RESUMO
The aim of this study was to isolate Toxoplasma gondii and determine the viability of the parasite in fresh semen samples of clinically healthy adult dogs naturally infected. Eleven seropositive dogs with T. gondii IgG antibodies from southern Brazil were selected to confirm the presence and viability of T. gondii in fresh semen samples using in vitro isolation in Vero cell culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing analysis. The presence of viable T. gondii was confirmed by in vitro isolation and PCR in five semen samples. The ITS1 region of the isolated protozoa (TG S4) was amplified and sequenced. The nucleotide sequence obtained was 99% compatible with the T. gondii DNA sequences stored in the GenBank. It has been shown that T. gondii tachyzoites may be isolated in vitro from fresh semen samples of clinically healthy dogs seropositive for T. gondii.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Sêmen/parasitologia , Toxoplasma/isolamento & purificação , Toxoplasmose Animal/parasitologia , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , DNA de Protozoário/genética , Doenças do Cão/diagnóstico , Doenças do Cão/epidemiologia , Cães , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/veterinária , Toxoplasmose Animal/epidemiologiaRESUMO
UNLABELLED: In this study, yeasts and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from coffee fruits and identified via biochemical and molecular approaches. The isolates represented the Pichia, Debaryomyces, Candida, Clavispora, Yarrowia, Sporobolomyces, Klyveromyces, Torulaspora and Lactobacillus genera. Four isolates, namely Pichia fermentans LPBYB13, Sporobolomyces roseus LPBY7E, Candida sp. LPBY11B and Lactobacillus brevis LPBB03, were found to have the greatest antagonist activity against an ochratoxigenic strain of Aspergillus westerdijkiae on agar tests and were selected for further characterization. Applications of P. fermentans LPBYB13 in coffee cherries artificially contaminated with A. westerdijkiae showed efficacy in reducing ochratoxin A (OTA) content up to 88%. These results highlight that P. fermentans LPBYB13 fulfils the principle requirements of an efficient biological control of aflatoxigenic fungi in coffee beans and may be seen as a reliable candidate for further validation in field conditions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Studies based on microbial ecology and antagonistic interactions are important for the development of new strategies in controlling aflatoxin contamination of crops and are relevant to further biotechnological applications. This study shows that coffee fruit is a potential source for the isolation of microbial strains with antifungal ability. A new yeast strain, Pichia fermentans LPBYB13, showed efficacy in reducing growth and ochratoxin A production of Aspergillus westerdijkiae in coffee beans. Our results should encourage the use of this yeast strain on a large scale for biocontrol of aflatoxigenic fungi in coffee beans.
Assuntos
Aflatoxinas/biossíntese , Antifúngicos/isolamento & purificação , Aspergillus/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Agentes de Controle Biológico/isolamento & purificação , Café/microbiologia , Contaminação de Alimentos/prevenção & controle , Ocratoxinas/biossíntese , Agentes de Controle Biológico/metabolismo , Candida/isolamento & purificação , Candida/metabolismo , Frutas/microbiologia , Ácido Láctico/metabolismo , Levilactobacillus brevis/isolamento & purificação , Levilactobacillus brevis/metabolismo , Pichia/isolamento & purificação , Pichia/metabolismoRESUMO
Sera from 112 mares from 5 horse-breeding farms was examined for the presence of antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), as well as from dogs and cattle present on these properties for the presence of antibodies to N. caninum. Among the 112 mares, 35 had a history of reproductive problems in the last breeding season and 77 had no reproductive problems. The rates of seroprevalence of N. caninum in mares with and without a history of reproductive problems were 25.71% and 6.49% and from T. gondii 2.85% and 1.29%, respectively. In dogs and cattle, the rates of seroprevalence of N. caninum were 10.52% and 15.55%, respectively. A positive correlation was found between the presence of antibodies against N. caninum (p=0.010) in mares and the occurrence of reproductive problems using the Fisher's exact test. Significantly higher seroprevalence for N. caninum in mares was observed on the farm that had seropositive dogs (p=0.018). Cattle on this farm were also seropositive. No significant differences in seropositivity were found on farms where dogs were seronegative, or absent. This result suggests, for the first time, the presence of seropositive dogs as a risk factor for N. caninum in mares and the necessity for further investigation of the epidemiology of this parasite in horse-breeding farms with reproductive problems and the presence of cattle and dogs. This is the first report on the occurrence of antibodies against N. caninum in horses from the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Assuntos
Aborto Animal/etiologia , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Coccidiose/veterinária , Doenças dos Cavalos/etiologia , Neospora , Complicações na Gravidez/veterinária , Aborto Animal/epidemiologia , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Bovinos , Coccidiose/complicações , Coccidiose/epidemiologia , Cães , Feminino , Doenças dos Cavalos/epidemiologia , Cavalos , Gravidez , Complicações na Gravidez/epidemiologia , Complicações na Gravidez/etiologia , Fatores de Risco , Estudos SoroepidemiológicosRESUMO
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control in Brazil includes a strict mandatory vaccination program with vaccines produced in certified laboratories subject to inspection by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA). The FMD vaccine's potency is tested through antibodies titration against structural viral proteins in sera from cattle that have not had any exposure to food-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), at 28 days post-vaccination. Biological product testing using large animals is expensive and unwieldy. Thus, alternative testing procedures using laboratory animals have been proposed for quality control of these products. Such biological methods for vaccine evaluation using animals from vivarium facilities can have a significant impact through reduced costs, easier handling, and shorter testing times. The present study was designed to access Balb/C mice's humoral immune responses to a FMDV experimental vaccine, the composition of which contains three virus serotypes of FMDV (O1 Campos, A24 Cruzeiro, and C3 Indaial). Balb/C mice were immunized at doses that were 5% and 10% of the vaccine volume administered in cattle. Immunized mice had their antibody titers probed at 14, 21, and 28 DPV (days post vaccination). The results obtained were compared to those previously known from cattle's immune responses to the FMDV vaccine. An adequate immune response to the vaccine was seen with 10% formulation at 21 DPV. The study results are encouraging and indicate that the mouse model can be used for quality control in experimental vaccine testing.
Assuntos
Vírus da Febre Aftosa/imunologia , Febre Aftosa/prevenção & controle , Tecnologia Farmacêutica/métodos , Tecnologia Farmacêutica/normas , Vacinas Virais/imunologia , Animais , Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Bioensaio/métodos , Brasil , Febre Aftosa/imunologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Controle de Qualidade , Vacinas de Produtos Inativados/imunologiaRESUMO
In this study, the biomass and exopolysaccharides (EPS) production in co-cultures of microalgae/cyanobacteria and macromycetes was evaluated as a technology for producing new polysaccharides for medical and/or industrial application. Based on biomass and EPS productivity of monocultures, two algae and two fungi were selected and cultured in different co-culture arrangements. The hydrosoluble EPS fractions from mono- and co-cultures were characterized by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and compared. It was found that co-cultures resulted in the production of an EPS different from those produced by monocultures, showing fungal predominance with microalgal/cyanobacterial traces. Co-cultures conditions were screened (temperature, agitation speed, fungal and microalgae inoculation rate, initial pH, illumination rate, and glucose concentration) in order to achieve maximum biomass and EPS production, resulting in an increase of 33 and 61% in exopolysaccharides and biomass productions, respectively (patent pending).
Assuntos
Técnicas de Cocultura/métodos , Cianobactérias/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Fungos/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Microalgas/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Polissacarídeos/biossíntese , Cianobactérias/metabolismo , Cianobactérias/fisiologia , Fungos/metabolismo , Fungos/fisiologia , Microalgas/metabolismo , Microalgas/fisiologia , Polissacarídeos/química , Estresse FisiológicoRESUMO
A comparison of techniques for detecting the presence of Cysticercus bovis in bovine carcasses was made by using carcass dissection and routine beef inspection guidelines. In the study, 28 calves were used after they were tested and found to be negative for the presence of anti-C. bovis serum antibodies and were inoculated orally with aliquots containing 6×10(4) Taenia saginata eggs. One hundred and twenty days after inoculation, the animals were slaughtered and a post mortem evaluation was done following Brazilian Federal Beef Inspection guidelines. This routine meat inspection was able to identify 71·42% of the assessed infected carcasses as being parasitized. This result implies that 28·58% of the infected carcasses would have been released as fit for human consumption since they would have been considered as free of C. bovis infection when using this method for carcass assessment. Only 3·07% of the total 2311 metacestodes present in the carcasses were identified by the conventional procedures of sanitary inspection. The assessment of different parts of the carcasses showed high infestation rates in shoulder clod (14·37%), head (11·21%), neck+chuck roll (8·05%), heart (7·75%) and top (inside) round (7·18%) which, together, were responsible for housing 48·51% of all the cysts found in the 24 beef cuts assessed. These numbers contrasted to the low incidence of cysts found in organs such as tongue (3·12%), diaphragm (1·69%) and esophagus (1·60%) which are usually described as predilection sites for the parasite.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Bovinos/parasitologia , Cisticercose/patologia , Cysticercus/isolamento & purificação , Inspeção de Alimentos , Taenia saginata/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Brasil , Bovinos , Doenças dos Bovinos/patologia , Cisticercose/parasitologia , Esôfago/parasitologia , Fidelidade a Diretrizes , Carne/parasitologia , Músculos/parasitologia , Língua/parasitologiaRESUMO
Agaricus blazei is a mushroom that belongs to the Brazilian biodiversity and is considered as an important producer of bioactive compounds beneficial to human health. Studies have demonstrated that these compounds present immuno-modulatory, antioxidant and antitumor properties. In order to compare the most used method for fungal polysaccharide drying, lyophilization with other industrial-scale methods, the aim of this work was to submit A. blazei LPB 03 polysaccharide extracts to vaucum, spray and freeze drying, and evaluate the maintenance of its antitumoral effects in vitro. Exopolysaccharides produced by A. blazei LPB 03 on submerged fermentation were extracted with ethanol and submitted to drying processes. The efficiency represents the water content that was removed during the drying process. The resultant dried products showed water content around 3% and water activity less than 0.380, preventing therefore the growth of microorganisms and reactions of chemical degradation. Exopolysaccharide extracts dried by vacuum and spray dryer did not showed any significant cytotoxic effect on cell viability of Wistar mice macrophages. Content of total sugars and protein decrease after drying, nevertheless, 20 mg/ml of exopolysaccharides dried by spray dryer reached 33% of inhibition rate over Ehrlich tumor cells in vitro.
Assuntos
Agaricus/química , Antineoplásicos/isolamento & purificação , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Liofilização/métodos , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Polissacarídeos/isolamento & purificação , Polissacarídeos/farmacologia , Agaricus/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Agaricus/metabolismo , Animais , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Fermentação , Proteínas Fúngicas/análise , Macrófagos , Camundongos , Extratos Vegetais/isolamento & purificação , Polissacarídeos/biossíntese , Água/química , Água/metabolismoRESUMO
0 aumento significativo do número de casos notificados da Leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana (LTA) e a expansão geográfica da endemia tem motivado o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias para auxiliar no diagnóstico das leishmanioses, visando minimizar as restrições apresentadas pelos testes diagnósticos disponíveis nos serviços de saúde. 0 presente trabalho empregou imunocitoquimica e imunohistoquímica (ICQ/IHQ) como métodos diagnósticos laboratoriais para LTA. Amostras de culturas de Leishmania in vitro e cortes histológicos de lesões em animais infectados experimentalmente foram submetidos a ICQ/IHQ, utilizando anticorpos policlonais desenvolvidos para este estudo e o complexo avidina-biotina modificado (Ultra Streptavidin®). Em comparação com outras técnicas empregadas para o diagnóstico da LTA, nos casos avaliados, a IHQ apresentou resultados semelhantes aos da histopatologia com coloração HE, com sensibilidade de 33,3% para formas amastigotas. Quando considerada a presenva de antígenos de Leishmania no padrão celular, a IHQ apresentou uma sensibilidade de 83,3%, significativamente maior que na histopatologia e compatível com metodos padrão ouro de cultura e PCR. As metodologias de ICQ/IHQ desenvolvidas neste trabalho foram capazes de demonstrar em biópsias de lesões, a presença de formas amastigotas e antígenos de Leishmania, oferecendo contribuição adicional ao diagnóstico da LTA, sendo de facil aplicação e podendo ser utilizada no sistema público de saúde.
The significant increase in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) notified cases and the geographic expansion of this endemy has motivated the development of new techniques to help in leishmaniasis diagnosis, seeking the minimization of the restrictions imposed by the diagnostic tests available at the health services. The current study applied immunocytochemistry and immunohystochemistry methods (ICC/IHC) for laboratory diagnosis of CL. Imprints and histological sections from tissue infected with Leishmania were submitted to ICC/IHC methods using polyclonal antibodies developed for this study and a modified avidin-biotin complex (Ultra Streptavidin®). The samples also were submitted for routinely stained hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) specimens and gold standard methods (culture and PCR). Compared with other useful techniques for the CL diagnosis, ICC/IHC showed the same sensitivity results (33%) as H&E stain for amastigotes recognition. When the presence of Leishmania antigens was evaluated, ICC/IHC presented 83,3% sensitivity, i.e., higher than that detected by histopathology and equivalent with gold standard methods (culture and PCR). The ICC/IHC techniques developed in the current study were able to recognize amastigote forms and also Leishmania antigens in lesion biopsies, offering an additional help to CL diagnosis and it can be easily applied in the public health system.
Assuntos
Técnicas de Laboratório Clínico , Imuno-Histoquímica , Leishmaniose Tegumentar Difusa/diagnóstico , Avidina , Biópsia , BiotinaRESUMO
To determine the polymorphisms of the prion protein gene in sheep from the state of Paraná, Brazil, 323 animals of meat breeds (Suffolk, Hampshire Down, Texel, Ile de France, Dorper, Dorset, Santa Inês and crossbreds) were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The most frequent allele was ARQ, with a frequency of 0.61, followed by ARR (0.30). VRQ and AHQ alleles were present at very low frequencies (0.13 and 0.05 respectively), and the ARH allele was not found. Seven genotypes were identified (ARR/ARR, ARR/ARQ, ARQ/ARQ, ARR/VRQ, ARR/AHQ, ARQ/VRQ and ARQ/AHQ), of which ARQ/ARQ was the most frequent (0.41). The Santa Inês breed and crossbred animals showed the highest genotypic variability.
Assuntos
Polimorfismo Genético , Príons/genética , Ovinos/genética , Animais , Brasil , Genótipo , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Polimorfismo de Fragmento de RestriçãoRESUMO
Antibodies to Neospora sp. and Toxoplasma gondii were measured in mares and precolostral foals from a farm in Parana State, Brazil. An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used to determine specific antibodies. Three sampling points, 2003, 2004 and at parturition were included in the study, but not all horses are represented at a parturition time point. In 2003, antibodies to Neospora were detected in 17 mares (47%) at 1:50 dilution and in 5 mares (13.8%) at 1:100 dilution. In 2004, antibodies to Neospora were found in 11/36 (30%) horses with titers of 1:50 and in 6 mares (16.6%) at 1:100 dilution. The prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii was 2.7% in mares, either in 2003 and 2004. Evidence for the role of Neospora sp. in equine reproduction failure was not observed in the farm. Immunoglobulin G antibodies to Neospora were found in two of the nine precolostrum foals. Four seronegative foals were born from seronegative mothers, and three seronegative foals were born from seropositive mothers (1:50). Two seropositive precolostrum foals were born from seropositive mothers (1:50). The foals were born clinically normal, and T. gondii antibodies were not detected in their serum samples. The total immunoglobulins values detected on seronegative precolostrum foals were lower than the levels observed in the seropositive foals. This data warrants additional studies to differentiate N. hughesi and N. caninum serologically and determination if these parasites were associated with equine neurological disease and reproductive failure.
Assuntos
Animais Recém-Nascidos/sangue , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Coccidiose/veterinária , Doenças dos Cavalos/parasitologia , Transmissão Vertical de Doenças Infecciosas/veterinária , Toxoplasmose Animal/parasitologia , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos/imunologia , Especificidade de Anticorpos , Brasil , Coccidiose/epidemiologia , Coccidiose/parasitologia , Coccidiose/transmissão , Feminino , Técnica Indireta de Fluorescência para Anticorpo/métodos , Técnica Indireta de Fluorescência para Anticorpo/veterinária , Doenças dos Cavalos/epidemiologia , Doenças dos Cavalos/transmissão , Cavalos , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Neospora/imunologia , Gravidez , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Toxoplasma/imunologia , Toxoplasmose Animal/epidemiologia , Toxoplasmose Animal/transmissãoAssuntos
Doenças dos Bovinos/diagnóstico , Coccidiose/veterinária , Neospora/imunologia , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/análise , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Cegueira/etiologia , Cegueira/veterinária , Encéfalo/parasitologia , Brasil/epidemiologia , Bovinos , Doenças dos Bovinos/sangue , Doenças dos Bovinos/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Doenças dos Bovinos/epidemiologia , Doenças dos Bovinos/patologia , Coccidiose/complicações , Coccidiose/diagnóstico , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática/veterinária , Feminino , Neospora/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
The aims of this study were to characterize human American tegumentary leishmaniasis, which includes cutaneous, mucocutaneous and mucosal leishmaniasis, in Northwest Argentina, to determine the prevalence of double infection with Trypanosoma cruzi and to identify the species of Leishmania in this area. Most of the 330 leishmaniasis patients presented cutaneous ulcers (96.1%), 2.4% mucocutaneous and 1.5% the mucosal form ('espundia'). The aetiological agents, determined by isoenzyme electrophoresis, were identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in 16 out of 20 isolates and in the remaining 4 as Leishmania (Leishimania) amazonensis, the first ever-documented in Argentina. Sera analysed by ELISA and IFA using complex antigen from both T. cruzi and L. braziliensis showed a very high percentage of positives (66.3-78.2%). When antigens for specific diagnosis of Chagas' disease were used, 40.9% of the leishmaniasis patients were also found to be infected by T. cruzi. These results indicate that the strong immune response against T. cruzi gave no protection to Leishmania, in spite of the serological cross-reaction between these parasites. In addition, we showed that more than 40% of the patients would be misdiagnosed as chagasic if complex antigens, as epimastigotes or soluble fraction from epimastigotes, were used in IFA or ELISA. This is of paramount importance not only because patients' treatment would be associated to misdiagnosis but the fact that in many countries in Central and South America, a positive test for Chagas' disease means a rejection for those seeking employment.
Assuntos
Doença de Chagas/complicações , Doença de Chagas/imunologia , Leishmania/classificação , Leishmania/isolamento & purificação , Leishmaniose Cutânea/complicações , Leishmaniose Cutânea/imunologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Argentina/epidemiologia , Doença de Chagas/diagnóstico , Doença de Chagas/parasitologia , Reações Cruzadas , Feminino , Genes de Protozoários/genética , Humanos , Leishmania/enzimologia , Leishmania/genética , Leishmaniose Cutânea/diagnóstico , Leishmaniose Cutânea/parasitologia , Masculino , FilogeniaRESUMO
Thirty-one trypanosomatid stocks were isolated from various sylvatic hosts and vectors in two different regions from the Paraná State of Brazil. The stocks were analyzed by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) on cellulose acetate plates (22 genetic loci). All stocks were unambiguously attributed to Trypanosoma cruzi, and were found to be closely related to the formerly described zymodeme I (TC1 subgroup of T. cruzi). By comparison with other sylvatic cycles with similar sample sizes (Southern USA, Colombia, French Guiana), genetic variability among these stocks was very limited, with only two variable loci out of 22, and only three different multilocus genotypes. Population structure of T. cruzi in these cycles appears to correspond to a set of very closely related clonal genotypes. This very limited genetic variability could be due to a recent foundation of these populations (founder effect). The implications of an active Chagas sylvatic cycle in this area are discussed.
Assuntos
Doença de Chagas/parasitologia , Insetos Vetores/parasitologia , Isoenzimas/análise , Mamíferos/parasitologia , Triatominae/parasitologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/classificação , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Doença de Chagas/epidemiologia , Doença de Chagas/transmissão , Reservatórios de Doenças , Ecossistema , Eletroforese em Acetato de Celulose , Variação Genética , Genótipo , Isoenzimas/genética , Camundongos , Gambás/parasitologia , Filogenia , Polimorfismo Genético , Árvores , Trypanosoma cruzi/enzimologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/genéticaRESUMO
This study evaluates the prevalence and viability of helminth eggs and protozoan cysts in sludge obtained by anaerobic treatment in four treatment stations in Curitiba, Parana State, Brazil. The parasites observed were helminths: Ascaris sp (85%), Toxocara sp (5.5%), Trichuris sp (4.5%), Hymenolepis diminuta (3.7%), H. nana (1%) and Taenia sp (0.4%), protozoan: Isospora sp, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Endolimax nana. In biological treatment based on the anaerobic digestion the effectiveness depends on the duration and temperature. The treatment showed efficiency for pathogen reduction of between 59.7 to 93%. However, the number of helminth eggs found in treatment stations was still high and new higher performance treatment is necessary for land application or for other objectives, seeking to reduce the risks for human and animal health.
Assuntos
Helmintos/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Contagem de Ovos de Parasitas , Esgotos/parasitologia , Anaerobiose , Animais , Técnicas de Laboratório Clínico/métodosRESUMO
Neospora caninum-specific antibodies were detected in 60 of 172 (34.8%) dairy cattle by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a herd from Parana State, Brazil. The seropositive animals included 47 of 126 (37.3%) adult cows, 7 of 29 (24%) heifers (1-2 yr), 4 of 15 (27%) heifers (5 mo-1 yr), and 2 precolostral samples. Data collected over a 9-yr follow-up period revealed that the proportion of pregnancies ending in abortion was 20% (31/154) among ELISA seropositive cows and 8% (15/193) among seronegative cows. The farm recorded 46 abortions, of which 31 (67.3%) were from seropositive cows. All sera positive by ELISA (n = 60) and sera from cows (n = 11) that were ELISA-negative but that had aborted were tested by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) at dilutions from 1:25 to 1:200. All sera from ELISA-positive cows (n = 47) had an IFAT titer of 1:25:35 (74%) of these sera were also seropositive at a dilution of 1:200 (IFAT). Cows seropositive by ELISA had a 4-fold increased risk of having aborted at least once, compared to ELISA-seronegative cows. This association was statistically significant (P = 0.0016). The attributable fraction for this association indicated that approximately 76% of the risk for a cow having a history of abortion was attributable to seroconversion to N. caninum.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Bovinos/diagnóstico , Coccidiose/veterinária , Indústria de Laticínios , Neospora/imunologia , Aborto Séptico/veterinária , Aborto Animal/etiologia , Animais , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Brasil , Bovinos , Coccidiose/diagnóstico , Feminino , Técnica Indireta de Fluorescência para Anticorpo , Gravidez , Testes SorológicosRESUMO
The phlebotomine sandflies in the northern areas of the state of Paraná, Brazil, particularly those in the '16a' health region, were investigated over a 3-year period. Using CDC light traps (with and without hamster bait) and Shannon traps (with lights and horse or human bait), 16 species were collected from seven municipal districts which were known foci for cutaneous leishmaniasis: Arapongas; Apucarana; Cambira; Marumbi; Faxinal; Florestópolis; and Sabáudia. Although the frequency at which each species was collected varied with the collection site, Lutzomyia whitmani predominated (62.0% of all the sandflies collected), followed by Lu. fischeri (13.3%), Lu. pessoai (10.8%), Lu. migonei (8.2%) and Lu. intermedia (2.8%). Lutzomyia monticola, Lu. shanonni, Lu. firmatoi, Lu. lanei, Lu. alphabetica, Lu. misionensis, Lu. correalimai, Lu. cortellezzii, Lu. longipenis, Brumptomyia brumpti and B. nitzulescui together represented the remaining 3.0% of the collected sandflies. Three of the 1961 female sandflies collected and dissected in the municipal district of Cambira, where a recent case of cutaneous leishmaniasis had been registered, were found to have flagellates in their guts. All three were Lu. whitmani. The parasites from each of these infections were successfully isolated in NNN and 'Tobie and Evans' media and/or by inoculation into a hind foot of a golden hamster. The results of isoenzyme electrophoresis indicated that all three isolates were of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis.
Assuntos
Insetos Vetores , Leishmania braziliensis/isolamento & purificação , Psychodidae/parasitologia , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Cricetinae , Eletroforese , Doenças Endêmicas , Feminino , Leishmaniose Cutânea/epidemiologia , Leishmaniose Cutânea/transmissão , Psychodidae/classificaçãoRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: In the period of 1996-1999 some virus associated with encephalitis have been reported in horses from different regions of Paraná State, Brazil. To identify the etiologic agent associated with this illness, mosquitoes and serum samples were collected in the endemic area. METHODS: The study area corresponded to four municipalities of Paraná State, Brazil. Mosquitoes were captured in Shannon trap and human bait. After identification, they were processed for virus isolation. Blood of equines were collected in the municipalities of Querência do Norte and Colorado. Antibodies to different Alphavirus and Flavivirus were analyzed by hemagglutination inhibition test. Specific seroneutralization reactions were performed in those sera with a positive reaction in the hemagglutination test. RESULTS: The mosquitoes genus collected were: Culex, Aedes, Mansonia, Coquillettidia, Psorophora, Sabethes, Wyeomyia, and Limatus. Even thought no virus was isolated, serologic analyses showed hemagglutinazing antibodies to Eastern equine encephalitis, Mucambo, Pixuna, Maguari, and St Luis encephalitis viruses. The neutralization test showed specific reaction to Eastern equine encephalitis virus in 12 tested sera. CONCLUSIONS: Species of mosquitoes that could be potential vectors of encephalitis, buniavirus, and other arboviruses of epidemiological importance were collected. It is believed that Eastern equine encephalitis virus affected the equines populations in the study regions because of the symptoms and antibodies for the virus in the sera detected in these equines.
Assuntos
Alphavirus/isolamento & purificação , Encefalomielite Equina/veterinária , Doenças dos Cavalos/virologia , Alphavirus/imunologia , Animais , Anticorpos Antivirais/isolamento & purificação , Brasil , Culicidae/imunologia , Culicidae/virologia , Encefalomielite Equina/imunologia , Encefalomielite Equina/virologia , Flavivirus/imunologia , Flavivirus/isolamento & purificação , Doenças dos Cavalos/imunologia , Cavalos/virologia , Insetos Vetores/imunologia , Insetos Vetores/virologiaRESUMO
Leishmaniasis is widespread in Colombia and is found in 30 of 32 Departments. More than 200 infection zones have been reported from different regions, which vary from sea-level to an altitude of 2,300 m along the Atlantic Coast, Pacific coast, Amazon basin, Cauca and Magdalena valleys. We report 76 Leishmania stocks isolated from humans, dogs and phlebotomine hosts. Isoenzyme electrophoresis revealed 16 zymodemes, which could be divided into four phylogenetic complexes, i.e., L. braziliensis, L. amazonensis, L. guyanensis/panamensis and L. infantum. Three zymodemes became integrated into the subgenus Leishmania and the other zymodemes into the subgenus Viannia. Cutaneous infections were due to the L. braziliensis (9.2%) and L. guyanensis/panamensis (85.54%) complexes. Mucous secondary involvement was due to the L. braziliensis and L. guyanensis/panamensis complexes. In this work the specific status of L. (V.) guyanensis and L. (V.) panamensis is discussed.
Assuntos
Leishmania/classificação , Animais , Colômbia , Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Cães , Eletroforese em Gel de Amido , Humanos , Focalização Isoelétrica , Isoenzimas/análise , Leishmania/enzimologia , Leishmania/genética , Leishmaniose/parasitologia , Leishmaniose/veterinária , Filogenia , Polimorfismo Genético , Psychodidae/parasitologiaRESUMO
This review makes a comprehensive survey of microbial amylases, i.e. alpha-amylase, beta-amylase and glucoamylase. Amylases are among the most important enzymes and are of great significance in present-day biotechnology. Although they can be derived from several sources, such as plants, animals and micro-organisms, the enzymes from microbial sources generally meet industrial demands. Microbial amylases could be potentially useful in the pharmaceutical and fine-chemical industries if enzymes with suitable properties could be prepared. With the advent of new frontiers in biotechnology, the spectrum of amylase application has widened in many other fields, such as clinical, medicinal and analytical chemistries, as well as their widespread application in starch saccharification and in the textile, food, brewing and distilling industries. In this review, after a brief description of the sources of amylases, we discuss the molecular biology of amylases, describing structures, cloning, sequences, and protoplast fusion and mutagenesis. This is followed by sections on their production and finally the properties of various amylases.
Assuntos
Amilases/isolamento & purificação , Amilases/genética , Amilases/metabolismo , Animais , Bactérias/enzimologia , Bactérias/genética , Biotecnologia , Fungos/enzimologia , Fungos/genética , Glucana 1,4-alfa-Glucosidase/genética , Glucana 1,4-alfa-Glucosidase/isolamento & purificação , Glucana 1,4-alfa-Glucosidase/metabolismo , Biologia Molecular , alfa-Amilases/genética , alfa-Amilases/isolamento & purificação , alfa-Amilases/metabolismo , beta-Amilase/genética , beta-Amilase/isolamento & purificação , beta-Amilase/metabolismoRESUMO
Microbial inulinases are an important class of industrial enzymes that have gained much attention recently. Inulinases can be produced by a host of microorganisms, including fungi, yeast, and bacteria. Among them, however, Aspergillus sp. (filamentous fungus) and Kluyveromyces sp. (diploid yeast) are apparently the preferred choices for commercial applications. Among various substrates (carbon source) employed for their production, inulin-containing plant materials offer advantages in comparison to pure substrates. Although submerged fermentation has been universally used as the technique of fermentation, attempts are being made to develop solid-state fermentation technology also. Inulinases catalyze the hydrolysis of inulin to D-fructose (fructose syrup), which has gained an important place in human diets today. In addition, inulinases are finding other newer applications. This article reviews more recent developments, especially those made in the past decade, on microbial inulinases--its production using various microorganisms and substrates. It also describes the characteristics of various forms of inulinases produced as well as their applications.