[pt] Neste estudo, as propriedades bacterianas da estirpe Rhodococcus ruber in natura e ativada com NaOH 0,1M, foram analisadas. O estudo avaliou a influência dos cátions metálicos (Al3 positivo, Cr3 positivo, Fe3 positivo, Co2 positivo, Mg2 positivo e Ni2 positivo) sob o comportamento da estirpe bacteriana, no intervalo de concentração entre 10(-3) a 10(-6) mol/L. As amostras bacterianas foram caracterizadas por espectroscopia na faixa do infra-vermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR). O ponto isoelétrico (PIE) da estirpe R. Ruber foi obtido através das análises de potencial zeta. Os resultados demonstraram um PIE com pH igual 2,4 para a estirpe in natura, já quando ativada com NaOH 0,1M o PIE não foi evidenciado. A superfície bacteriana da estirpe ativada se apresentou levemente mais negativa do que a superfície da bactéria in natura. Para todas as amostras, observou-se alteração no potencial zeta durante a interação bacteriana com os íons estudados. Os resultados não apresentam diferenças significativas entre a bactéria in natura e ativada. As amostras permaneceram carregadas negativamente nos pH estudados, para todos os cátions, exceto Fe3 positivo. Por fim, diante dos resultados apresentados, acredita-se que a estirpe Rhodococcus ruber é uma opção viável para estudos voltados ao tratamento de efluentes contaminados por metais. / [en] In this study, the Rhodococcus ruber bacterial strain properties of in nature and activated with 0.1M NaOH were analyzed. The study evaluated the influence of metal ions (Al3 plus, Cr3 plus, Fe3 plus, Co2 plus, Mg2 plus and Ni2 plus) on the behavior of the bacterial strain in the concentration range from 10(-3) to 10(-6) mol/L. Bacterial samples were characterized by infra-red spectroscopy - Fourier transform Infra-red (FTIR). The isoelectric point (IEP) of the bacterium R. ruber was obtained by analysis of zeta potential. The results showed an IEP at pH equal 2.4 to strain in nature, in the other hand the IEP of activated strain (0.1M NaOH) was not observed. Bacterial surface-active strain showed slightly more negative than the surface of the bacterium in nature. All samples demonstrated changes in pH zeta potential during bacterial interaction with the analyzed ions. Samples remained negatively charged at the pH studied to all cations except Fe3 plus. Finally, it s believed that the bacterium Rhodococcus ruber is a viable option for the treatment of metal contaminated wastewater.

[pt] O uso de biossurfactantes derivados de matérias-primas de base biológica apresentam diversas vantagens sobre surfactantes convencionais como por exemplo: baixa toxicidade, alta cinética de degradação, versatilidade na flotação mineral podendo atuar como coletor ou espumante. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o uso de biossurfactante extraído da bactéria Rhodococcus opacus na concentração da hematita do rejeito de minério de Ferro. Primeiramente, foram realizados estudos de caracterização da amostra (Análise granulométrica, química e mineralógica). Também foram feitas medições do Potencial zeta, espectroscopia no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR) com o intuito de avaliar a interação do biossurfactante e do silicato de sódio na superfície mineral (hematita). As propriedades físico-químicas do biosurfactante foram determinadas pela tensão superficial. Diferentes estudos de microflotação (célula Patridge-Smith) e flotação em bancada (célula mecânica CDC) foram realizados para avaliar o pH (2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11), a concentração de biossurfactante (1000, 2000, 4000, 6000 e 8000 g/t), e a concentração de depressor (100, 300, 600, 900 e 1200 g/t) na recuperação e teor de Fe. Além disso, foram realizados testes de flotação em circuito (rougher, cleaner, scavenger) visando aumentar a recuperação e teor de Fe. A concentração micelar crítica (CMC) do biossurfactante foi alcançada na concentração de 1 g/L. A recuperação de hematita foi possível em pH 3. De acordo com os estudos de espectroscopia no infravermelho e o potencial zeta houve interação entre o biossurfactante, e o silicato de sódio na superfície da hematita. A recuperação e teor de Fe na microflotação foi em torno de 37 porcento para uma concentração de biosurfactante de 6000 g/t em pH 3. A recuperação e teor de Fe na flotação em bancada (rougher) foi de aproximadamente 28,50 porcento e 44 porcento respectivamente, para uma concentração de biosurfactante de 2000 g/t em pH 3, também foram realizados testes em presença de silicato de sódio (600 g/t) obtendo aproximadamente 50,5 porcento de recuperação metalúrgica e 58 porcento de teor de Fe. Além disso, foram feitos ensaios em circuito de flotação (rougher, cleaner e scavenger) alcançando uma recuperação e teor de Fe em torno de 44 porcento e 65 porcento, respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos mostraram o potencial uso do biossurfactante como coletor na flotação da hematita do rejeito de minério de ferro, podendo futuramente ser aplicado na indústria mineral substituindo os coletores convencionais com o avanço dos estudos. / [en] The use of biosurfactants derived from bio-based feedstocks which present several advantages over conventional surfactants such as low toxicity, high degradation kinetics, versatility in mineral flotation, it can act as a collector or frother agent. The present work aims to evaluate the use of biosurfactant extracted from bacteria Rhodococcus opacus in the hematite concentration of the iron ore tailings. Firstly, characterization studies of the samples were carried out (granulometric, chemical and mineralogical analysis). Measurements of Zeta Potential, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were also carried out to evaluate the interaction of the biosurfactant and sodium silicate on the mineral surface (hematite). The physicochemical properties of biosurfactant were determined by surface tension. Different microflotation studies (Patridge-Smith cell) and batch (CDC mechanical cell) were carried out to evaluate the pH (2, 3, 7, 9, 11), the biosurfactant concentration (1000, 2000, 4000, 6000 and 8000g/t), and the depressor concentration (100, 300, 600, 900 and 1200 g/t) on recovery and Fe grade. In addition, flotation circuit tests (rougher, cleaner, scavenger) were carried out aiming to increase recovery and Fe grade. The critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the biosurfactant was reached at a concentration of 1 g/L. Hematite recovery was possible at pH 3. According to the studies of infrared spectroscopy and zeta potential, there was interaction between the biosurfactant, the sodium silicate on the hematite surface. The Fe recovery and Fe grade in the microflotation was around 37 percent for 6000 g/t biosurfactant concentration at pH 3. The Fe recovery and Fe grade in the batch flotation (Rougher) was approximately 28.50 percent and 44 percent, respectively for 2000 g/t biosurfactant concentration at pH 3, tests were also performed in the presence of sodium silicate (600 g/t) obtaining around 50.50 percent Fe recovery and 58 percent Fe grade. Furthermore, flotation circuit tests (rougher, cleaner and scavenger) were carried out, achieving a Fe recovery and Fe grade around 44 percent and 64.8 percent, respectively. Therefore, the results showed the potential use of the biosurfactant as a collector in the hematite flotation from the iron ore tailings, it may be applied in the mining industry in the future, replacing conventional collectors with the advancement of the studies.

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die Wechselwirkungen im System Bakterium –Tensid – Schadstoff mittels kalorimetrischer Untersuchungen (ITC, DSC) sowie mit XPS-Analysen und durch Zeta-Potential-Messungen an Bakterienoberflächen charakterisiert. Für die Untersuchungen wurden zwei Gram-positive Rhodococcus-Stämme und ein Gram-negativer Pseudomonas putida-Stamm verwendet. Als Biotenside wurden das Rhamnolipid JBR 425 und der von Rhodococcus erythropolis B7g produzierte Trehalosetetraester (THL-4) ausgewählt. Das synthetische Tensid SDS diente als Referenzsubstanz. Aus den kalorimetrischen Experimenten konnte eine starke Wechselwirkung zwischen den Tensiden und den aktiven Bakterienkulturen abgeleitet werden. THL-4 führte beim Wachstum der Rhodococcen auf n-Hexadecan zur Verkürzung der lag-Phase. SDS wies hingegen eine toxische Wirkung für die Bakterienstämme auf. Thermodynamische Betrachtungen ergaben, dass Wechselwirkungen des SDS mit den Bakterienzellen gegenüber der Mizellbildung bevorzugt werden.

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die Wechselwirkungen im System Bakterium –Tensid – Schadstoff mittels kalorimetrischer Untersuchungen (ITC, DSC) sowie mit XPS-Analysen und durch Zeta-Potential-Messungen an Bakterienoberflächen charakterisiert. Für die Untersuchungen wurden zwei Gram-positive Rhodococcus-Stämme und ein Gram-negativer Pseudomonas putida-Stamm verwendet. Als Biotenside wurden das Rhamnolipid JBR 425 und der von Rhodococcus erythropolis B7g produzierte Trehalosetetraester (THL-4) ausgewählt. Das synthetische Tensid SDS diente als Referenzsubstanz. Aus den kalorimetrischen Experimenten konnte eine starke Wechselwirkung zwischen den Tensiden und den aktiven Bakterienkulturen abgeleitet werden. THL-4 führte beim Wachstum der Rhodococcen auf n-Hexadecan zur Verkürzung der lag-Phase. SDS wies hingegen eine toxische Wirkung für die Bakterienstämme auf. Thermodynamische Betrachtungen ergaben, dass Wechselwirkungen des SDS mit den Bakterienzellen gegenüber der Mizellbildung bevorzugt werden.

Rhodococcus fascians is a Gram-positive phytopathogenic bacterium which induces the development of leafy galls, local amplifications of multiple buds, on most infected plants. This process is linked to the production of phytohormones along with the presence of essential virulence-associated genes like the plasmid loci att and fas and the chromosomal gene vicA. However, the presence of these genes is not sufficient to ensure the infection phenotype development, indicating that other genes play a role in R. fascians pathogenicity. In this work, we studied the metabolic modifications occurring when the bacterium interacts with its host using a proteomic approach. A comparison between virulent and avirulent strains showed variations in the expression of catalases. In the virulent strain, besides the transitory induction of the att locus expression, the bacterium changes its metabolism from the Krebs cycle to the glyoxylate shunt, a process which is frequently observed in bacteria confronted to a hostile environment. The expression of the shunt-specific enzyme isocitrate lyase increased, while expression of fumarate hydratase and pyruvate dehydrogenase decreased. Hence, we focused on the link between the glyoxylate shunt and virulence. A screening of a R. fascians mutant library based on the capacity of bacteria to use acetate as the sole carbon source, a metabolic pathway depending on the glyoxylate shunt, resulted in the identification of a new gene essential for R. fascians pathogenicity. This gene encodes a glycosyl transferase, an enzyme known to be involved in the bacterial cell wall biosynthesis but possibly also implicated in cytokinin secretion. A mutant in this gene harboured an altered colony phenotype and could not induce malformations on infected plants. Accordingly, our results were integrated in the leafy gall pathology model recently presented by Stes et al. (2011). Finally, the several questions that are raised by this work, allowed us to suggest further research perspectives in order to unveil a little more of the R. fascians mysterious ways to interact with the plant./Rhodococcus fascians est une bactérie Gram-positive phytopathogène qui induit le développement de galles feuillées, des amplifications locales de multiples bourgeons, sur la plupart des plantes infectées. Ce processus est lié à la production de phytohormones ainsi qu’à la présence de gènes essentiels associés à la virulence tels que les loci plasmidiques att et fas et le gène chromosomique vicA. Cependant, la présence de ces gènes ne suffit pas à garantir le développement du phénotype d’infection, indiquant que d’autres gènes jouent un rôle dans la pathogénicité de R. fascians. Dans ce travail, nous avons étudié les modifications métaboliques qui se produisent lorsque la bactérie interagit avec son hôte par une approche protéomique. Une comparaison entre les souches virulente et avirulente a mis en évidence des variations d’expression au niveau des catalases. Dans la souche virulente, outre l’induction transitoire de l’expression du locus att, la bactérie change son métabolisme pour passer du cycle de Krebs au shunt du glyoxylate, un processus fréquemment observé chez les bactéries confrontées à un environnement hostile. L’expression de l’isocitrate lyase, enzyme spécifique au shunt, augmente, tandis que celle de la fumarate hydratase et de la pyruvate déhydrogénase diminue. Nous nous sommes donc intéressés au lien entre le shunt du glyoxylate et la virulence. Le screening d’une banque de mutants de R. fascians basé sur la capacité de la bactérie à utiliser l’acétate comme seule source de carbone, une voie métabolique dépendant du shunt du glyoxylate, a permis d’identifier un nouveau gène essentiel pour la pathogénicité de R. fascians. Ce gène code pour une glycosyl transferase, une enzyme impliquée dans la biosynthèse de la paroi bactérienne mais également dans la sécrétion des cytokinines. Un mutant dans ce gène présente un phénotype de colonie altéré et ne peut induire de malformations chez les plantes infectées. Finalement, nos résultats et les pistes d’interprétations que nous avons émisent nous permettent de compléter le modèle de l’interaction R. fascians-plante proposé récemment par Stes et al. (2011). Des perspectives de recherches visant une meilleure compréhension de ce pathosystème sont proposées. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid and the remediation of soils and waters from this contaminant as well as the prevention of future contamination are still pending tasks in Chile. There are bacteria able to live in environments polluted with arsenic, as they have tolerance mechanisms for this metalloid, or even can use it for energy metabolism. The potential tolerance mechanisms include the production of siderophores, metabolites with chelating activity that can decrease the toxicity of metals and metalloids. Although a correlation between siderophore production and metalloid tolerance has been described, the structure of arsenic-binding siderophores and their implications in tolerance have not been elucidated yet. In this work, it is proposed that bacteria isolated from contaminated environments produce arsenic-binding siderophores. The main aims of this work are to study the production of the siderophores by arsenic-tolerant bacteria, to characterize these compounds and to determine their relation with tolerance to arsenic. Fourteen arsenic-tolerant bacteria were isolated from contaminated water, From these, four strains belonging to the species Rhodococcus erythropolis, Arthrobacter oxydans and Kocuria rosea were selected, in addition to the previously isolated Rhodococcus erythropolis S43, for a more detailed study. The isolates were used to produce siderophore extracts, which were then evaluated for their iron- and arsenic-binding activity. To detect the latter, a new method (As-mCAS) was set up, based on the Chrome Azurol S (CAS) test, an assay to detect iron-chelating activity of siderophores. After testing the extracts, R. erythropolis S43 was selected as the strain with the best arsenic-binding activity. For the subsequent chemical characterization, siderophores were produced under control conditions (iron-free M9 medium) and under stress conditions with arsenic (iron-free M9 medium with sodium arsenite). HPLC analysis of the extracts for both culture conditions showed the presence of a single compound with both an iron-chelating and an arsenic-binding activity. Analyses by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) for both culture conditions suggested the main presence of the siderophore heterobactin B. In addition, the genome of strain S43 was sequenced. A cluster of ars-genes was predicted, probably responsible for the arsenic-tolerance of the strain. In addition, a complete gene cluster for heterobactin production was found. However, no significant difference was obtained in the expression of these determinants in the presence or absence of arsenic, suggesting that the production of this siderophore in strain S43 is not responsible for the tolerance to the metalloid.

[pt] A remoção de espécies metálicas em baixas concentrações a fim de atingir os padrões exigidos pela legislação vigente, tem se mostrado um desafio. A biossorção pode ser definida como um processo físico-químico que remove substâncias de uma solução aquosa onde o sorvente é uma matriz biológica. Este é um processo reversível e de ligação rápida das espécies metálicas nos grupos funcionais presentes na superfície da biomassa. Neste trabalho foi avaliada a capacidade biossortiva da cepa bacteriana Rhodococcus erythropolis e da casca de banana modificada quimicamente na remoção de Ni2 positivo e Co2 positivo em soluções aquosas em ensaios de batelada. Foi avaliado também a flotação biossortiva utilizando a R. erythropolis devido seu alto grau de hidrofobicidade, além de agir como bioespumante e biocoletora. O valor de pH adequado para a biossorção com R. erythropolis foi entorno de 7 para ambos metais e para a casca de banana modificada como biossorvente foi entre 6 e 7 para ambos metais. Os resultados da capacidade de captação dos biossorventes foram bem ajustados ao modelo de isoterma de Langmuir, onde as capacidades de captação máximas utilizando a casaca de banana modificada foram de 29,35 mg/g para Ni2 positivo e 24,70 mg/g para Co2 positivo e utilizando a R. erythropolis foram de 14,46 mg/g para Ni2 positivo e 16,06 mg/g para Co2 positivo. As propriedades superficiais dos biossorventes foram avaliadas antes e após a interação dos metais para poder determinar os possíveis mecanismos de biossorção, mediante medições eletrocinéticas, espectroscopia de infravermelho e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Nos ensaios de flotação biossortiva foi verificado que a R. erythropolis apresenta propriedades como biorreagente (bioespumante e biocoletora), onde foi obtido porcentagens de remoção de 40,20 e 23,52 porcento para o níquel e cobalto, respectivamente. Os resultados apresentados mostram que apesar de ambos os biossorventes se apresentarem como alternativa para remoção de metais em efluentes de baixa concentração a casca de banana modificada apresentou uma maior remoção. / [en] The removal of metallic species at low concentrations in order to reach the standards required by current legislation has been a challenge. Biosorption can be defined as a physicochemical process that removes substances from an aqueous solution where the sorbent is a biological matrix. This is a fast and reversible binding process between the metallic species and the functional groups present on the surface of the biomass. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the biosorptive capacity of the bacterial strain Rhodococcus erythropolis and banana peel chemically modified on the removal of Ni2 positive and Co2 positive in aqueous solutions in batch. Biosorptive flotation was also evaluated using R. erythropolis due to its high hydrophobicity degree. The appropriate pH value for biosorption with R. erythropolis was around 7 for both metals and for biosorbent modified banana peel was between 6 and 7 for both metals. The results of the uptake capacity of the biosorbents were well adjusted by the Langmuir isotherm model, where the maximum capture capacities using the modified banana peel were 29.35 mg/g for Ni2 positive and 24.70 mg/g for Co2 positive, and, using the Rhodococcus erythropolis bacteria were 14.46 mg/g for Ni2 positive and 16.06 mg/g for Co2 positive. The surface properties of the biosorbents were evaluated before and after interaction with the metallic species in order to determine the possible mechanisms of biosorption, through electrokinetic measurements, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In the biosorptive flotation experiments it was verified that R. erythropolis presents properties as biocollector and biofrother, achieving removal percentages of 40.20 percent and 23.52 percent for nickel and cobalt, respectively. The results show that although both biosorbents present significant behavior for metal removal at low concentration the modified banana peel showed a greater removal.

The main goal of this thesis is to expertise biological treatment of sewage water rising from production of DPG (diphenylguanidine). The theoretical part is focused on the water and means of sewage disposal. There is shortly described mechanism of physical, chemical, biological and combinated methods of sewage disposal. In practical part of this thesis, focused on expertising degradation of DPG and aniline was chosen high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique, which made it possible to determined their biodegradation abilities. The next component of this thesis are sideline products determination, phenylurea especially. This thesis is focused on monitoring of biofilm´s character and the activity of Rhodococcus erythropolis bacterial culture, used in biodegradation of DPG in chemical-biological wastewater treatment plant, LZD a.s.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Horse breeding industry is an activity in ascension worldwide, and is responsible for generating jobs and income. In Brazil, especially in Rio Grande do Sul state, there are several horse breeding farms with high-standard equines. Although these herds are under strict sanitary control, the occurrence of respiratory diseases is an important cause of mortality in foals and reduced athletic performance. Among the respiratory diseases, equine rhodococcosis, caused by the bacterium Rhodococcus equi, is the major cause of pneumonia in foals. Rhodococcus equi is worldwide distributed, and have emerged as an important cause of economic losses due to pneumonia in young animals. However, preventive measures and effective control of the disease are still challenges to be reached. In R. equi infection, iron (Fe) is classified as an essential element not only for the bacterium multiplication, but also as a key for the expression of virulence factors. Studies have shown the presence of specific Fe uptake mechanisms in R. equi, which have been determining its survival in both saprophytic and pathogenic life styles. However, as a type of nutritional immunity, mammals, including horses, reduce the plasmatic concentration of Fe through its binding in proteins, including the transferrin (Tf). In this context, the present thesis was developed to study aspects related to metabolism and acquisition of Fe by R. equi and Fe importance in the pathogenesis of equine rhodococcosis (manuscript 1), control and treatment of infections caused by R. equi through drugs with capability to reduce the availability of intracellular Fe (manuscript 2), and genetic susceptibility to R. equi pneumonia (manuscript 3), including the assessment of polymorphisms in the equine Tf gene as risk factors related to susceptibility and/or resistance to equine rhodococcosis (manuscript 4 ). We conclude that R. equi is evolving to specialize it in the acquisition and utilization of Fe from the host, skills that should be considered as key points for the development of chemotherapeutic agents. Once R. equi encodes redundant mechanisms of acquisition and utilization of Fe, it is likely that chemotherapeutic agents will need act on multiple cellular mechanisms or be used in combination. Furthermore, the term "nutritional immunity" may be considered an important strategy to minimize antimicrobial resistance observed in R. equi. As an example of chemotherapy associated with iron metabolism, we observed that chloroquine inhibits the intracellular multiplication of R. equi, most likely due to intracellular iron deprivation. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate the chloroquine therapeutic potential against R. equi infections. We also observed important chromosomal regions positively associated with R. equi pneumonia, which seem to possess genes associated with immune response against intracellular pathogens. This observation allows us to classify the equine rhodococcosis as a disease of polygenic basis, as postulated by previous studies. Finally, we found that polymorphisms in the Tf gene, including some not described yet in the literature, occur in Brazilian Sport Horses and Brazilian Thoroughbred Horses. There is the occurrence of two alleles between the breeds studied, including heterozygosis for these alleles. We believe that there is a relationship between equine Tf variants, and genetic susceptibility to R. equi pneumonia in the breeds evaluated. Summarizing, we have demonstrated that the modulation of Fe availability may be a useful approach to control the disease. / A equideocultura é uma atividade em ascensão mundial, responsável pela geração de empregos e renda. No Brasil, em especial no Rio Grande do Sul, encontram-se diversos locais de criação de equinos de alto padrão zootécnico. Embora estes rebanhos estejam sob rigoroso controle sanitário, a ocorrência de doenças respiratórias é causa importante de mortalidade em potros e redução de seu desempenho atlético. Dentre as doenças respiratórias, a rodococose equina, causada pela bactéria Rhodococcus equi, é a principal causa de pneumonia nesta categoria animal. R. equi está distribuído mundialmente, e cresce como causa de perdas econômicas devido à pneumonia observada em animais jovens. No entanto, medidas preventivas e efetivo controle da enfermidade são ainda desafios a serem alcançados. Na infecção por R. equi, o ferro (Fe) apresenta-se como um elemento fundamental não somente para multiplicação da bactéria, mas também, como um determinante para a expressão de fatores de virulência. Estudos têm demonstrado a presença de mecanismos específicos de captação de Fe em R. equi, os quais determinam sua sobrevivência tanto durante seu estilo de vida saprófito quanto patogênico. Em contrapartida, como uma forma de imunidade nutricional, mamíferos, entre eles os equinos, diminuem a concentração plasmática de Fe através de sua ligação em proteínas, entre elas, a transferrina (Tf). Neste contexto, esta tese foi elaborada visando contemplar aspectos relacionados ao metabolismo e aquisição de Fe por R. equi e sua importância para patogenia da rodococose equina (manuscrito 1), controle e tratamento de infecções por R. equi através de drogas com capacidade de modular a disponibilidade de Fe intracelular (manuscrito 2), e susceptibilidade genética à pneumonia por R. equi (manuscrito 3), incluindo a avaliação de polimorfismos no gene da Tf equina como fatores de risco relacionados à susceptibilidade e/ou resistência genética à rodococose equina (manuscrito 4). Concluímos que R. equi está evoluindo de forma a especializar-se na aquisição e utilização de Fe a partir do hospedeiro, habilidades que devem ser consideradas como pontos chave no desenvolvimento de agentes quimioterápicos. Uma vez que R. equi codifica redundantes mecanismos de aquisição e utilização de Fe, é provável que agentes quimioterápicos deverão inibir múltiplos mecanismos ou ser utilizados em combinação. Além disso, o conceito de imunidade nutricional pode considerado uma importante estratégia para minimizar a resistência antimicrobiana observada em R. equi. Como um exemplo de quimioterápicos associados ao metabolismo de Fe, observados que chloroquine inibir a multiplicação intracelular de R. equi, muito provavelmente devido à deprivação de Fe intracelular. No entanto, ainda são necessários estudos avaliando o potencial terapêutico de chloroquine como tratamento alternativo de infecções por R. equi. Observou-se, também, importantes regiões cromossômicas positivamente associadas à pneumonia por R. equi, as quais parecem possuir genes associados à resposta imune contra patógenos intracelulares. Esta observação nos permite classificar a rodococose equina como uma enfermidade de base poligênica, como postulado por estudos anteriores. Por fim, verificamos que polimorfismos no gene da Tf, inclusive polimorfismos ainda não descritos na literatura, ocorrem em equinos das raças Brasileiro de Hipismo e Puro Sangue de Corrida, criados no Brasil. Existe a ocorrência de dois alelos entre as raças estudas, incluindo animais heterozigotos para estes alelos. Acredita-se que exista uma relação entre variantes de Tf equina e susceptibilidade genética à pneumonia por R. equi nas raças analisadas. Em suma, demonstrou-se através de diferentes estudos que a modulação da disponibilidade de Fe pode ser uma forma de controle da rodococose equina.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:37:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_leandro_ribas.pdf: 533423 bytes, checksum: 051e6999778a1a91a3b217f25f75e25b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-03-10 / The present study has the objective to evaluate the epidemiologic factors related to respiratory diseases in thoroughbred foals placed in four stud farms around the city of Bagé/RS region, Brazil. Apart from the collection of data linked to breeding management practices, the evaluations consisted of the diary clinical control and complementary examinations for diagnosis using secretions collected from the respiratory tract of the foals affected with respiratory diseases. Among the 349 monitored foals until their 180 days of life, the incidence of 9,5% (33) of respiratory cases with 0,57% (2) of mortality was recorded. The concentration of cases was higher in months of summer, the 120 and 180 days old foals were more susceptible. The occurrence of the diseases was influenced by the breeding system and management practices that increased the environmental contamination potential, and also by the contact among the foals. No clinic case was related to the equine influenza virus (EIV) and to the equine herpesvirus (EHV) pathogens. Among the isolated pathogens, the highest frequency was for Streptococcus equi (57%), followed by Rhodococcus equi (17%) and this one was responsible for 50% of lethality. The obtained results suggest that connected factors to the management in the breeding of thoroughbred equine are going to contribute decisively for the manifestation of the respiratory disease and alert for the high morbidity caused by the equine adenitis and the high lethality related to Rhodococcus equi pathogens. / O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar fatores epidemiológicos associados com doenças respiratórias em potros Puro Sangue Inglês (PSI) alojados em 4 propriedades na região da cidade de Bagé-RS, Brasil. Além da coleta de dados ligados ao manejo de criação, as avaliações consistiram no monitoramento clínico diário e exames complementares de diagnóstico a partir de secreções colhidas do trato respiratório de potros com enfermidade respiratória. Entre os 349 potros monitorados até os 180 dias de vida, pôde-se registrar a incidência de 9,5% (33) de casos respiratórios, com mortalidade de 0,57% (2). A concentração de casos foi mais elevada nos meses de verão e potros com idade entre 120 e 180 dias foram mais suscetíveis. A ocorrência de doenças foi influenciada pelo sistema de criação e práticas de manejo que aumentaram o potencial de contaminação do ambiente e o contato entre potros. Nenhum caso clínico foi relacionado ao vírus da influenza (EIV) e ao herpesvírus eqüino (EHV). Entre os isolados, a maior freqüência foi de Streptococcus equi (57%), seguido do Rhodococcus equi (17%), este responsável pela letalidade de 50%. Os resultados sugerem que fatores ligados ao manejo na criação de eqüinos PSI parecem contribuir decisivamente para a manifestação da doença respiratória e alertam para a elevada morbidade causada pela adenite eqüina e a alta letalidade associada à rodococose entre potros jovens (>180 dias).