusión. Las características epidemiológicas de la leptospirosis en los caballos sugieren una presentación endémica de la infección y su papel como reservorios de la bacteria; sin embargo, debe dilucidarse la patogenia de la enfermedad con estudios complementarios.

Abstract Introduction: Police working horses are in close contact with their managers and the general population during recreational and patrol activities, which can favor the transmission of leptospirosis among the horses and the occupationally exposed personnel. Objective. To characterize epidemiologically leptospirosis through serology, urine culture and PCR in working horses and in the occupationally exposed population in six police stations in Colombia. Materials and methods. We tested 153 castrated male horses and 123 people in six police stations in the municipalities of Manizales, Pereira, Armenia, Ibagué, Tuluá, and Cali. Three structured formats were applied and blood samples were obtained from people and horses, which were processed with the Macroscopic Agglutination Test, (MAT) for 24 serogroups. Horses were subject to a clinical examination, and urine samples were obtained for urine culture and conventional PCR. Results. The seroprevalence of human Leptospira spp. was 3.25% (n=4) while in horses it was 85% (n=130). Among the horses, serogroups Djasiman and Shermani were the most prevalent. The urine culture was positive in 64.7% (99/153) of the samples, whereas PCR analyzes were negative. A statistically significant association was found between the frequency of exiting the facilities (p=0.009) and the presence of wildlife (p=0.0051) with the infection by serogroup Shermani. Conclusion. The epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis in horses suggest an endemic presentation of the infection and its role as reservoirs of the bacteria; however, it is necessary to elucidate the pathogenesis of the disease with complementary studies.

Characterization of cattle breeding systems with reproductive activity in South-Central Brazil / Caracterização dos sistemas de criação de bovinos com atividade reprodutiva na região Centro-Sul do Brasil

Between October 2001 and December 2004, the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply conducted a study to evaluate the epidemiological situation of bovine brucellosis in 14 Brazilian states. The work included an epidemiological questionnaire intended to assess possible risk factors for the disease in herds. This also fostered the development of a descriptive analysis of livestock in various regions. The results demonstrated the high heterogeneity of the production chain and inequalities between various actors of the productive chain. Overall, we found that most farm holdings raise few animals extensively, with low investment in technology, specialization and intensification of management. Considering the increasing participation of Brazil in global food production, the results reflect an optimistic outlook about the potential for production of meat and milk by the country if policies aimed at increasing productivity levels of small producers are introduced. Given the scarcity of such projects, we reflected on the need for further work with this approach and on the establishment of an integrated information system with respect to information regarding the health and productivity of cattle farms, whereas the greater knowledge about the environment will be the most effective actions to correct problems in the industry.

Entre outubro de 2001 e dezembro de 2004, o Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento realizou um estudo visando conhecer a situação epidemiológica da brucelose bovina em 14 Unidades Federativas do Brasil. O trabalho incluiu um questionário epidemiológico com a intenção de avaliar possíveis fatores de risco para a doença nos rebanhos. O mesmo possibilitou a realização de uma análise descritiva da pecuária em diversas regiões. Os resultados demonstraram a alta heterogeneidade da cadeia produtiva e as desigualdades produtivas entre diversos atores da cadeia. De maneira geral, observou-se que a maior parte das propriedades cria extensivamente poucos animais, com baixo investimento em tecnologia, em especialização e intensificação dos manejos. Considerando a crescente participação brasileira no cenário da produção de alimentos, os resultados refletem uma perspectiva otimista acerca do potencial de crescimento da produção de carne e leite pelo país caso políticas voltadas para o incremento nos índices de produtividade dos pequenos produtores sejam instituídas. Tendo em vista a escassez de projetos desse tipo, reflete-se a respeito da necessidade de outros trabalhos com esse enfoque e da criação de um sistema integrado de informações sobre a sanidade, produtividade e característica das criações de bovinos, considerando que quanto maior for o conhecimento a respeito do ambiente sobre o qual as criações estão inseridas, mais efetivas serão as atitudes tomadas frente aos problemas encontrados no setor.

Brote de influenza A (H1N1) humano en pavos en un criadero comercial, Valparaíso, Chile: 2009 / Outbreak of human A (H1N1) influenza in turkeys of a commercial poultry farm, Valparaiso, Chile: August 2009

The Chilean Ministry of Health (MINSAL) led an investigation to identify associated factors to human influenza A (H1N1) infection in turkeys from poultry farms, Valparaíso. The Agriculture and Livestock Farming Service (SAG) informed the detection of influenza A (low pathogenicity) in turkeys and the Public Health Institute (ISP) confirmed influenza A (H1N1).The study included 100% of operative wards: 31% presented positive event (influenza A (H1N1)); 60% if considered only reproductive wards. Dissemination and dispersion velocity of 13 wards in 18 days evidenced a continuous common source. Interviews were performed to 89% of workers of whom 20% presented influenza-like disease: 26% from reproductive wards and 4% from raising and rearing farms. Of15 risk factors studied insemination and age in females showed statistically significant RR in low oviposition index wards. A man-bird transmission is proposed, through direct transmission of saliva during manual insemination or indirect transmission through contaminated semen. To the authors, this is the first turkey 2009 influenza H1N1 outbreak detected worldwide,in this case with a documented cloacal transmission path.

El MINSAL lideró una investigación para identificar factores asociados a infección por influenza A(H1N1) en pavos de planteles avícolas, Valparaíso. El Servicio Agrícola Ganadero informó la detección de influenza A (baja patogenicidad) en pavos y el ISP confirmó influenza A(H1N1). El estudio incluyó 100% de los pabellones operativos: 31% presentó evento positivo (influenza A(H1N1); 60% al considerar sólo pabellones de reproducción. La diseminación y velocidad de dispersión de 13 pabellones en 18 días evidenció una fuente común continua. Se entrevistó a 89% de los trabajadores y 20% presentó ETI: 26% de pabellones de reproducción y 4% de granjas de cría y recría. De 15 factores analizados, inseminación y edad de las hembras mostraron RR estadísticamente significativos en los planteles con baja ovipostura. Se plantea transmisión hombre-ave directa por saliva en inseminación manual o transmisión indirecta por semen contaminado. Es el primer brote de influenza A(H1N1) 2009 en pavos detectado en el mundo y que se comprueba vía de transmisión cloacal.

Prevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies in individuals exposed to swine in Mato Grosso, Brazil

This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis E antibodies (anti-HEV) among individuals exposed to swine in the rural areas of the state of Mato Grosso (MT) in Brazil. The study included 310 participants who had an average age of 39 years. Fifty-one per cent of the participants were female and 26 (8.4%) were anti-HEV-positive. Concomitantly, we studied 101 blood donors from the urban area of the state capital who had never lived in a rural area or handled swine. Four per cent (4%) of these individuals were anti-HEV-positive (p = 0.206). When we compared the anti-HEV-positive participants who had been exposed to swine with the anti-HEV-negative participants, we noticed associations between the presence of anti-HEV and increased age, a history of blood transfusions and contact with other farm animals. However, after a multivariate analysis was performed, this association was not confirmed. Finally, the ratio of anti-HEV-positive individuals who had been exposed to swine in rural MT was similar to that found in previous studies in Brazil. This prevalence did not characterise this type of exposure as a risk factor for HEV infection in this region.

Anticuerpos contra Leptospira sp. en primates neotropicales y trabajadores de un zoológico colombiano / Leptospiral antibodies in a Colombian zoo's Neotropical primates and workers

Objetivo Detectar anticuerpos contra Leptospira sp. en primates neotropicales y funcionarios de un zoológico colombiano e identificar factores de riesgo de la enfermedad. Métodos Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico en 65 primates y 20 funcionarios del Zoológico. Las muestras fueron procesadas mediante la técnica de Microaglutinación macroscópica (MAT) usando un cepario de referencia conformado por 21 serovares de Leptospira sp. Se aplicó un instrumento estructurado al personal evaluado para identificar factores de riesgo. Resultados La seroprevalencia de la infección por Leptospira sp. fue del 25 % (5/20) en el personal y 23,07 % (15/65) en los monos neotropicales. Los serovares más frecuentes entre los funcionarios fueron bataviae, gryppotyphosa y hurstbridge. En los monos neotropicales predominaron los serovares icterohaemorrhagiae, pomona y ranarum. Las especies mono araña negro (Ateles fusciceps), mono cariblanco (Cebus albifrons) y tití gris (Saguinus leucopus), presentaron mayor reactividad. La mayor proporción del personal usaba dotación de protección. Conclusiones Se evidenció el contacto de los primates neotropicales y del personal con diferentes serovares de Leptospira. El uso de la dotación de protección y el tiempo de experiencia de los funcionarios del zoológico se consideraron como factores protectores de la enfermedad. Se sugiere que existe un riesgo de transmisión de leptospirosis, en los animales del zoológico y el personal, siendo por lo tanto importante fortalecer la vigilancia epidemiológica activa e implementar programas de promoción y prevención.

Objective Detecting antibodies against Leptospira spp. in Neotropical primates and workers in a Colombian Zoo and identifying the risk factors associated with the disease. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed regarding 65 Neotropical primates and 20 zookeepers. The samples were processed by microagglutination test (MAT) using a reference strain collection consisting of 21 Leptospira serovars. The people being evaluated were given a structured survey to identify risk factors. Results There was 25 % (5/20) Leptospira spp. infection seroprevalence in the staff and 23.07 % (15/65) in Neotropical monkeys. The most frequently occurring serovars in workers were bataviae, gryppotyphosa and ranarum; icterohaemorrhagiae, pomona and ranarum were the predominant serovars in non-human primates. The black spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps), white-fronted capuchin (Cebus albifrons) and white-footed tamarin (Saguinus leucopus) showed the highest reactivity. Most of the personnel were using protective clothing. Conclusions The contact between primates and zookeepers involving different Leptospira sp. serovars was evident. Zoo personnel using protective clothing and their length of experience were considered to be protective factors for the disease. There may be a risk of Leptospira transmission between zoo animals and staff, and it is therefore important to strengthen active surveillance and implement promotion and prevention programs.

Борьба с устойчивостью к антибиотикам с позиций безопасности пищевых продуктов в Европе

Антибиотики произвели революцию в лечении инфекционных болезней у людей. Однако их широкое и не всегда правильное применение привело к возникновению и распространению устойчивости к антибиотикам. В настоящее время эта проблема является актуальной для общественного здравоохранения: ежегодно только в странах Европейского союза свыше 25 тысяч человек умирают от инфекций, обусловленных резистентными бактериями. Устойчивость к антибиотикам является также проблемой безопасности пищевых продуктов: применение антибиотиков у сельскохозяйственных животных  – для лечения и профилактики болезней или в качестве стимуляторов роста – позволяет устойчивым бактериям и генам резистентности передаваться через пищевую цепь от сельскохозяйственных животных к людям. В данной публикации рассмотрены возможности предупреждения и сдерживания устойчивости к антибиотикам в пищевой цепи с помощью как национальной координации, так и международного сотрудничества, включая регламентацию и сокращение применения антибиотиков у сельскохозяйственных животных, подготовку специалистов и наращивание потенциала, надзор за тенденциями в резистентности и применении антибиотиков, распространение информации и проведение научных исследований, а также образовательную и разъяснительную работу для привлечения внимания к проблеме.Эта книга предназначена, прежде всего, для руководителей и организаторов, проводящих политику в области здравоохранения, сельского хозяйства, пищевой промышленности и ветеринарии. В ней предложены возможные пути для выработки целостного межведомственного и мультидисциплинарного подхода к решению этой сложной и усугубляющейся проблемы.

Tackling antibiotic resistance from a food safety perspective in Europe

Antibiotics have revolutionized the treatment of infectious diseases. But their use and misuse have resulted in the development and spread of antibiotic resistance. This is now a significant health problem: each year in the European Union alone, over 25 000 people die from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is also a food safety problem: antibiotic use in food animals –for treatment, disease prevention or growth promotion – allows resistant bacteria and resistance genes to spread from food animals to humans through the food-chain. This publication explores the options for prevention and containment of antibiotic resistance in the food-chain through national coordination and international cooperation, including the regulation and reduction of antibiotic use in food animals, training and capacity building, surveillance of resistance trends and antibiotic usage, promotion of knowledge and research, and advocacy and communication to raise awareness of the issues.This publication is primarily intended for policy-makers and authorities working in the public health, agriculture, food production and veterinary sectors, and offers them ways to take a holistic, intersectoral, multifaceted approach to this growing problem.

Epidemiología de las hepatitis virales en México / Epidemiology of viral hepatitis in Mexico

Las hepatitis virales son una de las causas principales de daño hepático en México. En este estudio se analiza el estado actual de las hepatitis virales en México. La Secretaría de Salud informa un total de 192 588 casos de hepatitis virales entre 2000 y 2007. De éstos, 79 por ciento corresponden aVHA, 3.3 por ciento aVHB, 6 por ciento a VHC y 11.7 por ciento a casos sin agente etiológico descrito. No obstante, el VHB se podría estar subdiagnosticando, ya que hay zonas de alta endemia en poblaciones indígenas, existen limitaciones en la sensibilidad y especificidad de las pruebas inmunológicas y podría ser común la hepatitis B oculta. ElVHE podría ser uno de los agentes etiológicos de aquellos casos que carecen de un agente etiológico conocido. Se proponen estrategias específicas para el control de las hepatitis virales tendientes a disminuir el número de casos.

The main etiology of liver disease in Mexico is alcohol and viral hepatitis. The aim of the present study was to analyze the current epidemiology of viral hepatitis in Mexico. From 2000 to 2007 the Ministry of Health reported 192 588 cases of hepatitis, 79 percent HAV, 3.3 percent HBV, 6 percent HCV, and 12 percent without a specific etiologic factor. Due to high endemic areas for HBV infection in native Mexican population, limitations in the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the serological immunoassays used to date and presence of occult hepatitis B in the country, the real prevalence of HBV infection could be even higher than HCV in Mexico. Hepatitis E virus in cirrhotic patients and in porcine farms could at least partially explain the cases of hepatitis that are diagnosed without a specific etiologic agent. Specific strategies to establish control regulations against viral hepatitis infections in Mexico are proposed.

Causas de mortalidade de leitões neonatos em sistema intensivo de produção de suínos / Preweaning piglets mortality in a intensive swine production system

Objetivou-se, neste estudo, avaliar e classificar (através de achados de necropsia) as ocorrências de mortes de leitões durante o aleitamento em um sistema intensivo de produção de suínos (SIPS), localizado na região oeste do Estado de São Paulo durante o ano de 2000. Foi verificado que 7,19 por cento do total de nascidos vivos morreram durante os 24 dias de aleitamento, concentrando a maioria das mortes na 1ª semana de vida, cerca 5,63 por cento, e independentemente dos meses do ano. As causas mais freqüentes de mortalidade, em relação ao total de nascidos, foram o esmagamento (2,61 por cento), debilitação (1,45 por cento), síndrome diarréica (1,10 por cento) e anomalia genética (0,56 por cento). A distribuição das mortes nos dias após o nascimento variou de maneira similar ao descrito anteriormente, maiores perdas nos primeiros dias de vida devido, principalmente, ao esmagamento, debilitação, síndrome diarréica e anomalia genético. A taxa de natimortos, em relação ao total de nascidos, foi de 5,96 por cento. Notou-se, ainda, uma tendência de mortalidade por esmagamento nos meses mais quentes do ano, devido, provavelmente, a uma maior permanência dos leitões fora do escamoteador. Medidas de controle direcionadas aos primeiros dias de vida dos leitões devem ser implantadas, a fim de aumentar a eficiência produtiva do SIPS.