Isolation of Mycobacterium gordonae from poultry slaughterhouse water in São Paulo State, Brazil

Water samples (24 untreated water, 12 treated water and 24 served water) used in different stages of the slaughter process were examined to identify a possible source of pathogenic mycobacteria. The isolates were identified based on microscopy, morphological and biochemical features, mycolic acid analysis and molecular method - PCR-restriction-enzyme analysis. Eighteen mycobacterial strains were isolated from 60 water samples: 11 from untreated water, 5 from treated water and 2 from served water. All mycobacteria isolated were identified as Mycobacterium gordonae and showed the following PRA genotypes: III (27.8%), IV (38.9%) and V (33.3%).

Photodegradation of sparfloxacin and isolation of its degradation products by preparative HPLC

Sparfloxacin, a third generation fluoroquinolone derivative, is a potent antibacterial agent active against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms including Streptococcus pneuinoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin resistant S. aureus, Legionella spp., Mycoplasina spp., Chlamydia spp. and Mycobacterium spp. A drawback of fluoroquinolones is their photoreactivity. Sparfloxacin has been studied in terms of therapeutic activities. However, there are few published of analytical methods being applied to sparfloxacin. The aim in this study was to determine the photodegradation products of sparfloxacin, when submitted to UV light, and to characterize two of these products, designated SPAX-PDP1 and SPAX-PDP2. An accelerated study of stability in methanol solution was carried out by exposing a solution of sparfloxacin to UV light (peak wavelength 290 nm) for 36 hours at room temperature. The products were analyzed by NMR spectrophotometry, IR spectrometry and mass spectrophotometry. The results suggest that the products isolated here could be used to estimate the degradation of sparfloxacin in a stability study. However, the low activity exhibited by UV-irradiated sparfloxacin is a source of concern that demands further investigation of the mechanism of its photodegradation mechanism.

GIS_EM (Geographic information system for environmental monitoring) - A software implemented at Paulínia refinery (REPLAN) for management of environmental data

The computational program called GIS_EM (Geographic Information System for Environmental Monitoring), a software devised to manage geographic information for monitoring soil, surface, and ground water, developed for use in the Health, Safety, and Environment Division of Paulinia Refinery is presented. This program enables registering and management of alphanumeric information pertaining to specific themes such as drilling performed for sample collection and for installation of monitoring wells, geophysical and other tests, results of chemical analyses of soil, surface, and groundwater, as well as reference values providing orientation for soil and water quality, such as EPA, Dutch List, etc. Management of such themes is performed by means of alphanumeric search tools, with specific filters and, in the case of spatial search, through the selection of spatial elements (themes) in map view. Documents existing in digital form, such as reports, photos, maps, may be registered and managed in the network environment. As the system centralizes information generated upon environmental investigations, it expedites access to and search of documents produced and stored in the network environment, minimizing search time and the need to file printed documents. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the AIChE Annual Meeting and Fall Showcase (Cincinnati, OH 10/30/2005-11/4/2005).

The taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of Trypanosoma vivax from South America and Africa

The taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of Trypanosoma vivax are controversial. It is generally suggested that South American, and East and West African isolates could be classified as subspecies or species allied to T. vivax. This is the first phylogenetic study to compare South American isolates (Brazil and Venezuela) with West/East African T. vivax isolates. Phylogeny using ribosomal sequences positioned all T. vivax isolates tightly together on the periphery of the clade containing all Salivarian trypanosomes. The same branching of isolates within T. vivax clade was observed in all inferred phylogenies using different data sets of sequences (SSU, SSU plus 5.8S or whole ITS rDNA). T. vivax from Brazil, Venezuela and West Africa (Nigeria) were closely related corroborating the West African origin of South American T. vivax, whereas a large genetic distance separated these isolates from the East African isolate (Kenya) analysed. Brazilian isolates from cattle asymptomatic or showing distinct pathology were highly homogeneous. This study did not disclose significant polymorphism to separate West African and South American isolates into different species/subspecies and indicate that the complexity of T. vivax in Africa and of the whole subgenus Trypanosoma (Duttonella) might be higher than previously believed. © 2006 Cambridge University Press.

Isolation of lignans glycosides from Alibertia sessilis (Vell.) K. Schum. (Rubiaceae) by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography

Enantiomeric aglycone lignans contained in a mixture were separated from a fraction of the extract of the stems of Alibertia sessilis (Vell.) K. Schum. (Rubiaceae) by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. An efficient and fast separation can be achieved with methanol-water (30:70, v/v). Their structures were identified as (+)-lyoniresinol 3α-O-β-glucopyranoside and (-)-lyoniresinol 3α-O-β-glucopyranoside, being reported for the first time in Rubiaceae.

Evaluation of tropospheric and ionospheric effects on the geographic localization of data collection platforms

The Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE) is operating the Brazilian Environmental Data Collection System that currently amounts to a user community of around 100 organizations and more than 700 data collection platforms installed in Brazil. This system uses the SCD-1, SCD-2, and CBERS-2 low Earth orbit satellites to accomplish the data collection services. The main system applications are hydrology, meteorology, oceanography, water quality, and others. One of the functionalities offered by this system is the geographic localization of the data collection platforms by using Doppler shifts and a batch estimator based on least-squares technique. There is a growing demand to improve the quality of the geographical location of data collection platforms for animal tracking. This work presents an evaluation of the ionospheric and tropospheric effects on the Brazilian Environmental Data Collection System transmitter geographic location. Some models of the ionosphere and troposphere are presented to simulate their impacts and to evaluate performance of the platform location algorithm. The results of the Doppler shift measurements, using the SCD-2 satellite and the data collection platform (DCP) located in Cuiabá town, are presented and discussed.

Isolation and growth of the symbiotic fungus of Atta capiguara (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

This work's objectives were to isolate and evaluate the growth of the symbiotic fungus of Atta capiguara Gonçalves on artificial medium, under different pH and temperature conditions. Isolation was accomplished using the following media: Sabouraud, oat-agar, PDA, and PDA with the addition of extracts from the grasses Paspalum sp. Flügge and Hyparrhenia rufa (Nees) Stapf.. The medium used in the growth study was PDA with the addition of a Paspalum sp. (0.22%, w/v) extract at initial pH values of 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5. Mycelium disks were transferred to plates containing the culture medium. The plates were maintained at temperatures of 20, 23, and 26 ± 1°C. Mycelial radial growth evaluations were performed at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days of incubation. Fungus isolation was obtained in all media studied. The highest radial means were obtained at initial pH values of 6.0 and 7.5 and temperatures of 23 and 26± 1°C. Greater plot losses occurred at the initial pH condition of 7.5. In general, A. capiguara fungi can be grown in the medium studied, at an initial pH of 6.0 and temperatures of 23 or 26± 1°C. Radial growth evaluations at 14 and 28 days of incubation can be recommended for substrate studies involving the symbiotic fungus.

First isolation of microorganisms from the gut diverticulum of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): New perspectives for an insect-bacteria association

We show for the first time that the ventral diverticulum of the mosquito gut (impermeable sugar storage organ) harbors microorganisms. The gut diverticulum from newly emerged and non-fed Aedes aegypti was dissected under aseptic conditions, homogenized and plated on BHI medium. Microbial isolates were identified by sequencing of 16S rDNA for bacteria and 28S rDNA for yeast. A direct DNA extraction from Ae. aegypti gut diverticulum was also performed. The bacterial isolates were: Bacillus sp., Bacillus subtilis and Serratia sp. The latter was the predominant bacteria found in our isolations. The yeast species identified was Pichia caribbica.

Environmental isolation of black yeast-like fungi involved in human infection

The present study focuses on potential agents of chromoblastomycosis and other endemic diseases in the state of Paraná, Southern Brazil. Using a highly selective protocol for chaetothyrialean black yeasts and relatives, environmental samples from the living area of symptomatic patients were analysed. Additional strains were isolated from creosote-treated wood and hydrocarbon-polluted environments, as such polluted sites have been supposed to enhance black yeast prevalence. Isolates showed morphologies compatible with the traditional etiological agents of chromoblastomycosis, e.g. Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Phialophora verrucosa, and of agents of subcutaneous or systemic infections like Cladophialophora bantiana and Exophiala jeanselmei. Some agents of mild disease were indeed encountered. However, molecular analysis proved that most environmental strains differed from known etiologic agents of pronounced disease syndromes: they belonged to the same order, but mostly were undescribed species. Agents of chromoblastomycosis and systemic disease thus far are prevalent on the human host. The hydrocarbon-polluted environments yielded yet another spectrum of chaetothyrialean fungi. These observations are of great relevance because they allow us to distinguish between categories of opportunists, indicating possible differences in pathogenicity and virulence.

Selective factors involved in oil flotation isolation of black yeasts from the environment

The oil flotation isolation technique has been successfully applied to recover chaetothyrialean black yeasts and relatives from the environment. The selective mechanisms playing a role in isolation are unknown. The fungi concerned are supposed to occupy specialized microniches in nature, taking advantage of (1) oligotrophism. Mineral oil as a main selective agent may be based on (2) hydrophobicity or on (3) assimilation. All three hypotheses are tested in this paper. Results show that cell wall hydrophobicity is unlikely to be a selective factor. Incubation under poor nutrient conditions provides competitive advantage for black yeasts, especially for Exophiala strains, which are subsequently enriched by mineral oil which enhances growth in this group of fungi. Incubation under mineral media and mineral oil can be used as selective factor.

Isolation of toxoplasma gondii from goats from Brazil

Goats are economically important in many countries, and little is known of caprine toxoplasmosis in Brazil. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were assayed in the sera of 143 goats from 3 Brazilian states, using modified agglutination test (MAT titer ≥1:25); 46 (32.2%) tested positive. Samples of brain, heart, diaphragm, and masseter of seropositive animals were pooled, digested in pepsin, and bioassayed in mice. Viable T. gondii specimens were isolated from tissue homogenates of 12 goats; the isolates were designated TgGtBr1-12. Ten of the 12 isolates killed 100 of infected mice, indicating that goats can harbor mouse-virulent T. gondii and, hence, can serve as a source of infection for humans. © 2009 American Society of Parasitologists.

Isolation and identification of black yeasts by enrichment on atmospheres of monoaromatic hydrocarbons

Black yeast members of the Herpotrichiellaceae present a complex ecological behavior: They are often isolated from rather extreme environments polluted with aromatic hydrocarbons, while they are also regularly involved in human opportunistic infections. A selective technique to promote the in vitro growth of herpotrichiellaceous fungi was applied to investigate their ecophysiology. Samples from natural ecological niches and man-made environments that might contain black yeasts were enriched on an inert solid support at low humidity and under a controlled atmosphere rich in volatile aromatic hydrocarbons. Benzene, toluene, and xylene were provided separately as the sole carbon and energy source via the gas phase. The assayed isolation protocol was highly specific toward mesophilic Exophiala species (70 strains of this genus out of 71 isolates). Those were obtained predominantly from creosote-treated railway ties (53 strains), but isolates were also found on wild berries (11 strains) and in guano-rich soil samples (six strains). Most of the isolates were obtained on toluene (43 strains), but enrichments on xylene and benzene also yielded herpotrichiellaceous fungi (17 and 10 isolates, respectively). Based upon morphological characterizations and DNA sequences of the full internal transcriber spacers (ITS) and the 8.5S rRNA genes, the majority of the obtained isolates were affiliated to the recently described species Exophiala xenobiotica (32 strains) and Exophiala bergeri (nine strains). Members of two other phylogenetic groups (24 and two strains, respectively) somewhat related to E. bergeri were also found, and a last group (three strains) corresponded to an undescribed Exophiala species. © 2010 The Author(s).

Geographic distribution and parturition of mabuya arajara Rebouças-Spieker, 1981 (Squamata, sauria, scincidae) from Ceará, northeastern Brazil

Mabuya arajara Rebouças-Spieker, 1981 has been considered an endemic species from the southern of state of Ceará, restricted to the Deciduous Dry Forests in the slopes of Plateau of Araripe (Chapada do Araripe). Here, we present an updated distributional map for the species and demonstrate that its range is not restricted as formerly believed. In addition, we had an opportunity to observe a gravid female and we describe aspects regarding parturition and number of offspring for the species.

Amphibia, Anura, Cycloramphidae, Odontophrynus carvalhoi Savage and Cei, 1965: Distribution extension and geographic distribution map

We present the first record of Odontophrynus carvalhoi for the state of Alagoas, Brazil, and a distribution map for this species. This new record represents the nearest location to the Brazilian coast known for this species. © 2010 Check List and Authors.

Amphibia, Anura, Leptodactylidae, Leptodactylus furnarius Sazima and Bokermann, 1978: Geographic distribution extension in Brazil

The geographic distribution of Leptodactylus furnarius Sazima and Bokermann, 1978 comprises Argentina, Brazil (southern, southeastern, and west-central regions), Paraguay, and Uruguay. Herein, we report for the first time the occurrence of L. furnarius in northeastern and north regions of Brazil, at the states of Bahia and Tocantins, respectively. © 2010 Check List and Authors.