Francisco Selmo Fernandes Alves

Bio: Francisco Selmo Fernandes Alves is an academic researcher from Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária. The author has contributed to research in topics: Seroprevalence & Caseous lymphadenitis. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 76 publications receiving 563 citations. Previous affiliations of Francisco Selmo Fernandes Alves include Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.

Multiplex PCR assay for identification of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis from pure cultures and for rapid detection of this pathogen in clinical samples

Abstract: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the aetiological agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), a debilitating disease of sheep and goats. Accurate diagnosis of CLA primarily relies on microbiological examination, followed by biochemical identification of isolates. In an effort to facilitate C. pseudotuberculosis detection, a multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay was developed targeting three genes of this bacterium: the 16S rRNA gene, rpoB and pld. This method allowed efficient identification of 40 isolates of this bacterium that had been identified previously by biochemical testing. Analysis of taxonomically related species did not generate the C. pseudotuberculosis mPCR amplification profile, thereby demonstrating the assay's specificity. As little as 1 pg of C. pseudotuberculosis genomic DNA was detected by this mPCR assay, demonstrating the sensitivity of the method. The detection limit in clinical samples was estimated to be 10(3) c.f.u. C. pseudotuberculosis could be detected directly in pus samples from infected sheep and goats (n=56) with a high diagnostic sensitivity (94.6 %). The developed assay significantly improves rapid C. pseudotuberculosis detection and could supersede bacteriological culture for microbiological and epidemiological diagnosis of CLA.

Aspectos epidemiológicos da caprinocultura cearense

Abstract: O desenvolvimento da caprinocultura na regiao Nordeste do Brasil e severamente afetado por inumeros fatores, entre eles a alta incidencia de doencas. Objetivou-se conhecer o atual manejo sanitario empregado e os problemas sanitarios existentes na opiniao do criador do Ceara. O trabalho foi realizado nas varias regioes criadoras de caprinos de racas leiteiras, nativas ou sem raca definida. Foram selecionadas 127 propriedades onde se aplicou um questionario. A percentagem media de mortalidade de animais foi de 22,8% e 4,6% em jovens e adultos, respectivamente. Os sinais clinicos relatados, por ordem, foram: anemia e edema de barbela (81,9% dos criatorios), diarreia (78,7%), aborto (75,6%), pododermatite (67,7%), linfadenite (66,9%), ectoparasitoses (63,8%), mamite (51,2%), pneumonia (44,9%), lesoes vesiculares de pele (35,4%), ceratoconjuntivite (29,1%), problemas de ordem nervosa (26,8%), malformacao fetal (15%), criptorquidismo (11%), prolapso de vagina/utero (11%) e artrite (8,7%). Pode-se concluir que o manejo sanitario dos caprinos desses criatorios e precario, independente do tipo de exploracao ou regime de criacao, a mortalidade de animais, principalmente de jovens, e considerada alta. Mesmo em criatorios com exploracao leiteira nao existe uma preocupacao rigorosa com higiene e qualidade do leite.

Prevalência da infecção pelo vírus da artrite encefalite caprina no estado do Ceará, Brasil

Abstract: This epidemiological study in the State of Ceara, Brazil was motivated by the risk of infection with caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) through introduction of exotic caprines. For diagnosis of CAEV infection the agar gel imunodifusion microtechnic was used. 4019 goat serum samples were collected in 30 counties. The prevalence of CAEV infection was 1% (40/4019 animals). The highest prevalence (11.1%) was found in the metropolitan area of Fortaleza, the area with highest goat milk production. The analysis of the distribution of seropositive animals in the studied counties showed that 33% (10/30) had at least one positive animal. The highest prevalence was found (p <0.05) in older animals. The males were more affected (p<0.05). The pure breeds presented 5.02% of animals with antibodies against the CAEV and the half-breeds 0,12%. The Alpine breed was the more affected (p<0.05) among all breeds studied. It was verified that the small ruminant lentivirus is already disseminated in several areas of the Stete of Ceara and that the males are probably the main source of transmission to the native/SRD flocks.

Characterization and typology of sheep and goat production systems in the State of Paraíba, a semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil

Abstract: A criacao de caprinos e ovinos e uma atividade de grande importância para o Nordeste, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento economico e social da regiao. Diante disso, objetivou-se caracterizar a caprinovinocultura na regiao Centro-Oeste do Estado da Paraiba, Nordeste do Brasil. A pesquisa abrangeu as mesorregioes da Borborema e Sertao do Estado, representadas por 127 municipios e uma area de 38.293 km2, que apresentam uma densidade de caprinos e ovinos de 12,9 e 8,27 cabecas/km2, respectivamente. No total foram visitadas 62 propriedades pertencentes a cinco municipios da Mesorregiao da Borborema e quatro da Mesorregiao do Sertao. Nas propriedades foram aplicados questionarios epidemiologicos, os quais buscavam informacoes sobre aspectos economicos, produtivos e sociais dos proprietarios/propriedades. Os resultados obtidos permitem classificar o sistema de producao de caprinos e ovinos no semiarido paraibano como familiar e de subsistencia, para consumo domestico e comercio local, com baixo uso de tecnologia e rebanhos com ate 100 animais. O nivel de escolaridade dos criadores foi considerado baixo, bem como os investimentos e assistencia tecnica insuficientes e/ou inadequados para o desenvolvimento da atividade na regiao. Dessa forma, um estudo economico nas propriedades para conhecimento da real situacao economico-financeira da atividade e o retorno que as mesmas poderao proporcionar a partir da sua organizacao se torna necessario. Sugere-se que tais aspectos sejam levados em consideracao quanto ao planejamento de politicas de desenvolvimento pecuario, especialmente quando relacionados a financiamento e assistencia tecnica, bem como na implementacao de acoes no controle das doencas mais frequentes na regiao, direcionadas ao combate aos agentes, controle ambiental e protecao dos susceptiveis.

Evidence for reductive genome evolution and lateral acquisition of virulence functions in two Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis strains.

Abstract: Background: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, a Gram-positive, facultative intracellular pathogen, is the etiologic agent of the disease known as caseous lymphadenitis (CL). CL mainly affects small ruminants, such as goats and sheep; it also causes infections in humans, though rarely. This species is distributed worldwide, but it has the most serious economic impact in Oceania, Africa and South America. Although C. pseudotuberculosis causes major health and productivity problems for livestock, little is known about the molecular basis of its pathogenicity. Methodology and Findings: We characterized two C. pseudotuberculosis genomes (Cp1002, isolated from goats; and CpC231, isolated from sheep). Analysis of the predicted genomes showed high similarity in genomic architecture, gene content and genetic order. When C. pseudotuberculosis was compared with other Corynebacterium species, it became evident that this pathogenic species has lost numerous genes, resulting in one of the smallest genomes in the genus. Other differences that could be part of the adaptation to pathogenicity include a lower GC content, of about 52%, and a reduced gene repertoire. The C. pseudotuberculosis genome also includes seven putative pathogenicity islands, which contain several classical virulence factors, including genes for fimbrial subunits, adhesion factors, iron uptake and secreted toxins. Additionally, all of the virulence factors in the islands have characteristics that indicate horizontal transfer. Conclusions: These particular genome characteristics of C. pseudotuberculosis, as well as its acquired virulence factors in pathogenicity islands, provide evidence of its lifestyle and of the pathogenicity pathways used by this pathogen in the infection process. All genomes cited in this study are available in the NCBI Genbank database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ genbank/) under accession numbers CP001809 and CP001829.