Flavobacterium columnare, a Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium, is the causative agent of columnaris disease in a variety of fish hosts but is of particular significance to the catfish industry located in the southeastern United States. Columnaris infections are a leading cause of mortalities in catfish ponds, occurring alone or in conjunction with other diseases. Typical diagnostic methods for columnaris infections involve the use of selective media following the observation of gross signs of disease. A real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to estimate the quantity of bacteria present in environmental and tissue samples was developed and validated. The genetic variability seen in F. columnare makes detection of isolates from different genomovars (genetic groups) essential to an assay for diagnostic application. Isolates from catfish generally fall into one of two different genomovars, one being virulent to catfish, while the other genomovar is thought to be largely opportunistic. The qPCR assay described herein was designed specifically to detect F. columnare isolates from the two major genomovars most often associated with farm-raised catfish. The assay was shown specific to F. columnare, regardless of genomovar, and demonstrated sensitivity consistent with similar qPCR assays. In addition, the assay provides quantitative information, estimating the bacterial loads in fish tissue and the environment. Two different applications of the assay are presented: (1) Estimate bacterial burden in fish tissue following immersion challenges to identify variation in transmission rates between channel and blue x channel hybrid catfish, and (2) Estimate the environmental burden of F. columnare in catfish ponds over the course of a single calendar year. This assay will provide an invaluable tool for researchers and diagnosticians in expanding our understanding of F. columnare and how it interacts with the host and environment.

Pertussis is an infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Bordetella pertussis. In Peru, actual public health programs indicate that vaccination against B. pertussis must be mandatory and generalized, besides all detected cases must be reported. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of B. pertussis among children under five years of age with a presumptive diagnosis of whopping cough in Cajamarca, a region located in northern Peru. / Background and Objectives: Pertussis is an infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Bordetella pertussis. In Peru, actual public health programs indicate that vaccination against B. pertussis must be mandatory and generalized, be-sides all detected cases must be reported. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of B. pertussis among children under five years of age with a presumptive diagnosis of whopping cough in Cajamarca, a region located in northern Peru. Materials and Methods: The population of this cross-sectional study were children under 5 years old hospitalized as presumptive cases of pertussis during December 2017 to December 2018. The nasopharyngeal samples were analyzed by real-time PCR for the detection of B. pertussis. Results: B. pertussis was identified as PCR + in 42.3% of our sample (33/78). The clinical presentation that was observed most frequently includes paroxysmal coughing (97%), difficulty breathing (69.7%), cyanosis (72.7%) and post-tussive em-esis (60.6%). Additionally, pneumonia was the most observed complication (33.3%). Four of the patients with PCR+ for B. pertussis presented only lymphocytosis, five only leukocytosis, two patients with decreased leukocytosis and lymphocytes and only one patient with leukopenia and relative lymphocytosis. There was a percentage of 84.8% of unvaccinated children in the PCR+ group. Finally, the mother was the most frequent symptom carrier (18.2%). Conclusion: In conclusion, in the studied population there is a high rate of PCR+ cases for B. pertussis. Laboratory values may show leukopenia or lymphopenia in patients with pertussis. It is necessary to use appropriate laboratory diagnostic tests in all infants with respiratory symptoms for B. pertussis. Since, the clinical diagnosis overestimates the diagnosis of pertussis. / Revisión por pares

Background and Objectives: Pertussis is an infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Bordetella pertussis. In Peru, actual public health programs indicate that vaccination against B. pertussis must be mandatory and generalized, be-sides all detected cases must be reported. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of B. pertussis among children under five years of age with a presumptive diagnosis of whopping cough in Cajamarca, a region located in northern Peru. Materials and Methods: The population of this cross-sectional study were children under 5 years old hospitalized as presumptive cases of pertussis during December 2017 to December 2018. The nasopharyngeal samples were analyzed by real-time PCR for the detection of B. pertussis. Results: B. pertussis was identified as PCR + in 42.3% of our sample (33/78). The clinical presentation that was observed most frequently includes paroxysmal coughing (97%), difficulty breathing (69.7%), cyanosis (72.7%) and post-tussive em-esis (60.6%). Additionally, pneumonia was the most observed complication (33.3%). Four of the patients with PCR+ for B. pertussis presented only lymphocytosis, five only leukocytosis, two patients with decreased leukocytosis and lymphocytes and only one patient with leukopenia and relative lymphocytosis. There was a percentage of 84.8% of unvaccinated children in the PCR+ group. Finally, the mother was the most frequent symptom carrier (18.2%). Conclusion: In conclusion, in the studied population there is a high rate of PCR+ cases for B. pertussis. Laboratory values may show leukopenia or lymphopenia in patients with pertussis. It is necessary to use appropriate laboratory diagnostic tests in all infants with respiratory symptoms for B. pertussis. Since, the clinical diagnosis overestimates the diagnosis of pertussis. / Revisión por pares

Early detection of infection, identification of microorganism, and correct choice of antibiotics are critical in the management of sepsis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has the potential to improve the timeliness, sensitivity, and accuracy of detecting pathogens. In this study we utilize this method to detect the enteric bacterial counts in the blood from patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in the emergency department (ED). The universal primers utilized in RT-PCR are specific for 23S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and wec F gene. The results show that in SIRS patients with positive culture results from specimen collected within 10 days after presenting to ED, and patients surviving for less than 28 days, the serum bacterial DNA load of enteric Gram negative bacilli is higher. In SIRS patients with shock, patients fulfilling both white blood cell counts and respiratory criteria of SIRS, and patients fulfilling both white blood cell counts and respiratory criteria of SIRS with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score more than 20, the serum bacterial DNA load of enteric Gram negative bacilli and 28-day mortality are both higher. These results suggest that bacterial translocation may happen in patients with SIRS and may be related to higher mortality in patients with SIRS.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Over the past few years, the involvement between oral pathogens and vascular disease has been investigated, with growing attention to the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis. Oral bacteria have been detected in atherosclerotic plaques at a variable frequency; however, the connection between oral health and vascular and oral bacterial profiles of these patients is not clearly established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of oral bacteria DNA in the mouth and atherosclerotic plaques, in addition to assess the patientâs caries and periodontal disease history. Thirty samples of supragingival and subgingival plaque, saliva and atherosclerotic plaques of 13 patients with carotid stenosis or aortic aneurysm were evaluated, through Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction, for the presence/absence of Streptococcus mutans, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola. For edentulous patients, the variables of supragingival and subgingival plaques were not considered. All patients were submitted to oral exams using the DMTF (decayed, missing and filled teeth) and PSR (Periodontal Screening and Recording) indexes for dental and periodontal evaluation, respectively, and histopathological analysis of the atherosclerotic plaques was performed. Most of the patients were edentulous (76.9%). Streptococcus mutans, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola were detected in 100.0%, 92.0%, 15.3% and 30.7% of the oral samples, respectively. Streptococcus mutans was the most prevalent targeted bacteria in atherosclerotic plaques (p<0,05), detected in 100% of the samples, followed by Prevotella intermedia (7.1%), and the vascular samples were negative for Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0,05) between the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola in the oral cavity and vascular samples. In conclusion, Streptococcus mutans was found at a high frequency in oral and vascular samples, even in edentulous patients, and its presence in atherosclerotic plaques suggests the possible involvement of this bacteria with the disease progression. / Nos Ãltimos anos, a relaÃÃo entre patÃgenos orais e doenÃa vascular tem sido investigada, com crescente atenÃÃo para a etiopatogÃnese e progressÃo da aterosclerose. BactÃrias orais tÃm sido detectadas em placas aterosclerÃticas, com variÃvel frequÃncia, porÃm, a relaÃÃo entre saÃde bucal e perfis bacterianos vasculares e orais dos pacientes nÃo està claramente estabelecida. Foi objetivo deste estudo avaliar a presenÃa de DNA de bactÃrias orais na boca e placas aterosclerÃticas, alÃm de avaliar histÃrico de cÃrie e doenÃa periodontal dos pacientes. Trinta amostras de placa dental supragengival, subgengival, saliva, e placas aterosclerÃticas de 13 pacientes com estenose de carÃtida ou aneurisma de aorta foram avaliadas, atravÃs de ReaÃÃo em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real, para presenÃa/ausÃncia de Streptococcus mutans, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis e Treponema denticola. Para pacientes desdentados totais, nÃo foram consideradas as variÃveis de placa supragengival e subgengival. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a exames de CPO-D (dentes permanentes cariados, perdidos e obturados) e PSR (registro periodontal simplificado) para avaliaÃÃo dentÃria e periodontal, respectivamente, bem como anÃlise histopatolÃgica das placas aterosclerÃticas. A maioria dos pacientes eram edÃntulos (76,9%). Streptococcus mutans, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis e Treponema denticola foram detectados em 100,0%, 92,0%, 15,3% e 30,7% das amostras orais, respectivamente. O micro-organismo mais prevalente em placas aterosclerÃticas foi o Streptococcus mutans (p<0,05), presente em 100,0% das amostras, seguido de Prevotella intermedia (7,1%), e as amostras vasculares foram negativas para Porphyromonas gingivalis e Treponema denticola. Observou-se diferenÃa estatisticamente significante (p<0,05) com relaÃÃo à presenÃa de Porphyromonas gingivalis e Treponema denticola em cavidade oral e amostra vascular. Em conclusÃo, Streptococcus mutans foi encontrado em alta frequÃncia em amostras orais e vasculares, mesmo de pacientes desdentados, e sua presenÃa em placas aterosclerÃticas sugere o possÃvel envolvimento desse patÃgeno na progressÃo da doenÃa.

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / Candida glabrata (C. glabrata/ Cg) is a pathogenic organism that is increasingly developing frank innate and acquired resistance to the most commonly used antifungal agents, namely, azole group of antifungals. Furthermore, C. glabrata-associated oropharyngeal infections affecting immunocompromised patients, are more difficult to treat and the development of resistance worsen the prognosis. Molecular studies related the emergence of resistance in C. glabrata to the upregulation of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes, which work by reducing drug concentration within the cell via drug efflux mechanism, and among these genes, CgCDR1 is considered to play a major role in resistance development. Thus, in order to overcome this problem, several combinations of antifungal agents are being studied. Aim: To evaluate the effect of a combination therapy of fluconazole and amphotericin B on the growth and CDR1 gene expression of C. glabrata. Research design and methodology: This in-vitro study evaluated the effect of a combination therapy of fluconazole and amphotericin B on the growth of C. glabrata and related it to the expression of CgCDR1 resistance gene. C. glabrata was revived in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth and later inoculated onto agar plates. Following overnight incubation, 5 colonies were transferred using a sterile loop into 2 ml of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution to establish McFarland (Mcf) standard. Later, the solution was diluted by transferring 200 μL to 400 ml of yeast peptone dextrose (YPD) agar (flask 1). From (flask 1), 90 ml, 99 ml and 89 ml of inoculum were allocated into 3 separate flasks, into which 10 ml fluconazole, 1 ml amphotericin B and 11 ml combination (10 ml fluconazole + 1 ml amphotericin B) were added, respectively. The inoculums were left to settle for 20 minutes, then incubated at 37oC with serial dilutions carried after 30 minutes, 2, 4, 6 and 24 hours. From the 96-microtiter plate, 10 μL for each treatment arm and time interval were transferred from selected wells and onto 30 Casein-peptone Soymeal-peptone (CASO) agar plates, and incubated for 24 hours. After incubation, the number of colonies were counted using an automated colony counter, to establish colony forming unit (CFU)/ml. CgCDR1 gene expression was analyzed using real time polymerase chain reaction. After 6 hours of incubation, a sample was taken from each treatment arm, transferred into CASO agar plates and incubated for 24 hours at 37oC. After establishing Mcf, gene extraction and gene expression were carried out according to manufacturer’s instructions. Results and discussion: No significant difference between the effect of the combination and amphotericin B was evident regarding C. glabrata growth. However, the combination therapy was more effective against C. glabrata than fluconazole, with a marked decrease in candidal growth at 30 minutes and 6 hours. Furthermore, the expression of CgCDR1 gene at 6 hours contact time was more pronounced in the samples of C. glabrata treated with the combination therapy, compared to that of the monotherapy. Conclusion: The combination therapy had better effect on the growth of C. glabrata than fluconazole monotherapy. On the other hand, the expression of CgCDR1 was detected in the samples of C. glabrata treated with the combination therapy, suggesting the ability of the yeast to adapt and develop resistance in such environment.

Equine encephalosis virus (EEV) is the cause of equine encephalosis. The disease is similar to mild forms of African horse sickness (AHS) and the two diseases are easily confused. Laboratory identification and serotyping of EEV is based on viral isolation in BHK-21 cells and a viral plaque inhibition neutralization test (Erasmus <i<et al., 1970). These procedures require long durations to confirm results and it was desirable that a rapid diagnostic assay was developed to distinguish EEV from African horse sickness virus (AHSV). A PCR test developed for AHSV (Quan et al., 2008) formed the basis for development of a similar assay for EEV. The aim was to develop and evaluate a real time PCR assay for the detection of EEV in the blood and organs of horses. FastPCR software was used to design primers to amplify and sequence the EEV S7 (VP7) gene. RNA was extracted from EEV tissue culture isolates, representing all seven serotypes, using a MagMaxTM Express Particle Processor and MagMaxTM-96 Total RNA Isolation kits. A one step reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was carried out to amplify the EEV S7 gene using a GeneAmp Gold RNA PCR core kit. Sequence reactions were carried out using a BigDye terminal v3.1 sequencing kit and analyzed with an ABI 3130xl Genetic Analyzer. After sequences alignment using BioEdit software, conserved regions were identified and Primer Express 3.0 software was used to design EEV primers and TaqMan® MGBTM hydrolysis probes for real-time RT-PCR assay. The EEV real-time RT-PCR assay was specific and did not detect AHSV nor bluetongue virus (BTV). The real-time format was selected because of its convenience, sensitivity and ability to produce results rapidly. Validation of the assay is the next step in establishing it as a routine diagnostic assay. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

Blood vessel mimics (BVMs) are tissue engineered blood vessels that are intended as an intermediate testing environment for intravascular devices, such as stents. Specifically, Cal Poly’s Tissue Engineering Lab hypothesizes that BVMs can be used to test endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell responses to existing and new vascular stents. Characterization techniques are required for BVMs to be accepted as a valid testing model, prior to being employed as an in vitro model to determine the effects of medical treatments. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is one available option for evaluating gene expression of tissues. qPCR can be performed on DNA synthesized from RNA isolated from cells, and in this application, will provide quantitative information on what proteins where being transcribed within the cells at the time of RNA isolation. qPCR can be used to determine the proteins expressed in BVMs at baseline in order to then characterize changes in protein expression induced by stent deployment within the BVM. The aim of this thesis was to optimize existing qPCR protocols, and implement the optimized protocols to characterize gene expression of stented and unstented blood vessel mimics (BVMs) and cells from a donor with Diabetes grown in Cal Poly’s Tissue Engineering Laboratory. To accomplish this goal, existing qPCR protocols were evaluated and modified to ensure reproducible, valid results were produced. Standard operating procedures were created for RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, qPCR and qPCR data analysis. Optimized qPCR methods were then applied to BVMs from umbilical and coronary cell sources to compare the models and to study the BVM responses to stent deployment. Additional primers were also identified for potential usage as reference genes and as diabetic markers for diseased BVMs.

This thesis provides evidence for the presence of multiple RNAs in the axons and growth cones of developing thalamic cells, particularly the mRNA for the cell adhesion and Wnt-signalling-related molecule b-catenin. After many decades of effort, mRNAs have been shown to be present in the axons of many different systems in recent years. Furthermore, these mRNAs have been shown to be locally translated at the growth cone, and this local translation is required for axons to turn in response to multiple guidance cues. As studies accumulate, it is becoming clear that different axonal systems contain different complements of mRNAs and have different requirements for local translation. One axonal system which has not been investigated to date is the thalamocortical tract. The nuclei of the thalamus are connected to the areas of the cortex via bundles of axons which travel from the thalamus to the cortex via the ventral telencephalon during embyronic development. These axons make a number of turns and are guided by many cues and other axonal tracts before innervating their cortical target. In this thesis, a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) approach is developed to isolate multiple mRNAs from developing thalamic axons in vitro, including b-catenin mRNA, b-actin mRNA, 18S ribosomal RNA and ten other mRNAs. The method used should be suitable for use with other axonal systems and also for testing the effect of guidance cues on mRNA expression in axons. The qRT-PCR results for b-catenin, b-actin and 18S have been validated using in situ hybridisation. Analysis of in situ hybridisation results indicates that b-catenin and 18S, but not b-actin, are upregulated in the growth cone compared to the axon. As b-catenin has been shown to be involved in axon guidance via Slit and ephrin guidance cues in other axonal systems, and these guidance cues act upon thalamocortical axons, the identification of b-catenin mRNA in thalamic axons is an important step towards a full understanding of the thalamocortical system. The results presented here indicate that local protein synthesis is likely to occur in thalamic axons as it does in other axonal systems, and that local translation is likely to be important for thalamic axonal responses to guidance cues and other axonal tracts.

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar a sobrevivência de cepas probióticas incorporadas em queijo petit-suisse potencialmente probiótico e simbiótico no produto armazenado por até 28 dias e em ensaios de sobrevivência in vitro frente às condições encontradas no trato gastrintestinal, utilizando-se métodos independentes de cultivo, paralelamente aos métodos convencionais de semeadura em ágar seletivo, bem como avaliar características tecnológicas dos queijos elaborados. O delineamento experimental constituiu-se de 3 tratamentos de queijo petit-suisse: QP = queijo probiótico (com cultura ABT-4, composta por Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 e Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 e da cultura starter Streptococcus thermophilus); QS = queijo simbiótico, contendo os probióticos e prebióticos (cultura ABT-4 + inulina e fruto-oligossacarídeo) e QC = queijo controle, elaborado apenas com uma cultura starter de Streptococcus thermophilus. Os queijos foram armazenados a 4 ºC e as análises foram realizadas semanalmente, por 28 dias. A contagem dos micro-organismos probióticos foi realizada por técnicas independentes (qPCR) e dependentes de cultivo. Adicionalmente, foi monitorada a presença de contaminantes e avaliadas a aceitabilidade sensorial e a textura instrumental dos produtos ao longo de seu armazenamento. Os queijos petit-suisse apresentaram populações de L. acidophilus LA-5 e B. animalis BB-12 superiores a 7 log UFC/g, até o 28º dia de armazenamento. Em QS, observou-se maior estabilidade da população de L. acidophilus LA-5, ao longo do armazenamento e maior sobrevivência in vitro de B. animalis BB-12, até 14 dias de armazenamento (p < 0,05), com taxas médias de sobrevivência diminuindo de 88,0% (dia 1) para 59,6% (dia 28) em QS e de 80,0% (dia 1) para 59,8 (dia 28) em QP. Em contrapartida, para L. acidophilus LA-5, as taxas médias de sobrevivência diminuíram de 49,1% (dia 1) para 36,9% (dia 28) em QS e de 61,6% (dia 1) para 39,2% (dia 28) em QP, e foram maiores em QP nos dias 1 e 14 (p < 0,05). A adição de probióticos no queijo petit-suisse resultou em influência significativa nos parâmetros de textura, com uma diminuição da dureza, o que provavelmente contribuiu para maiores escores de aceitabilidade, nas formulações com probióticos (> 5,9), em relação ao produto controle (< 5,3). Adicionalmente, houve influência positiva da mistura prebiótica na aceitabilidade de QS (escore = 6,8), aos 21 dias de armazenamento (p < 0,05). Entre os métodos utilizados para a quantificação de micro-organismos, os valores obtidos através dos métodos convencional e qPCR foram semelhantes, porém observou-se uma tendência a superestimar a população dos micro-organismos, no método de qPCR. No ensaio de sobrevivência in vitro, observou-se valores semelhantes e um coeficiente de correlação de Pearson de 0,92 entre os método de qPCR com Propidium Monoazide (PMA) e convencional, para B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, enquanto que para L.acidophilus LA-5, os resultados mostraram-se promissores, particularmente na quantificação de células viáveis, porém não cultiváveis. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a formulação QS foi a mais favorável em termos de estabilidade e sobrevivência dos probióticos, além de apresentar a melhor aceitabilidade aos 21 dias de armazenamento. Em relação aos métodos de quantificação, técnicas moleculares mostraram-se mais adequadas, particularmente com a utilização de PMA, embora requeiram otimizações. / This study aimed to evaluate the survival of probiotic strains incorporated into petit-suisse cheese in the product stored for up to 28 days and under in vitro gastrointestinal tract simulated resistance assay, using culture-independent and culture-dependent methods. Furthermore, sensory acceptability and instrumental texture of the cheeses studied were evaluated. Experimental design involved the evaluation of three trials of petit-suisse cheese, as follows: PC = probiotic cheese (with the ABT-4 culture, containing Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, and Streptococcus thermophilus, as starter culture), SC = synbiotic cheese, containing both the probiotics and the prebiotics (with the ABT-4 culture + inulin and fructooligosaccharides), and CC = control cheese (containing only the starter culture of Streptococcus thermophilus). Cheeses were stored at 4°C and the microbial counts in the products, as well as the in vitro survival assays were conducted weekly up to the 28th day. The probiotic counts in the product and in the in vitro assays were conducted through culture-independent (qPCR) and dependent methods. Additionally, the presence of contaminants was monitored and the sensory acceptability and instrumental texture of the products were evaluated during storage at 4°C. The petit-suisse cheeses presented L. acidophilus LA-5 and B. animalis BB-12 populations above 7 log CFU/g, up to the 28th day of storage. For SC, a higher L. acidophilus LA 5 population stability during the shelf-life and a higher B. animalis BB-12 in vitro survival up to 14 days of storage (p < 0.05) were observed. BB-12 presented mean survival rates decreasing from 88.0% (day 1) to 59.6% (day 28) in SC and from 80.0% (day 1) to 59.8% (day 28) in PC. In contrast, for L. acidophilus LA-5, the mean survival rates decreased from 49.1% (day 1) to 36.8% (day 28) in SC and from 61.6% (day 1) to 39.2% (day 28) in PC, which presented higher survival rate on days 1 and 14 (p < 0.05). The addition of probiotics in petit-suisse cheese influenced texture parameters significantly, leading to decreased hardness (p < 0.05), which probably contributed for the higher acceptability scores of both cheeses supplemented with probiotics (> 5.9), compared to the control product (< 5.3). Additionally, there was a positive influence of the prebiotic mixture on the SC acceptability (score = 6.8) on day 21 of storage (p < 0.05). Regarding the methods used for the enumeration of microorganisms, the results for the qPCR and the conventional method were quite similar. However, a trend towards overestimating microbial populations with the qPCR method was observed. For the in vitro survival assays, we observed similar results for the qPCR method with Propidium Monoazide (PMA) and the conventional method for B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.92, whereas for L. acidophilus LA-5, the results were promising, especially in the quantification of viable, but not cultivable cells. The results suggest that the synbiotic cheese was the most favorable in terms of stability and probiotics survival, besides presenting the highest acceptance at 21 days of storage. Regarding quantification methods, molecular techniques have proved to be more suitable, particularly with PMA, but an optimization is required.