Molecular detection of Paracoccidioides in soil from an urban area of southern Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Previous studies that detected Paracoccidioides spp. DNA in soil taken from rural areas have shown this to be a valuable tool for ecological and epidemiological studies. This study reports the detection of Paracoccidioides spp. DNA in soil samples from an urban area of southern Brazil. METHODS: Sixteen soil samples were submitted to nested-PCR and the amplicons of a representative number of positive samples were sequenced. RESULTS: Paracoccidioides spp. DNA was found in 44% of samples. Four DNA amplicons were sequenced, showing 100% homology with P. brasiliensis. CONCLUSIONS: The southern Brazilian urban population is commonly exposed to the Paracoccidioides fungus.

摘要：既往研究在取自农村地区的土壤样本中检出副球孢子菌属（Paracoccidioides）各菌种的DNA，证实该检测方法可为生态学与流行病学研究提供有效工具。本研究针对巴西南部城市区域的土壤样本开展副球孢子菌属各菌种DNA的检测，并报道相关研究结果。方法：共采集16份土壤样本，采用巢式PCR（nested-PCR）进行检测，并对代表性阳性样本的扩增子（amplicon）进行测序。结果：44%的样本检出副球孢子菌属各菌种的DNA；对4份扩增子的测序结果显示，其与巴西副球孢子菌（P. brasiliensis）的同源性达100%。结论：巴西南部城市人群普遍暴露于副球孢子菌真菌环境中。