Laura Vega

Ms. Laura Vega

Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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3 January 2021 in Microbial Ecology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
LVLaura Vega
Laura Vega
JJJesús Jaimes
Jesús Jaimes
DMDuvan Andres Morales
Duvan Andres Morales
DMDavid Martínez
David Martínez
LSLissa Cruz Savedra
Lissa Cruz Savedra
JRJuan David Ramírez
Juan David Ramírez

14 April 2020 in Pathogens
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LVLaura Vega
Laura Vega
GHGiovanny Herrera
Giovanny Herrera
MMMarina Muñoz
Marina Muñoz
MPManuel Alfonso Patarroyo
Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
JRJuan David Ramírez
Juan David Ramírez
Clostridiodes difficile comprises a public-health threat that has been understudied in Colombia. Hypervirulent strains of C. difficile harbor multiple toxins, can be easily spread, and can have their onset of disease within healthcare facilities (HCFO) and the community (CO). Studies have shown that a disrupted microbiota (e.g., dysbiosis) may allow C. difficile infection (CDI). It has been suggested that dysbiosis prevents colonization by the anaerobic eukaryote Blastocystis, possibly due to an increase in luminal oxygen tension. No study has found co-occurrence of CDI and Blastocystis. Therefore, we aimed to determine the frequencies of C. difficile and Blastocystis infection/colonization in 220 diarrheal fecal samples. Molecular detection by PCR for both microorganisms was performed, with descriptive analyses of four variables (CDI detection, determination of C. difficile toxigenic profiles, Blastocystis detection, and patient site of onset). We demonstrate a significant association between the presence of Blastocystis and CDI, with coinfection found in 61 patients, and show a high frequency of CDI among both HCFO and CO groups. Our results of coinfection frequencies could support hypotheses that suggest Blastocystis can adapt to dysbiosis and oxidative stress. Further, the presence of toxigenic C. difficile occurring outside healthcare facilities shown here raises the alarm for community wide spread.