With the refining of handling techniques for laboratory animals kept in animal rooms in which different work rules are followed, it is fundamental to evaluate the microbiota of the raising environment, as well as of the animals in this environment. It is known that several saprobe fungi are isolated from hair and skin of experimental animals, being potentially pathogenic in specific situations. The aim of this research was to determine the fungal microbiota on the coats of laboratory animals from the Central Animal Room of the University of Ceará. Samples of hair and skin of 355 healthy animals (150 rats, 150 mice, 40 guinea pigs and 15 hamsters) were analyzed. Samples were collected by vigorously brushing the back of the animals and then cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose and Mycosel agar. Species identification was based on the analysis of the macroscopic appearance of colonies and microscopy features of the fungi. Development of fungi was observed in 63.95% of the animals. The most frequent fungi were: Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (34.7%), Aspergillus sp. (30%) and Penicillium sp. (16.7%). In conclusion, fungal microbiota on coat of these animals is diversified, and saprobe fungi occurs in a great number of experimental animals.Keywords: fungal microbiota, coat, laboratory animals. ResumoCom o afinamento das técnicas de manejo de animais de laboratório mantidos em biotérios que seguem diferentes normas de trabalho, é fundamental que se avalie a microbiota dos ambientes de criação, bem como dos animais que deles fazem parte. É sabido que várias espécies fúngicas sapróbias são isoladas da pele e pelos de animais experimentais, podendo em situações específicas ser potencialmente patogênicas. A presente pesquisa objetivou conhecer a microbiota fúngica da pelagem de animais de laboratório do Biotério Central da UECE. Para tanto, foram analisadas amostras de pele e pelos de 355 animais clinicamente saudáveis (150 ratos, 150 camundongos, 40 cobaias e 15 hamsters). As amostras foram coletadas mediante escovação vigorosa do dorso desses animais e semeadas em ágar Sabouraud dextrose e ágar Mycosel, sendo a identificação das espécies baseada na análise das características macro e microscópicas das colônias fúngicas. Houve o desenvolvimento de fungos em 63,95% dos animais. Os fungos mais incidentes foram: Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (34,7%), Aspergillus sp. (30%) e Penicillium sp. (16,7%). Frente aos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que a microbiota fúngica da pelagem desses animais é bem diversificada, ficando evidente a ocorrência de fungos sapróbios em grande número de animais experimentais.Palavras-chave: microbiota fúngica, pelagem, animais de laboratório.

Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Interest in the molecular identification of B. pseudomallei has increased after its classification as a category B agent by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The present article reports a diagnosis of B. pseudomallei directly in a bronchoalveolar lavage by polymerase chain reaction amplification. The results obtained show that direct detection of the 16-23s spacer sequence in bronchoalveolar lavage is a quick and specific test to diagnose melioidosis.

UFC) -Fortaleza (CE) -Brasil 2) Universidade Estadual do Ceará -(UECE) -Fortaleza (CE) -Brasil