Vera Letticie de Azevedo Ruiz

Phylogenetic Analyses of the VP4 and VP7 Genes of Porcine Group A Rotaviruses in São Paulo State, Brazil: First Identification of G5P[23] in Piglets

ABSTRACT This study determined the group A rotavirus occurrence in pig farms from 7 different cities in São Paulo State, Brazil. Out of 143 samples, 70 tested positive. Sequence analyses of 37 strains indicated that the strains had the G3, G5, G9, and P[6], P[13]/P[22]-like, and P[23] genotypes.

Detection of canine visceral leishmaniasis by conjunctival swab PCR

INTRODUCTION Conjunctival swab PCR was evaluated as a tool to diagnose visceral leishmaniasis in dogs. METHODS Conjunctival swab PCR was compared to indirect immunofluorescence antibody test and blood PCR. RESULTS Indirect immunofluorescence was significantly correlated with conjunctival swab PCR (p < 0.05), but not with blood PCR (p > 0.05). In addition, conjunctival swab PCR was significantly associated with presence of clinical symptoms (p < 0.05), whereas blood PCR was associated with absence of clinical symptoms (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that conjunctival swab PCR is useful in epidemiological surveys of canine visceral leishmaniasis.

Comparative genomic survey of Bacillus cereus sensu stricto isolates from the dairy production chain in Brazil

Abstract The genomes of 262 Bacillus cereus isolates were analyzed including 69 isolates sampled from equipment, raw milk and dairy products from Brazil. The population structure of isolates showed strains belonging to known phylogenetic groups II, III, IV, V and VI. Almost all the isolates obtained from dairy products belonged to group III. Investigation of specific alleles revealed high numbers of isolates carrying toxin‐associated genes including cytK (53.62%), hblA (59.42%), hblC (44.93%), hblD (53.62%), nheA (84.06%), nheB (89.86%) and nheC (84.06%) with isolates belonging to groups IV and V having significant higher prevalence of hblACD and group IV of CytK genes. Strains from dairy products had significantly lower prevalence of CytK and hblACD genes compared to isolates from equipment and raw milk/bulk tanks. Genes related to sucrose metabolism were detected at higher frequency in isolates obtained from raw milk compared to strains from equipment and utensils. The population genomic analysis demonstrated the diversity of strains and variability of putative function among B. cereus group isolates in Brazilian dairy production, with large numbers of strains potentially able to cause foodborne illness. This detailed information will contribute to targeted interventions to reduce milk contamination and spoilage associated with B. cereus in Brazil. Figure. No Caption available.

Análise molecular do gene codificador da NSP4 de rotavírus suínos no Brasil

A proteína não estrutural 4 (NSP4) desempenha diferentes funções na replicação e na morfogênese dos rotavírus, apresentando, ainda, uma atividade de enterotoxina, causando diarreia do tipo secretória. Um total de 11 sequências parciais de nucleotídeos do gene codificador da NSP4 de rotavírus suínos de criações brasileiras foram definidas como pertencentes ao grupo A. Comparando-se as sequências virais da área do peptídeo toxigênico, que compreende a porção entre os aminoácidos de 114 a 135, constatou-se uma única mutação pontual no aminoácido 135, sendo que duas amostras apresentaram alanina, e as demais, valina. A análise filogenética do gene demonstrou que todas as amostras pertencem ao genotipo E1, e que a identidade nucleotídica das amostras brasileiras variou de 92,4% a 100%, enquanto que a identidade de aminoácidos, de 95,8% a 100%. Apenas um resíduo (aa 138) sofreu seleção positiva enquanto que pelo menos outros 119 apresentam seleção negativa. Assim, esses dados mostram a ocorrência de um genotipo comum da NSP4 já descrito anteriormente em suínos, com uma baixa diversidade entre as amostras encontradas.