Toxicological evaluation of antiretroviral Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate on the mollusk Biomphalaria glabrata and its hemocytes.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is a drug used in HIV treatment, and several studies have detected its presence in surface water. Furthermore, more information on its environmental impact is needed in the scientific literature. Thus, due to the lack of data on the impact of this drug, and its presence in different waters of the world, this work aimed to evaluate the potential toxicological effects of TDF on the mollusk Biomphalaria glabrata in vivo and in vitro. For in vitro analysis, hemocytes were exposed to different drug concentrations for 1 h and evaluated for feasibility, and phagocytic and metabolic activity. The in vivo analysis consisted of the exposure of groups of five mollusks, in triplicate, at the same drug concentrations for 72 h and 21 days, evaluating mortality, and mollusk and hemolymph behavior. Although the exposure of the mollusk to TDF did not reduce its survival, however it was toxic to its hemocytes. Even if toxicity was identified on the mollusk and its hemocytes initially, further studies should be conducted to understand the effects of this residue on the environment and different life stages of the mollusk because, per the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, for aquatic ecosystems, the results obtained were classified as toxic (EC50% 2.65 [1.98; 5.29] mg/L) and could cause unfeasibility in hemocytes at concentrations below 10 mg/l.

Anthelmintic resistance in sheep in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Anthelmintic efficacy was evaluated among sheep that had become naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes in 17 flocks located in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Feces were collected individually from 1021 hairy sheep to determine the number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG) and for coprocultures to identify nematode genera the nematodes. Only the animals that presented EPG counts greater than or equal to 200 were included in the study (totaling 381 sheep). The animals were divided into three treatment groups: albendazole, ivermectin and levamisole. Fourteen days after the administration of anthelmintics, fecal samples were taken from all animals. In each flock, the pre-treatment and post-treatment arithmetic mean EPG were used to calculate the efficacy (FECR) for each of the treatment groups and the lower 95% confidence limit. Data were analyzed with the "eggCounts 2.3" package in RStudio, using a Bayesian model for paired design. The anthelmintics were classified as being efficacious (when the FECR was both equal to or above 95% and the lower 95% confidence limit was equal to or above 90%) or as encountering anthelmintic resistance (when the FECR was below 95% and the lower 95% confidence limit was below 90%) or inconclusive (when none of the other criteria were fulfilled). Albendazole and ivermectin were not effective in any of the flocks. Levamisole was effective against gastrointestinal nematodes in 25% of the flocks studied. Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus and Oesophagostomum genera were identified in this study in a semiarid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The genus Haemonchus was the most prevalent, followed by Trichostrongylus and Oesophagostomum. After anthelmintic treatment, the most prevalent genus was Haemonchus, followed by Trichostrongylus; the genus Oesophagostomum was not detected. The highest percentage of Haemonchus larvae was observed after treatment with ivermectin, followed by albendazole and levamisole. This study revealed the existence of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep that present multiple resistance to all three main classes of anthelmintic drugs.

Using freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) as a biological model for ecotoxicology studies: a systematic review.

Over time, a growing increase in human pollutants in the aquatic environment has been observed. The global presence of residues in water bodies reinforces the need to develop improved methods to detect them and evaluate their ecotoxicological effects in aquatic environments. Thus, this study aimed to present the main assays using Biomphalaria glabrata as a biological model for ecotoxicological studies. We performed a systematic literature review with data published up to June 2022 on the Web of Science, SCOPUS, Science Direct, PubMed, and SciELO databases. Thirty studies were selected for this review after screening. Biomphalaria glabrata has been studied as an ecotoxicological model for different substances through toxicity, embryotoxicity, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and bioaccumulation assays. Studies evaluating the impact of B. glabrata exposure to several substances have reported effects on their offspring, as well as toxicity and behavioral and reproductive effects. This review presents various assays using B. glabrata as a biological model for ecotoxicological studies. The use of a representative species of ecosystems from tropical regions is a necessary tool for tropical environmental monitoring. It was observed that the freshwater snail B. glabrata was effective for the evaluation of the ecotoxicity of several types of chemical substances, but further studies are needed to standardize the model.

Parasitism in Rattus rattus and sympatric Achatina fulica by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in an urban park in southeast Brazil.

In this study, rodents (Rattus rattus) and mollusks (Achatina fulica) were captured in a small forest located in a large metropolitan city in Brazil, and they were examined to investigate possible parasitism by Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The parasites were recovered as helminths from the pulmonary arteries of the synanthropic rodents and as third-stage larvae (with Metastrongylidae family characteristics) from the mollusks. To confirm the species, these larvae were used to experimentally infect Rattus norvegicus for the posterior recovery of adult helminths. To identify the adult helminths, morphological, morphometric, molecular, and phylogenetic techniques were employed. Furthermore, we also characterized the histological lesions associated with parasitism in naturally infected definitive hosts. Our results demonstrated the occurrence of a natural life cycle of A. cantonensis (with the presence of adult helminths) in definitive hosts, Rattus rattus, and third-stage larvae in an intermediate host, A. fulica. In free-living rodents, lesions of granulomatous pneumonia in the lungs and meningitis in the brain were also found. These results warn of the risk of accidental transmission of A. cantonensis to human residents around the park because of the extensive interaction among the fauna of the park, domestic animals, and the surrounding human population.

Integrative taxonomy: combining molecular and morphological characteristics to identify Lymnaea (Galba) cubensis, intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica.

Despite the epidemiological importance of the Lymnaeidae family regarding transmission of Fasciola hepatica, knowledge about the diversity and distribution of these molluscs and the role of each species in the expansion of fasciolosis remains sparse. Classical morphological (n=10) identification was performed in lymneids from Lagoa Santa, a municipality in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, along with molecular and phylogenetic analysis (n=05) based on the partial nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI mtDNA) and ribosomal internal transcribed spacer II (ITS-2 rDNA). The shell morphology made it possible to distinguish the lymneids of Lagoa Santa from Pseudosuccinea columella. Differences found in the penile complex and prostate shape allowed this species to be distinguished from Galba truncatula. However, the homogeneity of reproductive tract characteristics among Lymnaea (Galba) cubensis, L. viator and L. neotropica confirmed that these characteristics show low taxonomic reliability for identifying cryptic species. Genetic divergence analysis for the COI mtDNA gene and ITS-2 region of rDNA revealed greater similarity to Lymnaea (Galba) cubensis. Thus, correct species differentiation is important for monitoring the epidemiological risk of fasciolosis in the state of Minas Gerais, where cases of the disease have increased over recent years.

New approaches to studying morphological details of intramolluscan stages of Angiostrongylus vasorum.

Angiostrongylus vasorum is a pulmonary artery parasite of domestic and wild canid. On molluscs, intermediate host, first stage larvae (L1) are found after the first day of infection, in the 8th L2 and in the 30 th L3. It was evaluated L1, L2 and L3 recovered by Baermann technique from Achatina fulica infected with 1000 L1. Fifty larvae/stage were incubated with antibodies anti-ß-tubulin, anti-α-tubulin, anti- α-actin, anti-ß-actin and anti-collagen, and then with Alexa 633. Fifty larvae/stage were observed with picrosirius red and Oil Red O. It was also observed in the anterior region of L1 the beginning of the chitinous stems development, in the initial portion of the intestine and genital primordium. In L2 anterior region, the papillae, chitinous canes juxtaposed to the mouth and intestines bigger than L1. The L3 musculature is well defined, next to the chitinous stems, there are two round distally arranged from each other. It was observed the whole extension of the intestine genital primordium and intense cellularity in the L3 distal portion. With the picrosirius red the L1, L2 and L3 musculature could be observed, as the nerve ganglia on L3. Oil Red O revealed that L1, L2 and L3 store energy on lipid droplets.

Nodular and sclerosing gastritis caused by Cylicospirura felineus in a puma (Puma concolor).

An adult male puma (Puma concolor), hit by a car in an urban area, died three days later despite the therapeutic support provided. At necropsy, multiple firm nodules were identified in the gastric mucosa. The nodules were coated by an intact mucosa with a central opening from which reddish and cylindrical nematodes protruded into the lumen. Twenty-seven nematodes were retrieved for morphological and morphometric evaluations. During histopathological examination of the gastric tissue, the adult nematodes appear in longitudinal and transverse sections, surrounded by thick bands of collagen, interspersed with mixed inflammatory infiltrates. The nematodes had an eosinophilic cuticle with caudal serrated projections (bulbar type), coelomyarian musculature, pseudocoelom, and females with uterus containing numerous larvated eggs, characteristics consistent with the Cylicospirura genus. Morphologically, female nematodes had six large tricuspid teeth in the oral cavity and the vulva had an opening anterior to the esophagus-intestinal junction. Male nematodes had five pairs of small papillae near the tip of the tail. These findings were consistent with Cylicospirura felineus. This parasite should be included in the differential diagnosis of nodular gastric wall lesions in wild felids.

Angiostrongylus minasensis n. sp.: new species found parasitizing coatis (Nasua nasua) in an urban protected area in Brazil.

Currently, there are 21 species of Angiostrongylus that parasitize the pulmonary or mesenteric arteries of wild and domestic rodents, felids, canids and human. Species of Angiostrongylus have cosmopolitan distribution covering tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. The procyonid Nasua nasua (coati) is a reservoir host for a wide variety of parasites that may be harmful to its populations or may contain etiological agents with zoonotic potential. In urban areas, coatis are usually found in close association with humans and domestic animals. We morphologically and molecularly characterized a new species of Angiostrongylus found in N. nasua in a protected area within Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The new species of Angiostrongylus differs from other species of the same genus in terms of the length and bifurcation level of the lateral and ventral rays, the length of spicules and female tail morphology. Molecular phylogenetic results based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene suggest that the newly identified species belongs to a genetic lineage that is separate from other species of Angiostrongylus. This new species was collected from the mesenteric arteries of N. nasua. It was named Angiostrongylus minasensis n. sp..

Angiostrongylus minasensis n. sp.: new species found parasitizing coatis (Nasua nasua) in an urban protected area in Brazil / Angiostrongylus minasensis n. sp.: nova espécie encontrada parasitando quatis (Nasua nasua) em área de proteção urbana no Brasil

Abstract Currently, there are 21 species of Angiostrongylus that parasitize the pulmonary or mesenteric arteries of wild and domestic rodents, felids, canids and human. Species of Angiostrongylus have cosmopolitan distribution covering tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. The procyonid Nasua nasua (coati) is a reservoir host for a wide variety of parasites that may be harmful to its populations or may contain etiological agents with zoonotic potential. In urban areas, coatis are usually found in close association with humans and domestic animals. We morphologically and molecularly characterized a new species of Angiostrongylus found in N. nasua in a protected area within Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The new species of Angiostrongylus differs from other species of the same genus in terms of the length and bifurcation level of the lateral and ventral rays, the length of spicules and female tail morphology. Molecular phylogenetic results based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene suggest that the newly identified species belongs to a genetic lineage that is separate from other species of Angiostrongylus. This new species was collected from the mesenteric arteries of N. nasua. It was named Angiostrongylus minasensis n. sp..

Resumo Existem 21 espécies de Angiostrongylus que parasitam as artérias pulmonares ou mesentéricas de roedores silvestres e domésticos, felídeos, canídeos e homem. Espécies de Angiostrongylus têm uma distribuição cosmopolita que abrange regiões tropicais, subtropicais e temperadas. O procionídeo Nasua nasua (quati) é hospedeiro de vários parasitos que podem ser prejudiciais para suas populações ou conter agentes etiológicos com potencial zoonótico. Nas áreas urbanas, os quatis podem ser encontrados em estreita associação com seres humanos e animais domésticos. Nós caracterizamos morfológica e molecularmente uma nova espécie de Angiostrongylus encontrada em N. nasua de uma área protegida na cidade de Belo Horizonte, Brasil. A nova espécie de Angiostrongylus difere de outras espécies do mesmo gênero pelo comprimento e nível de bifurcação dos raios lateral e ventral, o comprimento dos espículos e a morfologia da cauda da fêmea. Resultados moleculares e filogenéticos baseados no gene mitocondrial citocromo c oxidase subunidade 1 indicam que a espécie recém-identificada pertence a uma linhagem genética separada de outras espécies de Angiostrongylus. O presente relato descreve uma nova espécie de Angistrongylus coletada das artérias mesentéricas de N. nasua, denominada Angiostrongylus minasensis n. sp..

Cross-Sectional Serological Survey of Human Fascioliasis in Canutama Municipality in Western Amazon, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Fascioliasis is an important parasitic disease. In the northern region of Brazil, a human parasite infection has been reported through a coprological survey. Eggs of Fasciola hepatica were found in fecal samples of 11 individuals. Knowledge of the infection in animals or the presence of snails is necessary to address the possibility of the parasite cycle occurrence in that region. The aim of this study was to describe the transmission of human fascioliasis in Canutama, Amazonas, in Western Amazonia, Brazil. METHODS: Serological (ELISA and Western Blot, WB) and parasitological analyses were carried out in humans. In addition, the presence of the intermediate snail host within the community was examined. RESULTS: A total of 434 human samples were included in the study, of which 36 (8.3%) were reactive by ELISA and 8 (1.8%) were reactive by WB. Fasciola hepatica eggs were found in one human sample. The occurrence of the intermediated host was recorded and 31/43 specimens were identified as Lymnaea columella. Conclusion. Canutama constitutes a focus of transmission of human fascioliasis. This study describes the first serological survey for human fascioliasis, as well as its simultaneous occurrence in human hosts and possible intermediates performed in northern Brazil.

Dynamics of haemocytes from Pseudosuccinea columella circulating infected by Fasciola hepatica / Dinâmica de hemócitos circulantes de Pseudosuccinea columella infectados por Fasciola hepatica

Abstract The lymnaeids are important in the epidemiology of Fasciola hepatica, a neglected and endemic zoonosis. The interaction between the internal defense system of Pseudosuccinea columella and F. hepatica has been little studied. In the present study the effect of infection by F. hepatica on P. columella circulating haemocytes was investigated. Changes in the average number of total circulating haemocytes have been observed at 30 minutes post-infection and 1, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 and 50 days post-infection (dpi). Miracidia were observed head-foot and mantle at 30 minutes post-infection. Miracidia/Sporocysts in the mantle skirt 1 dpi, and fully formed sporocysts were observed in the head-foot at 7 dpi. Rediae became evident at 10 dpi and were located between the haemocoel and the muscles from 14 dpi; 50 dpi, the rediae in the digestive gland contained cercariae. The statistical analysis of the total haemocytes of P. columella infected by F. hepatica showed significant differences on the 30 minutes post-infection and 1, 14, 21, and 28 dpi in comparison to uninfected molluscs (0 dpi). Therefore, the interference observed on the internal defence system of P. columella may have direct association with the development of F. hepatica.

Resumo Os limnaeideos são importantes na epidemiologia de Fasciola hepatica, uma zoonose negligenciada e endêmica. A interação entre o sistema interno de defesa de Pseudosuccinea columella e F. hepatica tem sido pouco estudada. No presente estudo, investigou-se o efeito da infecção por F. hepatica nos hemócitos circulantes de P. columella. Alterações no número médio de hemócitos circulantes foram observadas aos 30 minutos e 1, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 e 50 dias após a infecção (dpi). Miracídios foram observados na região cefalopodal e manto aos 30 minutos após a infecção. Miracídio/esporocistos foram observados no colar do manto ao 1 dpi, e esporocistos totalmente formados na região cefalopodal aos 7 dpi. Rédias tornam-se evidentes aos 10 dpi entre a hemocele e músculos a partir de 14 dpi; e rédias com cercárias próximas a glândula digestiva aos 50 dpi. A análise estatística dos hemócitos totais de P. columella infectados por F. hepatica demonstrou diferenças significativas nos 30 minutos pós-infecção e 1, 14, 21 e 28 dpi em comparação aos moluscos não infectados (0 dpi). Portanto, a interferência observada no sistema de defesa interna de P. columella pode ter associação direta com o desenvolvimento de F. hepatica.

Dynamics of haemocytes from Pseudosuccinea columella circulating infected by Fasciola hepatica.

The lymnaeids are important in the epidemiology of Fasciola hepatica, a neglected and endemic zoonosis. The interaction between the internal defense system of Pseudosuccinea columella and F. hepatica has been little studied. In the present study the effect of infection by F. hepatica on P. columella circulating haemocytes was investigated. Changes in the average number of total circulating haemocytes have been observed at 30 minutes post-infection and 1, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 and 50 days post-infection (dpi). Miracidia were observed head-foot and mantle at 30 minutes post-infection. Miracidia/Sporocysts in the mantle skirt 1 dpi, and fully formed sporocysts were observed in the head-foot at 7 dpi. Rediae became evident at 10 dpi and were located between the haemocoel and the muscles from 14 dpi; 50 dpi, the rediae in the digestive gland contained cercariae. The statistical analysis of the total haemocytes of P. columella infected by F. hepatica showed significant differences on the 30 minutes post-infection and 1, 14, 21, and 28 dpi in comparison to uninfected molluscs (0 dpi). Therefore, the interference observed on the internal defence system of P. columella may have direct association with the development of F. hepatica.

Occurrence of Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus, 1758) in capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) (Linnaeus, 1766) in Minas Gerais, Brazil / Ocorrência de Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus, 1758) em capivara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) (Linnaeus, 1766) em Minas Gerais, Brasil

Abstract Fasciola hepatica is a parasite that affects the hepatic ducts of several species of domestic and wild vertebrates, causing huge economic losses to livestock rearing worldwide. Reports on occurrences of F. hepatica in capybaras are an important epidemiological aspect of this disease, since these rodents can be a source of contamination for other animals and humans. In the present study, conducted in a rural area of the municipality of Confins, Minas Gerais, fresh feces from capybaras were collected from the ground near a lagoon at the edge of the Ribeirão da Mata river. These were examined using the technique of four metal sieves. F. hepatica eggs were recovered. This trematode species was confirmed by observing morphological characteristics and measuring the eggs recovered from the capybara feces, and through experimental infection of Lymnaea columella (Say, 1817) by miracidia from these eggs and subsequent infection of C57/BL06 mice with metacercariae originating from these infected mollusks. The data suggest the occurrence of natural cycle of F. hepatica in this region and provide a warning that expansion of the geographical distribution of this parasite by means of this rodent is possible. It is therefore important to adopting measures for epidemiological control of this helminthiasis.

Resumo Fasciola hepatica é um parasito que acomete os ductos hepáticos de diversas espécies de vertebrados domésticos e silvestres, causando grandes perdas econômicas na pecuária global. Relatos sobre a ocorrência de F. hepatica em capivaras constituem um importante aspecto epidemiológico dessa parasitose, visto que esses roedores podem ser fonte de contaminação para outros animais e humanos. No presente estudo realizado em área rural do município de Confins, Minas Gerais, foram coletadas no solo, próximo à lagoa marginal do rio Ribeirão da Mata, fezes frescas de capivaras. Essas foram examinadas pela técnica de quatro tamises metálicos. Foram recuperados ovos de F. hepatica. A confirmação da espécie desse trematódeo foi realizada por observação de características morfológica e mensuração dos ovos recuperados das capivaras, infecção experimental de moluscos Lymnaea columella (Say, 1817) por miracídios oriundos desses ovos e pela infecção de camundongos C57/BL06 com metacercárias oriundas desses moluscos infectados. Os dados obtidos sugerem a ocorrência do ciclo natural de F. hepatica na região, alertando que a expansão da distribuição geográfica deste parasito por esse roedor é possível. Portanto, é importante a adoção de medidas para o controle epidemiológico desta helmintíase.

Occurrence of Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus, 1758) in capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) (Linnaeus, 1766) in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Fasciola hepatica is a parasite that affects the hepatic ducts of several species of domestic and wild vertebrates, causing huge economic losses to livestock rearing worldwide. Reports on occurrences of F. hepatica in capybaras are an important epidemiological aspect of this disease, since these rodents can be a source of contamination for other animals and humans. In the present study, conducted in a rural area of the municipality of Confins, Minas Gerais, fresh feces from capybaras were collected from the ground near a lagoon at the edge of the Ribeirão da Mata river. These were examined using the technique of four metal sieves. F. hepatica eggs were recovered. This trematode species was confirmed by observing morphological characteristics and measuring the eggs recovered from the capybara feces, and through experimental infection of Lymnaea columella (Say, 1817) by miracidia from these eggs and subsequent infection of C57/BL06 mice with metacercariae originating from these infected mollusks. The data suggest the occurrence of natural cycle of F. hepatica in this region and provide a warning that expansion of the geographical distribution of this parasite by means of this rodent is possible. It is therefore important to adopting measures for epidemiological control of this helminthiasis.

Evaluation of techniques for recovery of Angiostrongylus vasorum from Achatina fulica, a potential intermediate host

Mollusks are intermediate hosts of Angiostrongylus vasorum, which is a parasite with zoonotic potential for which canids are the definitive host. In this study, 180 specimens of Achatina fulica that had been experimentally infected with 1,000 L1 of A. vasorum were finely chopped to evaluate four tissue digestion techniques: 1% potassium hydroxide (group I); 3% hydrochloric acid (group II); 1% hydrochloric acid and pepsin (group III) with procedures at 37 ºC in a double boiler; and Baermann at 42 °C (group IV). On the first, eighth and thirtieth days after infection, L1, L2 and L3 were obtained, and 240 L3 recovered from group III were offered to a dog. The results were the following: group I: 59% L1, 7% L2, 13% L3; group II: 31% L1, 13% L2, 27% L3; group III: 23% L1, 22% L2, 30% L3; and group IV: 0.3% L1, 0.02% L2, 5% L3. Live larvae wereobserved in group III: 15.5% L1, 8.22% L3; group II: 9.8% L3; and group IV: 100% L1, L2 and L3. Larvae were detected 56 days after the dog became infected. All larvae stages of A. vasorum were recovered and identified through the techniques evaluated, thus confirming the potential of A. fulica as an intermediate host of the nematode

Improvement of the liver pathology by the aqueous extract and the n-butanol fraction of Sida pilosa Retz in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sida pilosa Retz (Malvaceae) is a plant used in Africa for the treatment of intestinal helminthiasis, lower abdominal pains and dysmenorrhea. AIM OF THE STUDY: In order to determine the potential use of S. pilosa in the treatment of schistosomiasis mansoni, we evaluated the schistosomicidal, antioxidant and anti-fibrotic properties of the aqueous extract and the n-butanol fraction of its aerial parts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: S. pilosa aqueous extract (SpAE) at 100, 200 and 400mg/kg and n-butanol fraction (SpBF) at 50, 100 and 200mg/kg were administered per os to Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice for 4 weeks. Praziquantel (100mg/kg × 5 days) was used as reference drug. After sacrifice, worm burden and egg count, transaminases and proteins levels were evaluated. Malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid hydroperoxydes (LOOH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were also measured. The anti-fibrotic effect of the plant was evaluated by the determination of hydroxyproline and γ-interferon (IFN-γ). RESULTS: The treatment of S. mansoni-infected mice by SpAE or SpBF resulted in a moderate reduction of worm burden and egg load in the liver and intestine. Both SpAE and SpBF significantly reversed the increasing liver proteins, MDA, LOOH and CAT levels induced by the infection. Moreover, SOD activity was improved by SpAE and SpBF. Schistosomiasis mansoni considerably increased the EPO (p<0.001) and MPO activities (p<0.001). SpAE treatment significantly reduced EPO and MPO activities at all doses. SpBF failed to reduce the increasing MPO and decreased EPO only at the highest dose. S. mansoni-infection induced an increase in hydroxyproline content (p<0.001) and a decrease in IFN-γ level (p<0.001). Both SpAE and SpBF significantly reduced hepatic hydroxyproline content, while only SpAE (p<0.05) improved IFN-γ level. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the liver pathology in schistosomiasis mansoni is improved by S. pilosa aqueous extract, which disclosed a moderate schistosomicidal, but strong antioxidant and anti-fibrotic activities. The n-butanol fraction was however less active than the aqueous extract.

Determinants of Iron Deficiency Anemia in a Cohort of Children Aged 6-71 Months Living in the Northeast of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common nutritional disorders worldwide. The aim was to identify the prevalence and incidence of anemia in children and to identify predictors of this condition, including intestinal parasites, social, nutritional and environmental factors, and comorbidities. A population-based cohort study was conducted in a sample of 414 children aged 6-71 months living in Novo Cruzeiro in the Minas Gerais State. Data were collected in 2008 and 2009 by interview and included socio-economic and demographic information about the children and their families. Blood samples were collected for testing of hemoglobin, ferritin and C-reactive protein. Anthropometric measurements and parasitological analyses of fecal samples were performed. To identify risk factors associated with anemia multivariate analyses were performed using the generalized estimating equations (GEE). In 2008 and 2009, respectively, the prevalence rates of anemia were 35.9% (95%CI 31.2-40.8) and 9.8% (95%CI 7.2-12.9), the prevalence rates of iron deficiency were 18.4% (95%CI 14.7-22.6) and 21.8% (95%CI 17.8-26.2), and the incidence rates of anemia and iron deficiency were 3.2% and 21.8%. The following risk factors associated with anemia were: iron deficiency (OR = 3.2; 95%CI 2.0-.5.3), parasitic infections (OR = 1.9; 95%CI 1.2-2.8), being of risk of or being a low length/height-for-age (OR = 2.1; 95%CI 1.4-3.2), and lower retinol intake (OR = 1.7; 95%CI 1.1-2.7), adjusted over time. Nutritional factors, parasitic infections and chronic malnutrition were identified as risk factors for anemia. These factors can be verified in a chronic process and have been classically described as risk factors for these conditions.