Rotavirus species A (RVA) is a pathogen mainly affecting children under five years old and young animals. The infection produces acute diarrhea in its hosts and, in intensively reared livestock animals, can cause severe economic losses. In this study, we analyzed all RVA genomic constellations described in animal hosts. This review included animal RVA strains in humans. We compiled detection methods, hosts, genotypes and complete genomes. RVA was described in 86 animal species, with 52% (45/86) described by serology, microscopy or the hybridization method; however, strain sequences were not described. All of these reports were carried out between 1980 and 1990. In 48% (41/86) of them, 9251 strain sequences were reported, with 28% being porcine, 27% bovine, 12% equine and 33% from several other animal species. Genomic constellations were performed in 80% (32/40) of hosts. Typical constellation patterns were observed in groups such as birds, domestic animals and artiodactyls. The analysis of the constellations showed RVA’s capacity to infect a broad range of species, because there are RVA genotypes (even entire constellations) from animal species which were described in other studies. This suggests that this virus could generate highly virulent variants through gene reassortments and that these strains could be transmitted to humans as a zoonotic disease, making future surveillance necessary for the prevention of future outbreaks.

The emergence of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) in Latin America is a growing public health problem. The urbanization of ZVL has been observed in different countries around the world, and there are a growing number of reports drawing attention to the emergence of this infection in new locations, as well as its increase in previously established areas of endemicity. In the city of Posadas, Misiones province, Northeastern Argentina, the transmission of ZVL associated with canines and Lutzomyia longipalpis was first reported in 2006. In the city of Puerto Iguazú, also in Misiones province, the first human case of ZVL was reported in February 2014. From 209 surveyed dogs, 15 (7.17%) were identified as positive by serological and/or parasitological methods. Amplification was observed in 14 samples and in all cases the species implicated was Leishmania infantum. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first molecular characterization of L. infantum from dogs in this area.

Rotavirus alphagastroenteritidis is the major causative agent of acute gastroenteritis in both children under the age of 5 and young mammals and birds globally. RVAs are non-enveloped viruses with a genome comprising 11 double-stranded RNA segments. In 2008, the Rotavirus Classification Working Group pioneered a comprehensive and complete RVA genome classification system, establishing a specific threshold, which measures the genetic distances between homologous genes. The aim of this study was to perform an updated systematic analysis of the genetic variability across all RVA genes. Our investigation involved assessing the established cutoff values for each RVA genome segment and determining the need for any updates. To achieve this objective, multiple sequence alignments were constructed for all 11 genes and one for each genotype with discrepancies. Also, pairwise distances along with their cutoff values were evaluated. The analyses provided insights into the current relevance of cutoff values, which remain applicable for the majority of genotypes. In conclusion, this study fortifies the current classification system by highlighting its robustness and accurate genotyping of Rotavirus alphagastroenteritidis.

Introducción. La leishmaniosis cutánea por Leishmania braziliensis ha sido tradicionalmente endémica en Argentina y se han sido descritos casos de compromiso visceral después de una leishmaniosis cutánea inicial. La leishmaniosis visceral emergió en Argentina en el año 2006 en la ciudad de Posadas, provincia de Misiones, afectando tanto a humanos como a perros.Objetivo. Identificar el agente etiológico a nivel de especie de los pacientes diagnosticados con leishmaniosis visceral en Misiones y describir sus características clínicoepidemiológicas.Materiales y métodos. Se estudió una serie de 24 pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado de leishmaniosis visceral en la provincia de Misiones en el período 2009 al 2016. Para la identificación de Leishmania spp., los pacientes fueron sometidos a estudios diagnósticos indirectos (serológicos) y directos (microscopía, detección de ADN y secuenciación). También, se estudiaron variables como edad, sexo, lugar de residencia, y signos y síntomas clínicos indicativos de leishmaniosis visceral.Resultados. De los 24 pacientes estudiados, 18 (75 %) eran hombres y 6 (25 %) eran menores de cuatro años. La manifestación clínica más frecuente fue el síndrome febril prolongado en 21 (87,5 %) de los pacientes, seguido de esplenomegalia en 17 (70,8 %). Se identificó la especie Leishmania infantum en todos los pacientes estudiados.Conclusión. Este hallazgo constituye la primera identificación de la especie L. infantum en pacientes autóctonos de la provincia de Misiones. El estudio evidenció la importancia de la PCR para el manejo epidemiológico de la leishmaniosis visceral en Argentina.

Las parasitosis por nematodos gastrointestinales (NGI) son una causa significativa de pérdidas productivas en la ganadería ovina y caprina. La resistencia a los antihelmínticos es un problema creciente, impulsada por el uso indiscriminado de estos productos. Este trabajo estudia a los NGI en ovinos y caprinos de la provincia de Misiones, Argentina, y la resistencia a las drogas antihelmínticas. Se analizaron 10 establecimientos del sur de Misiones, obteniendo valores de huevos por gramo (HPG) y realizando test de resistencia a drogas. Se observó una amplia variabilidad de la carga de parásitos entre y dentro de cada rebaño, destacando la importancia de personalizar los tratamientos. El valor promedio del HPG fue de 309, estableciéndose como umbral a partir del cual un individuo debe ser tratado. Se propone el tratamiento estratégico, dirigido a aquellos animales con cargas parasitarias elevadas, considerados como "diseminadores" de la infección. Esto permite optimizar el uso de antihelmínticos, reduciendo la presión de selección sobre la población de parásitos y contribuyendo a evitar la resistencia. Se detectó entre un 90,3% y 35% de resistencia a la ivermectina en los dos campos evaluados, así como un 60,7% y 32,2% al febendazol y 25,9% al closantel, lo que confirma la necesidad de implementar diagnósticos de laboratorio antes de proceder con tratamientos. El género de NGI predominante fue Haemonchus, representado por H. contortus y H. placei, seguido por Cooperia. Además, se puso a punto una técnica de Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa para la detección rápida de los géneros más comunes, lo que permitirá mejorar el diagnóstico y caracterización de los parásitos. Este trabajo describe los NGI y la resistencia a los antihelmínticos en ovinos y caprinos en la provincia de Misiones, y destaca la necesidad de continuar realizando investigaciones para adaptar las estrategias de control a las particularidades locales y garantizar la sustentabilidad de la producción.

Rotavirus alphagastroenteritidis are the major causative agent of acute gastroenteritis in both children under the age of 5 and young mammals and birds globally. RVAs are non-enveloped viruses with a genome comprising 11 double-stranded RNA segments. In 2008, the Rotavirus Classification Working Group pioneered a comprehensive and complete RVA genome classification system, establishing specific threshold, which measure the genetic distances between homologous genes. The aim of this study was to perform an updated systematic analysis of the genetic variability across all RVA genes. Our investigation involved assessing established cutoff values for each RVA genome segment and determine the need for any updates. To achieve this objective, multiple sequence alignments were constructed for all 11 genes and one for each genotype with discrepancies. Also, pairwise distances along with cutoff values were evaluated. The analyses provided insights into the current relevance of cutoff values, which remain applicable for the majority of genotypes. In conclusion, this study fortifies the current classification system by highlighting its robustness and accurate genotyping of Rotavirus alphagastroenteritidis.