Genomic Characterization and Functional Description of Beauveria bassiana Isolates from Latin America.

Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic fungus used in agriculture as a biological controller worldwide. Despite being a well-studied organism, there are no genomic studies of B. bassiana isolates from Central American and Caribbean countries. This work characterized the functional potential of eight Neotropical isolates and provided an overview of their genomic characteristics, targeting genes associated with pathogenicity, the production of secondary metabolites, and the identification of CAZYmes as tools for future biotechnological applications. In addition, a comparison between these isolates and reference genomes was performed. Differences were observed according to geographical location and the lineages of the B. bassiana complex to which each isolate belonged.

Genotypes and morphologies of bovine papillomaviruses in Costa Rica.

Bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs) infect the basal layer of the epithelium of bovines, where they persist asymptomatically or produce benign fibroepithelial hyperplasia in the skin or mucosa. The aim of the present study was to describe the genotypes of bovine papillomas at the macroscopic and microscopic level. A descriptive study was carried out using non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Ninety-nine papillomas from 63 animals were collected on 32 farms, as well as information about age, gender, breed, and productive use of the bovines. The location, type, and degree of epithelial invasion of the papillomas were recorded. The samples were subjected to molecular and histopathological analysis. Papillomas were found most frequently on dairy farms (75.0%), in females (95.0%), in cattle of the Holstein breed (45.0%), and in animals over 24 months of age (50.0%). Most of the positive animals had from 1 to 15 papillomas (31.6%) and only one type of papilloma (79.4%). Cauliflower-like papillomas were found in 48.5% of the cases, while atypical papillomas were found in 11.1% of the cases. Cauliflower-like papillomas were found mainly on the udder (14.4%), head (10.0%), and neck (10.0%) and were associated with five BPV genotypes (BPV1, BPV2, BPV6, BPV7, and BPV10), while BPV2 and BPV6 were found to be associated with all types of papillomas (cauliflower, flat, pedunculated, and atypical). The presence of BPV11 in flat papillomas and BPV6 in atypical papillomas is reported here for the first time. Morphology and histopathological findings did not allow differentiation of the BPV genotypes.

Molecular typing of bovine papillomaviruses in Costa Rica.

Bovine papillomaviruses are related to cause fibroepithelial proliferations in the skin and mucosae and are associated with economic loss mainly related to poor body condition and reduced milk production. This study aimed to investigate the presence and types of bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs) in cattle sampled in different areas of Costa Rica using molecular techniques. A descriptive study with a non-probability convenience sampling was carried out. A total of 99 papillomatous lesions were collected from 63 animals in 32 farms, and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, rolling circle amplification (RCA), sequencing, and restriction enzymes digestion. Seven bovine papillomavirus types (BPV1, BPV2, BPV4, BPV6, BPV7, BPV10, BPV11) and two putative novel viral variants (BPV-CR1 and BPV-CR2) were identified for the first time in Costa Rica. BPV6 was the most frequently detected virus in lesions (31.2%), followed by BPV2 (25%) and BPV1 (25%). BPV1 and BPV2 were the most widely distributed in the Country. Coinfections were recorded in two animals (BPV1 / BPV2 and BPV4 / BPV6). Restriction analyses allowed differentiating BPV1 from BPV2, BPV4, and BPV7, but failed to identify BPV6, BPV10, and BPV11. Results suggest that a great PVs diversity is harbored by bovines in Costa Rica and indicate the need for further investigations aimed to uncover PV diversity at the full genomic level.

Draft Genome Sequences of Eight Isolates of Beauveria bassiana of Neotropical Origin.

Beauveria bassiana, a well-known entomopathogenic fungus, has a worldwide distribution; however, genomes of isolates from the Neotropical region are scarce. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of eight B. bassiana isolates from Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and Honduras.

Identification and phylogenetic analysis of a collection of Beauveria spp. Isolates from Central America and Puerto Rico.

The genus Beauveria comprises economically important entomopathogenic fungi, widely used for biological control in agriculture. Interest in these organisms in Costa Rica prompted surveys and establishment of collections in the past two decades. However, there was neither a formal identification nor a characterization of the isolates. With that purpose, the morphology and genetic variation by microsatellites and partial sequencing of Bloc, TEF-1α and RPB2 regions were studied for 32 isolates of Beauveria, which included 26 from Costa Rica, five from Puerto Rico and one from Honduras. The isolates were identified as B. bassiana (29) and B. caledonica (3). Ninety-three percent of B. bassiana isolates belonged to a monophyletic group of African and Neotropical isolates. A total of 105 alleles were recorded with 11 SSR markers, and the results suggested high diversity within the collection. Mantel tests showed low association between geographic origin and the variation among isolates.

Canine trypanosomiasis in an endemic Costa Rican community: Demonstration of the active infection cycle.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of canine trypanosomiasis in an endemic community of Costa Rica. The indirect hemagglutination and indirect immunofluorescence assay yielded positive results in 6.4% (20/314) of canine samples analyzed; polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and light microscopy yielded positive results in one dog. Subsequently, a longitudinal study was carried out with 55 negative T. cruzi canines in the cross-sectional study. These dogs were divided into two groups: Group 1, which consisted of 25 individuals that lived in dwellings where triatomines were found in their homes; and Group 2, which consisted of 30 dogs that lived in dwellings where triatomines were not found during the previous study in their homes. Seroconversion occurred in six dogs (10.9%) in Group 1 in the first months of the year (dry season); these dogs remained seropositive until the end of the study. Only one of the six seropositive canines was also found positive once in T. cruzi PCR. The analysis of the amplified T. cruzi sequences of dogs and triatomines showed that all of them belonged to the TcI lineage. It is recommended that residents be made aware of the need to eliminate vectors in their homes and their surroundings.