We initially used 25 different random primers in order to test their ability to generate random amplified polymorphic DNA fragments from the dimorphic human pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. From the tested primers we chose five to distinguish between seven isolates of this microorganism. The DNA amplification patterns allowed clear differentiation of the seven isolates into two distinct groups with only 35% genomic identity. One of these groups contained two subgroups with 81% genetic similarity. The random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis method proved to be a good tool for analyzing and comparing different genomes of P. brasiliensis isolates.

The objective of the present study was to assess the role of the 5-HT 2A/2C receptor at two specific brain sites, i.e., the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter (DPAG) and the medial septal (MS) area, in maternal aggressive behavior after the microinjection of either a 5-HT 2A/2C receptor agonist or antagonist. Female Wistar rats were microinjected on the 7th postpartum day with the selective agonist α-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine maleate (5-HT 2A/2C ) or the antagonist 5-HT 2A/2C , ketanserin. The agonist was injected into the DPAG at 0.2 (N = 9), 0.5 (N = 10), and 1.0 µg/0.2 µl (N = 9), and the antagonist was injected at 1.0 µg/0.2 µl (N = 9). The agonist was injected into the medial septal area (MS) at 0.2 (N = 9), 0.5 (N = 7), and 1.0 µg/0.2 µl (N = 6) and the antagonist was injected at 1.0 µg/ 0.2 µl (N = 5). For the control, saline was injected into the DPAG (N = 7) and the MS (N = 12). Both areas are related to aggressive behavior and contain a high density of 5-HT receptors. Nonaggressive behaviors such as horizontal locomotion (walking) and social investigation and aggressive behaviors such as lateral threat (aggressive posture), attacks (frontal and lateral), and biting the intruder were analyzed when a male intruder was placed into the female resident's cage. For each brain area studied, the frequency of the behaviors was compared among the various treatments by analysis of variance. The results showed a decrease in maternal aggressive behavior (number of bites directed at the intruder) after microinjection of the agonist at 0.2 and 1.0 µg/0.2 µl (1.6 ± 0.7 and 0.9 ± 0.3) into the DPAG compared to the saline group (5.5 ± 1.1). There was no dose-response relationship with the agonist. The present findings suggest that the 5-HT 2A/2C receptor agonist has an inhibitory effect on maternal aggressive behavior when microinjected into the DPAG and no effect when microinjected into the MS. Ketanserin (1.0 µg/0.2 µl) decreased locomotion when microinjected into the DPAG and MS, but did not affect aggressive behavior. We interpret these findings as evidence for a specific role of 5-HT 2A/2C receptors in the DPAG in the inhibition of female aggressive behavior, dissociated from those on motor activity.