Frequency of enteroparasitoses in preschool children attending daycare centers: a survey applying parasitological and immunological methods

The present study evaluated the frequency of intestinal parasitoses in children in public day care centers applying parasitological and immunological diagnostic methods. Fecal samples from 121 children from six public daycare centers were analyzed using parasitological techniques. Epidemiological data were obtained through a questionnaire, where parents and / or guardians were asked, for instance, whether the children had contact with soil, ate raw food, such as vegetables or raw or undercooked meat, normally walked around barefoot or had contact with animals. Fecal samples from 82 children were also tested for Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium sp. coproantigen using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) which was also used for Entamoeba coproantigen detection only in samples that tested positive for the parasite by parasitological stool exam/optical microscopy. Intestinal parasite infection was noted in 23.1% (28/121) of the children. The most frequent parasite was Giardia intestinalis (13.2%), followed by Entamoeba coli (5.8%), Blastocystis spp. (1.7%), Endolimax nana (1.7%), Enterobius vermicularis (1.7%), Cystoisospora belli (0.8%), Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar complex (0.8%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (0.8%). Positivity for parasite infection using parasitological stool exams was significantly associated with age groups, with a higher frequency in 4 to 6 year old children (p=0.03). No association or significant variations were noted in the prevalence of intestinal parasites in relation to the epidemiological variables studied. All samples were negative for Cryptosporidium sp. and Entamoeba histolytica detected by immunological testing, and 17.1% (14/82) children tested positive for Giardia intestinalis, although using parasitological exam/optical microscopy, only 14.6% (12/82) tested positive. The high incidence of intestinal parasites, especially protozoans, suggests probable interpersonal transmission among the children, environmental contamination, or even contaminated food/water intake. Thus, consolidation of preventive measures and efficient diagnostic resources as well as control of intestinal parasites and patient treatment are of utmost importance

Toxoplasma gondii molecular and immunological identification and risk factors associated with infection in chicken slaughtered at Triângulo Mineiro region, Minas Gerais, Brazil / Identificação molecular e imunológica de Toxoplasma gondii e fatores de risco associados com infecção em galinhas abatidas na região do Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais, Brasil

This study aimed to determine the occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the serum of slaughtered chickens in the region of Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to detect the parasite in tissues (heart and brain) of serologically positive chickens, based on molecular analysis, and to investigate risk variables associated with the infection. Sera from 417 chickens raised in extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive production systems were tested by an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and indirect hemagglutination antibody test (IHA). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect T. gondii DNA in brain and heart tissues. Antibody anti-T. gondii were found in 37.65% (157/417) of chickens by IFAT, and in 75.06% (313/417) by IHA. The Kappa index showed a weak concordance between the techniques (0.087). Association was observed between seropositivity and the variables, age (p < 0.0001), type of feeding (p < 0.0001) and collective raising with other animal's species (p < 0.0001). Association, based on IFAT, was not observed between seropositivity and the variables, sex (p = 0.0526), presence of cats (p > 0.9999), and presence of rats (p > 0.9999). Presence of parasite DNA was detected in brain samples from two chickens, which were raised in intensive and semi-intensive production systems. The results suggest the meat of these slaughtered animals may serve as a transmission source of this protozoan to humans.(AU)

O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a frequência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em soro de galinhas abatidas na região do Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais, detectar molecularmente o parasito em tecidos (coração e cérebro) de algumas das aves sorologicamente positivas e averiguar variáveis de risco associadas à infecção. Foram testados soros de 417 galinhas, criadas nos sistemas extensivo, semi-intensivo e intensivo. Para a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-T. gondii foi utilizada a Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI) e Hemaglutinação Indireta (HAI). A Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) foi utilizada para detectar o DNA de T. gondii em fragmentos de cérebro e coração. Anticorpos foram detectados no soro de 37,65% (157/417) das aves pela RIFI e em 75,06% (313/417) pela HAI. O índice Kappa mostrou uma fraca concordância entre as técnicas (0,087). Baseado na RIFI, foi verificada associação estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,0001) entre a soropositividade e as variáveis: idade, tipo de alimentação e criação em conjunto com outras espécies animais. Não foi observada associação estatística (p > 0,01) entre as variáveis: sexo, presença de gatos e presença de ratos. Pelo diagnóstico molecular DNA do parasito foi detectado em duas amostras de cérebro, de indivíduos diferentes criados em sistema intensivo e semi-intensivo. Os resultados indicam a possibilidade de a carne dessas aves poderem atuar como fonte de infecção deste protozoário para o homem.(AU)