The nematophagous fungus Monacrosporium thaumasium and its nematicidal activity on Angiostrongylus vasorum.
BACKGROUND
The dog acts as a reservoir and environmental disseminator of potentially zoonotic parasites.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this work was to study the fungus Monacrosporium thaumasium regarding its nematicidal potential in laboratory trials and its proteolytic profile.


METHODS
The in vitro test was carried out through two assays (A and B). In assay A, conidia of the fungus N34a were added in positive coprocultures for Angiostrongylus vasorum. In assay B, crude extract (treated group) and distilled water (control group) were added to coprocultures. Next, the proteolytic profile of crude extract of the nematophagous fungus M. thaumasium (NF34a) was revealed by performing a zymogram.


RESULTS
There was a reduction (p<0.01) in the averages of larvae recovered from the treated groups (conidia and crude extract) in relation to control groups. The zymogram suggested that the nematophagous fungus M. thaumasium produces a protease of approximately 40 kDa.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this work confirm that the conidia as well as the crude extract of the fungus M. thaumasium may be used to control A. vasorum L1. The proteolytic profile suggested the presence of one protease (Mt1) of approximately 40 kDa that in the future may be used in biological control of L1 of this nematode.
Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: filippeufv@yahoo.com.br.
Filippe Elias de Freitas
FE
Soares
Departamento de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil; Departamento de Veterinária, Universidade Vila Velha, ES, Brazil.
Fabio Ribeiro
FR
Braga
Departamento de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
Jackson Victor
JV
de Araújo
Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Walter dos Santos
Wdos S
Lima
Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
José Humberto
JH
de Queiroz
D000801:Angiostrongylus / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000469:parasitology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007814:Larva / Q000382:microbiology; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013172:Spores, Fungal; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015047:Zoonoses
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases
Angiostrongylus vasorum; Hongos nematófagos; Monacrosporium thaumasium; Nematophagous fungi; Proteasa; Protease