A molecular and morphological study of Ascaris suum in a human-pig contact scenario in northeastern Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to assess morphologic and genetic data on ascariasis in swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) and humans in low-resource rural and periurban communities in the state of Piauí, Brazil. Our cross-sectional survey included 100 fecal samples obtained from swine and 682 samples from humans. Fifteen pigs were necropsied. Human and porcine fecal samples were examined to identify Ascaris eggs. Parasites obtained in the swine necropsies were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the mitochondrial gene encoding the cytochrome oxidase 1 (cox1) enzyme was partially amplified and sequenced for molecular taxonomy and phylogenetic analyses. The overall prevalence of Ascaris eggs in the swine fecal samples was 16/100 (16%). No Ascaris eggs were identified in the human fecal samples. SEM of six worms recovered from pigs demonstrated morphological characteristics of A. suum. Cox1 sequences were compatible with A. suum reference sequences. Original and reference (GenBank) nucleotide sequences were organized into clusters that did not segregate the parasites by host species or and region. The largest haplogroups were dominated by haplotypes H01, H02 and H31. In the communities studied, there was no epidemiological evidence of the zoonotic transmission of ascariasis at the human-swine interface.

Respiratory allergy symptoms and cytokine profiles in the presence of anti-Ascaris antibody in Giardia lamblia-infected children.

Anti-Ascaris lumbricoides (Asc) IgE and IgG can immunomodulate the allergy; however, the influence of these isotypes has not been investigated in the giardiasis and allergy. Therefore, the frequency of respiratory allergy (RA) symptoms in Giardia lamblia-infected children, with or without anti-Asc IgE, IgG1, or IgG4 and Th1, Th2/Treg, and Th17 cytokine production, was evaluated. We performed a case-control study with children aged 2-10 years old selected by questionnaire and stool exams to form the groups: infected or uninfected with RA (G-RA, n = 55; nG-RA, n = 43); infected and uninfected without RA (G-nRA, n = 59; nG-nRA, n = 54). We performed blood leukocyte counts and in vitro culture. Cytokine levels in the supernatants (CBA), serum total IgE and anti-Asc IgE (ImmunoCAP), IgG1, IgG4, and total IgA (ELISA) were measured. Infection was not associated with allergy. Infected children showed increased levels of anti-Asc IgG1, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10. There was a lower frequency of allergy-related symptoms in anti-Asc IgG1-positive children than IgG1-negative (OR = 0.38; CI = 0.17-0.90, p = 0.027) and few eosinophils in G-RA than in G-nRA and more in G-nRA than in nG-nRA, whereas TNF-α levels were higher in the G-RA than in the nG-nRA group. For infected and positive anti-Asc IgG1, there was higher TNF-α and IL-10 production than G/-IgG1. IL-10 levels were lower in nG/ + IgG1 than in infected or non-infected, and both were negative for anti-Asc IgG1. Th1/Th2/IL-10 profiles were stimulated in the infected patients, and in those with circulating anti-Asc IgG1, the TNF-α production was strengthened with a lower risk for respiratory allergy symptoms.

Implications of the prevalence of Ascaris sp. in the funerary context of a Late Antique population (5th-7th c.) in Granada (Spain).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in human remains from Late Antiquity (5th - 7th c.) Granada (Spain). MATERIALS: The study included pelvic and cranial control samples from 17 skeletons from the archaeological sites of Los Mondragones (n = 13) and Rafael Guillén (n = 4). METHODS: In the paleoparasitological study, soil samples from pelvic area and cranium were analyzed using the rehydration, homogenization, and micro-sieving method and visualization under brightfield microscopy. RESULTS: Ascaris sp. eggs were detected in pelvic samples from seven individuals. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may indicate that this parasite was endemic. Its detection frequency is one of the highest reported at group level in an osteological series from Late Antiquity. SIGNIFICANCE: The prevalence of Ascaris sp. associated with skeletal remains has implications for assessing the lifestyle and health of populations in southern Spain during the Late Antique period. LIMITATIONS: The number of individuals is small and taphonomic processes could have limited paleoparasitological findings SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Future interdisciplinary studies of this type are warranted in larger osteological series to improve knowledge of parasitosis in the past.

Nematódeos de interesse médico veterinário em represa urbana no município de Catalão, no sudeste do estado de Goiás, Brasil / Nematodes of veterinary medical interest in an urban reservoir in the municipality of Catalão, southeastern Goiás State, Brazil

Objetivo: realizar análises parasitológicas em amostras de solo provenientes da represa da Bica situada no município de Catalão-GO. Métodos: a área do entorno da represa foi dividida em cinco parcelas, sendo realizadas coletas em dois pontos de cada parcela, superior e inferior. Foram realizadas quatro coletas em dias alternados, totalizando 40 amostras de, aproximadamente, 50g da camada superficial do solo, com profundidade máxima de cinco centímetros. As amostras foram processadas no Setor de Diagnóstico Parasitológico do Laboratório de Biologia Molecular da Universidade Federal de Catalão (UFCAT). Para as análises parasitológicas, foram utilizados cinco métodos encontrados na literatura, Rugai, Willis, Sedimentação espontânea, Ritchie e Ritchie modificado. Resultados: pelo método de Rugai, foi possível detectar larvas rabditoides do gênero Ancylostoma e Strongyloides. Utilizando o método de Ritchie modificado, foram encontrados ovos de Ascaris lumbricoidese Ancylostoma sp. Conclusão: a presença de formas evolutivas no solo da represa indica contaminação por dejetos animais e humanos, favorecendo o estabelecimento de ciclos biológicos das espécies encontradas e de outras diferentes zoonoses. Os dados obtidos demonstram a importância de sensibilizar a população de medidas de promoção da saúde, além de ações preventivas e programas de educação em saúde.

Objective: to conduct parasitological analyses in soil samples from the Bica reservoir located in the municipality of Catalão-GO. Methods: the area around the dam was divided into five plots, and samples were collected from two points in each plot, upper and lower. Four samples were collected on alternate days, totaling 40 samples of approximately 50g of topsoil, with a maximum depth of five centimeters. The samples were processed in the Parasitological Diagnostic Sector of the Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Federal University of Catalão (UFCAT). For the parasitological analyses, we used five methods found in the literature, Rugai, Willis, spontaneous sedimentation, Ritchie, and modified Ritchie. Results: by the Rugai method, it was possible to detect rhabditoid larvae of the genus Ancylostoma and Strongyloides. Using the modified Ritchie method, eggs of Ascaris lumbricoidesand Ancylostoma sp were found. Conclusion: the presence of evolutive forms in the soil of the reservoir indicates contamination by animal and human waste, favoring the establishment of biological cycles of the species found and of other different zoonoses. The data obtained demonstrated the importance of raising the population's awareness of health promotion measures besides preventive actions and health education programs.

Detangling the Crosstalk Between Ascaris, Trichuris and Gut Microbiota: What´s Next?

Helminth infections remain a global public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where roundworms from theTrichuris and Ascaris genera are most prevalent. These geohelminths not only impact human health but most importantly also affect animal well-being, in particular the swine industry. Host-helminth parasite interactions are complex and at the same time essential to understand the biology, dynamics and pathophysiology of these infections. Within these interactions, the immunomodulatory capacity of these helminths in the host has been extensively studied. Moreover, in recent years a growing interest on how helminths interact with the intestinal microbiota of the host has sparked, highlighting how this relationship plays an essential role in the establishment of initial infection, survival and persistence of the parasite, as well as in the development of chronic infections. Identifying the changes generated by these helminths on the composition and structure of the host intestinal microbiota constitutes a field of great scientific interest, since this can provide essential and actionable information for designing effective control and therapeutic strategies. Helminths like Trichuris and Ascaris are a focus of special importance due to their high prevalence, higher reinfection rates, resistance to anthelmintic therapy and unavailability of vaccines. Therefore, characterizing interactions between these helminths and the host intestinal microbiota represents an important approach to better understand the nature of this dynamic interface and explore novel therapeutic alternatives based on management of host microbiota. Given the extraordinary impact this may have from a biological, clinical, and epidemiological public health standpoint, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge and future perspectives examining the parasite-microbiota interplay and its impact on host immunity.

Back to basics: Could simple experiments resolve important parasitology enigmas? The rarity of Ascaris eggs compared with Trichuris eggs in archeology and other contexts.

Most parasitologists face a conundrum throughout their careers: 'which parasite eggs are more resistant to environmental stress, Ascaris spp. or Trichuris spp.?' In this analysis, our experimental and statistical analyses demonstrated that Trichuris sp. is more resistant than Ascaris sp. We highlight that desiccation exerts a major effect on the conservation of Ascaris eggs, and this may result in an underestimation of Ascaris eggs in paleoparasitological records. This observation can be extrapolated to more modern scenarios, for example, parasitological research in animal feces from semiarid environments, where whipworms are more common than roundworms. Similarly, this could be a plausible explanation for the higher frequency and abundance of whipworms than roundworms, when other hypotheses are unsupported.

Evaluation of vegetables grown in dry mountainous regions for soil transmitted helminths contamination / Avaliação de vegetais para contaminação por helmintos transmitida pelo solo em quatro distritos da divisão de Malakand: noroeste do Paquistão

Infection caused by geo-helminth parasites are called geohelminthiasis are one of the global health problems. Vegetables eaten raw is the principal source of transmission of geo-helminth parasites. Pakistani people believe that eating raw vegetables are a significant source to get important vitamins and minerals. Based on the high incidence of pathogenic parasites and cultivating different vegetable types in the study areas, we conducted this study to evaluate the geo-helminth contamination of raw vegetables in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This is a descriptive study comprised, 1942 samples of 25 various types of vegetables. The samples were examined in physiological saline solution using sedimentation and centrifugation methods. The findings were analyzed by Graph-Pad version 5. P value less than 0.05 (95% CI) was considered significant. Results showed that 16.5% (n=322) of all vegetables were contaminated with one or more type of geo-helminth parasites. Garlic was the highest (35%) and cauliflower the lowest (4%) contaminated samples respectively. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common geo helminth found followed by hook worm species while Trichuris trichura was the least in all the vegetable samples. Leafy vegetables were highly contaminated 25.3% than vegetables with root parts 21.2% and fruity 9.09%. More than half of the contaminated vegetables were contaminated with single species of geo-helminth (P<0.05) while less than half with multiple types of geo-helminth contamination. Ninety two vegetables samples were contaminated with 2 species of parasites (P<0.05) and 45 with 3 (P>0.05) species of geo-helminth parasites. Education level of vendors and means of display were not significantly associated while types of vegetable used were significantly associated with the prevalence of parasites. The findings of this study provide evidence that consumption of raw [...].(AU)

As infecções causadas por parasitas geo-helmínticos são chamados de geohelmintíases e são um dos problemas de saúde globais. Os vegetais comidos crus são a principal fonte de transmissão dos parasitas geo-helmínticos. O povo paquistanês acredita que comer vegetais crus é uma fonte significativa para obter vitaminas e minerais importantes. Com base na alta incidência de parasitas patogênicos e no cultivo de diferentes tipos de vegetais nas áreas de estudo, conduzimos este estudo para avaliar a contaminação por geo-helmintos de vegetais crus no noroeste de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo composto por 1942 amostras de 25 tipos diversos de vegetais. As amostras foram examinadas em solução salina fisiológica utilizando métodos de sedimentação e centrifugação. Os achados foram analisados pelo Graph-Pad versão 5. O valor de P menor que 0,05 (IC 95%) foi considerado significativo. Os resultados mostraram que 16,5% (n = 322) de todas as hortaliças estavam contaminadas com um ou mais tipos de parasitas geo-helmínticos. O alho foi a amostra mais contaminada (35%) e a couve-flor a menos (4%), respectivamente. Ascaris lumbricoides foi o geo-helmíntico mais comum encontrado, seguido por espécies de verme-anzol, enquanto Trichuris trichura foi o menos encontrado em todas as amostras de vegetais. Os vegetais folhosos foram altamente contaminados 25,3% do que os vegetais com partes de raiz 21,2% e frutados 9,09%. Mais da metade dos vegetais contaminados estavam contaminados com uma única espécie de geo-helmintos (P <0,05), enquanto menos da metade com vários tipos de contaminação com geo-helmintos. Noventa e duas amostras de vegetais estavam contaminadas com 2 espécies de parasitas (P <0,05) e 45 com 3 (P> 0,05) espécies de parasitas geo-helmínticos. O nível de escolaridade dos vendedores e os meios de exibição não [...].(AU)

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic diseases in school children of rural areas of district Lower Dir, Pakistan / Prevalência de doenças parasitárias intestinais em escolares de áreas rurais do distrito de Lower Dir, Paquistão

Present study was conducted among school children to recognize the prevalence of IPIs in rural communities of district Dir Lower, Pakistan. A sum of 324 samples of stool were collected (210 boys and 114 girls). Used direct smear method and formol ether sedimentation concentration technique for processing the samples. The result shows that 82% (n=266) were found infected comprised 64.8% male and 35.1% females. Children of the age group 10 to 12 years were found extremely infected 94.2% while 4-6 year age group were having minimum ratio of infection 72%. Current study shows mono parasitism in 50.6% of the students while 22.2% were infected with 2 species and 7.40% were infected with three species of parasites. Seven species of intestinal parasites were reported include Ascaris lumbricoid in male (n=122) 58.0% and in female (n=65) 57.0% followed by Hook worm (n=88) 41.9% and (n=44) 38.5%; Tania saginata (n=44) 20.9% and (n=24) 21.0%; Entrobius vermicularis (n=32) 15.2% and (n=16) 14.0%; Trichuris trichura (n=25) 11.9% and (n=22) 19.2%; Hymenolepis nana (n=24) 11.4% and (n=18) 15.7% and Entameoba histolytica (n=16) 7.61% and (n=14) 12.2% in male and females respectively. The study indicates that most occurring intestinal parasite in the current study were Ascaris lumbricoides 58.0% (n=122) followed by hookworms 41.9% (n=88). Male students were more infected than females in the present study.(AU)

O presente estudo foi conduzido entre crianças em idade escolar para reconhecer a prevalência de IPIs em comunidades rurais do distrito de Dir Lower, Paquistão. Foram coletadas 324 amostras de fezes (210 meninos e 114 meninas). Método de esfregaço direto usado e técnica de concentração de sedimentação de formol éter para processar as amostras. O resultado mostra que 82% (n = 266) dos infectados eram 64,8% do sexo masculino e 35,1% do feminino. Crianças da faixa etária de 10 a 12 anos foram encontradas extremamente infectadas 94,2%, enquanto a faixa etária de 4 a 6 anos apresentava proporção mínima de infecção de 72%. O estudo atual mostra monoparasitismo em 50,6% dos alunos, enquanto 22,2% estavam infectados com 2 espécies e 7,40% estavam infectados com três espécies de parasitas. Sete espécies de parasitas intestinais foram relatadas incluindo Ascaris lumbricoid em machos (n = 122) 58,0% e em fêmeas (n = 65) 57,0% seguido por anzol (n = 88) 41,9% e (n = 44) 38,5%; Tania saginata (n = 44) 20,9% e (n = 24) 21,0%; Entrobius vermicularis (n = 32) 15,2% e (n = 16) 14,0%; Trichuris trichura (n = 25) 11,9% e (n = 22) 19,2%; Hymenolepis nana (n = 24) 11,4% e (n = 18) 15,7% e Entameoba histolytica (n = 16) 7,61% e (n = 14) 12,2% em homens e mulheres, respectivamente. O estudo indica que os parasitas intestinais que mais ocorreram no presente estudo foram Ascaris lumbricoides 58,0% (n = 122), seguidos por ancilóstomos 41,9% (n = 88). Estudantes do sexo masculino foram mais infectados do que do sexo feminino no presente estudo.(AU)

Evaluation of vegetables grown in dry mountainous regions for soil transmitted helminths contamination / Avaliação de vegetais para contaminação por helmintos transmitida pelo solo em quatro distritos da divisão de Malakand: noroeste do Paquistão

Infection caused by geo-helminth parasites are called geohelminthiasis are one of the global health problems. Vegetables eaten raw is the principal source of transmission of geo-helminth parasites. Pakistani people believe that eating raw vegetables are a significant source to get important vitamins and minerals. Based on the high incidence of pathogenic parasites and cultivating different vegetable types in the study areas, we conducted this study to evaluate the geo-helminth contamination of raw vegetables in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This is a descriptive study comprised, 1942 samples of 25 various types of vegetables. The samples were examined in physiological saline solution using sedimentation and centrifugation methods. The findings were analyzed by Graph-Pad version 5. P value less than 0.05 (95% CI) was considered significant. Results showed that 16.5% (n=322) of all vegetables were contaminated with one or more type of geo-helminth parasites. Garlic was the highest (35%) and cauliflower the lowest (4%) contaminated samples respectively. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common geo helminth found followed by hook worm species while Trichuris trichura was the least in all the vegetable samples. Leafy vegetables were highly contaminated 25.3% than vegetables with root parts 21.2% and fruity 9.09%. More than half of the contaminated vegetables were contaminated with single species of geo-helminth (P0.05) species of geo-helminth parasites. Education level of vendors and means of display were not significantly associated while types of vegetable used were significantly associated with the prevalence of parasites. The findings of this study provide evidence that consumption of raw [...].

As infecções causadas por parasitas geo-helmínticos são chamados de geohelmintíases e são um dos problemas de saúde globais. Os vegetais comidos crus são a principal fonte de transmissão dos parasitas geo-helmínticos. O povo paquistanês acredita que comer vegetais crus é uma fonte significativa para obter vitaminas e minerais importantes. Com base na alta incidência de parasitas patogênicos e no cultivo de diferentes tipos de vegetais nas áreas de estudo, conduzimos este estudo para avaliar a contaminação por geo-helmintos de vegetais crus no noroeste de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo composto por 1942 amostras de 25 tipos diversos de vegetais. As amostras foram examinadas em solução salina fisiológica utilizando métodos de sedimentação e centrifugação. Os achados foram analisados pelo Graph-Pad versão 5. O valor de P menor que 0,05 (IC 95%) foi considerado significativo. Os resultados mostraram que 16,5% (n = 322) de todas as hortaliças estavam contaminadas com um ou mais tipos de parasitas geo-helmínticos. O alho foi a amostra mais contaminada (35%) e a couve-flor a menos (4%), respectivamente. Ascaris lumbricoides foi o geo-helmíntico mais comum encontrado, seguido por espécies de verme-anzol, enquanto Trichuris trichura foi o menos encontrado em todas as amostras de vegetais. Os vegetais folhosos foram altamente contaminados 25,3% do que os vegetais com partes de raiz 21,2% e frutados 9,09%. Mais da metade dos vegetais contaminados estavam contaminados com uma única espécie de geo-helmintos (P 0,05) espécies de parasitas geo-helmínticos. O nível de escolaridade dos vendedores e os meios de exibição não [...].

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic diseases in school children of rural areas of district Lower Dir, Pakistan / Prevalência de doenças parasitárias intestinais em escolares de áreas rurais do distrito de Lower Dir, Paquistão

Present study was conducted among school children to recognize the prevalence of IPIs in rural communities of district Dir Lower, Pakistan. A sum of 324 samples of stool were collected (210 boys and 114 girls). Used direct smear method and formol ether sedimentation concentration technique for processing the samples. The result shows that 82% (n=266) were found infected comprised 64.8% male and 35.1% females. Children of the age group 10 to 12 years were found extremely infected 94.2% while 4-6 year age group were having minimum ratio of infection 72%. Current study shows mono parasitism in 50.6% of the students while 22.2% were infected with 2 species and 7.40% were infected with three species of parasites. Seven species of intestinal parasites were reported include Ascaris lumbricoid in male (n=122) 58.0% and in female (n=65) 57.0% followed by Hook worm (n=88) 41.9% and (n=44) 38.5%; Tania saginata (n=44) 20.9% and (n=24) 21.0%; Entrobius vermicularis (n=32) 15.2% and (n=16) 14.0%; Trichuris trichura (n=25) 11.9% and (n=22) 19.2%; Hymenolepis nana (n=24) 11.4% and (n=18) 15.7% and Entameoba histolytica (n=16) 7.61% and (n=14) 12.2% in male and females respectively. The study indicates that most occurring intestinal parasite in the current study were Ascaris lumbricoides 58.0% (n=122) followed by hookworms 41.9% (n=88). Male students were more infected than females in the present study.

O presente estudo foi conduzido entre crianças em idade escolar para reconhecer a prevalência de IPIs em comunidades rurais do distrito de Dir Lower, Paquistão. Foram coletadas 324 amostras de fezes (210 meninos e 114 meninas). Método de esfregaço direto usado e técnica de concentração de sedimentação de formol éter para processar as amostras. O resultado mostra que 82% (n = 266) dos infectados eram 64,8% do sexo masculino e 35,1% do feminino. Crianças da faixa etária de 10 a 12 anos foram encontradas extremamente infectadas 94,2%, enquanto a faixa etária de 4 a 6 anos apresentava proporção mínima de infecção de 72%. O estudo atual mostra monoparasitismo em 50,6% dos alunos, enquanto 22,2% estavam infectados com 2 espécies e 7,40% estavam infectados com três espécies de parasitas. Sete espécies de parasitas intestinais foram relatadas incluindo Ascaris lumbricoid em machos (n = 122) 58,0% e em fêmeas (n = 65) 57,0% seguido por anzol (n = 88) 41,9% e (n = 44) 38,5%; Tania saginata (n = 44) 20,9% e (n = 24) 21,0%; Entrobius vermicularis (n = 32) 15,2% e (n = 16) 14,0%; Trichuris trichura (n = 25) 11,9% e (n = 22) 19,2%; Hymenolepis nana (n = 24) 11,4% e (n = 18) 15,7% e Entameoba histolytica (n = 16) 7,61% e (n = 14) 12,2% em homens e mulheres, respectivamente. O estudo indica que os parasitas intestinais que mais ocorreram no presente estudo foram Ascaris lumbricoides 58,0% (n = 122), seguidos por ancilóstomos 41,9% (n = 88). Estudantes do sexo masculino foram mais infectados do que do sexo feminino no presente estudo.

α-Gal specific-IgE prevalence and levels in Ecuador and Kenya: Relation to diet, parasites, and IgG4.

BACKGROUND: IgE to α-Gal is a cause of mammalian meat allergy and has been linked to tick bites in North America, Australia, and Eurasia. Reports from the developing world indicate that α-Gal sensitization is prevalent but has been little investigated. OBJECTIVE: We sought evidence for the cause(s) of α-Gal sensitization and lack of reported meat allergy among children in less developed settings in Ecuador and Kenya. METHODS: IgE to α-Gal and total IgE were assessed in children from Ecuador (n = 599) and Kenya (n = 254) and compared with children with (n = 42) and without known (n = 63) mammalian meat allergy from the southeastern United States. Information on diet, potential risk factors, and helminth infections was available for children from Ecuador. IgG4 to α-Gal and antibodies to regionally representative parasites were assessed in a subset of children. RESULTS: In Ecuador (32%) and Kenya (54%), α-Gal specific IgE was prevalent, but levels were lower than in children with meat allergy from the United States. Sensitization was associated with rural living, antibody markers of Ascaris exposure, and total IgE, but not active infections with Ascaris or Trichuris species. In Ecuador, 87.5% reported consuming beef at least once per week, including 83.9% of those who had α-Gal specific IgE. Levels of α-Gal specific IgG4 were not high in Ecuador, but were greater than in children from the United States. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that in areas of the developing world with endemic parasitism, α-Gal sensitization is (1) common, (2) associated with Ascaris exposure, and (3) distinguished by a low percentage of specific/total IgE compared with individuals with meat allergy in the United States.

A historical and systematic overview of Ascaris vaccine development.

Ascariasis is the most prevalent helminth infection in the world and leads to significant, life-long morbidity, particularly in young children. Current efforts to control and eradicate ascariasis in endemic regions have been met with significant challenges including high-rates of re-infection and potential development of anthelminthic drug resistance. Vaccines against ascariasis are a key tool that could break the transmission cycle and lead to disease eradication globally. Evolution of the Ascaris vaccine pipeline has progressed, however no vaccine product has been brought to human clinical trials to date. Advancement in recombinant protein technology may provide the first step in generating an Ascaris vaccine as well as a pan-helminthic vaccine ready for human trials. However, several roadblocks remain and investment in new technologies will be important to develop a successful human Ascaris vaccine that is critically needed to prevent significant morbidity in Ascaris-endemic regions around the world.

Avaliação parasitológica de fezes diarreicas e não diarreicas em leitões na fase pré-inicial / (Parasitological evaluation of non-diarrheal and diarrheal feces in piglets at pre-initial phase

Os helmintos gastrintestinais podem afetar o desempenho dos leitões e causar diarreias na fase de creche, um dos grandes desafios enfrentados na produção. Logo, o acompanhamento parasitológico é fundamental para que seja realizado o diagnóstico do grau de infecção animal para se tomar as medidas curativas e preventivas corretas. Portanto objetivou-se analisar as fezes de leitões com e sem diarreia na fase pré-inicial e sua relação com a presença de ovos de parasitas. As coletas foram realizadas em uma granja comercial de suínos, em que 40 animais foram escolhidos aleatoriamente e divididos igualmente em dois grupos, com e sem diarreia. As amostras foram analisadas pelo exame de direto das fezes e pelo método de flutuação. Das amostras analisadas, todas mostraram se negativas para o grupo sem diarreia. No entanto os animais com diarreia apresentaram prevalência de 10% e 5% quanto à presença de parasitoses gastrintestinais nos métodos direto e de flutuação respectivamente. Foram detectados: Ascaris sp., Strongyloides sp., Cystoisospora sp. e Eimeria spp. Dada a origem multifatorial das diarreias em leitões no pós-desmame, conclui-se que as diarreias de leitões na fase pré-inicial não estão somente relacionadas à presença de endoparasitos, dessa forma, outras possíveis causas devem ser estudadas para que haja um maior controle dos distúrbios entéricos nesta fase.(AU)

Gastrointestinal nematodes can affect piglet performance, causing diarrhea in the nursery phase, one of the major challenges faced in production. Therefore, parasitological monitoring is essential for the diagnosis of the degree of animal infection in order to take the right curative and preventive measures. Therefore, the objective was to analyze the feces of piglets with and without diarrhea in the pre-initial phase and their relationship with the presence of parasite eggs. The collections were carried out in a commercial pig farm, in which 40 animals were randomly chosen and divided equally into two groups, with and without diarrhea. The samples were analyzed by direct stool examination and the flotation method. Of the analyzed samples, all were negative for the group without diarrhea. However, animals with diarrhea had a prevalence of 10% and 5% regarding the presence of gastrointestinal parasites at direct and flotation method, respectively. Ascaris sp., Strongyloides sp., Cystoisosporasp. and Eimeria spp. were detected. Given the multifactorial origin of diarrhea in piglets in the post-weaning period, it is concluded that piglet diarrhea in the pre-initial phase is not only related to the presence of endoparasites, therefore, other possible causes must be studied so that there is a greater control of disorders enteric at this stage.(AU)

Avaliação parasitológica de fezes diarreicas e não diarreicas em leitões na fase pré-inicial / (Parasitological evaluation of non-diarrheal and diarrheal feces in piglets at pre-initial phase

Os helmintos gastrintestinais podem afetar o desempenho dos leitões e causar diarreias na fase de creche, um dos grandes desafios enfrentados na produção. Logo, o acompanhamento parasitológico é fundamental para que seja realizado o diagnóstico do grau de infecção animal para se tomar as medidas curativas e preventivas corretas. Portanto objetivou-se analisar as fezes de leitões com e sem diarreia na fase pré-inicial e sua relação com a presença de ovos de parasitas. As coletas foram realizadas em uma granja comercial de suínos, em que 40 animais foram escolhidos aleatoriamente e divididos igualmente em dois grupos, com e sem diarreia. As amostras foram analisadas pelo exame de direto das fezes e pelo método de flutuação. Das amostras analisadas, todas mostraram se negativas para o grupo sem diarreia. No entanto os animais com diarreia apresentaram prevalência de 10% e 5% quanto à presença de parasitoses gastrintestinais nos métodos direto e de flutuação respectivamente. Foram detectados: Ascaris sp., Strongyloides sp., Cystoisospora sp. e Eimeria spp. Dada a origem multifatorial das diarreias em leitões no pós-desmame, conclui-se que as diarreias de leitões na fase pré-inicial não estão somente relacionadas à presença de endoparasitos, dessa forma, outras possíveis causas devem ser estudadas para que haja um maior controle dos distúrbios entéricos nesta fase.

Gastrointestinal nematodes can affect piglet performance, causing diarrhea in the nursery phase, one of the major challenges faced in production. Therefore, parasitological monitoring is essential for the diagnosis of the degree of animal infection in order to take the right curative and preventive measures. Therefore, the objective was to analyze the feces of piglets with and without diarrhea in the pre-initial phase and their relationship with the presence of parasite eggs. The collections were carried out in a commercial pig farm, in which 40 animals were randomly chosen and divided equally into two groups, with and without diarrhea. The samples were analyzed by direct stool examination and the flotation method. Of the analyzed samples, all were negative for the group without diarrhea. However, animals with diarrhea had a prevalence of 10% and 5% regarding the presence of gastrointestinal parasites at direct and flotation method, respectively. Ascaris sp., Strongyloides sp., Cystoisosporasp. and Eimeria spp. were detected. Given the multifactorial origin of diarrhea in piglets in the post-weaning period, it is concluded that piglet diarrhea in the pre-initial phase is not only related to the presence of endoparasites, therefore, other possible causes must be studied so that there is a greater control of disorders enteric at this stage.

Ultrasonografía endoscópica para el diagnóstico de áscaris biliar: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Endoscopic ultrasound for the diagnosis of biliary ascariasis: case report and literature review

Resumen Se presenta un caso de áscaris de la vía biliar (AB), cuya manifestación clínica fue ictericia obstructiva, acompañada de dolor abdominal causado por un cuadro de pancreatitis aguda. Inicialmente, se sospechó de etiología litiásica, por lo cual se realizaron estudios de imágenes diagnósticas y se evidenció la presencia de AB como hallazgo incidental, diagnosticado por ultrasonografía endoscópica biliopancreática (UEB), que fue confirmado y tratado mediante colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica (CPRE).

Abstract The following is a case of biliary ascariasis (BA), whose clinical presentation was obstructive jaundice, accompanied by abdominal pain due to acute pancreatitis. At first, clinical suspicion led to consider a stone etiology, for which diagnostic imaging studies were performed, evidencing BA as an incidental finding diagnosed by endoscopic biliopancreatic ultrasonography (EBU), which was confirmed and treated using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

An in-depth report of quality control on Kato-Katz and data entry in four clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of albendazole against soil-transmitted helminth infections.

BACKGROUND: Efforts to control soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections have intensified over the past decade. Field-survey data on STH prevalence, infection intensity and drug efficacy is necessary to guide the implementation of control programs and should be of the best possible quality. METHODOLOGY: During four clinical trials designed to evaluate the efficacy of albendazole against STHs in Brazil, Ethiopia, Lao PDR and Tanzania, quality control (QC) was performed on the duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears and the data entry. We analyzed datasets following QC on both fecal egg counts (FECs) and data entry, and compared the prevalence of any STH infection and moderate-to-heavy intensity (MHI) infections and the drug efficacy against STH infections. RESULTS: Across the four study sites, a total of 450 out of 4,830 (9.3%) Kato-Katz thick smears were re-examined. Discrepancies in FECs varied from ~3% (hookworms) to ~6.5% (Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura). The difference in STH prevalence and prevalence of MHI infections using the datasets with and without QC of the FECs did not exceed 0.3%, except for hookworm infections in Tanzania, where we noted a 2.2 percentage point increase in MHI infections (pre-QC: 1.6% vs. post-QC: 3.8%). There was a 100% agreement in the classification of drug efficacy of albendazole against STH between the two datasets. In total, 201 of the 28,980 (0.65%) data entries that were made to digitize the FECs were different between both data-entry clerks. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of STH, the prevalence of MHI infections and the classification of drug efficacy remained largely unaffected. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: In these trials, where staff was informed that QC would take place, minimal changes in study outcomes were reported following QC on FECs or data entry. Nevertheless, imposing QC did reduce the number of errors. Therefore, application of QC together with proper training of the personnel and the availability of clear standard operating procedures is expected to support higher data quality.

IgE Levels to Ascaris and House Dust Mite Allergens Are Associated With Increased Histone Acetylation at Key Type-2 Immune Genes.

Background: Epigenetic changes in response to allergen exposure are still not well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate histone acetylation levels in peripheral blood leukocytes from humans naturally infected by intestinal parasites and perennially exposed to house dust mites (HDM). Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated by gradient centrifugation from 20 infected and 21 non-infected individuals living in a rural/village in Colombia. Histone 3 acetylation (H3Ac) and histone 4 acetylation (H4Ac) levels were measured in six immune genes previously associated with helminth immunity by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-quantitative PCR. Then we analyzed the association between histone acetylation levels with total parasite egg burden and IgE levels. Results: We found an inverse correlation between H4Ac levels in the IL13 gene and egg worm burden that remained significant after adjustment by age [-0.20 (-0.32 to -0.09), p < 0.0001]. Moreover, we found significant associations between H4Ac levels in IL4 [0.32 (0.05-0.60), p = 0.02] and CHI3L1 [0.29 (0.08-0.51), p = 0.008] with the IgE levels to Ascaris lumbricoides. In addition, the levels of specific IgE antibodies to HDM were associated with H4Ac levels in the gene TNFSF13B encoding the B cell activating factor (BAFF) [0.51 (0.26-0.76), p < 0.001]. All values are presented as beta (95% CI). Conclusion: Histone acetylation levels at key type-2 immune genes in humans were modified by nematode infection and HDM allergens and are associated with the intensity of the IgE response.

Parasitosis y antiparasitarios en niños / Parasitosis and antiparasitic treatment in children / Parasitoses e antiparasitários em crianças

Las parasitosis siguen siendo un grave problema de salud en pediatría, no tanto por la mortalidad que ocasionan sino por la morbilidad y sus secuelas en el crecimiento y desarrollo de los niños y en su desempeño en la vida adulta. Dentro de los parásitos de mayor prevalencia en los niños, están los que se transmiten por contacto con el suelo (geohelmintos o helmintos transmitidos por contacto con el suelo, HTS), dentro de los cuales, los de mayor prevalencia, son los áscaris, tricocéfalos y uncinarias. Como los parásitos intestinales no se reproducen en el organismo humano, su principal fuente de contagio se da a través del suelo que esté contaminado con materias fecales. Es por esta razón que los principales factores determinantes son: contaminación fecal del ambiente, agua contaminada, falta de excretas y malos hábitos higiénicos, especialmente en el lavado de manos. Sus manifestaciones clínicas son variables en intensidad y en signos, hay que tener presente que muchas de las personas parasitadas pueden estar asintomáticas durante mucho tiempo, pero siguen excretando huevos en las fecales, contaminando así el ambiente y perpetuando su prevalencia. Por esta razón, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) recomienda que en aquellas regiones o áreas donde la prevalencia de las geohelmintiasis sea igual o superior al 20% se debe hacer una desparasitación masiva y con una periodicidad acorde con la gravedad de esta prevalencia. En la actualidad se dispone de antiparasitarios efectivos, fáciles de suministrar (incluso por personal no médico). Los más comunes (albendazol y mebendazol) actúan inhibiendo la síntesis de adenosín trifosfato (ATP) necesario para su supervivencia. Como solamente se absorbe entre el 1% y el 5% del medicamento y su metabolismo es rápido, los efectos secundarios son leves y transitorios. Lo ideal es emplearlos en los pacientes que vivan en zonas de riesgo y en comunidades con una prevalencia igual o mayor al 20%, continuando con desparasitaciones periódicas de acuerdo al comportamiento de la prevalencia. Es evidente el impacto que se logra con la desparasitación periódica, tanto en el crecimiento y en el estado nutricional, como en el desempeño cognitivo, así como sus efectos en el campo social y ambiental.

Parasitosis continues to be a serious problem in pediatrics, not only because it is a cause of death, but because of the morbility and the long-term effects it has on growth and development in children and later on in their adult life. The most prevalent parasites in children include those transmitted by contact with the soil (geohelminths or soil-transmitted helminths, STH), amongst which the most common are the ascaris, trichocephalia, and uncinaria. Since intestinal parasites are not produced inside the human body, they are mainly contracted through soil contaminated with fecal matter. Thus, the principal determining factors include fecal contamination in the environment, contaminated water, improper excreta management, and poor personal hygiene, especially hand washing. Its clinical manifestations vary in intensity and in signs; also, many individuals with parasites may be asymptomatic for a long period of time, but their fecal matter contains eggs, thus, contaminating the environment and perpetuating its prevalence. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that regions where geohelminthiasis prevalence is 20% or higher should be massively treated for parasites with a periodicity that is appropriate for the seriousness of the prevalence. Currently, there are effective antiparsitics available that are easy to administer (even by non-medical personnel). The most common medications (albendazole and mebendazole) inhibit the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) needed for survival. Since only between 1 and 5% of the medication is absorbed and children's metabolism is fast, secondary effects are minor and transitory. It is recommended that they be used in patients that live in high-risk areas and in communities with a prevalence of 20% or higher, conducting periodic mass drug administration for parasite removal depending on the behavior of the prevalence. Regular parasite removal has an evident impact on growth, nutritional state, cognitive performance, as well as its effects on the social and environmental fields.

As parasitoses seguem sendo um grave problema de saúde em pediatria, não tanto pela mortalidade que ocasionam senão pela morbilidade e suas sequelas no crescimento e desenvolvimento das crianças e no seu desempenho na vida adulta. Dentro dos parasitos de maior prevalência nas crianças, estão os que se transmitem por contato com o solo (geohelmintos ou helmintos transmitidos por contato com o solo, HTS), dentro dos quais, os de maior prevalência, são os áscaris, tricéfalos e uncinárias. Como os parasitos intestinais não se reproduzem no organismo humano, sua principal fonte de contágio se dá através do solo que esteja contaminado com matérias fecais. É por esta razão que os principais fatores determinantes são: contaminação fecal do ambiente, água contaminada, falta de excretas e maus hábitos higiênicos, especialmente na lavagem das mãos. Suas manifestações clínicas são variáveis em intensidade e em signos, há que ter presente que muitas das pessoas parasitadas podem estar assintomáticas durante muito tempo, mas seguem excretando ovos nas fecais, contaminando assim o ambiente e perpetuando sua prevalência. Por esta razão, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) recomenda que naquelas regiões ou áreas onde a prevalência das geohelmintiase seja igual ou superior a 20% se deve fazer uma desparasitação massiva e com uma periodicidade acorde com a gravidade desta prevalência. Na atualidade se dispõe de antiparasitários efetivos, fáceis de subministrar (incluso por pessoal não médico). Os mais comuns (albendazol e mebendazol) atuam inibindo a síntese de adenosina trifosfato (ATP) necessário para sua supervivência. Como somente se absorbe entre 1% e 5% do medicamento e seu metabolismo é rápido, os efeitos secundários são leves e transitórios. O ideal é empregá-los nos pacientes que vivam em zonas de risco e em comunidades com uma prevalência igual ou maior a 20%, continuando com desparasitações periódicas de acordo ao comportamento da prevalência. É evidente o impacto que se consegue com a desparasitação periódica, tanto no crescimento e no estado nutricional, como no desempenho cognitivo, assim como seus efeitos no campo social e ambiental.

Ascariasis as a model to study the helminth/allergy relationships.

Ascariasis is the most frequent soil transmitted helminthiasis and, as well as other helminth infections, is expected to influence the clinical presentation of allergic diseases such as asthma. Indeed, several clinical and experimental works have shown an important impact either increasing or suppressing symptoms, and the same effects have been detected on the underlying immune responses. In this review we analyze the work on this field performed in Colombia, a Latin American tropical country, including aspects such as the molecular genetics of the IgE response to Ascaris; the allergenic activity of Ascaris IgE-binding molecular components and the immunological and clinical influences of ascariasis on asthma. The analysis allows us to conclude that the impact of ascariasis on the inception and evolution of allergic diseases such as asthma deserves more investigation, but advances have been made during the last years. The concurrent parasite-induced immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive effects during this helminthiasis do modify the natural history of asthma and some aspects of the practice of allergology in the tropics. Theoretically it can also influence the epidemiological trends of allergic diseases either by its absence or presence in different regions and countries.

Molecular analysis of human- and pig-derived Ascaris in Honduras.

Ascaris sp. is a soil-transmitted helminth (STH) significantly affecting the health of human and swine populations. Health inequities and poverty, with resulting deficiencies in water, sanitation and hygiene, are directly associated with Ascaris lumbricoides prevalence in humans. Resource constraints also lead to small-scale livestock production under unsanitary conditions. Free-ranging pigs, for instance, are exposed to a number of infectious agents, among which Ascaris suum is one of the most common. Under these conditions, close proximity between people and pigs can result in cross-contamination; that is, pigs harbouring human Ascaris and vice versa. Moreover, the potential interbreeding between these two Ascaris species has been demonstrated. The present study analysed Ascaris worms obtained from children and pigs in Honduras. Adult worms were collected from stool samples of children after pharmacological treatment, and from pigs' intestines after slaughter for commercial purposes at a local abattoir. A nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and digested with a restriction enzyme in order to separate putative human- and pig-derived Ascaris isolates. PCR products were also sequenced, and cladograms were constructed. All parasites isolated from children showed the typical human-derived genotype of Ascaris, whereas 91% of parasites from pigs showed the expected pig-derived genotype. Cross-infections between hosts were not demonstrated in this study. Nine per cent of pig-derived worms showed a restriction band pattern highly suggestive of a hybrid human-pig Ascaris genotype. These results contribute to the understanding of ascariasis epidemiology and its zoonotic potential in a highly endemic region.