Abstract
Nowadays, the genus Mycobacterium has 149 species that can be divided into two large groups, the first group includes strict pathogens for man such as members of the group M. tuberculosis and M. leprae and are not found in environment. The second group consists of potentially pathogenic mycobacteria or saprophytic ones commonly denominated non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). This group is found in environment shared between humans and animals especially aquatic and treated water, but also in soil. This fact is determinant in contracting diseases. Among this species, 63 (42,28%) were described from the year 2000. Despite the abundance of new species, approximately 30% of isolated ones originating from water, soil, air, and patients, could not be identified by phenotypic and molecular methods, revealing a large diversity of this group of bacteria and the existence of species still not described and/or these techniques are not discriminating enough for identification of environmental samples. Another contributing factor for the lack of knowledge in the area is that no consensus is found for the best method of isolating and cultivation of environment samples. Besides the interest in the medical area, in some years the environment mycobacteria started to attract interest in other areas, and as an example, the bioremediation of soil and water contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (HPA). The objectives of this project are: the standardization of techniques of isolation and cultivation of mycobacteria from samples of untreated, treated, and flowing out water from Fundação Parque Zoológico de São Paulo (FPZSP); identification of mycobacteria cultivated by phenotypic characteristic and molecular techniques (PRA-hsp65 and essential genes sequencing), verification of biodiversity and predominance of the bacteria, construction of a bank of isolated ones for preservation and for future studies. In 2009, an Agreement of a Partnership was made between Fundação Paque Zoológico de São Paulo (FPZSP) and Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) for the development of a program of research in applied microbiology. The general objective of this partnership is to know, distinguish, and preserve microorganisms originating from several habitats in the park. FPZSP was created in 1957, and nowadays, the Zoo Park occupies an equivalent area of 83 hectares of gardens, access roads, tree-cultivated areas and forests, the park is the habitat of more than 3,200 animals. The park is a green island found in the middle of a densely urban area. The several springs existing in the park are formed by the flowing of the water table and are then converted into the drainage Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (PEFI). The springs from PEFI then form the Ipiranga River, which flows into 9 lakes. The aquatic ecosystems is being used as habitats for birds, including migrating species, forming another group of animals and a priceless microbiologic treasure. Since 2006 FPZSP has had the certification for Environmental System ISO14001, and in 2007 inaugurated the Water Treatment Plant (ETA) and of Effluents (ETE). ETE does the collection and treatment of water from the animal's cage which is mixed to dejects, sewage, and water used as drink, resulting in effluent and solid residue (silt). ETA does the collection and treatment of water from lakes and effluents coming from ETE, resulting in reusable water and solid residue (silt). With such characteristics, FPZSP represents a suitable location for the study of biodiversity of isolated environment mycobacteria from natural and water distribution systems. (AU)
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