Perceptions on pesticides: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of residents in Trinidad and Tobago.

Extensive pesticide use in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) raises concerns for human and environmental health. Therefore, this study sought to assess the general knowledge, attitudes and practices of T&T residents on pesticides and related topics. Using convenience (non-probability) sampling, a questionnaire was administered to residents of Trinidad ( = 572) and Tobago ( = 68).

Whole genome sequencing reveals complex resistome features of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from patients at major hospitals in Trinidad, West Indies.

Objectives: Antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is a human pathogen of major global concern due to its ability to cause multiple severe diseases that are often difficult to treat therapeutically. This study aimed to investigate the resistome of local clinical K. pneumoniae isolates.

DNA Barcoding Analysis of Trinidad Mosquitoes Reveals Evidence for Putative New Species.

is a primary sylvan vector of yellow fever virus and the emerging Mayaro virus. However, despite its medical importance, there is a dearth of data on the molecular taxonomy of this mosquito species. In this study, DNA barcoding analysis was performed on 64 adult female mosquitoes from Trinidad morphologically identified as The mitochondrial (COI) gene and ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of the mosquitoes were PCR amplified and sequenced, and molecular phylogenies inferred.

Multi-trait efficiency and interactivity of bacterial consortia used to enhance plant performance under water stress conditions.

Water stress is a major limiting factor for agricultural production under current and projected climate change scenarios. As a sustainable strategy, plant growth-promoting bacterial consortia have been used to reduce plant water stress. However, few studies have examined the effects of stress on multi-trait efficiency and interactivity of bacterial species.

Correction: Implementation of Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the Caribbean: Lessons learned for sustainability in resource-limited settings.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.

Comparative genomics and virulome analysis reveal unique features associated with clinical strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella quasipneumoniae from Trinidad, West Indies.

Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella quasipneumoniae are closely related human pathogens of global concern. The more recently described K. quasipneumoniae shares similar morphological characteristics with K.

gene prevalence and diversity among Trinidadian spp. black-rot lesion isolates with variable copper resistance profiles.

Background: There has been limited exploration of genotypes and associated copper resistance phenotypes in spp. in the southern Caribbean region. An earlier study highlighted a variant gene cluster found in one Trinidadian pv.

Implementation of genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the Caribbean: Lessons learned for sustainability in resource-limited settings.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of global genomic surveillance to monitor the emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants and inform public health decision-making. Until December 2020 there was minimal capacity for viral genomic surveillance in most Caribbean countries. To overcome this constraint, the COVID-19: Infectious disease Molecular epidemiology for PAthogen Control & Tracking (COVID-19 IMPACT) project was implemented to establish rapid SARS-CoV-2 whole genome nanopore sequencing at The University of the West Indies (UWI) in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) and provide needed SARS-CoV-2 sequencing services for T&T and other Caribbean Public Health Agency Member States (CMS).

Sources and microbiological quality of domestic water in three rural communities in the southern Caribbean.

This study investigated the sources and microbiological quality of domestic water used by rural communities of Speightstown, Barbados; Carriacou, Grenada; and Nariva, Trinidad. The primary water source was harvested rainwater in Carriacou, and the public water supply for Nariva and Speightstown. Secondary water supplies of the communities came from untreated sources including rainwater, wells, boreholes and springs.

Transcriptome-wide modulation by and extracts results in a prime-triggered plant signalling cascade in tomato and sweet pepper.

Seaweed extracts (SWEs) are becoming integrated into crop production systems due to their multiple beneficial effects including growth promotion and induction of defence mechanisms. However, the comprehensive molecular mechanisms of these effects are yet to be elucidated. The current study investigated the transcriptomic changes induced by SWEs derived from and on tomato and sweet pepper plants.

Characterization of Beta-Lactam Resistance Genes and Virulence Factors Associated with Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Patients at Major Hospitals in Trinidad, West Indies.

Accurate species identification and antibiotic resistance profiling are essential for the effective management of infections caused by bacterial pathogens. In this study, 373 clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae from major hospitals in Trinidad, West Indies, were characterized for resistance against beta-lactam antibiotics and the presence of genes encoding important virulence factors.

Transcriptomic changes induced by applications of a commercial extract of Ascophyllum nodosum on tomato plants.

Extracts of Ascophyllum nodosum are commonly used as commercial biostimulants in crop production. To further understand the seaweed extract-induced phenomena in plants, a transcriptomic study was conducted. RNA-seq differential gene expression analysis of tomato plants treated with a commercial A.

Comparative genomics of the black rot pathogen pv. and non-pathogenic co-inhabitant from Trinidad reveal unique pathogenicity determinants and secretion system profiles.

Black-rot disease caused by the phytopathogen pv. (Xcc) continues to have considerable impacts on the productivity of cruciferous crops in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region. While the widespread occurrence of resistance of Xcc against bactericidal agrochemicals can contribute to the high disease burdens, the role of virulence and pathogenicity features of local strains on disease prevalence and severity has not been investigated yet.

Characterization of the virome associated with Haemagogus mosquitoes in Trinidad, West Indies.

Currently, there are increasing concerns about the possibility of a new epidemic due to emerging reports of Mayaro virus (MAYV) fever outbreaks in areas of South and Central America. Haemagogus mosquitoes, the primary sylvan vectors of MAYV are poorly characterized and a better understanding of the mosquito's viral transmission dynamics and interactions with MAYV and other microorganisms would be important in devising effective control strategies. In this study, a metatranscriptomic based approach was utilized to determine the prevalence of RNA viruses in field-caught mosquitoes morphologically identified as Haemagogus janthinomys from twelve (12) forest locations in Trinidad, West Indies.

Genome characterization of zucchini yellow mosaic virus infecting cucurbits reveals the presence of a new genotype in Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean region.

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) is a member of the genus Potyvirus that is becoming a serious pathogen of pumpkin and other cucurbits in Trinidad and Tobago and the entire Caribbean region. In this study, four ZYMV isolates infecting pumpkin in Trinidad and Tobago were characterized by complete genome sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis showed 5.

Biostimulant Properties of Seaweed Extracts in Plants: Implications towards Sustainable Crop Production.

The use of seaweed-based bioproducts has been gaining momentum in crop production systems owing to their unique bioactive components and effects. They have phytostimulatory properties that result in increased plant growth and yield parameters in several important crop plants. They have phytoelicitor activity as their components evoke defense responses in plants that contribute to resistance to several pests, diseases, and abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, and cold.

Driving factors influencing the rhizobacteriome community structure of plants adapted to multiple climatic stressors in edaphic savannas.

The natural variation of multiple abiotic stresses in hyper-seasonal edaphic savanna provides a unique opportunity to study the rhizobacteriome community structure of plants adapted to climate change-like conditions in the humid tropics. In this study, we evaluated changes in soil, plant and rhizobacteriome community structure parameters across seasons (wet and dry) in two edaphic savannas (SV-1 and SV-5) using four dominant plant species. We then examined relationships between rhizobacteriome community structure and soil properties, plant biomass, and conventional and novel root traits.

Isolation and Antibacterial Activity of Indole Alkaloids from UWI-1.

In this study, we report the first isolation of three antibiotic indole alkaloid compounds from a Pseudomonad bacterium, UWI-1. The bacterium was batch fermented in a modified Luria Broth medium and compounds were solvent extracted and isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation. The three compounds were identified as () tris(1H-indol-3-yl) methylium, () bis(indol-3-yl) phenylmethane, and () indolo (2, 1b) quinazoline-6, 12 dione.

Identifying the primary sources of fecal contamination along the beaches and rivers of Trinidad.

The aim of this study was to identify the main sources of fecal pollution at popular beaches and rivers in the island of Trinidad. Escherichia coli enumeration and microbial source tracking (MST) were used to identify the primary sources of fecal bacteria contamination at the sites. Nineteen sites exceeded USEPA water quality standards for safe recreational use.

Changing patterns in the distribution of the Mayaro virus vector Haemagogus species in Trinidad, West Indies.

The Mayaro virus disease (MAYVD) is an emerging mosquito borne zoonosis that was first reported on the island of Trinidad in 1954. The viral agent for this disease is known to presently be endemic to Central and South America. The enzootic cycle of the Mayaro virus (MAYV) is not fully characterized, though primates are thought to be the main reservoir with Haemagogus species of mosquitoes as the primary vector.

Biostimulatory activities of Ascophyllum nodosum extract in tomato and sweet pepper crops in a tropical environment.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a commercially available Ascophyllum nodosum alkaline extract as a plant growth stimulant and defense elicitor against foliar diseases of tomato and sweet pepper caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria and Alternaria solani in a tropical environment. Foliar applications of 0.

Antimicrobial cholic acid derivatives from the Pitch Lake bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens UWI-W23.

Six cholic acid derivatives (1-6) were isolated from broth cultures of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens UWI-W23, an isolate from the Trinidad Pitch Lake. The compounds were extracted via solvent extraction and/or XAD resin adsorption and purified using silica gel column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated using 1D, 2D NMR and ESI-MS spectrometry and FT-IR spectrophotometry.

Getting into hot water: sick guppies frequent warmer thermal conditions.

Ectotherms depend on the environmental temperature for thermoregulation and exploit thermal regimes that optimise physiological functioning. They may also frequent warmer conditions to up-regulate their immune response against parasite infection and/or impede parasite development. This adaptive response, known as 'behavioural fever', has been documented in various taxa including insects, reptiles and fish, but only in response to endoparasite infections.