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Com a crescente demanda por produtos ovinos, tem crescido o número de empresários dispostos a investir nessas atividades. Estudos sobre a importância das micoplasmoses e suas diferentes espécies já conhecidas ainda devem ser realizadas no Brasil. Foram estudadas 60 fêmeas da espécie ovina. O material clínico selecionado para analisar foi muco vulvovaginal obtido através de colheita por zaragatoa. Foi obtido o isolamento através de cultivo e a detecção pela técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase de Mycoplasma spp., Ureaplasma spp. e Acholeplasma laidlawii em fêmeas de ovinos pela primeira vez no Brasil na região vulvovaginal. A porcentagem de micoplasma genérico detectada nas amostras foi de 75%, de Ureaplasma spp. foi de 66,7% e de Acholeplasma laidwaii foi de 1,7%. Houve isolamento em placa de 11,7% de Ureaplasma spp. do total de amostras processadas e de Micoplasma spp. em 8,3%. Não foi possível a identificação da espécie envolvida. Não houve associação da presença de micoplasmas com alterações no trato reprodutivo de fêmeas ovinas. Foi comprovada a infecção de uma fêmea ovina através de monta natural por um macho infectado, provando que uma das principais fontes de infecção dos animais é através do coito. / Sheep industry is growing rapidly in Brazil. However many diseases are the principal bottleneck to the increasing these activities. Among the reproductive diseases the vulvo-vaginites caused by Mycoplasma play an important role. Although no studies has been carried out in brazilian sheep herd so far. For that 60 ewes were ramdomly from different flocks selected at the county of Piedade state of São Paulo, Brazil. The mucus from vulvovagina was obtained by swab for isolation and detectetion of Mycoplasma spp., Ureaplasma spp. and Acholeplasma laidlawii. Generic Mycoplasma was detected in 75% of the samples, Ureaplasma spp. in 66,7% and Acholeplasma laidwaii in 1,7%. Mycoplasma spp. was isolated 8,3% and Ureaplasma spp. in 11,7%. It was not possible the identification of the species found. There was no association of mycoplasmas in the muco on the presence of reproductive problems in the herds. At least in one case, ram with presence of Mycoplasma in the semen infected a negative ewe, suggesting the importance of the ram in spreading the bacteria in the heard.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-01-12Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:44:22Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 andre_mr_dr_jabo.pdf: 1327619 bytes, checksum: 69c97d185f41eb670b28bd9bfcbe3759 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Doenças transmitidas por vetores artrópodes são mundialmente importantes para a saúde humana e animal. Recentemente, diversos estudos têm sido realizados a fim de investigar o possível papel dos animais selvagens na epidemiologia destas enfermidades. A identificação de reservatórios selvagens para estes hemoparasitas ajudaria no entendimento da epi enfermidades por eles causadas, principalmente aquelas de caráter zoonótico. O presente estudo teve como objetivo pesquisar em amostras de sangue de carnívoros selvagens mantidos em cativeiro a presença de infecção ou exposição a agentes Anaplasmataceae (Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, Neorickettsia risticii, N. helminthoeca, Anaplasma platys e A. phagocytophilum), Rickettsiaceae (Orientia tsutsugamushi e Rickettsia sp. dos Grupos da Febre Maculosa e do Tifo), Babesia sp., Cytauxzoon sp. (somente para os felídeos), micoplasmas hemotróficos (Mycoplasma haemofelis, Candidatus M. haemominutum, Candidatus M. turicensis, M. haemocanis e Candidatus M. haematoparvum) e Hepatozoon sp., utilizando métodos sorológicos e moleculares. Para tal, foram amostrados 167 felídeos e 100 canídeos selvagens mantidos em cativeiro nos estados de São Paulo, Mato Grosso e Distrito Federal. Doze felídeos (7,2%) e três (3%) canídeos mostraram-se soropositivos frente ao antígeno de E. canis. Apenas um canídeo (1%) mostrou-se soropositivo para A. phagocytophilum. Nenhum animal mostrou-se soropositivo para E. chaffeensis ou N. risticii. A análise filogenética baseada em um fragmento de 350 pb do gene 16S rRNA não foi suficientemente robusta para diferenciar entre as espécies de Ehrlichia spp. Os fragmentos de DNA de Ehrlichia spp. encontrados em quatro felídeos foram posicionados em um ramo distinto daquela de E. canis e E. chaffeensis, com base... / Vector-borne diseases are worldwide important to human and animal health. Recently, several studies have been done aiming to investigate the role of wild animals in the epidemiology of these diseases. The identification of wild reservoirs for these hemoparasites would help in a better understanding of the epidemiology of these diseases, mainly that with zoonotic character. The present work aimed to investigate the presence of infection or exposure to Anaplasmataceae (Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, Neorickettsia risticii, N. helminthoeca, Anaplasma platys e A. phagocytophilum) and Rickettsiaceae (Orientia tsutsugamushi and Spotted Fever and Typhus Group Rickettsia sp.), Babesia sp., Cytauxzoon sp., hemotrophic hemoplasmas (Mycoplasma haemofelis, Candidatus M. haemominutum, Candidatus M. turicensis, M. haemocanis e Candidatus M. haematoparvum) and Hepatozoon sp. in captive wild carnivores blood samples by molecular and serological methods. Blood samples were collected from 167 wild felids and 100 wild canids, maintained in captivity in zoos from São Paulo and Mato Grosso states, and Distrito Federal. Twelve felids (7.2%) and three canids (3%) were seropositive to E. canis. Only one canid (1%) was seropositive to A. phagocytophilum. None was seropositive to E. chaffeensis neither N. risticii. The phylogenetic analysis of 350bp of 16S rRNA gene was not sufficiently robust to support the differentiation of Ehrlichia species. The Ehrlichia spp. DNA found in four felids was in a distinct clade from E. chaffeensis and E. canis by omp-1 phylogenetic analysis. The phylogenetic analysis of dsb gene showed the infection by E. canis in one sampled crab-eating fox. Seventeen felids (10%) and ten canids (10%) was positive to Anaplasma spp. PCR, which was in the same clade than A. phagocytophilum and A. platys by... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Com a crescente demanda por produtos ovinos, tem crescido o número de empresários dispostos a investir nessas atividades. Estudos sobre a importância das micoplasmoses e suas diferentes espécies já conhecidas ainda devem ser realizadas no Brasil. Foram estudadas 60 fêmeas da espécie ovina. O material clínico selecionado para analisar foi muco vulvovaginal obtido através de colheita por zaragatoa. Foi obtido o isolamento através de cultivo e a detecção pela técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase de Mycoplasma spp., Ureaplasma spp. e Acholeplasma laidlawii em fêmeas de ovinos pela primeira vez no Brasil na região vulvovaginal. A porcentagem de micoplasma genérico detectada nas amostras foi de 75%, de Ureaplasma spp. foi de 66,7% e de Acholeplasma laidwaii foi de 1,7%. Houve isolamento em placa de 11,7% de Ureaplasma spp. do total de amostras processadas e de Micoplasma spp. em 8,3%. Não foi possível a identificação da espécie envolvida. Não houve associação da presença de micoplasmas com alterações no trato reprodutivo de fêmeas ovinas. Foi comprovada a infecção de uma fêmea ovina através de monta natural por um macho infectado, provando que uma das principais fontes de infecção dos animais é através do coito. / Sheep industry is growing rapidly in Brazil. However many diseases are the principal bottleneck to the increasing these activities. Among the reproductive diseases the vulvo-vaginites caused by Mycoplasma play an important role. Although no studies has been carried out in brazilian sheep herd so far. For that 60 ewes were ramdomly from different flocks selected at the county of Piedade state of São Paulo, Brazil. The mucus from vulvovagina was obtained by swab for isolation and detectetion of Mycoplasma spp., Ureaplasma spp. and Acholeplasma laidlawii. Generic Mycoplasma was detected in 75% of the samples, Ureaplasma spp. in 66,7% and Acholeplasma laidwaii in 1,7%. Mycoplasma spp. was isolated 8,3% and Ureaplasma spp. in 11,7%. It was not possible the identification of the species found. There was no association of mycoplasmas in the muco on the presence of reproductive problems in the herds. At least in one case, ram with presence of Mycoplasma in the semen infected a negative ewe, suggesting the importance of the ram in spreading the bacteria in the heard.

Mycoplasmas are prokaryotic micro-organisms belonging to the class Mollicutes, which lacks rigid cell walls. Their genomic size ranges from 500-1500 bp. It causes a wide variety of different diseases in small ruminants and in particular ulcerative balanitis and vulvitis that affects Dorper Sheep in South Africa. The disease causes high economic losses to the Dorper sheep breeders in South Africa. The presence of the disease has been known in South Africa since 1979. Earlier publications have identified the causative agent of this disease as Mycoplasma mycoides mycoides LC (MmmLC). However, several Mycoplasma organisms isolated from cases of ulcerative balanitis have been shown not to be MmmLC. There is a need to characterize the organisms isolated from sheep suffering from this disease using conventional and genetic molecular methods. In this study, 16SrRNA gene-based PCR assays and gene sequencing was used for the detection and characterization of Mycoplasma species from cases of ulcerative vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis in Dorper sheep in South Africa. This investigation was conducted on 34 stored field isolates of mycoplasmas collected between 2003-2009 from 15 different farms in the Northern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. The isolates were screened and characterized by means of microbiological culture and biochemical methods and confirmed by PCR and sequencing. Evidence of involvement of these Mcoplasma idolates in ulcerative vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis was obtained from the submission histories. All 34 isolates were analysed by means of PCR, cloning and sequencing of a 1 078 bp fragment length of 16S a rRNA gene and identified as Mycoplasma species. BLAST searches for sequence similarity from Genbank data revealed 18 isolates out of 34 four are 99 % similar to M. arginini, six out of 34 are 99 % similar to M. bovigenitalium, and two out of 34 were found to be 99 % similar to M. sp. ovine/caprine serogroup II. Two isolates out of 34 are 99 % similar to A. Laidlawii, and BLAST searches of two isolates gave 99 % similarity to M. sp. USP120. Two isolates were found to be 99 % similar to synthetic M. mycoides mycoides Jvc1. A last isolate gave 99 % similarity to M. canadense. Phylogenetic trees were drawn using the neighbour joining method and maximum parsimony analysis to compare the South African isolates with other GenBank reference strains to determine relationships between South African isolates with isolates in other parts of the world. This thesis is composed of five chapters. The first chapter deals with the historical background of ulcerative vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis in Dorper sheep in South Africa and comparisons with findings from previous research. The chapter ends with the aims and objective of this research project. Chapter two contains a literature review that deals with ulcerative vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis in various parts of the world and controversy about the views of researchers about the aetiology of ulcerative vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis in sheep. Chapter three presents the first research on molecular characterization of mycoplasmas species isolated from cases of ulcerative vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis in Dorper sheep in South Africa by means of PCR and gene sequencing. Chapter four provides the findings of the analyses of the various Mycoplasma species that were involved in ulcerative vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis in Dorper sheep in South Africa. The chapter also gives the results of phylogenetic analysis of the various Mycoplasma species with their relationship to sequences from all over the world deposited by researchers in Genbank. Chapter five summarizes the research findings and provides conclusions. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

O Brasil possui cerca de 8,6 milhões de caprinos e mais de 90% estão localizados na região nordeste do país. A caprinocultura, devido sua grande adaptabilidade ao diferentes ecossistemas, possui importância social e econômica na região. Nesse contexto inserem-se os micoplasmas que colonizam os caprinos. As micoplasmoses caprinas são amplamente disseminadas mundialmente e possuem relevância socioeconômica na sua criação. A baixa tecnificação das propriedades, falhas na detecção de Mollicutes e a baixa produção cientifica demonstram um cenário preocupante quanto à sanidade do rebanho dessa região. Visto isso, o presente estudo objetivou a pesquisa de micoplasmas em caprinos, por meio da detecção molecular, na região sudoeste do Estado da Bahia, Brasil. Foram aplicados questionários em 12 propriedades e obtenção de amostras por swab da conjuntiva ocular, nasal e vaginal de 132 caprinos. As metodologias da PCR e qPCR foram aplicadas em swabs para a detecção dos Mollicutes de importância na caprinocultura. Foram realizadas análises estatísticas para a identificação de associações entre a presença dos Mollicutes e o manejo dos animais. Observou-se que 70% das propriedades são de criações para corte, 80% eram propriedades comerciais e 90% utilizavam o sistema intensivo de criação. Nas avaliações clínicas 22,7% (30/132), 13,6% (18/132) e 6,8% (9/132) dos animais respectivamente apresentavam linfonodos pré escapular, iguinal e submandibulares alterados. Mucosa genital e ocular hiperêmica foram observadas em 9,8% (13/132) dos animais. Identificou-se por PCR convencional, 67,4% (89/132), 20,8% (26/125) e 6,8% (9/132) das amostras nasais, genitais e oculares respectivamente, presença do DNA de microrganismos da classe Mollicutes. M. agalactiae foi detectado em 4,5% (6/132) das amostras nasais e M. conjunctivae em 1,5% (2/132) das amostras oculares. Não foi detectado DNA por PCR convencional M. mycoides subsp. capri, M. capricolum subsp. capricolum, assim como por qPCR M. capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae. Constatou-se relação positiva entre animais provenientes de sistema intensivo de criação e a PCR convencional positiva para classe Mollicutes em amostras nasais (OR: 6,417; IC: 1,551 26,546). Relação positiva também foi observada entre animais oriundos de propriedades com exploração leiteira e a PCR convencional positiva para classe Mollicutes em amostras oculares (OR: 6,441; IC: 1,235-33,581). Assim como entre animais provenientes de sistema extensivo de criação e a PCR convencional positiva para classe Mollicutes em amostras genitais (OR: 3,900; IC: 1,028 14,796). Não foi observada associação estatisticamente significante na correlação entre as variáveis de interesse e o resultado das PCR convencionais para M. agalactiae em amostras nasais e para M. conjunctivae em amostras oculares. Conclui-se que os micoplasmas estão presentes nas criações de caprinos da região sudoeste da Bahia. A identificação de M. conjunctivae, descrito uma única vez na literatura nacional, que apesar da baixa ocorrência possui caráter endêmico; reforçam ainda mais a necessidade de estudos mais enfatizados na identificação dos micoplasmas assim como a elaboração de um perfil sanitário desse tipo de criação na região nordeste do Brasil. / Brazil has about 8.6 million goats and more than 90% are located in the northeast region of the country. The goat breeding, due to its great adaptability to the different ecosystems, has social and economic importance in the region. In this context, the mycoplasmas that colonize the goats are inserted. Caprine mycoplasmosis is widely disseminated worldwide and has socioeconomic relevance in its creation. The low technification of the properties, failure to detect Mollicutes and the low scientific production demonstrate a worrying scenario regarding the sanity of the herd of this region. Considering this, the present study aimed at the research of mycoplasmas in goats, through molecular detection, in the southwest region of the State of Bahia, Brazil. Questionnaires were applied on 12 properties and swab samples were obtained from the ocular, nasal and vaginal conjunctiva of 132 goats. The PCR and qPCR methodologies were applied in the swabs for the detection of Mollicutes of importance in goat breeding. Statistical analyzes were performed to identify associations between the presence of Mollicutes and the management of the animals. It was observed that 70% of the properties are meat farms, 80% were commercial properties and 90% used the intensive breed system. In the clinical evaluations, 22.7% (30/132), 13.6% (18/132) and 6.8% (9/132) of the animals respectively presented pre-scapular, equine and altered submandibular lymph nodes. Genital and ocular hyperemic mucosa were observed in 9.8% (13/132) of the animals. From the analised swabs, 67.4% (89/132), 20.8% (26/125) and 6.8% (9/132) of the nasal, genital and ocular samples respectively, were identified by PCR, positive for the presence of DNA from microorganisms of the Mollicutes class. M. agalactiae was detected in 4.5% (6/132) of the nasal samples and M. conjunctivae in 1.5% (2/132) of the ocular samples. No DNA was detected by conventional PCR of M. mycoides subsp. capri, M. capricolum subsp. capricolum, as well as by qPCR of M. capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae. A positive correlation was observed between animals from intensive breeding system and conventional PCR positive for Mollicutes class in nasal samples (OR: 6,417; CI: 1,551 - 26,546). Positive correlation was also observed between animals from dairy farms and conventional PCR positive for Mollicutes class in ocular samples (OR: 6,441; CI: 1,235-33,581). As well as between animals from the extensive breeding system and conventional Mollicutes positive PCR in genital samples (OR: 3,900; CI: 1,028 - 14,796). No statistically significant association was observed in the correlation between the variables of interest and the results of conventional PCR for M. agalactiae in nasal samples and for M. conjunctivae in ocular samples. It is concluded that mycoplasmas are present in goat breeding in the southwestern region of Bahia. The identification of M.conjunctivae, described only once in the national literature, which despite the low occurrence has an endemic character; reinforces the need for more focused studies in the identification of mycoplasmas as well as the elaboration of a health profile of this type of breeding in northeastern Brazil.

O Brasil possui cerca de 8,6 milhões de caprinos e mais de 90% estão localizados na região nordeste do país. A caprinocultura, devido sua grande adaptabilidade ao diferentes ecossistemas, possui importância social e econômica na região. Nesse contexto inserem-se os micoplasmas que colonizam os caprinos. As micoplasmoses caprinas são amplamente disseminadas mundialmente e possuem relevância socioeconômica na sua criação. A baixa tecnificação das propriedades, falhas na detecção de Mollicutes e a baixa produção cientifica demonstram um cenário preocupante quanto à sanidade do rebanho dessa região. Visto isso, o presente estudo objetivou a pesquisa de micoplasmas em caprinos, por meio da detecção molecular, na região sudoeste do Estado da Bahia, Brasil. Foram aplicados questionários em 12 propriedades e obtenção de amostras por swab da conjuntiva ocular, nasal e vaginal de 132 caprinos. As metodologias da PCR e qPCR foram aplicadas em swabs para a detecção dos Mollicutes de importância na caprinocultura. Foram realizadas análises estatísticas para a identificação de associações entre a presença dos Mollicutes e o manejo dos animais. Observou-se que 70% das propriedades são de criações para corte, 80% eram propriedades comerciais e 90% utilizavam o sistema intensivo de criação. Nas avaliações clínicas 22,7% (30/132), 13,6% (18/132) e 6,8% (9/132) dos animais respectivamente apresentavam linfonodos pré escapular, iguinal e submandibulares alterados. Mucosa genital e ocular hiperêmica foram observadas em 9,8% (13/132) dos animais. Identificou-se por PCR convencional, 67,4% (89/132), 20,8% (26/125) e 6,8% (9/132) das amostras nasais, genitais e oculares respectivamente, presença do DNA de microrganismos da classe Mollicutes. M. agalactiae foi detectado em 4,5% (6/132) das amostras nasais e M. conjunctivae em 1,5% (2/132) das amostras oculares. Não foi detectado DNA por PCR convencional M. mycoides subsp. capri, M. capricolum subsp. capricolum, assim como por qPCR M. capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae. Constatou-se relação positiva entre animais provenientes de sistema intensivo de criação e a PCR convencional positiva para classe Mollicutes em amostras nasais (OR: 6,417; IC: 1,551 26,546). Relação positiva também foi observada entre animais oriundos de propriedades com exploração leiteira e a PCR convencional positiva para classe Mollicutes em amostras oculares (OR: 6,441; IC: 1,235-33,581). Assim como entre animais provenientes de sistema extensivo de criação e a PCR convencional positiva para classe Mollicutes em amostras genitais (OR: 3,900; IC: 1,028 14,796). Não foi observada associação estatisticamente significante na correlação entre as variáveis de interesse e o resultado das PCR convencionais para M. agalactiae em amostras nasais e para M. conjunctivae em amostras oculares. Conclui-se que os micoplasmas estão presentes nas criações de caprinos da região sudoeste da Bahia. A identificação de M. conjunctivae, descrito uma única vez na literatura nacional, que apesar da baixa ocorrência possui caráter endêmico; reforçam ainda mais a necessidade de estudos mais enfatizados na identificação dos micoplasmas assim como a elaboração de um perfil sanitário desse tipo de criação na região nordeste do Brasil. / Brazil has about 8.6 million goats and more than 90% are located in the northeast region of the country. The goat breeding, due to its great adaptability to the different ecosystems, has social and economic importance in the region. In this context, the mycoplasmas that colonize the goats are inserted. Caprine mycoplasmosis is widely disseminated worldwide and has socioeconomic relevance in its creation. The low technification of the properties, failure to detect Mollicutes and the low scientific production demonstrate a worrying scenario regarding the sanity of the herd of this region. Considering this, the present study aimed at the research of mycoplasmas in goats, through molecular detection, in the southwest region of the State of Bahia, Brazil. Questionnaires were applied on 12 properties and swab samples were obtained from the ocular, nasal and vaginal conjunctiva of 132 goats. The PCR and qPCR methodologies were applied in the swabs for the detection of Mollicutes of importance in goat breeding. Statistical analyzes were performed to identify associations between the presence of Mollicutes and the management of the animals. It was observed that 70% of the properties are meat farms, 80% were commercial properties and 90% used the intensive breed system. In the clinical evaluations, 22.7% (30/132), 13.6% (18/132) and 6.8% (9/132) of the animals respectively presented pre-scapular, equine and altered submandibular lymph nodes. Genital and ocular hyperemic mucosa were observed in 9.8% (13/132) of the animals. From the analised swabs, 67.4% (89/132), 20.8% (26/125) and 6.8% (9/132) of the nasal, genital and ocular samples respectively, were identified by PCR, positive for the presence of DNA from microorganisms of the Mollicutes class. M. agalactiae was detected in 4.5% (6/132) of the nasal samples and M. conjunctivae in 1.5% (2/132) of the ocular samples. No DNA was detected by conventional PCR of M. mycoides subsp. capri, M. capricolum subsp. capricolum, as well as by qPCR of M. capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae. A positive correlation was observed between animals from intensive breeding system and conventional PCR positive for Mollicutes class in nasal samples (OR: 6,417; CI: 1,551 - 26,546). Positive correlation was also observed between animals from dairy farms and conventional PCR positive for Mollicutes class in ocular samples (OR: 6,441; CI: 1,235-33,581). As well as between animals from the extensive breeding system and conventional Mollicutes positive PCR in genital samples (OR: 3,900; CI: 1,028 - 14,796). No statistically significant association was observed in the correlation between the variables of interest and the results of conventional PCR for M. agalactiae in nasal samples and for M. conjunctivae in ocular samples. It is concluded that mycoplasmas are present in goat breeding in the southwestern region of Bahia. The identification of M.conjunctivae, described only once in the national literature, which despite the low occurrence has an endemic character; reinforces the need for more focused studies in the identification of mycoplasmas as well as the elaboration of a health profile of this type of breeding in northeastern Brazil.

Orientador: Rosangela Zacarias Machado / Banca: Nadia Regina Pereira Almosny / Banca: Natalino Hajime Yoshinari / Banca: Jose Mauricio Barbanti Duarte / Banca: Karin Werther / Resumo: Doenças transmitidas por vetores artrópodes são mundialmente importantes para a saúde humana e animal. Recentemente, diversos estudos têm sido realizados a fim de investigar o possível papel dos animais selvagens na epidemiologia destas enfermidades. A identificação de reservatórios selvagens para estes hemoparasitas ajudaria no entendimento da epi enfermidades por eles causadas, principalmente aquelas de caráter zoonótico. O presente estudo teve como objetivo pesquisar em amostras de sangue de carnívoros selvagens mantidos em cativeiro a presença de infecção ou exposição a agentes Anaplasmataceae (Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, Neorickettsia risticii, N. helminthoeca, Anaplasma platys e A. phagocytophilum), Rickettsiaceae (Orientia tsutsugamushi e Rickettsia sp. dos Grupos da Febre Maculosa e do Tifo), Babesia sp., Cytauxzoon sp. (somente para os felídeos), micoplasmas hemotróficos (Mycoplasma haemofelis, Candidatus M. haemominutum, Candidatus M. turicensis, M. haemocanis e Candidatus M. haematoparvum) e Hepatozoon sp., utilizando métodos sorológicos e moleculares. Para tal, foram amostrados 167 felídeos e 100 canídeos selvagens mantidos em cativeiro nos estados de São Paulo, Mato Grosso e Distrito Federal. Doze felídeos (7,2%) e três (3%) canídeos mostraram-se soropositivos frente ao antígeno de E. canis. Apenas um canídeo (1%) mostrou-se soropositivo para A. phagocytophilum. Nenhum animal mostrou-se soropositivo para E. chaffeensis ou N. risticii. A análise filogenética baseada em um fragmento de 350 pb do gene 16S rRNA não foi suficientemente robusta para diferenciar entre as espécies de Ehrlichia spp. Os fragmentos de DNA de Ehrlichia spp. encontrados em quatro felídeos foram posicionados em um ramo distinto daquela de E. canis e E. chaffeensis, com base... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Vector-borne diseases are worldwide important to human and animal health. Recently, several studies have been done aiming to investigate the role of wild animals in the epidemiology of these diseases. The identification of wild reservoirs for these hemoparasites would help in a better understanding of the epidemiology of these diseases, mainly that with zoonotic character. The present work aimed to investigate the presence of infection or exposure to Anaplasmataceae (Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, Neorickettsia risticii, N. helminthoeca, Anaplasma platys e A. phagocytophilum) and Rickettsiaceae (Orientia tsutsugamushi and Spotted Fever and Typhus Group Rickettsia sp.), Babesia sp., Cytauxzoon sp., hemotrophic hemoplasmas (Mycoplasma haemofelis, Candidatus M. haemominutum, Candidatus M. turicensis, M. haemocanis e Candidatus M. haematoparvum) and Hepatozoon sp. in captive wild carnivores blood samples by molecular and serological methods. Blood samples were collected from 167 wild felids and 100 wild canids, maintained in captivity in zoos from São Paulo and Mato Grosso states, and Distrito Federal. Twelve felids (7.2%) and three canids (3%) were seropositive to E. canis. Only one canid (1%) was seropositive to A. phagocytophilum. None was seropositive to E. chaffeensis neither N. risticii. The phylogenetic analysis of 350bp of 16S rRNA gene was not sufficiently robust to support the differentiation of Ehrlichia species. The Ehrlichia spp. DNA found in four felids was in a distinct clade from E. chaffeensis and E. canis by omp-1 phylogenetic analysis. The phylogenetic analysis of dsb gene showed the infection by E. canis in one sampled crab-eating fox. Seventeen felids (10%) and ten canids (10%) was positive to Anaplasma spp. PCR, which was in the same clade than A. phagocytophilum and A. platys by... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Bibliography / Thesis (PhD (Pathology. Medical Microbiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Overview: Mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas are not routinely diagnosed and are under researched in South Africa. Prevalence, population shifts especially concerning genital flora and implications in infection or other conditions are unknown. Information pertaining to Mycoplasma pneumoniae in respiratory disease is similarly lacking. There is little information on antimicrobial susceptibilities and resistance development against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) syndromic management approaches. Aims: a) Elucidate mycoplasmal and ureaplasmal prevalence and contributing factors concerning cervical colonisation or preterm delivery in conjunction with HIV and Chlamydia trachomatis b) Investigate prevalence of M. pneumoniae in respiratory infections in conjunction with HIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Pneumocystis jiroveci. c) Determine antimicrobial susceptibilities of mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas and analyse resistance genes. d) Assess the inter-generic transfer potential of resistance gene (tetM) between Ureaplasma spp. and Neisseria gonorrhea. Genital setting: The prevalence of genital mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas and Chlamydia on women attending their first prenatal visit, in conjunction with preterm labour or HIV status was investigated. For preterm labour (2003), 199 women were monitored for preterm delivery (<37 weeks); for colonisation and HIV (2005), 219 women were screened. Microbial detection was performed on DNA extracted from endocervical swabs employing PCR techniques. Colonisation was seen to be highest in the 14-20 year group from 2003. In women aged ±21 years, co-colonisation was 13% although there was a shift from co-colonisation with Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma spp. in 2003 to other dual/triple combinations in 2005. Overall major trends from both collection periods were that the prevalence of Ureaplasma spp. tended to be higher in women ±26 years, whilst prevalence of C. trachomatis and M. hominis were lower. No association was evident between colonisation with M. hominis, U. urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum and labour outcome. HIV status had no effect on the prevalence/co-colonisation of M. hominis, Ureaplasma spp. or C. trachomatis. Respiratory setting: Studies were conducted to determine the prevalence of community acquired atypical pneumonias in adults (M. pneumoniae and P. jiroveci) and neonates (mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas and Chlamydia trachomatis) in order to improve treatment management programmes in the Port Elizabeth region. Sputum specimens from 102 adult patients presenting with pneumonia/symptoms of pneumonia admitted to hospitals were assessed by PCR. Details of patient’s gender, age, HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis status were provided by the hospitals. Women were seen to be at high risk for community-acquired P. jiroveci colonisation. Overall, prevalence of P. jiroveci was 52.9% (54/102 patients). P. jiroveci was mainly associated with HIV (25/74) (P. jiroveci and HIV positive patients in patient sample for which clinical data and HIV status was available) and co-infection with M. tuberculosis was observed in 12 HIV cases and one HIV negative patient. No DHPS (20) or DHFR (17) resistance associated mutations were found in P. jiroveci. M. pneumoniae was detected in one patient. For prevalence studies (2007-2008) on atypical pneumonia in neonates, 69 endotracheal aspirates were obtained. PCR detection of M. hominis, U. urealyticum and C. trachomatis was performed and U. parvum detected in two specimens. Antibiotic susceptibilities and resistance genes: The following investigations on clinical isolates of U. parvum and U. urealyticum were conducted (i) antibiotic susceptibility profiles, (ii) detection of drug target gene mutations, or gene acquisitions and (iii) inter-generic resistance gene transfer potential to Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Culture techniques applied to 132 endocervical specimens provided 66 Ureaplasma cultures (35 U. parvum, 9 U. urealyticum, 22 U. parvum + U. urealyticum). MIC determinations to ofloxacin, erythromycin, tetracycline, doxycycline, azithromycin and josamycin were performed. Thirty-seven ureaplasma cultures were fully susceptible to all antibiotics tested; 21 showed intermediate resistance to erythromycin, azithromycin and ofloxacin; while seven were resistant to tetracycline, three of which were also resistant to doxycycline and one also resistant to azithromycin. Concerning ofloxacin resistance directed at quinolone resistance determining regions, a substitution of Ser83Leu in ParC was demonstrated in one intermediately-resistant Ureaplasma (MIC 4 µg/ml) while a triple substitution of Asp112Glu in GyrA along with Ala125Thr and Ala136Thr in ParC was found in six further intermediately-resistant strains. No mutations were found in strains with MICs 1 µg/ml. No mutations were detected in 23S rRNA operons, L4 or L22 proteins. TetM and int-Tn genes were found in seven tetracycline-resistant strains. On screening 59 tetracycline-susceptible and -intermediate strains, eleven whilst possessing an int-Tn gene lacked a large region of tetM and 48 only contained small regions of tetM. The tetM genes of the seven tetracycline-resistant strains were sequenced and comparisons performed against GenBank sequences of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and U. urealyticum. For five strains tetM was seen to be highly mosaic in structure containing regions that were similar to those of the GenBank strains and others that were unique. In the tetM leader region, four hot spot recombination sites were identified that could certainly influence the formation of the mosaic structures, upstream insertion sequences/open reading frames and transposon regions that regulate expression. On characterising the int-Tn genes of the seven tetracycline-resistant strains, three types were present indicating transposons from different origins had integrated into ureaplasma genomes. Reciprocal tetracycline resistance gene transfer between ureaplasmas and N. gonorrhoeae were unsuccessful. However, low-level tetracycline resistance (MICs 4-8 µg/ml) was transferred to a U. parvum recipient from one U. urealyticum and three U. parvum donors that carried tetM with MICs 16-64 µg/ml. On tetM PCR analysis, tetM was not detected in the transformants. Conclusions: The importance of genital mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas and C. trachomatis in long term aetiologies requires further investigations, certainly in relation with syndromic management regimens that fail to reduce colonisation rates. The high prevalence of P. jiroveci, the presence of M. pneumoniae in cases of pneumonia and detection of U. parvum in two cases of neonatal pneumonia investigated emphasises that in the absence of definitive diagnoses, it is crucial to monitor treatment responses carefully, especially when first line antibiotic preferences are ß-lactams, in order to ensure adequate and informed delivery of medical care. The finding of transposon and/or tetM regions in all ureaplasmas investigated with or without full expression of tetracycline resistance, in conjunction with tetM gene diversity, certainly places ureaplasmas strongly in the picture for intra- and inter-generic exchange of antibiotic resistance genes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Oorsig: Mikoplasma en ureaplasma word nie roetineweg gediagnoseer nie en in Suid Afrika is nog min navorsing daaroor gedoen. Prevalensie, populasie verskuiwings, veral in genital flora, en die impliksies van infeksie en ander toestande is onbekend. Inligting rakende Mycoplasma pneumoniae in respiratoriese siekte is ook gebrekkig. Daar is min inligting beskikbaar rakende die antimikrobiale vatbaarheid en die ontwikkeling van weerstandigheid gesien teen die benadering tot sindromiese hantering van seksueel oordraagbare siektes. Doelwitte: a) Om inligting te verskaf oor die prevalensie van mikoplasma en ureaplasma en bydraende faktore betreffende voortydige kraam tesame met MIV en Chlamydia trachomatis. b) Ondersoek van die prevalensie van M. pneumoniae in respiratoriese infeksies tesame met MIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis en Pneumocystis jiroveci. c) Bepaling van die antimikrobiale vatbaarheid van mikoplasma en ureaplasma en analisevan weerstandigheids gene. d) Bereken die inter-genetiese oordrag potensiaal van weerstandigheids gene (tetM) tussen Ureaplasma spp. en Naisseria gonorrhoeae. Genitale omgewing: Die prevalensie van genitale mikoplasma, ureaplasma en Chlamydia in vroue tydens hul eerste prenatale besoek, tesame met vroegtydige kraam en MIV status is ondersoek. In voortydige kraam (2003), is 199 vroue gemonitor vir voortydige kraam (<37 weke); vir kolonisasie en MIV (2005), is 219 vroue getoets. Mikrobiale toetsing is gedoen deur DNS te win vanaf endoservikale deppers met PKR tegnieke. Kolonisasie was die hoogste in die ouderdomsgroep 14.20 jaar, in 2003. In vroue van ±21 jaar was medekolonisasie 13% alhoewel daar en verskuiwing was van mede-kolonisasie met Mycoplasma hominis en Ureaplasma spp. in 2003 tot ander dubbel/trippel kombinasies in 2005. Die oorkoepelende tendens in altwee die tydperke van waarneming was dat die prevalensie van Ureoplasma spp. geneig was om hoër te wees in vroue ±26 jaar, terwyl prevalensie van C. trachomatis en M. hominis laer was. Geen assosiasie kon getoon word tussen koloniesasie met M. hominis, U. urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum en uitkoms van kraam nie. MIV status het geen effek gehad op die prevalensie/mede-kolonisasie van M. hominis, Ureaplasma spp. of C. Trachomatis nie. Respiratories: Studies is gedoen om die prevalensie van gemeenskaps verworwe atipiese pneumonie in volwassenes (M. pneumoniae en P. jiroveci) en neonate (mikoplasma, ureaplasma en Chlamydia trachomatis) te bepaal om behandeling en hantering programme in die Port Elizabeth area te verbeter. Sputum monsters van 102 volwasse pasiënte wat presenteer het met pneumonie of simptome van pneumonie en wat tot hospitale toegelaat was, is ontleed. Besonderhede van die pasiënte se geslag, ouderdom, MIV en Mycobacterium tuberculosis status is deur die hospitale verskaf. PKR is gedoen met inleiers gerig teen die volgende gene: P. jiroveci vir die aantoning van mitokondriale groot subeenheid RNS en vir die analise van mutasies vir ko-trimoksasool weerstandigheid dihydropteroaat sintetase (DHPS) en dihydrofolaat reduktase (DHFR); M. pneumoniae vir die aantoning van P1 adhesien en 16S rRNS. Vroue het ‘n hoë risiko vir gemeenskapsverworwe P. jiroveci kolonisasie gehad. In die algemeen was die prevalensie van P. jiroveci 52.9% (54/102 pasiënte). P. jiroveci was hoofsaaklik geassosieerd met MIV (25/74) (P. jiroveci en MIV positiewe pasiënte in die pasiënt monster waarvoor daar kliniese data en MIV status bekend was) en mede-infeksie met M. tuberculosis is gesien in 12 MIV gevalle en een MIV negatiewe pasiënt. Geen DHPS (20) of DHFR (17) weerstandigheids geassosieerde mutasies is gevind in P. Jiroveci nie. M. pneumoniae was aangetoon in een pasiënt. Vir prevalensie studies (2007-2008) op atipiese pneumonie in neonate is 69 endotrageale aspirate verkry. PKR toetsing vir M. hominis, U. urealyticum en C. trachomatis is gedoen met ‘primers’ soos voorheen gepubliseer. Ureaplasma parvum is aangetoon in twee neonate met PKR met negatiewe kultuur resultate. Antibiotika sensitiwiteite en weerstandigheids gene: Die volgende toetse is gedoen op kliniese isolate van U. parvum en U. urealyticum (i) antibiotika sensitiwiteits profiele, (ii) aantoning van teiken geen mutasies, of geen aanwinste en (iii) potensiaal vir inter-generiese weerstandigheids geen oordrag na Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Kultuur tegnieke toegepas op 132 endoservikale monsters het 66 Ureaplasma kulture gelewer (35 U. parvum, 9 U. urealyticum, 22 U. parvum + U. urealyticum). MIK bepaling vir ofloksasien, eritromisien, tetrasiklien, doksisiklien, azitromisien en josamisien is gedoen. Sewe-en-dertig kulture was ten volle sensitief vir alle antibiotika wat getoets is; een-en twintig het intermediere weerstandigheid teenoor eritromisien, azitromisien en ofloksasien getoon, terwyl sewe weerstandig was vir tetrasiklien, drie daarvan was ook weerstandig vir doksisiklien. Wat betref ofloksasien weerstandigheid gemik teen kwinoloon weerstandigheids bepalende gebiede, is vervanging van Ser83Leu in ParC gedemonstreer in een intermedier weerstandige Ureaplasma (MIK 4 µml) terwyl en trippel vervanging van Asp112Glu in GyrA saam met Ala125Thr en Ala136Thr in ParC gevind is in ses ander intermedier weerstandige stamme. Geen mutasies is gevind in stamme met MIKs van MICs 1 µg/ml nie. Geeneen van die ureaplasma was weerstandig vir eritromisien/azitromisien nie en geen mutasies is gevind in 23S rRNA operons , L4 of L22 proteine nie. TetM en int- Tn gene is gevind in sewe tetrasiklien weerstandige stamme. 58 Tetrasiklien sensitiewe en .intermediere stamme is getoets, waarvan elf en int-Tn geen gekort het sowel as en groot deel van tetM, terwyl 48 slegs klein dele van TetM bevat het. Die tetM gene van die sewe tetrasiklein-werstandige stamme se geenvolgorde is bepaal en vergelykings is getref teenoor die GenBank volgordes van Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Streptococcus pneumoniae en U. urealyticum. In vyf stamme is gevind dat die tetM geen hoogs mosaiek in struktuur was met areas wat ooreenstem met die in GenBank stamme, en ander areas wat uniek is. In die tetM leier area, is vier ehot spot f herkombinasie areas geidentifiseer wat sekerlik die vorming van die mosaiiek strukture kon beinvloed, asook transposon areas wat geenuitdrukking bepaal. Met karakterisering van die int-Tn gene van die sewe tetrasikleinweerstandlige stamme, was drie tipes teenwoordig waarin transposons vanaf verskillende oorsprong aangedui was, geintegreerd met die ureaplama genome. Resiprokale tetrasiklien weerstandigheids geen oordrag tussen ureaplasma en n. gonorrhoea was nie suksesvol nie. Lae-vlak tetrasiklien weerstandigheid (MIK fs van 4 . 8 µg/ml) is wel suksesvol oorgedra na en U. parvum ontvanger vanaf een U. urealyticum en drie U. parvum ontvangers wat tetM gedra het met MIKs van 16-64 µg/ml. Met die analise van tetM met PKR, kon tetM nie aangetoon word in die transformante nie. Gevolgtrekkings: Die belang van genitale mykoplasma, ureaplasma en C. trachomatis in langtermyn etologie benodig verdere ondersoek, veral in die lig van die sindromiese behandeling regimes wat nie kolonisasie verminder nie. Die hoe prevalensie van P. jiroveci, die teenwoordigheid van M. pneumoniae in gevalle van pneumonie en die aantoning van U. parvum in twee gevalle van neonatale pneumonie benadruk dat, in die afwesigheid van en definitiewe diagnose, dit noodsaaklik is om respons tot behandeling sorgvuldig te moniteer, veral indien die eerste lyn antibiotika keuse ß-laktam antimikrobiale middels of kefalosporiene is, sodat behoorlike en ingeligde gesondheidsorg gelewer kan word. Die bevinding van transposon en/of tetM gebiede in alle ureaplasma wat ondersoek is met of sonder volle uitdrukking van tetrasiklien weerstandigheid, in samehang met tetM diversiteit, plaas verseker ureaplasma sterk in die prentjie vir intra- en inter-generiese uitruiling van antibiotika weerstandigheids gene. / Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University / National Research Foundation (NRF Thuthuka) / Medical Research Council

L'appareil respiratoire des porcs est colonisé par plusieurs bactéries, parmi lesquelles trois espèces de mycoplasmes : Mycoplasma flocculare, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae et Mycoplasma hyorhinis. Lors de ce doctorat, notre principal objectif était de mieux comprendre le métabolisme différentiel dans chacune des espèces à l'aide de différentes approches. Nous avons reconstruit les réseaux métaboliques complets pour toutes les souches séquencées de ces trois espèces de mycoplasmes afin d'y détecter des caractéristiques distinctes. Nous avons pu montrer que, bien que les trois espèces de mycoplasmes du porc ont des capacités métaboliques semblables, certaines différences existent qui incluent, d'une part, le catabolisme de myo-inositol et un système plus complet pour l'absorption du glycérol, et d'autre part, une large gamme de moyens d'absorption de carbohydrates chez M. hyorhinis. L'utilisation de glycérol comme source de carbone, une activité qui est absente uniquement dans M. flocculare, produit du peroxyde d'hydrogène qui est toxique, ce qui peut expliquer l'absence de pathogénicité de cette espèce. L'absorption d'un plus large éventail de sources de carbone chez M. hyorhinis peut également expliquer pourquoi cette espèce est un contaminant largement connu des cultures cellulaires. Des expériences de croissance ont montré que les milieux définis décrits pour d'autres espèces de mycoplasmes ne sont pas appropriés pour la croissance de mycoplasmes du tractues respiratoire de porcs, et que la peptone est essentielle pour le maintien de la viabilité des cellules à la fois de M. hyopneumoniae et de M. flocculare dans des milieux définis. Dans ce travail, nous proposons également de nouveaux média définis qui, in silico, sont extrêmement appropriés pour les mycoplasmes du porc. Les données de métabolomique suggèrent que même si ces espèces sont extrêmement similaires du point de vue de leurs génomes et des métabolismes, les produits et les taux de réaction diffèrent et la régulation des gènes peuvent interférer directement dans le métabolisme. Pour expliquer ces différences ainsi que d'autres décrits dans la littérature qui suggèrent que certains types de régulation de l'expression du gène existent en effet dans ces espèces, nous avons également essayé de recueillir des informations sur de nouvelles séquences promotrices. Ainsi, cette thèse servira de base pour l'étude du métabolisme différentiel et des pathologies causées par les mycoplasmes du tractus respiratoire du porc et pourra aider à proposer des façons de prévenir à l'avenir le développement des maladies associées / In this PhD thesis, we presented three main types of analyses of metabolism, and in most cases involving symbiosis: metabolic dialogue between a trypanosomatid and its symbiont, comparative analyses of metabolic networks and exploration of metabolomics data. The respiratory tract of swines is colonized by several pathogenic bacteria, among which are three mycoplasma species: Mycoplasma flocculare, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, and Mycoplasma hyorhinis. In this work, we created whole-genome metabolic network reconstructions for all sequenced strains from these three Mycoplasma species. Similar to other Mycoplasma models all reconstructed networks exhibit low connectivity due to the simplicity of the biological model. We were able to show that the three swine mycoplasma species have similar metabolic capabilities. Interesting metabolic differences include the myo-inositol catabolism and a more complete system for glycerol uptake in M. hyopneumoniae and a wide range of carbohydrate uptake in M. hyorhinis. Glycerol conversion to DHAP, a missing activity only in M. flocculare, produces toxic hydrogen peroxide and may explain the lack of pathogenicity of this species. The uptake of a wider range of carbon sources in M. hyorhinis may also explain why this species is a wide-known contaminant in cell cultures. Growth experiments showed that defined media described for other Mycoplasma species are not suitable for the growth of respiratory tract swine mycoplasmas and that peptone is essential for the maintenance of cell viability of both M. hyopneumoniae and M. flocculare in defined media. Metabolomic data suggests that even though these species are extremely similar from a genomic and metabolic point of views, the products and reaction rates differ and gene regulation may interfere directly in metabolism. This, in turn, may account for many aspects still unknown that influence directly different levels of pathogenicity in each of them