Atualmente muitas espécies nativas de pássaros são consideradas raras no Brasil, pois são capturadas de forma indiscriminada por traficantes de animais e são então comercializadas, fazendo com que sejam encontradas cada vez mais em menor quantidade em seus habitats naturais. Animais confiscados do tráfico têm sido submetidos a programas de soltura ou relocação, atentando-se para que os mesmos não representem risco à população nativa. Passeriformes silvestres, saudáveis ou doentes, podem carrear uma grande diversidade de microorganismos e, portanto, o conhecimento sobre o status sanitário de animais apreendidos do tráfico que serão submetidos a programas de soltura, permite uma avaliação quanto à possibilidade destes animais atuarem como portadores de agentes patogênicos bem como atua como elemento esclarecedor da epidemiologia de doenças transmissíveis, aspecto fundamental para a preservação da saúde animal e também humana. O presente estudo procurou avaliar a ocorrência e frequência de bactérias aeróbias e anaeróbias facultativas bem como de fungos em suabes obtidos de cloacas de passeriformes silvestres apreendidos do tráfico e que serão submetidos a programas de soltura. Foram realizados testes de suscetibilidade in vitro dos isolados de E. coli frente a diferentes antimicrobianos utilizando-se o método de disco difusão, bem como a pesquisa de diversos genes codificadores de fatores de virulência nos mesmos através reação em cadeia da polimerase. A maior parte dos passeriformes (62,5%) avaliados apresentou uma microbiota cloacal constituída por bactérias aeróbias e/ou anaeróbias facultativas e/ou fungos, sendo que os microorganismos mais frequentemente isolados foram Staphylococcus spp. (15,0%), Micrococcus spp. (11,5%), Escherichia coli (10,7%) e Klebsiella spp. (10,7%). Observou-se uma maior ocorrência de bactérias Gram positivas seguidas por bactérias Gram negativas e fungos. A frequência de bactérias Gram negativas (28,4% do total de amostras coletadas) foi bastante representativa. Foram isolados 14 gêneros de bactérias, 03 gêneros de leveduras e 04 de fungos filamentosos. As 27 estirpes de E.coli isoladas apresentaram multirresistência aos antimicrobianos, sendo que ampiclina e amoxicilina+ácido clavulânico foram os antimicrobianos frente os quais observou-se maior índice de resistência (100%) por parte dos isolados, enquanto que cloranfenicol foi o antimicrobiano frente o qual observou-se maior índice de sensibilidade (100%). Somente um dos isolados de E.coli foi positivo para presença do gene codificador de fímbria S (sfa), podendo ser compatível com perfil de E. coli patogênica aviária (APEC) ou E. coli uropatogênica (UPEC). Nenhum dos isolados apresentou características condizentes com E.coli enteropatogênica (EPEC). Considerando-se a reduzida ocorrência dos genes codificadores de fatores de virulência estudados pode-se concluir que os passeriformes apreendidos do tráfico representam baixo risco potencial no tocante à transmissão de estirpes de EPECs, APECs e UPECs para outros animais ou mesmo para o ser humano. Por outro lado deve-se considerar o risco potencial de transmissão intra ou interespécies de E. coli multirresistentes aos antimicrobianos bem como a introdução destes micro-organismos no ambiente. Os riscos de disseminação de Salmonella spp., Cryptococcus spp e Candida spp. são pouco prováveis quando considerados programas de soltura. / Currently, many native bird species are considered rare in Brazil, once they are indiscriminately captured by animal traffickers and then are sold, which makes them increasingly found in smaller quantities in their natural habitats. Confiscated animals have been submitted to relocation programs attempting to ensure that they do not pose a risk to the native population. Wild passerines, healthy or sick, may carry a wide variety of microorganisms and therefore, knowledge on health status of confiscated animals which will be relocated, allows an assessment as to whether these animals act as carriers of pathogens to native populations as well as clarifies the epidemiology of diseases, which is fundamental to the preservation of animal and human health. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and frequency of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria and fungi in cloacal swabs of wild confiscated passerines which will be submitted to relocation programs. In vitro susceptibility testing of E. coli strains to differet antimicrobials as well as an investigation of the presence of virulence genes in these isolates using the polymerase chain reaction were performed. Most of the animals investigated (62.5%) presented a cloacal microbiota composed by aerobic and/or facultative anaerobic bacteria and/or fungi. The microorganisms most frequently isolated were: Staphylococcus spp. (15.0%), Micrococcus spp. (11.5%), Escherichia coli (10.7%) and Klebsiella spp. (10.7%). The frequencies of isolations of Gram positives bacteria were higher (P <0.05) than those of Gram negatives and also higher (P <0.05) than fungi. The frequencies of isolations of Gram negatives bacteria (28.4% from the total of samples) were very representative. Fourteen genera of bacteria, 03 genera of yeasts and 04 of filamentous fungi were isolated. The occurrence of multidrug resistance was observed for 100% of the E. coli isolates. All ,E. coli strains were resistant to ampicillin and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid and were sensitive to chloramphenicol. One E.coli isolate was positive for the presence of the gene encoding S fimbriae (sfa), may be a strain profile compatible with UPEC or APEC. None of the E. coli isolates resembled EPEC. Considering the reduced occurrence of genes encoding virulence factors it was concluded that confiscated passerines represent low potential risk regarding the transmission of EPECs, APECs or UPECs strains to other animals or even humans. Furthermore, the potential risk of intra or interspecies transmission of E. coli multiresistant to antimicrobials must be considered as well as the introduction of these micro-organisms in the environment. The risks regarding dissemination of Salmonella spp., Cryptococcus spp and Candida spp. are unlikely when relocation programs are considered.

Submitted by Marco Antônio de Ramos Chagas (mchagas@ufv.br) on 2016-06-28T09:33:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 1338198 bytes, checksum: 5403979ea8250d61a6a0c78ac9f2e904 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-28T09:33:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 1338198 bytes, checksum: 5403979ea8250d61a6a0c78ac9f2e904 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-07-30 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Quando em alta densidade populacional, muitas bactérias são capazes de coordenar a expressão de genes via produção e recepção de sinais químicos, por meio de mecanismo denominado quorum sensing. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter mutantes HalI - das estirpes psicrotróficas isoladas do leite cru refrigerado, 068 e 071 de Hafnia alvei e 067 de Enterobacter cloacae. O gene halI codifica a sintase responsável pela produção de acil homoserina lactonas (AHLs) que são as moléculas sinalizadoras de quorum sensing em H. alvei e E. cloacae. Para obtenção dos mutantes, foi utilizado o vetor suicida pGP704, onde foi clonado o gene halI. Em seguida este gene foi interrompido com o gene que codifica a proteína gentamicina- 3-acetiltransferase, que confere resistência ao antibiótico gentamicina e o plasmídeo foi denominado pGP704halI068::Gm. A transformação das estirpes psicrotróficas com esse vetor resultou em transformantes resistentes a 25 μg mL -1 de gentamicina, mas que ainda produziam AHL, constatada por meio da indução da estirpe monitora de AHL, Chromobacterium violaceum CV 026. A inativação da expressão do gene halI no DNA cromossômico foi obtida após nova transformação desses transformantes com o vetor pUT::Tn5, pertencente ao mesmo grupo de compatibilidade de pGP704. O uso deste sistema de incompatibilidade propiciou a seleção de estirpes onde ocorreu a recombinação homóloga entre o gene halI interrompido pelo gene que confere resistência a gentamicina com o gene halI presente no DNA cromossômico. A confirmação da recombinação do gene halI inativado e clonado no plasmideo com o gene halI cromossômico, foi feita selecionando-se os transformantes em ágar Luria Bertani contendo 50 μg mL -1 de canamicina e gentamicina. Por ensaio de indução de C. violaceum CV026, foi confirmado que os transformantes resistentes a canamicina e gentamicina não induziram a produção do pigmento violaceína pela estirpe monitora. A inativação do gene halI no cromossoma torna essas estirpes ferramentas importantes para elucidação da regulação da expressão de genes pelo mecanismo de quorum sensing. / When population density is high, several bacteria are able to coordinate gene expression by production and reception of chemical signals by means of a mechanism called quorum sensing. The scope of this work was to produce HalI - mutants from psychotrophic bacterias found in fresh cooled milk, 068 and 071 of Hafnia alvei and 067 of Enterobacter cloacae. The halI gene encondes the synthase responsible for the production of acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) which are the signaling molecules of quorum sensing for H. alvei and E. cloacae. In order to produce the mutants, it was used the suicide vector pGP704, where the halI gene was cloned. After that, this gene was interrupted with a gene that encodes the protein gentamicin 3-acetyltransferase, responsible for giving resistance to the gentamicin antibiotic. This vector was called pGP704halI068::Gm. The transformation of psychotrophic strain with such vector resulted in transformants cells resistant to 25 μg mL -1 of gentamicin, but they would still produce AHL. AHL production was confirmed by the induction of the monitored strain of AHL, Chromobacterium violaceum CV 026. Expression inactivation of the hall gene in the chromosomic DNA was achieved after new transformation of former transformants with the pUT::Tn5 vector, which belong to the same compatible group of pGP704. The use of this system of incompatibility provided the selection of strain that showed homologous recombination between the hall gene interrupted by the gene that affords resistance to gentamicin and the hall gene of the present chromosomal DNA. Recombination assurance of the halI gene inactivated and cloned in the plasmidium with the halI chromosomic gene was done by selecting the transformants in Luria- Bertani agar containing 50 μg mL -1 of kanamicyn and gentamicin. By means of an induction trial of C. violaceum CV026, it was confirmed that the transformants resistant to kanamicyn and gentamicin did not induced the production of the violacein pigment by the strain being monitored. Inactivation of the halI gene in the chromosome makes these strains important tools for elucidating gene expression regulation by the quorum sensing mechanism. / Dissertação antiga

Atualmente muitas espécies nativas de pássaros são consideradas raras no Brasil, pois são capturadas de forma indiscriminada por traficantes de animais e são então comercializadas, fazendo com que sejam encontradas cada vez mais em menor quantidade em seus habitats naturais. Animais confiscados do tráfico têm sido submetidos a programas de soltura ou relocação, atentando-se para que os mesmos não representem risco à população nativa. Passeriformes silvestres, saudáveis ou doentes, podem carrear uma grande diversidade de microorganismos e, portanto, o conhecimento sobre o status sanitário de animais apreendidos do tráfico que serão submetidos a programas de soltura, permite uma avaliação quanto à possibilidade destes animais atuarem como portadores de agentes patogênicos bem como atua como elemento esclarecedor da epidemiologia de doenças transmissíveis, aspecto fundamental para a preservação da saúde animal e também humana. O presente estudo procurou avaliar a ocorrência e frequência de bactérias aeróbias e anaeróbias facultativas bem como de fungos em suabes obtidos de cloacas de passeriformes silvestres apreendidos do tráfico e que serão submetidos a programas de soltura. Foram realizados testes de suscetibilidade in vitro dos isolados de E. coli frente a diferentes antimicrobianos utilizando-se o método de disco difusão, bem como a pesquisa de diversos genes codificadores de fatores de virulência nos mesmos através reação em cadeia da polimerase. A maior parte dos passeriformes (62,5%) avaliados apresentou uma microbiota cloacal constituída por bactérias aeróbias e/ou anaeróbias facultativas e/ou fungos, sendo que os microorganismos mais frequentemente isolados foram Staphylococcus spp. (15,0%), Micrococcus spp. (11,5%), Escherichia coli (10,7%) e Klebsiella spp. (10,7%). Observou-se uma maior ocorrência de bactérias Gram positivas seguidas por bactérias Gram negativas e fungos. A frequência de bactérias Gram negativas (28,4% do total de amostras coletadas) foi bastante representativa. Foram isolados 14 gêneros de bactérias, 03 gêneros de leveduras e 04 de fungos filamentosos. As 27 estirpes de E.coli isoladas apresentaram multirresistência aos antimicrobianos, sendo que ampiclina e amoxicilina+ácido clavulânico foram os antimicrobianos frente os quais observou-se maior índice de resistência (100%) por parte dos isolados, enquanto que cloranfenicol foi o antimicrobiano frente o qual observou-se maior índice de sensibilidade (100%). Somente um dos isolados de E.coli foi positivo para presença do gene codificador de fímbria S (sfa), podendo ser compatível com perfil de E. coli patogênica aviária (APEC) ou E. coli uropatogênica (UPEC). Nenhum dos isolados apresentou características condizentes com E.coli enteropatogênica (EPEC). Considerando-se a reduzida ocorrência dos genes codificadores de fatores de virulência estudados pode-se concluir que os passeriformes apreendidos do tráfico representam baixo risco potencial no tocante à transmissão de estirpes de EPECs, APECs e UPECs para outros animais ou mesmo para o ser humano. Por outro lado deve-se considerar o risco potencial de transmissão intra ou interespécies de E. coli multirresistentes aos antimicrobianos bem como a introdução destes micro-organismos no ambiente. Os riscos de disseminação de Salmonella spp., Cryptococcus spp e Candida spp. são pouco prováveis quando considerados programas de soltura. / Currently, many native bird species are considered rare in Brazil, once they are indiscriminately captured by animal traffickers and then are sold, which makes them increasingly found in smaller quantities in their natural habitats. Confiscated animals have been submitted to relocation programs attempting to ensure that they do not pose a risk to the native population. Wild passerines, healthy or sick, may carry a wide variety of microorganisms and therefore, knowledge on health status of confiscated animals which will be relocated, allows an assessment as to whether these animals act as carriers of pathogens to native populations as well as clarifies the epidemiology of diseases, which is fundamental to the preservation of animal and human health. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and frequency of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria and fungi in cloacal swabs of wild confiscated passerines which will be submitted to relocation programs. In vitro susceptibility testing of E. coli strains to differet antimicrobials as well as an investigation of the presence of virulence genes in these isolates using the polymerase chain reaction were performed. Most of the animals investigated (62.5%) presented a cloacal microbiota composed by aerobic and/or facultative anaerobic bacteria and/or fungi. The microorganisms most frequently isolated were: Staphylococcus spp. (15.0%), Micrococcus spp. (11.5%), Escherichia coli (10.7%) and Klebsiella spp. (10.7%). The frequencies of isolations of Gram positives bacteria were higher (P <0.05) than those of Gram negatives and also higher (P <0.05) than fungi. The frequencies of isolations of Gram negatives bacteria (28.4% from the total of samples) were very representative. Fourteen genera of bacteria, 03 genera of yeasts and 04 of filamentous fungi were isolated. The occurrence of multidrug resistance was observed for 100% of the E. coli isolates. All ,E. coli strains were resistant to ampicillin and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid and were sensitive to chloramphenicol. One E.coli isolate was positive for the presence of the gene encoding S fimbriae (sfa), may be a strain profile compatible with UPEC or APEC. None of the E. coli isolates resembled EPEC. Considering the reduced occurrence of genes encoding virulence factors it was concluded that confiscated passerines represent low potential risk regarding the transmission of EPECs, APECs or UPECs strains to other animals or even humans. Furthermore, the potential risk of intra or interspecies transmission of E. coli multiresistant to antimicrobials must be considered as well as the introduction of these micro-organisms in the environment. The risks regarding dissemination of Salmonella spp., Cryptococcus spp and Candida spp. are unlikely when relocation programs are considered.

The fungal pathogen Candida albicans and the opportunistic bacterial pathogens Enterobacter aerogenes and Enterobacter cloacae are common sources of human disease. The colonization of proximal anatomical locations by these pathogens suggests that interspecies polymicrobial interactions between Candida albicans and Enterobacter species occur. In order to understand mechanisms of diseases caused by these pathogens and to further the study of disease prevention, analyzation of their combined activities was conducted in this study. Changes in fungal morphology, cellular viability, and colony density were investigated using fungal and bacterial co-cultures. The effects of the Candida secreted quorum sensing molecule farnesol on Enterobacter aerogenes and Enterobacter cloacae was studied to observe changes in Enterobacter viability and colony density. The effects of the presence of Enterobacter species on Candida albicans was studied by observing changes in Candida morphology and colony density. The mutant strain of Candida albicans AlS6-/- was also cultured with Enterobacter to determine if the presence of the ALS6 surface glycoprotein gene affected Candida viability and colony density in the presence of Enterobacter species. Statistically significant decreases were observed in all studied metrics between experimental and control groups. This indicated that the interactions observed between Candida albicans and Enterobacter species represent reciprocal inhibitions of cellular functionalities. As Candida albicans is the primary cause of human fungal infections and Enterobacter species are common causes of opportunistic infections, the study of polymicrobial interactions between Candida and Enterobacter species as conducted in this study is important to furthering efforts of human disease inhibition.

No description available.

Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are the leading cause of viral epidemic acute gastroenteritis and responsible for the deaths of over 200,000 children each year worldwide. HuNoV research has been hampered by the long absence of a readily reproducible cell culture system and a suitable small animal model, while gnotobiotic (Gn) pigs have been a unique animal model for understanding HuNoV pathogenesis and immunity, as well as evaluating vaccine and therapeutics. Recent reports of HuNoVs infection and replication in B cells supplemented with commensal bacteria Enterobacter cloacae and in Blab/c mice deficient in RAG/IL2RG have gained extensive attention, and my studies utilized the well-established Gn pig model to investigate the effects of these two interventions on HuNoV infection. Surprisingly, the colonization of E. cloacae inhibited HuNoV infectivity in Gn pigs, evidenced by the significantly reduced HuNoV shedding in feces and HuNoV titers in intestinal tissues and blood compared to control pigs. Moreover, HuNoV infection of enterocytes but not B cells was observed with or without E. cloacae colonization, indicating B cells were not a target cell type for HuNoV in Gn pigs. On the other hand, using RAG2/IL2RG deficient pigs generated by CRISPR/Cas9 system, with confirmed severe combined immunodeficiency, I evaluated the effects of host immune responses on HuNoV infection. Compared to wild-type Gn pigs, longer HuNoV shedding was observed in RAG2/IL2RG deficient pigs (16 versus 27 days), and higher HuNoV titers were detected in intestinal tissues and contents and in blood, indicating increased and prolonged HuNoV infection in RAG2/IL2RG deficient pigs. In addition, I evaluated dietary interventions including probiotics and rice bran using Gn pig model of HuNoV infection and diarrhea. While the colonization of probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) in Gn pigs completely inhibited HuNoV fecal shedding, the two cocktail regimens, in which rice bran feeding started either 7 days prior to or 1 day after viral inoculation in the LGG+EcN colonized Gn pigs, exhibited dramatic anti-HuNoV effects, including reduced incidence and shorter duration of diarrhea, as well as shorter duration of virus fecal shedding. The anti-HuNoV effects of the cocktail regimens were associated with the enhanced IFN-𝛾⁺ T cell responses, increased production of intestinal IgA and IgG, and longer villus length. Taken together, my dissertation work improves our understanding of HuNoV infection and immunity, and further supports for Gn pigs as a valuable model for future studies of human enteric virus infection, host immunity, and interventions. / Ph. D.