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In southern Brazil, Eucalyptus saligna is one of the most cultivated species within the Eucalyptus genus for forest plantations, thanks to genetic improvement programs. Among the primary vegetative propagation methods for recalcitrant genotypes is micropropagation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two variables in the culture medium on the micropropagation of E. saligna. Nodal segments of 2 cm were introduced into a Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0, 15, 30, and 45 g L-1 of sucrose, considering two different medium consistencies: semi-solid (7.5 g L-1 of agar), and liquid with a spherical solid support. The experiment followed a completely randomized design, with eight treatments in a factorial scheme and four replicates, each containing 10 explants. After 30 days, several parameters were measured, including the mortality rate, number of shoots per explant, average shoot length, chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll content. The results indicated that the survival and multiplication rates of explants were higher in the semi-solid medium. In contrast, the liquid medium with solid support proved inefficient, as it failed to establish adequate contact between the explants and the culture medium, compromising the nutrient supply. Generally, survival rates were higher in treatments with increased sucrose concentrations, as higher sucrose levels provide metabolic energy and carbon skeletons essential for the biosynthesis of amino acids, proteins, polysaccharides, and other organic compounds required for growth. Furthermore, the higher sucrose concentration promoted shoot formation, although there was no statistically significant difference among the treatments supplemented with sucrose concentrations of 15, 30, and 45 g L-1. The higher sucrose concentration resulted in a significantly reduced chlorophyll content in the semi-solid medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify and characterize the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacteria found in primary endodontic infections in the teeth of patients treated at the Dental Clinic of the University of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. From September to December 2019, samples were obtained from 21 patients with primary endodontic infections. The collections were carried out in triplicate using paper cones placed close to the total length of the root canal. Bacterial isolation was performed in Brain Heart Infusion agar, Blood agar, and other selective culture media cultured at 37°C for up to 48 h under aerobiosis and microaerophilic conditions. The bacterial species were identified using the Vitek 2 automated system. The disk diffusion method on agar Müeller-Hinton was used to assess antimicrobial susceptibility with the recommended antimicrobials for each identified bacterial species. A total of 49 antibiotics were evaluated. Fifteen of the 21 samples collected showed bacterial growth, and 17 bacterial isolates were found. There were 10 different bacterial species identified: Enterococcus faecalis (four isolates), Streptococcus mitis/oralis (three isolates), Streptococcus anginosus (three isolates) being the most common, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus constellatus, Streptococcus alactolyticus, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella variicola, and Providencia rettgeri (one isolate of each species). The analysis demonstrated significant susceptibility to most of the tested antibiotics. However, some Enterococcus isolates resisted the antibiotic's erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline. A Staphylococcus epidermidis isolate was characterized as multidrug-resistant. Five Streptococcus isolates were non-susceptible to all antibiotics tested.

Background: Staphylococcus argenteus is a new specie positive coagulase staphylococci. We investigate the presence of S. argenteus in isolates previously classified as S. aureus, obtained from the milk of cows with mastitis in Brazil. Results: Among 856 S. aureus tested in chocolate agar, tryptone soya agar and salt egg yolk agar, white or colorless colonies were observed in 185 (21.6%) isolates. Regarding the ctrOPQMN operon, 111 (60%) presented the complete cluster. Despite some missing genes in this cluster, the remaining strains (74) were confirmed as S. aureus using the nrps gene. Conclusions: As far as we know, this is the first review of S. aureus collection in Brazil and S. argenteus does not appear to be a significant problem in Brazilian herds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Milk is a reservoir for several groups of microorganisms, which may pose health risks. The aim of this work was to assess the antibiotic resistance and biofilm production in catalase-positive Gram-positive cocci isolated from Brazilian pasteurized milk. Methods: The bacteria were isolated using Baird-Parker agar and identified by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time-Of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer. Disk diffusion technique was used to evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility. For qualitative evaluation of biofilm production, the growth technique was used on Congo Red Agar. Results: Totally, 33 out of 64 isolates were identified, including Staphylococcus epidermidis (n=3; 4.7%), Macrococcus caseolyticus (n=14; 21.9%), and Kocuria varians (n=16; 25%). Twenty-two isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Biofilm production was detected in only 5 isolates of K. varians and 1 isolate of S. epidermidis. All 14 M. caseolyticus isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic; but, multidrug resistant (MDR) isolates were not detected. Among all K. varians isolates, 4 were resistant to at least one antibiotic from three different classes and were considered to be MDR. Conclusion: The presence of antibiotic-resistant M. caseolyticus, S. epidermidis, and K. varians isolates, especially MDRs, in milk samples highlights the possible role of milk as a reservoir of resistance genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chicken is a leading source of thermotolerant Campylobacter, which triggers human foodborne enteritis. This study evaluated thermotolerant Campylobacter contamination of retail chicken in southern Brazil, using qualitative and quantitative analyses. Selective enrichment in Bolton broth for 24 and 48 h after plating onto modified charcoal–cefoperazone– deoxycholate (mCCD) agar and Preston agar was assessed. The combined results of the detection and enumeration methods revealed a frequency of 70% occurrence of thermotolerant Campylobacter in chicken samples. Campylobacter was enumerated in 60% of the samples, whereas 46% of the samples were positive in the qualitative analysis. Quantitative analysis showed average counts of 3.10 6 0.15 log10 CFU/sample. Higher numbers of Campylobacter-positive samples were found using 24-h enrichment before plating onto Preston agar (46%) than onto mCCD agar (2%). The majority of isolated strains were identified as Campylobacter jejuni, and Campylobacter coli was also found but to a lesser extent. Subtyping revealed a clear distinction between strains isolated from different chicken sources. The enriched samples plated onto mCCD agar showed extensive spreading of nonproducing extended-spectrum b-lactamases Proteus mirabilis that hampered the identification of Campylobacter colonies. P. mirabilis strains showed resistance to cefoperazone, trimethoprim, and polymyxin B present in broth and plate media used and were inhibited by rifampicin present in Preston agar. The results underline the effect of the spread of contaminant strains on Campylobacter cultures, which might be prevented using a recently revised International Organization for Standardization method for qualitative analysis of chicken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi exhibit three adverse effects on human health: inflammatory, allergic and toxic effects, these implications affect mainly immunodepressed patients. The objective of this work was to analyze the fungal microbiota of the ambient air of an Intensive Care Unit. Three collections were carried out in an Intensive Care Unit in the city of Rio Branco, Acre, Western Amazon, Brazil from March to May 2017. 126 Petri dishes were exposed with the culture medium Agar Sabouraud with chloramphenicol and Agar Mycosel, considering the distribution of the 21 air conditioners, split residential model. The plates were incubated for seven days at room temperature and the growth of Colony Forming Units was observed. Colony counting and isolation for the morphological characterization of the granted fungi was performed. After quantification, the concentration of fungi per cubic meters of air (CFU.m-3) was settled. The third collection had a larger number of colony forming units with 48.6%. In the total of the analyzed samples, filamentous fungi (85.5%) and yeasts (14.5%) were isolated. Thirteen genera of fungi were identified, with the most frequent filaments being Cladosporium spp. 33.0%, Aspergillus spp. 30.4% and Penicillium spp. 19.6%, and yeasts Candida spp. 52.6%, Trichosporon spp. 36.9%. The colony-forming unit per cubic meter (CFU.m-3) did not shown any difference between the Cores in the same collection period, however in the 1st and 3rd collection, Core 1 had the highest average. The fungal microbiota of this Unit presented thirteen different genera potentially pathogenic, revealing the need for monitoring microorganisms and prevention actions.

Six Nowakowskiella species from Brazil were identified and purified on corn meal agar (CMA) plus glucose and Peptonized Milk-Tryptone-Glucose (PmTG) media and placed into a phylogenetic framework for the genus. New sequence data are presented for four species: N. elongata, N. multispora, and N. ramosa and the new species N. crenulata. Our maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of combined 18S, 5.8S, and 28S subunits of nuc rDNA showed that Nowakowskiella is not a monophyletic clade because of the position of Nowakowskiella elongata, which is more related to Cladochytrium. We reclassify N. elongata as the type of a new genus, Karlingiella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foodborne diseases are common illnesses caused by the consumption of food contaminated with microorganisms, such as viruses, fungi, bacteria, and protozoa. Every year, 600 million people become ill and 420,000 people die as a result of consuming contaminated food. Therefore, food safety is an important issue. In this study, samples of homemade spiced mayonnaise and self-serve acai sold in the city of Araguaína, Tocantins, Brazil were analyzed for microbiological contaminants. Acai was collected from 10 stores, one sample from each store, and tested for mold, yeast, and coliforms, as well as coliform identification and total and thermotolerant coliform counts. Mayonnaise was collected from 20 snack bars, one sample from each. These samples were inoculated on MacConkey and Salmonella Shigella agar plates, and the plates were analyzed for growth. Salmonella spp. were detected in some Mayonnaise samples, and coliforms were detected in all acai samples; 60% of samples had thermotolerant coliforms, and only 40% were within the limits established by ANVISA. The collected samples of mayonnaise and acai were contaminated with molds and yeasts above the established limit of 103 CFU/g. Thus, the analyzed mayonnaise and acai samples were contaminated and unfit for consumption, demonstrating the importance of hygienic-sanitary measures in food handling.

Objectives: Gonorrhoea and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae are major public health concerns globally. Enhanced AMR surveillance for gonococci is essential worldwide; however, recent quality-assured gonococcal AMR surveillance in Latin America, including Brazil, has been limited. Our aims were to (i) establish the first nationwide gonococcal AMR surveillance, quality assured according to WHO standards, in Brazil, and (ii) describe the antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical gonococcal isolates collected from 2015 to 2016 in all five main regions (seven sentinel sites) of Brazil.Methods: Gonococcal isolates from 550 men with urethral discharge were examined for susceptibility to ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, benzylpenicillin and tetracycline using the agar dilution method, according to CLSI recommendations and quality assured according to WHO standards.Results: The levels of resistance (intermediate susceptibility) to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, benzylpenicillin and azithromycin were 61.6% (34.2%), 55.6% (0.5%), 37.1% (60.4%) and 6.9% (8.9%), respectively. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone and cefixime using the US CLSI breakpoints. However, according to the European EUCAST cefixime breakpoints, 0.2% (n = 1) of isolates were cefixime resistant and 6.9% (n = 38) of isolates had a cefixime MIC bordering on resistance.Conclusions: This study describes the first national surveillance of gonococcal AMR in Brazil, which was quality assured according to WHO standards. The high resistance to ciprofloxacin (which promptly informed a revision of the Brazilian sexually transmitted infection treatment guideline), emerging resistance to azithromycin and decreasing susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins necessitate continuous surveillance of gonococcal AMR and ideally treatment failures, and increased awareness when prescribing treatment in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bartonella henselae is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for causing Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) and other clinical manifestations in humans. Domestic cats are the main reservoirs of this Bartonella species. Previous studies have suggested that certain genotypes of B. henselae seem to be more associated with human infections. The present study aimed to genotype B. henselae isolates from domestic cats' blood samples in the state of Goiás, midwestern Brazil. The association of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) based on the nuoG gene from Bartonella spp. of blood samples, before and after incubation in pre-enrichment liquid medium (BAPGM) and isolation on chocolate agar, showed a positivity frequency of 42% (42/100) for Bartonella spp. Twelve B. henselae isolates obtained on agar chocolate from six cats' blood samples (two isolates from each animal) were characterized by Multi-locus Sequencing Typing (MLST) and revealed to belong to Sequence Types ST1 and ST5. One of the cats (1/6) presented both STs, demonstrating that domestic cats can be coinfected with different variants of B. henselae. The STs detected in this study are distributed worldwide and have already been detected in humans with clinical manifestations of bartonellosis. This is the first report of the zoonotic variants ST1 and ST5 of B. henselae in domestic cats from Brazil., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To characterize the microbial etiology of chronic suppurative otitis media comparing the methods of classical bacteriological culture and polymerase chain reaction. Design/Setting/Patients: Bacteriological analysis by classical culture and by molecular polymerase chain reaction of 35 effusion otitis samples from patients with cleft lip and palate attending the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies of the University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil. Interventions: Collection of clinical samples of otitis by effusion through the external auditory tube. Main Outcome Measure: Otolaryngologic diagnosis of chronic suppurative otitis media. Results: Positive cultures were obtained from 83% of patients. Among the 31 bacterial lineages the following were isolated. In order of decreasing frequency: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (54.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (25.9%), and Enterococcus faecalis (19.2%). No anaerobes were isolated by culture. The polymerase chain reaction was positive for one or more bacteria investigated in 97.1% of samples. Anaerobe lineages were detected by the polymerase chain reaction method, such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, Bacteroides fragilis, and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius. Conclusions: Patients with cleft lip and palate with chronic suppurative otitis media presented high frequency of bacterial infection in the middle ear. The classical bacteriological culture did not detect strict anaerobes, whose presence was identified by the polymerase chain reaction method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus is the main causal pathogen of infective endocarditis (IE), which may have distinct origins, namely, community, nosocomial, or non-nosocomial healthcare-associated (NNHCA). We report the first case of NNHCA-IE caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain USA400/SCC mec IV in which the combination therapy of rifampin and vancomycin had a favorable outcome for the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractCynara scolymusL. (Asteraceae), popularly known as artichoke, has been widely used in herbal medicine for the treatment of hepatic diseases. The genotoxicity of C. scolymusL. leaf extract (LE) and the ability to modulate the genetic toxicity of the alkylating agent ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) were assessed using the comet assay on Chinese hamster ovary cells. Genotoxicity was evaluated after 1- and 24-h treatments using four different LE concentrations: 0.62, 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/mL. Antigenotoxicity was assessed for pretreatment, simultaneous treatment, and post-treatment. All doses used led to a significant increase in the frequency of DNA damage, after exposure for 1 and 24 h. In the antigenotoxicity experiments, LE reduced the frequency of DNA damage induced by EMS in the simultaneous treatment only. However, the lowest dose was more protective than higher concentrations. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds are, probably, the C. scolymusconstituents responsible for its genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the protein profile of children with different levels of protein–energy undernutrition (PEU) through a proteomic approach of human whole saliva. Methods: Initially, saliva samples of children with mild, moderate, and severe PEU were collected and lyophilized. Saliva samples of healthy children were used as controls. Samples were analyzed for total protein using the Bradford method. Saliva samples were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis according to their isoelectric point (pI) and their molecular weights (MWs). Results: Comparisons of protein bands among the healthy and mildly, moderately, and severely undernourished children showed significant differences in the MWs (P = 0.001) and pI values (P = 0.03). In total 159 spots were identified in the healthy children; 156, 168, and 221 spots were observed in mildly, moderately, and severely undernourished children, respectively. Mildly undernourished children presented with the spot with the highest MW of 293 kDa (pI = 7.77) and the lowest MW of 5 kDa (pI = 4.83). Moderately undernourished children were the only ones who did not present with a protein band with an MW of 30 kDa. The presence of a protein band with an MW of 123 kDa (pI = 516), possibly a cyclin-dependent protein kinase, was also observed only in this group. Conclusion: The protein profile in saliva varies according to the presence or absence of PEU, and these variations are specifically expressed in different grades of undernutrition. Thus, saliva may be an important diagnostic tool for the assessment of PEU. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The exploitation of macroalgae of the genus Gracilaria for agar extraction has increased significantly in recent decades. In Brazil, Gracilaria birdiae is one of the species exploited commercially by fishing communities and the excess harvesting of seaweeds of this genus has had negative consequences on the sustainability of this natural resource. Thus, the aim of this study was to gather basic information about the growth rates of G. birdiae required for the development of mariculture in this region. Throughout the study period salinity and temperature remained relatively constant, with a mean of 35 PSU and 28 °C, respectively. Biomass values did not vary significantly between the periods studied (p > 0.05). The mean biomass recorded during the entire experimental period was approximately 1900 g Fw m−1. The highest relative growth rate (RGR) was recorded in the dry season (7.45% d−1) but there was no significant difference between the periods (p > 0.05). Mean RGR for the two periods were 4.4% d−1 and 4.3% d−1 for the rainy and dry seasons, respectively. Positive correlations were found between biomass (r = 0.39; p < 0.001) and RGR (r = 0.41; p < 0.001) and NH4 +. Agar yield ranged from 22% to 15%. The highest mean was obtained in the rainy season (∼20%). Gel strength varied between 850 and 650 g cm2. The mean obtained for the two periods was approximately 750 g cm2. These results demonstrate the great potential of G. birdiae for mariculture and its possible economic use by coastal communities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of the present work is to identify the presence of Helicobacter pylori bacterium in samples of gastric mucosa fragments, obtained by gastric biopsy, from Brazilian patients with peptic ulcer and chronic gastritis and also to determine differences among the prevalent strains in these two diseases by urease C and urease B genes amplification utilizing nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR. We encountered 17 genotyping patterns for urease C and 7 for urease B and, although no significant differences were found among the patterns encountered for both diseases, we found predominant groups for each disease. Typing methods of the products obtained by nested PCR and PCR show a functional scheme and are of great importance for epidemiologic studies and H. pylori strain characterization, in addition to allowing correlation among the several strains and their role in the diseases caused by this microorganism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Enterobacteriaceae is the main pathogens of UTI. It is important to be aware the local epidemiological data for an appropriate initial treatment. Resistance to antimicrobial agents has increased, especially to first-choice antibiotics in the treatment of cystitis. Our objective is to asses the antimicrobial susceptibility profile from uropathogens isolated in community and evaluated the dissemination of extended-spectrum ß lactamase (ESBL), in E. coli and K. pneumoniae in south of Brazil. Methods From June 2016 to June 2017, all urine samples collected in the Basic Health Units and Emergency Departments were sent to a Central Laboratory. Identification and susceptibility tests were performed on the VITEK® 2 (bioMérieux, France) system. Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoints were used for the interpretation of susceptibility. Positive cultures were defined as those demonstrating ≥105 CFU / mL (colony-forming units). The presence of ESBL was also subjected to the Chrom ID BLEE® agar plate test (bioMérieux- Marcyl'Etoile, France). PCR technique uses specific primers for genes bla TEM and bla SHV. Detection of the bla CTX-M genes was performed by multiplex PCR. Results A total of 56,555 microbiologic tests were performed, 8189 were positive. Women were responsible for 89.4%, and 10% were pregnant. Table 1 shows uropathogens isolated. Graphic 1 shows antimicrobial susceptibility. Extended-spectrum ß lactamase production was present in 6.7% (n = 489). People older than 60 years had ESBL more frequent (P < 0.05) as well as being pregnant is not related to ESBL (P < 0.05). Table 2 shows the distribution of the bla genotypes. Table 3: Distribution of blaCTX-M. Among bla CTX-M1 genotype, bla CTX-M15 was the most frequent. Conclusion In this study, the most frequent uropathogen isolated was E. coli followed by K. pneumoniae. Cotrimoxazol had high rates of resistance and nitrofurantoin the lowest. Quinolone resistance is more than 10%. Sensitivity to aminoglycosides and carbapenems remains high.We found relevant frequency of ESBL, CTX-M-1-group most commonly found. Among CTX-M-1, bla CTX-M15 was the most isolated. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

l.h. travassos, m.n. pinheiro, f.s. coelho, j.l.m. sampaio, v.l.c. merquior and e.a. marques. 2004. To investigate phenotypic aspects including biotyping, drug susceptibility and production of extracellular enzymes and genetic diversity of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia clinical strains obtained from seven hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Thirty-nine S. maltophilia strains were investigated by biotying, susceptibility testing, extracellular enzymes detection and by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR. Biotyping distinguished 13 biotypes among 39, and one of them was prevalent. The majority of the strains produced DNase, gelatinase and haemolysin. Protease, lipases and phospholipase C activities were observed in highly variable amounts. None of the strains was elastase producer. The percentage of full susceptibility, by agar dilution, was 100, 94·8, 81·6 and 26·3% for trimethoprim/sulphametoxazole, ticarcillin/clavulanate, ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime, respectively. Thirty-three RAPD-PCR profiles were obtained suggesting multiple sources of acquisition. The results pointed out the necessity of monitoring S. maltophilia especially in critical hospital wards, to assure effective control measures. Despite of the genetic diversity among the strains, in two situations it was observed indistinguishable RAPD-PCR profiles among strains isolated from different patients who had been hospitalized in the same hospital ward, suggesting the possibility of nosocomial transmission that until now has been rarely related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: H19 is a strong candidate gene for influencing birth weight variation and is exclusively imprinted maternally. In an attempt to understand the relationship of this gene polymorphism with low birth weight children, we investigated association of H19/RsaI polymorphism with low birth weight and normal birth weight in children and their mothers. Objectives: The aim of our study was to establish the association between H19 gene polymorphism and LW in children born in Pernambuco, state of Brazil. Patients and Methods: It were selected 89 children, 40 low birth weight (LW) and 49 normal birth weight (NW) and 71 mothers (40 mothers of newborns NW and 31 mothers of newborns LW) attended at Dom Malan Hospital, Petrolina, Pernambuco - Brazil. Peripheral blood samples were collected from patients and genomic DNA was extracted and detected by electrophoresis agarose gel, stained by Blue Green Loading Dye. DNA PCR amplification was done using the primers H1 (sense) and H3 (antisense). PCR products were digested with RsaI and electrophoresed on agarose gel stained by ethidium bromide. Statistical analyses were performed using the program BioEstat version 5.0. Results: The RsaI polymorphism in the H19 gene showed that genotype frequencies did not differ statistically between low birth weight (AA = 12.5%, AB = 45%, BB = 42.5%) and control (AA = 8.6% AB = 36.73%, BB= 55.10% groups) and the allele frequencies were not significantly different (P = 0.2897). We also did not observe any association between maternal H19 allele polymorphism and low birth weight newborns (P =0.7799) or normal birth weight children (P = 0.8976). Conclusions: The small size of sample may be the explanation for these results; future studies with more patients are needed to confirm the effect of H19/RsaI polymorphism on birth weight of LW newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is a transboundary disease affecting a large number of equines worldwide. In this study, we assessed the transmission risk of EIAV in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Serum samples from 1010 animals from 341 farms were initially analyzed using agar gel immunodiffusion to detect viral antibodies, and no antibody-positive animals were found. A risk assessment stochastic model was applied to generate the expected number of potential infections per month and to estimate the time to new infections. Our results estimated 6.5 months as the interval for new infections in the worst-case scenario. Among the variables evaluated, the number of transported animals and the test sensitivity influenced the model the most. These results were then used to revisit the impact of EIAV control regulations, which triggered a change in the diagnostic testing required for animal movement, in which the validity of a negative test for EIAV was extended from 60 to 180 days. Finally, revisiting the annual average of infected farms before and after the new regulation, the number of infected farms increased pre-implementation, and then, the number of culled animals increased, which should impact future EIAV incidence in this region. Our results demonstrated the importance of constant reviews of disease control programs and provided quantitative-based knowledge for decision-makers in official veterinary services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a retrospective study of 58 cases of cryptococcosis (1986-2008) with urine test positive for Cryptococcus sp, in Mycology Laboratory, Santa Casa-Hospital Complex, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. The diagnosis of cryptococcuria was based on microscopic examination and culture of urinary sediment. Cryptococcus was isolated from other clinical specimens such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, ascitic and pleural fluids, respiratory secretions, biopsies of skin, nasal and bone marrow. Cryptocccus neoformans was present in 55 cases and Cryptocccus gattii in three cases. Males predominated (79.3%); age ranged from 12 to 86 years. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) were present in 60.3%, 31.1% did not have AIDS and 5.2% were apparently immunocompetent patients. The most frequent signs and symptoms were headache (53.4%) and fever (51.7%). The most widely used medication was the amphotericin B (43 patients). The mortality rate was 45%. We conclude that the mycological examination of the urine can be an alternative simple, non-invasive and useful in diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcosis, especially when used in conjunction with techniques for demonstration of the capsule (nigrosine) and/or production of melanin in special culture media (Staib agar)., (© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

The Atlantic Rainforest is a Brazilian ecosystem that is being rapidly being destroyed, along with the abiotic and biotic factors present in it. Among the biotic factors, the fungi are found in the soil which, besides being of major importance in terms of ecological niches, also have broad and significant applications in biotechnology. In order to assess the biodiversity of these microorganisms in this type of ecosystem, the Banhado Grande region was chosen at the Jureia-Itatins Ecology Station, in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Within this region, two areas were delimited for study, one covered with natural (primary) vegetation and the other containing vegetation that regenerated following the planting of rice crops, referred to here as secondary. Collection of compound soil samples were taken (depth 0-15 cm) over a period of two and a half years, with the litter first being removed, during dry/cold and humid/hot periods. After sifting the samples, they were appropriately processed using the serial dilution technique to isolate the fungi from the soil. Six different culture media were used, having pHs of 4.5, 7.0 and 9.0. Altogether, 1,211 strains were isolated, divided into the following groups: Hyphomycetes, the most abundant followed by Ascomycetes, Zygomycetes, Coelomycetes, and Oomycetes. From these, 112 species were identified, 8 down to the genus level, and those that did not produce conidia were grouped as Mycelia sterilia. Among the strains, 67 were cellulolytic, 32 originated solely in soil under natural vegetation, and 26 originated solely in soil under secondary vegetation., (((c) 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim).)

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the AGID serological test for detection of antibodies anti-Mycobacterium paratuberculosis and its possible adoption as diagnostic method in our field conditions., Methods: Bovine serum samples from dairy herds in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, were screened for the presence of antibodies against Myco. paratuberculosis using three different ELISA tests. A panel of 48 randomly selected sera were evaluated by an Agarose Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) test using Protoplasmatic Paratuberculosis Antigen (PPA). AGID results were compared to the standards--the results of the three ELISA tests, and the specificity and sensitivity were calculated., Results: From 48 sera tested for AGID, 14 (29.17%) were positive and 34 (70.83%) were negative. AGID sensitivity was 57% with two false-positive reactions, and specificity was 92.5% with nine false-negative results. The positive predictive value was calculated in 85.7% for a confidence interval of 95%., Significance and Impact of the Study: Due to its low sensitivity and specificity rates, AGID test has shown to be unsatisfactory as a screening diagnostic method for subclinical herd infection, but it can be useful as a confirmatory test for clinical suspect animals.

The occurrence is recorded from a biochemical strain variant of Vibrio cholerae O1 originating from the municipality of Oiapoque, Amapá State, north Brazil and responsible for an epidemic outbreak of cholera in that region in August, 1994. The principal characteristic of the strain is its incapacity of break down sucrose on T.C.B.S. agar plates, and its delayed utilization of that sugar only after 48 hs. when cultivated in liquid medium. The strain spread rapidly in north Brazil, becoming responsible for most of the cases of cholera reported in Amazonian Brazil. The importance of this observation in laboratory diagnosis and the control of cholera is discussed.

Prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in three areas of Brazil was surveyed by a recently developed faecal culture method (an agar plate culture). The Strongyloides infection was confirmed in 11.3% of 432 subjects examined. The diagnostic efficacy of the agar plate culture was as high as 93.9% compared to only 28.5% and 26.5% by the Harada-Mori filter paper culture and faecal concentration methods, when faecal samples were examined simultaneously by these three methods. Among the 49 positive samples, about 60% were confirmed to be positive only by the agar plate culture. These results indicate that the agar plate culture is a sensitive new tool for the correct diagnosis of chronic Strongyloides infection.

Sixty two strains of Rhodotorula rubra which were all isolated from marine and estuarine waters of Rio de Janeiro were found variable for 19 to 32 carbon assimilation tests used in yeast taxonomy. Two R. rubra strains which had latent assimilation of maltose and melizitose appeared to be intermediate with R. pilimanae. Strains of R. glutinis var dairenensis which differed from R. rubra only by weak assimilation of nitrate appeared to be intermediated between these two species. Our physiological tests suggested that R. rubra, R. pilimanae, and part of R. glutinis should be combined and this was supported by DNA base composition and coezyme Q data existing in the literature.