Sequencing and comparative analysis of the Amblyomma sculptum mitogenome.

The mitogenome of Amblyomma sculptum was sequenced, providing important information for understanding the evolutionary relationships among species of the A. cajennense complex. The mitochondrial genome has a circular structure with 37 genes, including 13 coding DNA sequences, two ribosomal RNA genes (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) and 22 tRNA genes. Comparative analysis with the mitogenomes of six reference species of the genus Amblyomma revealed that the ND5 gene, which is related to energy metabolism, and control regions 1 and 2 of the mitogenomes have polymorphisms that can be exploited as molecular markers to differentiate A. sculptum from other tick species in the Amblyomma cajennense complex as well as other Amblyomma species.

Development of data for the identification and characterization of proteins found in Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma lecticularia and Panstrongylus herreri.

The data presented here were obtained from the saliva of three triatominae, Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma lecticularia and Panstrongylus herreri from Montandon et al. study, doi:10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.02.009 [3]. These data were obtained from spectra generated by the mass spectrometry of proteins observed through the analysis of 2-D electrophoretic profiles. The data were analyzed according to the UniProt code, protein name, protein group, isoelectric point and molecular weight, electrophoretic profile, molecular mass referring to UniProt, volume percentage referring to the spot of the electrophoretic profile, number of peptides and percent coverage found by mass spectrometry related to the particular proteins. In addition, there characterizations made the most significant protein per spot, and also characterizations made for biological processes and molecular functions for all identified proteins.

Comparative proteomic analysis of the saliva of the Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma lecticularia and Panstrongylus herreri triatomines reveals a high interespecific functional biodiversity.

Triatomines are hematophagous arthropods that transmit Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli. Feeding behavior and pathogen transmission is known to vary between the different species, and this characteristic is directly or indirectly dependent on the bioactive molecules of the saliva that facilitate the vector-host-parasite interaction. Here, we identify, characterize and compare the sialoproteomic (from the Greek sialo: saliva) repertoire of important species of the main triatomine genera in the Americas (Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma lecticularia and Panstrongylus herreri) to better explain this interaction through two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. We identified 221 proteins, 69 from R. prolixus, 100 from T. lecticularia and 52 from P. herreri. We identified high abundance molecules with a great potential to modulate host defenses and homeostasis, highlighting Nitrophorin-4 (28.7%), Salivary lipocalin-5 (65.2%) and Putative triabin (20.5%) in R. prolixus, T. lecticularia and P. herreri, respectively. We also observed that only a single hypothetical protein is shared among three species, which was not functionally categorized. This study corroborates previous findings with R. prolixus, increasing the knowledge about this species with relevant proteomic information and comparisons with the other two targets of the study, T. lecticularia and P. herreri, for which no studies are available from a proteomics perspective.

Evidence of Borrelia in wild and domestic mammals from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The main of the study was to evaluate the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in domestic and wild vertebrates and ectoparasites in endemic areas from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 445 serum samples were examined by ELISA, which used the Borrelia burgdorferi strain G39/40 U.S. source and 3,821 tick samples were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). B. burgdorferi antibodies were found in 30 serum samples (6.74%); three in marsupials (7.69%), three in rodents (2.80%), nine in dogs (6.25%), and 15 in horses (9.68%). Nested-PCR performed in DNA samples obtained from collected ticks demonstrated negative results. Although attempts to amplify B. burgdorferi DNA from ticks had been not successful, the presence of seroreactive vertebrates suggests the possibility the Borrelia species circulating in these regions. Further research is required to provide information on the presence of Borrelia in Brazilian territory and its association with Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome.

Evidence of Borrelia in wild and domestic mammals from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil / Evidência de Borrelia em mamíferos silvestres e domésticos no Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil

The main of the study was to evaluate the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in domestic and wild vertebrates and ectoparasites in endemic areas from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 445 serum samples were examined by ELISA, which used the Borrelia burgdorferi strain G39/40 U.S. source and 3,821 tick samples were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). B. burgdorferi antibodies were found in 30 serum samples (6.74%); three in marsupials (7.69%), three in rodents (2.80%), nine in dogs (6.25%), and 15 in horses (9.68%). Nested-PCR performed in DNA samples obtained from collected ticks demonstrated negative results. Although attempts to amplify B. burgdorferi DNA from ticks had been not successful, the presence of seroreactive vertebrates suggests the possibility the Borrelia species circulating in these regions. Further research is required to provide information on the presence of Borrelia in Brazilian territory and its association with Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome.

O principal objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a presença de infecção por Borrelia burgdorferi em vertebrados domésticos e silvestres e ectoparasitas em áreas endêmicas do estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Um total de 445 amostras de soro foram examinadas por ELISA, onde usou-se a cepa americana G39/40 de Borrelia burgdorferi e 3.821 amostras de carrapatos foram testados pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). Anticorpos anti -B. burgdorferi foram encontrados em 30 amostras de soro (6,74%); três marsupiais (7,69%), três em roedores (2,80%), em nove cães (6,25%) e 15 em cavalos (9,68%). Nested-PCR realizada em amostras de DNA obtidas a partir de carrapatos coletados demonstraram resultados negativos. Apesar das tentativas para amplificar o DNA de B. burgdorferi a partir de carrapatos não tenha sido bem sucedido, a presença de soroatividade em vertebrados sugere a possibilidade de espécies de Borrelia circulando nestas regiões. Mais pesquisas são necessárias para fornecer informações sobre a presença de Borrelia em território brasileiro e sua associação com a Síndrome de Baggio-Yoshinari.