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M Moura

Publications and source records attributed to M Moura.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Internal transcribed spacer 2 amplicon as a molecular marker for identification of Peronospora parasitica (crucifer downy mildew).

AIMS: The purpose of the study was to characterize the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of Peronospora parasitica (crucifer downy mildew) in order to evaluate their potential as molecular markers for pathogen identification. METHODS AND RESULTS: PCR amplification of ribosomal RNA gene block (rDNA) spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) performed in 44 P. parasitica isolates from different Brassica oleracea cultivars and distinct geographic origins, revealed no length polymorphisms. ITS restriction analysis with three endonucleases, confirmed by sequencing, showed no fragment length polymorphisms among isolates. Furthermore, ITS amplification with DNA isolated from infected host tissues also allowed the detection of the fungus in incompatible interactions. The combination of the universal ITS4 and ITS5 primers, for amplification of full ITS, with a new specific forward internal primer for ITS2 (PpITS2F), originates a P. parasitica specific amplicon, suitable for diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: As ITS2 regions of P. parasitica, B. oleracea, other B. oleracea fungal pathogens and other Peronospora species are clearly distinct, a fast and reliable molecular identification method based on multiplex PCR amplification of full ITS and P. parasitica ITS2 is proposed for the diagnosis of crucifer downy mildew. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The method can be applied to diagnose the disease in the absence of fungal reproductive structures, thus being useful to detect nonsporulating interactions, early stages of infection on seedlings, and infected young leaves packed in sealed plastic bags. Screening of seed stocks in sanitary control is also a major application of this diagnostic method.

Brassica↗

[Sarcoidosis and heredity. 3 familial cases].

It is very uncommon to find several cases of sarcoidosis in the same family. In the majority of published reports, only 2 persons are involved in each family. Genetic predisposition is probably, but its true importance as compared with environmental conditions is uncertain owing to the lack of epidemiology studies. We report 3 cases of sarcoidosis in the same family. In 2 of these cases (2 black sisters) the clinical set up was similar, consisting of multivisceral sarcoidosis involving the lung and mediastinum, the skin and the peripheral lymph nodes and muscles, with poor general condition and dependence on, or resistance to corticosteroids. Although the two sisters lived in different countries for several years and despite the 4-year age difference between them, the disease began in both cases at the age of 40 years. The history of this family is exemplarily in favour of a genetic predisposition and suggests than the penetrance of genetic transmission is underevaluated. Systematic pulmonary clinical and radiological examinations performed in the relatives of patients with sarcoidosis might provide information on the true incidence of familial cases. Studies of the genetic equipment of these familial cases would perhaps constitute a line of research aimed at determining the pathogenesis of the disease.

Adult↗

An outbreak of diarrhoea associated with rotavirus serotype 1 in a day care nursery in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Faeces from 17 children less than 1.6 years old and 15 adults more than 22 years old were collected during an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a day care nursery and screened for the presence of adenovirus and rotavirus by enzyme immunoassay (EIARA) and other viruses by electron microscopy (EM) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Ten samples (58.8%) from children and one (6.7%) from adults were positive for rotavirus and all samples were negative for bacteria and parasites. No other viruses were observed in EM. An enzyme immunoassay test using monoclonal antibodies (MAb-EIA) to determine the subgroup(s) and the serotype(s) of rotavirus was performed and the results showed that all positive samples belong to serotype 1, subgroup II of group A rotaviruses. In PAGE test all samples had the same profile and the 10 and 11 dsRNA segments corresponded to the "long" profile of group A of rotaviruses. These results corroborated the MAb-EIA results and indicate a sole source of infection. The major symptoms observed were: vomiting (60%), fever (70%) and diarrhoea (100%). In previous years (1989 to 1991) we observed only rotavirus serotype 2 in this same day care nursery, but no outbreak was reported.

Adult↗