RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of endo-urethral stent (EUP) of incontinentation in spinal cord injured (SCI) men on ejaculation capacity. FIRST CRITERIA: Presence of ejaculation after EUP. SECONDARY CRITERIA: Modification on ejaculation type, stimulation mode, possibility of sperm conservation in the same population. POPULATION AND METHODS: A descriptive monocentric study including SCI subjects which underwent placement or change of temporary (Mémokath™ or Allium™) or definitive (Mémotherm™) EUP between January 2004 and January 2014 with at least one ejaculatory test. Are identified for each patient: the presence of ejaculation, type of ejaculation, stimulation mode used, number of frozen specimen and results from semen analysis. RESULTS: Over 11 men with tetraplegia, complete for motricity, there were 8 (72%) for whom ejaculation was possible after laying EUP. Of these, 6 (55%) had an antegrade or antero-retrograde ejaculation. It was not possible to make a freezing straw in four of them due to infection of semen (2) or terato-oligo-astenospermia (1) or absence of reproductive project (1). CONCLUSION: In this small sample, it was found that over 70% ejaculation have been preserved after laying EUP and more than 50% with antegrade or antero-retrograde ejaculation. A larger study would identify how EUP may alter the ejaculatory capacity or quality of the ejaculate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.
Assuntos
Ejaculação , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/fisiopatologia , Stents , Uretra , Adulto , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The free-living amoebae, Acanthamoeba, can act as opportunistic parasites on a wide range of vertebrates and are becoming a serious threat to human health due to the resistance of their cysts to harsh environmental conditions, disinfectants, some water treatment practices, and their ubiquitous distribution. Subgenus classification based on morphology is being replaced by a classification based on the sequences of the 18S rRNA gene with a total of 18 different genotypes (T1-T18). A new environmental strain of Acanthamoeba isolated from a waste water treatment plant is presented in this study as a candidate for the description of the novel genotype T19 after phylogenetic analysis.
Assuntos
Acanthamoeba/genética , Filogenia , RNA Ribossômico 18S/genética , Água/parasitologia , Acanthamoeba/classificação , Acanthamoeba/isolamento & purificação , Animais , DNA de Protozoário/genética , Genótipo , Espanha , Instalações de Eliminação de Resíduos , Águas ResiduáriasRESUMO
A total of 116 samples (44 clinical specimens and 72 environmental samples) have been analyzed for the presence of Acanthamoeba. The environmental samples (ESs) were collected from four drinking water treatment plants (DWTP, n=32), seven wastewater treatment plants (n=28), and six locations of influence (n=12) on four river basins from the central area of Spain (winter-spring 2008). Water samples were concentrated by using the IDEXX Filta-Max(®) system. Acanthamoeba was identified in 65 of the 72 ESs by culture isolation (90.3%) and 63 by real-time PCR (87.5%), resulting in all sampling points (100%) positive for Acanthamoeba when considering both techniques and all the time period analyzed. Nine of the 44 clinical specimens were positive for Acanthamoeba. Seventeen Acanthamoeba strains (eight from four DWTP and nine from clinical samples) were also established in axenic-PYG medium. Twenty-four of the ESs and the 17 Acanthamoeba sp. strains were genotyped as T4/1, T4/8, and T4/9. The eight strains isolated from the DWTP samples were inoculated in nude mouse to ascertain their potential pathogenicity in this model. Animals that were inoculated died or showed central nervous system symptoms 9 days post-inoculation. Examination of immunofluorescence-stained brain and lung tissue sections showed multiple organisms invading both tissues, and re-isolation of throphozoites was successful in these tissues of all infected animals. For the first time, potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba T4 has been detected in 100% of different types of water samples including tap water and sewage effluents in the central area of Spain suggesting a potential health threat for humans especially for the contact lens wearers.
Assuntos
Acanthamoeba/classificação , Acanthamoeba/isolamento & purificação , Amebíase/parasitologia , Água/parasitologia , Acanthamoeba/genética , Amebíase/mortalidade , Amebíase/patologia , Animais , Encéfalo/parasitologia , Encéfalo/patologia , DNA de Protozoário/genética , Genótipo , Humanos , Pulmão/parasitologia , Pulmão/patologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Nus , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Espanha , Análise de Sobrevida , Purificação da ÁguaRESUMO
Microsporidia are currently considered emerging pathogens responsible for life-threatening infections in organ transplant recipients. Here, we describe the first cases of intestinal microsporidiosis by Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotype D in two non-HIV-infected renal transplant recipients from Spain. Previously reported cases of microsporidiosis in organ transplant recipients have also been reviewed, highlighting the necessity of considering organ transplant recipients a risk group for microsporidiosis. A systematic search for these parasites is recommended in cases of persistent diarrhea and in the differential diagnosis of other syndromes, such as chronic fever of unknown etiology.
Assuntos
Enterocytozoon/isolamento & purificação , Microsporidiose/diagnóstico , Transplante , Idoso , Enterocytozoon/classificação , Enterocytozoon/genética , Genótipo , Humanos , Hospedeiro Imunocomprometido , Transplante de Rim/efeitos adversos , Masculino , Microsporidiose/patologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , EspanhaRESUMO
Resistance of Nosema ceranae to different exposure conditions has been evaluated by using Sytox green and DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) to test spore viability. High thermotolerance at 60 and 35 degrees C and resistance to desiccation were observed. However, a significant decrease in viability after freezing and a rapid degeneration of spores maintained at 4 degrees C were also detected.
Assuntos
Dessecação , Temperatura Alta , Viabilidade Microbiana , Nosema/fisiologia , Nosema/efeitos da radiação , Estresse Fisiológico , Animais , Abelhas/microbiologia , Congelamento , Indóis/metabolismo , Nosema/isolamento & purificação , Compostos Orgânicos/metabolismo , Esporos Fúngicos/fisiologia , Esporos Fúngicos/efeitos da radiação , Coloração e Rotulagem/métodosRESUMO
Microsporidia are intracellular obligate parasites which have recently been found to be related to fungi. They have a unique extrusion apparatus that is able to inject the sporoplasm directly into the target cell without using receptors. Encephalitozoon microsporidia are a source of morbidity and mortality in humans. It has been suggested that microsporidia may modulate the host cell cycle and apoptosis. We report here that caspase-3 cleavage is inhibited at different times of Vero cell infection by Encephalitozoon microsporidia and that the phosphorylation and translocation of p53 to the nucleus, previous steps for the activation of this protein, do not occur after infection of Vero cells. Consequently, the transcriptional function of p53 is impaired during the infection cycle as demonstrated by luciferase reporter assays. Thus, to our knowledge, for the first time it is shown that an intracellular parasite may be able to multiply in the host cell without activating the p53 apoptotic pathway of that cell. However, changes in the expression of Bcl-2 or Bax levels were not observed.
Assuntos
Apoptose/fisiologia , Encephalitozoon/fisiologia , Encefalitozoonose/patologia , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/fisiologia , Animais , Western Blotting , Caspase 3/metabolismo , Chlorocebus aethiops , Encephalitozoon/genética , Encephalitozoon/metabolismo , Encefalitozoonose/metabolismo , Encefalitozoonose/microbiologia , Humanos , Microscopia Confocal , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-bcl-2/metabolismo , Transfecção , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/metabolismo , Células Vero , Proteína X Associada a bcl-2/metabolismoRESUMO
Legionella spp. is the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease and is transmitted through aerosols emanating from man-made water systems. Legionella resistance to water treatments has been related to its association with environmental amoebae such as Acanthamoeba. Due to the high presence of this protozoon in Spain and the high rate of notification of Legionnaires' disease of this country, the aims of this work were to study the coexistence of these bacteria and protozoa in water as well as their interaction. The usefulness of Acanthamoeba co-culture for the isolation of environmental Legionella was also studied. For this purpose, 70 water samples were collected in 2011 from three Drinking Water Treatment Plants, three Wastewater Treatment Plants and five Natural Pools in Spain. Acanthamoeba was found by PCR in 87.1% (61/70) samples and, by culture in 85.7% (60/70) samples. Legionella was detected by PCR in 58.6% (41/70) of water samples, in 5.7% (4/70) by agar culture and 75.7% (53/70) by Acanthamoeba co-culture. From the 54 Acanthamoeba water isolates, Legionella was detected in 43 of them independently of Acanthamoeba's genotype (T3, T4 and T11). Legionella feeleii, Legionella birminghamiensis, Legionella gresilensis/berliardensis, Legionella fairfieldensis, Legionella drozanski and Legionella falloni were identified. In conclusion, our results showed that environmental Acanthamoeba is infected by Legionella to a high percentage, and due to its ubiquity, high resistance and its pathogenic potential per se, new methods for its elimination should be studied. Also, the high effectivity of Acanthamoeba co-culture for Legionella detection has been shown.
Assuntos
Acanthamoeba/fisiologia , Legionella/fisiologia , Microbiologia da Água , Purificação da Água/métodos , Humanos , Doença dos Legionários/transmissão , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , EspanhaRESUMO
Seven-day hypophysectomized rats were intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) injected with beta-endorphin, ACTH1-10 or beta-endorphin+ACTH1-10 (10-20 ng of each compound) and the [3H]flunitrazepam ([3H])FNZ) binding to the rat cerebral cortex of hypophysectomized rats was assayed one hour later. The i.c.v. injection of ACTH1-10 (10-20 ng) or beta-endorphin (10-20 ng) significantly increased [3H]FNZ binding to a similar extent. The effect of i.c.v. injection of ACTH1-10 on brain binding was blunted by simultaneous beta-endorphin administration at the same doses. The i.c.v. naloxone injection (10-20 ng) did not modify the effect of ACTH1-10 (10 ng) on [3H]FNZ binding, but counteracted, in a dose-related manner, the blocking effect of beta-endorphin on ACTH1-10-dependent brain [3H]FNZ binding. The results suggest the existence of an opioid-melanopeptide integration to control brain benzodiazepine receptors.
Assuntos
Hormônio Adrenocorticotrópico/farmacologia , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Flunitrazepam/farmacocinética , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/farmacologia , beta-Endorfina/farmacologia , Hormônio Adrenocorticotrópico/administração & dosagem , Animais , Encéfalo/efeitos dos fármacos , Hipofisectomia , Técnicas In Vitro , Injeções Intraventriculares , Masculino , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/administração & dosagem , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Receptores de GABA-A/efeitos dos fármacos , Receptores de GABA-A/metabolismo , beta-Endorfina/administração & dosagemRESUMO
The pineal hormone melatonin modulates the brain benzodiazepine binding sites and its circadian rhythm. In the present study the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of naloxone (10-20 ng), alone or in association with melatonin and/or beta-endorphin, on [3H]flunitrazepam ([3H]FNZ) binding to the rat cerebral cortex of hypophysectomized rats was investigated. Melatonin (10-20 ng), beta-endorphin (10-20 ng), and melatonin + beta-endorphin (10-20 ng of each compound) all increased [3H]FNZ binding to a similar extent and in a dose-related manner. The effects of melatonin (10 ng) on [3H]FNZ binding were prevented by simultaneous injection with the specific opioid antagonist naloxone. Naloxone also blocks, although to a lesser extent, the effects of beta-endorphin and of melatonin + beta-endorphin injections. Moreover, naloxone blocks the hypophysectomy-dependent increase in [3H]FNZ binding. These results implicate the modulation of melatonin-dependent changes on brain benzodiazepine receptors by opioid peptides.
Assuntos
Córtex Cerebral/metabolismo , Flunitrazepam/farmacocinética , Melatonina/antagonistas & inibidores , Naloxona/farmacologia , Receptores de GABA-A/metabolismo , Corticosteroides/fisiologia , Animais , Córtex Cerebral/efeitos dos fármacos , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Hipofisectomia , Técnicas In Vitro , Injeções Intraventriculares , Masculino , Melatonina/farmacologia , Naloxona/administração & dosagem , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Receptores de GABA-A/efeitos dos fármacos , beta-Endorfina/farmacologiaRESUMO
High-affinity [3H]ouabain binding to membrane preparations of rat cerebral cortex was examined using a rapid filtration procedure. At 37 degrees C, binding reached equilibrium in about 60 min. Scatchard analyses of the data at equilibrium revealed a single population of binding sites with a dissociation constant of KD = 3.1 +/- 0.36 nM and a binding site concentration of Bmax = 246.4 +/- 18.4 fmol/mg protein. Kinetic analyses of the association and dissociation curves indicated a kinetic KD = 4.6 nM, which is in good agreement with the value obtained at equilibrium. When various digitalis compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit [3H]ouabain binding, the following Ki values (nM) were obtained: ouabain (3.9); digoxin (18); acetyl-digitoxin (66); k-strophanthin (95); digitoxin (236). When melatonin was added to the incubation medium, the ability of ouabain to inhibit [3H]ouabain binding increased in a dose-related manner to yield the following Ki values (nM): melatonin 10 nM (2); melatonin 20 nM (1.2); melatonin 40 nM (0.8). These data suggest the existence in the rat cerebral cortex of high-affinity ouabain binding sites which may be a locus for the molecular action of melatonin.
Assuntos
Córtex Cerebral/metabolismo , Melatonina/farmacologia , Ouabaína/metabolismo , Animais , Sítios de Ligação , Córtex Cerebral/efeitos dos fármacos , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Técnicas In Vitro , Magnésio/farmacologia , Masculino , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Sódio/farmacologia , TemperaturaRESUMO
The effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of melatonin and/or beta-endorphin on the [3H]flunitrazepam binding sites in the cerebral cortex of pinealectomized or superior cervical ganglionectomized rats was studied. Pinealectomy decreased the maximum concentration of benzodiazepine receptors (Bmax) without affecting the dissociation constant (KD), while melatonin, ineffective in control animals, counteracted the effect of pinealectomy. Intracerebroventricular injection of beta-endorphin increases Bmax in both control and pinealectomized animals, the effect being significantly higher in the latter. Simultaneous i.c.v. injection of melatonin + beta-endorphin did not further increase Bmax in any group, whereas i.c.v. injection of naloxone significantly blocked the effects of melatonin and/or beta-endorphin administration. Pineal sympathetic denervation produced a significant increase in Bmax and KD, whereas i.c.v. injection of melatonin further increased the former, restoring KD to control values. Neither i.c.v. administration of beta-endorphin or melatonin + beta-endorphin significantly modified the ganglionectomy-dependent increase in Bmax, although both treatments restored KD to control values. Naloxone administration had no effect on beta-endorphin- and melatonin + beta-endorphin-treated ganglionectomized groups, but counteracted the increased effect of melatonin on Bmax in ganglionectomized animals.
Assuntos
Encéfalo/metabolismo , Endorfinas/fisiologia , Flunitrazepam/farmacocinética , Melatonina/farmacologia , Glândula Pineal/fisiologia , Animais , Encéfalo/efeitos dos fármacos , Ganglionectomia , Injeções Intraventriculares , Masculino , Membranas/efeitos dos fármacos , Membranas/metabolismo , Naloxona/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Gânglio Cervical Superior/fisiologia , Sistema Nervoso Simpático/fisiologiaRESUMO
The effect of the pineal gland on the ouabain high-affinity binding sites (Kd = 3.1 +/- 0.4 nM, Bmax = 246.4 +/- 18.4 fmol/mg protein) in rat cerebral cortex was studied. Pinealectomy increased Bmax (940.7 +/- 42.8 fmol/mg protein) and Kd (7.6 +/- 1.5 nM) while melatonin injection (100 micrograms/kg b.wt.) counteracted these effects, restoring kinetic parameters (Kd = 1.9 +/- 0.05 nM; Bmax = 262.2 +/- 29.6 fmol/mg prot) to control values. Melatonin activity on ouabain binding in vitro did not depend upon a direct effect on the binding sites themselves. However, in competition experiments, melatonin increased binding affinity of ouabain as shown by the decreased IC50 values.
Assuntos
Córtex Cerebral/fisiologia , Ouabaína/metabolismo , Glândula Pineal/fisiologia , Animais , Sítios de Ligação , Transporte Biológico Ativo , Masculino , Ratos , ATPase Trocadora de Sódio-Potássio/metabolismoRESUMO
The effect that topically administered cyclosporine A (CsA) dissolved in olive oil has on corneal epithelial permeability was determined by fluorophotometry. Twenty-six healthy volunteers, who had no ocular or general disease and were not receiving any topical or systemic treatments, were studied. A Fluorotron Master fluorophotometer was used. Measurements were taken before and 45 min after the instillation of 40 microliters of a 2% aqueous solution of sodium fluorescein without preservatives. Basal corneal epithelial permeability, as well as the permeability 24 h after the instillation of 2% CsA-olive oil and of the solvent alone, were calculated. Under sterile conditions, the Sandimmun oral solution (Sandoz, Basel, Switzerland) was used to prepare the topical 2% CsA. Immediately after the 2% CsA-olive oil or the solvent alone were instilled, the volunteers complained of itching for approximately 1 h and developed punctate keratopathy, which improved the next day. Epithelial permeability 24 h after instillation of 2% CsA-olive oil increased 7.03 times (p < 0.001), and that of the solvent alone increased 6.68 times (p < 0.001). No differences in corneal permeability were found between CsA-olive oil and the vehicle (p = 0.651). We concluded that the olive oil used to dissolve CsA is responsible for the increased corneal epithelial permeability.
Assuntos
Córnea/metabolismo , Ciclosporina/farmacologia , Administração Tópica , Adulto , Permeabilidade da Membrana Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Doenças da Córnea/induzido quimicamente , Ciclosporina/efeitos adversos , Emulsões , Feminino , Fluoresceína , Fluoresceínas/farmacocinética , Fluorofotometria , Humanos , Masculino , Azeite de Oliva , Soluções Oftálmicas , Óleos de Plantas , Prurido/induzido quimicamenteRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Microsporidia are protozoa which mainly affect severely immunodepressed AIDS patients in developed countries as well as those in developing ones. Traveler's diarrhea affects approximately 40% of people traveling from industrialized countries to developing ones, and no pathogens are identified in many of those patients on their returning, suggesting that known enteropathogens escape detection or entirely new ones could be responsible. Very few reports of travel-related microsporidiosis have been described. METHODS: Between January, 1996 and January, 1998, a total of 40 European travelers from the tropics with a clinical picture of protected diarrhea (three or more loose stools per day lasting for more than 3 weeks) were evaluated. Weber's trichrome modified by Kokoskin stain for microsporidial spores were performed in stool samples of every patient. Microsporidial DNA extraction and PCR amplification were attempted in every stool sample where microsporidial spores were observed. RESULTS: Four cases of imported Enterocytozoon bieneusi were detected: one HIV-infected short term traveler, a pregnant long term traveler, and two immunocompetent short term travelers. Diarrhea was self-limited, and the spores cleared from the stools in all HIV-non infected travelers, but showed a chronic course in the HIV-infected one. CONCLUSIONS: Available data is too limited to affirm that residence or travel in tropical countries increases the risk for microsporidial infection, but the cases presented here suggest that E. bieneusi could be a cause of self-limited diarrhea in immunocompetent travelers returning from the tropics or could chronically affect immunocompromised HIV-infected travelers.
Assuntos
Diarreia/parasitologia , Microsporida , Microsporidiose/diagnóstico , Viagem , Adulto , Animais , Países em Desenvolvimento , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/complicações , Humanos , Hospedeiro Imunocomprometido , Masculino , Microsporida/isolamento & purificação , Microsporidiose/epidemiologia , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
A year-long longitudinal study was undertaken to evaluate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs), wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and freshwater bathing beaches (FBBs) from the central area of Spain. Water samples were collected according to USEPA Method 1623, and concentrated by the IDEXX Filta-Max® system. Cryptosporidium species were detected based on PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequence analyses of the ssuRNA gene. C. hominis and/or C. parvum isolates were subtyped by DNA sequencing of the Gp60 gene. Among 150 samples, 23 (15.3%) were positive by IFAT and 40 (26.7%) by PCR. Cryptosporidium spp. was more frequent in WWTPs (26.2 and 50.8%) and FBBs (12.5 and 17.5%) by IFAT and PCR respectively. Effluent waters from DWTPs were negative for this parasite suggesting that they are suitable for public use. Tertiary treatment in the WWTPs demonstrated a high removal efficiency of Cryptosporidium in the samples evaluated. Cryptosporidium species identified included C. hominis, C. parvum, C. ubiquitum, C. andersoni and C. muris. Subtyping analysis revealed C. hominis IbA10G2 and IeA11G3T3 alleles, which is the first report of the latter in water samples. Cryptosporidium highest frequency was observed in winter and spring. Our data provide information about the occurrence and diversity of Cryptosporidium in water of human use from the central area of Spain.
Assuntos
Cryptosporidium/genética , Água Potável/microbiologia , Águas Residuárias/microbiologia , Microbiologia da Água , Praias/normas , Praias/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudos Longitudinais , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Polimorfismo de Fragmento de Restrição , RNA Ribossômico/genética , Estações do Ano , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Espanha , Especificidade da EspécieRESUMO
Free-living amoeba such as Acanthamoeba and Balamuthia mandrillaris can act as opportunistic parasites on a wide range of vertebrates and they are becoming a serious threat to human health due to the resistance of their cysts to harsh environmental conditions, disinfectants, some water treatment practices and their ubiquitous distribution. This work was carried out in order to study the presence of these free-living amoebae (FLA) and their possible seasonality in a continental-Mediterranean climate in different types of water. For this purpose, a total of 223 water samples were collected during one year from four drinking water treatment plants (DWTP), seven wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and six locations of influence (LI) on four river basins from Spain. Water samples were concentrated using the IDEXX Filta-Max(®) system and analyzed by a triplex real time PCR that detects Acanthamoeba, B. mandrillaris and Naegleria fowleri. Agar plates were also seeded for Acanthamoeba culture. From the three FLA studied, N. fowleri was not detected in any sample while B. mandrillaris was found at the entrance of a DWTP; this being, to our knowledge, the first report of these protozoa in water worldwide. On the other hand, the presence of Acanthamoeba observed was higher, 94.6% of the studied points were positive by real time PCR and 85.2% by culture, resulting in 99.1% positive for Acanthamoeba with both methods. All genetically analyzed Acanthamoeba were genotype T4 but nine different T4/DF3 sequences were observed, three of them being described for the first time, assigning new codes. No seasonal distribution of Acanthamoeba was found. These facts should serve as a warning to contact lens wearers of the risk of a poor hygiene when handling their contact lenses. It should also serve as a signal to physicians to consider FLA as a possible causative agent of nervous system infections as well as Acanthamoeba keratitis due to their high environmental presence shown in this study.
Assuntos
Amoeba/isolamento & purificação , Água/parasitologia , Acanthamoeba/genética , Acanthamoeba/isolamento & purificação , Balamuthia mandrillaris , Sequência de Bases , Água Potável/parasitologia , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Naegleria fowleri/isolamento & purificação , Espanha , Purificação da ÁguaRESUMO
Several studies have demonstrated that the soil of public parks presents an important source of infection which has a significant impact on public health. Children are the main group affected by accidentally ingestion of contaminated soil. This study was performed in order to identify the presence of zoonotic parasites in dog and cat faecal and soil samples from public parks of Madrid, Spain. Six hundred twenty-five and seventy-nine soil and faecal samples (presumably from dogs and cats) respectively were collected from 67 parks. Intestinal parasites were identified in 27 parks (40.3%), which were contamined with Giardia sp. (19.4%), microsporidia (19.4%), Toxocara spp. (16.4%), Cryptosporidium sp. (6%), Entamoeba histolytica (3%) and Ancylostomidae (3%). Combinations of two or more intestinal parasites were found in 11 parks, and it was common to find Giardia and microsporidia together in samples. Intestinal parasites were detected in 18% (112/625) of soil samples. The most frequent parasite species found in the examined soil samples were Toxocara spp. (16.4%), followed by Giardia sp. (4.5%) and Strongyloides sp. larvae (3%). The zoonotic parasites found in the 79 faecal samples were Giardia sp. (17.7%), Cryptosporidium sp. (9%), E. histolytica (2.5%), Trichuris vulpis (1.3%), Toxascaris leonina (1.3%) and microsporidia spores (28%). Microsporidia characterization by amplification of DNA confirmed 10 samples as positive, eight for E. bieneusi and two for E. hellem by PCR. The role of those parasites in the environment are discussed.
Assuntos
Doenças do Gato/epidemiologia , Doenças do Cão/epidemiologia , Giardia/isolamento & purificação , Enteropatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Microsporídios/isolamento & purificação , Toxocara/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Doenças do Gato/microbiologia , Doenças do Gato/parasitologia , Gatos , Doenças do Cão/microbiologia , Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Cães , Monitoramento Ambiental , Monitoramento Epidemiológico , Fezes/microbiologia , Fezes/parasitologia , Giardia/genética , Giardíase/epidemiologia , Giardíase/parasitologia , Humanos , Enteropatias Parasitárias/microbiologia , Enteropatias Parasitárias/parasitologia , Microsporídios/genética , Microsporidiose/epidemiologia , Microsporidiose/microbiologia , Animais de Estimação , Saúde Pública , Fatores de Risco , Solo/parasitologia , Microbiologia do Solo , Espanha/epidemiologia , Toxocara/genética , Toxocaríase/epidemiologia , Toxocaríase/parasitologia , Zoonoses/epidemiologia , Zoonoses/microbiologia , Zoonoses/parasitologiaAssuntos
Acanthamoeba/isolamento & purificação , Amebíase/complicações , Complicações do Diabetes/parasitologia , Granuloma/etiologia , Meningoencefalite/complicações , Paresia/etiologia , Idoso , Alcoolismo/complicações , Amebíase/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Amebíase/parasitologia , Amebíase/cirurgia , Anti-Infecciosos/uso terapêutico , Fibrilação Atrial/complicações , Biópsia/efeitos adversos , Abscesso Encefálico/etiologia , Abscesso Encefálico/parasitologia , Doença Crônica , Dexametasona/uso terapêutico , Enterobacter cloacae/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Enterobacteriaceae/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções por Enterobacteriaceae/etiologia , Evolução Fatal , Granuloma/parasitologia , Granuloma/cirurgia , Humanos , Masculino , Manitol/uso terapêutico , Meningoencefalite/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Meningoencefalite/parasitologia , Meningoencefalite/cirurgia , Fenitoína/uso terapêutico , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/complicações , Infecção da Ferida Cirúrgica/tratamento farmacológico , Infecção da Ferida Cirúrgica/etiologiaRESUMO
Microsporidia are ubiquitous opportunistic parasites in nature infecting all animal phyla, and the zoonotic potential of this parasitosis is under discussion. Fecal samples from 124 pigeons from seven parks of Murcia (Spain) were analyzed. Thirty-six of them (29.0%) showed structures compatible with microsporidia spores by staining methods. The DNA isolated from 26 fecal samples (20.9%) of microsporidia-positive pigeons was amplified with specific primers for the four most frequent human microsporidia. Twelve pigeons were positive for only Enterocytozoon bieneusi (9.7%), 5 for Encephalitozoon intestinalis (4%), and one for Encephalitozoon hellem (0.8%). Coinfections were detected in eight additional pigeons: E. bieneusi and E. hellem were detected in six animals (4.8%); E. bieneusi was associated with E. intestinalis in one case (0.8%); and E. hellem and E. intestinalis coexisted in one pigeon. No positive samples for Encephalitozoon cuniculi were detected. The internally transcribed spacer genotype could be completed for one E. hellem-positive pigeon; the result was identical to the genotype A1 previously characterized in an E. hellem Spanish strain of human origin. To our knowledge, this is the first time that human-related microsporidia have been identified in urban park pigeons. Moreover, we can conclude that there is no barrier to microsporidia transmission between park pigeons and humans for E. intestinalis and E. hellem. This study is of environmental and sanitary interest, because children and elderly people constitute the main visitors of parks and they are populations at risk for microsporidiosis. It should also contribute to the better design of appropriate prophylactic measures for populations at risk for opportunistic infections.
Assuntos
Columbidae/parasitologia , Encephalitozoon/classificação , Encephalitozoon/isolamento & purificação , Enterocytozoon/classificação , Enterocytozoon/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Doenças das Aves/epidemiologia , Doenças das Aves/parasitologia , Doenças das Aves/transmissão , DNA Intergênico/genética , DNA de Protozoário/análise , Encephalitozoon/genética , Enterocytozoon/genética , Genótipo , Humanos , Microsporidiose/epidemiologia , Microsporidiose/parasitologia , Microsporidiose/transmissão , Microsporidiose/veterinária , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Espanha/epidemiologia , Saúde da População Urbana , Zoonoses/epidemiologia , Zoonoses/parasitologiaRESUMO
Five monoclonal antibodies against the excretory/secretory (E/S) antigen of Toxocara canis were obtained and characterized. Immunoprecipitating activity was demonstrated in an in-vitro microprecipitating assay using live T. canis larvae. Their capacity to kill larvae was also shown in an in-vitro assay. Two zones of reactivity were observed in 7.5 and 12.5% SDS-PAGE (177-77 kD, 43-15 kD) of immunoprecipitates of human and mouse positive polyclonal antisera. The murine monoclonal antibodies showed a common pattern of reactivity with the proteins in the 177-77 kD range.