The Anthelmintic Effect on Strongyloides venezuelensis Induced by BnSP- 6, a Lys49-phospholipase A2 Homologue from Bothrops pauloensis Venom.

BACKGROUND: Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) from snake venoms have a broad potential as pharmacological tools on medicine. In this context, strongyloidiasis is a neglected parasitic disease caused by helminths of the genus Strongyloides. Currently, ivermectin is the drug of choice for treatment, however, besides its notable toxicity, therapeutic failures and cases of drug resistance have been reported. BnSP-6, from Bothorps pauloensis snake venom, is a PLA2 with depth biochemical characterization, reporting effects against tumor cells and bacteria. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to demonstrate for the first time the action of the PLA2 on Strongyloides venezuelensis. METHODS: After 72 hours of treatment with BnSP-6 mortality of the infective larvae was assessed by motility assay. Cell and parasite viability was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Furthermore, autophagic vacuoles were labeled with Monodansylcadaverine (MDC) and nuclei of apoptotic cells were labeled with Propidium Iodide (PI). Tissue degeneration of the parasite was highlighted by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: The mortality index demonstrated that BnSP-6 abolishes the motility of the parasite. In addition, the MTT assay attested the cytotoxicity of BnSP-6 at lower concentrations when compared with ivermectin, while autophagic and apoptosis processes were confirmed. Moreover, the anthelmintic effect was demonstrated by tissue degeneration observed by TEM. Furthermore, we report that BnSP-6 showed low cytotoxicity on human intestinal cells (Caco-2). CONCLUSION: Altogether, our results shed light on the potential of BNSP-6 as an anthelmintic agent, which can lead to further investigations as a tool for pharmaceutical discoveries.

Performance and parasite control of different genetic groups of lambs finished in irrigated pasture / Desempenho e controle parasitário de diferentes grupos genéticos de cordeiros terminados em pastagem irrigada

The aim of this study was to compare the following four genetic groups of hair sheep: Santa Inês (SI), Morada Nova (MN), Brazilian Somali (BS), and the F1 1/2Dorper x 1/2Morada Nova crossbreed on traits related to growth and parasitic infection. Thirty-three male lambs of the same age and of simple birth, under the same pre-weaning management conditions were used in the experiment. After weaning the animals were housed in a completely randomized design in paddocks made of Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania. Along the course of the research, the performance of the four groups of sheep was observed to be negatively affected by gastrointestinal parasites, but there was a genotype effect to the average daily weight gain (ADWG), where the SI and F1 genotypes presented higher values. The effects of genotype, time and genotype x time interaction were significant in weight and corporal score (CS) measurements. The BS lambs had the highest CS values throughout the experiment despite not presenting greater weight gain when compared to the SI and F1 breeds. There were also significant effects of time and genotype x time interaction for packed cell volume (PCV) and FAMACHA© score (FAM) and only the time effect was significant in the total number of eggs per gram (EPG) and total plasma protein (TPP). The MN lambs showed higher PCV values and unlike the other groups, presented a FAMACHA© score below 3 and PCV above 23% even having a higher EPG tendency, especially in the initial phase, indicating a possible higher resilience to infection caused by gastrointestinal parasites.

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar quatro grupos genéticos de ovinos: Santa Inês (SI), Somalis Brasileira (SB), Morada Nova (MN) e 1/2 Dorper - 1/2 Morada Nova (F1) quanto às características de crescimento e de infecção parasitária. Trinta e três cordeiros machos, de mesma idade, nascidos de parto simples e submetidos às mesmas condições de manejo pré-desmame foram utilizados no experimento. Após o desmame, os animais foram alojados em piquetes de capim Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia, em um sistema rotativo de pastejo sob um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. Os resultados mostraram que, ao longo do experimento, o desempenho ponderal dos quatro grupos genéticos foi negativamente afetado pela infecção por endoparasitas, mas o efeito de genótipo foi significativo para ganho de peso médio diário, e os grupos SI e F1 apresentaram melhores médias. O efeito do genótipo, tempo e interação genótipo x tempo foi significativo para o peso e o escore corporal. Os cordeiros da raça SB apresentaram maiores escores corporais ao longo do experimento, apesar do menor ganho de peso quando comparados aos dos grupos SI e F1. Houve efeito significativo do tempo e da interação genótipo x tempo para o hematócrito e para o grau FAMACHA©. Somente efeito do tempo foi verificado para as características OPG e proteína plasmática total. Os cordeiros da raça Morada Nova, ao contrário dos demais grupos, mantiveram o grau FAMACHA© inferior a 3 e hematócrito inferior a 23%, mesmo com tendência de maior OPG, principalmente na fase inicial, indicando uma possível maior capacidade de adaptação à infecção por endoparasitas.

Performance and parasite control of different genetic groups of lambs finished in irrigated pasture / Desempenho e controle parasitário de diferentes grupos genéticos de cordeiros terminados em pastagem irrigada

The aim of this study was to compare the following four genetic groups of hair sheep: Santa Inês (SI), Morada Nova (MN), Brazilian Somali (BS), and the F1 1/2Dorper x 1/2Morada Nova crossbreed on traits related to growth and parasitic infection. Thirty-three male lambs of the same age and of simple birth, under the same pre-weaning management conditions were used in the experiment. After weaning the animals were housed in a completely randomized design in paddocks made of Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania. Along the course of the research, the performance of the four groups of sheep was observed to be negatively affected by gastrointestinal parasites, but there was a genotype effect to the average daily weight gain (ADWG), where the SI and F1 genotypes presented higher values. The effects of genotype, time and genotype x time interaction were significant in weight and corporal score (CS) measurements. The BS lambs had the highest CS values throughout the experiment despite not presenting greater weight gain when compared to the SI and F1 breeds. There were also significant effects of time and genotype x time interaction for packed cell volume (PCV) and FAMACHA© score (FAM) and only the time effect was significant in the total number of eggs per gram (EPG) and total plasma protein (TPP). The MN lambs showed higher PCV values and unlike the other groups, presented a FAMACHA© score below 3 and PCV above 23% even having a higher EPG tendency, especially in the initial phase, indicating a possible higher resilience to infection caused by gastrointestinal parasites(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar quatro grupos genéticos de ovinos: Santa Inês (SI), Somalis Brasileira (SB), Morada Nova (MN) e 1/2 Dorper - 1/2 Morada Nova (F1) quanto às características de crescimento e de infecção parasitária. Trinta e três cordeiros machos, de mesma idade, nascidos de parto simples e submetidos às mesmas condições de manejo pré-desmame foram utilizados no experimento. Após o desmame, os animais foram alojados em piquetes de capim Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia, em um sistema rotativo de pastejo sob um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. Os resultados mostraram que, ao longo do experimento, o desempenho ponderal dos quatro grupos genéticos foi negativamente afetado pela infecção por endoparasitas, mas o efeito de genótipo foi significativo para ganho de peso médio diário, e os grupos SI e F1 apresentaram melhores médias. O efeito do genótipo, tempo e interação genótipo x tempo foi significativo para o peso e o escore corporal. Os cordeiros da raça SB apresentaram maiores escores corporais ao longo do experimento, apesar do menor ganho de peso quando comparados aos dos grupos SI e F1. Houve efeito significativo do tempo e da interação genótipo x tempo para o hematócrito e para o grau FAMACHA©. Somente efeito do tempo foi verificado para as características OPG e proteína plasmática total. Os cordeiros da raça Morada Nova, ao contrário dos demais grupos, mantiveram o grau FAMACHA© inferior a 3 e hematócrito inferior a 23%, mesmo com tendência de maior OPG, principalmente na fase inicial, indicando uma possível maior capacidade de adaptação à infecção por endoparasitas(AU)

Análises coproparasitológicas de aves silvestres cativas / Coproparasitological analysis of captive wild birds

In most instances of parasitism in captive birds there is no expression of clinical signs. This fact underscores the importance of performing frequent parasitological examinations in these animals. The aim of this study was to do a coproparasitological analysis to monitor parasitic infections in captive birds in Danilo Galafassi Municipal Park (Municipal Zoo of Cascavel-PR), project approved by the Committee of Ethics and Animal Welfare (CEBEA) Campus Palotina-UFPR, protocol nº 29/2010. A total of 228 fecal samples were analyzed from 37 species of captive birds from 22 enclosures in the period from August 2010 to July 2012. Chilled feces were analyzed through flotation methods of Willis-Mollay and simple sedimentation of Hoffmann, Pons and Janer. Out of the analyzed samples, 127 (55.7%) were positive and among these 55 (43.3%) presented mixed infection. The parasites that were found belonged to the genus Strongyloides, Eimeria, Capillaria, Deletrocephalus and Isospora, the superfamilies Strongyloidea, Ascaroidea and Spiruroidea, the order Trichurida and the class Cestoda. The examinations results of the enclosure of Jabiru mycteia (tuiuiú) and Cariama cristata (seriema) were negative throughout the study period. Hygienic-sanitary measures and movement control measures of animals and people circulation were introduced to minimize birds infection, but it requires further analysis to assess their impact. (AU)

Na maioria dos casos de parasitismo em aves cativas não há expressão de sinais clínicos. Esse fato aponta a importância da realização de exames parasitológicos frequentes nesses animais. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar exames coproparasitológicos para monitorar as infecções parasitárias nas aves cativas no Parque Municipal Danilo Galafassi (Zoológico Municipal de Cascavel-PR), projeto aprovado pela Comissão de Ética e Bem-estar Animal (CEBEA) do Campus Palotina- UFPR, protocolo nº 29/2010. Foram analisadas 228 amostras de fezes de 37 espécies de aves cativas, provenientes de 22 recintos, no período de agosto de 2010 a julho de 2012. As fezes refrigeradas foram analisadas por meio dos métodos de flutuação de Willis-Mollay e de sedimentação simples de Hoffmann, Pons e Janer. Das amostras analisadas, 127 (55,7%) foram positivas e, destas, 55 (43,3%) apresentaram infecção mista. Os parasitos encontrados pertencem aos gêneros Strongyloides, Eimeria, Capillaria, Deletrocephalus e Isospora, às superfamílias Strongyloidea, Ascaroidea e Spiruroidea, à ordem Trichurida e à classe Cestoda. Os resultados dos exames dos recintos de Jabiru mycteia (tuiuiú) e Cariama cristata (seriema) foram negativos, em todo o período avaliado. Medidas higiênico-sanitárias e de controle da circulação de animais e pessoas foram instituídas para minimizar a infecção das aves, porém são necessárias novas análisespara avaliação do impacto das mesmas. (AU)

Control of Strongyloides westeri by nematophagous fungi after passage through the gastrointestinal tract of donkeys / Controle de Strongyloides westeri por fungos nematófagos após trânsito gastrintestinal em jumentas

Strongyloides westeri is the most prevalent nematode among equines aged up to four months and causes gastrointestinal disorders. The objective of this study was to observe the control of infective S. westeri larvae (L3) by the nematophagous fungi Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) and Monacrosporium thaumasium (NF34) after passage through the gastrointestinal tract of female donkeys. Twelve dewormed female donkeys that were kept in stables were used. Two treatment groups each comprising four animals received orally 100 g of pellets made of sodium alginate matrix containing a mycelial mass of either D. flagrans (AC001) or M. thaumasium (NF34). The control group consisted of four animals that received pellets without fungus. Feces samples were then collected from the animal groups at different times (after 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours). These feces were placed in Petri dishes containing 2% water-agar medium and 1000 L3 of S. westeri. AC001 and NF34 isolates showed the ability to destroy the L3, after gastrointestinal transit, thus demonstrating their viability and predatory activity.

O Strongyloides westeri é o nematóide de maior prevalência entre equídeos com idade até quatro meses, causando distúrbios gastrintestinais. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi observar o controle de larvas infectantes (L3) de Strongyloides westeri pelos fungos nematófagos Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) e Monacrosporium thaumasium (NF34) após trânsito gastrintestinal em jumentas. Foram utilizadas 12 jumentas, estabuladas e previamente vermifugadas. A seguir, dois grupos tratados, contendo cada um 4 animais receberam por via oral 100 g de péletes em matriz de alginato de sódio, contendo massa miceliana dos fungos D. flagrans (AC001) ou M. thaumasium (NF34). O grupo controle foi constituído de 4 animais que receberam péletes sem fungo. A seguir, amostras de fezes dos grupos de animais foram coletadas em distintos intervalos de horas (12, 24, 48 e 72). Essas fezes foram vertidas em placas de Petri contendo meio sólido ágar-água 2% e 1000 L3 de S. westeri. Os isolados AC001 e NF34 apresentaram capacidade de destruir as L3 após o trânsito, demonstrando sua viabilidade e atividade predatória.

Contaminaçäo por enteroparasitas em hortaliças comercializadas nas cidades de Niterói e Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Intestinal parasites contamination from vegetables comercialized in Niterói and Rio de Janeiro cities, Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a contaminaçäo por enteroparasitas em hortaliças consumidas cruas comercializadas nas cidades de Niterói e Rio de Janeiro. Foram estudadas 128 amostras de hortaliças - alface (Lactuca sativa) e agriäo (Nasturtium officinale) provenientes do comércio (supermercados, feiras-livre e quitandas) e de restaurantes tipo self-services. Apenas 6,2 por cento das amostras apresentaram presença de estruturas parasitárias com morfologia semelhante as de espécies parasitas de animais. Foi encontrado presença de contaminantes como ácaros, ovos de ácaros, insetos, larvas de nematóides e protozoários ciliados em quase todas as amostras (96,1 por cento), inclusive nas de restaurantes. Este alto percentual sugere a presença de risco de infecçäo, pois associado a esses agentes poderiam existir estruturas parasitárias infectantes para o homem

Hemorragia intestinal por strongyloides s

Se presenta el caso de un hombre joven que acudió en febrero de 1992 al hospital Eugenio Espejo con un cuadro de sangrado digestivo alto, Fallecido 48 horas después por choque hipovolemico. La autopsia realizada demostró la presencia de una úlcera activa en la 3ra. porción del duodeno, en cuyo nicho se evidencia la luz de un vaso sanguíneo. Además en el proyecto del intestino delgado se observó la presencia de numerosos pseudo-tumores inflamatorios y la presencia de un pólipo inflamatorio. El Estudio microscópico demostró la presencia de numerosas larvas rabditiformes de stronglydes stercolaris, penetrando incluso la pared de los vasos. Siendo este un hallazgo patológico inusual, a pesar de la endemicidad de las enfermedades parasitarias en nuestro medio, se recomienda que en el diagnóstico diferencial de sangrado digestivo se incluya también esta helmintiasis.

Immunodiagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis infection: a method for increasing the specificity of the indirect ELISA

Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) allows sensitive detection of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G against a soluble extract of Strongyloides stercoralis infective larvae. In this study, 40/40 (100 percent) human strongyloidiasis sera had high levels of anti-S. stercoralis IgG, but 30/40 (75 percent) filariasis sera, and 12/40 (30 percent) necartoriasis sera also had higher levels than control sera from UK residents. In attempts to increase the assay specificity by absorption of cross-reactive IgG, the effectiveness of pre-incubation of sera with extracts of different parasitic nematodes was investigated. One hour of incubation with 20 æ/ml aqueous extract of Onchocerca gutturosa absorbed cross-reactive IgG in most filariasis and necatoriasis sera, reducing the proportion with IgG levels above the positivity threshold by more one-half. Preliminary results suggest that absorption with extracts of other filarial nematodes is equally effective, and that some cross-reactive IgG is directed against phosphorylcholine. Cross-reactive IgG in most necatoriasis sera was effectively absorbed with an extract of Ascaris lumbricoides. Absorption of cross-reactive IgG is an effective means of increasing the specificity of the indirect ELISA, for use in the immunodiagnosis and immuno-epidemiology of S. stercoralis infection.

Investigación de Strongyloides Stercoralis en jugo duodenal obtenido mediante el exámen de la `cuerda encapsulada' o enterotest / Sampling duodenal contents by enterotest for Strongyloides Stercoralis study

Presentamos nuestra experiencia en la investigación de Strongyloides stercoralis en jugo duodenal obtenido mediante la `cuerda encapsulada' o Enterotest realizada en 1,511 pacientes del Servicio de Gastroenterología del Hospital Nacional `Edgardo Rebagliati Martins' del IPSS, entre Enero de 1985 a Julio de 1990. Fueron hallados 36 pacientes parasitados con Strongyloides stercoralis, dando una incidencia del 2.4 por ciento. Este método fué bien tolerado y demostró ser simple, rápido y de gran sensibilidad diagnóstica, permitiendo examinar simultáneamente varios pacientes a muy bajo costo

Experimental induction of strongyloides autoinfection

Laboratory studies on the Jamaican strain of human Strongyloides employed the mongrel puppy as a model for the exploration of aspects of host Strongyloid relationships. Autoinfection was experimentally attempted by obstruction of the gut in various ways. The results indicated that a model for autoinfection was successfully elicited in the puppy. Under defined conditions, prednisone therapy and a protein-restricted diet failed to induce autoinfection. By contrast, chemically induced constipation, vincristine therapy, arterial occlusion and ileal ligation evoked autoinfection, luminal rhabditiform larvae having metamorphosed to filariform larvae and disseminated to the Auerbach plexus, the wall of the gut generally, the lung and the lymph node. A hypothesis is tentatively advanced to explain the etiology of autoinvasion (AU)

Hyperinfection syndrome with Strongyloides stercoralis in malignant lymphoma

Hyperinfection with Strongyloides stercoralis occurred in three patients with malignant lymphoma. The probable cause was alteration of the immune responses either as a result of the malignant lymphoma or by the treatment given. Though thiabendazole (Mintezol) has produced reasonable results in the treatment of the hyperinfection syndrome, preliminary data suggest that the new broad-spectrum antihelmintic levamisole (Ketrax) is more effective. All patients who live or have lived in an area where strongyloidiasis is endemic should be investigated to detect the presence of the nematode before and during treatment with drugs with immunosuppressive properties. In view of the high mortality with S. stercoralis hyperinfection, vigorous therapy should be instituted before the use of immunosuppressive drugs (Summary)