Describing the intestinal microbiota of Holstein Fasciola-positive and -negative cattle from a hyperendemic area of fascioliasis in central Colombia.

The ability to identify compositional changes in the intestinal microbiota of parasitized hosts is important for understanding the physiological processes that may affect animal productivity. Within the field of host-parasite interactions, many studies have suggested that helminths can influence the microbial composition of their hosts via their immunomodulatory effects. Bovine fascioliasis is a helminthiasis widely studied by immunologists, but with little information available regarding gut microbial communities. Thus, we aimed to describe the composition of the intestinal microbiota of Holstein Fasciola-positive and -negative cattle using parasitological methods and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Bovine fecal samples (n = 65) were obtained from livestock slaughter plants in the Cundi-Boyacense Colombian highlands (a hyperendemic region for bovine fascioliasis) and studied by amplicon-based next-generation 16S-rRNA and 18S-rRNA gene sequencing. From these samples, 35 were Fasciola hepatica-negative and, 30 were F. hepatica-positive in our detection analysis. Our results showed a reduction in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Ascomycota in the Fasciola-positive samples, along with decreased relative abundances of the commensal taxa previously associated with fermentation and digestion processes. However, metabolomic approaches and functional analyzes of the intestinal microbiota are necessary to support these hypothesis. These findings are a small first step in the development of research aimed at understanding how microbial populations in bovines are modulated in liver helminth infections.

Blastocystis subtyping and its association with intestinal parasites in children from different geographical regions of Colombia.

Blastocystis is a common enteric protist colonizing probably more than 1 billion people with a large variety of non-human hosts. Remarkable genetic diversity has been observed, leading to the subdivision of the genus into multiple subtypes (ST), some of which are exclusively found in non-human hosts. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of Blastocystis STs/18S alleles in symptomatic (abdominal pain, anal pruritus, diarrhea, headache, nauseas and/or vomit) and asymptomatic children from nine geographical regions of Colombia. A total of 2026 fecal samples were collected as part of a national survey to estimate the frequency of intestinal parasites in children. A set of 256 samples that were Blastocystis positive was finally selected. The samples were submitted to DNA extraction, Real Time PCR and sequencing using Blastocystis-specific primers targeting the small subunit rRNA gene for ST identification. DNA of Ascaris lumbricoides (16.4%), Trichuris trichiura (8.2%), hookworms (Necator americanus/Ancylostoma duodenale) (7.3%), Giardia duodenalis (23.1%), Entamoeba complex (82%), Entamoeba coli (55%), Hymenolepis nana (0.8%), Endolimax nana (33.2%) and Neobalantidium coli (2.7%) was detected in the Blastocystis-positive samples. We detected ST1 (21.4%), ST2 (19.5%), ST3 (55.5%), ST4 (0.8%), ST6 (2%) and ST7 (0.8%); alleles 1, 2, 4, 81, 82 and 83 for ST1; alleles 9, 11, 12, 15, 67, 71 and 73 for ST2; alleles 34, 36, 38, 45, 49, 55, 134 and 128 for ST3; allele 42 for ST4; allele 122 for ST6, and allele 142 for ST7. Further studies implementing high-resolution molecular markers are necessary to understand the dynamics of Blastocystis transmission and the role of this Stramenopila in health and disease.

Geographic distribution of human Blastocystis subtypes in South America.

Blastocystis is a cosmopolitan enteric protist colonizing probably more than 1 billion people. This protozoan exhibits genetic diversity and is subdivided into subtypes (STs). The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of Blastocystis STs in symptomatic and asymptomatic human samples from different countries of South America. A total of 346 fecal samples were genotyped by SSU rDNA showing ST1 (28.3%), ST2 (22.2%), ST3 (36.7%), ST4 (2%), ST5 (2.3%), ST6 (2%), ST7 (2.3%), ST8 (0.6%), ST12 (0.9%) and a novel ST (2.7%). These findings update the epidemiology of Blastocystis in South America and expand our knowledge of the phylogeographic differences exhibited by this stramenopile.

Amniocentesis precoz y biopsia de vellosidad corial. Pérdidas fetales y anomalías congénitas en un grupo de gestantes brasileñas / Early amniocentesis and chorionic villus biopsy. Fetal losses and congenital anomalies in a group of Brazilian pregnant women

Resumen En el Instituto de Medicina Fetal y Genética Humana de São Paulo se ofrecen, a las gestantes que tienen un riesgo aumentado para anomalías cromosómicas, diferentes técnicas, entre ellas, la Biopsia de Vellosidad Corial Transabdominal (BVCTA) y la Amniocentesis Precoz (AP). El objetivo del presente estudio es realizar una comparación de la frecuencia de pérdidas fetales y anomalías congénitas presentadas en cada uno de los procedimientos, ambos realizados por los mismos operadores, en la misma edad gestacional (12-14 6/7 semanas) y bajo un abordaje transabdominal. Fueron analizadas retrospectivamente 432 AP y 418 BVCTA. Todos los procedimientos de colecta fueron monitorizados por ultrasonografía. La frecuencia de pérdidas fetales espontáneas fue del 4,9 % en AP y de 5,3 % en BVCTA, una diferencia no significativa. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los dos procedimientos al comparar las frecuencias de pérdidas en cada semana de gestación. Sangrado y pérdida de líquido amniótico fueron más frecuentes en AP que en la BVCTA. Esa diferencia fue significativa en el caso de la pérdida de líquido amniótico. En algunos casos este hallazgo se relacionó con pérdida fetal. La incidencia de prematuridad y bajo peso al nacimiento no difirió significativamente entre los dos procedimientos. La mayor frecuencia de problemas respiratorios registrada en AP no fue significativa en comparación con BVCTA. No se observó diferencia significativa en la incidencia de anomalías músculo-esqueléticas. La amniocentesis después de catorce semanas presenta un bajo riesgo de pérdida fetal o anomalías congénitas. La BVCTA, debe ser realizada alrededor de la semana doce de gestación.

Abstract In the Institute of Fetal Medicine and Human Genetics of São Paulo are offered, pregnant women have an increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities, different techniques, among them, Transabdominal Corial Vellosity Biopsy (BVCTA) and Precocious Amniocentesis (AP). The objective of this study is to compare the frequency of Hepatitis and congenital anomalies presented in all procedures, both performed by operators, in the same gestational age (12-14 6/7 weeks) and under a transabdominal approach. 432 AP and 418 BVCTA were analyzed retrospectively. All collection procedures were monitored by ultrasonography. The spontaneous fetal frequency was 4.9% in AP and 5.3% in BVCTA, a non-significant difference. There is no difference in results compared to gestation times. Bleeding and loss of amniotic fluid were more frequent in AP than in BVCTA. That difference was significant in the case of the loss of amniotic fluid. In some cases, this finding was related to fetal loss. The incidence of prematurity and birth weight without difference between the two procedures. The highest frequency of respiratory problems recorded in AP was not significant compared to BVCTA. There is no significant difference in the incidence of musculoskeletal abnormalities. Amniocentesis after 14 weeks presents a low risk of fetal loss or congenital anomalies. The BVCTA should be close to the twelfth week of gestation.