Water can act as a vector for several microbes with significant pathogenic potential for both humans and animals. Waterborne infections are a critical public health concern as they cause more than 3.4 million deaths annually. Total and thermotolerant coliforms and intestinal enterococci have traditionally been used to assess the quality and suitability of drinking water. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of groundwater from six sub-basins located in the upper Choluteca River basin in Honduras and to determine the E. coli phylogroups isolated in these samples. Our findings show high rates of fecal contamination, which suggests that the groundwater in the basin is unsafe for human consumption. Phylogroups B1 and D were the most frequent among 99 E. coli isolates, while C and F were the least frequent phylogroups. Measures must be taken to raise awareness about sanitation and good practices for the management of household waste as well as the waste generated by agro-industrial activity and livestock.

Chromosome-specific libraries aid in the development of genetic maps and focus marker development in areas of the genome with identified quantitative trait loci (QTL). A small-insert BTA29 library constructed by microdissection of a 1:29 Rb-fusion cell line, was screened for dinucleotide repeats (CA)₁₅ and/or (GA)₁₅ with the goal of generating new genetic markers for this, the smallest bovine autosome. A total of 90 primer pairs were designed and 82 of these successfully amplified bovine genomic DNA by PCR. In addition to these 82 loci, primer pairs were developed for nine putative genes identified from the sequenced clones by BLAST searches of GenBank. A somatic cell panel was used to test for synteny of the new loci with two previously mapped BTA29 markers located on the MARC bovine linkage map. A total of 75 of the 82 microsatellite (ms) loci were integrated into the MARC bovine linkage map. Linkage analysis placed 69 ms markers on BTA29, five on BTAX and one on BTA1. Combined results of the somatic cell and linkage analyses place 79 new markers (ms and gene-related) on BTA29, six loci on BTAX and two loci on BTA1. The results of this effort significantly increase the marker density on BTA29, expanding the ability to fine map QTL associated with this chromosome.

Fusarium circinatum (anamorph of Gibberella circinata) is the etiological agent of resinous canker in conifers, especially within the genus Pinus. This pathogen can impact all phases of tree development. Infections caused by F. circinatum in pine forests have been catastrophic in numerous countries globally, underscoring the necessity of understanding the geographical distribution of this fungus to enhance ecological comprehension and inform effective control measures. This study aims to report the existence of F. circinatum as a potential pathogen of pine trees in Honduras. Samples were obtained from mature trees and tree nurseries of Pinus oocarpa in three departments of Honduras, exhibiting symptoms such as chlorosis, needle wilting, and progressive mortality. Samples underwent microbiological and molecular identification. The isolates were identified using phenotypic approaches focused on micro and macro morphology, followed by the amplification and sequencing of three genes: ITS, EF-1α, and Beta-tubulin. Three isolates of the fungus were identified as F. circinatum. No genetic diversity was seen among the three isolates; nevertheless, some diversity was evident in comparison to sequences deposited in databases from different geographic regions. This is the first report and molecular characterization of F. circinatum isolated from Pinus oocarpa in Honduras.

Fecal contamination of water sources represents a significant public health risk, particularly in regions with limited sanitation infrastructure. This study characterized diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) pathotypes, antimicrobial resistance, and clonal relatedness among E. coli isolates recovered from surface and groundwater sources in the Upper Choluteca River Basin, Honduras. In total, 131 isolates were screened by PCR for nine marker genes of six diarrheagenic pathotypes and tested for susceptibility to seven antimicrobial agents; DEC isolates were typed by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR). Overall, 65.6% (86/131) of the isolates carried at least one DEC marker; enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) predominated (46.6%), and 13.7% showed heteropathotype profiles, mainly typical enteropathogenic E. coli (tEPEC)/ETEC. Multidrug resistance was identified in 71.0% of the isolates, with the highest non-susceptibility frequencies for cefotaxime (95.4%) and ciprofloxacin (93.1%); imipenem non-susceptibility (51.9%) was mostly intermediate (resistance, 8.4%). The st gene was significantly associated with non-susceptibility to cefoxitin, imipenem, and ceftazidime. ERIC-PCR revealed extensive clonal diversity without a dominant lineage, suggesting recurrent fecal inputs from multiple sources. These findings show that water sources in the basin, including groundwater, are reservoirs of DEC and multidrug-resistant E. coli, highlighting the need for stronger water-quality surveillance within a One Health framework.