Molecular identification of Coccidioides spp. in soil samples from Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since 1991 several outbreaks of acute coccidioidomycosis (CM) were diagnosed in the semi-arid Northeast of Brazil, mainly related to disturbance of armadillo burrows caused by hunters while digging them for the capture of these animals. This activity causes dust contaminated with arthroconidia of <it>Coccidioides posadasii</it>, which, once inhaled, cause the mycosis. We report on the identification of <it>C. posadasii </it>in soil samples related to outbreaks of CM.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twenty four soil samples had their DNA extracted and subsequently submitted to a semi-nested PCR technique using specific primers. While only 6 (25%) soil samples were positive for <it>C. posadasii </it>by mice inoculation, all (100%) were positive by the molecular tool.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This methodology represents a simple, sensitive and specific molecular technique to determine the environmental distribution of <it>Coccidioides </it>spp. in endemic areas, but cannot distinguish the species. Moreover, it may be useful to identify culture isolates. Key-words: 1. Coccidioidomycosis. 2. <it>Coccidioides </it>spp. 3. <it>C. posadasii</it>. 4. Semi-arid. 5. Semi-nested PCR</p

Serological markers of recent Campylobacter jejuni infection in patients with Guillain–Barré Syndrome in the State of Piauí, Brazil, 2014–2016

The Instituto Evandro Chagas provided a grant for this study, as well as Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientíıfico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Piauí (FAPEPI).Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil / Teresina Municipal Health Secretariat. Department of Health Surveillance. Teresina, PI, Brazil / Piauí State Health Secretariat. Natan Portella Institute of Tropical Medicine. Teresina, PI, Brazil.Piauí State Health Secretariat. Department of Health Surveillance. Teresina, PI, Brazil.Teresina Municipal Health Secretariat. Department of Health Surveillance. Teresina, PI, Brazil / Piauí State Health Secretariat. Natan Portella Institute of Tropical Medicine. Teresina, PI, Brazil.Novafapi University. Medicine School. Teresina, PI, Brazil.Piauí State University Hospital. Department of Health Surveillance. Teresina, PI, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Piauí State Health Secretariat. Natan Portella Institute of Tropical Medicine. Teresina, PI, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Federal University of Piauí. Department of Mother and Child Health. Teresina, PI, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.In countries where poliomyelitis has been eradicated, Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is the leading cause of acute flaccid paralysis. The range of infections that precede GBS in Brazil is unknown. Campylobacter jejuni infection is the most frequent trigger of GBS worldwide. Given the lack of systematic surveillance of diarrheal diseases, particularly in adults, the incidence of enteritis caused by C. jejuni in developing countries is unknown. From 2014 to 2016, pretreatment serum samples from 63 GBS patients were tested by immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for C. jejuni. Campylobacter jejuni IgM antibodies were detected in 17% (11/63) of the samples. There was no association between serological positivity (IgM) for C. jejuni and the occurrence of diarrhea among the investigated cases (P = 0.36). Hygiene measures, basic sanitation, and precautions during handling and preparation of food of animal origin may help prevent acute flaccid paralysis