Behavioral changes in Rattus norvegicus coinfected by Toxocara canis and Toxoplasma gondii.

Using an elevated plus maze apparatus and an activity cage, behavioral changes in Rattus norvegicus concomitantly infected by Toxocara canis and Toxoplasma gondii were studied, during a period of 120 days. Rats infected by Toxocara canis or Toxoplasma gondii showed significant behavioral changes; however, in the group coinfected by both parasites a behavioral pattern similar to that found in the group not infected was observed thirty days after infection, suggesting the occurrence of modulation in the behavioral response.

Human toxocariasis: contribution by Brazilian researchers / Toxocaríase humana: contribuição dos pesquisadores brasileiros

In the present paper the main aspects of the natural history of human infection by Toxocara larvae that occasionally result in the occurrence of visceral and/or ocular larva migrans syndrome were reviewed. The contribution by Brazilian researchers was emphasized, especially the staff of the Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo (IMT).

São abordados os principais aspectos da história natural da infecção humana por larvas de Toxocara que pode resultar na ocorrência da síndrome de larva migrans visceral e/ou ocular. Deu-se destaque, principalmente, à contribuição de pesquisadores brasileiros e, em especial, aos pertencentes ao quadro do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo.

Human toxocariasis: contribution by Brazilian researchers.

In the present paper the main aspects of the natural history of human infection by Toxocara larvae that occasionally result in the occurrence of visceral and/or ocular larva migrans syndrome were reviewed. The contribution by Brazilian researchers was emphasized, especially the staff of the Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo (IMT).

Frequency of soil contamination by Toxocara canis eggs in the south region of São Paulo municipality (SP, Brazil) in a 18 month period

Soil contamination by embryonic eggs of Toxocara canis is the main source of human infection by this ascarid larvae resulting, sometimes, in the occurrence of visceral larva migrans syndrome. The objective of the present research is to determine the frequency of T. canis eggs in soil samples monthly collected in nine public places, located at the South Region of São Paulo municipality in a 18-month period, from February 2004 to July 2005. The soil samples collected were treated with a 30 percent antiformine solution and with a sodium dichromate solution (d = 1.40) and microscopic slides were prepared and examined under light microscopy for searching T. canis eggs. Two peaks of higher frequency had been found, one in February - May 2004 and the other in April - July 2005.

A contaminação do solo por ovos larvados de Toxocara canis é a principal fonte de infecção de seres humanos por larvas desse ascarídeo que, com freqüência, determinam ocorrência da síndrome de larva migrans visceral. No presente trabalho procurou-se investigar a freqüência com que são recuperados ovos de T. canis em amostras de solo, coletadas mensalmente, em nove localidades públicas, situadas na região sul do município de São Paulo, durante o período compreendido por fevereiro de 2004 e julho de 2005. As amostras coletadas foram inicialmente tratadas com solução de antiformina a 30 por cento, e, a seguir, com solução saturada de dicromato de sódio (d = 1,40), preparando-se lâminas com alíquotas da camada superficial da solução final onde se pesquisou, com auxílio de microscópio óptico, a presença de ovos de T. canis. Observou-se a ocorrência de duas ocasiões em que foi maior a freqüência de ovos nas amostras analisadas: uma no período compreendido entre fevereiro e maio de 2004 e outra entre os meses de abril e julho de 2005.

Frequency of soil contamination by Toxocara canis eggs in the south region of São Paulo municipality (SP, Brazil) in a 18 month period.

Soil contamination by embryonic eggs of Toxocara canis is the main source of human infection by this ascarid larvae resulting, sometimes, in the occurrence of visceral larva migrans syndrome. The objective of the present research is to determine the frequency of T. canis eggs in soil samples monthly collected in nine public places, located at the South Region of São Paulo municipality in a 18-month period, from February 2004 to July 2005. The soil samples collected were treated with a 30% antiformine solution and with a sodium dichromate solution (d = 1.40) and microscopic slides were prepared and examined under light microscopy for searching T. canis eggs. Two peaks of higher frequency had been found, one in February-May 2004 and the other in April-July 2005.