Valentina Villarroel

Prof. Valentina Villarroel


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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16 October 2025 in Dairy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RLRenata López
Renata López
VVValentina Villarroel
Valentina Villarroel
VRVictor Manuel Neira Ramirez
Victor Manuel Neira Ramirez
CACarolina Aguayo
Carolina Aguayo
KSKarina Saadi
Karina Saadi
PRPatricio Retamal
Patricio Retamal
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is mainly caused by Mycobacterium bovis, which affects cattle, leading to significant economic losses. In Chile, the vaccination with the M. bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) strain has been implemented in dairy herds with high prevalence of bTB. This study evaluated non-specific protection associated with BCG on the detection of pathogen-associated genes (nsp5, stx1, stx2, invA, IS1081) and mortality related to diarrhea and pneumonia in calves. A total of 186 calves from a commercial dairy farm were enrolled and grouped as vaccinated (n = 96) and non-vaccinated (n = 90). The BCG Russia strain (2–5 × 105 UFC) was inoculated subcutaneously within the first 30 days after birth. Animals were monitored through fecal sampling at 3 and 6 months of age for molecular detection of gene sequences. A logistic regression analysis showed differences in detection rates of the stx1 sequence at 3 months, with a higher risk for the non-vaccinated individuals (OR 2.91, CI 1.42–5.94, p = 0.03) and for those born in the cold season (OR 9.55, CI 2.02–45.11, p = 0.004). A Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed a significant difference in deaths in vaccinated calves compared with non-vaccinated animals (p = 0.018), suggesting that BCG confers non-specific protection during the first 3 months after birth, in field conditions.