Genetic diversity of Rhizobia isolates from Amazon soils using cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) as trap plant

The aim of this work was to characterize rhizobia isolated from the root nodules of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) plants cultivated in Amazon soils samples by means of ARDRA (Amplified rDNA Restriction Analysis) and sequencing analysis, to know their phylogenetic relationships. The 16S rRNA gene of rhizobia was amplified by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) using universal primers Y1 and Y3. The amplification products were analyzed by the restriction enzymes HinfI, MspI and DdeI and also sequenced with Y1, Y3 and six intermediate primers. The clustering analysis based on ARDRA profiles separated the Amazon isolates in three subgroups, which formed a group apart from the reference isolates of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium elkanii. The clustering analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the fast-growing isolates had similarity with Enterobacter, Rhizobium, Klebsiella and Bradyrhizobium and all the slow-growing clustered close to Bradyrhizobium.

Esporotricose experimental sistêmica em ratos Wistar: avaliação hematológica e perfil hepático / Systemic experimental sporotrichosis in Wistar rats: hematological evaluation and hepatic profile

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) hepatic enzymes, hematological values, and total plasmatic proteins (TPP) of 12 Wistar rats with systemic experimental sporotrichosis were evaluated. Inoculation was performed at 2x10³ cells of S. schenckii/ml. The values ranged from 35 to 48UI/l for ALT and 67 to 251.3UI/l for AP. Fifty percent of the AP values were above the physiological limits. TPP was elevated in 66.7 percent (8/12) of the rats with values varying from 7.9 to 8.5g percent. In 75 percent (9/12) of the animals, it was observed that hemoglobin and red blood cells count were below the physiologic limits, and 8.3 percent (1/12) of the animals showed anemia masked by dehydration. At the necropsy, it was observed local and/or disseminated nodular lesions. At the histological analysis, cells compatible to S. schenckii were found. The observed alterations are aggravating factors for the recurrence and treatment of the mycosis.