Alpacas were first introduced into South Africa during the year 2000. They are valuable because of the fine quality wool they produce which has much better insulation properties than that of merino wool fibres. Alpacas are also used to act as guards of sheep herds against predators. During 2008, blood samples from an alpaca that died acutely with severe lung oedema, respiratory distress and froth exuding from the nose were received at Elsenburg Veterinary Laboratory. The alpaca was from a herd of 23 alpacas of a British veterinarian in the Montagu district in the western Cape. Virus isolation attempts on the blood produced infrequent embryo mortalities. Embryonated chicken egg (ECE) material was send to the Virology Department at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI). A bluetongue virus (BTV) PCR performed at the diagnostic PCR laboratory at OVI on the ECE material was positive. Further intra-venous (IV) inoculations in ECE produced embryo mortalities on two consecutive days, the 8th and 9th November. The dead embryos were harvested separately and named and treated as two separate virus samples, Alp8 and Alp9 which were further passaged on baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. The BTV virus neutralisation tests (VNT) performed at the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) Laboratory on both Alp8 and Alp9 were negative. Because of the close serological relationship between BTV and epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), an EHDV VNT was also performed and was also negative. In the light of the negative VNT and the positive BTV PCR results, more in-depth molecular analyses were performed. RNA was purified from tissue culture material and agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) performed. Both Alp8 and Alp9 had a typical orbiviral electrophoretic profile, but their respective profiles were different. A sequence-independent reverse transcriptase PCR amplification method generated ample complementary DNA (cDNA) of both samples for sequencing. Sanger sequencing was used to partially sequence genome segments 5 (NS1) and 2 (VP2). BLAST analysis of the partial information of the genome segments 5 (NS1) of Alp8 confirmed it as being a BTV and Alp9 as being an EHDV. BLAST analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence generated of VP2 of both Alp8 and Alp9 established that these samples were possibly new serotypes of BTV and EHDV respectively. The complete genome of both Alp8 and Alp9 was sequenced with next generation 454 Pyrosequencing. This confirmed the partial sequencing results. BLAST analysis of the complete sequence of S2 (VP2) of Alp8 showed that it has 73 % nucleotide and 77 % deduced amino acid identity to BTV15. In contrast the nucleic acid sequence of genome segment S2 (VP2) of Alp9 had no nucleotide sequence identity to any virus, but its deduced amino acid sequence had 71 % amino acid identity to EHDV2. Hyper immune guinea pig (GP) serum prepared against the putative new BT (Alp8) and EHD (Alp9) virus serotypes were tested for serological cross-reactivity against the 24 OIE reference antigen strains of BTV and the 8 OIE reference antigen strains of EHDV. Alp8 had a neutralising antibody (NAb) titre of > 32 against BTV15. Alp9 did not cross react with any of the OIE BTV and EHDV strains. Six out of the remaining 22 alpacas on the farm had NAbs to a greater or lesser extend against Alp8 (BTV) and Alp9 (EHDV) viruses, which confirmed that the viruses were also present in other alpacas in the herd. Very few cases of EHDV in alpacas have ever been reported in literature. A small scale pilot vector susceptibility study showed that vector competence of C. imicola for both Alp8 and Alp9 was low, below 2 %. The fact that neutralising antibodies to Alp8 and Alp9 were detected in other alpacas in the herd raises the question as to whether there are other Culicoides species circulating in the area that could vector the viruses. In conclusion, the results from the serological and virological analyses as well as the nucleic acid sequence data of the genomes of two virus samples, Alp8 and Alp9, from an alpaca that died in the Montagu district in the western Cape identified Alp9 as a definite new serotype of EHDV and Alp8 as a possible new serotype of BTV most closely related to BTV15. / MSc (Biochemistry), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Introdução e objetivos: A infecção crônica pelo VHC é considerada um grave problema de saúde pública mundial. O perfil epidemiológico vem mudando desde 1992 com a obrigatoriedade da pesquisa sorológica em doadores de sangue. Atualmente o uso de drogas ilícitas injetáveis é o fator de risco mais importante. Em muitos casos o mecanismo de contaminação não é identificado sendo definido como forma esporádica. O presente trabalho avaliou aspectos demográficos e epidemiológicos de pacientes com infecção crônica pelo VHC, em acompanhamento no ambulatório de Hepatologia do Serviço de Gastroenterologia da Divisão de Clínica Médica II do Hospital das Clínicas da FMUSP. Pacientes e métodos: Foram entrevistados 700 de um total de 1.112 pacientes adultos, no período de outubro de 2001 a novembro de 2003 (49% homens, 51% mulheres). Após a assinatura do termo de consentimento esclarecido, todos os pacientes foram submetidos à entrevista com questionário elaborado para este estudo, abrangendo aspectos demográficos, fatores de risco e uso de bebida alcoólica. O diagnóstico da infecção pelo VHC foi realizado através de teste sorológico Elisa de terceira geração e pesquisa do RNA viral através da reação em cadeia da polimerase. A determinação do genótipo do VHC foi realizada em 540 amostras de soro através do sequenciamento da região 5\' UTR. A biópsia hepática foi analisada em 470 pacientes e estadiada segundo critérios das Sociedades Brasileiras de Patologia e Hepatologia. Resultados: Não houve diferença significante entre a média de idade de homens e mulheres (49 ± 12,2 anos e 51 ± 12,5, respectivamente). 60% cursaram até o ensino fundamental, 19,7% o ensino médio e 12,4% o superior. 1% dos pacientes tem ocupações ligadas ao setor primário da economia, 8% ao setor secundário e 52% ao setor terciário. 62% foram classificados como brancos e 67% como católicos. 60% referiram relacionamento estável monogâmico. Em 68,5% dos casos o diagnóstico foi estabelecido através de exames de rotina e em 19,4% durante doação de sangue. O principal fator de risco para infecção foi a realização de hemotransfusão antes de 1993 (46,4%). 10% dos pacientes referiram uso de drogas injetáveis e 3%, apresentavam ambos os fatores. Em 42% dos casos o mecanismo de infecção foi considerado como forma esporádica. O genótipo 1 foi responsável por 70% das infecções seguidas pelo genótipo 3 (25%). Grau leve de fibrose classificado como 0 ou 1 foi encontrado em 48,7% dos pacientes, estádio 2 em 18,5%, estádio 3 em 12,3% e estádio 4 (cirrose) em 20,4% dos casos. A análise multivariada mostrou que os fatores de risco para desenvolvimento de cirrose foram: uso de álcool(> 60g/dia, odds ratio 2.01), raça branca (odds ratio 2,2) e idade acima de 55,8 anos (odds ratio 2,2). Conclusões: A infecção crônica pelo VHC foi caracterizada por alta freqüência de formas esporádicas e predominância dos genótipos 1 e 3. Na maioria dos casos o diagnóstico da infecção foi realizado através de exames de rotina. Consumo de álcool acima de 60 g/dia, raça branca e idade acima de 55,8 anos foram fatores de risco para a progressão para a cirrose / Background and aims: Hepatitis C virus infection is considered a world-wide serious public health problem. Since 1992, the epidemiological profile of the infection has changed with the systematic serological testing in blood donors. Nowadays the use of illicit intravenous drugs remains one of the most important risk factor. Nevertheless, in a variable percentage of cases, the mechanisms of contamination can not be identified and those cases are referred as sporadic forms. The current work was aimed at evaluating the demographic and epidemiological profile of HCV infection in outpatients attending the Hepatology branch of the Division of Gastroenterology of University of São Paulo School of Medicine teaching hospital. Patients and methods: From October 2001 and November 2003, 700 out of 1.112 adult patients were enrolled in this study (49% men, 51% women). After the written informed consent was obtained, all patients were interviewed, using standardized questionnaire for collecting data about demographic data, risk factors and alcohol use. Routine serological testing for HCV was performed using third-generation ELISA assays and circulating HCV-RNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction. HCV genotyping was performed in 540 subjects by sequencing of the 5\' UTR region. Liver biopsy slides from 470 patients were available for the assessment of the degree of fibrosis, which was performed according to the criteria of the Brazilian Societies of Pathology and Hepatology Results: There was no significant difference between the mean age of men and women (49 ± 12.2 years and 51 ± 12.5, respectively). 60% had completed no more than basic education, 19.7% had finished high school and 12.4% had graduated from university. 1% worked in activities of the primary sector of economy, 8% in the secondary and 52% in the tertiary one. 62% were caucasian descendants. 67% were catholic. 70% were born in the Southeastern region of Brazil and 97% lived in the State of São Paulo. 60% declared to have a monogamic relationship in the last 6 months. In 68.5% the diagnosis of HCV infection was established by routine check-up tests and in 19.4% during blood donation. The major risk factor for HCV infection was blood transfusion before 1993 (46.4%). 10% of the patients were intravenous drug users, and 3% had both risk factors. In 42% of the cases, the mechanism of infection was considered sporadic. Genotype 1 was found in 70% of the cases, followed by genotype 3 (25%) and genotype 2 (2.7%). Liver fibrosis stage 0 or 1 was found in 48.7%, stage 2 in 18.5%, stage 3 in 12.3% and stage 4 (liver cirrhosis) in 20.4% of cases. Linear regression multivariate analysis showed that risk factors for developing liver cirrhosis were: alcohol abuse (> 60g/day, odds ratio 2.01), caucasian origin (OR 2.2) and age > 55.8 year old (OR 2.2). Conclusions: HCV infection profile in this cohort was characterized by a high frequency of sporadic forms and predominance of genotypes 1 and 3. The infection was diagnosed in most of the cases by routine check-up tests. Heavy alcohol use, caucasian origin and older age were risk factors for progression to cirrhosis

Die humorale Immunantwort eines Organismus auf ein Pathogen äußert sich in einer Veränderung des Antikörperrepertoires. Eine quantitative Untersuchung dieses Prozesses erfordert aufgrund der enormen Komplexität des Immunsystems, die Verwendung von Hochdurchsatztechniken, wie Peptid-Mikroarrays. Bisher gibt es nur wenige Studien, die die Verlässlichkeit von Mikroarray-Bindungsmessungen untersuchen. In dieser Arbeit werden Bewertungskriterien für die Qualität von Antikörper-Peptid-Bindungsstudien unter Verwendung der Peptid-Mikroarraytechnologie herausgearbeitet, mit dem Ziel, diese Hochdurchsatzmethode für qualitative und quantitative Antikörper-Peptid-Bindungsmessungen zu optimieren. Anhand eines Modellsystems, das aus dem monoklonalen anti-p24 (HIV-1) Antikörper CB4-1 und 26 verschiedenen Peptiden, die mit unterschiedlicher Affinität an CB4-1 binden, besteht, werden systematisch die Bindungsdissoziationskonstanten der jeweiligen Antikörper-Peptid-Komplexe mit den durch Peptid-Mikroarray-Bindungsmessungen erhaltenen Signalintensitäten verglichen. Darüber hinaus wird in dieser Arbeit die Messung von Serumantikörperbindungsprofilen gegenüber Zufallspeptidbibliotheken als Methode der serologischen Diagnostik verwendet. Anhand dreier Beispieldatensätze wird die serologische Diagnose von Infektionskrankheiten, Autoimmunkrankheiten und von Krebs mittels Zufallspeptid-Mikroarrays demonstriert. Mithilfe von Merkmalsselektion werden Peptide selektiert, die besonders geeignet sind, um zwischen gesunden und kranken Individuen zu unterscheiden. Besondere Bedeutung wird der Untersuchung der Robustheit der Methode gegenüber schwankenden experimentellen Bedingungen beigemessen. Die vorliegende Arbeit gibt Aufschluss über vorhandene Probleme der Mikroarray-Technologie, stellt Lösungsansätze vor und arbeitet bedeutende Weiterentwicklungen auf dem Weg hin zu einer minimal-invasiven serologischen Diagnostik heraus, die kein a priori Wissen über Antigene voraussetzt. / The humoral immune response to a pathogen is associated with specific changes in the antibody repertoire. Because of the enormous complexity of the immune system, a quantitative determination of this process requires high-throughput measuring tools, such as the peptide microarray technology. There are only few reports that determine the technological reliability of peptide microarray studies. By using a model system, composed of the anti-p24 (HIV-1) monoclonal antibody CB4-1 and an array of 26 different peptides for which the CB4-1 binding affinity has independently been measured, the dissociation constants of antibody-peptide complexes are systematically compared with obtained signal intensities. The assignment of serum-antibody binding profiles using random peptide microarrays for the purpose of serological diagnostics constitutes a major part of this work. By means of three sample data sets, the ability of random peptide microarrays to serve as method of serological diagnosing infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancer is demonstrated. By means of feature selection, the peptides that are exceptionally appropriate to discriminate between the investigated groups are identified. This study attaches special importance to the reliability and robustness of extracted microarray data. This thesis indicates present problems of the peptide microarray technology and presents further developments on the way to minimal-invasive serological diagnostics that do not require any a priori knowledge about antigens, and thus about the investigated diseases.

A determinação dos marcadores sorológicos P-ANCA (anticorpo perinuclear contra estruturas citoplasmáticas do neutrófilo) e ASCA (anticorpo anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae) auxilia de forma menos invasiva no diagnóstico da doença inflamatória intestinal (DII). O padrão de associação mais relacionado à retocolite ulceratica inespecífica (RCUI) ocorre com ASCA- (negativo) e P-ANCA + (positivo). Na doença de Crohn (DC) ocorre o contrário, ou seja, ASCA+ e P-ANCA-. O P-ANCA é determinado por imunofluorescência indireta usando neutrófilos fixados em etanol, e o ASCA através de ELISA. De forma geral, a prevalência do P-ANCA em pacientes com RCUI tem variado entre 50 e 80% e em pacientes com DC entre 10 e 30%. Controles sadios têm revelado prevalência menor que 4% e controles patológicos em torno de 8%. Alguns trabalhos mostraram ampla variação nos resultados, sugerindo além de variação genéticas, variações metodológicas de acordo com a população estudada. Foram realizadas análises no soro de 200 pacientes para pesquisa de P-ANCA e ASCA, sendo 98 com RCUI e 102 com DC. O grupo controle foi representado por 54 indivíduos sadios. Os pacientes com DII foram oriundos do ambulatório de Gastroenterologia ? Grupo de Intestino do Hospital das Clínicas Faculdade da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP). A prevalência encontrada do P-ANCA na RCUI, DC e grupo controle correspondeu a 61,2%, 16,7% e 5,6% respectivamente, enquanto que a do ASCA para a DC, RCUI e grupo controle correspondeu a 52,9%, 27,6% e 5,6% respectivamente. A sensibilidade e especificidade encontrada com o padrão ASCA+/P-ANCA- para DC foi de 45,1% e 89,% respectivamente, enquanto que para o padrão P-ANCA+/ASCA- para RCUI foi de 43,9% e 91,2% respectivamente. No que diz respeito às características clínicas e demográficas, nenhuma associação com a presença dos anticorpos foi estabelecida no presente estudo, exceto quando avaliado o uso de drogas imunossupressoras e infliximab em pacientes com DC e ASCA+ , a qual se mostrou aumentada (p=0,008). Assim sendo, a determinação dos anticorpos P-ANCA e ASCA na DII possui baixa sensibilidade, mas níveis elevados de especificidade como demonstrado em outros estudos publicados. A correlação dos anticorpos P-ANCA e ASCA com características clínicas ainda permanece controversa. / The determination of serologic markers P-ANCA (perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies) and ASCA (anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan antibodies) assists as non-invasive way on the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnosis. The most associated pattern to ulcerative colitis (UC) occurs with ASCA- (negative) and P-ANCA + (positive). In the Crohns disease (CD) is the opposite, that is, ASCA+ and P-ANCA-. Determination of P-ANCA is performed by an indirect immunofluorescence assay, using ethanol-fixed neutrophil slides and ASCA is measured by ELISA. Usually, the prevalence of P-ANCA in patients with UC has varied between 50 and 80% and in patients with CD between 10 and 30%. Healthy controls have disclosed lesser prevalence than 4% and pathological controls around 8%. Some studies had shown a wide variation in the results, suggesting both genetic and methodologic variations, according to the studied population. Serum samples were obtained from 200 patients for analysis of P-ANCA and ASCA, being 98 with UC and 102 with CD. The control group was represented by 54 healthy individuals. Patients with IBD were selected from the Department of Gastroenterology - Intestine Group of the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo (HCFMUSP). P-ANCA prevalence found in UC, CD and control group were 61,2%, 16,7% e 5,6%, respectively, but ASCA prevalence in UC, CD and control group were 52,9%, 27,6% e 5,6%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity achieved using ASCA+/P-ANCA- pattern for CD were 45,1% e 89,%, respectively, but P-ANCA+/ASCA- pattern for UC were 43,9% e 91,2% respectively. In this study, the current data did not support a relationship between the serological markers and clinical and demographic characteristics, except when evaluated the use of immunosuppresive drugs and infliximab in patients with CD and ASCA+, which were increased (p=0,008). Thus, the determination of antibodies P-ANCA and ASCA in the IBD gets low sensitivity, but high levels of especificity as demonstrated in other published reports. The correlation of antibodies P-ANCA and ASCA with clinical characteristics appears to be limited.

Orientador: Iveraldo dos Santos Dutra / Banca: Samir Issa Samara / Banca: Vera Cláudia Lorenzetti Magalhães Curci / Resumo: O carbúnculo sintomático é um problema sanitário mundial, responsável por elevados coeficientes de mortalidade em bovinos e ovinos. A imunização dos animais jovens, seguida de reforço anual até 2,5 anos de idade, é a principal medida profilática. Foram realizados três experimentos distintos com intuito de avaliar as respostas sorológicas de bovinos vacinados contra o carbúnculo sintomático, pelos testes de aglutinação em placa e Elisa, empregando-se como antígenos a cepa de referência (MT) e uma cepa de campo (SP). No primeiro experimento, os bezerros foram organizados em três grupos (G1, G2 e G3) e submetidos a três protocolos distintos de vacinação empregando-se uma vacina comercial polivalente contra clostridioses. O G1 foi primovacinado aos 4 meses de idade e recebeu o reforço na desmama (8 meses). O G2 recebeu a primeira dose na desmama e reforço 30 dias após. O G3 foi vacinado somente na desmama. As coletas de soro foram realizas aos 4, 8, 9 e 10 meses de idade dos bezerros. O G1 apresentou a melhor resposta sorológica em comparação aos outros dois protocolos. Quando a avaliação dos grupos foi realizada aos 10 meses de idade, independente do protocolo empregado, a resposta sorológica foi similar. No segundo experimento, foi avaliada a imunidade natural passiva de bezerros, filhos de vacas vacinadas até 30 dias antes do parto (2ª dose), empregando-se duas vacinas comercias polivalente contra clostridioses. As coletas de soro foram realizadas aos (±)7, 45 e 90 dias de idade dos bezerros. Independente das vacinas empregadas na imunização ativa das mães, a resposta sorológica passiva dos bezerros avaliados foi similar até os 3 meses de idade. Houve uma correlação linear da resposta sorológica passiva dos bezerros com a data de vacinação das mães e o dia do parto quando empregado o teste de Elisa. No terceiro experimento, as 30 vacas... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Black leg disease is one of the most important sanitary problem, responsible for high levels of mortality observed in bovines and ovines herds. The vaccination of young animals, followed by annual booter until 2,5 years-old, is the major preventive measure against outbreaks. Three distinct experiments were conducted to measure the vaccinal response from bovines. The vaccinal strains used were the reference MT and field Clostridium chauvoei isolated. Sera from vaccinated animals were tested by agglutination and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Elisa), both standardized for the present study. First experiment, calves were divided into three groups (G1, G2 and G3); and submitted to three vaccination schedule with a polyvalent vaccine. The G1 received first vaccine at 4 months of age and a subsequent booster after calving (8 month-old). The G2 received first vaccine dose after calving and booster at 30 days after. The G3 received only one vaccine dose at 8 months. The sera were colleted at 4, 8, 9 and 10 months for all groups studied. The G1 group showed the best serological response at 10 months of age in comparison to G2 e G3 and control. Moreover, at 10 months of age all groups presented similar levels of serological response. The second experiment, the natural immunity of calves, separated from their mothers vaccinated 30 days before calving with two polyvalent vaccines. The respective serum was colleted at (±) 7, 45 and 90 days of age. All calves presented similar serological response at 3 months of age, independent of vaccinal strain used. The third experiment, 30 heifers, Nelore race, aged above 4 years-old, without vaccination against black leg, were vaccinated with two Clostridium strains. When the SP strain was used the serological response was considered good in G3 (first experiment), second and third experiment for agglutination assay. To compare both techniques, agglutination... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Vem se verificando uma crescente preocupação por parte de diversos países e de órgãos internacionais de saúde e conservação animais quanto à necessidade de monitoramento da ocorrência e da distribuição de enfermidades infecciosas em populações de animais silvestres, devido ao potencial destas doenças de causarem impacto na dinâmica e conservação de espécies silvestres, na saúde dos animais domésticos e na saúde pública. A ocorrência de brucelose vem sendo relatada em diversas espécies de mamíferos marinhos, em vários centros de pesquisa no mundo, contudo, não há dados na literatura científica sobre a ocorrência desta infecção em mamíferos aquáticos fluviais brasileiros. Nos cetáceos, a brucelose é causada pela Brucella ceti, sendo associada a problemas reprodutivos, quadros de meningoencefalite e infecções em tecidos linfóides. Assim, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo pesquisar a ocorrência de infecção por Brucella spp. em botos-vermelhos de vida livre da Amazônia (Inia geoffrensis), procedentes da Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável de Mamirauá, Tefé, Amazonas, Brasil. A pesquisa foi realizada em animais de vida livre, de ambos os sexos e várias idades, sendo realizadas duas expedições para colheita de amostras, nos anos de 2010 e 2011. De cada animal foram coletadas amostras de sangue, leite e suabes genital, anal, nasal, oral e de eventuais lesões cutâneas apresentadas. Um total de 161 animais foi capturado. A detecção de anticorpos séricos anti-Brucella foi realizada utilizando-se as provas de soroaglutinação com antígeno acidificado tamponado (AAT), teste do 2-mercaptoetanol (2-ME) e o teste de polarização fluorescente (PF). As amostras de leite e de suabes foram submetidos ao cultivo microbiológico e à reação em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR) para detecção direta de Brucella spp. As colônias bacterianas que apresentaram características morfológicas compatíveis com Brucella spp. foram identificadas pela reação em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR), utilizando-se os primers específicos para detecção do gênero Brucella, direcionados ao DNA codificador da região interespaçadora do RNA ribossomal de Brucella (PCR-ITS). As amostras que apresentaram resultados positivos, foram caracterizadas quanto ao gene recA pela amplificação (PCR-recA) e posterior sequenciamento do produto amplificado. A PCR-ITS também foi empregada para o diagnóstico direto das infecções por Brucella spp. nas amostras de sangue, leite e suabes, as quais foram caracterizadas da mesma forma que as colônias bacterianas isoladas. As 67 amostras de soros colhidas apresentaram resultados negativos nos testes de AAT, PF e IDGA. Das 369 amostras submetidas ao cultivo microbiológico, duas amostras de suabe apresentaram características compatíveis com o gênero Brucella e resultados positivos pela PCR-ITS. Uma delas foi identificada como pertencendo à espécie Ochrobactrum intermedium. A segunda amostra não pôde ser caracterizada por não ter sido obtida em cultura pura. Das 118 amostras de sangue total analisadas pela PCR-ITS, seis (7,08%) apresentaram resultados positivos. Das 248 amostras de suabes analisadas pela PCR-ITS, uma (0,4%) apresentou resultado positivo. Das 29 amostras de leite analisadas pela PCR-ITS, cinco (17,24%) apresentaram resultados positivos. Considerando os 128 animais amostrados, 11 (8,59%) apresentaram resultado positivo pela PCR-ITS em pelo menos uma amostra testada. Das 12 amostras biológicas que apresentaram resultados positivos pela PCR-ITS e foram submetidas à PCR-recA, apenas duas apresentaram o produto amplificado no tamanho esperado. De acodo com a análise filogenética utilizada, uma delas apresentou similaridade aos microrganismos Cellulomonas fimi, Cellulomonas flavigena e Cellvibrio gilvus. A segunda amostra foi agrupada juntamente com as bactérias Propionicimonas paludicola, Micropruina glycogenica, Naumannella halotolerans e Propionibacterium propionicum com maior proximidade com a espécie P. propionicum. De acordo com os resultados apresentados, não foi evidenciada a ocorrência de infecções por Brucella spp. na população amostrada pelos métodos sorológicos e microbiológicos. Foi isolada uma estirpe de Ochrobactrum intermedium de um exemplar da espécie Inia geoffrensis, contudo, a importância sanitária destes resultados para esta espécie de boto não pôde ser determinada. / There is a growing concern among several countries and international institutions of animal health and conservation regarding the surveillance of infectious diseases in wildlife populations, because these infections may cause impact on the dynamics and conservation of wildlife species, as well as on the health of livestock and public health. Brucellosis has been reported in several species of marine mammals in various research centers worldwide. However, there is no data about the occurrence of brucellosis in aquatic mammals in Brazil. Brucellosis in cetacean is caused by Brucella ceti and has been associated to reproductive problems, meningoencephalitis and lymphoid tissues infections. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Brucella spp. infection in free living amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), from Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, in Tefé municipality, Amazonas State, Brazil. Samples were collected from free-living animals from both sexes and different ages during two expeditions, in 2010 and 2011. Samples of serum, whole blood and milk as well as genital, anal, nasal, oral and cutaneous lesions swabs were collected. One hundred and sixty one animals were samples. Serodiagnosis was performed using the acidified buffered antigen test (ABAT), the 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME) test and the fluorescent polarization assay (FPA). Milk and swabs samples were submitted to microbiological culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to the direct diagnosis of Brucella spp. Bacterial colonies showing morphologies compatible with Brucella spp. were tested by a PCR using specific primers directed to the 16S-23S interpace region of the ribosomal DNA of Brucella (ITS-PCR). Samples with positive results by ITS-PCR were amplified using primers specific to the gene recA (PCR-recA), and the amplicon was sequenced. ITSPCR was also used to diagnosis of Brucella spp. infections directly in samples of blood, milk and swabs which were characterized as the bacterial colonies. All 67 serum samples were negative in the three serological tests used. Eleven of the 128 (8.59%) animals showed positive results by ITS-PCR in at least one biological sample. Of the 369 samples tested by microbiological culture, two had positive results in ITS-PCR. Accroding to the characterization of recA gene, one of them was identified as Ochrobactrum intermedium and the other sample could not be characterized because it was not isolated in pure culture. Of the 118 whole blood samples, six (7.08%) were positive by ITS-PCR. Five of the 248 (17.24%) milk samples and one of the 248 (0.4%) swab samples were positive by ITS-PCR. Of the 12 psoitive samples by ITS-PCR, only two were amplified by the recA-PCR and sequenced. According to the phylogenetic analysis, one sample clustered with Cellulomonas fimi, Cellulomonas flavigena e Cellvibrio gilvus group showing major similarity with C. fimi. The other sample clustered with the bacteria Propionicimonas paludicola, Micropruina glycogenica, Naumannella halotolerans, being more similar to Propionibacterium propionicum. An Ochrobactrum intermedium strain was isolated from a dolphin, however, the sanitary importance of the detection could not be determined.

O trabalho teve por objetivo diagnosticar a infecção experimental e natural por Toxoplasma gondii em pombos (Columba livia), por técnicas sorológicas, biológicas e moleculares. Pombos foram infectados com oocistos esporulados de T. gondii e acompanhados por 60 dias com coleta de soro semanal para o acompanhamento da curva de anticorpos séricos e eutanásia quinzenal para avaliar a presença do parasito em diferentes tecidos. Observou-se concordância em todas as técnicas utilizadas, indicando serem eficazes no diagnóstico da infecção nessa espécie. Pombos de vida livre foram capturados nos municípios de São Paulo, Sorocaba e Ibiúna e anticorpos anti-T. gondii não foram observados. Nestas aves o bioensaio em camundongos foi realizado, independente da ausência de anticorpos e em nenhuma foi possível o isolamento do parasito. / The study aimed to diagnose the experimental and natural infection by Toxoplasma gondii in pigeons (Columba livia), by serological, biological and molecular techniques. Pigeons were infected with sporulated oocysts of T. gondii and monitored for 60 days with weekly serum collection for monitoring the curve of serum antibodies and euthanasia two weeks to assess the presence of parasites in different tissues. Agreement was observed in all the techniques used, indicating to be effective in the diagnosis of infection in this species. Free-living pigeons were captured in the municipalities of São Paulo, Sorocaba and Ibiúna and anti-T. gondii antibodies were not observed. In birds the bioassay was conducted in mice, regardless of the absence of antibodies and none was possible to isolate the parasite.

Alpacas were first introduced into South Africa during the year 2000. They are valuable because of the fine quality wool they produce which has much better insulation properties than that of merino wool fibres. Alpacas are also used to act as guards of sheep herds against predators. During 2008, blood samples from an alpaca that died acutely with severe lung oedema, respiratory distress and froth exuding from the nose were received at Elsenburg Veterinary Laboratory. The alpaca was from a herd of 23 alpacas of a British veterinarian in the Montagu district in the western Cape. Virus isolation attempts on the blood produced infrequent embryo mortalities. Embryonated chicken egg (ECE) material was send to the Virology Department at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI). A bluetongue virus (BTV) PCR performed at the diagnostic PCR laboratory at OVI on the ECE material was positive. Further intra-venous (IV) inoculations in ECE produced embryo mortalities on two consecutive days, the 8th and 9th November. The dead embryos were harvested separately and named and treated as two separate virus samples, Alp8 and Alp9 which were further passaged on baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. The BTV virus neutralisation tests (VNT) performed at the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) Laboratory on both Alp8 and Alp9 were negative. Because of the close serological relationship between BTV and epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), an EHDV VNT was also performed and was also negative. In the light of the negative VNT and the positive BTV PCR results, more in-depth molecular analyses were performed. RNA was purified from tissue culture material and agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) performed. Both Alp8 and Alp9 had a typical orbiviral electrophoretic profile, but their respective profiles were different. A sequence-independent reverse transcriptase PCR amplification method generated ample complementary DNA (cDNA) of both samples for sequencing. Sanger sequencing was used to partially sequence genome segments 5 (NS1) and 2 (VP2). BLAST analysis of the partial information of the genome segments 5 (NS1) of Alp8 confirmed it as being a BTV and Alp9 as being an EHDV. BLAST analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence generated of VP2 of both Alp8 and Alp9 established that these samples were possibly new serotypes of BTV and EHDV respectively. The complete genome of both Alp8 and Alp9 was sequenced with next generation 454 Pyrosequencing. This confirmed the partial sequencing results. BLAST analysis of the complete sequence of S2 (VP2) of Alp8 showed that it has 73 % nucleotide and 77 % deduced amino acid identity to BTV15. In contrast the nucleic acid sequence of genome segment S2 (VP2) of Alp9 had no nucleotide sequence identity to any virus, but its deduced amino acid sequence had 71 % amino acid identity to EHDV2. Hyper immune guinea pig (GP) serum prepared against the putative new BT (Alp8) and EHD (Alp9) virus serotypes were tested for serological cross-reactivity against the 24 OIE reference antigen strains of BTV and the 8 OIE reference antigen strains of EHDV. Alp8 had a neutralising antibody (NAb) titre of > 32 against BTV15. Alp9 did not cross react with any of the OIE BTV and EHDV strains. Six out of the remaining 22 alpacas on the farm had NAbs to a greater or lesser extend against Alp8 (BTV) and Alp9 (EHDV) viruses, which confirmed that the viruses were also present in other alpacas in the herd. Very few cases of EHDV in alpacas have ever been reported in literature. A small scale pilot vector susceptibility study showed that vector competence of C. imicola for both Alp8 and Alp9 was low, below 2 %. The fact that neutralising antibodies to Alp8 and Alp9 were detected in other alpacas in the herd raises the question as to whether there are other Culicoides species circulating in the area that could vector the viruses. In conclusion, the results from the serological and virological analyses as well as the nucleic acid sequence data of the genomes of two virus samples, Alp8 and Alp9, from an alpaca that died in the Montagu district in the western Cape identified Alp9 as a definite new serotype of EHDV and Alp8 as a possible new serotype of BTV most closely related to BTV15. / MSc (Biochemistry), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio (fiscina@bahia.fiocruz.br) on 2013-10-18T19:05:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Andréia Carvalho dos Santos. Diagnostico sorologico...2011.pdf: 1884519 bytes, checksum: 6aff70f55415c00ce177ca938c909c5e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-10-18T19:05:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Andréia Carvalho dos Santos. Diagnostico sorologico...2011.pdf: 1884519 bytes, checksum: 6aff70f55415c00ce177ca938c909c5e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / A confirmação da leptospirose utilizando o Teste de Aglutinação Microscópica (MAT) requer amostras da fase aguda e convalescente para identificar soroconversão ou aumento de quatro vezes nos títulos. A Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) recomenda que a coleta da amostra convalescente seja realizada ≥14 dias após a coleta da amostra aguda. No entanto, a dificuldade na coleta de amostras convalescentes impede a confirmação dos casos e é uma das principais causas para sub-notificação da leptospirose. Este estudo investigou a viabilidade da coleta de uma amostra de soro aguda tardia de casos internados com leptospirose e avaliou se a análise sorológica desta amostra pode melhorar a eficiência do protocolo de confirmação diagnóstica de leptospirose. De 2003 a 2009, uma vigilância hospitalar ativa em Salvador-Brasil, identificou prospectivamente pacientes hospitalizados com suspeita clínica da leptospirose. Três amostras de sangue foram coletadas para cada caso: uma amostra aguda precoce, uma amostra aguda tardia e uma amostra convalescente, coletadas respectivamente nas primeiras 24 horas após hospitalização, e 4 e ≥14 dias depois da coleta da primeira amostra. Os pacientes identificados tiveram o diagnóstico de leptospirose confirmado por soroconversão, aumento de quatro vezes de títulos, ou título único ≥1:800 no MAT. O desempenho diagnóstico do MAT e do ELISA IgM na avaliação combinada das amostras aguda precoce e aguda tardia foi comparado ao desempenho da avaliação das amostras aguda precoce e convalescente que segue a recomendação de testagem da OMS. Nós confirmamos 643 (68%) dos 938 casos suspeitos. A coleta de amostra convalescente foi possível para 63% dos pacientes confirmados, e 55% dos pacientes suspeitos. Em contraste, a amostra da fase aguda tardia foi coletada para 77% e 66% dos pacientes confirmados e suspeitos, respectivamente. Para os 302 casos confirmados que tiveram as três amostras de soro coletadas, a sensibilidade do MAT e do IgM-ELISA na análise das amostras aguda precoce e tardia foi de 97% (IC95%, 94-99%) e 96% (93-98%), respectivamente, em comparação aos resultados da análise das amostras aguda precoce e convalescente. Em contraste, considerando apenas as amostras agudas destes 302 pacientes, a sensibilidade do MAT e do IgM-ELISA foi de 44% (38-50%) e 75% (69-79%), respectivamente. Amostra aguda tardia e convalescente foi obtida dos casos suspeitos de leptospirose que evoluíram para óbito de 32% e 6%, respectivamente. Os resultados indicam que a coleta e o teste sorológico da amostra aguda tardia de pacientes hospitalizados por leptospirose é viável e melhora a eficiência dos atuais protocolos de confirmação laboratorial de casos de leptospirose. / Confirmation of leptospirosis with MAT requires evaluating acute and convalescent-phase sera samples to identify seroconversion or fourfold rise in titers. Current World Health Organization (WHO) protocols recommend that convalescent samples are collected with ≥14days after the acute sample collection. However, the difficulty in collecting convalescent samples hampers case confirmation and is a major cause for leptospirosis under-reporting. This study evaluated feasibility of collecting a late acute-sera sample from hospitalized cases of leptospirosis and determined to serological analysis of this sample can improve the efficiency of the protocol to confirm the diagnosis of leptospirosis. From 2003 to 2009, active hospital-based surveillance in Salvador-Brazil prospectively identified hospitalized cases of patients with clinical suspicion of leptospirosis. Three blood samples were collected for each case: an early acute sample, a sample of late acute and convalescent sample collected during the first 24 hours after hospitalization 4 and ≥ 14 days after the first sampling, respectively. The identified patients were diagnosed with leptospirosis by seroconversion, fourfold rise in titers, or a titer ≥1:800 in the MAT. The diagnostic performance of the MAT and IgM ELISA in the combined sample of early acute and late acute sample performance was compared to the early assessment of acute and convalescent samples following a WHO recommendation for testing. We confirmed the leptospirosis diagnosis in 643 (68%) of 938 suspected cases. Convalescent-phase samples were collected from 63% of the confirmed patients, but in only 55% of the suspected cases. In contrast, the late acute phase sample was collected for 77% and 66% of confirmed and suspected patients, respectively. Among the 302 confirmed cases which all three samples were obtained, the sensitivity of MAT and IgM-ELISA was 97% (IC95%, 94-99%) and 96% (93-98%), respectively, when results of early and late acute-phase samples were evaluated in comparison to the results of the early acute and convalescent samples. In contrast, the sensitivity of MAT and IgM-ELISA was 44% (38-50%) and 75% (69-79%), respectively, when only a single early acute-phase sample was evaluated. Late acute-phase and convalescent-phase samples were obtained from 32% and 6% of the suspected leptospirosis and deaths, respectively. These findings indicate that collection and serologic testing of a late-acute-phase sample among hospitalized patients with suspected leptospirosis may significantly increase the efficiency of protocols for laboratory case confirmation.

Submitted by Alexandre Sousa (alexandre.sousa@incqs.fiocruz.br) on 2014-08-01T13:26:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Claudia.pdf: 3475820 bytes, checksum: 6332703f9ff4576a262fa833bd645549 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-01T13:26:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Claudia.pdf: 3475820 bytes, checksum: 6332703f9ff4576a262fa833bd645549 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Bio-Manguinhos / A AIDS é um problema mundial de Saúde Pública. Com a necessidade de ampliar o acesso ao diagnóstico laboratorial da infecção causada pelo HIV, foi incentivado pelo Ministério da Saúde o desenvolvimento de testes de elevada sensibilidade e especificidade, além de baixo custo para uso em rotina, visando a detecção de anticorpos para o HIV no sangue humano. Esses testes sorológicos são instrumentos para auxiliar no diagnóstico clínico, na proteção do suprimento de sangue e no monitoramento da infecção pelo HIV. Bio-Manguinhos, Unidade Técnica da Fiocruz, voltada para o desenvolvimento e produção de imunobiológicos, biofármacos e reativos para diagnóstico, tem estimulado o estabelecimento de plataformas tecnológicas que permitam o desenvolvimento e a incorporação de novos produtos e processos para a Saúde Pública. Na presente avaliação, amostras de plasma de indivíduos soropositivos e negativos para a infecção pelo HIV e de doadores de sangue, além de um painel comercial de título misto para anticorpos contra o HIV, foram utilizadas na validação de reagentes e insumos disponíveis no mercado nacional em comparação aos importados, em uso, atualmente, na produção do tampão de corrida do Teste Rápido para Diagnóstico de HIV-1/2, de Bio-Manguinhos. O desempenho do tampão de corrida que compõe esse kit, formulado com insumos importados, frente ao tampão preparado com produtos encontrados no mercado nacional foi o mesmo, com relação à intensidade da linha teste e ao tempo da visualização da linha controle, a partir da adição da amostra e do referido tampão de corrida. No presente estudo foi verificado que não houve diferença estatística entre os reagentes analisados em um nível de significância de α=0,05. Além disso, todos os ensaios apresentaram percentuais de sensibilidade e especificidade de 100%, sugerindo que os reagentes nacionais podem ser utilizados em substituição aos importados, sem prejuízo no desempenho da reação imunológica inerente ao processo. Neste estudo não foram verificadas diferenças significativas no custo dos sete reagentes nacionais (Cloreto de sódio; Soro de Galinha; Sulfato de estreptomicina; Tween 20; EDTA Dissódico; Fosfato de Sódio Dibásico e EDTA Tetrassódico) avaliados frente aos importados. Sendo assim, de forma preliminar, podemos dizer que os reagentes nacionais apresentam o mesmo desempenho em relação aos importados, minimizando desta forma, os entraves burocráticos, permitindo maior agilidade no ato da compra e contribuindo para reduzir o período de espera da chegada do produto para o prosseguimento do processo produtivo do kit Teste Rápido por Bio-Manguinhos. / AIDS is a global problem of Public Health. With the need to expand access to the laboratory diagnosis of HIV infection it was encouraged by the Ministry of Health the development of tests of high sensitivity, specitivity and low cost for routine, in order to detect antibodies to HIV in human blood. These serological tests are important tools in clinical diagnosis, have in protecting the blood supply and in monitoring of HIV/AIDS. Bio-Manguinhos, a Technical Unit of Fiocruz on development and manufacturing of immunobiological, biopharmaceutical and reagents for diagnosis, have encouraged the establishment of technological platforms for the development and incorporation of new products and processes for Public Health. In the present study clinical samples from seropositive and nonreactive individuals for the HIV/AIDS infection and blood donors samples together with a mixed titer commercial panel were used in the validation of reagents and supplies obtained in internal market compared to those imported products currently used in the production of the running buffer of Rapid Test for Diagnosis of HIV – 1 / 2 Bio-Manguinhos. The performance of the running buffer of the kit, formulated with imported reagents in comparison with products found in the internal market was the same with respect to the intensity of the test line and to the time line view of control, from the moment of sample and the running buffer addition. In the study it was found that within a range of 95% there was no statistical difference between the reagents tested in α=0,05 significance level. Moreover, all the tests presented sensitivity and specificity percentages of 100% suggesting that the reagents obtained in the internal market may be used to replace imported ones without impairing performance of the immune response inherent to the process. In this study no significant differences in the cost of the seven reagents tested were observed (national or imported ones). Thus, in a preliminary way one can say that national reagents have the same performance in relation to those imported, thus minimizing the bureaucratic obstacles, allowing greater flexibility in the purchase and contributing to reduce the period for the arrival of the product the communication of the productive process Test Kit Rapid Bio-Manguinhos.