Biology subjects

Carrera, J. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Carrera, J. P..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

A Preliminary list of Birds from Laguna de Matusagarati: A Wildlife Refuge in Darien Province, Panama

The wetland Laguna de Matusagarati, in the province of Darien, eastern Panama region, possesses an approximate extension of 56, 000 hectares, the largest wetland in Panama and one of the biggest of Central America. Despite 70% of this wetland is on protected areas by Ministerio de Ambiente Panama, there are areas where the anthropogenic impact is notable, livestock, rice and oil palm crops, logging and deforestation are the most intense activities that have led to habitat loss. As part of a comprehensive One Health initiative focused on the surveillance of emerging diseases in the Darien region, we have undertaken simultaneous investigation on the biodiversity (mosquitos, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians) of Matusagarati. Here we report the results of the avifauna diversity undertaken in October 2018 and June 2019. We used mist nests, direct observation with binoculars and photographic cameras to report the species. A total of 169 species were reported, 49 families and 19 orders that represent 17% of the birds from Panama. Here we present the first checklist of birds from the Humedal Laguna de Matusagarati, with this we expect to improve the knowledge of the biodiversity of this wetland and provide data to authorities to improve the policies of conservation in this unique ecosystem.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2023

Madariaga and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus seroprevalence in rodent enzootic hosts in Eastern and Western Panama

While rodents are primary reservoirs of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), their role in Madariaga virus (MADV) transmission remains uncertain, particularly given their overlapping geographic distribution. This study explores the interplay of alphavirus prevalence, rodent diversity, and land use within Darien and Western Panama provinces. A total of three locations were selected for rodent sampling in Darien province: Los Pavitos, El Real de Santa Maria and Santa Librada. Two sites were selected in Western Panama province: El Cacao and Ciri Grande. We used plaque reduction neutralization tests to assess MADV and VEEV seroprevalences in 599 rodents of 16 species across five study sites. MADV seroprevalence was observed at higher rates in Los Pavitos (Darien province), 9.0%, 95% CI: 3.6-17.6, while VEEV seroprevalence was elevated in El Cacao (Western Panama province), 27.3%, 95% CI: 16.1-40.9, and El Real de Santa Maria (Darien province), 20.4%, 95% CI: 12.6-29.7. Species like Oryzomys coesi, 23.1%, 95% CI: 5.0-53.8, and Transandinomys bolivaris, 20.0%, 95% CI: 0.5-71.6 displayed higher MADV seroprevalences than other species, whereas Transandinomys bolivaris, 80.0%, 95% CI: 28.3-99.4, and Proechimys semispinosus, 27.3%, 95% CI: 17.0-39.6, exhibited higher VEEV seroprevalences. Our findings provide support to the notion that rodents are vertebrate reservoirs of MADV and reveal spatial variations in alphavirus seropositivity among rodent species, with different provinces exhibiting distinct rates for MADV and VEEV. Moreover, specific rodent species are linked to unique seroprevalence patterns for these viruses, suggesting that rodent diversity and environmental conditions might play a significant role in shaping alphavirus distribution.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Endemic and epidemic human alphavirus infections in Eastern Panama, An Analysis of Population-Based Cross-Sectional Surveys

BackgroundMadariaga virus (MADV), has recently been associated with severe human disease in Panama, where the closely related Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) also circulates. In June, 2017, a fatal MADV infection was confirmed in a community of Darien province. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional outbreak investigation with human and mosquito collections in July 2017, where sera were tested for alphavirus antibodies and viral RNA. Additionally, by applying a catalytic, force-of-infection statistical model to two serosurveys from Darien province in 2012 and 2017, we investigated whether endemic or epidemic alphavirus transmission occurred historically. ResultsIn 2017, MADV and VEEV IgM seroprevalence was 1.6% and 4.4%, respectively; IgG antibody prevalences were MADV: 13.2%; VEEV: 16.8%; Una virus (UNAV): 16.0%; and Mayaro virus (MAYV): 1.1%. Active viral circulation was not detected. Evidence of MADV and UNAV infection was found near households -- raising questions about its vectors and enzootic transmission cycles. Insomnia was associated with MADV and VEEV infection, depression symptoms were associated with MADV, and dizziness with VEEV and UNAV. Force-of-infection analyses suggest endemic alphavirus transmission historically, with recent increased human exposure to MADV and VEEV in some regions. ConclusionsThe lack of additional neurological cases suggest that severe MADV and VEEV infections occur only rarely. Our results indicate that, over the past five decades, alphavirus infections have occurred at low levels in eastern Panama, but that MADV and VEEV infections have recently increased -- potentially during the past decade. Endemic infections and outbreaks of MADV and VEEV appear to differ spatially. Author summaryPrior to 2010, it was believed that the Madariaga virus (MADV) was primarily associated with equine disease. However, an outbreak reported in Panama, in an endemic area where Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) also circulates, suggested a change in its epidemiological profile. We aimed to reconstruct the epidemiological dynamics of MADV and VEEV, as well as additional alphaviruses known to circulate in the region in order to understand MADV emergence. For this, cross-sectional serosurveys were used to demonstrate that the Alphaviruses MADV, VEEV and Una virus have repeatedly infected humans in eastern Panama over the past five decades. Whilst their historical transmission has been low, we confirm that the transmission has recently increased for both MADV and VEEV.

microbiology↗