Animal model for analysis of pathogenicity of strains of Mycobacterium bovis and evaluation of the cellular and humoral immune response against pathogenic isolates

• Grant number: 09/02696-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2009
• End date: March 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Applied Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Regina D'Império Lima
• Grantee: Eduardo Pinheiro Amaral
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Tuberculosis, a disease of high prevalence in the world, is caused by alcohol-acid resistant bacilli. One-third of the world's population is infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but only 10% of infected individuals develop the disease. Brazil is the 15th country in number of tuberculosis notifications with an annual rate of 114.000 new cases. Bovine tuberculosis is a zoonosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis. The disease is characterized by a highly debilitating chronic inflammatory response. The interest for this pathology is increased by the fact that humans are also susceptible to M. bovis. When consuming contaminated products of animal origin, humans can develop the intestinal tuberculosis, which is considered the most prevalent manifestation of the non-pulmonary disease in rural areas, where, in cases of disseminated pathology, transmission of the bacillus can occur among individuals. The incidence of infections caused by Mycobacterium sp (M. bovis and M. avium/paratuberculosis) and the pathogenicity of strains in Brazilian cattle are still poorly studied. Thus, analyzing the virulence of Brazilian strains of M. bovis is of great importance. Therefore, we sought to establish a satisfactory animal model for screening the virulence of pathogenic strains, using mice deficient in the expression of genes that are known to be involved in protection against mycobacteria.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

AMARAL, Eduardo Pinheiro. Evaluation of the mycobacterial virulence and modulation of the immune response during infection by clinical isolates of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.. 2011. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI) São Paulo.