No molecular evidence for influenza A virus and coronavirus in bats belonging to the families Phyllostomidae, Vespertilionidae, and Molossidae in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

This study aimed to evaluate, by molecular methods, the presence of influenza A virus (IAV) and coronavirus in non-hematophagous bats collected in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Samples of lung tissue and small intestine from 105 bats belonging to three families (Phyllostomidae, Vespertilionidae, and Molossidae) were collected in 22 municipalities in the state of São Paulo. Genetic identification of bats species was performed by amplification and sequencing of a fragment of 710 bp of the mitochondrial COI gene. In the detection of IAV, genomes were performed by RT-PCR, aiming at the amplification of a 245-bp fragment of the IAV matrix (M) protein gene. For coronaviruses, two fragments of 602 and 440 bp corresponding to segments along the gene encoding the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) were targeted. The detection limit for each of the PCRs was also determined. All samples analyzed here were negative for both viruses, and the lower limit of detection of the PCRs for the amplification of influenza virus A and coronavirus was estimated at 3.5 × 103 and 4.59 genomic copies per microliter, respectively. Although bats have been shown to harbor a large number of pathogens, the results of the present study support the theory that virus circulation in bats in the wild often occurs at low viral loads and that our understanding of the complex infectious dynamics of these viruses in wild conditions is still limited.

Antibacterial and hemolytic activity of extracts and compounds obtained from epicarps and seeds of Garcinia madruno(Kunth) Hammel / Actividad antimicrobiana y hemolítica de extractos y compuestos obtenidos del epicarpio y las semillas de Garcinia madruno (Kunth) Hammel

This paper describes the evaluation of the antimicrobial and hemolytic activity of the hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from seeds and epicarps of Garcinia madruno; as well garcinol, morelloflavone and volkensiflavone isolated from the same species. In the preliminary test of bacterial susceptibility, hexane extracts from seeds and epicarps and the three compounds tested only displayed inhibitory growth effect against Gram-positive bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of extract and compounds ranging from 86.6 to 1253.4 µg/mL. The hemolytic activity was assessed; however, except for the methanol extract from seeds, none of the samples studied induced hemolysis. Thus, our results suggest that extracts and compounds from G. madruno have the potential to be used in the control of pathologies associated to Gram-positive bacteria. This is the first report of the antimicrobial and hemolytic activity of extracts of different polarity obtained from seeds and epicarps of this edible species.

El presente artículo describe la evaluación de la actividad antimicrobiana y hemolítica de los extractos de hexano, diclorometano, acetato de etilo y metanol, obtenidos de la semilla y el epicarpio de Garcinia madruno; así como de garcinol, morelloflavona y volkensiflavona; aislados de la misma especie. En el ensayo de susceptibilidad bacteriana, tanto el extracto de hexano obtenido a partir de la semilla y el epicarpio, y los tres compuestos aislados, únicamente mostraron actividad inhibitoria del crecimiento contra bacterias Gram-positivas. La concentración mínima inhibitoria presentó valores entre 86.6 y 1253.4 µg/mL. También se estableció la actividad hemolítica; sin embargo, con excepción del extracto metanólico obtenido a partir de las semillas, ninguna de las muestras evaluadas indujo hemólisis. Por lo tanto, los resultados sugieren que los extractos y compuestos de G. madruno tienen el potencial de ser usados en el control de bacterias Gram-positivas asociadas a diversas patologías. Este es el primer reporte de actividad antimicrobiana y hemolítica de extractos de diferente polaridad obtenidos de las semillas y epicarpios de esta especie comestible.

Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi in ticks from reptiles in Córdoba, Colombia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Wildlife animals are reservoirs of a large number of microorganisms pathogenic to humans, and ticks could be responsible for the transmission of these pathogens. Rickettsia spp. are the most prevalent pathogens found in ticks. This study was conducted to detect Rickettsia spp. in ticks collected from free-living and illegally trafficked reptiles from the Department of Córdoba, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the period from October 2011 to July 2014, ticks belonging to the family Ixodidae were collected, preserved in 96% ethanol, identified using taxonomic keys, and pooled (between 1 and 14 ticks) according to sex, stage, host, and collected place for subsequent DNA extraction. Rickettsia detection was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), followed by conventional PCR to amplify a larger fragment of the gltA and 16S rRNA genes. The amplicons were sequenced using the Sanger method, and the nucleotide sequences were subjected to BLAST analysis to identify homologous sequences in GenBank, after which phylogenetic analysis was performed using the MEGA X software. RESULTS: In total, 21 specimens of nine species of reptiles were sampled, from which 805 Amblyomma dissimile ticks were collected, but only 180 ticks were selected to create 34 groups. The DNA of Rickettsia spp. was detected in 30/34 (88%) groups. The sequences of the gene gltA and 16S rRNA revealed a 100% identity with Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi (GenBank: KF905456 and GenBank: KF691750). CONCLUSION: A. dissimile was the only tick found in all the sampled reptiles. The presence of Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi in reptile ticks could represent a public health problem due to the risk of transmission to humans and the introduction of microorganisms to other geographical areas.

ETAPAS DE CAMBIO Y ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA REGULAR EN UN GRUPO DE UNIVERSITARIOS. CALI, COLOMBIA / STAGES OF CHANGE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN A GROUP OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. CALI, COLOMBIA

Las etapas de cambio se pueden definir como los cambios de comportamiento de la conducta en las personas, la cual sigue una serie de pasos. El presente estudio buscó determinar las etapas de cambio con relación a la práctica de actividad física de un grupo de universitarios. Su enfoque fue cuantitativo, de tipo descriptivo y diseño transversal. La muestra de 193 estudiantes del programa de fisioterapia de una universidad privada de la ciudad de Cali, seleccionados por muestreo aleatorio simple, a través del software estadístico OpenEpi Versión 3.0.1. Se utilizó el cuestionario de etapas de cambio de actividad física en su forma corta. Se hizo análisis descriptivo y de correlación con algunas variables sociodemográficas mediante la prueba de Chi2. El 89,6% de los universitarios se encuentra en las tres primeras etapas de cambio, es decir, son sedentarios y un 10,31% se categorizó como físicamente activos. La variable relacionada con las etapas de cambio fue el sexo con un valor p<0.05: la mayoría de la población participante en el estudio es joven y está en riesgo de catalogarse como inactivos físicos. Se encuentra potencial en este grupo para promover hábitos saludables a través de la práctica de actividad física.

The stages of change can be defined as changes in the behavior of the conduct of the people, which follows a series of steps. The present study sought to determine the stages of change with regard to the practice of physical activity of a group of college students. Its approach was quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional design. The sample of 193 students of the physiotherapy program from a private university in the city of Cali, selected by simple random sampling, through the OpenEpi statistical software version 3.0.1. A questionnaire of stages of change of physical activity in its short form was used. Analysis was descriptive and correlation with some sociodemographic variables using the Chi-square test. 89.6% of the university students is in the first three stages of change, i.e. are sedentary and a 10.31% was categorized as physically active. The variable associated with the stages of change was the sex with a value p<0.05. The majority of the participants in the study population is young and is at risk of classified as inactive physical. There is potential in this group to promote healthy habits through the practice of physical activity.