Rosuvastatin reduced brain parasite burden in a chronic toxoplasmosis in vivo model and influenced the neuropathological pattern of ME-49 strain.

This study evaluated the effects of rosuvastatin in vivo on toxoplasmosis chronic infection. Thirty-five Swiss mice were orally infected (ME-49 strain). After 50 days, the mice were separated into five groups: GI - non-infected, GII - infected, GIII - infected and treated with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine (12.5 + 50 mg kg-1 body weight day-1), GIV and GV - infected and treated with rosuvastatin 10 and 40 mg kg-1 body weight day-1, respectively. After 21 days, we collected blood, liver, lungs, femoral biceps and brain were removed for Toxoplasma gondii DNA quantification by qPCR and histopathological analysis. GIV and GV did not present premature death or clinical changes, and the hepatic enzyme levels were lower compared to GI. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected mainly in brain and muscle, but the parasite load was significantly lower in GV compared to GII brains (P < 0.05). Histopathological changes were observed in brains, with T. gondii cysts as well as an inflammatory condition, including necrosis areas in GII and GIII. These data confirm active infection with tissue injury. This inflammatory condition was attenuated in the groups treated with rosuvastatin, especially R40 (GV). Our findings demonstrated the in vivo action of rosuvastatin in reducing cerebral parasitic load and indicate that this drug may interfere in chronic toxoplasmosis.

Seroprevalence of Toxocara infection in children and environmental contamination of urban areas in Paraná State, Brazil.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the contamination by eggs of Toxocara in sandy areas or grass lawns of outdoor recreation areas that are used by children, and the frequency of seroprevalence in children, from three cities of fewer than 45,000 inhabitants in Paraná, Brazil. From May 2005 to December 2007, five samples were taken from each of 13 sandy sites and 18 grass lawns, all from plazas and public schools. Blood samples from children aged 0-12 years were analysed by immunoassay for anti-Toxocara IgG. The soil samples were processed by floatation and sedimentation. Eggs of Toxocara spp. were present in 44.7% (38/85) of the samples from grassed areas and in 21.4% (15/70) of the sand samples. The lawns were 2.16 times more contaminated than the sand (P = 0.0009). However, the epidemiological variables showed no statistically significant difference between seropositive (36.8%; 130/353), and seronegative children. The rate of seropositivity was higher in children aged 0-5 years (P = 0.03), who were 1.94 times more likely to develop persistent wheezing (P = 0.02).

Investigation of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in a public water-treatment system.

The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in a public water-treatment system and to relate the results to physical, chemical, bacteriological and climate parameters. From March to September 2006, 30 samples, 15 of raw water and 15 of treated water, were examined by membrane filtration and direct immunofluorescence (Merifluor). For each sample, a volume of 1000 1 was collected. Of the raw-water samples, 26.6% were positive for Cryptosporidium (mean concentration of 0.15 oocysts/l), and 6.66% were positive for Giardia (concentration of 0.2 cysts/l); 13.33% of the samples were positive for both (mean concentrations of 0.06 oocysts/l and 0.026 cysts/l respectively). All the samples of treated water were negative. There was no correlation (P < 0.05) between the presence of protozoans in the raw water and the parameters measured. The finding of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in raw water indicates that the water sources are contaminated. Considering that giardiasis is prevalent in the population and that Cryptosporidium has recognized zoonotic potential, long-term monitoring at critical points of the system is necessary to guarantee that the water will not be a vehicle for transmission of these protozoans.