The Relationship Between Human Adenovirus and Metals and Semimetals in the Waters of the Rio Doce, Brazil.

The 2015 rupture of the Fundão dam near the district of Bento Rodrigues in Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brazil, released around 50 million m3 of iron ore tailings. The first tributary of the Rio Doceto receive this waste was the Gualaxo do Norte River. Many groups in Brazil and from around the world have studied the environmental and social impacts of this disaster. However, relationships between the introduction of mining waste, the geological complexity of the area, and the presence of pathogenic organisms have not yet been investigated. The present study aimed to measure the concentrations of enteric pathogens along the Gualaxo do Norte River after the environmental disaster and to correlate their abundance with the presence of metals and semimetals coming from both mining tailings and geological sources. For this purpose, we collected water samples from 27 stations along the entire basin during a hydrological year. The concentrations of metals and semimetals measured in this study were generally within limits established by national and international legislation, except for those of iron and manganese. Positive correlations between the human adenovirus (HAdV) and arsenic, barium, iron, lead, manganese, and nickel were confirmed, allowing us to observe that there is an abundance of the potentially infectious virus present in the studied sites containing metal/semimetal concentrations. These studies indicate the importance of investigations that consider viral enteric pathogens complexed with metals and may favor the stability and prolongation of the infectivity of such pathogens in water destined for human and animal usage.

Patterns of land use, extensification, and intensification of Brazilian agriculture.

Sustainable intensification of agriculture is one of the main strategies to provide global food security. However, its implementation raises enormous political, technological, and social challenges. Meeting these challenges will require, among other things, accurate information on the spatial and temporal patterns of agricultural land use and yield. Here, we investigate historical patterns of agricultural land use (1940-2012) and productivity (1990-2012) in Brazil using a new high-resolution (approximately 1 km(2) ) spatially explicit reconstruction. Although Brazilian agriculture has been historically known for its extensification over natural vegetation (Amazon and Cerrado), data from recent years indicate that extensification has slowed down and was replaced by a strong trend of intensification. Our results provide the first comprehensive historical overview of agricultural land use and productivity in Brazil, providing clear insights to guide future territorial planning, sustainable agriculture, policy, and decision-making.

Dependence of hydropower energy generation on forests in the Amazon Basin at local and regional scales.

Tropical rainforest regions have large hydropower generation potential that figures prominently in many nations' energy growth strategies. Feasibility studies of hydropower plants typically ignore the effect of future deforestation or assume that deforestation will have a positive effect on river discharge and energy generation resulting from declines in evapotranspiration (ET) associated with forest conversion. Forest loss can also reduce river discharge, however, by inhibiting rainfall. We used land use, hydrological, and climate models to examine the local "direct" effects (through changes in ET within the watershed) and the potential regional "indirect" effects (through changes in rainfall) of deforestation on river discharge and energy generation potential for the Belo Monte energy complex, one of the world's largest hydropower plants that is currently under construction on the Xingu River in the eastern Amazon. In the absence of indirect effects of deforestation, simulated deforestation of 20% and 40% within the Xingu River basin increased discharge by 4-8% and 10-12%, with similar increases in energy generation. When indirect effects were considered, deforestation of the Amazon region inhibited rainfall within the Xingu Basin, counterbalancing declines in ET and decreasing discharge by 6-36%. Under business-as-usual projections of forest loss for 2050 (40%), simulated power generation declined to only 25% of maximum plant output and 60% of the industry's own projections. Like other energy sources, hydropower plants present large social and environmental costs. Their reliability as energy sources, however, must take into account their dependence on forests.

Use of insect repellent as personal protection among women of childbearing age in an arbovirus endemic area in Northeastern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with the individual use of insect repellent by women of childbearing age living in area endemic for arboviruses in Fortaleza, Brazil. METHODS: This is a cohort study carried out between 2018 and 2019 with women aged between 15 and 39 years in Fortaleza, state of Ceará, Brazil. A total of 1,173 women users of one of the four selected primary health care units participated in the study. The outcome was divided into: continued use, discontinued use, and nonuse of insect repellent. Crude and adjusted multinominal logistic regression analysis was carried out guided by a hierarchical model, with presentation of the respective odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). The independent variables include: socioeconomic and demographic data, environmental and sanitary characteristics, knowledge of the insect repellent, and behavioral and pregnancy-related aspects. RESULTS: Only 28% of the participants reported using insect repellent during the two waves of the cohort. Women with higher education (OR=2.55; 95%CI 1.44-4.51); who are employed (OR=1.51; 95%CI 1.12-2.03); who received guidance from healthcare professionals (OR=1.74; 95%CI 1.28-2.36) and the media (OR=1.43; 95%CI 1.01-2.02); who intensified precautions against mosquitoes during the epidemic (OR=3.64; 95%CI 2.29-5.78); and who were pregnant between 2016 and 2019 (OR=2.80; 95%CI 1.83-4.30) had increased odds for continued use of insect repellent. CONCLUSION: The use of insect repellent among women of childbearing age was associated with a higher level of education, employment, guidance on insect repellent provided by healthcare professionals and the media, behavioral changes to protect against mosquitoes during the Zika virus epidemic, and pregnancy when occurring as of the beginning of the epidemic period.

Fertility decision-making during the Zika virus epidemic in Brazil: Where is the decision?

BACKGROUND: In 2016, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) was declared in response to the rise of microcephaly cases among newborns in Northeastern Brazil. A common reactionary measure by public health authorities was to recommend women postpone pregnancy to avoid the possible perinatal transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV). METHODS: The purpose of this study was to assess how women in Fortaleza, Brazil conceptualize pregnancy; experience facilitators and barriers to pregnancy avoidance; perceive the authorities' recommendation to postpone pregnancy due to the ZIKV outbreak; and recall their experiences during the ZIKV epidemic. Qualitative methods, specifically a Rapid Anthropological Assessment (RAA), were utilized in this study. Data collection included semi-structured interviews, triangulated with observations and informal interviews with community members. RESULTS: The sample included 35 women (18-39 years old) who exclusively utilized the national public health care system. Findings indicated that all participants perceived the ZIKV pregnancy-postponement recommendation to be counter-cultural to Brazilian social norms. Overall women's self-perceived agency to prevent pregnancy was low due to social expectations and lack of trust for contraceptives. ZIKV prevention was not seen as a reason to utilize contraceptives. Interestingly, only women who self-perceived as more affluent were willing to attempt pregnancy prevention for educational, occupational, or financial opportunity. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy postponement as a response to a ZIKV epidemic ignores gaps in reproductive agency and defies social norms, making it unrealistic and counter-cultural. Future ZIKV health recommendations must be culturally aligned with the population, and address barriers and motivators for family planning.

Factors associated with Chikungunya infection in a cohort of women aged 15-39 y in Fortaleza, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) occurred in Brazil during 2015-2017. Fortaleza was the city that reported the most cases. METHODS: The first round of a cohort study was conducted among women aged 15-39 y in Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2018 (Zika in Fortaleza). We collected sera to detect CHIKV IgG and IgM antibodies. Factors for CHIKV infection were identified using a Poisson regression model. RESULTS: We evaluated 1466 serum samples and 13.8% and 37.2% of women were found positive for CHIKV IgM and IgG antibodies, respectively. Living with more than four others in the same house and having an abandoned house nearby were associated with CHIKV infection. Being currently pregnant was associated with a decreased probability of CHIKV infection, which was also associated with pregnant women reporting using more repellent, both inside and outside the house, than non-pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: Crowding in households and abandoned houses nearby can increase potential transmission. Policies providing better living conditions and regulation of abandoned sites and buildings are necessary to control the mosquito population. Programmes providing repellant at low or no cost to pregnant women should be implemented in the neighbourhoods where arbovirus infections are endemic.

Use of insect repellent as personal protection among women of childbearing age in an arbovirus endemic area in Northeastern Brazil / Uso de repelente como medida de proteção pessoal por mulheres em idade fértil residentes em áreas endêmicas para arboviroses no Nordeste do Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the factors associated with the individual use of insect repellent by women of childbearing age living in area endemic for arboviruses in Fortaleza, Brazil. Methods: This is a cohort study carried out between 2018 and 2019 with women aged between 15 and 39 years in Fortaleza, state of Ceará, Brazil. A total of 1,173 women users of one of the four selected primary health care units participated in the study. The outcome was divided into: continued use, discontinued use, and nonuse of insect repellent. Crude and adjusted multinominal logistic regression analysis was carried out guided by a hierarchical model, with presentation of the respective odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). The independent variables include: socioeconomic and demographic data, environmental and sanitary characteristics, knowledge of the insect repellent, and behavioral and pregnancy-related aspects. Results: Only 28% of the participants reported using insect repellent during the two waves of the cohort. Women with higher education (OR=2.55; 95%CI 1.44-4.51); who are employed (OR=1.51; 95%CI 1.12-2.03); who received guidance from healthcare professionals (OR=1.74; 95%CI 1.28-2.36) and the media (OR=1.43; 95%CI 1.01-2.02); who intensified precautions against mosquitoes during the epidemic (OR=3.64; 95%CI 2.29-5.78); and who were pregnant between 2016 and 2019 (OR=2.80; 95%CI 1.83-4.30) had increased odds for continued use of insect repellent. Conclusion: The use of insect repellent among women of childbearing age was associated with a higher level of education, employment, guidance on insect repellent provided by healthcare professionals and the media, behavioral changes to protect against mosquitoes during the Zika virus epidemic, and pregnancy when occurring as of the beginning of the epidemic period.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar os fatores associados ao uso de repelente individual por mulheres em idade fértil residentes em área endêmicas para arboviroses em Fortaleza, Brasil. Métodos: Coorte realizada entre 2018 e 2019, com mulheres entre 15 e 39 anos, moradoras em Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. Participaram 1.173 mulheres, usuárias de quatro unidades primárias de saúde do município. O desfecho foi categorizado em: uso continuado, uso descontinuado e não uso de repelente. Realizada análise de regressão logística multinominal norteada por modelo hierárquico, com apresentação dos respectivos odds ratio (OR) e intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%). As variáveis independentes incluem: dados socioeconômicos e demográficos, características ambientais e sanitárias, conhecimento sobre o repelente e aspectos comportamentais e relacionados à gravidez. Resultados: Somente 28% das participantes referiram o uso de repelente durante as duas ondas da coorte. Mulheres com escolaridade superior (OR=2,55; IC95% 1,44-4,51); com emprego (OR=1,51; IC95% 1,12-2,03); que receberam orientações por profissionais da saúde (OR=1,74; IC95% 1,28-2,36) e pela mídia (OR=1,43; IC95% 1,01-2,02); que intensificaram os cuidados contra o mosquito na epidemia (OR=3,64; IC95% 2,29-5,78); estavam grávidas entre 2016 e 2019 (OR=2,80; IC95% 1,83-4,30) tiveram as chances aumentadas para uso continuado de repelente. Conclusões: O uso de repelente entre mulheres em idade fértil mostrou-se associado a um maior nível de escolaridade, ao emprego, às orientações sobre repelente fornecidas por profissionais de saúde e pela mídia, às mudanças comportamentais de cuidado contra o mosquito durante a epidemia da Zika e à gravidez quando ocorrida a partir do início do período epidêmico.

Estimativa da prevalência oculta da hanseníase em um município do sul de Minas Gerais: onde estão os pacientes com hanseníase? / Estimation of the hidden prevalence of leprosy in a city in southern Minas Gerais: where are the leprosy patients? / Estimación de la prevalencia oculta de la lepra en una ciudad del sur de Minas Gerais: ¿dónde están los enfermos de lepra?

A hanseníase é uma doença crônica e infecto-contagiosa que possui diversas manifestações clínicas dermatológicas e neurológicas. Trata-se de um problema de saúde pública no Brasil devido aos elevados índices de novos casos. Assim, o Brasil é o segundo país com maior número de casos da doença no mundo e, portanto, necessita de uma vigilância epidemiológica efetiva. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste estudo é estimar a taxa de prevalência oculta da hanseníase em Alfenas-MG de 2006 a 2020. Realizou-se, primeiramente, um estudo quantitativo e descritivo dos casos de hanseníase diagnosticados no município de Alfenas-MG a partir de 2001, provenientes da análise de dados secundários obtidos no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação. Para o cálculo da taxa de prevalência oculta, foi utilizado o método proposto por Suárez e Lombardi e indicado pelas Organizações Pan-Americana e Mundial de Saúde/ Organização Mundial de Saúde. Comparando o resultado das décadas têm-se: queda de 82,16% de diagnósticos entre a primeira (n=314) e a segunda década (n=56); alta prevalência de pacientes multibacilares em ambas; incapacidade grau I e II em 55,10% dos pacientes na primeira década e, na segunda, 23,21% apresentaram incapacidade grau I e 0% incapacidade grau II; aumento de 1.093,70% da taxa de prevalência oculta da segunda década em relação ao período de 2006 à 2010. Destacamos que este estudo é essencial para que medidas de prevenção, controle e eliminação sejam elaboradas pelos órgãos competentes a fim de erradicar ou minimizar a hanseníase no sul de Minas Gerais. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Hanseníase; Prevalência; Notificação; Saúde Pública.

Leprosy is a chronic and infectious-contagious disease that has several dermatological and neurological clinical manifestations. It is a public health problem in Brazil due to the high rates of new cases. Thus, Brazil is the second country with the highest number of cases of the disease in the world and, therefore, requires effective epidemiological surveillance. Thus, the aim of this study is to estimate the hidden prevalence rate of leprosy in Alfenas-MG from 2006 to 2020, from the analysis of secondary data obtained from the Notifiable Diseases Information System. To calculate the hidden prevalence rate, the method proposed by Suárez and Lombardi and recommended by the Pan American and World Health Organizations/World Health Organization was used. Comparing the results of the decades, there is: a drop of 82.16% in diagnoses between the first (n=314) and the second decade (n=56); high prevalence of multibacillary patients in both; grade I and II disability in 55.10% of patients in the first decade and, in the second, 23.21% had grade I disability and 0% grade II disability; 1,093.70% increase in the prevalence rate in the second decade compared to the period from 2006 to 2010. We emphasize that this study is essential for prevention, control and elimination measures to be developed by the competent bodies in order to eradicate or minimize leprosy in the south of Minas Gerais.

La lepra es una enfermedad crónica e infecto-contagiosa que presenta diversas manifestaciones clínicas dermatológicas y neurológicas. Constituye un problema de salud pública en Brasil debido a las altas tasas de nuevos casos. Así, Brasil es el segundo país con mayor número de casos de la enfermedad en el mundo y, por lo tanto, requiere una vigilancia epidemiológica eficaz. Así, el objetivo de este estudio es estimar la tasa de prevalencia oculta de lepra en Alfenas-MG de 2006 a 2020, a partir del análisis de datos secundarios obtenidos del Sistema de Información de Enfermedades de Declaración Obligatoria. Para el cálculo de la tasa de prevalencia oculta se utilizó el método propuesto por Suárez y Lombardi y recomendado por las Organizaciones Panamericana y Mundial de la Salud/Organización Mundial de la Salud. Comparando los resultados de las décadas, se observa: una caída de 82,16% en los diagnósticos entre la primera (n=314) y la segunda década (n=56); alta prevalencia de pacientes multibacilares en ambas; discapacidad grado I y II en 55,10% de los pacientes en la primera década y, en la segunda, 23,21% tenían discapacidad grado I y 0% discapacidad grado II; aumento de 1.093,70% en la tasa de prevalencia en la segunda década en comparación con el período de 2006 a 2010. Destacamos que este estudio es esencial para las medidas de prevención, control y eliminación a ser desarrolladas por los órganos competentes con el fin de erradicar o minimizar la lepra en el sur de Minas Gerais.

Spray drying as a strategy for biosurfactant recovery, concentration and storage.

The objective of this study was to analyze the use of Spray Drying for concentration and preservation of biosurfactants produced by Bacillus subtilis LBBMA RI4914 isolated from a heavy oil reservoir. Kaolinite and maltodextrin 10DE or 20DE were tested as drying adjuvants. Surface activity of the biosurfactant was analyzed by preparing dilution x surface activity curves of crude biosurfactant, crude biosurfactant plus adjuvants and of the dried products, after their reconstitution in water. The shelf life of the dried products was also evaluated. Spray drying was effective in the recovery and concentration of biosurfactant, while keeping its surface activity. Drying adjuvants were required to obtain a solid product with the desired characteristics. These compounds did not interfere with tensoactive properties of the biosurfactant molecules. The dehydrated product maintained its surfactant properties during storage at room temperature during the evaluation period (120 days), with no detectable loss of activity.

Geoprocessamento em saúde como tecnologia de análise e monitoramento da hanseníase no município de Sobral-Ceará / Geoprocessing in health as leprosy analysis and monitoring technology in the city of Sobral-Ceará / Geoprocesamiento en salud como tecnología de análisis y seguimiento de la lepra en el municipio de Sobral-Ceará

O geoprocessamento configura-se como um conjunto de técnicas computacionais capazes de colaborar para mapeamento de doenças, a exemplo da hanseníase, avaliação de riscos, planejamento e avaliação de ações de saúde. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a distribuição espacial da hanseníase no Sistema Municipal de Saúde de Sobral, Ceará, utilizando técnicas de geoprocessamento. Trata-se de um estudo de abordagem quantitativa do tipo epidemiológico, ecológico e transversal, com dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, sobre a hanseníase no período de 2003 a 2014; os dados foram sistematizados após tabulações e mapeamento no software EpiInfo™ 7.0 e analisados por meio de medidas de frequências. Os resultados mostraram aglomerados de casos de hanseníase nas regiões onde os índices socioeconômicos são predominantemente desfavoráveis e as condições de moradia favorecem a existência de agregados populacionais. Concluiu-se que o geoprocessamento da hanseníase configurou-se como importante tecnologia capaz de direcionar o planejamento, intervenção e avaliação das ações de saúde pública sobre os determinantes sociais envolvidos no processo de saúde e doença.

The geoprocessing is configured as a set of computational techniques to contribute to disease mapping, such as leprosy, risk assessment, planning and evaluation of health actions. The objective of this article is to analyze the spatial distribution of leprosy in the Municipal System of Health of Sobral, Ceará, using geoprocessing techniques. It's a quantitative approach epidemiological, ecological and cross-sectional study with data on leprosy from the Notifiable Diseases Information System in the period from 2003 to 2014; data were systematized after tabulations and mapping in EpiInfo™ software and analyzed by means of frequency measures. The results showed clusters of leprosy cases in the regions where the socio-economic indices are predominantly unfavorable and living conditions favor the existence of population aggregate. In conclusion, leprosy geoprocessing was configured as an important technology to direct planning, intervention and evaluation of public health action on social determinants involved in the health-disease process.

El geoprocesamiento configurase como un conjunto de técnicas computacionales para contribuir con la cartografía de enfermedades, a ejemplo de la lepra, evaluación de riesgos, planificación y evaluación de las acciones de salud. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar la distribución espacial de la lepra en el Sistema Municipal de Salud de Sobral, Ceará, utilizando técnicas de geoprocesamiento. Tratase de un estudio de enfoque cuantitativo de tipo epidemiológico, ecológico y transversal con los datos del Sistema de Información de Enfermedades de Declaración Obligatoria, sobre la lepra en el período de 2003 hasta 2014; los datos fueron sistematizadas después de tabulaciones y mapeo en el software EpiInfo™ 7.0 y analizados por medio de medidas de frecuencia. Los resultados mostraron aglomerados de casos de lepra en las regiones en las que los índices socioeconómicos son predominantemente desfavorables y las condiciones de vida favorecen la existencia de agregados poblacionales. Concluyóse que el geoprocesamiento de la lepra se ha configurado como una tecnología importante para dirigir la planificación, intervención y evaluación de las acciones de salud pública sobre los determinantes sociales que intervienen en el proceso de salud y enfermedad.

Fatores associados ao índice de massa corporal em portadores de diabetes mellitus / Factors associated to body mass index in people with diabetes mellitus

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a associação entre os aspectos socioeconômicos, clínicos e o Índice de Massa Corporal em portadores de Diabetes Mellitus. Foi realizado estudo descritivo e analítico de 100 pacientes com Diabetes Mellitus que frequentavam a Organização Não Governamental (ONG) "Casa do Diabético", em Belém - Pará, com aplicação de questionário de dados socioeconômicos e clínicos. A análise estatística foi realizada no programa BioEstat versão 5.0. A partir dos resultados constatou-se associação significativa entre os adultos (48,93 ± 7,97 anos) que utilizavam insulinoterapia plena (p = 0,003) e possuíam nível de escolaridade fundamental incompleto e superior (p = 0,004) com a classificação de Índice de Massa Corporal adequada. A insulinoterapia e o nível de escolaridade fundamental incompleto e superior foram associados ao Índice de Massa Corporal adequado, que contribui para avaliação dos métodos terapêuticos realizados pela ONG, assim como para elaboração de estratégias de tratamento viáveis à realidade do portador de Diabetes Mellitus.

Current study verifies the association between socio-economic aspects, clinic features and Body Mass Index in people with diabetes. The descriptive and analytic analysis was undertaken with 100 patients with diabetes who were attended by the NGO House of the Diabetic Patient in Belém PA Brazil, through a questionnaire featuring social, economic and clinical data. Statistics were analyzed with BioEstat 5.0. Results revealed a significant association among adults (48.93 ± 7.97 years) who used full insulin therapy (p=0.003) and incomplete primary schooling and higher education (p= 0.004) with adequate Body Mass Index. Insulin therapy and incomplete fundamental schooling and higher education were associated with the Body Mass Index which contributes towards the therapeutic methods by the NGO and for the elaboration of treatment strategies viable to the circumstances of the person with diabetes.

Humanização do parto e nascimento: acolher a parturiente na perspectiva dialógica de Paulo Freire / Delivery and birth humanization: embracing the parturient from Paulo Freire’s dialogic perspective

Objetivo: analisar as percepções das parturientes quanto ao significado do parto humanizado na perspectivafreiriana. Método: trata-se de estudo qualitativo, do tipo pesquisa-ação, no qual participaram oitoparturientes em início de trabalho de parto atendidas em maternidade do interior do estado do Ceará. Nacoleta de dados foi utilizada observação direta das participantes e entrevista com base na dialogicidade dePaulo Freire. As informações foram abordadas por meio da Análise de Conteúdo. O estudo foi aprovado peloComitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), sob o CAEE n. 0013.0.039.000.10.Resultados: foram identificados sentimentos de medo, insegurança e desconhecimento sobre o processo doparto expressos pelas parturientes e eles convergiram para a necessidade de inclusão de acompanhante nomomento do parto. Também se destacou a falta de um ambiente com privacidade. Conclusão: é importante enecessária a implantação de política de humanização do parto que possibilite a valorização da atenção àmulher durante o processo de parto.

Infecção por Blastocystis hominis e Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar em pacientes atendidos em um hospital localizado em Niterói, Rio de Janeiro / Blastocystis hominis and Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar infection in patients attended in a Hospital in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Blastocistose e amebíase são enteroparasitoses causadas pelos protozoários Blastocystis hominis e Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar. E. histolytica é a única espécie considerada invasiva. E. dispar é morfologicamente semelhante, mas geneticamente distinta e considerada incapaz de invadir a mucosa intestinal. Um dos aspectos de maior importância na virulência amebiana talvez seja a interação das amebas com a microbiota do intestino do hospedeiro. B. hominis é encontrado com elevada frequência em fezes, assim como sua associação com E. histolytica/E. dispar, sugerindo possível interferência recíproca de patogenicidad. Neste estudo, o objetivo foi demonstrar a frequência de E. histolytica/E. dispar, B. hominis e de sua associação em amostras de fezes de pacientes atendidos no Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, entre janeiro e setembro de 2008, por meio de levantamento no livro de registros de resultados de exames parasitológicos de fezes. A frequência global de enteroparasitoses foi de 14,1por cento, sendo B. hominis o mais frequente (6,7por cento), seguido por Entamoeba coli (3,4por cento), Giardia lamblia (2,9por cento) e E. histolytica/E. dispar (2,0por cento). Dos 34 casos positivos para E. histolytica/E. dispar, 20 (58,8por cento) estavam associados com B. hominis. O poliparasitismo (até quatro parasitos na mesma amostra) observado em alguns indivíduos da população estudada sugere possível deficiência de saneamento básico no local de moradia dessas pessoas. O elevado número de casos com associação entre E. histolytica/E. dispar e B. hominis demonstra a necessidade do desenvolvimento de modelos experimentais para o estudo dessa associação in vivo.

Blastocystosis and amebiasis are intestinal parasitoses caused by the protozoan B. hominis and E. histolytica/E. dispar. While E. histolytica is the only species considered invasive, E. dispar is morphologically identical although genetically distinct, and it is considered incapable of invading the intestinal mucosa. One of the most important aspects in the virulence of the ameba might be their interaction with the macrobiota that lives in the host’s intestine. B. hominis is found with highfrequency in feces, and in association with E. histolytica/E. dispar, suggestingpossible reciprocal interference of pathogenicity. The aim of this paper is to show the frequency of E. histolytica/E. dispar, B. hominis and their association on feces samples of patients seen at Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro (HUAP) in 2008 through a survey of the register of test results for feces samples. The overall frequency of intestinal parasites was 14.1%. B. hominis was the most frequent (6.7%), followed by E. coli (3.4%), G. lamblia (2.9%) and E. histolytica/E. dispar(2.0%). Association with B. hominis was found in 20 (58.8%) of 34 positiveE. histolytica/E. dispar cases. The presence of multiple parasites in the studied population suggests a difficult access to adequate sanitation. The high number of cases with E. histolytica/E. dispar and B. hominis association shows the need to develop experimental models for the study of this association in vivo.