ABSTRACT
The composition of macro endoparasites associated with the lizard Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata) was analysed in two localities in the Atlantic Forest on the northeast of Brazil between December 2012 and July 2015. 74 specimens of N. fuscoauratus were examined and five species of helminths were reported, being: (a) for the population of Pernambuco: Cystacanth (Prevalence=37.5%), Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (Prevalence=4.16%), larva of flatworm (Prevalence=2.08%), Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=2.08%) and Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923 (Prevalence=2.08%), and (b) of Alagoas: S. oscari (Prevalence=17.85%) and Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=3.57%). The differences in the composition of endoparasites in the two populations are attributed to individualities of environments occupied by the lizards. The collection period does not influence the abundance of parasites, but when associated with sex, there was a positive correlation with the abundance of helminths, with more females than males being infected with parasites in the rainy season.
A composição de macro endoparasitas associada com o lagarto Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata) foi analisada em duas localidades da Mata Atlântica no nordeste do Brasil, entre dezembro de 2012 e julho de 2015. 74 espécimes foram examinados e cinco espécies de helmintos foram encontradas, sendo: (a) para a população de Pernambuco: Cistacanto (Prevalência=37.5%), Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (Prevalência=4.16%), larva de platelminto (Prevalência=2.08%), Rhabdias sp. (Prevalência =2.08%) e Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923 (Prevalência =2.08%) e (b) Alagoas: S. oscari (Prevalência=17.85%) e Rhabdias sp. (Prevalência =3.57%). As diferenças na composição dos endoparasitas nas duas populações pode ser atribuída as individualidades dos ambientes ocupados por esses lagartos. O período de coleta não influenciou na abundância de parasitas, mas quando associado com o sexo, houve uma correlação positiva com a abundância de helmintos, com mais fêmeas do que machos, infectadas na estação chuvosa.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Female , Ascaridida , Helminths , Lizards , Brazil , ForestsABSTRACT
The composition of macro endoparasites associated with the lizard Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata) was analysed in two localities in the Atlantic Forest on the northeast of Brazil between December 2012 and July 2015. 74 specimens of N. fuscoauratus were examined and five species of helminths were reported, being: (a) for the population of Pernambuco: Cystacanth (Prevalence=37.5%), Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (Prevalence=4.16%), larva of flatworm (Prevalence=2.08%), Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=2.08%) and Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923 (Prevalence=2.08%), and (b) of Alagoas: S. oscari (Prevalence=17.85%) and Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=3.57%). The differences in the composition of endoparasites in the two populations are attributed to individualities of environments occupied by the lizards. The collection period does not influence the abundance of parasites, but when associated with sex, there was a positive correlation with the abundance of helminths, with more females than males being infected with parasites in the rainy season.
A composição de macro endoparasitas associada com o lagarto Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata) foi analisada em duas localidades da Mata Atlântica no nordeste do Brasil, entre dezembro de 2012 e julho de 2015. 74 espécimes foram examinados e cinco espécies de helmintos foram encontradas, sendo: (a) para a população de Pernambuco: Cistacanto (Prevalência=37.5%), Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (Prevalência=4.16%), larva de platelminto (Prevalência=2.08%), Rhabdias sp. (Prevalência =2.08%) e Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923 (Prevalência =2.08%) e (b) Alagoas: S. oscari (Prevalência=17.85%) e Rhabdias sp. (Prevalência =3.57%). As diferenças na composição dos endoparasitas nas duas populações pode ser atribuída as individualidades dos ambientes ocupados por esses lagartos. O período de coleta não influenciou na abundância de parasitas, mas quando associado com o sexo, houve uma correlação positiva com a abundância de helmintos, com mais fêmeas do que machos, infectadas na estação chuvosa.
Subject(s)
Animals , Helminths , Lizards/parasitology , SpiruroideaABSTRACT
Abstract The composition of macro endoparasites associated with the lizard Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata) was analysed in two localities in the Atlantic Forest on the northeast of Brazil between December 2012 and July 2015. 74 specimens of N. fuscoauratus were examined and five species of helminths were reported, being: (a) for the population of Pernambuco: Cystacanth (Prevalence=37.5%), Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (Prevalence=4.16%), larva of flatworm (Prevalence=2.08%), Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=2.08%) and Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923 (Prevalence=2.08%), and (b) of Alagoas: S. oscari (Prevalence=17.85%) and Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=3.57%). The differences in the composition of endoparasites in the two populations are attributed to individualities of environments occupied by the lizards. The collection period does not influence the abundance of parasites, but when associated with sex, there was a positive correlation with the abundance of helminths, with more females than males being infected with parasites in the rainy season.
Resumo A composição de macro endoparasitas associada com o lagarto Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata) foi analisada em duas localidades da Mata Atlântica no nordeste do Brasil, entre dezembro de 2012 e julho de 2015. 74 espécimes foram examinados e cinco espécies de helmintos foram encontradas, sendo: (a) para a população de Pernambuco: Cistacanto (Prevalência=37.5%), Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (Prevalência=4.16%), larva de platelminto (Prevalência=2.08%), Rhabdias sp. (Prevalência =2.08%) e Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923 (Prevalência =2.08%) e (b) Alagoas: S. oscari (Prevalência=17.85%) e Rhabdias sp. (Prevalência =3.57%). As diferenças na composição dos endoparasitas nas duas populações pode ser atribuída as individualidades dos ambientes ocupados por esses lagartos. O período de coleta não influenciou na abundância de parasitas, mas quando associado com o sexo, houve uma correlação positiva com a abundância de helmintos, com mais fêmeas do que machos, infectadas na estação chuvosa.
ABSTRACT
The composition of macro endoparasites associated with the lizard Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata) was analysed in two localities in the Atlantic Forest on the northeast of Brazil between December 2012 and July 2015. 74 specimens of N. fuscoauratus were examined and five species of helminths were reported, being: (a) for the population of Pernambuco: Cystacanth (Prevalence=37.5%), Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (Prevalence=4.16%), larva of flatworm (Prevalence=2.08%), Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=2.08%) and Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923 (Prevalence=2.08%), and (b) of Alagoas: S. oscari (Prevalence=17.85%) and Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=3.57%). The differences in the composition of endoparasites in the two populations are attributed to individualities of environments occupied by the lizards. The collection period does not influence the abundance of parasites, but when associated with sex, there was a positive correlation with the abundance of helminths, with more females than males being infected with parasites in the rainy season.
Subject(s)
Ascaridida , Helminths , Lizards , Animals , Brazil , Female , Forests , MaleABSTRACT
AIM: The R577X polymorphism of the alpha-actinin-3 (ACTN3) gene and the IVS1-6G>A polymorphism of the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) gene have been associated with a favourable muscle phenotype (more muscle fibres with high glycolytic activity), reduced predisposition for congenital dystrophy and resistance to sarcopenia in old age. The aim of this study was to look for evidence of selective pressure towards genotypes favourable for strong muscle activity in a sample of national-level Italian athletes. METHODS: We analysed two stop codon polymorphisms in the DNA of 50 Italian athletes, specialised in power or endurance sports, and compared their genotypic distribution with those of a population of 50 controls. In a representative sub-group of athletes (N.=42) we then compared the genetic data with anaerobic threshold, assessed by an incremental exercise test up to exhaustion. RESULTS: The athlete group showed an allelic distribution of ACTN3 (R/R:64%, R/X:16%, X/X:20%) and CNTF (G/G:72%, G/A:26%, A/A:2%), significantly imbalanced towards alleles R/R and G/G, respectively, compared to controls (ACTN3=R/R:40% R/X:22% X/X:38% and CNTF=G/G:52%, G/A:24%, A/A:24%) (p=0.0024 and p=0.0001, respectively). Only the ACTN3 577X/X polymorphism showed a significant association with the anaerobic threshold of athletes (F-ratio= 4.037; p=0.025). Factorial ANOVA demonstrated a non significant interaction between favourable allelic patterns of ACTN3 and CNTF genes on aerobic performance in the athlete group. CONCLUSION: The relationship found between favourable muscle phenotype and this genetic profile may have interesting implications in sport performance and training, athlete selection and different clinical activities, such as physical rehabilitation and modifying phenotypes associated with neuromuscular diseases.
Subject(s)
Actinin/genetics , Athletes , Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor/genetics , Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Physical Endurance/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic , Case-Control Studies , Chi-Square Distribution , Exercise Test , Female , Gene Frequency , Genotype , Humans , Italy , Male , Muscle Strength/genetics , Oxygen Consumption/genetics , PhenotypeABSTRACT
The parameters of infection by lung parasites from two sympatric lizards, Mabuya arajara and Anolis brasiliensis, from the Atlantic Rainforest of the lower slope of Chapada do Araripe in Northeastern Brazil were analyzed between September, 2009 and July, 2010. A total of 202 lizards were collected. 125 specimens were from Mabuya arajara and 77 from Anolis brasiliensis. M. arajara was infected by the pentastomid Raillietiella mottae while A. brasiliensis was infected by the nematode Rhabdias sp., with an overall prevalence of 1.6% and 28.6%, respectively. The mean intensity of infection by Rhabdias sp. was 3.63 ± 2.58 (range 1-15). The body size and sex of lizards did not influence the intensity of infection by Rhabdias sp. The overall prevalence was also not different between males and females hosts in A. brasiliensis. Both Anolis brasiliensis and Mabuya arajara represent a new host to Rhabdias sp. and Raillietiella mottae, respectively.
Subject(s)
Lizards/parasitology , Lung Diseases, Parasitic/veterinary , Parasitic Diseases, Animal/epidemiology , Pentastomida , Rhabditida Infections/veterinary , Rhabditoidea/isolation & purification , Animals , Brazil/epidemiology , Female , Lizards/classification , Lung Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , Lung Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology , Male , Parasitic Diseases, Animal/parasitology , Prevalence , Rhabditida Infections/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The phospholipase A2 superfamily encompasses 15 groups that are classified into: secreted PLA2 (sPLA2); cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2); Ca2+-independent intracellular PLA2 (iPLA2); platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH); and lysosomal PLA2. Currently, approximately 700 PLA2 sequences are known, of which 200 are obtained from the venom gland of Crotalinae snakes. However, thus far, little information is available on cloning, purification and structural characterization of PLA2 from Crotalus durisssus cascavela venom gland. In the present work, we report the molecular cloning of a novel svPLA2 from C. d. cascavella (Cdc), a predominant rattlesnake subspecies in northeastern Brazil. The Cdc svPLA2 cDNA precursor is 689 nucleotides long and encodes a protein of 138 amino acid residues, with a calculated molecular mass of approximately 13,847 Da and an estimated isoelectric point of 5.14. Phylogenetic analysis of Crotalinae PLA2 reveals that Cdc PLA2 clustered with other acidic type IIA PLA2 homologues is also present in the venom of North American rattlesnakes. Hitherto, this study presents a novel PLA2 cDNA precursor from C. d. cascavella and data reported herein will be useful for further steps in svPLA2 purification and analysis.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Cloning, Molecular , Crotalid VenomsABSTRACT
Snake venom metalloproteases encompass a large family of toxins, with approximately 200 members already catalogued, which exhibit a diversity of structures and biological functions. From this relatively large number, only a dozen examples of apoptosis-inducing metalloproteases, like VAP1 and 2 from the venom of Crotalus atrox, are known. Since most VAP1-like toxins ever characterized were purified from the venom of Viperidae species inhabiting diverse places on earth, we investigate the expression of VAP-like metalloproteases in the venom gland of three representative pit vipers of the Brazilian territory. By molecular cloning and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, using as calibrator gene the Crotalus durissus terrificus homolog of VAP1, named crotastatin, it is reported here that VAP1/crotastatin-like homologues in the venom gland of Bothrops atrox, C. d. cascavella and Lachesis m. rhombeata are expressed at different levels. Hence, batroxstatins, the crotastatin-like precursors from B. atrox, are expressed 87 times more than crotastatin-1, from C. d. cascavella, and 7.5-fold that lachestatins, from L. m. rhombeata. Moreover, in silico structural analysis of amino acid sequences indicates that batroxstatin-2, crotastatins and lachestatin-1 and -2 which share the archetypal motifs and metal- binding sites of VAP1, are subgrouped in a branch that comprises some apoptosis-inducing toxins.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/genetics , Crotalid Venoms/genetics , Crotalus/genetics , Metalloendopeptidases/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/metabolism , Base Sequence , Computer Simulation , Crotalid Venoms/chemistry , Crotalid Venoms/metabolism , Crotalus/metabolism , Gene Expression , Gene Library , Linear Models , Metalloendopeptidases/metabolism , Metalloproteases/genetics , Metalloproteases/metabolism , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Polymorphism, Genetic , RNA, Messenger/analysis , Sequence AlignmentABSTRACT
Bothrops erythromelas is responsible for many snake bites in northeastern Brazil. In the present study we determined the in vivo distribution of the venom following its subcutaneous injection into mice. B. erythromelas venom and albumin were labeled individually with 131I by the chloramine T method, and separated in a Sephacryl S-200 column. The efficiency of labeling was 68%. Male Swiss mice (40-45 g), which had been provided with drinking water containing 0.05% KI over a period of 10 days prior to the experiment, were inoculated dorsally (s.c.) with 0.3 ml (2.35 x 10(5) cpm/mouse) of 131I-venom (N = 42), 131I-albumin or 131I (controls, N = 28 each). Thirty minutes and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h after inoculation, the animals were perfused with 0.85% NaCl and skin and various organs were collected in order to determine radioactivity content. There was a high rate of venom absorption in the skin (51%) within the first 30 min compared to albumin (20.1%) and free iodine (8.2%). Up to the third hour after injection there was a tendency for venom and albumin to concentrate in the stomach (3rd h), small intestine (3rd h) and large intestine (6th h). Both control groups had more radioactivity in the digestive tract, especially in the stomach, but these levels decreased essentially to baseline by 12-18 h postinjection. In the kidneys, the distribution profiles of venom, albumin and iodine were similar. Counts at 30 min postinjection were low in all three groups (1.37, 1.86 and 0.77, respectively), and diminished to essentially 0% by 12-18 h. Albumin tended to concentrate in muscle until the 3rd h postinjection (1.98%). There was a low binding of labeled venom in the liver (< 0.54%), thyroid (< 0.11%) and lungs (< 0.08%), and no iodinated venom was detected in brain, heart, diaphragm, spleen or bladder. The low venom binding observed in most internal organs, comparable to that of albumin, suggests that B. erythromelas venom does not specifically target most internal organs. That is, the systemic effects of envenomation are mainly due to an indirect action.
Subject(s)
Bothrops , Crotalid Venoms/pharmacokinetics , Albumins , Animals , Crotalid Venoms/chemistry , Crotalid Venoms/toxicity , Injections, Subcutaneous , Iodine Radioisotopes/pharmacokinetics , Male , Mice , RatsABSTRACT
Bothrops erythromelas is responsible for many snake bites in northeastern Brazil. In the present study we determined the in vivo distribution of the venom following its subcutaneous injection into mice. B. erythromelas venom and albumin were labeled individually with I by the chloramine T method, and separated in a Sephacrylr S-200 column. The efficiency of labeling was 68 percent. Male Swiss mice (40-45 g), which had been provided with drinking water containing 0.05 percent KI over a period of 10 days prior to the experiment, were inoculated dorsally(sc) with 03. ml (2.35 x 10(5) cpm/mouse) of I-venom (N=42), I-albumin or I (controls, N=28 each). Thirty minutes and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h after inoculation, the animals were perfused with 0.85 percent NaCl and skin and various organs were collected in order to determine radioactivity content. There was a high rate of venom absorption in the skin (51 percent) within the first 30 min compared to albumin (20.1 percent) and free iodine (8.2 percent). Up to the third hour after injection there was a tendency for venom and albumin to concentrate in the stomach (3rd h), small intestine (3rd h) and large intestine (6th h). Both control groups had more radioactivity in the digestive tract, especially in the stomach, but these levels decreased essentially to baseline by 12-18 h postinjection. In the kidneys, the distribution profiles of venom, albumin and iodine were similar. Counts at 30 min postinjection were low in all three groups (1.37, 1.86 and 0.77, respectively), and diminished to essentially 0 percent by 12-18 h. Albumin tended to concentrate in muscle until the 3rd h postinjection (1.98 percent). There was a low binding of labeled venom is the liver (<0.54 percent), thyroid (<0.11 percent) and lungs (<0.08 percent), and no iodinated venom was detected in brain, heart, diaphragm, spleen or bladder. The low venom binding observed in most internal organs, comparable to that of albumin, suggests that B. erythromelas venom does not specifically target most internal organs. That is, the systemic effects of envenomation are mainly due to an indirect action.
