ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the presence of Mycoplasma spp. and identify the species of mycoplasma isolates obtained from seabirds found on Brazilian coastal beaches. Tracheal and cloacal swab samples were collected from 50 seabirds rescued by three conservation and marine animal rehabilitation centers located in Brazil. The tracheal and cloacal samples were subjected to mycoplasma culture and the isolates were identified through PCR. A "Mollicutes-specific" 16S rRNA PCR reaction was employed for triage. Four species-specific PCR reactions were used to detect Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae, Mycoplasma meleagridis, or M. gallinarum. The Mollicutes positive and species negative samples were submitted do 16S rRNA sequencing. Eighteen (36%) of 50 seabirds tested positive for mycoplasma by culture. In the PCR for the genus, 28 (56%) of 50 seabirds were positive for Mycoplasma spp., with 13 (26%) detected in the trachea, one (2%) in the cloaca, and 14 (28%) in both sites. In the species-specific PCR, M. gallisepticum was detected in 17.8%, and M. meleagridis in 17.8%. Both species were detected in 14.3%. Of the isolates not characterized at species level, we obtained ten sequences and they were divided into three clusters. The first cluster was closely related to M. meleagridis, the second to M. synoviae, and the third grouped M. tully, M. gallisepticum, and M. imitans. Four and five of nine species of seabirds studied had mycoplasma detected by culture or PCR, respectively. Mycoplasmas were found in the majority of the animals studied, with the highest prevalence proportionally found in Sula leucogaster, and the lowest in Fregata magnificens. The phylogenetic analysis identified Mycoplasma spp. adapted to aquatic birds.
ABSTRACT
Hepatozoon canis tem sido descrito em cães de várias regiões do Brasil sendo mais relatado em áreas rurais. O objetivodeste trabalho foi determinar a ocorrência de infecção por Hepatozoon spp. através da reação em cadeia da polimerase(PCR), em cães de região periurbana da cidade de Piraí, RJ. Em setembro/2006, foram coletadas amostras de sangue de88 cães da cidade, situada no vale do rio Paraíba do Sul. A PCR foi utilizada para a detecção de Hepatozoon spp. (gene18SRNAr) através de um par de iniciadores gênero-específicos. Duas amostras apresentaram resultado PCR-positivo(2,2%), havendo concordância com a avaliação morfológica em esfregaços sanguíneos. A amostra de Piraí demonstrou altasimilaridade (99%) com Hepatozoon canis. Os cães de Piraí apresentaram baixa frequência de infecção por H. canis,quando comparados a pesquisas anteriores na mesma região.
