Antihelminthic action of the Anethum graveolens essential oil on Haemonchus contortus eggs and larvae / Ação anti-helmítica do óleo essencial de Anethum graveolens sobre ovos e larvas de Haemonchus contortus

Abstract Gastrointestinal nematodes are responsible for great economic losses in sheep raising, and their control has long been carried out almost exclusively by the administration of anthelmintics, which have led to serious resistance problems. In the search for alternative control measures, phytotherapic research is highlighted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the action of Anethum graveolens (dill) essential oil on different stages of Haemonchus contortus life cycle, as well its cytotoxicity MDBK (Madin-Darby bovine kidney) cells. H. contortus larvae and eggs were obtained from infected sheep feces, and essential oil extracted from plant seeds through the Clevenger apparatus. 9.4, 4.7, 2.35, 1.17. 0.58 and 0.29 mg/mL concentrations were evaluated. The Egg Hatch Inhibition (HI), Larval Development Inhibition (LDI) and Larval Migration Inhibition (LMI) techniques were used. Thybendazole 0.025 mg/mL in HI and Levamisole 0.02 mg/mL in the LDI and LMI tests were used as positive controls, while distilled water and a Tween 80 solution were used as positive negative controls. The inhibition results obtained for the highest oil concentration were: HI 100%, LDI 98.58% and LMI 63.7%, differing (�� <0.05) from negative controls. Main A. graveolens oil components present in 95.93% of the total oil were Dihydrocarvone (39.1%), Carvone (22.24%), D-Limonene (16.84%), Apiol (10.49%) and Trans-dihydrocarvone (7.26%). Minimum A. graveolens essential oil concentrations required to inhibit 50% (IC50) of egg hatching, larval development and larval migration were 0.006 mg/mL, 2.536 mg/mL and 3.963 mg/mL, respectively. Cell viability in MDBK (Madin-Darby bovine kidney) cells, when incubated with A. graveolens essential oil, was 86% for the highest (9.4 mg/mL) and 99% for the lowest concentration (0.29 mg/mL). A. graveolens essential oil, according to the results obtained in this study, is a promising alternative in sheep gastrointestinal nematode control.

Resumo Os nematoides gastrintestinais são responsáveis ​​por grandes perdas econômicas na ovinocultura, e seu controle tem sido realizado quase exclusivamente pela administração de anti-helmínticos, que levaram a sérios problemas de resistência. Na busca de medidas alternativas de controle, destaca-se a pesquisa fitoterápica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ação do óleo essencial de Anethum graveolens (endro) em diferentes estágios de Haemonchus contortus, bem como testar a viabilidade celular para o óleo. Larvas e ovos de H. contortus foram obtidos de fezes de ovinos infectados e óleo essencial extraído de sementes de plantas através do aparelho de Clevenger. As concentrações avaliadas foram 9,4, 4,7, 2,35, 1,17, 0,58 e 0,29 mg/mL. Verificou-se a Inibição de eclosão dos ovos (IE), Inibição de Desenvolvimento Larval (IDL) e Inibição de Migração Larval (IML). Tiabendazol 0,025 mg/mL em IE e Levamisole 0.02 mg/mL nos testes IDL e IML foram usados ​​como controles positivos, enquanto água destilada e uma solução Tween 80 foram usados como controles negativos. Os resultados de inibição obtidos para a maior concentração de óleo foram: IE 100%, IDL 98,58% e IML 63,7%, diferindo (�� <0,05) dos controles negativos. Os principais componentes presentes em 95,93% do óleo total de A. graveolens foram Di-hidrocarvona (39,1%), Carvona (22,24%), D-Limoneno (16,84%), Apiol (10,49%) e Trans-di-hidrocarvona (7,26%). As concentrações mínimas de óleo essencial de A. graveolens necessárias para inibir 50% (IC50) de eclosão dos ovos, desenvolvimento larval e migração larval foram de 0,006 mg/mL, 2,536 mg/mL e 3,963 mg/mL, respectivamente. A viabilidade celular nas células MDBK (rim bovino Madin-Darby), quando incubadas com o óleo essencial de A. graveolens, foi de 86% para a maior (9,4 mg/mL) e 99% para a menor concentração (0,29 mg/mL). O óleo essencial de A. graveolens mostrou ser uma alternativa promissora no controle de nematoides gastrintestinais de ovinos.

Intestinal parasites in cancer patients in the South of Brazil / Parasitos intestinais em pacientes com câncer do Sul do Brasil

Abstract Intestinal parasitic infections in immunocompromised patients can lead to serious complications when not diagnosed and treated early. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of intestinal parasites in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in the South of Brazil. Three fecal samples collected from each patient (73 individuals) were processed by Ritchie and Faust techniques and submitted to specific staining methods for intestinal protozoa. A 61.6% parasite and/or commensal positivity was found. Helminths identified were Ascaris lumbricoides (33.3%), Taenia spp. (6.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (4.4%) and Trichuris trichiura (2.2%). Among protozoans, Giardia lamblia (26.6%), Cryptosporidium spp. (13.3%) and Cystoisospora belli (4.4%) were identified. The presence of Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana and Entamoeba hartmanni was also recorded. The results obtained warn of the importance of fecal parasitological diagnosis and the use of specific staining methods for the detection of intestinal parasites in cancer patients. These exams should be regularly requested at the patient's first clinic visit, given the high prevalence found in this study and the possible severity of such conditions for these individuals.

Resumo As parasitoses intestinais em pacientes imunocomprometidos podem levar a graves complicações se não diagnosticadas e tratadas precocemente. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a frequência de parasitos intestinais em pacientes oncológicos submetidos ao tratamento quimioterápico. Foram coletadas três amostras de fezes de cada paciente, sendo processadas pelas técnicas de Ritchie e Faust e submetidas à métodos de coloração específicos para protozoários intestinais. Foi encontrada positividade de 61,6% para parasitos e/ou comensais. Os helmintos identificados foram Ascaris lumbricoides (33,3%), Taenia spp. (6,6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (4,4%) e Trichuris trichiura (2,2%). Dentre os protozoários, foram identificados Giardia lamblia (26,6%), Cryptosporidium spp. (13,3%) e Cystoisospora belli (4,4%). Também foi registrada presença de Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana e Entamoeba hartmanni. Os resultados encontrados alertam para a importância do diagnóstico parasitológico de fezes junto à utilização de colorações específicas para parasitos intestinais em pacientes oncológicos, sendo que os mesmos deveriam ser requeridos como conduta já na primeira consulta clínica destes pacientes, dada à elevada prevalência aqui constatada e a possível severidade que tais moléstias podem acarretar nestes indivíduos.

Antihelminthic action of the Anethum graveolens essential oil on Haemonchus contortus eggs and larvae

Abstract Gastrointestinal nematodes are responsible for great economic losses in sheep raising, and their control has long been carried out almost exclusively by the administration of anthelmintics, which have led to serious resistance problems. In the search for alternative control measures, phytotherapic research is highlighted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the action of Anethum graveolens (dill) essential oil on different stages of Haemonchus contortus life cycle, as well its cytotoxicity MDBK (Madin-Darby bovine kidney) cells. H. contortus larvae and eggs were obtained from infected sheep feces, and essential oil extracted from plant seeds through the Clevenger apparatus. 9.4, 4.7, 2.35, 1.17. 0.58 and 0.29 mg/mL concentrations were evaluated. The Egg Hatch Inhibition (HI), Larval Development Inhibition (LDI) and Larval Migration Inhibition (LMI) techniques were used. Thybendazole 0.025 mg/mL in HI and Levamisole 0.02 mg/mL in the LDI and LMI tests were used as positive controls, while distilled water and a Tween 80 solution were used as positive negative controls. The inhibition results obtained for the highest oil concentration were: HI 100%, LDI 98.58% and LMI 63.7%, differing ( 0.05) from negative controls. Main A. graveolens oil components present in 95.93% of the total oil were Dihydrocarvone (39.1%), Carvone (22.24%), D-Limonene (16.84%), Apiol (10.49%) and Trans-dihydrocarvone (7.26%). Minimum A. graveolens essential oil concentrations required to inhibit 50% (IC50) of egg hatching, larval development and larval migration were 0.006 mg/mL, 2.536 mg/mL and 3.963 mg/mL, respectively. Cell viability in MDBK (Madin-Darby bovine kidney) cells, when incubated with A. graveolens essential oil, was 86% for the highest (9.4 mg/mL) and 99% for the lowest concentration (0.29 mg/mL). A. graveolens essential oil, according to the results obtained in this study, is a promising alternative in sheep gastrointestinal nematode control.

Resumo Os nematoides gastrintestinais são responsáveis por grandes perdas econômicas na ovinocultura, e seu controle tem sido realizado quase exclusivamente pela administração de anti-helmínticos, que levaram a sérios problemas de resistência. Na busca de medidas alternativas de controle, destaca-se a pesquisa fitoterápica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ação do óleo essencial de Anethum graveolens (endro) em diferentes estágios de Haemonchus contortus, bem como testar a viabilidade celular para o óleo. Larvas e ovos de H. contortus foram obtidos de fezes de ovinos infectados e óleo essencial extraído de sementes de plantas através do aparelho de Clevenger. As concentrações avaliadas foram 9,4, 4,7, 2,35, 1,17, 0,58 e 0,29 mg/mL. Verificou-se a Inibição de eclosão dos ovos (IE), Inibição de Desenvolvimento Larval (IDL) e Inibição de Migração Larval (IML). Tiabendazol 0,025 mg/mL em IE e Levamisole 0.02 mg/mL nos testes IDL e IML foram usados como controles positivos, enquanto água destilada e uma solução Tween 80 foram usados como controles negativos. Os resultados de inibição obtidos para a maior concentração de óleo foram: IE 100%, IDL 98,58% e IML 63,7%, diferindo ( 0,05) dos controles negativos. Os principais componentes presentes em 95,93% do óleo total de A. graveolens foram Di-hidrocarvona (39,1%), Carvona (22,24%), D-Limoneno (16,84%), Apiol (10,49%) e Trans-di-hidrocarvona (7,26%). As concentrações mínimas de óleo essencial de A. graveolens necessárias para inibir 50% (IC50) de eclosão dos ovos, desenvolvimento larval e migração larval foram de 0,006 mg/mL, 2,536 mg/mL e 3,963 mg/mL, respectivamente. A viabilidade celular nas células MDBK (rim bovino Madin-Darby), quando incubadas com o óleo essencial de A. graveolens, foi de 86% para a maior (9,4 mg/mL) e 99% para a menor concentração (0,29 mg/mL). O óleo essencial de A. graveolens mostrou ser uma alternativa promissora no controle de nematoides gastrintestinais de ovinos.

Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibody detection in blood donors in the Southern Brazil

Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas' Disease, is a widely spread protozoa in America. Blood transfusion is the secondly most important way of acquiring the infection. In blood banks, tests are performed to eliminate potentially infected blood. This study aimed to evaluate the positivity for T. cruzi in blood samples of donor's candidates in Southern Brazil. The study was based on a sampling containing all blood donors of Hemopel - a Pelotas City Blood Center, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, from 2004 to 2005. Serological study was performed using ELISA Chagatest. Sampling containing values ± 20 percent cut off were evaluated using ELISA Chagatek, ELISA Alka/Adaltis, IHA Chagatest and IIF Imunocruzi. TESA-Blot was used as a confirmatory procedure in situations where blood samples showed conflicting results. From 4,482 samples collected in 2004 and 2005, the reactivity for anti-T. cruzi was 0.96 percent (43). Among those, 21 cases (0.47 percent) were confirmed as positive - most of them were female, with low school level and averaging 47.2 percent years old. Interestingly, the blood donors are not aware of being contaminated and this fact makes it difficult for controlling the disease. Chagas' Disease was one of the main reasons for discarding blood bags through serological control in Southern Brazil. Sampling reactivity showed variation among the different techniques used for anti-T. cruzi research. In order to obtaining more secure and conclusive results, more than one diagnostic technique must be used.