Importance of xenarthrans in the eco-epidemiology of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Several pathogens that cause important zoonotic diseases have been frequently associated with armadillos and other xenarthrans. This mammal group typically has evolved on the South American continent and many of its extant species are seriously threatened with extinction. Natural infection of armadillos with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in hyperendemic areas has provided a valuable opportunity for understanding the role of this mammal in the eco-epidemiology of Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), one of the most important systemic mycoses in Latin America.

Findings

This study aimed to detect P. brasiliensis in different xenarthran species (Dasypus novemcinctus, Cabassous spp., Euphractus sexcinctus, Tamandua tetradactyla and Myrmecophaga tridactyla), by molecular and m

SUBMITTER: Richini-Pereira VB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2784786 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature