ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Histoplasmosis, caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, represents an important public health problem, especially in urban environments where bats and humans cohabit indoors. AIMS: To detect the presence of H. capsulatum indoors, using samples of bat droppings collected in roost sites inside houses. METHODS: A Real-Time TaqMan PCR assay targeting the ITS1 region of the ribosomal DNA of H. capsulatum was carried out. RESULTS: Fifty-nine sampling points in the municipality of São Paulo were inspected, all of them located at inhabited places. H. capsulatum was isolated from nine samples. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid identification and monitoring of sites where the fungus is present may contribute to make a more reliable database of H. capsulatum distribution.
Subject(s)
Chiroptera/microbiology , DNA, Fungal/isolation & purification , Fungal Proteins/genetics , Histoplasma/genetics , Housing , Animals , Brazil , DNA, Ribosomal , Feces/microbiology , Fungal Proteins/isolation & purification , Histoplasma/isolation & purification , Histoplasmosis/microbiology , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Urban HealthSubject(s)
Animals , Infections , Pythiosis/diagnosis , Pythiosis/prevention & control , Zoonoses , Equidae , HorsesSubject(s)
Animals , Pythiosis/diagnosis , Pythiosis/prevention & control , Infections , Zoonoses , Horses , EquidaeABSTRACT
A survey of Microsporum gypseum was conducted in soil samples in different geographical regions of Brazil. The isolation of dermatophyte from soil samples was performed by hair baiting technique and the species were identified by morphology studies. We analyzed 692 soil samples and the recuperating rate was 19.2%. The activities of keratinase and elastase were quantitatively performed in 138 samples. The sequencing of the ITS region of rDNA was performed in representatives samples. M. gypseum isolates showed significant quantitative differences in the expression of both keratinase and elastase, but no significant correlation was observed between these enzymes. The sequencing of the representative samples revealed the presence of two teleomorphic species of M. gypseum (Arthroderma gypseum and A. incurvatum). The enzymatic activities may play an important role in the pathogenicity and a probable adaptation of this fungus to the animal parasitism. Using the phenotypical and molecular analysis, the Microsporum identification and their teleomorphic states will provide a useful and reliable identification system.
Subject(s)
Arthrodermataceae/enzymology , Arthrodermataceae/isolation & purification , Base Sequence , Microsporum/enzymology , Microsporum/isolation & purification , Peptide Hydrolases/analysis , Keratins/analysis , Enzyme Activation , Methods , VirulenceABSTRACT
A survey of Microsporum gypseum was conducted in soil samples in different geographical regions of Brazil. The isolation of dermatophyte from soil samples was performed by hair baiting technique and the species were identified by morphology studies. We analyzed 692 soil samples and the recuperating rate was 19.2%. The activities of keratinase and elastase were quantitatively performed in 138 samples. The sequencing of the ITS region of rDNA was performed in representatives samples. M. gypseum isolates showed significant quantitative differences in the expression of both keratinase and elastase, but no significant correlation was observed between these enzymes. The sequencing of the representative samples revealed the presence of two teleomorphic species of M. gypseum (Arthroderma gypseum and A. incurvatum). The enzymatic activities may play an important role in the pathogenicity and a probable adaptation of this fungus to the animal parasitism. Using the phenotypical and molecular analysis, the Microsporum identification and their teleomorphic states will provide a useful and reliable identification system.
