Browsing by Author "Duenas, Fernando"

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    Comparative Analysis of Felixounavirus Genomes Including Two New Members of the Genus That Infect Salmonella Infantis
    (MDPI, 2021) Barron Montenegro, Rocio; Garcia, Rodrigo; Duenas, Fernando; Rivera, Dacil; Opazo Capurro, Andres; Erickson, Stephen; Moreno Switt, Andrea, I
    Salmonella spp. is one of the most common foodborne pathogens worldwide; therefore, its control is highly relevant for the food industry. Phages of the Felixounavirus genus have the characteristic that one phage can infect a large number of different Salmonella serovars and, thus, are proposed as an alternative to antimicrobials in food production. Here, we describe two new members of the Felixounavirus genus named vB_Si_35FD and vB_Si_DR94, which can infect Salmonella Infantis. These new members were isolated and sequenced, and a subsequent comparative genomic analysis was conducted including 23 publicly available genomes of Felixounaviruses that infect Salmonella. The genomes of vB_Si_35FD and vB_Si_DR94 are 85,818 and 85,730 bp large and contain 129 and 125 coding sequences, respectively. The genomes did not show genes associated with virulence or antimicrobial resistance, which could be useful for candidates to use as biocontrol agents. Comparative genomics revealed that closely related Felixounavirus are found in distinct geographical locations and that this genus has a conserved genomic structure despite its worldwide distribution. Our study revealed a highly conserved structure of the phage genomes, and the two newly described phages could represent promising biocontrol candidates against Salmonella spp. from a genomic viewpoint.
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    Domestic dog and alien North American mink as reservoirs of infectious diseases in the endangered Southern river otter
    (2022) Barros, Macarena; Pons, Daniel J.; Moreno, Andrea; Vianna, Juliana; Ramos, Barbara; Duenas, Fernando; Coccia, Cristina; Saavedra-Rodriguez, Roberto; Santibanez, Alexis; Medina-Vogel, Gonzalo
    Introduced alien carnivores are host to infectious diseases that may become an important threat for native carnivore species conservation. Canine distemper virus (CDV) is thought to be transmitted among individuals by direct contact and to present viral dynamics associated with a density-dependent multi-host carnivore community. In contrast, Canine Parvovirus (CPV) is mostly transmitted by indirect contact and does not depend only on the density, but also on the social behaviour of infected as well as susceptible hosts. The objective of this study was to assess how introduced American mink (Neovison vison) can act as a bridge-host between domestic dog (Canis familiaris) and Southern river otter (Lontra provocax) in different dog and mink population density scenarios. Our data show that otters are seropositive to both CDV and PV, as well as a molecular identity to Parvovirus in dogs and minks. Furthermore, a strong positive correlation between dog population density and observed seroprevalence of CDV in dogs, minks, and otters was recorded. For Parvovirus, the observed seroprevalence in mink and otters was not correlated to a higher dog population density, but instead a relationship between dog and mink population densities and social behaviour. Our results suggest that introduced American mink and domestic dogs are reservoirs of CDV and PV, both being diseases of major importance for the conservation of native endangered carnivores in Patagonia.
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    Screening the Presence of Non-Typhoidal Salmonella in Different Animal Systems and the Assessment of Antimicrobial Resistance
    (MDPI, 2021) Rivera, Dacil; Allel, Kasim; Duenas, Fernando; Tardone, Rodolfo; Soza, Paula; Hamilton West, Christopher; Moreno Switt, Andrea I.
    Simple Summary In this study, for the first time in Chile, we compared resistance profiles of Salmonella strains isolated from 4047 samples from domestic and wild animals. A total of 106 Salmonella strains (2.61%) were isolated, and their serogroups were characterized and tested for susceptibility to 16 different antimicrobials. This study reports 47 antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) Salmonella strains (44.3% of total strains). Of the 47, 28 corresponded to single-drug resistance (26.4%) and 19 to multidrug resistance (17.9%). The association between AMR and a subset of independent variables was evaluated using multivariate logistic models. Interestingly, S. Enteritidis was highly persistent in animal production systems; however, we report that serogroup D strains were 18 times less likely to be resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent than the most common serogroup (serogroup B). The antimicrobials presenting the greatest contributions to AMR were ampicillin, streptomycin and tetracycline. Salmonella is a major bacterial foodborne pathogen that causes the majority of worldwide food-related outbreaks and hospitalizations. Salmonellosis outbreaks can be caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public health and safer food production. Nevertheless, the drivers of MDR Salmonella serovars have remained poorly understood. In this study, we compare the resistance profiles of Salmonella strains isolated from 4047 samples from domestic and wild animals in Chile. A total of 106 Salmonella strains (2.61%) are isolated, and their serogroups are characterized and tested for susceptibility to 16 different antimicrobials. The association between antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and a subset of independent variables is evaluated using multivariate logistic models. Our results show that 47 antimicrobial-resistant strains were found (44.3% of the total strains). Of the 47, 28 correspond to single-drug resistance (SDR = 26.4%) and 19 are MDR (17.9%). S. Enteritidis is highly persistent in animal production systems; however, we report that serogroup D strains are 18 times less likely to be resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent than the most common serogroup (serogroup B). The antimicrobials presenting the greatest contributions to AMR are ampicillin, streptomycin and tetracycline. Additionally, equines and industrial swine are more likely to acquire Salmonella strains with AMR. This study reports antimicrobial-susceptible and resistant Salmonella in Chile by expanding the extant literature on the potential variables affecting antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella.