PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Cunha N.C., Fonseca A.H., Rezende J., Rozental T., Favacho A.R.M., Barreira J.D., Massard C.L., Lemos E.R.S. 2009. First identification of natural infection of Rickettsia rickettsii in the Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(2):105-108. Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: adivaldo@ufrrj.br The Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, more frequently, Amblyomma cajennense. The aim of this paper was to report the first molecular detection of R. rickettsii on R. sanguineus naturally infected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ticks were collected from dogs in a rural region of Resende municipality, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil (22o 30min 9.46sec S, 44o 42min 44.29sec WO), where occurred five human cases of BSF in 2006. The ticks were identified under a stereoscopic microscope and separated in pools by stages, species and sex. DNA extraction was carried out using QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN®). The DNA was submitted to PCR amplification using 04 set of primers: Rr190.70p/Rr190.602n (OmpA, 532bp), BG1-21/BG2-20 (OmpB, 650bp), Tz15/Tz16 (17 kDa protein-encoding gene, 246bp) and RpCS.877p/RpCS.1258n (gltA, 381bp). PCR products were separated by electrophoresis on 1% agarose gels and visualized under ultraviolet light with ethidium bromide. PCR products of the expected sizes were purified by QIAquick® and sequenced by ABI PRISM®. The generated nucleotide sequences were edited with using Bioedit® software and compared with the corresponding homologous sequences available through GenBank, using Discontiguous Mega Blast (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). It was confirmed R. rickettsii by sequencing of the material (GenBank FJ356230). The molecular characterization of R. rickettsii in the tick R. sanguineus emphasizes the role of dogs as carriers of ticks from the environment to home. Moreover, this result suggests that there is a considerable chance for active participation of R. sanguineus as one of tick species in the transmission of R. ricketsii to human being in the Brazilian territory.

• Rhipicephalus sanguineus Acari Ixodidae Rickettsia rickettsii molecular analysis Brazilian spotted fever

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Cunha N.C., Fonseca A.H., Rezende J., Rozental T., Favacho A.R.M., Barreira J.D., Massard C.L., Lemos E.R.S. 2009. First identification of natural infection of Rickettsia rickettsii in the Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(2):105-108. Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: adivaldo@ufrrj.br The Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, more frequently, Amblyomma cajennense. The aim of this paper was to report the first molecular detection of R. rickettsii on R. sanguineus naturally infected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ticks were collected from dogs in a rural region of Resende municipality, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil (22o 30min 9.46sec S, 44o 42min 44.29sec WO), where occurred five human cases of BSF in 2006. The ticks were identified under a stereoscopic microscope and separated in pools by stages, species and sex. DNA extraction was carried out using QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN®). The DNA was submitted to PCR amplification using 04 set of primers: Rr190.70p/Rr190.602n (OmpA, 532bp), BG1-21/BG2-20 (OmpB, 650bp), Tz15/Tz16 (17 kDa protein-encoding gene, 246bp) and RpCS.877p/RpCS.1258n (gltA, 381bp). PCR products were separated by electrophoresis on 1% agarose gels and visualized under ultraviolet light with ethidium bromide. PCR products of the expected sizes were purified by QIAquick® and sequenced by ABI PRISM®. The generated nucleotide sequences were edited with using Bioedit® software and compared with the corresponding homologous sequences available through GenBank, using Discontiguous Mega Blast (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). It was confirmed R. rickettsii by sequencing of the material (GenBank FJ356230). The molecular characterization of R. rickettsii in the tick R. sanguineus emphasizes the role of dogs as carriers of ticks from the environment to home. Moreover, this result suggests that there is a considerable chance for active participation of R. sanguineus as one of tick species in the transmission of R. ricketsii to human being in the Brazilian territory.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Zuccari D.A.P.C, Castro R., Gavioli A.F., Mancini U.M., Frade C.S., Pivaro L.R., Carmona-Raphe J., Terzian A.C.B., Ruiz C.M., Goloni-Bertollo E.M., Pavarino-Bertelli E.C. & Tajara E.H. 2009. The maspin expression in canine mammary tumors: An immunohistochemical and molecular study. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(2):167-173. Centro Regional de Bioterismo, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima 5416, São José do Rio Preto, SP 15090-000, Brazil. E-mail: debora.zuccari@famerp.br The serpin maspin, a tumor suppressor in breast cancer was described as an inhibitor of cell migration and inducer of cell adhesion between the basement membrane and extracellular matrix resulting in inhibition of tumor metastasis. In contrast, overexpression of maspin is correlated with poor prognosis in other types of cancer. Little is known about expression, regulation and function of maspin in canine mammary tumors. It was demonstrated in this study, a loss of maspin expression in malignant canine mammary cells compared with a pool of normal canine mammary tissue, analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR; weak maspin expression in malignant canine mammary tumors were observed by immunohistochemistry. It was also demonstrated that a correlation with nuclear maspin expression and a good prognosis. It is suggested that maspin could be used as a prognostic marker in canine mammary neoplasia.

• Maspin canine mammary tumor immunohistochemistry molecular biology prognosis

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Zuccari D.A.P.C, Castro R., Gavioli A.F., Mancini U.M., Frade C.S., Pivaro L.R., Carmona-Raphe J., Terzian A.C.B., Ruiz C.M., Goloni-Bertollo E.M., Pavarino-Bertelli E.C. & Tajara E.H. 2009. The maspin expression in canine mammary tumors: An immunohistochemical and molecular study. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(2):167-173. Centro Regional de Bioterismo, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima 5416, São José do Rio Preto, SP 15090-000, Brazil. E-mail: debora.zuccari@famerp.br The serpin maspin, a tumor suppressor in breast cancer was described as an inhibitor of cell migration and inducer of cell adhesion between the basement membrane and extracellular matrix resulting in inhibition of tumor metastasis. In contrast, overexpression of maspin is correlated with poor prognosis in other types of cancer. Little is known about expression, regulation and function of maspin in canine mammary tumors. It was demonstrated in this study, a loss of maspin expression in malignant canine mammary cells compared with a pool of normal canine mammary tissue, analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR; weak maspin expression in malignant canine mammary tumors were observed by immunohistochemistry. It was also demonstrated that a correlation with nuclear maspin expression and a good prognosis. It is suggested that maspin could be used as a prognostic marker in canine mammary neoplasia.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Claus M.P., Lunardi M., Alfieri A.F., Sartori D., Fungaro M.H.P & Alfieri A.A. 2009. Identification of the recently described new type of bovine papillomavirus (BPV-8) in a Brazilian beef cattle herd. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(1):25-28. Laboratório de Virologia Animal, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Cx. Postal 6001, Campus Universitário, Londrina, PR 86051-990, Brazil. E-mail: alfieri@uel.br Bovine papillomavirus type 8 (BPV-8) was first detected and described in teat warts as well as in healthy teat skin from cattle raised in Japan. The entire viral genome was sequenced in 2007. Additionally, a variant of BPV-8, BPV-8-EB, was also identified from papillomatous lesions of a European bison in Slovakia. In Brazil, despite the relatively common occurrence of BPV infections, the identification and determination of viral types present in cattle is still sporadic. The aim of this study is to report the occurrence of the recently described BPV-8 in Brazil. The virus was identified in a skin warts obtained from a beef cattle herd located in Parana state, southern Brazil. The papilloma had a macular, non-verrucous gross aspect and was located on the dorsal thorax of a cow. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using generic primers for partial amplification of L1 gene. The obtained amplicon (480bp) was cloned and two selected clones were sequenced. The nucleotide sequence was compared to existing papillomaviral genomic sequences, identifying the virus as BPV type 8. This study represents the first report of BPV-8 occurrence in Brazil, what suggests its presence among Brazilian cattle.

• Bovine bovine papillomavirus type 8 BPV-8 cutaneous papillomatosis molecular analysis

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Claus M.P., Lunardi M., Alfieri A.F., Sartori D., Fungaro M.H.P & Alfieri A.A. 2009. Identification of the recently described new type of bovine papillomavirus (BPV-8) in a Brazilian beef cattle herd. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(1):25-28. Laboratório de Virologia Animal, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Cx. Postal 6001, Campus Universitário, Londrina, PR 86051-990, Brazil. E-mail: alfieri@uel.br Bovine papillomavirus type 8 (BPV-8) was first detected and described in teat warts as well as in healthy teat skin from cattle raised in Japan. The entire viral genome was sequenced in 2007. Additionally, a variant of BPV-8, BPV-8-EB, was also identified from papillomatous lesions of a European bison in Slovakia. In Brazil, despite the relatively common occurrence of BPV infections, the identification and determination of viral types present in cattle is still sporadic. The aim of this study is to report the occurrence of the recently described BPV-8 in Brazil. The virus was identified in a skin warts obtained from a beef cattle herd located in Parana state, southern Brazil. The papilloma had a macular, non-verrucous gross aspect and was located on the dorsal thorax of a cow. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using generic primers for partial amplification of L1 gene. The obtained amplicon (480bp) was cloned and two selected clones were sequenced. The nucleotide sequence was compared to existing papillomaviral genomic sequences, identifying the virus as BPV type 8. This study represents the first report of BPV-8 occurrence in Brazil, what suggests its presence among Brazilian cattle.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Brito L.G., Regitano L.C.A., Huacca M.E.F., Carrilho E. & Moya Borja G.E. 2007. Genotype characterization of the horn fly Haematobia irritans from different Brazilian geographic regions based on randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 27(1):1-5. Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Embrapa Rondônia, BR 364 Km 5,5, Porto Velho, RO 78900-970, Brazil. E-mail: luciana@cpafro.embrapa.br Blood-sucking diptera are important parasites in bovine production systems, especially regarding confinement conditions. Haematobia irritans, the horn fly, is one of the most troublesome species within bovine production systems, due to the intense stress imposed to the animals. An important aspect while studying the variability within a species is the study of the geographic structure of its populations and, attempting to find out the genetic flow of Brazilian populations of horn fly, the RAPD technique, which is suited for this purpose, has been used. The use of molecular markers generated from RAPD made it possible to identify the geographic origin of samples from different Brazilian geographic regions, as well as to estimate the genotypic flow among the different Brazilian populations of the horn fly.

• Haematobia irritans genetic diversity RAPD-PCR molecular markers

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Brito L.G., Regitano L.C.A., Huacca M.E.F., Carrilho E. & Moya Borja G.E. 2007. Genotype characterization of the horn fly Haematobia irritans from different Brazilian geographic regions based on randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 27(1):1-5. Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Embrapa Rondônia, BR 364 Km 5,5, Porto Velho, RO 78900-970, Brazil. E-mail: luciana@cpafro.embrapa.br Blood-sucking diptera are important parasites in bovine production systems, especially regarding confinement conditions. Haematobia irritans, the horn fly, is one of the most troublesome species within bovine production systems, due to the intense stress imposed to the animals. An important aspect while studying the variability within a species is the study of the geographic structure of its populations and, attempting to find out the genetic flow of Brazilian populations of horn fly, the RAPD technique, which is suited for this purpose, has been used. The use of molecular markers generated from RAPD made it possible to identify the geographic origin of samples from different Brazilian geographic regions, as well as to estimate the genotypic flow among the different Brazilian populations of the horn fly.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Costa M.M., Silva M.S., Spricigo D.A., Witt N.M., Marchioro S.B., Kolling L. & Vargas A.P.C. 2006. [Epidemiology, molecular characterization and resistance to antimicrobials of Escherichia coli isolated from South-Brazilian pig herds.] Caracterização epidemiológica, molecular e perfil de resistência aos antimicrobianos de Escherichia coli isoladas de criatórios suínos do Sul do Brasil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 26(1):5-8. Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. E-mail: agueda@ccr.ufsm.br Colibacillosis is an enteric disease with a major impact to the swine industry and is caused by enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli. Forty clinical isolates from pigs with diarrhea and 13 environmental isolates were analysed regarding their genotypic profile, genetic relationship and antibiotic resistance. The most prevalent gene was Stb, identified in 50% of the isolates from clinical cases, and Sta and Lt were detected in 35% of them. Among the adesine factors investigated, F18 was found in 27.5% of the E. coli strains. The ERIC-PCR technique used for epidemiological characterization of the isolates did not show the expected discriminatory power. However, the test allowed separation of the isolates in groups, but did not evidence groups related to virulence factors. In the susceptibility test, the highest values for resistance were to tetracycline, in 88.6%. The index of multiple resistance to antimicrobials varied from 0 to 0.69.

• Escherichia coli genotypic profile resistance.

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Costa M.M., Silva M.S., Spricigo D.A., Witt N.M., Marchioro S.B., Kolling L. & Vargas A.P.C. 2006. [Epidemiology, molecular characterization and resistance to antimicrobials of Escherichia coli isolated from South-Brazilian pig herds.] Caracterização epidemiológica, molecular e perfil de resistência aos antimicrobianos de Escherichia coli isoladas de criatórios suínos do Sul do Brasil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 26(1):5-8. Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. E-mail: agueda@ccr.ufsm.br Colibacillosis is an enteric disease with a major impact to the swine industry and is caused by enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli. Forty clinical isolates from pigs with diarrhea and 13 environmental isolates were analysed regarding their genotypic profile, genetic relationship and antibiotic resistance. The most prevalent gene was Stb, identified in 50% of the isolates from clinical cases, and Sta and Lt were detected in 35% of them. Among the adesine factors investigated, F18 was found in 27.5% of the E. coli strains. The ERIC-PCR technique used for epidemiological characterization of the isolates did not show the expected discriminatory power. However, the test allowed separation of the isolates in groups, but did not evidence groups related to virulence factors. In the susceptibility test, the highest values for resistance were to tetracycline, in 88.6%. The index of multiple resistance to antimicrobials varied from 0 to 0.69.

Abstract in English:

Simionatto S., Lima-Rosa C.A.V., Rubin L.L. & Canal C.W. 2005. [A nested-PCR protocol for detection of the chicken anemia virus.] Um protocolo de “nested-PCR” para detecção do virus da anemia das galinhas. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 25(2):106-110. Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9090, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E-mail: claudio.canal@ufrgs.br This paper reports a nested polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) protocol for detection of chicken anemia virus (CAV), the causal agent of infectious chicken anemia. For DNA extraction from clinical samples, a method based on guanidine thiocyanate was found more sensitive and practical than other extraction protocols tested. The pair of primers used in the initial PCR targeted a 664 bp fragment on the VP1 gene. The primers for the internal PCR targeted a fragment of 520 bp. The specificity of the primers was evaluated on samples of CAV controlled flocks. Thirty different viruses and bacteria isolated from chickens did not give rise to any amplification product in the assay. The sensitivity of the nested-PCR was determined on serial dilutions of a CAV vaccine. The nested-PCR was more sensitive than a one step PCR and was able to detect at least 0.16 TCID50 of the vaccine strain. In addition, the protocol employed here detected viral DNA from tissues, sera and litter from flocks with or without clinical signs of disease. It is concluded that the nested-PCR protocol described here is more sensitive, faster and less cumbersome than virus isolation in cell culture as a diagnostic technique for detection of CAV.

• Chicken anemia virus CAV molecular diagnosis nested-PCR.

Abstract in Portuguese:

Simionatto S., Lima-Rosa C.A.V., Rubin L.L. & Canal C.W. 2005. [A nested-PCR protocol for detection of the chicken anemia virus.] Um protocolo de “nested-PCR” para detecção do virus da anemia das galinhas. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 25(2):106-110. Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9090, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E-mail: claudio.canal@ufrgs.br This paper reports a nested polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) protocol for detection of chicken anemia virus (CAV), the causal agent of infectious chicken anemia. For DNA extraction from clinical samples, a method based on guanidine thiocyanate was found more sensitive and practical than other extraction protocols tested. The pair of primers used in the initial PCR targeted a 664 bp fragment on the VP1 gene. The primers for the internal PCR targeted a fragment of 520 bp. The specificity of the primers was evaluated on samples of CAV controlled flocks. Thirty different viruses and bacteria isolated from chickens did not give rise to any amplification product in the assay. The sensitivity of the nested-PCR was determined on serial dilutions of a CAV vaccine. The nested-PCR was more sensitive than a one step PCR and was able to detect at least 0.16 TCID50 of the vaccine strain. In addition, the protocol employed here detected viral DNA from tissues, sera and litter from flocks with or without clinical signs of disease. It is concluded that the nested-PCR protocol described here is more sensitive, faster and less cumbersome than virus isolation in cell culture as a diagnostic technique for detection of CAV.

Abstract in English:

D'Ávila da Silva A., Sortica V.A., Braga A.C., Spilki F.R., Franco A.C., Esteves P.A., Rijsewijk F., Rosa J.C.A., Batista H.B.C.R., Oliveira A.P. & Roehe P.M. 2005. [Antigenic and molecular characterization of eight samples of Aujeszky’s disease virus isolated in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 2003.] Caracterização antigênica e molecular de oito amostras do virus da doença de Aujeszky isoladas no estado do Rio Grande do Sul em 2003. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 25(1):21-24. Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Fepagro Saúde Animal, Estrada do Conde 6000, Cx. Postal 47, Eldorado do Sul, RS 92990-000, Brazil. E-mail: proehe@ufrgs.br Pseudorabies or Aujeszky’s disease (AD), caused by pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a major concern in swine production. In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, AD was only detected in 1954, in cattle. In 2003 two outbreaks of encephalitis occurred on the northern region of the state, close to the border with the state of Santa Catarina. Pseudorabies virus (PRV) was isolated from distinct farms within the region and subjected to antigenic and genomic analyses. These isolates were compared with prototype strains NIA-3 and NP. Antigenic characterization with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) directed to viral glycoproteins (gB, gC, gD and gE,) was performed by an imunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA) on infected cell monolayers. Genomic characterization was carried out by restriction enzyme analysis (REA) of the whole DNA viral genome with Bam HI. The antigenic profile of the eight isolates from Rio Grande do Sul as well as strains NIA-3 and NP were similar. REA analysis revealed that all isolates from Rio Grande do Sul displayed a genomic type II arrangement, a genotype often found in other outbreaks of AD previously reported in other Brazilian states. The results obtained suggest that the eight isolates examined here were similar.

• Aujeszky's disease epidemiology.

Abstract in Portuguese:

D'Ávila da Silva A., Sortica V.A., Braga A.C., Spilki F.R., Franco A.C., Esteves P.A., Rijsewijk F., Rosa J.C.A., Batista H.B.C.R., Oliveira A.P. & Roehe P.M. 2005. [Antigenic and molecular characterization of eight samples of Aujeszky’s disease virus isolated in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 2003.] Caracterização antigênica e molecular de oito amostras do virus da doença de Aujeszky isoladas no estado do Rio Grande do Sul em 2003. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 25(1):21-24. Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Fepagro Saúde Animal, Estrada do Conde 6000, Cx. Postal 47, Eldorado do Sul, RS 92990-000, Brazil. E-mail: proehe@ufrgs.br Pseudorabies or Aujeszky’s disease (AD), caused by pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a major concern in swine production. In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, AD was only detected in 1954, in cattle. In 2003 two outbreaks of encephalitis occurred on the northern region of the state, close to the border with the state of Santa Catarina. Pseudorabies virus (PRV) was isolated from distinct farms within the region and subjected to antigenic and genomic analyses. These isolates were compared with prototype strains NIA-3 and NP. Antigenic characterization with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) directed to viral glycoproteins (gB, gC, gD and gE,) was performed by an imunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA) on infected cell monolayers. Genomic characterization was carried out by restriction enzyme analysis (REA) of the whole DNA viral genome with Bam HI. The antigenic profile of the eight isolates from Rio Grande do Sul as well as strains NIA-3 and NP were similar. REA analysis revealed that all isolates from Rio Grande do Sul displayed a genomic type II arrangement, a genotype often found in other outbreaks of AD previously reported in other Brazilian states. The results obtained suggest that the eight isolates examined here were similar.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Marchesin D.M., Moojen V. & Ravazzolo A.P. 1998. [Molecular characterization of part of the gag gene of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus isolated from naturally infected goats from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.] Caracterização molecular parcial do gene gag de amostras do vírus da artrite-encefalite caprina (CAEV) isoladas de animais naturalmente infectados no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 18(3/4):119-126. Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Cx. Postal 15005, Porto Alegre, RS 91501-970, Brazil. The gag gene of 5 CAEV samples, isolated from naturally infected goats from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were analised by PCR and restriction endonuclease (Ddel, Haelll e Ndel) digestion. Fragments of about 600 bp were amplified by PCR and submitted to enzymatic digestion. The patterns observed were compared with the correspondinggag sequences from 6 small ruminant lentiviruses. The results obtained allowed the separation of 3 distinct groups. The restriction fragment profiles observed were different from those previously described.

• Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus Ientivirus PCR RFLP Virus da artrite-encefalite caprina Lentivírus.

Abstract in Portuguese:

RESUMO.- Marchesin D.M., Moojen V. & Ravazzolo A.P. 1998. [Molecular characterization of part of the gag gene of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus isolated from naturally infected goats from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.] Caracterização molecular parcial do gene gag de amostras do vírus da artrite-encefalite caprina (CAEV) isoladas de animais naturalmente infectados no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 18(3/4):119-126. Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Cx. Postal 15005, Porto Alegre, RS 91501-970, Brazil. Realizou-se a análise de parte do gene gag, que codifica para as proteínas do capsídeo viral, de 5 amostras de CAEV isolados de animais naturalmente infectados do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. As amostras foram analisadas por PCR e clivagem com enzimas de restrição (Ddel, Haelll e Ndel). Fragmentos de aproximadamente 600 pb foram amplificados na PCR e submetidos à digestão enzimática. Os perfis obtidos foram comparados com as seqüências gag de 6 lentivírus de pequenos ruminantes. Os resultados obtidos permitiram separar as amostras em 3 grupos distintos. Os fragmentos observados foram diferentes dos descritos previamente.