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Geographic information systems for strategic management in public universities: Evidence from Costa Rica
(2026-06) Lizano Araya, Melvin
This study analyzes the adoption of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in five Costa Rican public universities -UCR, TEC, UNA, UTN and UNED- examining institutional integration, barriers and opportunities to improve the governance of all geospatial data. Drawing on successful international experiences (Australia, North Carolina, California, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain), it uses a mixed-methods approach combining interviews with ViceRectory officials and data analysis of software acquisitions from the SICOP platform. The results reveal significant disparities: only UCR and TEC have achieved high levels of GIS integration, while others show limited or almost no adoption. The main obstacles encountered are the lack of clear institutional policies, fragmented data infrastructure and gaps in professional training. Although the average investment in GIS licenses reached USD $18,892 per institution (2021–2023), the use is still concentrated in academic programs without using them in strategic management and planning. Adoption varies from open source tools to licensed platforms, affecting operational efficiency and decision making. This research highlights the need to align GIS with university
planning and provides a replicable framework for digital transformation in higher education.
Prevalence, genomic features and pangenome analysis of NDM-1-positive carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter bau-mannii isolates from Costa Rica
(2026-04-11) Molina Mora, José Arturo; Cascante Serrano, Daniel; Quirós Rojas, Leana; González Carballo, Gian Carlo; Araya, Xavier; Segura Retana, Elvira Eugenia; Estrada Murillo, Heylin; Lozada Alvarado, Betty Stefany; Alvarado Rodríguez, Mariela de los Ángeles; Alfaro Camacho, Javier; García Santamaría, Fernando
Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is a critical pathogen as- 14sociated with severe hospital infections and high antimicrobial resistance. Despite of the 15global significance of A. baumannii, there are limited data from Costa Rica regarding the 16resistance rate and genomic characteristics of CRAB. Methods: This study aimed to pro- 17vide initial and exploratory epidemiological data on infections caused by A. baumannii 18and CRAB isolated in Costa Rica and to gain insights on the genome of selected strains 19focusing on their resistance determinants and phylogenetic relationships. Results: Based 20on data from five main hospitals in Costa Rica, resistance rate to carbapenems was esti- 21mated at 9.8% to imipenem and 6.1% to meropenem. From 190 carbapenem-resistant clin- 22ical isolates available in a local collection, seven A. baumannii strains were identified, all 23showing resistance to carbapenems and carrying the blaNDM-1 gene. Whole-genome se- 24quencing of two strains yielded two distinct MLST profiles (Pasteur scheme: ST-150 for 25strain IPAT15 and ST-250 for IPAT72), as well as variations in number and identity of 26plasmids, genomic islands, and other elements of the mobilome. Both isolates carried ten 27antimicrobial resistance genes, which are predicted to be harbored in plasmids for 28IPAT15, unlike the chromosomal determinants in IPAT72. A pangenome analysis of 878 29genomes from a public database identified over 51,000 genes, with only 1,338 (2.6%) form- 30ing the core genome. Phylogenetic analysis and assignation of international clones (IC) 31showed predominance of IC2. Isolates from Costa Rica clustered near IC9 and sharing 32some resistance determinants, but they were not directly assigned to an IC. Conclusion: 33Overall, this study provides exploratory insights regarding the occurrence of CRAB in 34Costa Rica using epidemiological and genomic data, with profiles that are comparable to 35other regions in Latin America and diverse genomic resistance determinants. While this 36study is not showing the whole landscape of CRAB in Costa Rica, these data constitute an 37initial approach for improving clinical management and public health responses to CRAB 38infections, to ultimately improve outcomes for patients affected by this pathogen.
Physicochemical and immunological effects of adjuvant formulations with snake venom antigens for immunization of horses for antivenom production
(2023-08-15) Fox, Christopher B.; Khandhar, Amit Praful; Khuu, Lisa; Phan, Tony; Kinsey, Robert; Cordero Vásquez, Daniel; Gutiérrez, José María; León Montero, Guillermo
Enhancement of antivenom immune responses in horses through adjuvant technology improves antivenom production efficiency, but substantial local reactogenicity associated with some traditional veterinary adjuvants limits their usability. To explore modern adjuvant systems suitable for generating antivenom responses in horses, we first assessed their physicochemical compatibility with Bothrops asper snake venom. Liposome and nanoparticle aluminum adjuvants exhibited changes in particle size and phospholipid content after mixing with venom, whereas squalene emulsion-based adjuvants remained stable. Next, we evaluated serum antibody response magnitude and neutralization capacity in horses immunized with adjuvant-containing Echis ocellatus, Bitis arietans, Naja nigricollis, and Dendroaspis polylepis venom preparations. Whereas all tested adjuvants elicited significant neutralization capacity against the viperid venoms, the greatest antibody responses were generated by a squalene-in-water emulsion, thus representing a promising novel alternative for antivenom production.
Biochemical and biological characterization of Bothriechis schlegelii snake venoms from Colombia and Costa Rica
(2016-07-24) Prezotto Neto, José Pedro; Kimura Vieira, Louise Faggionato; Alves, André F.; Gutiérrez, José María; Otero Patiño, Rafael; Suárez, Ana María; Santoro, Marcelo Larami; Barbaro Nogueira, Katia Cristina
Snakebites inflicted by the arboreal viperid snake Bothriechis schlegelii in humans are characterized by pain, edema, and ecchymosis at the site of the bite, rarely with blisters, local necrosis, or defibrination. Herein, a comparative study of Bothriechis schlegelii snake venoms from Colombia (BsCo) and Costa Rica (BsCR) was carried out in order to compare their main activities and to verify the efficacy of Bothrops antivenom produced in Brazil to neutralize them. Biochemical (SDS-PAGE and zymography) and biological parameters (edematogenic, lethal, hemorrhagic, nociceptive, and phospholipase A2 activities) induced by BsCo and BsCR snake venoms were evaluated. The presence of antibodies in Bothrops antivenom that recognize BsCo and BsCR snake venoms by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting, as well as the ability of this antivenom to neutralize the toxic activities were also verified. SDS-PAGE showed differences between venoms. Distinctive caseinolytic and hyaluronidase patterns were detected by zymography. BsCo and BsCR showed similar phospholipase A2 activity. Strong cross-reactivity between BsCo and BsCR was detected using Bothrops antivenom with many components located between 150 and 35 kDa. BsCR was more edematogenic and almost fourfold more hemorrhagic than BsCo, and both venoms induced nociception. BsCR (LD50 5.60 mg/kg) was more lethal to mice than BsCo (LD50 9.24 mg/kg). Bothrops antivenom was effective in the neutralization of lethal and hemorrhagic activities of BsCo and BsCR and was partially effective in the neutralization of edematogenic and nociceptive activities. In conclusion, geographic distribution influences the composition and activities of Bothriechis schlegelii venoms. Bothrops antivenom cross-reacted with these venoms and was partially effective in neutralizing some toxic activities of BsCo and BsCR.
Case fatality rate and burden of snakebite envenoming in children – A systematic review and meta-analysis
(2023-10) Iliyasu, Garba; Dayyab, Farouq Muhammad; Godpower, Michael Chinedu; Hamza, Muhammad; Habib, Maryam Abdulrazaq; Gutiérrez, José María; Habib, Abdulrazaq Garba
Snakebite is a major public health problem with an estimated global burden of 5 million people per annum. Data on snakebite envenoming in children are very limited and is unclear whether there is a significant difference in severity between adults and children. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies on snakebite in children to obtain a more precise estimate of case fatality rate (CFR) as well as to explore the differences in outcome between children and adults. Studies from all over the world reported until the end of February 2023 were included. Analysis was conducted consistent with the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) criteria. Estimates were obtained from Random Effects Model (REM). Sub-analysis was conducted for studies from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to provide estimates for the continent. Adverse outcomes comprising composite endpoints (CE), defined as fatality and or complications, were compared between children and adults in sub-analysis of studies reporting on both groups. The annual burden and fatality of snakebite envenoming were derived based on lifetime prevalence of bite, meta-analysis estimates, and other data inputs. The pooled estimate of the CFR from 35 studies included worldwide was 1.98% [95%CI:1.38–2.58%] while the estimates from 6 studies within SSA was 2.43% (95%CI:0.67–4.20%). The odds of adverse outcomes were 2.52 times higher in children compared to adults. The estimated annual burden was 178,491 cases with 4346 deaths among children in SSA. These estimates compare favorably to those reported in the literature.