Bibliography: leaves 307-329. / xvi, 329 leaves, [21] leaves of plates : ill. (chiefly col.), map ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This study concludes that in soils in South Australia where root-rotting fungi and P. neglectus exist together, root disease of wheat is caused by their combined effect. Evidence suggests that P. neglectus not only contributes to this interaction through mechanical wounding of roots, but also causes biochemical and physiological changes in plants, making them more prone to fungal infection. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Plant Science, 1996

Background: Neospora caninum is a parasite that causes disease, largely in cattle and dogs. It is a disease of significant interest within New Zealand due to its association with bovine abortion. The economic impact of bovine abortion justifies the development of a bovine vaccine against N. caninum. Aim: To develop and optimise diagnostic procedures for the detection of Neospora from a variety of blood and tissue samples and to isolate a New Zealand strain of Neospora caninum. Methods: A local strain of Toxoplasma gondii and an imported Neospora caninum strain, Nc-Liverpool, were used to optimise tachyzoite growing conditions in bovine endothelial (BE) cells and Vero host cell cultures. A serum study using 112 tissue culture flasks was performed to determine whether foetal bovine serum or horse serum supplemented media provided the optimal growing conditions for Nc-Liverpool tachyzoites. Nc-Liverpool tachyzoites were also used to determine the optimal growth period between passage, and harvest for cryopreservation and cryopreservation conditions. Percoll gradients were also tested using Nc-Liverpool tachyzoites. A known Neospora positive canine sample and murine tissues infected with Toxoplasma, were used during the development of the immunohistochemical diagnostic technique. Antibody concentrations and incubation temperatures were tested to reduce cross-reactivity and increase specific stain intensity. Immunohistochemistry was performed on sections of all tissue samples used for N. caninum isolation and experimentally infected murine tissue. Several PCR techniques were developed, the final PCR used being a combination of the different techniques, which produced a 250kb band. PCR-3 used the NF6/GA1 primer combination for Neospora detection and TF6/GA1 for Toxoplasma detection, additional Mg2+ and an annealing temperature of 55°C were required. Whole tissue was processed via DNA elution whereas cell culture and Percoll purified tachyzoites were used following crude lysis techniques. All bovine and canine tissues used for parasite isolation as well as all experimentally infected mouse tissues were tested for N. caninum using PCR. An immunoblot technique was developed for the detection of N. caninum antibodies in murine blood samples. Lysed Nc-Liverpool tachyzoites were used as antigen with varied results. The primary and secondary antibodies were commercially available and used at concentrations of 1:1,000 and 1:25,000 respectively. BALB/c and CF1 mice were experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii and Nc-Liverpool. Forty female BALB/c and 40 female CF1 mice were used in 2 studies to determine the optimal Nc-Liverpool inoculation dose and immunosuppression requirements. Mice were immunosuppressed with 2.5mg of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) and Nc-Liverpool inoculation ranged from 1.3x106 to 5x103 tachyzoites. Upon death, the brain and blood was harvested from the mouse carcases. Attempts were made to isolate a New Zealand strain of N. caninum from bovine and canine central nervous system (CNS) tissue, and to maintain the parasites in cell culture and by small animal passage, in order to attenuate the parasite strain for use as a live large animal vaccine. Twenty one bovine tissue samples were used for N. caninum isolation attempts, 18 of which were positive for Neospora antibodies using a commercial IFAT. Isolation tissues were purified using a 30% Percoll gradient and inoculated onto 8 cell culture flasks and into 8 immunosuppressed mice (BALB/c and CF1). Results: Nc-Liverpool tachyzoites were found to be viable when grown at 37°C in antibiotic-MEM supplemented with either FBS or ES and grew optimally in FBS despite Neospora antibodies being detected using an IFAT. Passaging cultures at approx. 4 day intervals resulted in the greatest parasite growth. However, cryopreserved parasites should be harvested 2 days post inoculation (PI) for optimal viability. Viable parasites could be isolated using a 30% Percoll gradient and centrifuged at 2,700 x g (3,400 rpm) in a bucket centrifuge for 10 minutes. Tissue cysts could be detected using immunohistochemistry but some degree of cross reaction remained despite optimisation. Cysts were not found in tissues used for isolation attempts or in mouse brains following inoculation with Nc-Liverpool, however cysts were commonly found in mice experimentally infected with T. gondii tachyzoites. PCR-3 was successfully used to detect N. caninum and T. gondii infected tissue and tachyzoites from tissue culture. PCR-3 could detect N. caninum DNA in the brain tissue of 9/24 mice experimentally infected with Nc-Liverpool, even though most mice were culled within 1 week. Although production of N. caninum antigen was only moderately successful, N. caninum antibody detection in mouse blood using one specific antigen batch was reliable and specific. The immunoblot could only detect N. caninum antibody approximately 14 days PI, but was sensitive enough to detect 100% of mice experimentally infected with Nc-Liverpool tachyzoites. PCR-3 strongly correlated with the immunoblot results from 14 days PI. BALB/c mice were found to be far more sensitive to Nc-Liverpool than CF1 mice and developed severe disease at concentrations of approximately 1x106 Nc-Liverpool tachyzoites. Neither BALB/c nor CF1 mice developed peritoneal exudate, irrespective of the parasite inoculation concentration. Despite Neospora DNA being present in the brains of experimentally infected mice, re-isolation and continuous parasite passage from the brains could not be achieved. No mice experimentally infected with either Nc-Liverpool or isolation attempts were found to have brain cysts when tested using immunohistochemistry. Only 1 mouse inoculated with bovine isolation material was found to have a Neospora positive PCR. Through the detection of DNA, antigens and antibodies, parasites were determined to have been present in 10 of the 18 IFAT positive bovine isolation samples, indicating that 55% of calves born to seropositive dams were infected with N. caninum. However, despite numerous attempts to isolate Neospora parasites from naturally infected canine and bovine tissue and culturing using the optimised Nc-Liverpool technique, maintenance of a live culture of a New Zealand strain of N. caninum could not be established. Conclusions: Findings from this study could be used to assist in the maintenance of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii parasite strains and for detection or diagnosis of these parasites in host tissues.

Background: Neospora caninum is a parasite that causes disease, largely in cattle and dogs. It is a disease of significant interest within New Zealand due to its association with bovine abortion. The economic impact of bovine abortion justifies the development of a bovine vaccine against N. caninum. Aim: To develop and optimise diagnostic procedures for the detection of Neospora from a variety of blood and tissue samples and to isolate a New Zealand strain of Neospora caninum. Methods: A local strain of Toxoplasma gondii and an imported Neospora caninum strain, Nc-Liverpool, were used to optimise tachyzoite growing conditions in bovine endothelial (BE) cells and Vero host cell cultures. A serum study using 112 tissue culture flasks was performed to determine whether foetal bovine serum or horse serum supplemented media provided the optimal growing conditions for Nc-Liverpool tachyzoites. Nc-Liverpool tachyzoites were also used to determine the optimal growth period between passage, and harvest for cryopreservation and cryopreservation conditions. Percoll gradients were also tested using Nc-Liverpool tachyzoites. A known Neospora positive canine sample and murine tissues infected with Toxoplasma, were used during the development of the immunohistochemical diagnostic technique. Antibody concentrations and incubation temperatures were tested to reduce cross-reactivity and increase specific stain intensity. Immunohistochemistry was performed on sections of all tissue samples used for N. caninum isolation and experimentally infected murine tissue. Several PCR techniques were developed, the final PCR used being a combination of the different techniques, which produced a 250kb band. PCR-3 used the NF6/GA1 primer combination for Neospora detection and TF6/GA1 for Toxoplasma detection, additional Mg2+ and an annealing temperature of 55°C were required. Whole tissue was processed via DNA elution whereas cell culture and Percoll purified tachyzoites were used following crude lysis techniques. All bovine and canine tissues used for parasite isolation as well as all experimentally infected mouse tissues were tested for N. caninum using PCR. An immunoblot technique was developed for the detection of N. caninum antibodies in murine blood samples. Lysed Nc-Liverpool tachyzoites were used as antigen with varied results. The primary and secondary antibodies were commercially available and used at concentrations of 1:1,000 and 1:25,000 respectively. BALB/c and CF1 mice were experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii and Nc-Liverpool. Forty female BALB/c and 40 female CF1 mice were used in 2 studies to determine the optimal Nc-Liverpool inoculation dose and immunosuppression requirements. Mice were immunosuppressed with 2.5mg of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) and Nc-Liverpool inoculation ranged from 1.3x106 to 5x103 tachyzoites. Upon death, the brain and blood was harvested from the mouse carcases. Attempts were made to isolate a New Zealand strain of N. caninum from bovine and canine central nervous system (CNS) tissue, and to maintain the parasites in cell culture and by small animal passage, in order to attenuate the parasite strain for use as a live large animal vaccine. Twenty one bovine tissue samples were used for N. caninum isolation attempts, 18 of which were positive for Neospora antibodies using a commercial IFAT. Isolation tissues were purified using a 30% Percoll gradient and inoculated onto 8 cell culture flasks and into 8 immunosuppressed mice (BALB/c and CF1). Results: Nc-Liverpool tachyzoites were found to be viable when grown at 37°C in antibiotic-MEM supplemented with either FBS or ES and grew optimally in FBS despite Neospora antibodies being detected using an IFAT. Passaging cultures at approx. 4 day intervals resulted in the greatest parasite growth. However, cryopreserved parasites should be harvested 2 days post inoculation (PI) for optimal viability. Viable parasites could be isolated using a 30% Percoll gradient and centrifuged at 2,700 x g (3,400 rpm) in a bucket centrifuge for 10 minutes. Tissue cysts could be detected using immunohistochemistry but some degree of cross reaction remained despite optimisation. Cysts were not found in tissues used for isolation attempts or in mouse brains following inoculation with Nc-Liverpool, however cysts were commonly found in mice experimentally infected with T. gondii tachyzoites. PCR-3 was successfully used to detect N. caninum and T. gondii infected tissue and tachyzoites from tissue culture. PCR-3 could detect N. caninum DNA in the brain tissue of 9/24 mice experimentally infected with Nc-Liverpool, even though most mice were culled within 1 week. Although production of N. caninum antigen was only moderately successful, N. caninum antibody detection in mouse blood using one specific antigen batch was reliable and specific. The immunoblot could only detect N. caninum antibody approximately 14 days PI, but was sensitive enough to detect 100% of mice experimentally infected with Nc-Liverpool tachyzoites. PCR-3 strongly correlated with the immunoblot results from 14 days PI. BALB/c mice were found to be far more sensitive to Nc-Liverpool than CF1 mice and developed severe disease at concentrations of approximately 1x106 Nc-Liverpool tachyzoites. Neither BALB/c nor CF1 mice developed peritoneal exudate, irrespective of the parasite inoculation concentration. Despite Neospora DNA being present in the brains of experimentally infected mice, re-isolation and continuous parasite passage from the brains could not be achieved. No mice experimentally infected with either Nc-Liverpool or isolation attempts were found to have brain cysts when tested using immunohistochemistry. Only 1 mouse inoculated with bovine isolation material was found to have a Neospora positive PCR. Through the detection of DNA, antigens and antibodies, parasites were determined to have been present in 10 of the 18 IFAT positive bovine isolation samples, indicating that 55% of calves born to seropositive dams were infected with N. caninum. However, despite numerous attempts to isolate Neospora parasites from naturally infected canine and bovine tissue and culturing using the optimised Nc-Liverpool technique, maintenance of a live culture of a New Zealand strain of N. caninum could not be established. Conclusions: Findings from this study could be used to assist in the maintenance of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii parasite strains and for detection or diagnosis of these parasites in host tissues.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-04-29Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:43:45Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 meneghin_sp_dr_rcla.pdf: 500401 bytes, checksum: 1dbb48df89774c8c8a05446c822888e1 (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Nas usinas, no início da safra, a obtenção de matéria-prima de boa qualidade é maximizada com a aplicação de fitorreguladores, os quais aumentam o teor de sacarose da cana-de-açúcar. Em áreas onde eles são aplicados, tem se observado melhor desenvolvimento e perfilhamento das plantas. Avaliou-se aqui o efeito da aplicação dos fitorreguladores Ethrel e Moddus sobre o crescimento da cana-de-açúcar, de forma direta e indiretamente, através da modificação da microbiota rizosférica. Além disso, objetivou-se também avaliar o uso de rizobactérias, isoladas dos experimentos com fitorreguladores, para o biocontrole de doenças e seus possíveis mecanismos de ação. Os efeitos dos fitorreguladores sobre os microrganismos do solo foram avaliados em meios de cultura acrescidos de Ethrel e Moddus em concentrações de 0 a 1000 ppm. Estes fitorreguladores foram aplicados via foliar e via solo para análise do desenvolvimento da cana-de-açúcar (variedades RB72454, RB835486 e RB855156) em casa-de-vegetação, utilizando-se solo sem tratamento e tratado com brometo de metila. Após dez meses, foram avaliadas a brotação, altura e matéria seca da parte aérea e das raízes das plantas cultivadas. Rizobactérias foram isoladas dos solos contidos nos vasos e avaliadas in vitro quanto à capacidade de controle de fungos fitopatogênicos (Thielaviopsis paradoxa, Fusarium spp. e Hendersonina sacchari), e in vivo, quanto à capacidade de promoção de crescimento de plântulas de cana-de-açúcar. Alguns mecanismos de ação das rizobactérias foram também estudados, como produção de ácido indol acético, ácido cianídrico, sideróforos e solubilização de fosfato inorgânico. Constatou-se que as populações de fungos foram mais sensíveis à adição dos fitorreguladores do que outros grupos de microrganismos, com redução... / For sugar and alcohol industries, at the start of harvesting, to obtain good quality raw material is potentially possible with the application of plant regulators, which have a role in natural sugar cane maturation, increasing sucrose content. In areas where they have been applied, better plant development and shooting have been observed. The aim here was to evaluate the application of plant regulators Ethrel and Moddus on sugar cane growth, not only in a direct way, but also indirectly, through the modification of rhizosphere microorganisms. Besides, this work also aimed the evaluation of rhizobacteria isolated from the experiments using plant regulators upon the disease biocontrol and their action mechanisms in this respect. The effects of plant regulators upon the soil microorganisms were verified in culture media where Ethrel and Moddus were added in concentrations ranging from 0 to 1000 ppm, while the effects of these substances (applied in leaves and in soil) upon the sugar cane development (varieties RB72454, RB835486 and RB855156) were surveyed in greenhouse, using soil without treatment and treated with methyl bromide. After a ten-month period, the experiments were finished, and sprouting, height and aerial part and root dry matter were analyzed. Soil samples were taken from the pots for rhizobacteria isolation, which were evaluated initially in vitro regarding their ability to control plant pathogenic fungi (Thielaviopsis paradoxa, Fusarium spp. and Hendersonina sacchari), and in vivo, regarding their ability to promote sugar cane growth. Some action mechanisms were also studied, as indol acetic acid, cyanide acid and siderophore production and inorganic phosphate solubilization. It was verified that the fungi populations were more sensitive to the addition of plant regulators than other microorganisms, reducing their colony-forming unit (CFU)...(Complete abstract, click electronic access below)

Resumo: Dentro da comercialização de frutas, a citricultura é a mais importante. Representa para muitos países, dentre eles, os EUA e o Brasil, uma importante atividade econômica. Porém, esta atividade, vem sofrendo com inúmeras doenças e/ou pragas como a doença do Cancro Cítrico Asiático causada pela bactéria Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (X. citri). Deste modo, com o objetivo do estudo do genoma funcional da X. citri, um banco de mutantes deste microorganismo foi obtido por meio de inserção aleatória do transposon Tn5, nas quais foram selecionados 53 mutantes que apresentaram, de forma superficial, alterações fenotípica em relação à X. citri selvagem. Para uma avaliação mais precisa, eles passaram por uma nova confirmação de suas alterações fenotípicas, onde foram inoculados em folhas de Citrus sinensis (Laranjeira pêra-Rio) e Citrus limonia (limoeiro cravo) e monitorados durante 16 dias, e aqueles que apresentaram as maiores alterações em relação à selvagem, tiveram confeccionadas para si curvas de crescimento in vivo. Conseguiu-se, desta forma, avaliar quantitativamente o processo patogênico, relacionar seus sintomas com dados numéricos e ainda descobrir detalhes até então não conhecidos. O mapeamento, dos respectivos loci mutados, foi realizado por seqüenciamento de DNA a partir do transposon, demonstrando que a metodologia empregada para a obtenção dos mutantes foi eficiente, conseguiu também revelar diversas proteína ainda hipotéticas, e outras, até então, não considerados como implicados no processo patogênico, como, uma Integrase, Fe-S oxidoredutase, Helicase IV, Receptor Dependente de Ton-B, entre outros / Abstract: Concerning the commercialization of fruits, the citrus production is the most important. It represents for many countries, amongst them, U.S.A. and Brazil, an important economic activity. However, this activity has been suffering with many illnesses and/or plagues as the illness from the Asiatic citrus canker caused by the Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri bacterium (X. citri). In this way, from a bank of mutants of X. citri, gotten by means of random insertion of commercial one derived from transposon Tn5, had been selected 53 mutants that had presented, of superficial form, some type of phenotype alteration in relation to the wild X. citri. To a more necessary evaluation, each one of them passed for a new confirmation of its phenotype alterations, where they had been inoculated in leafs of Citrus sinensis ('Pera' sweet orange) and Citrus limonia ('Rangpur' lime) and monitored during 16 days, and those that had presented the biggest alterations in relation to the savage, had confectioned for itself in planta growth curves. We obtain, in such a way, to evaluate quantitatively the pathogenic process, to relate its symptoms with numerical data and still to discover not known details until then. The mapping of respective locus mutated was carried through by sequencing of DNA from transposon, demonstrating that the methodology used for the attainment of the mutants was efficient and still to disclose diverse genes still hypothetical, and others, until then, not considered as implied in the pathogenic process, as, Integrase, Fe-S oxidoredutase, Helicase IV, TonB-dependent receptor, among others / Orientador: Maria Inês Tiraboschi Ferro / Coorientador: Julio Cezar Franco de Oliveira / Banca: Manoel Victor Franco Lemos / Banca: Mariana Carina Frigieri / Mestre

Escherichia coli patogênica aviária (APEC) é a causa de doenças extra-intestinais em aves, que se manifestam na forma de doenças localizadas ou infecções sistêmicas, gerando grandes perdas econômicas para a indústria aviária. O objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar isolados de APEC do sul do Brasil em relação à resistência a agentes antimicrobianos; a prevalência de fatores associados à virulência; a tipagem filogenética e o perfil filogenético. Na avicultura, os agentes antimicrobianos são muito utilizados na prevenção de infecções e na forma de promotores de crescimento. Foram utilizadas 41 isolados de E. coli obtidos de infecções sistêmicas e 144 isolados de celulite, utilizando o método de difusão com discos. Isolados APEC apresentaram baixos níveis de resistência, com excessão da tetraciclina e das sulfonamidas; e para isolados de colissepticemia, também foi observado uma resistência aos antimicrobianos que atuam na parede celular (ampicilina, cefalotina, bacitracina e ceftiofur). Vários fatores de virulência têm sido investigados em cepas APEC, os que têm sido mais frequentemente associados com a patogenicidade são as fímbrias de aderência F1 e Tsh (hemaglutinina sensível à temperatura); o sistema sideróforo aerobactina, a proteína iss (increased serum survival), a cápsula K e a produção de colicina V. Foram realizadas reações da polimerase em cadeia multiplex (PCR), testando um total de 33 fatores nos isolados APEC. Os fatores relacionados a adesão, sideróforos e resistência ao soro foram presentes em todas as amostras. Os fatores que apresentaram maior prevalência nas amostras foram, fimC, ompA, crlA e traT. A tipagem filogenética foi realizada através do método descrito por Clermont et al., (2000), que permite separar os isolados em 4 grupos filogenéticos principais (A, B1, B2 e D). Observamos a maior presença de isolados APEC pertencentes ao grupo D, tanto para celulite quanto para colissepticemia. A análise do perfil filogenético foi realizada pelo método ARDRA, que é baseado na variação da região do espaçamento intergênico (ISR) na região 16S-23S do DNA ribossômico. Os resultados foram analisados formando um dendrograma que mostra a proximidade filogenética dos isolados, indicando que não foi possível separar os clones de celulite dos de colissepticemia e não existem clones endêmicos nas regiões analisadas. Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo, fornecem um panorama geral da resistência aos agentes antimicrobianos, prevalência dos fatores de virulência, tipagem filogenética e perfil filogenético encontrados nos isolados de E. coli aviária do sul do Brasil de infecções de colissepticemia e celulite. / extra-intestinal infections in poultry, called colibacilose, and cause great economic losses to the poultry industry. The aim of this work was to examine APEC strains, isolated from avian cellulitis and colisepticemic chickens from South Brazil, for antibiotic resistance, presence of virulence-associated genes (VAGs), phylogenetic typing and phylogenetic analyses. In poultry, antibiotics are routinely used to prevent infection and promote growth. We analyzed the susceptibility to 15 antibiotics in 144 E. coli isolates collected from cellulitis lesions and in 41 isolates from septicemic chickens. APEC isolates have shown low levels of resistance excepting tetracycline and sulphonamides, and colisepticemic isolates were resistant to antibiotics that act in the cell wall, such as ampicilin, cephalotin, ceftiofur and bacitracin. The virulence factors most frequently associated with APEC pathogenicity are the adhesins F1 and Tsh (Temperature sensitive hemagglutinin), the iron acquisition system aerobactin, the protein Iss (increased serum survival), K1 capsule and production of colicin V. To investigate the presence of VAGs in the isolates, we performed multiplex polymerase chain reactions to test 33 virulence factors. Virulence factors related to adhesion, iron acquisition and serum resistance were present in almost all strains. The factors fimC, ompA, crlA and traT were the most frequent in APEC isolates. The phylogenetic typing were done using the Clermont et al. (2000) method, which classifies E. coli strains into four main phylogenetic groups (A, B1, B2, and D). Our phylogenetic typing has shown that cellulitis and colisseptisemic isolates were more related to group D. Amplified ribossomal restriction analysis (ARDRA) was performed in colissepticemic and celullitis isolates from broiler chickens from Southern Brasil. The similarity among isolates were observed with a dendrogram based on the band pattern. Our results have shown that clones of celullitis and colissepticemic isolates could not be distinguished and there is no endemic clones in regions observed analised. The results of the present work give us a panorama of the susceptibility to antibiotics, virulence factors, phylogenetic typing and phylogenetic analyses currently found in APEC isolates from severe lesions of cellulites and colibacillosis in south Brazil. Besides that, these analyses could be helpful for monitoring and preventing outbreakes of colibacilosis. Controling the first stages of the disease and detecting more prevalent clones in this region may reduce the incidence of the disease.

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Aeromonas hydrophila is distributed widely in nature and is responsible for an array of human infections. Several studies on the isolation and characterisation of the organism abound. Although there are reports on the antibiotic resistance profiles of the organism, these reports have not been updated in Limpopo province, South Africa despite the established fact that antibiograms vary with time and geographical area. Antibiotic resistance and pathogenesis of an organism are dependent on a host of factors such as the production of extended spectrum beta-lactamases and the genetic profiles such as the genes coding for resistance and possession of integrons and how these characteristics overach with the phylogenetic inter-relatedness of isolates from different sources. In spite of the aforementioned concerns on the efficacy of antibiotics due to the acquisition or endowment of microorganisms with intrinsic and extrinsic factors , which enhances resistance to antibiotics , medicinal plants are reportedly offering promise as alternative sources of efficacious management of infections. Medicinal plants are employed by traditional healers in the management of infections in developing countries especially in Africa. However, the antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants against Aeromonas hydrophila have received only a cursory attention. In an endeavour to undertake a comprehensive study on the isolation, characterisation, antibiograms, activities of medicinal plants as well as the genetic profiles, including phylogenetics relatedness of Aeromonas isolates from different sources, stool and water samples were collected over a two year period from designated places in Limpopo Province and analysed using standard techniques applicable to the constituent research activity. The research findings are presented in six chapters as presented hereunder. The first chapter focussed on the literature review of the organism and reflects areas such as the morphology, laboratory diagnosis, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, antibacterial activities of medicinal plants as well as the genetic aspects of Aeromonas hydrophila. / Environmental Science / D.Phil. (Environmental Science)

Escherichia coli é um bacilo Gram-negativo, anaeróbico facultativo e de distribuição cosmopolita. E. coli coloniza o intestino de humanos e outros animais endotérmicos logo após o nascimento, estabelecendo-se como um importante membro da microbiota intestinal. Algumas cepas de E. coli podem adquirir fatores de virulência, assumindo assim, uma natureza patogênica, como é o caso das E. coli patogênicas extraintestinais (ExPEC). As cepas ExPEC apresentam a capacidade de colonizar e se disseminar em diversos nichos no hospedeiro, e são divididas em UPEC (E. coli uropatogênica), NMEC (E. coli causadora de meningite neonatal) e APEC (E. coli patogênica para aves). UPEC, NMEC e APEC compartilham fatores associados à virulência. Para serem aptas a causar doença, cepas ExPEC devem apresentar pelo menos um fator associado à adesão, um fator para captação de ferro (sideróforo) e um fator de resistência ao soro, podendo, também, apresentar genes que codificam toxinas e invasinas. Embora sejam conhecidos muitos fatores de virulência associados à patogenicidade de cepas ExPEC, a regulação da expressão de tais fatores ainda não foi elucidada. Fumarato-nitrato-redutase (FNR) é uma proteína que atua como regulador global, agindo como um sensor da presença de oxigênio em bactérias gramnegativas. Já foi demonstrado que FNR está relacionada à regulação da virulência de bactérias patogênicas como Shigella flexneri e Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a análise epidemiológica e caracterização de cepas APEC, bem como a investigação do controle da expressão de fatores associados à virulência de ExPEC pelo regulador global FNR. Os resultados da análise epidemiológica das cepas APEC mostram o perfil de resistência aos agentes antimicrobianos, a prevalência dos fatores de virulência e dos grupos filogenéticos (de acordo com a classificação EcoR) e a relação filogenética dos isolados, fornecendo um panorama da caracterização de E. coli patogênicas aviárias de lesões severas de celulite e de infecção sistêmica oriundas da região sul do Brasil. Em relação ao FNR, este estudo mostrou a influência deste regulador sobre importantes fatores associados à virulência, estando envolvido no controle de várias etapas do estabelecimento da infecção por cepas ExPEC. A deleção de fnr na cepa UPEC CFT 073 reduziu a motilidade, a expressão das fimbrias tipo I e tipo P, reduziu a expressão da hemolisina e controlou a expressão da ilha de patogenicidade do α- cetoglutarato. Além disso, a deleção de fnr fez tornou as bactérias incapazes de invadir células dos rins e da bexiga e de causar doença in vivo em camundongos de 6 semanas. FNR também foi capaz de controlar as etapas da infecção por NMEC 56. Uma vez deletado, as bactérias perderam a capacidade de causar bacteremia, de crescer no fluido cerebrospinal e de causar doença in vivo em ratos de 5 dias de idade. A deleção de fnr em APEC O1 resultou na diminuição da expressão da proteína OmpT plasmidial, da fímbria do tipo I e do auto-transportador AatA. A principal contribuição deste trabalho foi demonstrar que FNR atua na regulação da expressão de importantes fatores associados à virulência de cepas ExPEC (UPEC, NMEC e APEC), sendo importante para o estabelecimento da infecção por essas cepas. Neste trabalho, verificamos que, além da função já conhecida de regular os genes envolvidos na manutenção de um meio anaeróbico, FNR também atua no controle de genes associados à virulência de cepas ExPEC, refletindo na capacidade de causar doença que tais cepas apresentam. / Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative bacillus, facultative anaerobic and has cosmopolitan distribution. E. coli colonizes the intestine of humans and other endothermic animals immediately after birth, establishing as an important member of the intestinal microbiota. Some strains of E. coli can acquire virulence factors thereby assuming a pathogenic nature, as in the case of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). ExPEC strains have the ability to colonize and spread out in different niches of the host, and are divided into UPEC (uropathogenic E. coli), NMEC (newborn meningitis E. coli) and APEC (avian pathogenic E. coli). UPEC, NMEC and APEC share virulence factors. To be able to cause disease, ExPEC strains must produce virulence factors required for adherence, for iron uptake (siderophore) and for resistance to serum and may also contain genes encoding toxins and invasins. Although many virulence factors associated with the pathogenicity of ExPEC strains are known, the regulation of the expression of these factors has not yet been fully elucidated. Fumarate nitrate reductase (FNR) is a global regulatory protein, acting as a sensor of oxygen in Gram- negative bacteria. It has been shown that FNR relates virulence of pathogenic bacteria such as Shigella flexneri and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The aim of this study was to do an epidemiological analysis and characterization of APEC strains as well as the investigation of regulation of ExPEC’s virulence factors by the global FNR regulator. The results of epidemiological analysis of APEC strains showed the profile of antimicrobial resistance , the prevalence of virulence factors and phylogenetic groups (according to the EcoR group) and the phylogenetic relationship of the isolates, providing an overview of the characterization of avian pathogenic E. coli causing severe cellulitis lesions and systemic infection originating from southern Brazil. In relation to FNR, this study showed the influence of this important regulator of virulence factors that is involved in controlling various stages of establishment of infection by ExPEC strains. Deletion of fnr in UPEC strain CFT 073 reduced motility and expression of type I and type P fimbriae, reduced the expression of hemolysin and control the expression of the pathogenicity island of α -ketoglutarate. Furthermore, fnr mutant strains were unable to invade cells of kidney and bladder, and to colonize the urinary tract of 6 weeks-old mice. FNR was also able to control the stages of infection of NMEC 56. The fnr mutant lost its ability to cause bacteremia, grow in cerebrospinal fluid, cause disease in 5 days old rats. Deletion of fnr in APEC O1 resulted in decreased expression of genes corresponding to the plasmid encoded OmpT protein, type I fimbriae and autotransporter AatA. The main contribution of this work was to demonstrate that FNR regulates expression of important virulence factors of ExPEC strains (UPEC, NMEC and APEC), which is important for the establishment of infection by these strains. In this work, we found that, besides the already known function in regulating genes involved in maintaining an anaerobic environment, FNR also acts in the control of virulenceassociated genes of ExPEC strains, reflecting the ability of these strains to cause disease.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:16:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6503.pdf: 1740715 bytes, checksum: deb2330f845c5751bcb107b9549ba42f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-03 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / The spectroscopy is a technique based on light-matter interaction, which provides information about the composition and structure of molecules. For this reason, it is used in various fields of science, including the biology. There are various types of spectroscopy, based on different physical phenomena, however, in this article, we had addressed only two types: Raman and photoluminescence. Raman spectroscopy consists in the analysis of the inelastic scattering of radiation by focusing on a molecule. The light-matter interaction in this case results in a molecular vibrational energy change. On the other hand, the photoluminescence spectroscopy analyzes the radiation emitted by molecules due to electronic transitions induced by absorption of a photon. This study addresses the application of both techniques in the problem of combating pathogenic microorganisms. Some fungi and bacteria are causative of serious diseases and, therefore, the enhancement of efficiency in identifying and combating these microorganisms is of great interest to public health. This work aimed the application of Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence to the identification of three pathogenic microorganisms and changes in the spectra emitted by them by adding an antimicrobial agent. In this study a novel peptide with antifungal and antibiotic action was used, called polycerradin, with biological activity demonstrated by agar diffusion tests. The spectra obtained by the Raman scattering technique were not conclusive, since there was photoluminescence emission concomitantly. However, the photoluminescence spectra showed a significant decrease in peak intensity at 695 nm when the ELP was added, for all three microorganisms studied. These results demonstrate, therefore, the great potential application of photoluminescence spectroscopy not only for the identification of microorganisms as well as for determination of the inhibition and/or killing of the same by adding an antimicrobial agent. As a future prospect, we aim to develop a biosensor based on photoluminescence technique, to be used in the identification and monitoring of micro-organisms. This biosensor could be applied in various areas such as medical, food industry, sanitary, among others. / A espectroscopia é uma técnica baseada na interação luz-matéria, que propicia a determinação de informações sobre a composição e a estrutura de moléculas. Por esse motivo, é utilizada em diversos campos da ciência, dentre eles, a biologia. Existem diversos tipos de espectroscopia, baseados em fenômenos físicos distintos, no entanto, neste trabalho, são abordados apenas dois tipos: Raman e de fotoluminescência. A espectroscopia Raman consiste na análise do espalhamento inelástico da radiação ao incidir sobre uma molécula. A interação luz-matéria, neste caso, resulta em uma alteração na energia vibracional molecular. Por outro lado, a espectroscopia de fotoluminescência analisa a radiação emitida por moléculas decorrente de transições eletrônicas, induzidas pela absorção de um fóton. O presente estudo aborda a aplicação de ambas as técnicas na problemática de combate a micro-organismos patogênicos. Alguns fungos e bactérias são causadores de doenças graves e, portanto, o aprimoramento da eficiência na identificação e combate à esses micro-organismos é de grande interesse para a saúde pública. Este trabalho visou a aplicação das espectroscopias Raman e de fotoluminescência para a identificação de três microorganismos patogênicos e de alterações nos espectros emitidos por eles, ao se adicionar um agente antimicrobiano. Foi utilizado neste estudo um novo peptídeo com ação antifúngica e antibiótica, denominado de polycerradin, com atividade biológica comprovada por testes de difusão em ágar. Os espectros obtidos através da técnica de espalhamento Raman não foram conclusivos, uma vez que houve emissão de fotoluminescência concomitantemente. No entanto, os espectros de fotoluminescência mostraram uma significativa diminuição na intensidade do pico em 695 nm quando o extrato lipopeptídico (ELP) foi adicionado, para os três micro-organismos estudados. Estes resultados demonstram, portanto, a grande potencialidade da aplicação de espectroscopia de fotoluminescência, não só para a identificação dos micro-organismos, como também para a determinação da inibição e/ou morte dos mesmos ao se adicionar um agente antimicrobiano. Como perspectiva futura, objetivamos o desenvolvimento de um biossensor, baseado na técnica de fotoluminescência, a fim de se utilizar na identificação e no monitoramento de micro-organismos, podendo ser aplicado nas áreas médica, alimentícia, sanitária, dentre outras.