Eliminação de Dioctophyme renale pela urina em canino com dioctofimatose em rim esquerdo e cavidade abdominal - Primeiro relato no Rio Grande do Sul / Elimination of Dioctophyme renale to urine in canines with dioctophymosis in the left kidney and abdominal cavity - First report in Rio Grande do Sul

Dioctophyme renale é um parasito que afeta tanto animais como humanos e tem como órgão de eleição o rim direito. Relata-se o caso clínico-cirúrgico de um paciente canino com histórico de eliminação de três exemplares de D. renale pela urina e presença de parasitos no rim esquerdo e na cavidade abdominal. No Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias da Universidade Federal de Pelotas, foram realizados exames pré-cirúrgicos, entre eles a ultrassonografia abdominal, que identificou a localização dos nematódeos, e o exame de Doppler pulsado dos vasos intrarrenais, que demonstrou aumento nos índices resistivos nas regiões avaliadas. O paciente foi conduzido para a realização de laparotomia exploratória, sendo removidos 23 parasitos da cavidade abdominal. A presença de D. renale causa graves lesões nos rins e nos demais órgãos da cavidade abdominal, sendo essencial o diagnóstico precoce e a remoção dos nematódeos para recuperação do paciente.(AU)

Dioctophyme renale is a parasite that attacks animals as well as humans and has the right kidney as a preferred target organ. This document reports the case of a clinical-chirurgical canine patient with a history of elimination of three D. renale samples through its urine and presence of parasites at its left kidney and abdominal cavity. Pre-cirurgical exams were performed at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Pelotas. Among these exams, abdominal ultrasonography identified the nematode's location and the Pulse-Doppler of the intrarenal vessels showed an increase in the resistive indices of the evaluated areas. An Exploratory Laparotomy was conducted with the patient who had 23 parasites removed from its abdominal cavity. The presence of D. renale causes severe lesions at kidneys and other organs of the abdominal cavity, for this reason early diagnosis and nematode´s removal are essential for the patient's recovery.(AU)

First isolation of Dioctophyme renale eggs from an urban environment and identification of those from animal urine / Primeiro isolamento de ovos de Dioctophyme renale no ambiente urbano e identificação destes na urina de animais

Abstract Dioctophyme renale is a zoonotic parasite with worldwide distribution, although its occurrence is little known. The objective here was to evaluate the presence of parasite eggs in the environment and in the urine of dogs and cats in an urban area. Soil samples and urine were evaluated respectively by means of the Caldwell-Caldwell technique and urinalysis. Out of the 100 soil samples, 3% presented D. renale eggs, and out of the 43 urine samples, 18.6% were positive, including the feline samples. Thus, D. renale eggs are present in the urban environment, and dogs and cats are parasitized by this nematode, which therefore represents a risk to public health.

Resumo Dioctophyme renale é um parasito zoonótico com distribuição cosmopolita, entretanto sua ocorrência é pouco conhecida. Assim, o objetivo foi avaliar a presença de ovos do parasito no ambiente e na urina de cães e gatos de zona urbana. As amostras de solo e urina foram avaliadas, respectivamente, pela técnica de Caldwell e Caldwell e por urinálise. Das 100 amostras de solo, 3% apresentaram ovos de D. renale, e das 43 amostras de urina, 18,6% foram positivas, incluindo a de felino. Conclui-se que ovos de D. renale estão presentes no ambiente urbano, assim como os caninos e felinos apresentam-se parasitados, representando um risco para a saúde pública.

Prevalence of Schistosomes and Soil-Transmitted Helminths and Morbidity Associated with Schistosomiasis among Adult Population in Lake Victoria Basin, Tanzania

The objective of this study was to carry out a community survey on schistosomiais and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in order to suggest feasible and effective intervention strategies in Lake Victoria basin, Tanzania. A total of 37 communities selected from 23 districts of the 4 regions in the Lake Victoria basin of Tanzania were involved in the study. From each of the selected locality, 50 adult community members, 25 males and 25 females, were recruited for the study. Each study participant was requested to submit stool and urine specimens. From each stool specimen, duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears were prepared and microscopically examined for Schistosoma mansoni and STH eggs. Urine specimens were processed by the filtration technique and microscopically examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Ultrasound examination for morbidity due to schistosomiasis was performed. Mass treatment was done using praziquantel and albendazole for schistosome and STHs infections, respectively. Out of 1,606 adults who provided stool specimens, 199 (12.4%) were positive for S. mansoni, 349 (21.7%) for hookworms, 133 (8.3%) for Ascaris lumbricoides, and 33 (2.0%) for Trichuris trichiura. Out of 1,400 participants who provided urine specimens, 25 (1.8%) were positive for S. haematobium eggs. Because of the co-endemicity of these afflictions and their impact on vulnerable population groups, the helminthiasis could be simultaneously treated with 2 drugs, praziquantel for schistosomiasis and albendazole for STHs.

Prevalence of Schistosomes and Soil-Transmitted Helminths among Schoolchildren in Lake Victoria Basin, Tanzania

The objectives of this study was to conduct a survey on schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in order to come up with feasible control strategies in Lake Victoria basin, Tanzania. Depending on the size of the school, 150-200 schoolchildren were recruited for the study. Duplicate Kato-Katz stool smears were prepared from each child and microscopically examined for Schistosoma mansoni and STHs. Urine specimens were examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs using the filtration technique. After the survey, mass drug administration was done using praziquantel and albendazole for schistosomiasis and STHs infections, respectively. A total of 5,952 schoolchildren from 36 schools were recruited for the study and had their stool and urine specimens examined. Out of 5,952 schoolchildren, 898 (15.1%) were positive for S. mansoni, 754 (12.6%) for hookworms, 188 (3.2%) for Ascaris lumblicoides, and 5 (0.008%) for Trichuris trichiura. Out of 5,826 schoolchildren who provided urine samples, 519 (8.9%) were positive for S. haematobium eggs. The results revealed that intestinal schistosomiasis, urogenital schistosomiasis, and STH infections are highly prevalent throughought the lake basin. The high prevalence of intestinal and urogenital schistosomisiasis in the study area was a function of the distance from Lake Victoria, the former being more prevalent at localities close to the lake, whilst the latter is more so away from it. Control of schistosomiasis and STHs in the study area requires an integrated strategy that involves provision of health education to communities, regular treatments, and provision of adequate safe water supply and sanitation facilities.

Genetic Diversity of Schistosoma haematobium Eggs Isolated from Human Urine in Sudan

The genetic diversity of Schistosoma haematobium remains largely unstudied in comparison to that of Schistosoma mansoni. To characterize the extent of genetic diversity in S. haematobium among its definitive host (humans), we collected S. haematobium eggs from the urine of 73 infected schoolchildren at 5 primary schools in White Nile State, Sudan, and then performed a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA marker ITS2 by PCR-RFLP analysis. Among 73 S. haematobium egg-positive cases, 13 were selected based on the presence of the S. haematobium satellite markers A4 and B2 in their genomic DNA, and used for RFLP analysis. The 13 samples were subjected to an RFLP analysis of the S. haematobium ITS2 region; however, there was no variation in size among the fragments. Compared to the ITS2 sequences obtained for S. haematobium from Kenya, the nucleotide sequences of the ITS2 regions of S. haematobium from 4 areas in Sudan were consistent with those from Kenya (> 99%). In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that most of the S. haematobium population in Sudan consists of a pan-African S. haematobium genotype; however, we also report the discovery of Kenyan strain inflow into White Nile, Sudan.

Leishmania (infantum) chagasi in canine urinary sediment / Leishmania (infantum) chagasi em sedimento urinário canino

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is difficult to diagnosis, mainly due to the presence of asymptomatic animals, the diversity of clinical symptoms and the difficulty in obtaining diagnostic evidence of high sensitivity and specificity. The purpose of this study was to diagnose CVL in urinary sediment of 70 dogs of different breeds, sexes and ages from the veterinary hospital of the Federal University of Piauí and Zoonosis Control Center of Teresina, Brazil. The serological tests were TR DPP® for CVL and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for CVL, parasitological exams of bone marrow and lymph nodes and urine sediment cultures. Leishmania was detected in the bone marrow and/or lymph node of 61.0% of the animals (43/70), and urine sediment culture was positive in 9.30% (4/43) of these animals. In the serological exams, 70.0% (49/70) were reactive using the DPP and 78.2% (55/70) were reactive using ELISA. The goal of this study was to diagnose the presence of L. (infantum) chagasi in a culture of urinary sediment.

A leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC) é uma doença de difícil diagnóstico. Principalmente devido à presença de animais assintomáticos, a diversidade da sintomatologia clínica apresentada e também pela dificuldade em se obter uma prova diagnóstica que reúna alta sensibilidade e especificidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar a presença de L. (infantum) chagasi em meio de cultura, utilizando-se sedimento urinário. Foram utilizados neste experimento, 70 cães provenientes do Hospital Veterinário Universitário da Universidade Federal do Piauí e do Centro de Controle de Zoonoses de Teresina, com raça, sexo e idade variada. Foram realizados exames sorológicos: TR DPP® Leishmaniose Visceral Canina (DPP) e Ensaio Imunoenzimático Leishmaniose Visceral Canina (ELISA), exames parasitológicos de amostras de medula e/ou linfonodo e cultura de sedimento urinário. Em 61,0% (43/70) dos animais estudados, observou-se presença de Leishmania em medula e/ou linfonodo, e destes 9,30% (4/43) foram positivos na cultura de sedimento urinário. Nos exames sorológicos, 70,0% (49/70) dos animais apresentavam-se reativos no DPP e 78,2% (55/70) no ELISA. Pode-se concluir, neste estudo, que é possível diagnosticar a LVC por meio da cultura de sedimento urinário.

Epidemiology of schistosomiasis in Egypt: travel through time: review

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by blood flukes [Trematodes] of the genus Schistosoma [S.]. It is well documented that schistosomiasis haematobium was endemic in Ancient Egypt. Infection was diagnosed in mummies 3000, 4000 and 5000 years old. Scott was the first to describe the pattern of schistosomiasis infection in Egypt. Schistosomiasis haematobium was highly prevalent [60%] both in the Nile Delta and Nile Valley South of Cairo in districts of perennial irrigation while it was low [6%] in districts of basin irrigation. Schistosoma mansoni infected 60% of the population in the Northern and Eastern parts of the Nile Delta and only 6% in the Southern part. Neither S. mansoni cases nor its snail intermediate host were found in the Nile Valley South of Cairo. The building of the Aswan High Dam -which was completed in 1967 - did not cause any increase in schistosomiasis prevalence. In 1990, a study conducted in nine governorates of Egypt confirmed the change in the pattern of schistosomiasis transmission in the Delta. There was an overall reduction in S. mansoni prevalence while Schistosoma haematobium had continued to disappear. In Middle and Upper Egypt there was consistent reduction in the prevalence of S. haematobium except in Sohag, Qena, and Aswan governorates. However, foci of S. mansoni were detected in Giza, Fayoum, Menya and Assiut. All schistosomiasis control projects implemented in Egypt from 1953 to 1985 adopted the strategy of transmission control and were based mainly on snail control supplemented by anti-bilharzial chemotherapy. In 1997, the National Schistosomiasis Control Program [NSCP] was launched in the Nile Delta. It adopted morbidity control strategy with Praziquantel mass treatment as the main component. In 1996, before the NSCP, 168 villages had S. mansoni prevalence >30%, 324 villages 20-30% and 654 villages 10-20%. By the end of 2010, in the whole country only 29 villages had prevalence >3% and none had more than 10%

Human schistosomiasis: clinical perspective: review

The clinical manifestations of schistosomiasis pass by acute, sub acute and chronic stages that mirror the immune response to infection. The later includes in succession innate, TH1 and TH2 adaptive stages, with an ultimate establishment of concomitant immunity. Some patients may also develop late complications, or suffer the sequelae of co-infection with other parasites, bacteria or viruses. Acute manifestations are species-independent; occur during the early stages of invasion and migration, where infection-naivety and the host's racial and genetic setting play a major role. Sub acute manifestations occur after maturity of the parasite and settlement in target organs. They are related to the formation of granulomata around eggs or dead worms, primarily in the lower urinary tract with Schistosoma haematobium, and the colon and rectum with Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma intercalatum and Schistosoma mekongi infection. Secondary manifestations during this stage may occur in the kidneys, liver, lungs or other ectopic sites. Chronic morbidity is attributed to the healing of granulomata by fibrosis and calcification at the sites of oval entrapment, deposition of schistosomal antigen-antibody complexes in the renal glomeruli or the development of secondary amyloidosis. Malignancy may complicate the chronic lesions in the urinary bladder or colon. Co-infection with salmonella or hepatitis viruses B or C may confound the clinical picture of schistosomiasis, while the latter may have a negative impact on the course of other co-infections as malaria, leishmaniasis and HIV. Prevention of schistosomiasis is basically geared around education and periodic mass treatment, an effective vaccine being still experimental. Praziquantel is the drug of choice in the treatment of active infection by any species, with a cure rate of 80%. Other antischistosomal drugs include metrifonate for S. haematobium, oxamniquine for S. mansoni and Artemether and, possibly, Mirazid for both. Surgical treatment may be needed for fibrotic lesions

Proportion of urinary schistosomiasis among HIV-infected subjects in Benin city, Nigeria

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis, and the effect of CD4+T cell counts and demographics on its prevalence among HIV-positive patients in Benin City, Nigeria. Urine and blood samples were collected from 2000 HIV-positive subjects. A wet preparation of the urine deposit was examined microscopically to identify ova of Schistosoma haematobium. The blood specimens were analyzed using the flow cytometry for CD4+T-lymphocyte count. An overall prevalence rate of 0.3% was reported. Gender and CD4 count<200 cells/micro L did not affect the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis, while HIV patients that were single had significantly higher prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis [p=0.002]. The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among HIV patients in Benin City is low. CD4+count did not affect the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis

Perfil de sensibilidade de microrganismos isolados em uroculturas de pacientes com infecção do trato urinário na cidade de Paranavaí-PR / Sensitivity profile of microorganisms isolated from urine cultures of patients with urinary tract infectionin the city of Paranavaí-PR

A infecção do trato urinário (ITU) é caracterizada pela colonização e invasão de microrganismos. Estas infecções acometem homens e mulheres; porém são mais comuns entre as mulheres, a infância e a menopausa representam o período em que há maior risco da doença, sendo assim, 20% das mulheres apresentam este tipo de infecção pelo menos uma vez na vida, caracterizada como uma das infecções mais comuns entre os seres humanos. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o perfil de sensibilidade de uropatógenos isolados de pacientes com infecção do trato urinário. Para tanto, foram analisadas 350 amostras de urina de pacientes com ITU, as coletas foram realizadas no laboratório escola da Unipar de Paranavaí, as amostras semeadas em Mac- Conkey e Cled e os isolados identificados segundo recomendações do Manual of Clinical Microbiology. Para determinação do perfil de sensibilidade foram empregados protocolos da NCCLS (National Commitee for Clinical Laboratory Standards). Conclui-se que, 82% dos isolados foram bacilos gram-negativos (BGN), apresentaram-se resistentes a amoxicilina, sulfametoxazol-trimetoprim, alguns isolados BGN quando expostos a ciprofloxacino, norfloxacino e gentamicina apresentaram baixa sensibilidade, da mesma forma foi possível verificar redução de sensibilidade de Staphylococcus aureus, quando comparados aos antimicrobianos comumente empregados para tratamento desta enfermidade.

The urinary tract infection (UTI) is characterized by the colonization and invasion of microorganisms. These infections affect men and women, however they are more common in the female sex. The infancy and the menopause, for the women, represent the period whose risk is greater of the illness, thus 20% of the women present this type of infection at least once in their lives, characterized as one of the most infections common among the human beings. The objective of this work was to determine the profile of sensitivity of isolated uropathogens of patients with urinary tract infection. 350 urine samples of patients with urinary tract infection were analyzed, the collections were done in the laboratory school of the Unipar of Paranavaí. The samples were sown in Mac- Conkey and Cled and the isolated ones identified according to recommendations of the Manual of Clinical Microbiology, for gram-negative bacillus and coccus gram-positives. For determination of sensitivity of profile, protocols of the NCCLS (National Commitee will be Clinical Laboratory Standards) were used. One concludes that, 82% of the bacillary isolated ones and gram-negative (BGN) presented resistant to the amoxicilin, sulfametoxazol-trimetoprim. Some isolated BGN when exposed to the ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and gentamicin presented low sensitivity, in the same way it was verified a reduction sensitivity of Staphylococcus sp, compared with antimicrobials, usually used for the treatment of this disease.

Urinary schistosomiasis around oyan reservoir, Nigeria: twenty years after the first outbreak

Oyan reservoir, South-West Nigeria was constructed in 1984 to generate electricity but has altered the existing physical, biological and socio-economic environment of the people. This study, carried out between October 2006 and March 2008, aimed at investigating the current status of Schistosoma haematobium infection around the reservoir. Urine samples from 536 participants in five communities were examined for haematuria using reagent strips and. S. haematobium ova was detected using sedimentation by gravity method. The participants were drawn from Abule Tuntun [n= 115], Ibaro [n= 156], Imala Odo [n= 88], Imala [n= 103] and Apojula [n= 74] communitie. Prevalence rates by haematuria were [Abule Tuntun- 33.04%; Ibaro- 73.07%; Imala odo- 60.22%; Imala- 7.77%; Apojula - 39.19%] and by presence of parasite ova were [Abule Tuntun- 39.13%; Ibaro- 83.97%; Imala Odo- 62.5%; Imala-20.39%; Apojula- 54.05%].S. haematobium transmission has been sustained in the reservoir since the outbreak was first reported in 1988. Mass treatment with praziquantel was conducted 8 years ago [2001] in two of the communities. However, the infection has persisted due to lack of pipe borne water and safe waste disposal system

Avaliação da resistência da Escherichia coli frente a Ciprofloxacina em uroculturas de três laboratórios clínicos de Aracaju-SE / Escherichia coli: evaluation of its resistance by Ciprofloxacinin in urine culture of three clinical laboratories of Aracaju-SE

Esse artigo objetivou avaliar a resistencia da Escherichia coli ao antibiotico ciprofloxacina a partir dos resultados de uroculturas e seus antibiogramas no municipio de Aracaju-SE, no ano de 2007. Para tal, utilizou-se os registros do setor de microbiologiade dois laboratorios ambulatoriais e um hospitalar. Foram executadas no periodo em estudo, 3.646 uroculturas, sendo 2.629 negativas e 1.017 positivas. Dentre as positivas (64,1%) foram para Escherichia coli, seguida de Enterobacter spp. (10,7%) Klebsiella spp. (10,1%), Staphylococcus spp. (7,3%), Proteus spp. (5,4%), Morganella spp. (1%), Serratia spp. (0,8%) e Pseudomonas spp. (0,7%). Jaos antibioticos utilizados nas uroculturas positivas foram: ciprofloxacina (98,9 %), ceftriaxona (97,5%), amicacina (95,3%), ampicilina (94,9%), ceftazidima (94,7%), nitrofurantoina (90,3%) e tobramicina (90,1%). Neste estudo a Escherichia coli mostrou uma resistencia de 21,3%. Mediante esse resultado sugere-se que, ao ser administrado ciprofloxacina para tratamento de infeccoes urinarias por Escherichia coli em Aracaju-SE, ele seja realizado com bastante parcimonia.

This article aimed to evaluate the resistance of the Escherichia coli to the ciprofloxacin antibiotic based on urine cultures results and antibiograms in Aracaju-SE of 2007. To reach this goal, records from the Microbiology sector of two ambulatory laboratories and one hospital laboratory were used. During this period of studies, 3.646 urine cultures were accomplished, of which 2.629 were negative and 1.017 were positive. The samples were positive for Escherichia coli (64,1%), followed by Enterobacter spp. (10,7%), Klebsiella spp. (10,1%), Staphylococcus spp (7,3%), Proteus spp. (5,4%), Morganella spp. (1%), Serratia spp. (0,8%) and Pseudomonas spp. (0,7%). The antibiotics used in positive urine cultures were ciprofloxacin (98,9%), ceftriaxone (97,5%), amikacin (95,3%), ampicilin (94,9%), ceftazidime (94,7%), nitrofurantoin (90,3%) and tobramycin (90,1%). In this study, Escherichia coli showed a resistance of 21,3%. These results suggest that the ciprofloxacin administration for treating urinary infections by Escherichia coli should bedone with frugality in Aracaju-SE.

Presença de Trichomonas em urinálise de cães e gato / Presence of Trichomonas in urinalysis of dogs and cat

Tritrichomonas foetus e Pentatrichomonas hominis são achados nas fezes de cães e gatos, entretanto não há relatos sobre a presença de Trichomonas em urina dos referidos animais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo relatar a presença de parasitos do gênero Trichomonas em urina de nove cães e um gato, atendidos no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. As urinálises destes animais demonstraram alterações que podem estar relacionadas à presença do parasito ou à enfermidade que acometia estes animais. Porém, mais estudos devem ser realizados na tentativa de elucidar quais a espécies do parasito que estão acomentendo cães e gatos e se estes são patogênicos para os referidos hospedeiros.

Tritrichomonas foetus and Pentatrichomonas hominis have been identified in feces of dogs and cats. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of Trichomonas spp. in urine of nine dogs and one catadmitted to the Veterinarian Hospital at the Federal University of Uberlândia. Our data demonstrated that abnormal parameters measured in the urinalysis and clinical signs associated with the disease are related to the presence of Trichomonas spp. in urine. Additional studies are warranted to identify the species of Trichomonas observed in the urine of these animals and to better characterize its pathogenic potential.

Comparison of different techniques for the diagnosis of parasitic infections among leukemic children

Acute lymphocytic leukemia [ALL] is a worldwide problem, and it is more prevalent in children. As the chemotherapy is taken, the host defenses are altered and the patient becomes more liable to infection. This study aimed at determining the frequency of parasitic infections among children with ALL in relation to controls, and to evaluate the different techniques used in the diagnosis of these infections. The study was carried out in Alexandria University Children's Hospital at El-Shatby during one year. The study included 117 children with ALL, and same number of immunocompetent children as a control group. Stool, urine, cerebrospinal fluid [CSF], and blood samples were collected and prepared to be examined by different techniques. The overall percentages of parasitic infections were 90.6% and 58.1% among leukemic children and controls, respectively. Microsporidiosis was the most prevalent infection, and Cryptosporidium parvum was the most common coccidial infection. Microsporidium was the only parasite detected in the CSF of leukemic children. The best technique was modified Ziehl Neelsen to detect coccidia, Trichrome stain for protozoa and Quick-Hot Gram-chromotrope stain for microsporidial infection. There was a high percentage of parasitic infections among Jeukemic children, and the results indicate that the combination of many techniques is more likely to be effective in the diagnosis of these infections

[Blood and urinary parasitosisi8 among non resident students in Tunisia]

The authors present the results of blood and urinary parasitological check-up carried out among non resident students in Tunisia, between 1990 and 2006 in the laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology of la Rabta-s Hospital. It-s a retrospective study having interested 4016 foreign and Tunisian students having stayed in Africa [52%], in the Maghreb [26.64%], in the Middle East [15.91%], in the Far East [3.43%], in Europe [1.96%] and in America [0.05%]. Three parasitosisis were determined: malaria, urinary schistosomiasis and filariasis. One hundred twenty eight cases of malaria were diagnosed among 3476 blood smears and thick smears carried out. Plasmodium falciparum was found in 59 cases and Plasmodium malaria in 4 cases. The remaining 65 cases were of Plasmodium sp. Thirty eight cases of urinary schistosomiasis were diagnosed among 3932 urinary parasitological check-up. Eight cases of filariasis were found: 3 of Loa loa, 3 of Mansonella perstans and in the remaining 2 cases, we had a combination of these two micrifilariaes. In Tunisia, there has been no local transmission of malaria and urinary schistosomiasis since 1979 and 1984 respectively. Although these diseases had been eradicated, their re-emergence is not considered impossible. The authors insist on the necessity of systematic screening of these parasitosisis among non resident students in Tunisia as well as an early and effective treatment of the parasitic patients

Examination of urine for bacteria and parasites among elder persons in the rural area, in Dammam district

The asymptomatic bacteria and parasites in urines were studied in elder persons living in the rural areas of Dammam District. Complete history taking, clinical examination, urine analysis and culture, blood glucose level and haemoglobins in gm were performed for 43 elders of both sexes. The bacteria detected in urine in a descending order were Klebsiella sp. Staphyloccocus sp., Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas sp. The parasites detected were only Trichomonas vaginalis in three diabetic females. No doubt, regular urine examination is a must for the elders in rural areas

Therapeutic failure of praziquantel in the treatment of Schistosoma haematobium infection in Brazilians returning from Africa

Several cases of therapeutic failure of praziquantel used for the treatment of urinary schistosomiasis have been reported. Alternative drugs, like niridazol and metrifonate, have shown a lower therapeutic effect and more side effects than praziquantel. Twenty-six Brazilian military men (median age of 29 years) with a positive urine parasitological exam who were part of a United Nation peace mission in Mozambique in 1994 were treated with 40 mg/kg body weight praziquantel, single dose. They swimmed in Licungo river (Mocuba city, Mozambique) during the weekends. After this, they presented haematuria, dysuria, polakiuria, and lumbar pain. Control cystoscopy examinations carried out between 6 and 24 months after each treatment (including two additional treatments at a minimum interval of 6 months) revealed the presence of viable eggs. Granulomas in the vesical submucosa were observed in 46.2 percent (12/26) of the individuals. A vesical biopsy confirmed the presence of granulomas in all of these patients and the presence of viable eggs in 34.3 percent (9/26) of individuals who no longer excreted eggs in urine. The eggs filled with miracidia showed characteristics of viability. Histopathological examination using different strains demonstrated therapeutic failure and the need for repeated treatment. In this study, we demonstrated a low efficacy of praziquantel in the treatment of schistosomiasis haematobia, and the necessity of the urinary bladder biopsy as criterion of cure.

Resistencia a ciprofloxacino de E. coli aisladas de urocultivos del Servicio de Urología del Hospital DR. Sótero del Río / Resistance to Ciprofloxacino between the E. coli isolated from urine cultures taken in the Servicio de Urología del Hospital Sótero del Río

El Ciprofloxacino es una valiosa y eficaz herramienta en el tratamiento de las infecciones del tracto urinario (ITU). El objetivo de este trabajo es el análisis descriptivo de la resistencia antibiótica a Ciprofloxacino de las E. Coli aisladas de urocultivos solicitados en el Servicio de Urología del Hospital Dr. Sótero del Río (HSR), relacionándola con la ½Presión Antibiótica¼ ejercida por dicho Servicio durante el mismo período y comparándola con los estándares americanos. Se seleccionaron todos los urocultivos con >100.000 colonias, cuyo germen aislado fuera E. Coli durante el período enero 2002 y junio 2003, solicitados en el Servicio de Urología del HSR. De éstos, se seleccionaron todas las cepas de E. Coli con resistencia, al menos intermedia a Ciprofloxacino. Con la información obtenida se midió la ½Presión Antibiótica¼. Existe una alta resistencia de E. Coli en relación con bajas dosis de Ciprofloxacino indicadas en el Serviciode Urología del HSR. Esto podría explicarse por el uso ambulatorio indiscriminado de Ciprofloxacino.

Assessment of transforming growth factor -beta [TGF-beta] and auto antibodies in human fascioliasis

Seventy individuals were included in this study, sixty of them suffering from fascioliasis: thirty with acute and the other thirty with chronic fascioliasis. Ten individuals were taken as a control group. All patients and controls were subjected to clinical, stool, urine and blood examination, abdominal ultrasonography and estimation of TGF-beta and non-organ specific autoantibodies in their serum. The presenting symptoms were abdominal pain [93.3% and 30%], fever [100% and 10%], urticaria [40% and 16.7%] and diarrhoea [53.3% and 3.3%] in acute and chronic stages of fascioliasis respectively. Among the acute and chronic cases of fascioliasis, the following signs wcre presented: hepatomegaly [100% and 66.7%], splenomegaly [63.3% and 16.7%], pallor [80% and 43.3%], fever [100% and 10%] and jaundice [0% and 16.7%]. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in patients with acute fascioliasis while in chronic patients there were common bile duct dilatation, intrahepatic biliary radical dilatation and echogenic shadows in biliary system in 16.7%, 16.7% and 23.3% respectively. During the acute stage a significant increase was observed in TGF-beta level comparing to the chronic and normal control groups. The present study also found that the percent positivity of auto-antibodies increased with the chronicity of the disease; anti-nuclear antibodies [0% and 60%], anti-deoxyribonucleic acid [0% and 20%], anti-smooth muscles [3.3% and 70%] and anti-mitochondrial [6.6% and 26.6%] in acute and chronic stages respectively. It can be concluded that TGF-beta elevation and absence of antinuclear and anti deoxyribonucleic acid antibodies in patients with acute infection can be used as diagnostic markers and monitor for early infection