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Rastreio virológico em espécies selvagens de roedores pertencentes à fauna portuguesa

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Resumo:Emergent viral zoonosis are a major concern in this global age, not only as a public health threat, but also because of its implications on livestock production and wildlife conservation. With this in mind, we have conducted a study to survey the presence of viruses belonging to different viral families in several species of wild rodents captured in Central and Southern Portugal, using molecular techniques. We focused not only on well-known zoonotic viruses (e.g. genus Hantavirus, Bunyaviridae; genus Arenavirus, Arenaviridae; and genus Flavivirus, Flaviviridae), but also on putative zoonotic agents, such as Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) (Picornaviridae), and other previously described muroid viruses that albeit non-zoonotic, can be used as surrogate models of similar human infections (e.g. Herpesviridae). Our results seem to indicate that the presence of zoonotic viruses, rodent-borne or with rodent reservoirs, is not widespread in Portugal, but we have to bear in mind the small sampling size. In fact, we have only found one true-positive amplification. A Microtus lusitanicus vole captured in Portalegre was PCR positive to EMC virus. Due to the 100% similarity between the viral sequence we have found and the one of the EMCV isolate used as a positive control, we will have to discard the possibility of laboratory contamination. As an outcome of this study, we emphasize and strongly encourage a nation-wide survey of rodent-borne viruses (roboviruses), and of other zoonotic viruses with rodent reservoirs.
Autores principais:Carvalho, Alexandra Cardoso Ribeiro de
Assunto:Biologia molecular Micromamíferos Roedores Zoonoses Viroses Teses de mestrado - 2011
Ano:2011
País:Portugal
Tipo de documento:dissertação de mestrado
Tipo de acesso:acesso aberto
Instituição associada:Universidade de Lisboa
Idioma:português
Origem:Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa
Descrição
Resumo:Emergent viral zoonosis are a major concern in this global age, not only as a public health threat, but also because of its implications on livestock production and wildlife conservation. With this in mind, we have conducted a study to survey the presence of viruses belonging to different viral families in several species of wild rodents captured in Central and Southern Portugal, using molecular techniques. We focused not only on well-known zoonotic viruses (e.g. genus Hantavirus, Bunyaviridae; genus Arenavirus, Arenaviridae; and genus Flavivirus, Flaviviridae), but also on putative zoonotic agents, such as Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) (Picornaviridae), and other previously described muroid viruses that albeit non-zoonotic, can be used as surrogate models of similar human infections (e.g. Herpesviridae). Our results seem to indicate that the presence of zoonotic viruses, rodent-borne or with rodent reservoirs, is not widespread in Portugal, but we have to bear in mind the small sampling size. In fact, we have only found one true-positive amplification. A Microtus lusitanicus vole captured in Portalegre was PCR positive to EMC virus. Due to the 100% similarity between the viral sequence we have found and the one of the EMCV isolate used as a positive control, we will have to discard the possibility of laboratory contamination. As an outcome of this study, we emphasize and strongly encourage a nation-wide survey of rodent-borne viruses (roboviruses), and of other zoonotic viruses with rodent reservoirs.