RESUMO
El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar especies o genotipos del protozoario parásito Cryptosporidium presentes en heces colectadas de terneros Holstein del municipio de Manizales, Departamento de Caldas, Colombia. El ADN fue extraído a 80 muestras de materia fecal, de las cuales 11 fueron diagnosticadas positivas para Cryptosporidium spp., mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR). El análisis PCR-RFLP del locus 18S ADNr, identificó la presencia de Cryptosporidium parvum en todas las muestras positivas analizadas. Este hallazgo sugiere que el ganado puede ser una fuente potencial de infección por Cryptosporidium en humanos y se constituye en el primer reporte publicado de C. parvum en bovinos de Manizales, Caldas.
The objective of this study was to identify species or genotypes of Cryptosporidium parasite present in feces collected from Holstein calves in Manizales city, Caldas Department, Colombia. DNA was extracted from 80 fecal samples, which 11 were diagnosed positive for Cryptosporidium spp., by the Polymerase Chain Reaction method. PCR-RFLP analysis of 18S rDNA locus identified the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum in all samples tested positive. This finding suggests that cattle may be a potential source of human infection by Cryptosporidium, and it becomes the first published report of C. parvum in cattle in Manizales, Caldas.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation on growth and development during infancy. DESIGN: We randomized 150 term neonates of low socioeconomic status to receive supplemental zinc 5 mg/d (SG) or a lactose placebo (PG); 112 completed a 1-year follow-up. All were breast-fed and given cow milk formula after weaning; solid foods and iron were added at 5 months. Anthropometry measured monthly, psychomotor development (PDI), mental development (MDI), and behavior including motor quality factor were assessed by Bayley Scales at 6 and 12 months. The groups were comparable in maternal characteristics, birth weight, home environment, and mother-infant interaction. RESULTS: No effects of zinc on weight, length, and weight for length at 12 months were found controlling for sex and breast-feeding. The mean PDI (SG: 84.5 +/- 11.5 vs PG: 87.6 +/- 9.9) and MDI (90.9 +/- 10.5 vs 88.9 +/- 9.1) were similar; however, 46 of 52 infants in the PG scored <100 in MDI vs 42 of 57 in the SG (P <.05). A smaller proportion of the SG, 2 of 57, scored low in motor quality factor at 6 months compared with the PG, 8 of 52 (P =.02). The mean at 12 months for the SG was 31.9 +/- 2.8 and for the PG 30.8 +/- 2.9 (P <.05); zinc supplementation entered the multiple regression at 12 months (P =.037). CONCLUSIONS: Zinc supplementation may have a beneficial effect on mental development and motor quality behavior of healthy term infants.