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Monoxenous trypanosomatid Strigomonas culicis harbors an endosymbiotic bacterium, which enables the protozoa to survive without heme supplementation. The impact of H2O2 resistance and symbiont elimination on intracellular heme and Fe2+ availability was analyzed through a comparison of WT strain with both WT H2O2-resistant (WTR) and aposymbiotic (Apo) protozoa. The relative quantification of the heme biosynthetic pathway through label-free parallel reaction monitoring targeted mass spectrometry revealed that H2O2 resistance does not influence the abundance of tryptic peptides. However, the Apo strain showed increased coproporphyrinogen III oxidase and ferrochelatase levels. A putative ferrous iron transporter, homologous to LIT1 and TcIT from Leishmania major and Trypanosoma cruzi, was identified for the first time. Label-free parallel reaction monitoring targeted mass spectrometry also showed that S. culicis Iron Transporter (ScIT) increased 1.6- and 16.4-fold in WTR and Apo strains compared to WT. Accordingly, antibody-mediated blockage of ScIT decreased by 28.0% and 40.0% intracellular Fe2+concentration in both WTR and Apo strains, whereas no effect was detected in WT. In a heme-depleted medium, adding 10 µM hemin decreased ScIT transcript levels in Apo, whereas 10 µM PPIX, the substrate of ferrochelatase, increased intracellular Fe2+ concentration and ferric iron reduction. Overall, the data suggest mechanisms dependent on de novo heme synthesis (and its substrates) in the Apo strain to overcome reduced heme availability. Given the importance of heme and Fe2+ as cofactors in metabolic pathways, including oxidative phosphorylation and antioxidant systems, this study provides novel mechanistic insights associated with H2O2 resistance in S. culicis.

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Sauroleishmania spp. comprises one of the four Leishmania subgenera, which has been historically considered a non-pathogenic protozoan of reptiles. However, some strains appear to be transiently infective to mammals, and recent findings have detected these parasites in dogs and humans in areas where leishmaniasis is endemic. Herein, the digestion pattern of PCR-RFLP of the 234 bp-hsp70 fragment was evaluated as a simpler and cheaper tool to distinguish the Sauroleishmania species from the other Leishmania subgenera. As a result, the digestion of the 234 bp-hsp70 fragments with HaeIII produced a banding pattern specific to the four Sauroleishmania strains assessed. This technique could contribute to the identification of Leishmania parasites isolated from sandflies, reptiles, or even mammals in fieldworks as an alternative to the use of laborious and expensive methodologies.

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H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) emerged in wild birds in Chile in December 2022 and spilled over into poultry, marine mammals, and one human. Between December 9, 2022 - March 14, 2023, a coordinated government/academic response detected HPAIV by real-time RT-PCR in 8.5% (412/4735) of samples from 23 avian and 3 mammal orders. Whole-genome sequences obtained from 77 birds and 8 marine mammals revealed that all Chilean H5N1 viruses belong to lineage 2.3.4.4b and cluster monophyletically with viruses from Peru, indicating a single introduction from North America into Peru/Chile. Mammalian adaptations were identified in the PB2 segment: D701N in two sea lions, one human, and one shorebird, and Q591K in the human and one sea lion. Minor variant analysis revealed that D701N was present in 52.9 - 70.9% of sequence reads, indicating the presence of both genotypes within hosts. Further surveillance of spillover events is warranted to assess the emergence and potential onward transmission of mammalian adapted H5N1 HPAIV in South America.

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BACKGROUND: The morbidity of early-term newborns (ETNBs) is associated with the immaturity of their organs and maternal biological factors (MBF). In this study, we determined the relationship between MBF and early-term birth. In addition, we assessed the role of gestational age (GA) and MBF in the morbidity of ETNBs compared with full-term newborns (FTNBs). METHODS: This retrospective cohort included ETNBs and FTNBs. The frequency of morbidities was compared between groups stratified by GA with the X2 test or Fisher's exact test. The association of MBF with GA and morbidity was calculated using binomial regression models between the variables that correlated with the morbidity of the ETNBs using Spearman's correlation. A significance level of 5% was estimated for all analyses. RESULTS: The probability of morbidity at birth for ETNBs was 1.9-fold higher than for FTNBs (37.5% vs. 19.9%), as they required more admission to the neonatal unit and more days of hospitalization; the most frequent pathology was jaundice. The MBF associated with early term birth were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (aRR = 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-1.6), intrauterine growth restriction (aRR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.3-1.6), and chronic hypertension (aRR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.4-1.8). No association was found between MBF and morbidity at 37 and 38 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The morbidity among ETNBs is related to physiological immaturity. The adverse MBF favor a hostile intrauterine environment, which affects fetal and neonatal well-being.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La morbilidad de los recién nacidos a término temprano (RNTT) se asocia con la inmadurez de sus órganos y factores biológicos maternos (FBM). En este estudio se determinó la relación entre FBM y el nacimiento a término temprano. Además, se evaluó el papel de la edad gestacional (EG) y los FBM en la morbilidad de los RNTT comparados con los recién nacidos a término completo (RNTC). MÉTODOS: Este estudio de cohorte retrospectivo incluyó RNTT y RNTC. La frecuencia de morbilidades se comparó entre grupos estratificados por EG con la prueba de X2 o la prueba exacta de Fisher. La asociación de FBM con EG y morbilidad se calculó mediante modelos de regresión binomial entre variables correlacionadas con morbilidad de ETNB mediante la correlación de Spearman. Se estimó un nivel de significación del 5% para todos los análisis. RESULTADOS: Los RNTT presentaron una probabilidad 1.9 veces mayor de morbilidad al nacer comparado con los RNTC (37.5% vs 19.9%), ya que requirieron mayor admisión a la unidad neonatal y más días de hospitalización; la patología más frecuente fue la ictericia. Los FBM asociados con el nacimiento a término temprano fueron los: trastornos hipertensivos gestacionales, restricción del crecimiento intrauterino e hipertensión crónica. No se encontró asociación entre factores biológicos maternos y la morbilidad a las 37 y 38 semanas. CONCLUSIONES: La morbilidad del RNTT se relaciona con la inmadurez fisiológica. Los FBM adversos favorecen un medio intrauterino hostil afectando el bienestar fetal y neonatal.

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In December 2022, highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus emerged in Chile. We detected H5N1 virus in 93 samples and obtained 9 whole-genome sequences of strains from wild birds. Phylogenetic analysis suggests multiple viral introductions into South America. Continued surveillance is needed to assess risks to humans and domestic poultry.

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Abstract Background: The morbidity of early-term newborns (ETNBs) is associated with the immaturity of their organs and maternal biological factors (MBF). In this study, we determined the relationship between MBF and early-term birth. In addition, we assessed the role of gestational age (GA) and MBF in the morbidity of ETNBs compared with full-term newborns (FTNBs). Methods: This retrospective cohort included ETNBs and FTNBs. The frequency of morbidities was compared between groups stratified by GA with the X2 test or Fisher's exact test. The association of MBF with GA and morbidity was calculated using binomial regression models between the variables that correlated with the morbidity of the ETNBs using Spearman's correlation. A significance level of 5% was estimated for all analyses. Results: The probability of morbidity at birth for ETNBs was 1.9-fold higher than for FTNBs (37.5% vs. 19.9%), as they required more admission to the neonatal unit and more days of hospitalization; the most frequent pathology was jaundice. The MBF associated with early term birth were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (aRR = 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-1.6), intrauterine growth restriction (aRR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.3-1.6), and chronic hypertension (aRR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.4-1.8). No association was found between MBF and morbidity at 37 and 38 weeks. Conclusions: The morbidity among ETNBs is related to physiological immaturity. The adverse MBF favor a hostile intrauterine environment, which affects fetal and neonatal well-being.

Resumen Introducción: La morbilidad de los recién nacidos a término temprano (RNTT) se asocia con la inmadurez de sus órganos y factores biológicos maternos (FBM). En este estudio se determinó la relación entre FBM y el nacimiento a término temprano. Además, se evaluó el papel de la edad gestacional (EG) y los FBM en la morbilidad de los RNTT comparados con los recién nacidos a término completo (RNTC). Métodos: Este estudio de cohorte retrospectivo incluyó RNTT y RNTC. La frecuencia de morbilidades se comparó entre grupos estratificados por EG con la prueba de X2 o la prueba exacta de Fisher. La asociación de FBM con EG y morbilidad se calculó mediante modelos de regresión binomial entre variables correlacionadas con morbilidad de ETNB mediante la correlación de Spearman. Se estimó un nivel de significación del 5% para todos los análisis. Resultados: Los RNTT presentaron una probabilidad 1.9 veces mayor de morbilidad al nacer comparado con los RNTC (37.5% vs 19.9%), ya que requirieron mayor admisión a la unidad neonatal y más días de hospitalización; la patología más frecuente fue la ictericia. Los FBM asociados con el nacimiento a término temprano fueron los: trastornos hipertensivos gestacionales, restricción del crecimiento intrauterino e hipertensión crónica. No se encontró asociación entre factores biológicos maternos y la morbilidad a las 37 y 38 semanas. Conclusiones: La morbilidad del RNTT se relaciona con la inmadurez fisiológica. Los FBM adversos favorecen un medio intrauterino hostil afectando el bienestar fetal y neonatal.

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Seneca Valley virus (SVV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus and the only member of the Senecavirus A (SVA) species, in the Senecavirus genus, Picornaviridae family. SVV infection causes vesicular lesions in the oral cavity, snout and hooves of pigs. This infection is clinically indistinguishable from trade-restrictions-related diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease. Other clinical manifestations include diarrhoea, anorexia, lethargy, neurological signs and mortality in piglets during their first week of age. Before this study, Chile was considered free of vesicular diseases of swine, including SVV. In April 2022, a suspected case of vesicular disease in a swine farm was reported in Chile. The SVV was confirmed and other vesicular diseases were ruled out. An epidemiological investigation and phylogenetic analyses were performed to identify the origin and extent of the outbreak. Three hundred ninety-five samples from 44 swine farms were collected, including faeces (208), oral fluid (28), processing fluid (14), fresh semen (61), environmental samples (80) and tissue from lesions (4) for real-time RT-PCR detection. Until June 2022, the SVV has been detected in 16 out of 44 farms, all epidemiologically related to the index farm. The closest phylogenetic relationship of the Chilean SVV strain is with viruses collected from swine in California in 2017. The direct cause of the SVV introduction has not yet been identified; however, the phylogenetic analyses suggest the USA as the most likely source. Since the virus remains active in the environment, transmission by fomites such as contaminated feed cannot be discarded. Further studies are needed to determine the risk of the introduction of novel SVV and other transboundary swine pathogens to Chile.

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BACKGROUND: In 2000, Chile's Ministry of Health mandated fortification of wheat flour with folic acid at a concentration of 2.2 mg/kg to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs), resulting in a 50% reduction in NTD prevalence. Concerns about possible collateral effects of high folic acid intake led, in 2009, to decrease the folic acid fortification to 1.8 mg/kg of flour. Our study evaluated the impact of this modification on the prevalence of NTDs in Santiago. METHODS: This study measured the prevalence of NTDs in live births and stillbirths born in Santiago. We calculated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between pre-folic acid fortification (1999-2000), post-folic acid fortification (2001-2009), and post-modified folic acid fortification (2010-2015) periods for all NTDs and their specific types. We used chi-square tests to analyze proportions, and a Joinpoint regression to visualize prevalence time trends. RESULTS: The NTD prevalence for the period 2001-2015 was 8.9 per 10,000 births, which represents a 48% reduction (PR = 0.52; 95% CI = 0.45-0.61; p < .001) from the pre-folic acid fortification period. During 2010-2015, the NTD prevalence was 9.5/10,000 births, which was higher, but not statistically significantly different from 2001 to 2009 prevalence of 8.6/10,000 (PR = 1.11; 95% CI = 0.96-1.30, p = .17). CONCLUSIONS: Decreasing the concentration of folic acid fortification was not associated with a statistically significant change in the prevalence of NTDs. Mandatory folic acid fortification continues to be a safe and highly effective policy to prevent NTDs. Future studies should evaluate the prevalence of NTDs across Chile and adherence to folic acid fortification mandates.

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RESUMEN Antecedentes: A nivel mundial la población envejecida está aumentando y esto es seguido por un aumento en resultados negativos llamados síndromes geriátricos (SG). Un elemento clave del envejecimiento exitoso es la salud oral (SO). La alteración en los componentes de OH, como la presencia de xerostomía, se ha asociado con una mayor probabilidad de desarrollar algunos SG. Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de la xerostomía y sus asociaciones entre las características sociodemográfi cas, el estado de salud y algunos GS en adultos de 60 años o más, que asisten a consulta de primer nivel en México. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal en participantes de 60 años o más, reclutados en 2016. Los participantes se sometieron a una evaluación geriátrica integral (EGI), con la que se obtuvo el diagnóstico de xerostomía y SG. Se determinaron los análisis de regresión ajustados por las variables de confusión para establecer la asociación entre la xerostomía, las características sociodemográfi cas y algunos SG. Resultados: Se incluyeron 264 sujetos; la edad media fue de 73 años (DE ± 6), las mujeres representaron el 60%. En general, el 33% informó la presencia de xerostomía. Después de ajustar por edad, sexo y lectoescritura, los análisis de regresión logística múltiple mostraron una asociación signifi cativa entre la xerostomía y algunos SG (depresión y dolor). Conclusión: Este estudio mostró que la prevalencia de xerostomía es mayor en ancianos mexicanos. Estos resultados sugieren la importancia de monitorear el deterioro de la salud oral, ya que la xerostomía parece tener una infl uencia negativa en el estado de salud de los ancianos, y que la evaluación de la xerostomía debe incluirse en la evaluación geriátrica para prevenir los SG.

ABSTRACT Background: Worldwide aged population is increasing and this is followed by an increase a in negative outcome called geriatric syndromes (GS). A key element of a successful aging is oral health (OH). Alteration of OH components, such as the presence of xerostomia, have been associated with a higher probability of develop some GS. Objectives: Determine the prevalence of xerostomia and its associations between the sociodemographic characteristics, the state of health and some GS in adults of 60 years or older, who attend fi rst level consultation in Mexico. Material and methods: Transverse study in participants of 60 years or more, recruited in 2016. The participants underwent an integral geriatric evaluation (IGE), with which the diagnosis of xerostomia and GS was obtained. The adjusted regression analysis were determined by the confounding variables to establish the association between xerostomia, sociodemographic characteristics and some GS. Results: 264 subjects were included; the average age was 73 years (SD ± 6), women accounted for 60%. In general, 33% reported the presence of xerostomia. After adjusting for age, sex and literacy, multiple logistic regression analysis showed a signifi cant association between xerostomia and some GS (depression and pain). Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of xerostomia is higher in mexican elderly. These results suggest the importance of monitoring the deterioration of oral health, since xerostomia seems to have a negative infl uence on the state of health of the elderly and that the evaluation of xerostomia should be included in the geriatric assessment to prevent GS.