BMC Microbiology (May 2011)

Molecular identification of <it>Coccidioides </it>spp. in soil samples from Brazil

  • Filho Antônio D,
  • Eulálio Kelsen D,
  • Cavalcante Maria AS,
  • da Mota Fabio F,
  • Rosado Alexandre S,
  • de Macêdo Regina CL,
  • Martins Liline MS,
  • Lazéra Márcia S,
  • Wanke Bodo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2180-11-108
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
p. 108

Abstract

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Abstract Background 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 Coccidioides posadasii, which, once inhaled, cause the mycosis. We report on the identification of C. posadasii in soil samples related to outbreaks of CM. Results 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 C. posadasii by mice inoculation, all (100%) were positive by the molecular tool. Conclusion This methodology represents a simple, sensitive and specific molecular technique to determine the environmental distribution of Coccidioides spp. in endemic areas, but cannot distinguish the species. Moreover, it may be useful to identify culture isolates. Key-words: 1. Coccidioidomycosis. 2. Coccidioides spp. 3. C. posadasii. 4. Semi-arid. 5. Semi-nested PCR