RESUMO
The present study aimed to identify larval trematodes shed by snails found in water bodies used by urban communities in a former schistosomiasis endemic area in the state of Piauí, in the Brazilian semiarid region. A malacological survey was performed followed by analysis of the cercariae shed by the snails after light exposure. Biomphalaria straminea specimens (n=1,224) were obtained from all seven collection sites. Cercariae shed by snails were i) single tailed, in which one type of cercariae was identified ( Echinostoma cercariae), and ii) with bifurcated tail (brevifurcate apharyngeate distome, brevifurcate pharyngeate distome, and longifurcate pharyngeate distome [strigeocercaria]). Brevifurcate apharyngeate distome were further examined and the presence of spikes in swimming membranes enabled the identification of Spirorchiidae cercariae in all individuals, demonstrating the absence of cercariae compatible with Schistosoma mansoni . Nevertheless, the accurate diagnosis of S. mansoni circulation in former endemic areas is still necessary.
Assuntos
Biomphalaria , Esquistossomose , Animais , Biomphalaria/parasitologia , Brasil , Vetores de Doenças , Larva , Schistosoma mansoni , Esquistossomose/epidemiologia , Esquistossomose/prevenção & controle , Esquistossomose/transmissãoRESUMO
In a recent study by our group on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of local residents of Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, we observed that about 50% of the inhabitants were parasitized and had some knowledge of intestinal parasitic infections but did not apply this knowledge in daily practice. We were thus motivated to implement strategies in health education to promote preventive measures in the locality. The goal of the present work was to evaluate the influence of health education on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the region in an effort to strengthen public policies for controlling these diseases in Brazil. The methodology adopted was based on action-research and a theoretical framework of health promotion. Our results demonstrate that the study population exhibited an enhanced awareness of the importance of disease from intestinal parasitic infections. Attitudes and practices related to prevention were significantly improved after the shared health education. In conclusion, this study allowed the shared construction of knowledge that reflected the true needs of the residents.
Assuntos
Educação em Saúde , Enteropatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Enteropatias Parasitárias/prevenção & controle , Pobreza , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Fezes/parasitologia , Feminino , Trato Gastrointestinal/parasitologia , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Promoção da Saúde , Humanos , Enteropatias Parasitárias/parasitologia , Masculino , PrevalênciaRESUMO
Rhynchophorus palmarum, the palm weevil, has been reported as a pest of palms and sugarcane plants. The Red Ring Disease is an infectious plant disease caused by nematodes. The etiological agent, Bursaphelencus (Rhadinaphelencus) cocophilus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), completes its life cycle within 9 to 10 days inside the palm tree. The main symptom is a permanent wilting of the plant aerial parts. Previous studies stated that B. cocophilus cohabits with other nematodes the gut of R. palmarum. The aim of this study is to identify nematodes collected from palm weevil found in coconut plantations from the north of the Rio de Janeiro State. Light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were carried on samples of infected R. palmarum and fragments and fresh juice of infected plants with B. cocophilus. Observations of R. palmarum fecal material made by LM and SEM showed three species cohabiting these samples, being also present in fresh juice and fragments of infected coconut tree: B. cocophilus, Teratorhabditis palmarum (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) and Diplogasteritus sp (Nematoda: Diplogasteridae). These findings confirm previous studies, which related that R. palmarum own a varied nematode fauna. Nematodes associated to B. cocophilus probably could be co-participates of the etiology of the Red Ring disease.
Assuntos
Cocos/parasitologia , Nematoides/classificação , Nematoides/isolamento & purificação , Gorgulhos/parasitologia , Animais , Brasil , Fezes/parasitologia , Microscopia , Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura , Nematoides/anatomia & histologia , Nematoides/ultraestrutura , Doenças das Plantas/parasitologiaRESUMO
Litomosoides chagasfilhoi is a filariid nematode parasite of the abdominal cavity of the wild rodent Akodon cursor (Winge, 1887), that has been described and used in Brazil as a new model for human filariasis. The fine structure of the intestine of this nematode was analyzed based on observations made by light and transmission electron microscopies of serial sections along the body. Cytochemical analysis was carried out to investigate the composition of the intestinal wall. This structure consisted of a basal lamina and an epithelium of variable thickness, composed of cells that have an irregular shape. The cytoplasm of intestinal cells contains few organelles: vacuoles, lysosomal bodies, spheroid bodies, endoplasmic reticulum, and many large lipid droplets. In the anterior portion of the intestine, the lysosomal bodies, spheroid bodies, and vacuoles presented positive reaction for acid phosphatase, and carbohydrates were detected in lysosomal bodies. The midbody and posterior regions presented less organelles and lipid droplets, and nuclei were more abundant. Residues of L-fucose were detected by Ulex europaeus lectin binding in the midbody sections. Basic proteins were associated to lipid droplets, in the posterior region. In the whole extension of the intestine, carbohydrates were detected on tight junctions. These results indicate that the metabolized material in the epithelium can contribute to the microfilariae development and also probably can be involved with the excretory/secretory mechanism of these nematodes.
Assuntos
Filarioidea/ultraestrutura , Fosfatase Ácida/análise , Animais , Membrana Basal/ultraestrutura , Carboidratos/análise , Citoplasma/ultraestrutura , Células Epiteliais/ultraestrutura , Feminino , Filarioidea/química , Fucose/análise , Histocitoquímica , Mucosa Intestinal/ultraestrutura , Intestinos/química , Intestinos/ultraestrutura , Lisossomos/química , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , Organelas/ultraestrutura , Lectinas de Plantas/metabolismo , Ligação Proteica , Junções Íntimas/química , Vacúolos/químicaRESUMO
In order to obtain further information on the structural organization of the cuticle of nematodes, this structure was isolated from adult forms of the filariid Litomosoides chagasfilhoi. The purity of the fraction was determined by light and transmission electron microscopy, deep-etching, high resolution scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, immunocytochemistry, gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot. The epicuticle presented a rugous surface with parallel rows and several globular particles that could be involved in the absorption of nutrients and secretion of products. Analysis by SDS-PAGE of purified cuticles revealed five major polypeptides corresponding to 151, 41, 28, 13 and 11 kDa. A polyclonal antibody against a synthetic 18 amino-acid peptide that corresponds to the sequence of domain E of the Haemonchus contortus3A3 collagen gene recognized several protein bands on the Western blot of purified cuticle, and labeled all cuticular layers, as shown by immunocytochemistry.
Assuntos
Filarioidea/ultraestrutura , Animais , Antígenos de Helmintos/isolamento & purificação , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida/métodos , Feminino , Filarioidea/química , Filarioidea/classificação , Filarioidea/citologia , Técnica de Congelamento e Réplica/métodos , Imuno-Histoquímica , Microscopia de Força Atômica/métodosRESUMO
The fine structure of the cuticle of the filariid nematode Litomosoides chagasfilhoi is described, based on observations made by transmission electron microscopy and deep-etched replicas. The cuticle consists of a trilaminate epicuticle, the outermost layer that interfaces with the host and four other layers: cortical, intermediate, fibrous and basal. In deep-etched replicas, the cortical layer is formed by a meshwork of globular particles and fibers with a thickness of 4-8 nm. The intermediate layer is electron-lucid and contains a densely-stained line. In deep-etched replicas, it is composed by a meshwork of fibers with longitudinal orientation. The fibrous layer is the thickest and most electron-dense and consists of two types of fibers: thick (9-26 nm) and thin (3-6 nm). The innermost basal layer is intimately associated with the hypodermis. In common with other nematodes, the cuticle of L. chagasfilhoi presents channels that are probably involved in nutrient acquisition and transport.
Assuntos
Filarioidea/ultraestrutura , Animais , Filarioidea/química , Filarioidea/citologia , Técnica de Congelamento e Réplica/métodos , Microscopia Eletrônica/métodosRESUMO
Two species of filariids, Litomosoides silvai and Litomosoides chagasfilhoi, were collected from the thoracic and abdominal cavities, respectively, of Akodon cursor, from Catimbau Grande, Rio Bonito, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fifty-eight rodents were necropsied and 15 (25.9) were parasitized. Four of the 15 infected rodents (26.7) presented concurrent infections, but each species had separate and specific sites of infection. This is the first report of a rodent species parasitized with naturally occurring, concurrent infections with two species of filarial worms.