Colibri Comunidad :

SARS-CoV-2 genomic characterization and clinical manifestation of the COVID-19 outbreak in Uruguay

2026-08-04T20:48:01Z

Título: SARS-CoV-2 genomic characterization and clinical manifestation of the COVID-19 outbreak in Uruguay Autor: Elizondo, Victoria; Harkins, Gordon W.; Mabvakure, Batsirai; Smidt, Sabine; Zappile, Paul; Marier, Christian; Maurano, Matthew T.; Perez, Victoria; Mazza, Natalia; Beloso, Carolina; Ifran, Silvana; Fernandez, Mariana; Santini, Andrea; Perez, Veronica; Estevez, Veronica; Nin, Matilde; Manrique, Gonzalo; Perez, Leticia; Ross, Fabiana; Boschi, Susana; Zubillaga, Maria Noel; Balleste, Raquel; Dellicour, Simon; Heguy, Adriana; Duerr, Ralf Resumen: COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and declared by the World Health Organization a global public health emergency. Among the severe outbreaks across South America, Uruguay has become known for curtailing SARS-CoV-2 exceptionally well. To understand the SARS-CoV-2 introductions, local transmissions, and associations with genomic and clinical parameters in Uruguay, we sequenced the viral genomes of 44 outpatients and inpatients in a private healthcare system in its capital, Montevideo, from March to May 2020. We performed a phylogeographic analysis using sequences from our cohort and other studies that indicate a minimum of 23 independent introductions into Uruguay, resulting in five major transmission clusters. Our data suggest that most introductions resulting in chains of transmission originate from other South American countries, with the earliest seeding of the virus in late February 2020, weeks before the borders were closed to all non-citizens and a partial lockdown implemented. Genetic analyses suggest a dominance of S and G clades (G, GH, GR) that make up >90% of the viral strains in our study. In our cohort, lethal outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly correlated with arterial hypertension, kidney failure, and ICU admission (FDR < 0.01), but not with any mutation in a structural or non-structural protein, such as the spike D614G mutation. Our study contributes genetic, phylodynamic, and clinical correlation data about the exceptionally well-curbed SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Uruguay, which furthers the understanding of disease patterns and regional aspects of the pandemic in Latin America.

First Release of the Bacterial Biobank of the Urban Environment (BBUE)

2026-08-03T16:02:39Z

Título: First Release of the Bacterial Biobank of the Urban Environment (BBUE) Autor: Antelo, Verónica; Salazar, Cecilia; Martínez, Arací; D’Alessandro, Bruno; Castro, Marta; Betancor, Laura; Barcala, María Victoria; Míguez, Diana; Gonnet, Gastón H.; Iraola, Gregorio Resumen: Metagenomics is providing a broad overview of bacterial functional diversity; however, culturing and biobanking are still essential for microbiology. Here, we present the Bacterial Biobank of the Urban Environment (BBUE), a sizable culture collection for long-term storage and characterization of the microbiota associated with urban environments relevant for public health.

Isolation and characterization of feline dental pulp stem cells

2026-07-21T11:18:54Z

Título: Isolation and characterization of feline dental pulp stem cells Autor: Algorta, Agustina; Artigas, Rody; Rial, Analía; Brandl, Scott; Rodellar, Clementina; Benavides, Uruguaysito; Maisonnave, Jacqueline; Yaneselli, Kevin Resumen: Objectives The aim of this study was to isolate feline dental pulp stem cells (fDPSCs) and characterize their clonogenic and proliferative abilities, as well as their multipotency, immunophenotype and cytogenetic stability. Methods Dental pulp was isolated by explant culture from two cats <1 year old at post mortem. Their clonogenicity was characterized using a colony-forming unit fibroblast assay, and their proliferative ability was quantified with a doubling time assay in passages 2, 4 and 6 (P2, P4 and P6, respectively). Multipotency was characterized with an in vitro trilineage differentiation assay in P2, and cells were immunophenotyped in P4 by flow cytometry. Chromosomic stability was evaluated by cytogenetic analysis in P2, P4 and P6. Results The fDPSCs displayed spindle and epithelial-like morphologies. Isolated cells showed a marked clonogenic capacity and doubling time was maintained from P2 to P6. Trilineage differentiation was obtained in one sample, while the other showed osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Immunophenotypic analysis showed fDPSCs were CD45–, CD90+ and CD44+. Structural and numerical cytogenetic aberrations were observed in P2–P4. Conclusions and relevance In this study, fDPSCs from two cats were isolated by explant culture and immunophenotyped. Cells displayed clonogenic and proliferative ability, and multipotency in vitro, and signs of chromosomic instability were observed. Although a larger study is needed to confirm these results, this is the first report of fDPSC isolation and in vitro characterization.

Antivenoms: potency or median effective dose, which to use?

2026-07-21T11:18:17Z

Título: Antivenoms: potency or median effective dose, which to use? Autor: Morais, V; Ifran, S; Berasain, P; Massaldi, H Descripción: Carta al editor