Diss. Linköping : Univ., 2003.

The incidence of CF related diabetes is on the rise as patient life expectancy continues to improve. Sugars elevated in diabetics include glucose, fructose, and mannose. These sugars, in addition to mannitol (recently approved as an inhaled osmolyte) are the basis for this study, aimed at assessing the impact these clinically relevant sugars have on virulence in Burkholderia multivorans. B. multivorans is a member of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), and is the most frequent cause of Bcc infection in CF patients. Using an exopolysaccharide-deficient knockout in macrophage and Galleria mellonella infection models, biofilm formation, and adhesion assays, this study has identified exopolysaccharide-dependent and -independent phenotypes. Sequencing of B. multivorans C1576, a CF outbreak isolate, identified three putative adhesins in clinical isolate C1576 but not present in the sequenced environmental strain ATCC17616. Mannitol promoted adhesion and enhanced expression of these adhesins. This study characterised these adhesins and assessed the distribution within other clinical and environmental isolates of B. multivorans and the Bcc. Additionally, transcriptomic profiling of B. multivorans assessed the sugar response and EPS regulation during growth on clinically relevant sugars. Where possible, links were made between phenotypic studies and transcriptome data. B. multivorans EPS derived from fructose and mannitol was subjected to composition analysis using mass spectrometry, and assessed for biological activity. Still relevant to CF related diabetes, the ability of some members of the Bcc to bind insulin was assessed. Results indicated that a minority of strains bound insulin. Furthermore, by using flow cytometry cell sorting and fluorescence microscopy, results also showed only a small number of cells within a given population that bound insulin. In all, this study has added to the knowledge base of B. multivorans but more work is needed to fully understand virulence strategies exploited by this CF pathogen.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology / Sanjeev K. Narayanan / Fusobacterium necrophorum is a Gram-negative, anaerobic, and rod-shaped to pleomorphic bacterium. It is frequently associated with necrotic infections of animals and humans. It is a major bovine pathogen and causes hepatic abscesses, foot rot, and necrotic laryngitis (calf-diphtheria). Liver abscesses in feedlot cattle and foot rot in beef and dairy cattle are of significant economic importance to the cattle industry. Fusobacterium necrophorum is classified into two subspecies, subsp. necrophorum and subsp. funduliforme. The subsp. necrophorum is more virulent and isolated more frequently from bovine hepatic abscesses than subsp. funduliforme. Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of Gram-negative bacteria play an important role in their adhesion to host eukaryotic cells and hence, help in the establishment of infection and disease. Our objectives were to characterize OMPs of the two subspecies of F. necrophorum and assess their role in adhesion to bovine cells. Electrophoretic separation of extracted OMPs of subsp. necrophorum showed a total of 19 bands. Four bands of 38, 40, 60 and 74 kDa were more prominent than others. The OMPs of subsp. funduliforme showed a total of 20 proteins bands, of which, five were prominent (37.5, 58, 70, 140 and 150 kDa). The 40 kDa band was prominent in subsp. necrophorum while 37.5 kDa band was prominent in subsp. funduliforme. The human strains of F. necrophorum subsp. funduliforme had more heterogeneous banding patterns than the bovine strains of subsp. funduliforme. The role of OMPs in adhesion was studied using bovine endothelial cell line (EJG cells). A significant decrease in the attachment of subsp. necrophorum and subsp. funduliforme to bovine endothelial cell line (EJG cells) was observed when the cell line was preincubated with the OMPs of each subspecies. Treatment of the bacterial cells with trypsin also decreased their binding. In addition, when each subspecies was incubated with the polyclonal antibody produced against their OMPs before adding them to endothelial cells, there was a significant reduction in the bacterial attachment and the inhibition was subspecies specific. A 40 kDa OMP of subsp. necrophorum was identified that binds to the bovine endothelial cells with high affinity. The protein when preincubated with the endothelial cells, lead to a significant decrease in the bacterial binding to the endothelial cells. The N-terminal sequencing of the protein indicated similarity to FomA, an outer membrane protein of Fusobacterium nucleatum, an oral pathogen of humans. In summary, OMPs of F. necrophorum subsp. necrophorum and subsp. funduliforme differ from each other and they play a significant role in binding to bovine endothelial cells. We identified a 40 kDa OMP in subsp. necrophorum that binds to the bovine endothelial cells with high affinity and have a potential role as adhesin.

Os Staphylococcus spp., são bactérias Gram positivas com importância clinica, as quais são capazes de causar uma ampla variedade de doenças em seres humanos e animais. O uso excessivo de antimicrobianos pode selecionar bactérias resistentes aos antimicrobianos de uso comum em Veterinária, o que representa uma grande ameaça para a saúde animal, e a saúde publica no mundo inteiro. Apesar de sua importância clinica, existe um conhecimento limitado sobre a patogênese das infecções estafilococicas em animais de estimação, e os fatores de virulência bacterianos específicos envolvidos em estas doenças. A Infecção estafilocócica iniciasse a partir da adesão do micro-organismo ao tecido do hospedeiro. A adesão é favorecida pela presença de fatores de virulência conhecidos como adesinas, que estão agrupadas em uma família conhecidas como as microbial surface components recognising adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMM). Após o isolamento e identificação dos micro-organismos, 118 estirpes de Staphylococcus spp., foram identificadas, 111 (94.07%), estirpes em cães, e 7 (5.93%) em gatos. Entre os Staphylococcus, sete espécies diferentes foram isoladas: 82 (69.49%) Staphylococcus pseudointermedius, 19 (16.10%) Staphylococcus epidermidis, 7 (5.93%) Staphylococcus xylosus, 4 (3.39%) Staphylococcus chromogenes, 3 (2.54%) Staphylococcus spp., 2 (1.69%) Staphylococcus aureus, 1 (0.85%) Staphylococcus schleiferi. A susceptibilidade a 26 agentes antimicrobianos foi determinada em todos os isolados. A pesquisa pelas MSCRAMM e o gene formador de biofilme nas estirpes de Staphylococcus spp., foi realizada usando a reação em cadeia da polimerasa (PCR), foram usados diferentes pares de primers para detectar os genes que codificam para a proteína ligadora de colágeno (cna), proteína ligadora de laminina (eno), proteína ligadora de elastina (ebpS), proteína ligadora de fibrinogênio (fib), proteína A ligadora de fibronectina (FnbA), proteína B ligadora de fibronectina (FnbB), e proteína associada a formação de biofilme (Bap). A resistência apresentada pelas estirpes isoladas aos diversos antimicrobianos foi observada com frequência, a percentagem de resistência geral das cepas de Staphylococcus spp isoladas foi: 54,32% para eritromicina, 40,79% para clindamicina, e 29,91% para norfloxacina. A susceptibilidade a oxacilina tambem foi testada, o 85,96% das estirpes isoladas foram susceptíveis. Todos os genes foram identificados com exceção do Bap e EbpS, o gene mais frequentemente isolado foi o Eno (89,9%), a associação entre os genes Eno/Fib/FnbA e Eno/FnbB foram também detectadas. Nossos resultados evidenciaram que os membros do gênero Staphylococcus apresentam frequentemente resistência in vitro aos antimicrobianos usados comumente. É necessário fazer um uso criterioso de antibióticos em animais de estimação em Medicina Veterinária. A informação sobre o assunto pode permitir o desenvolvimento de estratégias mais eficazes para o tratamento e controle das infeções causadas por Staphylococcus spp., em pequenos animais / Staphylococcus spp., are clinically important Gram-positive bacteria that are capable of causing a wide variety of diseases in humans and animals. The overuse of antimicrobials can select resistant bacteria strains, that represents a major threat to animal and public health worldwide. Despite its clinical importance, there is only very limited knowledge about the pathogenesis of staphylococcal infections in small animals, and the specific bacterial virulence factors involved in causing these diseases. Staphylococcal infection initiates from the adhesion of the microorganism to the tissue of the host. Adhesion is favoured by the presence of virulence factors known as adhesins, which are grouped in a family known as the microbial surface components recognising adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMM). After isolation and identification of microorganisms, 118 Staphylococcus strains were identified, 111 (94.07%) strains from canine and 7 (5.93%) from feline origin. Among Staphylococcus, seven different species were isolated: 82 (69.49%) Staphylococcus pseudointermedius, 19 (16.10%) Staphylococcus epidermidis, 7 (5.93%) Staphylococcus xylosus, 4 (3.39%) Staphylococcus chromogenes, 3 (2.54%) Staphylococcus spp., 2 (1.69%) Staphylococcus aureus, 1 (0.85%) Staphylococcus schleiferi. The susceptibility to 26 antimicrobials was determined in all the isolates. The search for MSCRAMM and biofilm-encoding genes in the strains of Staphylococcus spp. was performed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Primers were used to detect the genes encoding for collagen-binding protein (cna), laminin-binding protein (eno), elastin-binding protein (ebpS), fibrinogen-binding protein (fib), fibronectin-binding protein A (fnbA) and fibronectin-binding protein B (fnbB) and biofilm formation-encoding genes (bap). Resistance of isolates to antibiotics was frequently observed, the percentage of resistance in the general Staphylococcus strains was: 54,32% to erythromycin, 40,79% to clindamycin, and 29,91% to norfloxacin. Susceptibility to oxacilin was also tested, 85,96%) % of the isolates were susceptible. All genes were detected except for ebpS and bap. The most frequently detected gene in both species was eno (89, 9%). Association of genes Eno/Fib/FnbA and Eno/FnbB were also detected. Our results highligthed that members of the Staphylococcus genus often exhibit in vitro resistance to commonly used antimicrobials. Its necessary a judicious use of antibiotics in small animals Veterinary Medicine. Such information on the subject allows the development of more efficient strategies for treatment and control of Staphylococcus infection in small animals

A mastite representa um grande desafio na pecuária leiteira, visto que é uma das afecções que mais acometem o rebanho bovino ocasionando grande impacto econômico. As bactérias são importantes agentes associados à enfermidade, sendo que as mais comumente encontradas são as do gênero Staphylococcus, associadas tanto às manifestações clínicas quanto subclínicas. A terapia antimicrobiana é usualmente requerida como tratamento, auxiliando as defesas do animal para a eliminação do agente invasor, sendo assim, de suma importância monitorar a sensibilidade dos patógenos aos antimicrobianos. Visto que a resistência aos medicamentos utilizados tem se tornado frequente, há a necessidade de estudos mais abrangentes sobre o assunto. Desta forma, o presente estudo avaliou 300 isolados de Staphylococcus provenientes de amostras de leite de bovinos com mastite clínica e/ou subclínica de propriedades de exploração leiteira. A espécie mais detectada nas análises foi S. aureus, e dentre os genes que codificam para adesinas e biofilmes os mais frequentes foram (eno, fib e fnbA) e (bap, icaA, icaD). A combinação mais frequente no tocante às adesinas foi eno-fib-fnbA, e para os biofilmes foram bap e bap-icaD. Os maiores índices de resistência foram verificados para os antimicrobianos betalactâmicos (amoxicilina, ampicilina e penicilina). Identificou-se as maiores frequências de sensibilidade para cefalotina, seguida pela oxacilina e gentamicina, e não foi detectada relação de concordância da oxacilina com os betalactâmicos. Avaliou-se a concentração mínima inibitória (MIC) para ampicilina, gentamicina, oxacilina e penicilina, para todas as cepas resistentes no antibiograma. Posteriormente, investigou-se os genes responsáveis pela codificação de resistência antimicrobiana, com os genes femA e femB sendo os mais comuns, porém o gene femA não foi detectado em todas as cepas de S. aureus. Os genes mecA e bla<//i>Z foram identificados, porém em baixa frequência, e o homólogo de mecA, o mecALGA251, somente em duas cepas. As informações obtidas podem ajudar em diferentes aspectos acerca dos perfis dos microrganismos no tocante aos fatores de virulência dos mesmos, permitindo novas abordagens relativas a terapias e medidas de prevenção à mastite. / Mastitis represents a major challenge in dairy farming, since it is one of the affections that most impact the cattle herd, causing great economic distress. Bacteria are important agents associated with the disease, and the most commonly found are those of the genus Staphylococcus, associated with both clinical and subclinical manifestations. Antimicrobial therapy is usually required as a treatment, assisting the animal\'s defenses to eliminate the invading agent, and it is therefore of paramount importance to monitor the susceptibility of pathogens to antimicrobials. Since resistance to drugs commonly used has become frequent, there is a need for more comprehensive studies on the subject. Thus, the present study evaluated 300 isolates of Staphylococcus from samples of dairy cattle from dairy farms. The most prevalent species in the analyses were S. aureus, and among the genes coding for adhesins and biofilms the most frequent combinations were (eno, fib and fnbA) and (bap, icaA, icaD). The most frequent combination for adhesins was eno-fib-fnbA, and for biofilms they were bap and bap-icaD. The highest resistance indices were verified for betalactam antibiotics (amoxicillin, ampicillin and penicillin). The highest frequencies of sensitivity were identified for cephalothin, followed by oxacillin and gentamicin, and no concordance relationship was found between oxacillin and betalactam. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for ampicillin, gentamicin, oxacillin and penicillin were performed for all strains resistant to the antibiogram. Subsequently, the genes responsible for the encoding of antimicrobial resistance were investigated, with the femA and femB genes being the most common, but the femA gene was not detected in all strains of S. aureus. The mecA and blaZ genes were identified, but at low frequency, and the mecA homolog, mecALGA251, was only found in two strains. The information obtained can help in different aspects about the microorganisms\' profiles regarding their virulence factors, allowing new approaches to therapies and mastitis prevention measures.

Leptospirose é uma doença infecciosa emergente cujos agentes etiológicos são espécies patogênicas do gênero Leptospira. Leptospiras patogênicas possuem inúmeros genes específicos codificando proteínas com funções desconhecidas, sugerindo que as leptospiras apresentam fatores de virulência únicos. Adesinas bacterianas são importantes fatores de virulência e, assim, a identificação de adesinas conservadas em espécies patogênicas de Leptospira pela construção de bibliotecas genômicas expostas na superfície de bacteriófagos (shotgun phage display), seguida por seleção em células e/ou componentes da matriz extracelular (biopanning), pode revelar novos antígenos e alvos para o tratamento e prevenção da leptospirose. Bibliotecas foram construídas com o DNA genômico de L. interrogans fragmentado e o fagomídeo pG8SAET, sendo testadas algumas abordagens para clonagem como a ligação entre extremidades cegas (blunt-end) e técnicas baseadas em ligação entre extremidades coesivas, incluindo a obtenção de ORESTES e a utilização de adaptadores em grampo. Apesar de serem encontradas algumas limitações, a clonagem por ligação blunt-end se mostrou a mais eficiente para a construção de bibliotecas, sendo adotada para a construção de três bibliotecas em maior escala. A seleção de novas possíveis adesinas a partir das bibliotecas construídas foi realizada em células eucarióticas através da metodologia BRASIL. A primeira biblioteca (BBT1) exibiu 106 clones totais, a partir da qual foram selecionados quatro proteínas em fase apenas com a proteína VIII do fago (pVIII). No entanto, nenhuma delas seria exposta por programas de predição na bactéria. Outras duas bibliotecas foram construídas (BBT2 e BBT3), as quais obtiveram um número ideal de clones para uma ampla cobertura do genoma (>2x107 clones). Por apresentar maior proporção de clones válidos, a BBT2 foi utilizada para a seleção de adesinas, resultando em onze clones em fase com pVIII e/ou sequência sinal do fago. Análises por programas de predição revelaram três proteínas hipotéticas, denominadas LepA962, LepA069 e LepA388, as quais poderiam estar expostas ou ser secretadas pela bactéria, sugerindo uma possível função de adesina. O estudo da proteína LepA388 levou ao reconhecimento de outras doze proteínas semelhantes e pertencentes a uma família paráloga contendo um domínio denominado DUF_61, motivo de função desconhecida presente em proteínas compartilhadas somente entre as espécies patogênicas mais virulentas de Leptospira. Por esta razão, a proteína LepA388 foi a mais estudada. A clonagem de três porções da proteína (LepA388P, LepA388NR e LepA388F) para expressão heteróloga resultou em proteínas recombinantes insolúveis e, considerando a riqueza em resíduos de cisteína presente em sua estrutura, não foi possível renaturá-las adequadamente. Diante dos obstáculos encontrados, apenas a porção contendo a sequência apresentada pelo fago (LepA388P) foi utilizada para obtenção de antissoros em camundongos, os quais apresentaram altos títulos, demonstrando a alta imunogenicidade da proteína LepA388P. O reconhecimento de proteínas nativas da família paráloga DUF_61 em extratos de diferentes sorovares de Leptospira não foi observado, assim como sua expressão in vitro a partir de bactérias em diferentes condições de cultivo. Estudos adicionais sobre a expressão in vivo e funções dos membros desta família são necessários para uma compreensão mais ampla de seu papel na biologia de leptospiras e, possivelmente, na patogênese da leptospirose. / Leptospirosis is an emerging infectious disease whose etiologic agents are pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira. Pathogenic leptospires have countless specific genes encoding proteins with unknown functions, suggesting that leptospires have unique virulence factors. Bacterial adhesins are important virulence factors and so the identification of conserved adhesins in pathogenic Leptospira species from shotgun phage display libraries, followed by selection (biopanning) in cells and/or extracellular matrix components, can reveal new antigens and strategies for leptospirosis treatment and prevention. Libraries were constructed using fragmented genomic DNA from L. interrogans and pG8SAET phagemid vector. Cloning approaches included blunt-end ligation and techniques based in cohesive-end ligation, such as ORESTES strategy and hairpin linkers. Despite some limitations, cloning by blunt-end ligation was the most efficient for library construction, being adopted for the construction of three libraries on a larger scale. Selection of new possible adhesins was performed by biopanning of the libraries in eukaryotic cells through BRASIL methodology. The first library called BBT1 exhibited approximately 106 total clones, and its biopanning resulted in four proteins fused to phage protein VIII, but none of them were expected to be exposed by the bacteria. Other libraries were built (BBT2 and BBT3) which reached the expected number of clones to obtain a larger genome representation (> 2x107 clones). Since it showed the highest proportion of positive clones, BBT2 was selected to perform a second biopanning, resulting in eleven proteins fused to phage protein VIII and/or signal peptide. In silico analysis revealed three hypothetical proteins, named LepA962, LepA069 and LepA388, that would be exposed or secreted by the bacteria, suggesting a possible adhesin function. The study of LepA388 protein led to the recognition of twelve other similar proteins belonging to a paralogous family that contains a domain called DUF_61, domain of unknown function that is present in proteins shared only among the most virulent pathogenic species of Leptospira. For this reason, the LepA388 protein was the most studied. The cloning of three portions of the protein (LepA388P, LepA388NR and LepA388F) for heterologous expression resulted in insoluble recombinant proteins, and given the presence of many cysteine residues in its structure, it was not possible to renature them appropriately. In face of the imposed obstacles, only the portion containing the sequence presented by the bacteriophage (LepA388P) was used to obtain antisera in mice, which showed high titers, demonstrating the high immunogenicity of the protein LepA388P. Recognition of native DUF_61 paralogous family proteins in extracts from distinct Leptospira serovars was not observed, as well as its in vitro expression from bacteria cultured in different conditions. Additional studies on the in vivo expression and functions of members of this family are needed for a broader understanding of their role in leptospiral biology and possibly in the pathogenesis of leptospirosis.

Chi-shing Lo. / Thesis submitted in: November 1999. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-138). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Statement --- p.iii / Acknowledgments --- p.iv / Abbreviations --- p.v / Abstract --- p.vii / Abstract (Chinese version) --- p.ix / Table of contents --- p.xi / List of Figure --- p.xvii / List of Table --- p.xix / Chapter Chapter 1: --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- BIOLOGY OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii --- p.2 / Chapter (a) --- Tachyzoite --- p.3 / Chapter (b) --- Bradyzoite --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Genetics of Toxoplasma gondii --- p.4 / Chapter (a) --- Population genetics --- p.4 / Chapter (b) --- Molecular genetics --- p.5 / Chapter (c) --- Genome analysis --- p.7 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Invasion --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Surface of Toxoplasma gondii --- p.9 / Chapter (a) --- Tachyzoite surface --- p.9 / Chapter (b) --- Bradyzoite surface --- p.11 / Chapter (c) --- Sporozite surface --- p.11 / Chapter (d) --- Glycoprotein antigens --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2 --- TREATMENT OF TOXOPLASMOSIS --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Chemotherapy --- p.13 / Chapter (a) --- Drug against metabolism and protein synthesis on nuclear genome --- p.13 / Chapter (b) --- Drug against other organelles --- p.14 / Chapter (c) --- Drug resistance --- p.15 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Toxoplasma vaccine --- p.16 / Chapter (a) --- Mutant strains of Toxoplasma gondii as vaccine --- p.17 / Chapter (b) --- Subunit vaccine --- p.19 / Chapter (c) --- P30 as subunit vaccine --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3 --- AIM OF THE STUDY --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- : Expression of P30 in Escherichia coli --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Why Escherichia coli? --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- protein folding --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- T7-based gene expression system --- p.25 / Chapter (a) --- Biology of T7 RNA polymerase --- p.26 / Chapter (b) --- pET translational vector --- p.26 / Chapter (c) --- Hislidine-tagged protein --- p.27 / Chapter (d) --- Host strain for expression --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2 --- MATERIALS --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Bactcrial strains --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Mouse strain --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Chemicals --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Nucleic acids --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Kit and reagents --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Antibodies --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Solutions --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Enzymes --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Sequencing primers --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3 --- METHODS --- p.34 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Modification of P30 gene --- p.34 / Chapter (a) --- Preparation of recombinant plasmids，pBV220-ASP30PI and pBV220- SP30hisAPI --- p.36 / Chapter (b) --- Digestion of pBV220-ASP30PI and pBV220-SP30hisAPI with DraII and EcoRI --- p.37 / Chapter (c) --- Purification of DNA fragments from agarose gel --- p.37 / Chapter (d) --- Ligation of fragments of pBV220-ΔSP30PI and pBV220-SP30hisAPI --- p.38 / Chapter (e) --- Preparation of DH5α competent cells --- p.38 / Chapter (f) --- Transformation of recombinant pBV220-ΔSP30hisAPI --- p.38 / Chapter (g) --- Plasmid preparation of putative pBV220-ΔSP30API --- p.39 / Chapter (h) --- Plasmid preparation of pET-ΔSP30API --- p.39 / Chapter (i) --- Cycle sequencing reaction on putative plasmid pET-ASP30API --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Expression and Purification of his-tag P30 --- p.41 / Chapter (a) --- Expression profile of his-tag P30 production by IPTG induction --- p.41 / Chapter (b) --- SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) --- p.41 / Chapter (c) --- Purification of his-tag P30 --- p.43 / Chapter (d) --- Bradford Protein Microassay (Bio-Rad) --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Characterization of his-tag P30 --- p.44 / Chapter (a) --- Western blot of induced bacterial lysate by monoclonal anti-his-tag antibody --- p.44 / Chapter (b) --- Western blot of his-tag with seropositive sera of mice，rabbit and human --- p.46 / Chapter (c) --- Enterokinase digestion of his-tag P30 --- p.46 / Chapter (d) --- N'terminal amino acid sequencing of pure and enterokinase-cut his-tag --- p.47 / Chapter (e) --- Western blot of T. gondii lysate with antiserum against his-tag P30 --- p.47 / Chapter 2.4 --- RESULTS --- p.49 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Modification of P30 gene --- p.49 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- "Expression, purification and characteriziation of his-tag P30 in bacteria" --- p.54 / Chapter 2.5 --- DISCUSSIONS --- p.64 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Modification of P30 gene --- p.64 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Expression and purification of his-tag P30 --- p.66 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Characterization of his-tag P30 --- p.67 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- : Expression of P30 in Arabidopsis thalina --- p.69 / Chapter 3.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.69 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Why Arabidopsis thalina? --- p.69 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- In planta transformation --- p.70 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Transgenic plants as vacine production systems --- p.72 / Chapter (a) --- Stable expression of E. coli heat-liable enterotoxin B subunit and cholera-toxin B subunit --- p.73 / Chapter (b) --- Stable expression of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) --- p.74 / Chapter (c) --- Stable expression of Norwalk virus capsid protein --- p.75 / Chapter (d) --- Transient expression by tobacco mosaic virus --- p.75 / Chapter (e) --- Transient expression by Cowpea mosaic virus capsid protein fusion --- p.76 / Chapter 3.2 --- MATERIALS --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Bacterial strains --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Arabidopsis strains --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Chemicals --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Nucleic acids --- p.78 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Kit and reagents --- p.78 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Solutions --- p.79 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Enzymes and buffers --- p.81 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- PCR and Sequencing primers --- p.81 / Chapter 3.3 --- METHODS --- p.82 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Construction of V7-ASP30API --- p.82 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Arabidopsis by vacuum infiltration --- p.83 / Chapter (a) --- Preparation of electro-competent Agrobacterium --- p.83 / Chapter (b) --- Transformation of electro-competent Agrobacterium with V7- ASP30API --- p.84 / Chapter (c) --- Plasmid preparation of V7-ASP30API from transformed Agrobacterium --- p.84 / Chapter (d) --- Vacuum infiltration --- p.85 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Screening of homozygous transgenic plants --- p.86 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Detecton of transgene P30 in genomic DNA of transgenic plants --- p.87 / Chapter (a) --- Preparation of DIG-labelled probe --- p.87 / Chapter (b) --- Estimation the yield of DIG-labelled probe --- p.88 / Chapter (c) --- Extraction of genomic DNA from transgenic plants --- p.88 / Chapter (d) --- Restriction digestion of genomic DNA with EcoRI and HindIII --- p.89 / Chapter (e) --- DNA transfer from gel to nylon membrane --- p.89 / Chapter (f) --- Detection of hybridized DIG-labelled probe on membrane/ blot --- p.90 / Chapter (g) --- PCR on genomic DNA of transgenic plants with specific primers --- p.91 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Analysis of transgene RNA expression in transgenic plants --- p.91 / Chapter (a) --- Extraction of total RNA from plants --- p.91 / Chapter (b) --- Northern blot on RNA of F2 transgenic plants --- p.92 / Chapter (c) --- RT-PCR on RNA of F3 transgenic plants --- p.93 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Detection of his-tag P30 protein in F3 transgenic plants --- p.93 / Chapter 3.4 --- RESULTS --- p.95 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Construction of V7-ASP30API --- p.95 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Screening of homozygous transgenic plants --- p.99 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Molecular analysis of transgene P30 in transgenic plants --- p.101 / Chapter 3.5 --- DISCUSSIONS --- p.108 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Construction and optimization of expression construct --- p.108 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Screening and selection of homozyous transgenic plants --- p.109 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Analysis of transgenic plants --- p.110 / Chapter Chapter 4 : --- General Discussions --- p.112 / Chapter 4.1 --- Significances of studying Toxoplasma gondii --- p.112 / Chapter 4.2 --- Expression of recombinant P30 in prokaryotic systems --- p.113 / Chapter 4.2 --- Expression of recombinant P30 in eukaryotic systems --- p.115 / Reference --- p.119

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Sporothrix schenckii é um fungo dimórfico e agente etiológico da esporotricose, uma micose profunda que apresenta diferentes manifestações clínicas. As diversas manifestações clínicas desta e de outras doenças infecciosas podem ser relacionadas ao status imune do hospedeiro, a fatores de virulência do patógeno ou a diferentes genótipos. Dados anteriores do nosso grupo demonstram que diferenças na expressão de adesinas do S. schenckii para fibronectina estão diretamente relacionadas à virulência de diferentes cepas. Neste trabalho visamos avaliar caracteres morfológicos bioquímicos e genotípicos de doze isolados de geofílicos, zoofílicos e antropofílicos de S. schenckii, de diferentes origens geográficas, que apresentam diferentes graus de virulência. Foi analisada a morfologia das formas de micélio e levedura de cada isolado. Foi observado que a fase de micélio dos isolados estudados apresentaram morfologia típica com hifas finas e septadas, com conídios obovóides ou ovóides alongados. As leveduras apresentaram pleomorfismo típico da espécie, com células variando do formato ovóide ao alongado. Verificamos ainda a expressão de adesinas para fibronectina e laminina, do antígeno gp70 e, o padrão de bandas antigênicas reconhecidas por anticorpos IgG presentes em soro de pacientes com esporotricose ou de camundongos infectados. Para isso, foram extraídas proteínas de superfície da forma de levedura de cada isolada, sendo os extratos ensaiados por Western blot. Nestes ensaios observamos que os isolados mais virulentos de S. schenckii expressavam mais adesinas para fibronectina e laminina. A presença da gp70 foi detectada em dez dos doze isolados, sendo que apenas os isolados zoofílicos não expressam esta glicoproteína. O padrão antigênico foi variável entre os isolados, não havendo clara relação com a origem e/ou distribuição geográfica. Os dados fenotípicos foram confrontados com dados genotípicos. Para isso, sequenciamos os loci da calmodulina (CAL) e do Internal Transcribed Spacer 1/2 (ITS 1/2) a fim de averiguar se haviam diferenças genotípicas entre os isolados estudados. As análises do sequenciamento do loci CAL e ITS, contudo, apontam a divisão dos isolados em duas espécies filogenéticas, S. schenckii e S. brasiliensis não correlacionada com a distribuição geográfica dos mesmos. Nosso estudo reforça a hipótese de haver uma correlação entre virulência e expressão de adesinas, porém, sem qualquer relação entre a distribuição geográfica dos isolados zoofilicos, antropofílicos ou geofílicos, bem como dos genótipos encontrados. / The dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii is the etiological agent of sporotrichosis, a deep mycosis that presents different clinical manifestations. The diverse manifestations of this and other infections can be related the host immunity, virulence factors or different genotypes of the pathogen. Previous data of our group demonstrated that differences in the expression of adhesins to fibronectin are directly related to the virulence of the different strains of S. schenckii. In the present work we have evaluated the morphological, biochemical and genotypic characteristics of twelve strains of S. schenckii (isolated from human and cat cases of sporotrichosis and from environment) from different geographic regions that present distinct virulence levels. The mycelium and yeast phases of each strain were morphologically analyzed. The strains has presented the typical morphology, with thin and septated hyphae. The conidia exhibited obovoidal or ovoidal elongated form. The yeast phase presented the ovoid or elongated cell form. Furthermore, we have verified the adhesins expression to fibronectin, to laminin, to gp70 antigen and to the antigenic bands pattern of all protein extracts, recognized by patients or infected mice sera antibodies. For this, the proteins were extracted from the surface of each strain yeast phase and assayed by Western blot technique. We have observed that the most virulent strains of S. schenckii expressed more adhesins to fibronectin and to laminina than less virulent strains. The presence of the gp70 was confirmed in ten isolates of twelve. Just strains isolated from infected cats did not present this glycoprotein. The antigenic bands pattern was variable between the different extracts, with no clear correlation with origin or geographical distribution of the isolates of S. schenckii. In order to cross phenotypic and genotypic data we have sequenced the calmodulin loci (CAL) and the Internal Transcribed Spacer 1/2 (ITS 1/2) in order to check if there was differences between the strains studied. In this analysis we found that this strains are divided in two species, S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis, again with no correlation with the geographical distribution. Our study reinforces the hypothesis on the correlation between adhesins expression pattern and virulence levels with no connection among geographical distribution or genotype of the different strains of S. schenckii.

Os Staphylococcus spp., são bactérias Gram positivas com importância clinica, as quais são capazes de causar uma ampla variedade de doenças em seres humanos e animais. O uso excessivo de antimicrobianos pode selecionar bactérias resistentes aos antimicrobianos de uso comum em Veterinária, o que representa uma grande ameaça para a saúde animal, e a saúde publica no mundo inteiro. Apesar de sua importância clinica, existe um conhecimento limitado sobre a patogênese das infecções estafilococicas em animais de estimação, e os fatores de virulência bacterianos específicos envolvidos em estas doenças. A Infecção estafilocócica iniciasse a partir da adesão do micro-organismo ao tecido do hospedeiro. A adesão é favorecida pela presença de fatores de virulência conhecidos como adesinas, que estão agrupadas em uma família conhecidas como as microbial surface components recognising adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMM). Após o isolamento e identificação dos micro-organismos, 118 estirpes de Staphylococcus spp., foram identificadas, 111 (94.07%), estirpes em cães, e 7 (5.93%) em gatos. Entre os Staphylococcus, sete espécies diferentes foram isoladas: 82 (69.49%) Staphylococcus pseudointermedius, 19 (16.10%) Staphylococcus epidermidis, 7 (5.93%) Staphylococcus xylosus, 4 (3.39%) Staphylococcus chromogenes, 3 (2.54%) Staphylococcus spp., 2 (1.69%) Staphylococcus aureus, 1 (0.85%) Staphylococcus schleiferi. A susceptibilidade a 26 agentes antimicrobianos foi determinada em todos os isolados. A pesquisa pelas MSCRAMM e o gene formador de biofilme nas estirpes de Staphylococcus spp., foi realizada usando a reação em cadeia da polimerasa (PCR), foram usados diferentes pares de primers para detectar os genes que codificam para a proteína ligadora de colágeno (cna), proteína ligadora de laminina (eno), proteína ligadora de elastina (ebpS), proteína ligadora de fibrinogênio (fib), proteína A ligadora de fibronectina (FnbA), proteína B ligadora de fibronectina (FnbB), e proteína associada a formação de biofilme (Bap). A resistência apresentada pelas estirpes isoladas aos diversos antimicrobianos foi observada com frequência, a percentagem de resistência geral das cepas de Staphylococcus spp isoladas foi: 54,32% para eritromicina, 40,79% para clindamicina, e 29,91% para norfloxacina. A susceptibilidade a oxacilina tambem foi testada, o 85,96% das estirpes isoladas foram susceptíveis. Todos os genes foram identificados com exceção do Bap e EbpS, o gene mais frequentemente isolado foi o Eno (89,9%), a associação entre os genes Eno/Fib/FnbA e Eno/FnbB foram também detectadas. Nossos resultados evidenciaram que os membros do gênero Staphylococcus apresentam frequentemente resistência in vitro aos antimicrobianos usados comumente. É necessário fazer um uso criterioso de antibióticos em animais de estimação em Medicina Veterinária. A informação sobre o assunto pode permitir o desenvolvimento de estratégias mais eficazes para o tratamento e controle das infeções causadas por Staphylococcus spp., em pequenos animais / Staphylococcus spp., are clinically important Gram-positive bacteria that are capable of causing a wide variety of diseases in humans and animals. The overuse of antimicrobials can select resistant bacteria strains, that represents a major threat to animal and public health worldwide. Despite its clinical importance, there is only very limited knowledge about the pathogenesis of staphylococcal infections in small animals, and the specific bacterial virulence factors involved in causing these diseases. Staphylococcal infection initiates from the adhesion of the microorganism to the tissue of the host. Adhesion is favoured by the presence of virulence factors known as adhesins, which are grouped in a family known as the microbial surface components recognising adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMM). After isolation and identification of microorganisms, 118 Staphylococcus strains were identified, 111 (94.07%) strains from canine and 7 (5.93%) from feline origin. Among Staphylococcus, seven different species were isolated: 82 (69.49%) Staphylococcus pseudointermedius, 19 (16.10%) Staphylococcus epidermidis, 7 (5.93%) Staphylococcus xylosus, 4 (3.39%) Staphylococcus chromogenes, 3 (2.54%) Staphylococcus spp., 2 (1.69%) Staphylococcus aureus, 1 (0.85%) Staphylococcus schleiferi. The susceptibility to 26 antimicrobials was determined in all the isolates. The search for MSCRAMM and biofilm-encoding genes in the strains of Staphylococcus spp. was performed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Primers were used to detect the genes encoding for collagen-binding protein (cna), laminin-binding protein (eno), elastin-binding protein (ebpS), fibrinogen-binding protein (fib), fibronectin-binding protein A (fnbA) and fibronectin-binding protein B (fnbB) and biofilm formation-encoding genes (bap). Resistance of isolates to antibiotics was frequently observed, the percentage of resistance in the general Staphylococcus strains was: 54,32% to erythromycin, 40,79% to clindamycin, and 29,91% to norfloxacin. Susceptibility to oxacilin was also tested, 85,96%) % of the isolates were susceptible. All genes were detected except for ebpS and bap. The most frequently detected gene in both species was eno (89, 9%). Association of genes Eno/Fib/FnbA and Eno/FnbB were also detected. Our results highligthed that members of the Staphylococcus genus often exhibit in vitro resistance to commonly used antimicrobials. Its necessary a judicious use of antibiotics in small animals Veterinary Medicine. Such information on the subject allows the development of more efficient strategies for treatment and control of Staphylococcus infection in small animals

No universo da pecuária leiteira, a mastite representa um importante desafio, sendo responsável por perdas econômicas consideráveis relacionadas principalmente com redução na produção de leite. O gênero Staphylococcus assume elevada importância como agente etiológico das mastites devido à sua ampla distribuição e freqüência de ocorrência. Foram coletadas amostras de leite de fêmeas bovinas com mastite subclínica para exames microbiológicos e contagem de células somáticas (CCS). Após o isolamento e identificação dos micro-organismos, as amostras positivas foram submetidas a análises das medianas das CCS, testes de susceptibilidade \"in vitro\" frente a diferentes antimicrobianos, assim como pesquisa de genes codificadores das adesinas - genes que codificam para proteína ligadora de colágeno (cna), proteína ligadora de laminina (eno), proteína ligadora de elastina (ebp), proteína ligadora de fibrinogênio (fib), proteína A ligadora de fibronectina (fnbA), proteína B ligadora de fibronectina (fnbB) e proteína associada à formação de biofilme (bap), por meio da Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR). De acordo com os achados do presente estudo, dentre as bactérias do gênero Staphylococcus isoladas, os S. aureus foram verificados com maior freqüência, seguido por Staphylococcus coagulase-negativos - S. intermedius, S. chromogens e S. warneri. Com respeito às medianas das CCS, o gênero Streptococcus spp. apresentou o maior valor. O perfil de sensibilidade e resistência aos antimicrobianos testados foi semelhante entre as espécies de Staphylococcus coagulase-positivos e negativos, sendo os antimicrobianos cefalexina, cefalotina e ceftiofur os que apresentaram maior frequência de sensibilidade, e penicilina, amoxicilina e ampicilina os que apresentaram maior resistência. Com exceção do (fnbA), todos os outros fatores de virulência estudados foram detectados, sendo os genes eno, fib e a associação dos genes \"eno/fib/bap\" os mais freqüentemente detectados. Nas amostras coletadas dos tanques de refrigeração não foram detectadas todas as espécies de Staphylococcus spp. isoladas dos quartos mamários. Tais informações acerca do assunto permitem o desenvolvimento de estratégias mais eficientes de tratamento e controle desta enfermidade, possibilitando o aumento da produtividade leiteira. / In the world of dairy cattle, mastitis is a major challenge, accounting for economic losses related mainly to reduction in milk production. The genus Staphylococcus assumes greater importance as a etiologic agent of mastitis due to its wide distribution and frequency of occurrence. Milk samples were collected from cows with subclinical mastitis to microbiological examinations and somatic cell count (SCC). After isolation and identification of microorganisms, positive samples were analyzed for the medians of SCC, tested for susceptibility \"in vitro\" against different antimicrobials and polymerase chain reaction will be used to search for genes encoding adhesins - genes that code for collagen-binding protein (cna), lamininbinding protein (eno), elastin-binding protein (ebp), fibrinogen-binding protein (fib), fibronectin-binding protein A (fnbA), fibronectin-binding protein B (fnbB) and protein associated with biofilm formation (bap). According to the findings of this study, among the bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus isolated, S. aureus were found most frequently, followed by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus - S. intermedius, S. chromogens and S. warneri. With respect to the medians of CCS, the genus Streptococcus spp. showed the highest. The profile of sensitivity and resistance to antimicrobials was similar among species of coagulase-positive and negative Staphylococcus, and antimicrobial cephalexin, cephalothin, and ceftiofur showed higher frequency sensitivity. Penicillin, amoxicillin and ampicillin showed the highest resistance. With the exception of (fnbA), all other virulence factors were detected, with genes eno, fib and the association of genes \"eno/fib/bap\" the most frequently detected. The samples collected from the cooling tanks were not detected all species of Staphylococcus spp. that were isolated from the mammary glands. Such information on the subject allow the development of more efficient strategies for treatment and control of this disease, allowing for increased milk production.