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Τα Gram αρνητικά βακτήρια είναι οι κύριοι αιτιολογικοί παράγοντες της περιοδοντικής νόσου, όπως τα βακτήρια Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinοbacillus actinomycetemcomitans και Bacteroides forsythus. Σκοπός της εργασίας είναι η μοριακή ανίχνευση και ταυτοποίηση των βακτηρίων αυτών, σε δείγματα ασθενών με περιοδοντίτιδα, μέσω εντοπισμού ειδικών αλληλουχιών του DNA του γονότυπου κάθε παθογόνου. Τα δείγματα συλλέγονται σε PBS και DNA παρασκευάζεται με το QIAmp Tissue kit (Qiagen). Η μοριακή ανάλυση γίνεται με PCR και multiplex PCR, με ένα εκκινητή ειδικό για κάθε βακτήριο και ένα κοινό για τα τρία βακτήρια, για ειδική αλληλουχία του γονιδίου 16S rRNA.Το αποτέλεσμα της PCR ελέγχεται με ηλεκτροφόρηση αγαρόζης 2%.Η ταυτοποίηση του προϊόντος της PCR γίνεται με κατάτμηση του γενετικού υλικού με ειδικά ένζυμα περιορισμού. Ο προσδιορισμός της ευαισθησίας της μεθόδου γίνεται με συνεχείς αραιώσεις του DNA για κάθε βακτήριο και PCR.Εξετάστηκαν 42 δείγματα οδοντικής πλάκας. Τα εξεταζόμενα παθογόνα βακτήρια ανιχνεύτηκαν σε 40 δείγματα, εκ των οποίων: 15 περιέχουν τη Porphyromonas gingivalis, 6 τον Actinοbacillus actinomycetemcomitans και 19 το Bacteroides forsythus. Σε 5 δείγματα συνυπάρχουν τα βακτήρια Porphyromonas gingivalis και Bacteroides forsythus, ενώ σε 4 η Porphyromonas gingivalis και ο Actinοbacillus actinomycetemcomitans. Η μεθοδολογία αυτή παρουσιάζει υψηλή ειδικότητα καθότι δεν ανιχνεύεται μη ειδικό προϊόν PCR και υψηλή ευαισθησία, με το χαμηλότερο όριο ανίχνευσης για το Porphyromonas gingivalis είναι 280 pgr/αντίδραση και για το Actinοbacillus actinomycetemcomitans, 120 pgr/αντίδραση. Η υψηλή αποτελεσματικότητα, ειδικότητα και ευαισθησία μεθόδου, σε συνδυασμό με τον μικρό χρόνο ανάλυσης, καθιστούν τη μοριακή ανίχνευση και ταυτοποίηση των περιοδοντικά παθογόνων βακτηρίων αποτελεσματικότερη, σε σχέση με τις συμβατικές μεθόδους. / Gram- bacteria are the main aetiological factors for periodontal disease(i.e.Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinοbacillus actinomycetemcomitans και Bacteroides forsythus). The aim of this study is the molecular identification of these bacterias in samples of patients with periodontal disease. The molecular analysis is performed with PCR and multiplex PCR.42 samples with dental plague were evaluated. The pathogenic bacterias were found in 40 of these samples. The great efficacy, sensitivity and speciality of the method make the molecular identification of the periodontal pathogenic bacteria more useful than the conventional methods.

Introdução: A rede lisossômica é um complexo de vias metabólicas que influenciam processos como degradação de organelas danificadas ou senescentes, processamento de antígenos, reutilização de aminoácidos essenciais e, em última instância, um sistema de fundamental importância para a fisiologia celular normal. Nesse contexto, os lisossomos possuem uma relevância muito grande, uma vez que é nessa organela que ocorre a destruição das moléculas envolvidas em todos os processos citados acima. Entre as unidades operacionais nos lisossomos estão as hidrolases lisossômicas, que são mais de 50 enzimas com capacidade, em ambiente ácido, de realizar a quebra de substratos específicos. A GlcNAc-fosfotransferase é um complexo hexamérico (J2K2L2) residente na porção cis do complexo de Golgi que realiza a adição de resíduos de manose-6- fosfato nas cadeias de oligossacarídeos das hidrolases lisossômicas. Com ação subsequente, a enzima descobridora realiza a remoção da manose, expõe os resíduos de fosfato e possibilita que as hidrolases sejam reconhecidas pelos receptores de manose-6- fosfato e direcionadas aos compartimentos lisossomais. As subunidades J e K da GlcNAc-fosfotransferase são codificadas pelo gene GNPTAB, localizado no cromossomo 12, constituído de 21 éxons, e a subunidade L pelo gene GNPTG, localizado no cromossomo 16, constituído de 11 éxons. Alterações patogênicas em GNPTAB podem causar as doenças Mucolipidose II ou III alfa/beta e alterações em GNPTG causam a doença Mucolipidose III gama. O defeito genético leva à atividade residual, ou nula, da enzima que acaba por gerar o extravasamento das hidrolases lisossômicas ao meio extracelular e o acúmulo de substratos nos lisossomos. Objetivos: (1) caracterizar as alterações patogênicas em GNPTAB em um grupo de pacientes brasileiros não relacionados com Mucolipidose II ou III alfa/beta, e (2) definir um protocolo de pesquisa molecular para os pacientes brasileiros. Metodologia: É um estudo transversal, com amostragem por conveniência, e inclui pacientes com diagnóstico clínico e bioquímico de Mucolipidose II ou III. Foi extraído DNA genômico dos pacientes a partir de sangue obtido por punção venosa periférica. O gene GNPTAB foi sequenciado através da técnica de Sanger. As alterações do tipo troca de sentido foram analisadas pelos programas de Bioinformática Polyphen2, Sift e Consurf, e as preditas como patogênicas foram pesquisadas em alelos controles brasileiros e analisadas por estudos funcionais, quando possível. A geração de construtos das alterações p.Ser385Leu e c.3503_3504delTC foi realizada por mutagênese sítio-dirigida e a atividade residual destes foi avaliada 24 horas após expressão em células HEK. Para a análise financeira, valores atuais de equipamentos, reagente de biologia molecular e materiais plásticos foram utilizados para estimar o custo de uma extração de DNA, reação de PCR, purificação com PEG8000 e sequenciamento. Resultados: Foram incluídos 13 pacientes (ML II= 8; ML III= 5) e, adicionalmente, de uma mãe de paciente com diagnóstico clínico e bioquímico de ML II. A análise molecular identificou seis alterações patogênicas novas, as c.831delT, c.1763insA, c.1927delAATT, p.Ser385Leu, p.(Asp76Gly) e p.Try1111*. A análise de bioinformática das alterações do tipo troca de sentido as caracterizaram como prejudiciais para a função da proteína e os resíduos 76 e 385 como estrutural e funcional, respectivamente, além de ambos como altamente conservados entre as espécies. A análise funcional dos mutantes p.Ser385Leu e c.3503_3504delTC identificaram atividades residuais de 1,5% e nula, respectivamente. Também foram identificadas outras seis alterações patogênicas previamente descritas. A alteração c.3503_3504delTC foi a que apresentou a maior frequência (40%, n= 10/25 alelos), seguido pela p.Ile403The (12%, n=3/25 alelos). Quanto às relações genótipo-fenótipo, sete pacientes com ML II possuem genótipos combinados de alterações do tipo mudança de fase de leitura e sem sentido, enquanto que os cincos pacientes com ML III alfa/beta apresentam pelo menos uma alteração do tipo troca de sentido, o que evidencia a relação entre alterações que impactam a funcionalidade da proteína e fenótipos mais graves. A análise retrospectiva definiu o protocolo 1.0 que finalizaria o diagnóstico com um custo médio de R$ 338,45, em uma amostra de 25 pacientes. A análise prospectiva do protocolo 2.0, sobre a mesma amostra de pacientes, indicou que o mesmo finalizaria o diagnóstico com o custo médio de R$ 299,80, uma economia de 25%. Discussão/Conclusão: As novas alterações patogênicas descritas nesse trabalho confirmam a alta heterogeneidade alélica do gene GNPTAB. A análise funcional da alteração p.Ser385Leu confirma sua patogenicidade, que está de acordo com o fenótipo ML II do paciente, e evidencia a necessidade de mais estudos a fim de constatar o motivo desse resíduo ser importante para a proteína. A síntese dos protocolos demonstrou ser uma estratégia interessante e economicamente importante, uma vez que diminui os gastos envolvidos para finalizar o diagnóstico molecular. / Introduction: The lysosomal network is a complex of metabolic ways that influence processes like damaged or senescent organelles degradation, antigen processing, essential amino acid reutilization, and, in the last instance, it is important for normal cell physiology. In this context, lysosomes have a great relevance since it is in this organelle that the destruction of the molecules involved in all the processes mentioned above occurs. The operational units in the lysosomes are the lysosomal hydrolases that are more than 50 enzymes with capacity, in an acid environment, to breakdown specific substrates. GlcNAc-phosphotransferase is a hexameric complex (J2K2L2) located in the cis portion of the Golgi complex that performs the addition of mannose-6-phosphate residues in oligosaccharides chains on lysosomal hydrolases. In a subsequent way, the uncovering enzyme removes the mannose residues, exposes the phosphate residues, and enables the recognition of hydrolases by mannose-6-phosphate receptors. The J and K subunits are codified by GNPTAB gene, which is located in chromosome 12 and consists of 21 exons, and the L subunit, encoded by GNPTG gene, that is located in chromosome 16 and consists of 11 exons. The consequences of pathogenic alterations in GNPTAB are Mucolipidosis II or III alpha/beta diseases and alterations in the GNPTG are Mucolipidosis III gamma disease. The genetic defect leads to residual or absent activity of enzyme which ultimately generates an overflow of lysosomal hydrolases to the extracellular environment and accumulation of substrates in lysosomes. Objectives: (1) to characterize, by sequencing of the GNPTAB gene, the pathogenic alterations in a group of unrelated Brazilian patients with Mucolipidosis II or III alpha/beta, and (2) to define a molecular research protocol for Brazilian patients. Methodology: It is a crosssectional study with convenience sampling, and it includes patients with biochemical and clinical diagnosis of Mucolipidosis II or III. The DNA was amplified by PCR technique and sequencing by Sanger technique. All patients in the present study had all exons amplified. The missense alterations were analyzed by Polyphen2, Sift, and ConSurf softwares, and the alterations predicted as pathogenic were studied through research in Brazilian control alleles. The p.Ser385Leu and c.3503_3504delTC were evaluated by site-direct mutagenesis and the residual activity was evaluated 24 hours after expression in HEK cells, through radioactive assays. For cost-price analysis, current values for equipment, molecular biology reagents, and plastic materials were utilized to estimate the cost of DNA extraction, PCR reaction, PEG8000 purification, and sequencing. Results: Of the 13 patients, 8 were clinically diagnosed with Mucolipidosis II and 5 with Mucolipidosis III alpha/beta and, additionally, a mother of one patient with biochemical and clinical diagnosis of Mucolipidosis II was also analyzed. The DNA analysis identified six novel pathogenic alterations in GNPTAB: c.831delT, c.1763insA, c.1927delAATT, p.Ser385Leu, p.(Asp76Gly), and p.Tyr1111*. The bioinformatics analysis of missense alterations were characterized as damaging for protein function, and residues 76 and 385 as structural and functional, respectively, and both as highly conserved among the species. The functional analysis of mutants p.Ser385Leu and c.3503_3504delTC showed the residual activity of GlcNAcphosphotransferase of 1.5% and 0%, respectively. Six others pathogenic alterations previously described were also identified. The alteration c.3503_3504delTC showed the highest frequency (40%, n=10/25 alleles) followed by p.Ile403The (12%, n=3/25 alleles). The retrospective analysis defined the 1.0 protocol that finalized the molecular diagnosis at the cost of R$ 338,45 per sample, in a group of 25 patients. The prospective analysis of 2.0 protocol, in the same patients, indicated that it would finalize diagnosis at the cost of R$ 299,80 per sample, a saving of 25%. Discussion/Conclusion: The novel pathogenic alterations described confirm the high allelic heterogeneity of GNPTAB gene. In the genotype-phenotype relationship, 7 patients with Mucolipidosis II have combined genotype of frameshift or nonsense alterations, or both, and 5 Mucolipidosis III alpha/beta patients have at least one missense alteration, that shows the correlation between alterations that cause impact on the protein function and severe phenotype. The functional analysis of alteration p.Ser385Leu confirms its pathogenicity and makes evident the need of more studies in order to determine the reason this residue is so important for protein function. Protocol synthesis proves to be an interesting and economically important strategy, once it decreases costs to conclude the molecular diagnosis.

La tuberculose (TB) est un problème de santé mondiale majeur à l’origine de 10.4 millions de nouveaux cas et 1.8 millions de morts en 2015 selon l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS). Cette maladie est causée par la bactérie Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) qui infecte principalement les poumons et se transmet par l'inhalation d’aérosols contaminés.Le traitement de TB nécessite la prise quotidienne d’antibiotiques pendant 6 mois, dont une mauvaise utilisation peut être à l’origine de l’apparition de souches Mtb multi-résistantes.La nouvelle stratégie de l’OMS, “End TB”, vise à réduire de 90% l’incidence de TB d'ici 2035. Pour y parvenir, il est important de définir de nouvelles approches pour réduire la durée et la toxicité des traitements et améliorer leur efficacité vis-à-vis des bactéries actives et latentes.L’approche abordée lors de ma thèse vise à utiliser des nanoparticules (NP) pour développer de nouvelles thérapies anti-TB. La bibliographie sur le sujet montre que cela pourrait être une stratégie prometteuse. Nous avons par conséquent étudié quatre applications potentielles des NP:1-Vectorisation des médicaments pour les administrer au niveau pulmonaire. L’éthionamide (ETH) est un antibiotique utilisé pour le traitement de TB avec des effets secondaires indésirables. L’ETH est une «pro-drogue» qui nécessite une activation par une monooxygenase bactérienne, dont l’efficacité peut être elle-même augmentée par des molécules chimiques appelées “booster”. Nous avons étudié l’effet de l’ETH et de booster co-encapsulés dans des NP de poly-β-cyclodextrine (pCD) pour le traitement de TB. Nous avons d’abord évalué leur efficacité in vitro sur la croissance extracellulaire et intracellulaire (dans les macrophages) de Mtb grâce à l'utilisation d'un système automatisé de microscopie confocale à haut contenu. Dans les deux essais, nous avons constaté que les médicaments conservaient leur activité après encapsulation et que les NP n'étaient pas cytotoxiques. L’efficacité de ces NP a ensuite été étudiée in vivo chez des souris infectées avec Mtb. La suspension de NP a été délivrée sous forme d’aérosols directement dans les poumons par voie endotrachéale à l’aide d’un Microsprayer Aerosolizer. Une réduction significative de la charge bactérienne dans les poumons de 3 log a été observée après 6 administrations de doses inférieures à celles thérapeutiques.2-Amélioration de la solubilité et biodisponibilité des antibiotiques. La Clofazimine (CLZ) est un antibiotique utilisé dans le traitement de la lèpre et pourrait être, au regard de son efficacité in vitro sur les souches de Mtb multi-résistantes, un candidat potentiel pour celui de TB. La CLZ est extrêmement lipophile, gênant ainsi sa solubilité. Dans notre étude, son encapsulation dans des particules de silice nanoporeuses a stabilisé l'état amorphe de la CLZ et a augmenté radicalement sa solubilité. Après encapsulation ou solubilisation dans le DMSO, la CLZ a d’autre part montré une activité antibactérienne similaire sur Mtb.3-Stabilisation des antibiotiques. La Vancomycine (VAN) est utilisée pour des applications cliniques comme alternative de la pénicilline dans le traitement de Staphylococcus aureus et pourrait être utilisée pour celui de TB. Alors que la VAN présente une faible stabilité dans les milieux biologiques, nous avons montré que l'encapsulation de cet antibiotique à l'intérieur de NP à base de PLGA a amélioré son efficacité tant sur les bactéries Mtb extracellulaires qu’intracellulaires.4-Activité antimycobacterial Intrinsèque de NP. Différentes NP (60 pCD, 1 NanoMOF et 1 NP en argent) ont été évaluées in vitro. Aucune n'a présenté d'activité antituberculeuse intrinsèque prometteuse.En conclusion et au regard des options thérapeutiques limitées pour combattre les souches résistantes et de la rareté de solutions innovantes dans le pipeline de découverte de médicament, ces travaux ont montré que les NP pouvaient constituer une approche anti-TB originale. / Tuberculosis (TB) is a major problem of global health, responsible for 10.4 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths in 2015 according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This disease is caused by inhalation of small aerosol droplets containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and lungs are usually the major site of infection.TB can usually be treated with a daily six months course of standard, or first-line, anti-TB drugs. If first-line drugs are misused, the onset of multidrug-resistant Mtb can occur.The new WHO global public health strategy “End TB” aims at the reduction of TB incidence 90% by 2035. To reach these ambitious targets, new approaches are urgently needed to get a faster, less harmful and more-efficient treatment for active and latent TB.My thesis focused on the use of nanoparticles (NPs) to develop new anti-TB therapies. Our review of the literature showed that it could be a promising approach. Here, we investigated four potential uses of the NPs.1- Nanocarrier for pulmonary delivery of drugs. Ethionamide (ETH) is a second line antibiotic with high toxicity and several adverse side effects. ETH is a prodrug that requires bioactivation by a bacterial monooxygenase, which can be enhanced by chemical molecules named “boosters”. We investigated the simultaneous delivery of ETH and boosters coencapsulated in biodegradable poly-β-cyclodextrin (pCD) based NPs by the pulmonary route for the treatment of TB. First, we evaluated the in vitro efficacy of the designed formulations on Mtb extracellular growth and intracellular growth inside macrophages using an automated confocal high-content microscopy system. And we found for both assays that the drugs maintained their activity after encapsulation and the pCD were not cytotoxic. Given these promising results, their efficacy was then tested in vivo. The NPs suspension, administered directly into mouse lungs by endotracheal way using a Microsprayer® aerosolizer, was proved to be well-tolerated and led to a 3-log decrease of the pulmonary mycobacterial load after 6 administrations and using lower doses than the therapeutic ones.2- Enhancement of the solubility and the bioavailability of antibiotics. Clofazimine (CLZ) is an antibiotic usually used in a combination therapy for the treatment of leprosy and could be a potential candidate for the treatment of TB because of its in vitro efficacy on resistant Mtb strains. CLZ is extremely lipophilic and has important solubility problem. In our study, its encapsulation in nanoporous silica particles stabilized the amorphous state of CLZ and dramatically increased the drug solubility. On the other hand, CLZ encapsulated in nanoporous silica particles or efficiently dissolved in DMSO showed a similar antibacterial activity on Mtb, validating the assessment of solubility of CLZ by encapsulation.3- Improvement of the antibiotic stabilization. Vancomycin (VAN) is used for clinical applications for nearly 50 years as a penicillin alternative to treat penicillinase-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus. VAN can be used for TB treatment as a repurpose. While VAN presented low stability in biological media at 37°C, we showed that the encapsulation of this antibiotic inside PLGA-based NPs enhanced its efficacy both on extracellular and intracellular bacteria.4- Intrinsic antimycobacterial activity of NPs. Different NPs (60 pCD, 1 NanoMOF, and 1 silver NP) were tested in vitro but none presented promising intrinsic antitubercular activity. However some pCD were slightly active in vitro on extracellular Mtb but cytotoxic.In conclusion, these works demonstrated that nanoparticles can provide a novel anti-TB approach regarding the limited therapeutic options to fight drug-resistant Mtb and the scarcity of novel antituberculosis drugs in the drug discovery pipeline.

Orientador: Margarete Teresa Gottardo de Almeida / Coorientador: / Banca: Ana Marisa Fusco Almeida / Banca: Debora Aparecida Pires de Campos Zuccari / Resumo: Os homens e animais possuem uma relação milenar, em que o grupo das aves, em especial, é utilizado amplamente para diversas finalidades, tais como alimentação e companhia. As aves são retratadas como disseminadoras de patógenos ao ambiente, entretanto, o conhecimento a respeito deste papel a determinadas espécies aviárias, intimamente correlacionadas ao ser humano, são um tanto escassos. O presente trabalho teve como objetivos isolar, identificar e caracterizar o fenótipo e o genótipo de leveduras obtidas de fezes de cinco aves de cativeiro: galinha (Gallus gallus domesticus), Pássaro-do-amor (Agapornis spp), Periquito-australiano (Melopsittacus undulatus) calopsita (Nymphicus hollandicus) e canário (Serinus canaria domesticus). Para tanto, foram avaliadas 247 amostras de fezes destas cinco espécies aviárias, provenientes de sete cidades localizadas na região noroeste do estado de São Paulo, Sul de Minas Gerais e sudoeste do Mato Grosso do Sul. A coleta foi realizada com auxílio de espátulas estéreis. O material foi semeado em ágar Sabouraud dextrose e ágar semente de Níger, como titulações. A identificação das espécies baseou-se nas características macro e micromorfólogicas, e bioquímicas. Ademais, todos os isolados identificados, foram submetidos ao teste de antifungigrama por disco-difusão (CLSI, documento M44-A), frente a anfotericina B, cetoconazol, fluconazol e itraconazol. Aqueles que apresentavam padrões de suscetibilidade dose-dependente ou resistente, foram submetidos ao teste de microdiluição em caldo (CLSI, documento M27-A3). A ocorrência de leveduras se deu em 89% das amostras, variando de 77,5% a 94,0% independente da ave estudada. Foram obtidos 318 isolados, pertencentes a 29 espécies diferentes. O gênero prevalente foi Candida com 183 isolados (57,5%), seguido de Cryptococcus com 45 (14,2%), Rhodotorula com 38 (11,9%) e Trichosporon com 36 (11,3%); os demais gêneros totalizaram 16 isolados... / Abstract: Men and animals have an age-old relationship, where the group of birds, in particular, is widely used for various purposes, such as food and company.Men and animals have an age-old relationship, where the group of birds in particular is widely used for various purposes, such as food and company. The birds are portrayed as disseminators of pathogens to the environment, however, knowledge about this role certain avian species, closely correlated to humans, are somewhat scarce. This study aimed to isolate, identify and characterize the phenotype and the genotype obtained yeast stool five captive birds: chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), Love bird (Agapornis spp), Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) and canary (Serinus canaria domesticus). Therefore, we evaluated 247 stool samples of these five avian species from seven cities located in the northwest from State of São Paulo, southern of Minas Gerais and southwestern Mato Grosso do Sul. The collection was performed using sterile spatulas. The material was seeded in Sabouraud dextrose agar and seed Niger agar, with titrations. The identification of species was based on biochemical and macro and micromorphological characteristics. In addition, all isolates identified were submitted to antifungal susceptibility testing by disk diffusion (CLSI, M44-A), compared to amphotericin B, ketoconazole, fluaconazole and itraconazole. The occurrence of yeasts occurred in 89% of samples, ranging from 77.5% to 94.0% of the studied independently bird. There were obtained 318 isolates belonging to 29 different species. There were obtained 318 isolates belonging to 29 different species. The prevalent genus isolated was Candida with 183 (57.5%), followed by Cryptococcus with 45 (14.2%), Rhodotorula with 38 (11.9%) and Trichosporon with 36 (11.3%); other genres totaled 16 isolates (5.0%). Note that, in the number of fungal species isolated, C. albicans, C. guilliermondii, C. ... / Mestre

Rainbow trout represents the most prominent species in freshwater farming in UK aquaculture. One of the common diseases constraining rainbow trout production and increasingly causing problems in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) hatcheries worldwide is rainbow trout fry syndrome (RTFS) or bacterial cold water disease (BCWD). During the last 20 years, the development of a commercial vaccine against RTFS has been hindered by the prevalence of a wide range of the fish pathogen F. psychrophilum, thus the current treatment of choice is the use of antibiotics. Studies involved in understanding the innate and adaptive immune response of vaccinated rainbow trout fry using inactivated whole cell are still lacking. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to characterise the strain diversity and antibiotic susceptibility of UK F. psychrophilum isolates, evaluate the efficacy of a whole-cell formalin-killed polyvalent vaccine, which was developed based on the characterisation results of this study, and investigate the immune response in trout fry following the immersion vaccination via the changes in expression of relevant immune genes. A total of 315 F. psychrophilum isolates, 293 of which were collected within the UK, were characterised using four genotyping methods and a serotyping scheme. A high strain diversity was identified among the isolates with 54 pulsotypes, ten (GTG)5-PCR types, two 16S rRNA allele lineages, seven plasmid profiles and three serotypes. The predominant profile observed within the F. psychrophilum isolates examined was PFGE cluster II – (GTG)5-PCR type r1 – 16S rRNA lineage II – serotype Th (n= 70/156, 45%). The characterisation results not only revealed the wide distribution within the UK and the persistence within a site of predominant pulsotypes, but also the presence of unique genotypes in certain sites or countries. Co-existence of genetically and serologically heterogeneous isolates within each farm was detected, highlighting the reasons this disease is so difficult to control, especially by vaccination. The occurrence over time of F. psychrophilum pulsotypes within a site could provide important epidemiological data for farm management and the development of site-specific vaccines. The antimicrobial susceptibilities of 140 F. psychrophilum strains, 125 of which were from the UK, were evaluated by the broth microdilution (MIC) and disc diffusion methods. There was evidence of reduced susceptibilities to three of the main antimicrobials used in UK aquaculture. Broth microdilution testing showed that only 12% of 118 UK isolates tested were WT to oxolinic acid (MIC COWT 0.25 mg L-1), 42% were WT for oxytetracycline (MIC COWT 0.25 mg L-1), and 66% were WT for amoxicillin. In contrast, all the isolates tested were WT (MIC COWT 2 mg L-1) for florfenicol, the antimicrobial of choice for RTFS control in the UK. Despite the imprecision of disc diffusion-based COWT values due to high standard deviations, there was a high categorical agreement between the classification of the strains (into WT or NWT) by MIC and disc diffusion methods for florfenicol (100%), oxolinic acid (99%), amoxicillin (97%) and oxytetracycline (94%). In general, this study showed that the UK F. psychrophilum isolates examined remain susceptible to florfenicol and also stresses the importance of performing susceptibility testing using standardised methods and COWT values. Several statistically significant associations between genotypes and the reduced susceptibilities of F. psychrophilum strains were revealed. A whole-cell formalin killed polyvalent vaccine against RTFS/BCWD was developed by combining three genetically and serologically divergent strains, recently collected from UK farms. The efficacy of this polyvalent vaccine was evaluated after immersion vaccination in 5 g trout and bath challenge using hydrogen peroxide as a pre-stressor with a virulent heterologous isolate of F. psychrophilum strain. Significant protection was achieved with an RPS of 84%. The combination of exposure to hydrogen peroxide prior to bath challenge may be an alternative to an injection challenge with 12 g trout, although further standardisation and optimisation of the challenge model is required. Changes in the innate immune response of trout fry following the initial vaccination included the up-regulation of the interleukin 1 β (IL-1β) gene in head kidney at 4 h and the up-regulation of toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2) in skin at day 2. While the expression levels of C3 was unchanged, the down regulation of CD8-α in head kidney and spleen and CD4-1 in spleen were documented. IgM and IgT transcripts were found to be up-regulated in hind-gut two days post-vaccination. Understanding the strain diversity and the antibiotic susceptibility of UK F. psychrophilum isolates could help improve the control strategies, such as preventing the spreading of pathogenic F. psychrophilum clones between fish farms, reducing the use of antibiotics in RTFS/BCWD treatment and monitoring the development of acquired antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Moreover, strain characterisation data of UK F. psychrophilum species has assisted in selecting suitable candidates for developing an effective RTFS vaccine.

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium predominantly found on human skin and in nasal passages with 20 to 40 percent of the population carrying this organism. Although S. aureus is an unspectacular, non-motile coccoid bacterium, it is a perilous human pathogen associated with both nosocomial and community-acquired infections and it is increasingly becoming virulent and resistant to most antibiotics. It is responsible for several infections such as osteomyelitis, toxin-mediated diseases and bacteraemia, with severe infections arising from strains harbouring antibiotic resistance genes together with virulence genes. S. aureus has been largely confined to hospitals and long-term care facilities, but it is now emerging in the community in places such as recreational beach waters, and occurring in healthy individuals with no associated risk factors. This organism has been reported to be released by swimmers in beaches, suggesting that recreational waters are a potential source of community-acquired S. aureus infections. It is possibly the pathogen of greatest concern due to its intrinsic virulence, its capacity to cause various life-threatening infections, and its ability to adapt to varying environmental conditions. This study was aimed at characterizing S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in Port Elizabeth, Port Alfred, Kenton-on-sea and East London beaches of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This was done by investigating the occurrence, antibiotic susceptibilities, antibiotic-resistant genes and virulence genes profiles of S. aureus in the selected beaches. To achieve this aim, 249 beach sand and water samples were obtained from the beaches during the period of April 2015 to April 2016. Physico-chemical parameters of beach water was investigated on site using a multi-parameter ion specific meter during sample collection. Samples were filtered and inoculated on m-Endo agar, m-FC agar and bile aesculin azide agar for total and faecal coliform as well as Enterococci respectively. For isolation of S. aureus and MRSA, samples were cultured on Mannitol salt agar and Staph 24 agar. S. aureus was identified using morphological, Gram staining and molecular (PCR) methods. The isolates were further characterized by determining their antimicrobial resistance profiles, antibiotic resistant genes (mecA, rpoB, blaZ, ermB and tetK genes) and detection of virulent genes encoding intracellular adhesion (icaA), enterotoxin (seaA) and cytolytic toxins (PVL). The majority of study sites passed the directives of physico-chemical standards levels set by WHO during the study period. A total of 143 presumptive isolates were obtained of which 30 (30 percent) were confirmed as S. aureus with 22 (73.3 percent) of these confirmed isolates from marine water and 8 (26.7 percent) from marine sand. Upon culturing on MRSA 2 agar, 15 (50 percent) of isolates showed phonotypic resistance to methicillin. Based on Antimicrobial susceptibility tests, (22/30) 73.3 percent of the isolates showed phonotypic resistance to oxacillin. Out of the 30 isolates, 16 (53.3 percent) were mecA positive and were considered methicillin-resistant S. aureus. S. aureus showed high susceptibility to gentamycin, cefoxithin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, and chloramphenicol. A large proportion (36.67 percent to 96.7 percent) of the S. aureus isolates was resistant to penicillin G, ampicillin, oxacillin, tetracycline, clindamycin, rifampicin, vancomycin, sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim and erythromycin. Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) phenotypes were generated from 7 S. aureus isolates showing resistance to three or more antibiotics. The mecA, rpoB, blaZ, ermB and tetM genes coding for methicillin, rifampicin, βeta-lactam, erythromycin and tetracycline antibiotics resistance was detected in 5 (22.7 percent), 11 (45.8 percent), 16 (55.2 percent), 15 (71.4 percent) and 8 (72.7 percent) respectively. The PVL, icaA and seaA genes coding for virulent determinants were detected in 50, 20 and 13.3 percent of the confirmed isolates respectively. Physico-chemical and faecal indicator bacteria results obtained from this study can assist municipal authorities in developing appropriate management strategies for beaches in the study area. The findings of this study showed that the investigated beaches were contaminated with toxigenic and multi-drug resistant S. aureus strains. This emphasizes the need for the implementation of better control measures to reduce the occurrence of antibiotic resistant S. aureus and of virulent S. aureus strains in recreational waters. In our study it was established that the potential of recreational waters to be reservoirs of S. aureus should not be taken for granted, and it is important that beach goers be educated about this organism as well as other related pathogens that could affect human health, especially immuno-compromised individuals. The community should be educated on antibiotic stewardship and the detrimental effects of antibiotics abuse.

Neste trabalho foi estuda a interação da E. coli patogênica aviária (APEC), agente etiológico da colibacilose aviária, e células não fagocitárias. A APEC é uma ExPEC (E. coli extra-intestinais), grupo que também inclui a UPEC (E. coli uropatogênica) e a NMEC (E. coli de meningite neonatal). Foi analisado o comportamento de 8 cepas APEC - MT78, IMT2470, A2363, UEL31, UEL13, UEL17, IMT5155, UEL29 - frente a duas linhagens de células não-fagocitárias, fibroblastos aviários CEC-32 e células endoteliais humanas EAhy926. Foi realizada a genotipagem de 33 genes associados à virulência, verificou-se capacidade de associação (adesão e invasão), de invasão e de multiplicação intracelular, de citotoxicidade e de ativação das caspases 3/7 das cepas após infecção de fibroblastos aviários. Foi observado que enquanto todas as cepas foram capazes de aderir aos fibroblastos aviários, somente a cepa MT78 foi capaz de invadí-los em níveis comparáveis à bactéria invasiva Salmonella Typhymurium SL1344. As cepas APEC não induziram ativação de capases 3/7, nem foram citotóxicas aos fibroblastos. Uma vez que a cepa invasiva, MT78, e a não invasiva, IMT2470, apresentam genótipos de virulência muito similares, foi realizado o estudo da expressão por RT-PCR dos genes de virulência da bactéria crescida com e sem fibroblastos aviários, por 3 h. Os resultados mostraram a expressão de adesinas, sideróforos e protectinas/estruturas de resistência ao soro para ambas as cepas na ausência e presença de fibroblastos. A análise da expressão dos genes fimH, ompA, ibeA e gimB pela técnica RT-qPCR revelou a repressão do gene fimH na MT78, mas indução do mesmo na IMT2470. Já as invasinas, gimB e ibeA, estavam induzidas em MT78 e reprimidas em IMT2470, enquanto o gene ompA estava sendo expresso em ambas as cepas. A expressão das invasinas gimB e ibeA explica em parte o fenótipo invasivo da MT78. No presente estudo também foi analisado o comportamento das 8 cepas APEC em relação ao perfil de associação, invasão e multiplicação intracelular ao infectarem células EAhy926. As cepas não mostraram capacidade de invadir as células mas apresentaram um nível de associação muito superior ao dos fibroblastos aviários (até 14 vezes superior para algumas cepas). Este trabalho mostrou que o ensaio in vitro com CEC-32 é um modelo adequado para o estudo da interação celular entre APEC e células eucarióticas e agregou mais conhecimento sobre o patotipo. / In this work the interaction between avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), the etiological agent of avian colibacillosis, and non-phagocytic cells was studied. APEC is an ExPEC (extraintestinal E. coli), a group that also includes UPEC (uropathogenic E. coli) and NMEC (E. coli neonatal meningitis). We analysed the behavior of 8 APEC strains - MT78, IMT2470, A2363, UEL31, UEL13, UEL17, IMT5155, UEL29 - against two non-phagocytic cell lines, avian fibroblasts (CEC-32) and human endothelial cells (Eahy926). Strains were genotyped for 33 virulence associated genes, and investigated the association capacity (adhesion and invasion), the invasion ability, intracellular multiplication, cytotoxicity and activation of caspases 3/7 of the strains after infecting avian fibroblasts. While all strains were able to adhere to avian fibroblasts, only the strain MT78 was able to invade them at levels comparable to the invasive bacterium Salmonella Typhymurium SL1344. APEC strains could not induce activation of caspases 3/7, nor were cytotoxic to fibroblasts. Since the invasive MT78 and the non-invasive IMT2470 strains presented very similar virulence genotypes, the expression of virulence genes of the bacteria grown in the absence and presence of avian fibroblasts by 3 h was analysed by RT-PCR. Results showed the expression of adhesins, siderophores and protectins/serum resistance structures for both strains in the two culture conditions, with and without fibroblasts. Analysis of the expression of fimH, ompA, ibeA and gimB by RT-qPCR revealed the repression of fimH in MT78, but the induction in IMT2470. In relation to ibeA and gimB invasins, they were induced in MT78 but repressed in IMT2470, while the ompA gene was expressed in both strains. The expression of invasins partly explains the invasive phenotype of MT78. It was also analysed the behaviour of the strains in relation to the association profile, invasion and intracellular multiplication when infecting EAhy926 human endothelial cells. The strains showed no ability to invade endothelial cells but showed a high level of association (up to 14 times higher than for fibroblasts cells for some strains). This study showed that the CEC-32 in vitro model is suitable for the study of cellular interaction between APEC and eukaryotic cells, and added more knowledge about the pathotype.

274f. / Submitted by Ana Hilda Fonseca (anahilda@ufba.br) on 2013-04-03T15:45:11Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Vanessa R Guedes.pdf: 23534749 bytes, checksum: df0c04b0207f9bf62a0952e36a12f3f8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Hilda Fonseca(anahilda@ufba.br) on 2013-04-23T16:58:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Vanessa R Guedes.pdf: 23534749 bytes, checksum: df0c04b0207f9bf62a0952e36a12f3f8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-04-23T16:58:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Vanessa R Guedes.pdf: 23534749 bytes, checksum: df0c04b0207f9bf62a0952e36a12f3f8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / FAPESB e CNPQ / Este trabalho descreve o estudo da atividade antimicrobiana dos extratos e frações obtidos de duas espécies patogênicas ao cacaueiro (Theobroma cacao L.): Moniliophthora perniciosa (vassoura-de-bruxa) e Phytophthora palmivora (podridão parda), além de três espécies antagonistas ao fungo M. perniciosa, sendo elas: Trichoderma stromaticum e dois isolados não identificados pertencentes ao gênero Xylaria que foram nomeadas como Xylaria sp1 e Xylaria sp2. Os extratos e frações estudados foram obtidos a partir do cultivo destas espécies em diferentes meios: líquidos (batata-dextrose, cenoura-dextrose, malte a 2% e Czapek) e sólido (arroz). Neste trabalho, também foi traçado o perfil dos extratos e frações dos fungos na produção de metabólitos secundários, através dos deslocamentos químicos apresentados nos espectros de RMN de 1H e, ainda, foi verificado qual deles se mostrou mais promissor na produção de diferentes metabólitos quando cultivado em diversos meios. Dos extratos em acetato de etila (batata-dextrose) e em metanol (arroz) do fungo Xylaria sp1 foram feitos isolamento, identificação e/ou determinação estrutural de sete metabólitos, através de fracionamentos cromatográficos, utilizando sílica gel e sephadex LH-20 como fase estacionária, e misturas de solventes orgânicos como fase móvel. Desta forma, foram isolados os esteróides: peróxido de ergosterol e ergosterol; dois derivados piridínicos: 3-piridina metanol, o qual seus dados de RMN de 1H e 13C estão sendo relatados pela primeira vez, e o 3-piridina etanol, inédito como produto de origem natural, além de três novos metabólitos secundários, sendo duas lactonas e um ácido carboxílico. As substâncias foram identificadas através das análises de seus espectros de ressonância magnética nuclear de 1H e 13C uni e bidimensionais, por espectrometria de massas e por espectrometria no infravermelho. / Salvador

LOPES NETO, Antônio Viana. Atividade fungistática de uma quitinase recombinante do feijão de corda [Vigna unguiculata (L.) (Walp.)] contra Lasiodiplodia theobromae Pat. (Griff. e Maubl.), agente causal da resinose do cajueiro (Anacardium occidentale L.). 2014. 57 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Bioquímica)-Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2014. / Submitted by Eric Santiago (erichhcl@gmail.com) on 2016-07-08T13:45:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_avlopesneto.pdf: 1483564 bytes, checksum: 0e776910b7f818898df5c2fc18bff4ec (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by José Jairo Viana de Sousa (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-08-02T20:18:18Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_avlopesneto.pdf: 1483564 bytes, checksum: 0e776910b7f818898df5c2fc18bff4ec (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-02T20:18:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_avlopesneto.pdf: 1483564 bytes, checksum: 0e776910b7f818898df5c2fc18bff4ec (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / The aim of this work was to evaluate the biological activity of a recombinant chitinase (rVuChi) from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) against the phytopathogenic fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae. The recombinant protein was expressed in Pichia pastoris, collected and purified after 72h of induction, using a chitin affinity chromatography. The chitinase was eluted from the affinity chromatography using 0.1 M acetic acid. Enzymatic assay was performed against the synthetic substrate (colloidal chitin) in order to determine the activity of the purified recombinant protein. The chitinase displayed a specific activity of 5,637.32 U/mg of protein. Biological tests were performed. In these tests three different isolates of L. theobromae, identified as CNPAT CCJ-127, CNPAT CCJ-166 and CNPAT CCJ-184, were used and the experiments were performed on triplicate. The fungal isolates were obtained from the collection of work from the laboratory of plant pathology from the Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical (Fortaleza-CE, Brasil). In all biological assays the fungicide Carbomax 500 SC® (Carbendazim) at a concentration of 2 mL/L and sterile distilled water were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. A total of 50, 100 and 300 µg of recombinant chitinase (rVuChi) was used in all tests. The first test was based on the disk diffusion methodology using filter paper in which the effects of the protein on the mycelium growth, as well as the formation of an inhibition zone on the fungal hyphae were investigated. The second test was based on the diffusion assay in agar. Photographs were used to register the observations. The rVuChi showed moderate to strong fungistatic activities on the mycelial growth of all L. theobromae isolates when used at 100 and 300 µg in the disk diffusion assay. CNPAT CCJ-127 was the most resistant specimen to the rVuChi fungistatic action, as observed by the lower impact of the protein on it is mycelial growth. In the agar diffusion test the amount of 300 µg was the most effective, as observed in the disk diffusion test. In addition, the effect of the protein was most pronounced on the isolates CNPAT CCJ-166 and CNPAT CCJ-184 and less impacting on CNPAT CCJ-127. The recombinant chitinase rVuCHi showed to be an inhibitor of the mycelial growth of three L. theobromae isolates. The fungistatic effects of the protein described here may be due to its ability to degrade chitin, a structural biopolymer that makes part of the cell wall of several phytopathogenic fungi, including L. theobromae. Once this is only a scientific speculation, more studies need to be made to definitely reveal the mechanism of action of rVuChi on L. theobromae. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade biológica de uma quitinase recombinante (rVuChi) de feijão-caupi (Vigna unguiculata) contra o fungo fitopatogênico Lasiodiplodia theobromae. A proteína recombinante foi expressa em Pichia pastoris, coletada e purificada após 72h de indução, utilizando cromatografia de afinidade em matriz de quitina. A quitinase foi eluída a partir da cromatografia de afinidade com ácido acético a 0,1 M. Ensaio enzimático foi realizado contra o substrato sintético (quitina coloidal), a fim de determinar a atividade da proteína recombinante purificada. A quitinase apresentou atividade específica de 5.637,32 U/mg de proteína. Testes biológicos foram realizados. Nestes testes três diferentes isolados de L. theobromae, identificados como CNPAT CCJ-127, CNPAT CCJ-166 e CNPAT CCJ-184, foram utilizados e os experimentos foram realizados em triplicata. Os isolados fúngicos foram obtidos da coleção de trabalho do Laboratório de Fitopatologia da Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical (Fortaleza-CE, Brasil). Em todos os ensaios biológicos o fungicida Carbomax 500 SC® (Carbendazim), a uma concentração de 2 mL/L, e água destilada estéril foram utilizados como controles positivos e negativos, respectivamente. Um total de 50, 100 e 300 µg de quitinase recombinante (rVuChi) foi utilizado em todos os testes. O primeiro ensaio foi baseado na metodologia de difusão em disco de papel de filtro em que foram investigados os efeitos da proteína sobre o crescimento do micélio, bem como a formação de halo de inibição sobre o crescimento micelial do fungo. O segundo ensaio foi baseado no ensaio de difusão em ágar. Fotografias foram usadas para registrar as observações. A quitinase rVuChi mostrou efeito fungistático variando de moderado a forte sobre o crescimento micelial de todos os isolados de L. theobromae, particularmente quando usada nas doses de 100 e 300 µg, no ensaio de difusão em disco. CNPAT CCJ-127 foi o isolado mais resistente à ação fungistática de rVuChi, como observado pelo menor impacto da proteína em seu crescimento micelial. No teste de difusão em ágar a quantidade de 300 µg foi a mais efetiva, da mesma forma como observado para o de difusão em disco de papel de filtro. Além disso, o efeito da proteína foi mais pronunciado nos isolados CNPAT CCJ-166 e CNPAT CCJ-184 e menos impactante no isolado CNPAT CCJ-127. A quitinase recombinante rVuCHi mostrou ser um inibidor do crescimento micelial de três diferentes isolados de L. theobromae. Os efeitos fungistáticos da proteína aqui descritos podem ser devido à sua capacidade de degradar quitina, um biopolímero estrutural que faz parte da parede celular de vários fungos fitopatogênicos, incluindo L. theobromae. Entretanto, mais estudos precisam ser conduzidos para revelar os possíveis mecanismos de ação de rVuChi sobre L. theobromae.