Nematódeos de interesse médico veterinário em represa urbana no município de Catalão, no sudeste do estado de Goiás, Brasil / Nematodes of veterinary medical interest in an urban reservoir in the municipality of Catalão, southeastern Goiás State, Brazil

Objetivo: realizar análises parasitológicas em amostras de solo provenientes da represa da Bica situada no município de Catalão-GO. Métodos: a área do entorno da represa foi dividida em cinco parcelas, sendo realizadas coletas em dois pontos de cada parcela, superior e inferior. Foram realizadas quatro coletas em dias alternados, totalizando 40 amostras de, aproximadamente, 50g da camada superficial do solo, com profundidade máxima de cinco centímetros. As amostras foram processadas no Setor de Diagnóstico Parasitológico do Laboratório de Biologia Molecular da Universidade Federal de Catalão (UFCAT). Para as análises parasitológicas, foram utilizados cinco métodos encontrados na literatura, Rugai, Willis, Sedimentação espontânea, Ritchie e Ritchie modificado. Resultados: pelo método de Rugai, foi possível detectar larvas rabditoides do gênero Ancylostoma e Strongyloides. Utilizando o método de Ritchie modificado, foram encontrados ovos de Ascaris lumbricoidese Ancylostoma sp. Conclusão: a presença de formas evolutivas no solo da represa indica contaminação por dejetos animais e humanos, favorecendo o estabelecimento de ciclos biológicos das espécies encontradas e de outras diferentes zoonoses. Os dados obtidos demonstram a importância de sensibilizar a população de medidas de promoção da saúde, além de ações preventivas e programas de educação em saúde.

Objective: to conduct parasitological analyses in soil samples from the Bica reservoir located in the municipality of Catalão-GO. Methods: the area around the dam was divided into five plots, and samples were collected from two points in each plot, upper and lower. Four samples were collected on alternate days, totaling 40 samples of approximately 50g of topsoil, with a maximum depth of five centimeters. The samples were processed in the Parasitological Diagnostic Sector of the Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Federal University of Catalão (UFCAT). For the parasitological analyses, we used five methods found in the literature, Rugai, Willis, spontaneous sedimentation, Ritchie, and modified Ritchie. Results: by the Rugai method, it was possible to detect rhabditoid larvae of the genus Ancylostoma and Strongyloides. Using the modified Ritchie method, eggs of Ascaris lumbricoidesand Ancylostoma sp were found. Conclusion: the presence of evolutive forms in the soil of the reservoir indicates contamination by animal and human waste, favoring the establishment of biological cycles of the species found and of other different zoonoses. The data obtained demonstrated the importance of raising the population's awareness of health promotion measures besides preventive actions and health education programs.

Distribution of ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infections in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Ascariasis, Trichuriasis and Hookworm infections poses a considerable public health burden in Sub-Saharan Africa, and a sound understanding of their spatial distribution facilitates to better target control interventions. This study, therefore, assessed the prevalence of the trio, and mapped their spatial distribution in the 20 administrative regions of Ogun State, Nigeria. METHODS: Parasitological surveys were carried out in 1,499 households across 33 spatially selected communities. Fresh stool samples were collected from 1,027 consenting participants and processed using ether concentration method. The locations of the communities were georeferenced using a GPS device while demographic data were obtained using a standardized form. Data were analysed using SPSS software and visualizations and plotting maps were made in ArcGIS software. RESULTS: Findings showed that 19 of the 20 regions were endemic for one or more kind of the three infections, with an aggregated prevalence of 17.2%. Ascariasis was the most frequently observed parasitic infection in 28 communities with a prevalence of 13.6%, followed by hookworm infections with a prevalence of 4.6% while Trichuriasis was the least encountered with a prevalence of 1.7%. The spatial distribution of infections ranges between 5.3-49.2% across the regions. The highest and lowest distribution of overall helminth infections was recorded in Egbado South and Egbado North respectively. Nine regions had infection status between 20.0%-49.2%, while 10 regions had infection status between 5.3%-15.8%. CONCLUSION: This study provides epidemiological data on the prevalence and spatial distribution of ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infections which will add to the baseline data and guide the public health officers in providing appropriate control strategies in the endemic communities.

Helminth-microbiota cross-talk - A journey through the vertebrate digestive system.

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract of vertebrates is inhabited by a vast array of organisms, i.e., the microbiota and macrobiota. The former is composed largely of commensal microorganisms, which play vital roles in host nutrition and maintenance of energy balance, in addition to supporting the development and function of the vertebrate immune system. By contrast, the macrobiota includes parasitic helminths, which are mostly considered detrimental to host health via a range of pathogenic effects that depend on parasite size, location in the GI tract, burden of infection, metabolic activity, and interactions with the host immune system. Sharing the same environment within the vertebrate host, the GI microbiota and parasitic helminths interact with each other, and the results of such interactions may impact, directly or indirectly, on host health and homeostasis. The complex relationships occurring between parasitic helminths and microbiota have long been neglected; however, recent studies point towards a role for these interactions in the overall pathophysiology of helminth disease, as well as in parasite-mediated suppression of inflammation. Whilst several discrepancies in qualitative and quantitative modifications in gut microbiota composition have been described based on host and helminth species under investigation, we argue that attention should be paid to the systems biology of the gut compartment under consideration, as variations in the abundances of the same population of bacteria inhabiting different niches of the GI tract may result in varying functional consequences for host physiology.

Parasitos encontrados em hospedeiros extintos / Parasites found in extinct hosts

Os estudos paleoparasitológicos se caracterizam pela busca de parasitos em material arqueológico e paleontológico. Em geral, a maioria das pesquisas gira em torno de material de épocas mais recentes, principalmente relacionados a grupos humanos, que não chegam a datações de um milhão de anos. A busca por explicações mais antigas em relação ao surgimento das parasitoses nos leva aos animais extintos, que revelam nos vestígios deixados por eles, os parasitos que circulavam antes do surgimento dos seres humanos. Esse trabalho objetivou identificar parasitos que por ventura fossem encontrados em vestígios de animais extintos de diferentes idades geológicas. Então, 32coprólitos de 6 hospedeiros diferentes (caprino, hiena, duas espécies de peixes, cinodonte e dicinodonte), foram analisados nessa pesquisa, com datações que compreendem do Quaternário ao Triássico (10 mil a 240 milhões de anos antes do presente). Várias técnicas de recuperação de material mineralizado e dessecado foram utilizadas, de acordo com que cada coprólito foi preservado. Se mineralizado, técnicas com ácido e aparelho de ultrassom possibilitaram a análise, já para os coprólitos dessecados, foi feita apenas a reidratação com fosfato trissódico. Amostras de 4 hospedeiros foram positivas para parasitos. Cisto de protozoário em caprino, dois ovos de helmintos em coprólitos de hiena, um nematoda em dicinodonte, foram encontrados. Além de um ascarídeo e um oxyurídeo em coprólito de cinodonte, um réptil mamaliforme pertencente a um clado que originou os mamíferos, que apresentaram dois parasitos comumente achados em mamíferos modernos. Portanto, esses achados permitem que respostas sejam respondidas para compreender melhor a relação parasito hospedeiro-ambiente em diferentes épocas da história da vida...

Paleoparasitological studies are characterized by the search for parasites in archaeological and paleontological material. In general, most research centers around more recent material, mainly related to human groups, which doesn‟t reach the dating ofa million years. The search for older explanations in relation to the emergence of parasites leads us to extinct animals, which reveal on the traces left by them, the parasites that circulates before the appearance of humans. This study aimed to identifyparasites that were found in traces of extinct animals of different geological ages.Thereby, 32 coprolites 6 different hosts (goat, hyena, two species of fish, cynodont anddicynodonte) were analyzed in this study, with dating comprising from Quaternary toTriassic (10 thousands to 240 million years before present). Several techniques forrecovery of mineralized and dried material were used in accordance with the way eachcoprolite was preserved. If mineralized, techniques with acid and ultrasound deviceenabled the analysis, and for the disiccated coprolites, it was only made rehydrationwith trisodium phosphate. Samples of 4 hosts were positive for parasites. Protozoan cystin goats, two eggs of helminths in coprolites of hyena and nematode in dicynodonte, were found. In addition, an ascarid and an oxyurid egg in a coprolites of cynodont, amamaliforme reptile that belongs to a monophiletic clade that originated mammals,which showed two parasites commonly found in modern mammals. Therefore, thesefindings allow to fill gaps to understand the host-parasite-environment relationship better at different times in the history of life...

Cardinium endosymbionts are widespread in synanthropic mite species (Acari: Astigmata).

'Candidatus Cardinium' is an intracellular endosymbiont or parasite frequently occurring in invertebrates including mites and ticks. In this work we report Cardinium bacteria in Astigmata mites and explore their incidence in synanthropic species. Amplification of a 776 bp bacterial 16S rRNA gene fragment, using specific primers, enabled identification of closely related Cardinium sequences in 13 laboratory-reared populations of mites. In addition, Cardinium sequences were identified in three wild mite populations. Large scale screening of these populations showed 100% prevalence of Cardinium, representing the highest incidence compared to other major Chelicerate groups.

Small mammals: paratenic hosts for species of Toxocara in eastern Slovakia.

Toxocara spp., an aetiological agent of a serious helminthozoonosis, is a common roundworm of domestic and wild carnivores worldwide. The study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of Toxocara in small mammals from different localities in eastern Slovakia. Anti-Toxocara antibodies were detected in 6.4% out of 2140 examined animals trapped in eastern Slovakia. Due to their high density and observed high seroprevalence of toxocariasis, Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicollis, Myodes glareolus and Mus spicilegus (10.9, 4.2, 3.6 and 11.2%, respectively) represent important sources of the infection. A significant correlation between type of food and Toxocara positivity was detected: granivores (7.2%) and invertebratophages (7.1%) were positive more frequently than herbivores (2.1%). In the years monitored, cyclic changes of seroprevalence were observed. A higher prevalence of antibodies in the spring was followed by a decrease in summer. In autumn, seroprevalence started to rise and stayed at a similar level through the winter. Seroprevalence of the examined animals confirms their contact with Toxocara spp. and demonstrates the presence of the aetiological agent in the monitored locality. Areas with a high prevalence of infected animals present constant infectious pressure on definitive hosts, thus also increasing infection risk for humans and paratenic hosts. The study confirmed the contact of small mammals with Toxocara spp. and demonstrated the presence and circulation of an aetiological agent in the localities monitored in eastern Slovakia.

Calidad sanitaria parasitológica e hortalizas cultivadas en La Puerta municipio Valera estado Trujillo Venezuela / Parasitological sanitary quality and vegetables grown in La Puerta Valera Municipality Trujillo State Venezuela

Con técnicas para la extracción de quistes y huevos de parásitos humanos, se examinan hortalizas arrancadas de huertas en la localidad de La Lagunita, La Puerta, estado Trujillo y se comparan sus resultados con parásitos de la población escolar y de animales domésticos del lugar. Pese a la contaminación ambiental, 80 muestras de tipos hortalizas regadas por aspersión, no aparecieron contaminadas con los parásitos más comunes de la localidad.

Recuperación de huevos de Ascaris lumbricoides del follaje de hortalizas intencionalmente contaminadas / Recuperation of Ascaris lumbricoides eggs from intentionally contaminated vegetables

Se evalúa una técnica estándar de lavado y sedimentación de follaje de hortalizas de consumo crudo, intencionalmente contaminadas con huevos de Ascaris lumbricoides, en localidades endémicas como indicador de calidad sanitaria en ascariasís.

Prevalênce de ancilostomíase, ascaradíase e giardíase em cinco bairros de Sao Paulo com amostras obtidas em 1978 e 1998 / Prevalence of ancylostomiasis, ascariasis and giardiasis in five districts of Sao Paulo with stools obtained in 1978 and 1998

La prevalencia de Ancylostoma, Ascaris y Giardia en las heces fue analizada en cinco barrios (Santo Amaro, Lapa, Tatuapé, Osasco y Santana) de la Ciudad de Sao Paulo, Brasil, en 1978 y 1998. Se computó 2,283 y 4,908 análisis en los respectivos años, empleando el método de Hoffman, Pons & Janer. Los pacientes fueron enviados por servicios médicos de prepago (medicina de grupo) y correspondían a los empleados de la industria o comercio y sus familiares. Las muestras de 1978 y de 1998 mostraron un proceso significativo de disminución importante de la prevalencia de Ancylostoma y Ascaris, en dichos barrios. La giardiasis no mostró disminución en ningún barrio y reveló, en los 20 años, una prevalencia media de 4.78 por ciento, siendo un problema sanitario importante en Sao Paulo

Relación del parasitismo intestinal y bajo peso para la talla: estudio piloto en 338 niños de reas marginales de la ciudad de Guatemala / Relationship between parasitism and low weight for height

El parasitismo intestinal figura entre las principales causas de morbilidad en la población guatemalteca con implicaciones negativas en el crecimiento y desarrollo de la población infantil. Bajo esta premisa se decidió establecer la relación entre ambas condiciones. Se realizaron ex menes copraparasitológicos y medidas antropométricas a 338 niños de una guardería situada en un rea marginal de la Ciudad de Guatemala. El 49.1/100 de la población estudiadas presentó algún tipo de par sito intestinal. Giardia lamblia (37.2/100), Ascaris lumbricoides (32/100) y Strongyloides stercoralis (9.1/100) fueron los principales par sitos involucrados. La población comprendida entre los 2 y 4 años presentó mayor índice de infección parasitaria (32.5/100). El estudio piloto demostró que mientras peor es el estado nutricional del niño mayor es el porcentaje de infección parasitaria

Açäo de agentes químicos e físicos sobre ovos de Lagochilascaris minor, (Leiper, 1909) / In vitro effect of chemical and physical agents on viability and embriogenesis of eggs of Lagochilascaris minor (Liper, 1909)

Ovos recém-eliminados em fezes de gatos indectados experimentalmente com Lagochilascaris minor foram testados quanto à ação de vários agentes químicos (álcool etílico, hipoclorito, formaldeído e lugol em várias concentrações) e agentes físicos (congelamento - 10ºC, auecimento 80 /97 ºC) para se verificar o índice de letalidade através do percentual de embiogênese. Estes ovos foram colocados sob a ação desses agentes por um período de 24 horas. Após este período foram lavados por 3 vezes em água destilada e mantidos em placas de pertri com solução entre lâminas e lamínulas ao microscópio óptico. O aquecimento a 90 ºC, álcool etílico a 99 ºC, lugol (100 pôr cento, 50 pôr cento, 25 pôr cento, 12,5 pôr cento, 6,25 pôr cento, 3,125 pôr cento) apresentaram o índice de letalidade de 100 pôr cento

[The effect of biotic factors on the eggs of Ascaris spp]. / Wplyw czynników biotycznych na jaja Ascaris spp.

There are many organisms that influence development and survival of eggs of Ascaris sp. Fungi, Acari, Collembola and bacteria are the most important among them. They participate mainly in auto-dehelminthisation processes of environment.

Geohelmintiasis en comunidades indígenas y suburbanas del Estado Zulia / Geohelminthiasis in indigenous and suburban communities of Zulia State

Se realizó el presente trabajo con el fin de establecer y comparar la prevalencia de las geohelmintiasis en comunidades indígenas y suburbanas del Estado Zulia, donde las condiciones socio-económicas, ambientales, educacionales y geográficas son propicias para la implantación y diseminación de éstas. Se realizó un muestreo aleatorio simple para la selección de los individuos a estudiar, 193 en la etnia yukpa, 1.102 en la etnia paraujana y 1.124 en los barrios San Luis, El Silencio y Teotiste de Gallegos; recolectandose una muestra fecal por individuo, a la cual se le practicó exámen directo y método de concentración formol-éter. Los resultados obtenidos muestran la elevada prevalencia de enteroparásitos y en particular de geohelmintos en todas las localidades, especialmente en la etnia yukpa. Las especies observadas en todas las localidades fueron Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strogyloides stercoralis y Antylotomideos, siendo la más frecuente Trichuris trichiura. No se evidenció asociación significativa de las geohelmintiasis y el sexo, a excepción de la observada para Ascariasis en las comunidades suburbanas. Se demostró diferencia significativas de las geohelmintiasis entre los grupos etarios de las comunidades suburbanas; mientras que en las comunidades indígenas, en términos generales, no se observó esta asociación

Prevalencia de enteroparasitosis en guarderias infantiles del area urbana de Cochabamba / Prevalence of enteroparasitic infections in small children of the city at Cochabamba

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo el determinar la prevalencia de parasitosis intestinal en las guarderias de la ciudad de Cochabamba. Entre los resultados mas importantes se tiene que el 57// de los ninos estudiados tienen alguna enteroparasitosis, de este grupo, el 31// lleva Giardia Lamblia, 10// Entamoeba histolitica y 2// Ascaris lumbricoides. La mayor parte de los estudiados presentaron multiparasitos.

Incidencia de enteroparasitosis en escolares de la ciudad de Cochabamba, area fiscal / Incidence of enteroparasitic infection in public school children of the city of Cochabamba

La necesidad de contar con datos estadisticos actuales sobre la prevalencia de enteroparasitos en la poblacion del Departamento de Cochabamba, ha impulsado la realizacion del presente estudio que ha tenido como universo a ninos de 5 a 12 anos que concurren a las escuelas de ciclo basico fiscal del area urbana. El principal objetivo fue el de conocer la mencionada prevalencia para facilitar la planificacion de medidas preventivas por quienes estan encargados de la proteccion de la salud. De los resultados encontrados resalta que la Entamoeba Histolitica se encuentra en un 17// de los casos estudiados, 14// para Himenolepsia nana, 12// Giardia intestinalis y un 5// de Ascaris lumbricoides.

Ascariasis en primates no humanos del Perú / Ascariasis in non human primates of Peru

Se señala el segundo caso en el Perú de infección por Ascaris lumbricoides en un primate no humano, Pithecia monachus "guapo negro"