Horacio Sandoval

Nocardia mexicana sp. nov., a New Pathogen Isolated from Human Mycetomas

ABSTRACT Three isolates collected from human mycetomas and showing an unusual brownish purple pigmentation on Bennett agar plates were analyzed by a polyphasic taxonomic approach, including morphological, biochemical, physiological, and chemotaxonomic properties coupled with genomic and phylogenetic analysis. It clearly appeared that these microorganisms were distinct from their closest phenotypic and genetic match, the most related species according to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis being Nocardia pseudobrasiliensis. The data obtained indicated that the three clinical strains should be recognized as a new species for which the name Nocardia mexicana sp. nov. is proposed.

Estimation of the percolation thresholds in dextromethorphan hydrobromide matrices.

Percolation theory is a multidisciplinary theory that studies chaotic systems. It has been applied in the pharmaceutical field since 1987. Knowledge of the percolation threshold -- one of the most important concepts in percolation theory -- results in a clear improvement of the solid dosage form design. The percolation threshold is the concentration showing the maximum probability to obtain, for the first time, a percolating cluster of a substance. In this work, the percolation thresholds of dextromethorphan.HBr/Eudragit RS-PM inert matrices were estimated. The drug percolation threshold was estimated as 0.3691+/-0.0541 (P=0.05) of the total porosity (ranging between 23 and 36% w/w of drug). The SEM micrographs of the matrices are consistent with the estimated percolation range. In agreement with previous reports, different percolation thresholds were found for the matrix forming excipient Eudragit RS-PM. The site percolation threshold (based on the release properties) ranged between 10 and 20% v/v of the excipient, the site-bond percolation threshold (estimated from the mechanical properties) between 29.5 and 34% v/v of the excipient and the swelling percolation threshold between 34.3 and 46.9% v/v of the excipient. These percolation ranges are in agreement with those found previously for Eudragit RS-PM matrices containing naltrexone.HCl and morphine.HCl.

Oxidation of substituted benzyl alcohols to carboxylic acids by Nocardia corallina B-276

Whole cells of Nocardia corallina B-276, oxidized 21 substituted benzyl alcohols, at 1 mM scale, to carboxylic acids at 28-30°C, giving yields of products from 5 to 77%.

Identificación molecular de especies de Nocardia utilizando el gen sodA

Currently for bacterial identification and classification the rrs gene encoding 16S rRNA is used as a reference method for the analysis of strains of the genus Nocardia. However, it does not have enough polymorphism to differentiate them at the species level. This fact makes it necessary to search for molecular targets that can provide better identification. The sodA gene (encoding the enzyme superoxide dismutase) has had good results in identifying species of other Actinomycetes. In this study the sodA gene is proposed for the identification and differentiation at the species level of the genus Nocardia. We used 41 type species of various collections; a 386 bp fragment of the sodA gene was amplified and sequenced, and a phylogenetic analysis was performed comparing the genes rrs (1171 bp), hsp65 (401 bp), secA1 (494 bp), gyrB (1195 bp) and rpoB (401 bp). The sequences were aligned using the Clustal X program. Evolutionary trees according to the neighbour-joining method were created with the programs Phylo_win and MEGA 6. The specific variability of the sodA genus of the genus Nocardia was analysed. A high phylogenetic resolution, significant genetic variability, and specificity and reliability were observed for the differentiation of the isolates at the species level. The polymorphism observed in the sodA gene sequence contains variable regions that allow the discrimination of closely related Nocardia species. The clear specificity, despite its small size, proves to be of great advantage for use in taxonomic studies and clinical diagnosis of the genus Nocardia.

Molecular identification of Nocardia species using the sodA gene: Identificación molecular de especies de Nocardia utilizando el gen sodA.

Currently for bacterial identification and classification the rrs gene encoding 16S rRNA is used as a reference method for the analysis of strains of the genus Nocardia. However, it does not have enough polymorphism to differentiate them at the species level. This fact makes it necessary to search for molecular targets that can provide better identification. The sodA gene (encoding the enzyme superoxide dismutase) has had good results in identifying species of other Actinomycetes. In this study the sodA gene is proposed for the identification and differentiation at the species level of the genus Nocardia. We used 41 type species of various collections; a 386 bp fragment of the sodA gene was amplified and sequenced, and a phylogenetic analysis was performed comparing the genes rrs (1171 bp), hsp65 (401 bp), secA1 (494 bp), gyrB (1195 bp) and rpoB (401 bp). The sequences were aligned using the Clustal X program. Evolutionary trees according to the neighbour-joining method were created with the programs Phylo_win and MEGA 6. The specific variability of the sodA genus of the genus Nocardia was analysed. A high phylogenetic resolution, significant genetic variability, and specificity and reliability were observed for the differentiation of the isolates at the species level. The polymorphism observed in the sodA gene sequence contains variable regions that allow the discrimination of closely related Nocardia species. The clear specificity, despite its small size, proves to be of great advantage for use in taxonomic studies and clinical diagnosis of the genus Nocardia.