Pneumocystis spp. and Histoplasma capsulatum in bats lungs in Southern and Midwestern regions of Brazil / Pneumocystis spp. e Histoplasma capsulatum detectados em pulmões de morcegos das regiões Sul e Centro-Oeste do Brasil

Background: Histoplasma capsulatum and Pneumocystis spp. may cause a host infection through the respiratory airway, mainlyaffecting the pulmonary tissue. These fungal pathogens affect a wide range of mammalian species, including humans and bats.The co-infection of bats with both organisms above has never been studied in Brazil. The aim of the present research was todetect the presence of the H. capsulatum and Pneumocystis spp. in lung samples of bat species from two states of Brazil. For thispurpose, a highly sensitive nested PCR was used with specific molecular markers for each pathogen.Materials, Methods & Results: Two hundred and forty-nine bats were captured between 2007 and 2009 in caves, forests, andurban areas of Mato Grosso (MT) and Rio Grande do Sul (RS), located respectively in the Mid-Western and Southern regions. Thebats were captured following the guidelines of the rabies control manual for herbivores, standardized by the Ministry of the Agriculture. Detection of Pneumocystis spp. DNA was based upon nested PCR, which amplified a portion of the mitochondrial smallsubunit (mtSSU) of the rRNA gene, whereas the H. capsulatum DNA was amplified employing the Hcp 100 locus. Amplificationproducts were sequenced to confirm fungal presence in bat lungs. The amplifications results for H. capsulatum and Pneumocystisspp. were positive in 63 [25.3%, IC95% (20.1%-31.25%)] and 95 [(38,2%, IC95% (32.1%-44.52%)] samples, respectively. Thegreatest occurrence of Histoplasma capsulatum was observed in Desmodus rotundus (20.6%), Tadarida brasiliensis (20.6%),Histiotus velatus (19.0%) and Molossus molossus (11.1%), with the detection in the other species being lower than 7.9%, amongthe 24 studied bat species. For Pneumocystis spp., the detection was higher in Tadarida brasiliensis (23.1%), Desmodus rotundus(18.%), Histiotus velatus (14.7%), and Molossus molossus (11,6%), being lower than 5.3% in the other species. A co-infection...(AU)

Pneumocystis spp. and Histoplasma capsulatum in bats lungs in Southern and Midwestern regions of Brazil / Pneumocystis spp. e Histoplasma capsulatum detectados em pulmões de morcegos das regiões Sul e Centro-Oeste do Brasil

Background: Histoplasma capsulatum and Pneumocystis spp. may cause a host infection through the respiratory airway, mainlyaffecting the pulmonary tissue. These fungal pathogens affect a wide range of mammalian species, including humans and bats.The co-infection of bats with both organisms above has never been studied in Brazil. The aim of the present research was todetect the presence of the H. capsulatum and Pneumocystis spp. in lung samples of bat species from two states of Brazil. For thispurpose, a highly sensitive nested PCR was used with specific molecular markers for each pathogen.Materials, Methods & Results: Two hundred and forty-nine bats were captured between 2007 and 2009 in caves, forests, andurban areas of Mato Grosso (MT) and Rio Grande do Sul (RS), located respectively in the Mid-Western and Southern regions. Thebats were captured following the guidelines of the rabies control manual for herbivores, standardized by the Ministry of the Agriculture. Detection of Pneumocystis spp. DNA was based upon nested PCR, which amplified a portion of the mitochondrial smallsubunit (mtSSU) of the rRNA gene, whereas the H. capsulatum DNA was amplified employing the Hcp 100 locus. Amplificationproducts were sequenced to confirm fungal presence in bat lungs. The amplifications results for H. capsulatum and Pneumocystisspp. were positive in 63 [25.3%, IC95% (20.1%-31.25%)] and 95 [(38,2%, IC95% (32.1%-44.52%)] samples, respectively. Thegreatest occurrence of Histoplasma capsulatum was observed in Desmodus rotundus (20.6%), Tadarida brasiliensis (20.6%),Histiotus velatus (19.0%) and Molossus molossus (11.1%), with the detection in the other species being lower than 7.9%, amongthe 24 studied bat species. For Pneumocystis spp., the detection was higher in Tadarida brasiliensis (23.1%), Desmodus rotundus(18.%), Histiotus velatus (14.7%), and Molossus molossus (11,6%), being lower than 5.3% in the other species. A co-infection...

Real-time pcr and nested-pcr assays for detection of Pneumocystis sp. in lung tissues of bats / Real-time pcr and nested-pcr assays for detection of Pneumocystis sp. in lung tissues of bats

Background: Pneumocystis constitutes a highly diversifi ed biological group, with numerous species, which are strongly host-specifi c and well adapted to live inside the lungs of a diverse range of mammals. The detection of DNA from Pneumocystis in clinical specimens by PCR assays is leading to important advances in pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis and its epidemiology. The aim of this study was to analyze two different diagnostic methods, real-time PCR (qPCR) using primers based in the Major Surface Glycoprotein (MSG) of Pneumocystis sp. and conventional nested PCR using primers designed to the small subunit of mitochondrial rRNA (mtSSU rRNA) for detection of Pneumocystis DNA in lung tissue from bats.Materials, Methods & Results: Bats (195 samples) were captured (2007-2009) in caves, forests, and urban areas, were obtained from the Program of Rabies Control of two states in Brazil: Mato Grosso and Rio Grande do Sul, located respectively in the Mid-Western and Southern regions of the country approximately 2000 km apart. Lung tissue (250 mg) was fi nely minced, homogenized with crushing and DNA extraction was carried out with commercial kit. DNA samples the lung tissue of bats were analyzed by nested PCR, using oligonucleotide primers designed for the gene encoding the mitochondrial small subunit r RNA (mtSSU rRNA) and Taqman probe and primers for qPCR were selected based on

Background: Pneumocystis constitutes a highly diversifi ed biological group, with numerous species, which are strongly host-specifi c and well adapted to live inside the lungs of a diverse range of mammals. The detection of DNA from Pneumocystis in clinical specimens by PCR assays is leading to important advances in pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis and its epidemiology. The aim of this study was to analyze two different diagnostic methods, real-time PCR (qPCR) using primers based in the Major Surface Glycoprotein (MSG) of Pneumocystis sp. and conventional nested PCR using primers designed to the small subunit of mitochondrial rRNA (mtSSU rRNA) for detection of Pneumocystis DNA in lung tissue from bats.Materials, Methods & Results: Bats (195 samples) were captured (2007-2009) in caves, forests, and urban areas, were obtained from the Program of Rabies Control of two states in Brazil: Mato Grosso and Rio Grande do Sul, located respectively in the Mid-Western and Southern regions of the country approximately 2000 km apart. Lung tissue (250 mg) was fi nely minced, homogenized with crushing and DNA extraction was carried out with commercial kit. DNA samples the lung tissue of bats were analyzed by nested PCR, using oligonucleotide primers designed for the gene encoding the mitochondrial small subunit r RNA (mtSSU rRNA) and Taqman probe and primers for qPCR were selected based on

Real-time PCR and nested-PCR assays for detection of Pneumocystis sp. in lung tissues of bats

Background: Pneumocystis constitutes a highly diversified biological group, with numerous species, which are strongly host-specific and well adapted to live inside the lungs of a diverse range of mammals. The detection of DNA from Pneumocystis in clinical specimens by PCR assays is leading to important advances in pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis and its epidemiology. The aim of this study was to analyze two different diagnostic methods, real-time PCR (qPCR) using primers based in the Major Surface Glycoprotein (MSG) of Pneumocystis sp. and conventional nested PCR using primers designed to the small subunit of mitochondrial rRNA (mtSSU rRNA) for detection of Pneumocystis DNA in lung tissue from bats. Materials, Methods & Results: Bats (195 samples) were captured (2007-2009) in caves, forests, and urban areas, were obtained from the Program of Rabies Control of two states in Brazil: Mato Grosso and Rio Grande do Sul, located respectively in the Mid-Western and Southern regions of the country approximately 2000 km apart. Lung tissue (250 mg) was finely minced, homogenized with crushing and DNA extraction was carried out with commercial kit. DNA samples the lung tissue of bats were analyzed by nested PCR, using oligonucleotide primers designed for the gene encoding the mitochondrial small subunit rRNA (mtSSU rRNA) and Taqman probe and primers for qPCR were selected based on the Major Surface Glycoprotein (MSG) of Pneumocystis sp. Chi-square (P < 0.001 was considered signifi cant) and the McNemar's test was used to analyze nested PCR and qPCR as methods of detection of Pneumocystis sp. and the Kappa was calculated by Win Episcope 2.0. To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the qPCR assay, a nested PCR assay was considered as the reference method. The positivity was 36.4% in the nested PCR and 24.1% using the qPCR. Concordance was obtained in 68.2% of the samples (133/195). It was demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference between the techniques used and, both tests proved to be specific for the detection of Pneumocystis species. Specificity was 71% for the nested PCR and 84.6% for the qPCR. Pneumocystis was detected (71/195) by the nested PCR assay in 14 species:. Tadarida brasiliensis, Histiotus velatus, Desmodus rotundus, Molossus molossus, Glossophaga soricina, Nyctinomops laticaudatus, Promops nasutus, Artibeus sp., Eptesocus furinalus, Lasurus blossevillii, Molossus currentium, Molossus rufus, Myotis levis and Nyctinomops macrotis. Discussion: This study detected the DNA from Pneumocystis through the nested PCR and qPCR assays, and the frequency found is comparable to that obtained in a previous study, which used the nested PCR in Central American, South American and European countries. Pneumocystis sp. was observed in a high number of different bat species (14) in two Brazilian States (RS and MT). The qPCR showed a higher specificity in comparison to the nested PCR. The literature has similar findings to the results obtained by this research, employing the same tests and genes. The nested PCR and qPCR assays are indicated in the diagnosis of Pneumocystis sp. in bats and it is important to highlight that a better diagnostic precision is achieved with the association of both tests. Additionally, this study was the first to detect Pneumocystis sp. in the lungs of bats using qPCR.

Real-time pcr and nested-pcr assays for detection of Pneumocystis sp. in lung tissues of bats / Real-time pcr and nested-pcr assays for detection of Pneumocystis sp. in lung tissues of bats

Background: Pneumocystis constitutes a highly diversifi ed biological group, with numerous species, which are strongly host-specifi c and well adapted to live inside the lungs of a diverse range of mammals. The detection of DNA from Pneumocystis in clinical specimens by PCR assays is leading to important advances in pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis and its epidemiology. The aim of this study was to analyze two different diagnostic methods, real-time PCR (qPCR) using primers based in the Major Surface Glycoprotein (MSG) of Pneumocystis sp. and conventional nested PCR using primers designed to the small subunit of mitochondrial rRNA (mtSSU rRNA) for detection of Pneumocystis DNA in lung tissue from bats.Materials, Methods & Results: Bats (195 samples) were captured (2007-2009) in caves, forests, and urban areas, were obtained from the Program of Rabies Control of two states in Brazil: Mato Grosso and Rio Grande do Sul, located respectively in the Mid-Western and Southern regions of the country approximately 2000 km apart. Lung tissue (250 mg) was fi nely minced, homogenized with crushing and DNA extraction was carried out with commercial kit. DNA samples the lung tissue of bats were analyzed by nested PCR, using oligonucleotide primers designed for the gene encoding the mitochondrial small subunit r RNA (mtSSU rRNA) and Taqman probe and primers for qPCR were selected based on

Background: Pneumocystis constitutes a highly diversifi ed biological group, with numerous species, which are strongly host-specifi c and well adapted to live inside the lungs of a diverse range of mammals. The detection of DNA from Pneumocystis in clinical specimens by PCR assays is leading to important advances in pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis and its epidemiology. The aim of this study was to analyze two different diagnostic methods, real-time PCR (qPCR) using primers based in the Major Surface Glycoprotein (MSG) of Pneumocystis sp. and conventional nested PCR using primers designed to the small subunit of mitochondrial rRNA (mtSSU rRNA) for detection of Pneumocystis DNA in lung tissue from bats.Materials, Methods & Results: Bats (195 samples) were captured (2007-2009) in caves, forests, and urban areas, were obtained from the Program of Rabies Control of two states in Brazil: Mato Grosso and Rio Grande do Sul, located respectively in the Mid-Western and Southern regions of the country approximately 2000 km apart. Lung tissue (250 mg) was fi nely minced, homogenized with crushing and DNA extraction was carried out with commercial kit. DNA samples the lung tissue of bats were analyzed by nested PCR, using oligonucleotide primers designed for the gene encoding the mitochondrial small subunit r RNA (mtSSU rRNA) and Taqman probe and primers for qPCR were selected based on