This study provides a comprehensive overview of SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance in Central America and the Dominican Republic from February 2020 to January 2023, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America (COMISCA). A total of 26,595 sequences from the GISAID database were analyzed, correlating findings with key events reported by participating entities. The genomic analysis reveals significant co-circulation of variants, with notable lineage diversity observed throughout the pandemic. Variants of concern (VOC) like Alpha, Gamma, Delta and Omicron were identified alongside variants of interest (VOI) like Lambda and Mu. The emergence of recombinant lineages further illustrates the ongoing evolution of the virus and its spread across the region, underscoring the interconnectedness of Central America and the Dominican Republic. The collaborative model facilitated broader sequencing coverage, enabling more extensive surveillance than individual countries could achieve alone. Despite the successes of regional collaborations, challenges remain, particularly regarding sequencing capacity in countries impacted by socioeconomic inequalities. Addressing these gaps is essential to enhance public health responses to current and future pandemics.
Abstract Microbial colonization is a major cause of deterioration in paintings, leading to discoloration, pigment degradation, and loss of structural integrity. While biodeterioration of artworks has been studied in temperate climates, tropical environments remain underexplored despite their high humidity and temperature, which promote microbial growth. This study assessed the microbiological deterioration of two eighteenth-century oil paintings, La Muerte de San José and Virgen de Guadalupe , located in Orosi’s Colonial Church and Religious Art Museum, Costa Rica. Microorganisms were isolated and identified using VITEK® 2, microscopy, and MALDI-ToF analysis, and their biofilm-forming capacity was evaluated. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of six essential oil components was tested using direct and indirect contact assays. Twenty-three bacterial species and fifteen fungal genera were identified, with Bacillus , Staphylococcus , Cladosporium , and Aspergillus among the most common. Notably, La Virgen de Guadalupe displayed the highest microbial diversity, reflected in a high Shannon index, indicative of a more complex microbial community. Several isolates displayed strong biofilm formation, particularly Bacillus subtilis/amyloliquefaciens/vallismortis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus . Linalool exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity, achieving complete bacterial growth inhibition in non-contact assays. Environmental monitoring revealed persistently elevated relative humidity and CO₂ levels during the study period. Together, these results reveal the complex microbial ecology of tropical heritage paintings and demonstrate that volatile essential oil components can serve as candidates for low-impact antimicrobial strategies in preventive conservation. Importance Understanding the microbiological deterioration of cultural heritage in tropical environments is crucial for designing sustainable conservation strategies. While microbial colonization of artworks has been widely studied in temperate regions, data from tropical climates remain limited despite inherently favorable conditions for microbial proliferation. This study integrates microbiological, environmental, and physicochemical analyses to characterize microbial communities colonizing eighteenth-century oil paintings in Orosi, Costa Rica. By combining microbial identification, biofilm quantification, and essential oil biocide testing, it bridges applied microbiology and cultural heritage conservation. The finding that volatile components such as linalool inhibit biofilm-forming bacteria without direct contact highlights their potential as eco-friendly, noninvasive antimicrobial alternatives to conventional biocides. These results expand the understanding of biodeterioration dynamics under tropical conditions and offer a practical framework for developing sustainable, evidence-based conservation protocols that protect both heritage materials and the environment. Graphical abstract Figure 0. Artistic visualization of the geographical context of the studied artworks and the multidisciplinary analytical approaches applied, highlighting the diversity of microorganisms identified (illustration by Keylin Ureña-Alvarado).
Objetivo. Monitorear el cumplimiento de las metas nacionales de reducción de sodio en alimentos preenvasados comercializados en Costa Rica y compararlo con los estándares internacionales actuales. Métodos. Se recolectó información del etiquetado nutricional de productos en dos cadenas de supermercados durante el 2022. Se analizó el contenido de sodio (mg/100 g), la densidad energética de sodio (mg/kcal) y el cumplimiento respecto de las metas nacionales del 2022 y los estándares internacionales (Organización Panamericana de la Salud, 2022 y 2025; Organización Mundial de la Salud, 2021 y 2024). Se compararon los resultados con evaluaciones realizadas en el 2015 y 2018 (p ≤ 0,05). Las fotografías de etiquetas utilizadas para la comparación se obtuvieron en el 2015, 2018 y 2022. Resultados. Se registraron 7 402 productos, de los cuales 872 cumplieron los criterios analíticos. Los mayores contenidos y variabilidad de sodio se observaron en condimentos (0-32 750 mg/100 g), embutidos (569-4 800 mg/100 g) y salsas (0-4 050 mg/100 g). Las subcategorías (consomés, condimentos para arroz, jamón, salchichas, salsas a base de tomate y pan con queso) excedieron las metas nacionales. La panificación presentó los niveles más bajos y la menor variabilidad; el pan salado y el pan integral cumplieron los límites. La densidad energética de sodio varió entre 0,8 y 86,0 mg/kcal, con cinco categorías por encima de los valores recomendados. El cumplimiento fue del 84,5% para las metas nacionales; 43,6% y 34,7% para las recomendaciones de la OPS (2022 y 2025, respectivamente), y 39,2% y 33,3% para las de la OMS (2021 y 2024, respectivamente). No hubo diferencias significativas entre el 2022 y los años 2015 y 2018. Conclusiones. No se evidencian avances sostenidos en la reducción de sodio en los alimentos preenvasados en Costa Rica. Se requieren medidas regulatorias obligatorias para impulsar mejoras en la salud pública.
Objetivo. Analizar el contenido de ácidos grasos trans de producción industrial declarado en el etiquetado nutricional y notificado en la lista de ingredientes de productos preenvasados comercializados en Costa Rica. Método. Estudio descriptivo y transversal que analiza el contenido de ácidos grasos trans de producción industrial declarado en el etiquetado nutricional de 7402 alimentos preenvasados y su presencia en la lista de ingredientes, de dos cadenas de supermercados de Costa Rica. El análisis se basó en la política de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) vigente en esta materia. Resultados. De los 7402 productos preenvasados recolectados, el 40,8% declara ácidos grasos trans de producción industrial, de estos el 95,5% declara 0 gramos y el resto, más de 0 y menos de 8 gramos por cada 100 gramos de producto. La mayoría de los productos recolectados que declaran ácidos grasos tienen una cantidad excesiva de energía, según el modelo de perfil de nutrientes de la OPS. Cuarenta y nueve por ciento de los productos exceden los 2 gramos de grasos trans de producción industrial por cada 100 gramos de grasa total y menos de 0,7% (n = 52) informa ácidos grasos hidrogenados; 0,4% (n = 29) parcialmente hidrogenados y, solo un producto informa ambos. Conclusiones. Persiste la presencia de ácidos grasos trans en una proporción considerable de productos comercializados, sobre todo en pasteles, galletas y panes. Se requiere que el etiquetado nutricional sea obligatorio en Costa Rica y establecer regulaciones para prohibir la presencia de ácidos grasos hidrogenados y parcialmente hidrogenados en los productos industrializados.
Abdominal angiostrongyliasis (AA) is a zoonotic and severe parasitic infection caused by Angiostrongylus costaricensis. AA is currently diagnosed by the observation of A. costaricensis-compatible structures in biopsies or the detection of antibodies in serological tests. However, molecular methods targeting homologous sequences of A. costaricensis have not been designed before, and therefore, an HRM-coupled qPCR was developed to detect the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of the parasite. The present assay successfully amplified DNA of A. costaricensis obtained from different hosts and identified slight sequence differences through the HRM analysis. The detection limit of the HRM-qPCR was 0.00036 ng/µL, 1.0 ng/µL, and 0.1 ng/µL when A. costaricensis DNA was diluted in nuclease-free water, whole blood, and sera, respectively, which highlights its potential use for cell-free DNA detection. Moreover, the reaction did not cross-amplify DNA of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Strongyloides stercoralis, and other nematodes, thus emphasizing its specificity. Additionally, the assay tested positive in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded biopsies with visible A. costaricensis adults or eggs, but not in samples without evident parasites or a low number of larvae, which suggests that the reaction is useful for confirming the presence of the nematode in clinical samples. Finally, DNA of sera from patients with AA was evaluated with the HRM-qPCR but none tested positive, possibly due to long storage periods of the samples which could have led to cfDNA degradation. These results indicate that this assay may be useful in the confirmation of AA and its prospection for cell-free DNA detection protocols.
