Feeding habits, sexual dimorphism and size at maturity of the lizard Cnemidophorus ocellifer (Spix, 1825) (Teiidae) in a reforested restinga habitat in northeastern Brazil.

The feeding habits, the sexual dimorphism in size and sexual maturity of the actively foraging lizard Cnemidophorusocellifer were analysed in an area of a reforested Restinga habitat located in the municipality of Mataraca, along the northern-most coast of Paraíba State, Brazil. Seventy-five specimens of C. ocellifer were examined (46 males and 29A females). Of this total, only 23 specimens had prey in their stomachs. The most frequent prey consumed items were orthopterans (50%), coleopterans (23.9%) and arachnids (10.9%); termites and insect larvae were less consumed (both with 2.2%). There were no significant differences observed between the numbers of prey consumed by either males or females. There were significant differences in SVL (snout-vent length) between the sexes, with males attaining larger SVL values. When the influence of SVL was removed from the analyses, sexual dimorphism in the form was still reflected in the head size of these lizards. Sexual maturity in females and males was attained with SVL of 42.2 and 49.0 mm respectively. Although no significant difference was observed between the SVL of the females and the number of eggs produced, there was a clear tendency for larger females to produce more eggs. The low structural complexity of the vegetation and the poor soil quality in the reforested restinga area examined does not furnish favourable habitat for insect and termite larvae, contributing to the marked differences in the diet of the population of C. ocellifer observed in the present study in relation to the diet of their conspecifics in undisturbed areas of restinga, cerrado and caatinga.

Prevalence and intensity of infection by Raillietiella gigliolii Hett, 1924 (Pentastomida) in Amphisbaena alba Linnaeus, 1758 and A. vermicularis Wagler, 1824 (Amphisbaenidae) from Northeastern Brazil.

Raillietiella gigliolii is a Neotropical pentastomid parasite found in Amphisbaena alba. Collections were made in northeastern Brazil in a remnant area of Atlantic Forest (07 masculine 10' S and 35 masculine 05' W) in the municipality of Cruz do Espírito Santo, Paraíba State, and in a Humid Forest area (07 masculine 16' S and 39 masculine 26' W) on the slopes of the Chapada do Araripe Mountains, municipality of Crato, Ceará state, Brazil. Nine specimens of A. alba and 12 of A. vermicularis were collected to gather basic ecological data (prevalence and mean intensity of infection) concerning these parasites. Raillietiella gigliolii was found infecting the lungs of both species. The prevalence for A. alba was 55.5% (5/9), with a mean intensity of infection of 5.0 +/- 2.53 and amplitudes of 1-13. A. vermicularis demonstrated prevalence of 50%, with a mean intensity of infection of 5.3 +/- 2.1 and amplitudes of 1-14. This represents the first record of R. gigliolii as a parasite of A. vermicularis. Our results suggest that R. gigliolii is a generalist parasite species and that an overlapping diet is the determinant factor in the sharing of its final hosts.

Lung infection rates in two sympatric Tropiduridae lizard species by pentastomids and nematodes in northeastern Brazil.

We present data on pulmonary infection rates by parasites in the lizards Tropidurus hispidus Spix, 1825 and T. semitaeniatus (Spix, 1825) living sympatrically in the Chapada do Araripe mountain Range, northeastern Brazil. We found no parasite pulmonary infection in T. semitaeniatus. However, two pulmonary parasite species were found in the T. hispidus hosts, the pentastomid Raillietiella mottae Almeida, Freire and Lopes, 2008 and the nematode Rhabdias sp. Overall prevalence was 5%. Prevalence of R. mottae was 2.5% and corresponded to only one parasite on each infected host. Prevalence of Rhabdias sp. was 2.5% and the range of infection was 1-2 parasites per host. This represents the first record of Rhabdias infecting lizards of the family Tropiduridae in the Neotropical region. Furthermore, we present a comparison of parameters of infection by pulmonary parasites including some recent studies in Brazil.

Lung infection rates in two sympatric Tropiduridae lizard species by pentastomids and nematodes in northeastern Brazil / Taxas de infecção pulmonar em duas espécies simpátricas de lagartos Tropiduridae por pentastomídeos e nematódeos na região Nordeste do Brasil

We present data on pulmonary infection rates by parasites in the lizards Tropidurus hispidus Spix, 1825 and T. semitaeniatus (Spix, 1825) living sympatrically in the Chapada do Araripe mountain Range, northeastern Brazil. We found no parasite pulmonary infection in T. semitaeniatus. However, two pulmonary parasite species were found in the T. hispidus hosts, the pentastomid Raillietiella mottae Almeida, Freire and Lopes, 2008 and the nematode Rhabdias sp. Overall prevalence was 5 percent. Prevalence of R. mottae was 2.5 percent and corresponded to only one parasite on each infected host. Prevalence of Rhabdias sp. was 2.5 percent and the range of infection was 1-2 parasites per host. This represents the first record of Rhabdias infecting lizards of the family Tropiduridae in the Neotropical region. Furthermore, we present a comparison of parameters of infection by pulmonary parasites including some recent studies in Brazil.

Apresentamos dados sobre taxas de infecção pulmonar por parasitas nos lagartos Tropidurus hispidus e T. semitaeniatus que vivem simpatricamente na encosta da Chapada do Araripe, situada na região Nordeste do Brasil. Não encontramos infecção parasitária nos pulmões dos espécimes de T. semitaeniatus. Entretanto, foram encontradas duas espécies de parasitas nos hospedeiros T. hispidus, os pentastomídeos Raillietiella mottae e os nematódeos Rhabdias sp. A prevalência geral de infecção foi de 5 por cento. A prevalência de infecção de R. mottae foi de 2,5 por cento correspondendo a apenas um parasita por hospedeiro. A prevalência de infecção de Rhabdias sp. foi de 2,5 por cento e a amplitude de infecção de 1-2 parasitas por hospedeiros. Esses resultados compreendem o primeiro registro de Rhabdias infectando lagartos da família Tropiduridae em toda a região Neotropical. Apresentamos também uma comparação com os parâmetros de infecção pulmonar por parasitas incluindo os estudos mais recentes no Brasil.

Rates of pulmonary infection by pentastomids in lizards species from a restinga habitat in northeastern Brazil.

Pulmonary parasitism by pentastomids was examined in two lizard species inhabiting an area of restinga vegetation (coastal sand dunes) situated in the municipality of Mataraca (6 degrees 29' S and 34 degrees 56' W), on the extreme northern coast of Paraíba State, Brazil. A total of 123 lizards were collected, being 75 specimens of Micrablepharus maximiliani (Gymnophtalmidae) and 48 specimens of Cnemidophorus ocellifer (Teiidae). Only a single species of Pentastomida (Raillietiella mottae) was found parasitizing three females M. maximiliani, with a prevalence of 4% and an average infection intensity of 2.3 +/- 1.3 (range 1-5). The infection rate by pentastomids encountered in the present study was similar to that seen with other species of restinga lizards. Raillietiella mottae is a generalist parasite species that is probably transmitted by common and widely distributed insects making up part of the diet of many insectivorous lizard species from northeastern Brazil.

Rates of pulmonary infection by pentastomids in lizards species from a restinga habitat in northeastern Brazil / Infecção pulmonar por pentastomídeos em lagartos de restinga do nordeste brasileiro

Pulmonary parasitism by pentastomids was examined in two lizard species inhabiting an area of restinga vegetation (coastal sand dunes) situated in the municipality of Mataraca (6° 29' S and 34° 56' W), on the extreme northern coast of Paraíba State, Brazil. A total of 123 lizards were collected, being 75 specimens of Micrablepharus maximiliani (Gymnophtalmidae) and 48 specimens of Cnemidophorus ocellifer (Teiidae). Only a single species of Pentastomida (Raillietiella mottae) was found parasitizing three females M. maximiliani, with a prevalence of 4 percent and an average infection intensity of 2.3 ± 1.3 (range 1-5). The infection rate by pentastomids encountered in the present study was similar to that seen with other species of restinga lizards. Raillietiella mottae is a generalist parasite species that is probably transmitted by common and widely distributed insects making up part of the diet of many insectivorous lizard species from northeastern Brazil.

O parasitismo por pentastomídeos foi estudado em duas espécies de lagartos de restinga no Nordeste brasileiro Foram realizadas coletas no município de Mataraca (6° 29' S e 34° 56' W), extremo norte do litoral do Estado da Paraíba. Foram coletados 123 lagartos, 75 Micrablepharus maximiliani (Gymnophtalmidae) e 48 Cnemidophorus ocellifer (Teiidae). Apenas uma única espécie de Pentastomida, Raillietiella mottae, foi encontrada parasitando três fêmeas de M. maximiliani, com prevalência de 4 por cento e intensidade média de infecção de 2,3 ± 1,3 (amplitude 1-5). Os dados de prevalência encontrados são relativamente semelhantes aos de outras espécies de lagartos de restinga parasitados por pentastomídeos. Raillietiella mottae é uma espécie de parasita generalista e deve ser transmitida por insetos comuns e de ampla distribuição geográfica presentes na dieta de várias espécies de lagartos insetívoros no Nordeste brasileiro.

Infection rates of pentastomids on lizards in urban habitats in the Brazilian northeast / Níveis de infecção por pentastomídeos em lagartos de habitats urbanos no nordeste brasileiro

The rates of pentastomid infections in the syntopic lizards Hemidactylus mabouia and Tropidurus hispidus inhabiting buildings at the Federal University of Paraiba, in João Pessoa, NE Brazil were examined. A total of 30 specimens of Hemidactylus mabouia and 55 specimens of Tropidurus hispidus were examined. The animals were sacrificed by freezing and then fixed and conserved in 70 percent alcohol. Analyses of the respiratory tract of Hemidactylus mabouia demonstrated that these lizards were infected by Raillietiella frenatus at a rate of 20 percent (6/30) with an average infection intensity of 1.33 ± 0.21, 1-2. None of the specimens of T. hispidus analyzed were infected. Hemidactylus mabouia and R. frenatus are of African origin and it is possible that there are specific relationships, or preferences, between these two species.

Foram analisadas as taxas de infecção por pentastomídeos nos lagartos simpátricos Hemidactylus mabouia e Tropidurus hispidus, habitando prédios da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, em João Pessoa, Nordeste do Brasil. Para tanto, foram examinados 30 espécimes de Hemidactylus mabouia e 55 de Tropidurus hispidus. Os espécimes coletados foram eutanizados por congelamento, fixados e conservados em álcool 70 por cento. A análise do trato respiratório dos Hemidactylus mabouia mostrou que estavam infectados por Raillietiella frenatus, com prevalência de 20 por cento (6/30) e intensidade de infecção média de 1,33 ± 0,21, 1-2. Nenhum espécime de T. hispidus analisado estava infectado. Hemidactylus mabouia e R. frenatus possuem origem africana e é possível que haja alguma relação de especificidade ou preferência entre essas espécies.

Pentastomid, Raillietiella mottae Almeida, Freire and Lopes, 2008, infecting lizards in an area of caatinga, northeast, Brazil.

Pentastomids can infect the respiratory tract of lizards, causing their death and as a result influencing the population size of hosts. Despite this, studies on rates of pulmonary infection of Brazilian lizards, including those living in Caatinga ecosystems of northeastern Brazil are scarce. Active collections of lizards were performed from October to December 2004 in an area of Caatinga of the Estação Experimental de São João do Cariri -- EESJC (07 masculine 25' S and 36 masculine 30' W), located in the state of Paraíba, Northeast of Brazil. Forty-five lizards inhabiting granite outcrops in an area of Caatinga were captured, belonging to the following species: Tropidurus hispidus (Spix, 1825) (18 individuals), T. semitaeniatus (Spix, 1825) (15 individuals), Phyllopezus periosus Rodrigues, 1986 (6 individuals), and P. pollicaris (Spix, 1825) (6 individuals). Laboratory examination revealed that all species had some degree of pulmonary infection caused by Raillietiella mottae. The highest rates of prevalence (66.7%) and mean intensity of infection (5.25 +/- 2.01, range of 2-11) were observed in P. periosus. The results obtained in this study show that lizards of the Brazilian semi-arid region are infected by a generalist species of pentastomid. The most likely cause for such pattern is the similarity in lizards' diets (ants and termites). It is particularly noteworthy that T. semitaeniatus, P. periosus, and P. pollicaris represent new host records for R. mottae.

Pentastomid, Raillietiella mottae Almeida, Freire and Lopes, 2008, infecting lizards in an area of caatinga, northeast, Brazil / Infecção por Pentastomida, Raillietiella mottae Almeida, Freire and Lopes, 2008, em lagartos de uma área de caatinga, nordeste do Brasil

Pentastomids can infect the respiratory tract of lizards, causing their death and as a result influencing the population size of hosts. Despite this, studies on rates of pulmonary infection of Brazilian lizards, including those living in Caatinga ecosystems of northeastern Brazil are scarce. Active collections of lizards were performed from October to December 2004 in an area of Caatinga of the Estação Experimental de São João do Cariri - EESJC (07º 25' S and 36º 30' W), located in the state of Paraíba, Northeast of Brazil. Forty-five lizards inhabiting granite outcrops in an area of Caatinga were captured, belonging to the following species: Tropidurus hispidus (Spix, 1825) (18 individuals), T. semitaeniatus (Spix, 1825) (15 individuals), Phyllopezus periosus Rodrigues, 1986 (6 individuals), and P. pollicaris (Spix, 1825) (6 individuals). Laboratory examination revealed that all species had some degree of pulmonary infection caused by Raillietiella mottae. The highest rates of prevalence (66.7 percent) and mean intensity of infection (5.25 ± 2.01, range of 2-11) were observed in P. periosus. The results obtained in this study show that lizards of the Brazilian semi-arid region are infected by a generalist species of pentastomid. The most likely cause for such pattern is the similarity in lizards' diets (ants and termites). It is particularly noteworthy that T. semitaeniatus, P. periosus, and P. pollicaris represent new host records for R. mottae.

Pentastomídeos podem infectar o trato respiratório e até levar lagartos à morte e, por isso, exercem influência sobre o tamanho populacional de seus hospedeiros. Apesar disso, existem muito poucos trabalhos sobre as taxas de infecção pulmonar de lagartos brasileiros, sobretudo na região nordeste. Entre outubro e dezembro de 2004 foram realizadas coletas ativas em uma área de Caatinga localizada na Estação Experimental de São João do Cariri - EESJC (07º 25' S e 36º 30' W), localizada no estado da Paraíba, nordeste do Brasil. Quarenta e cinco lagartos foram capturados habitando afloramentos de granito (lajeiros): Tropidurus hispidus (18 indivíduos), T. semitaeniatus (15 indivíduos), Phyllopezus periosus (6 indivíduos) e P. pollicaris (6 indivíduos). Após o exame laboratorial ficou demonstrado que todas as espécies possuíam algum grau de infecção pulmonar causado por Raillietiella mottae. As maiores taxas de prevalência (66,7 por cento) e intensidade média de infecção (5,25 ± 2,01, range 2-11) foram encontradas em P. periosus. Os resultados demonstram que a espécie de pentastomídeo que infecta lagartos é generalista e a sobreposição da dieta dos lagartos (formigas e térmites) aparentemente deve ser a fonte de infecção. Tropidurus semitaeniatus, P. periosus e P. pollicaris representam são registrados como novos hospedeiros para R. mottae.

Infection rates of pentastomids on lizards in urban habitats in the Brazilian northeast.

The rates of pentastomid infections in the syntopic lizards Hemidactylus mabouia and Tropidurus hispidus inhabiting buildings at the Federal University of Paraiba, in João Pessoa, NE Brazil were examined. A total of 30 specimens of Hemidactylus mabouia and 55 specimens of Tropidurus hispidus were examined. The animals were sacrificed by freezing and then fixed and conserved in 70% alcohol. Analyses of the respiratory tract of Hemidactylus mabouia demonstrated that these lizards were infected by Raillietiella frenatus at a rate of 20% (6/30) with an average infection intensity of 1.33 +/- 0.21, 1-2. None of the specimens of T. hispidus analyzed were infected. Hemidactylus mabouia and R. frenatus are of African origin and it is possible that there are specific relationships, or preferences, between these two species.

New once-daily, highly effective rescue triple therapy after multiple Helicobacter pylori treatment failures: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori treatment failure is a growing problem in daily practice. AIM: To determine the efficacy of the combination of rabeprazole, levofloxacin and furazolidone as a rescue therapy. METHODS: Duodenal ulcer patients previously submitted, without success, to at least two H. pylori treatment regimens were included. Gastroscopy (urease test, histological examination and culture) and (13)C-urea breath test were performed. All patients received a combination of rabeprazole 20 mg, levofloxacin 500 mg and furazolidone 200 mg (two tablets) administered in a single dose in the morning for 10 days. Clinical examination and a new (13)C-urea breath test were performed 90 days after therapy. RESULTS: Twelve patients (eight females and four males), mean age 43 (30-58) years were included. Two patients failed to complete the treatment because of nausea and vomiting. Ten patients completed the study and took all the medications as advised. Culture was obtained in six patients: 100 and 83% of the samples were sensitive to furazolidone and levofloxacin, respectively. Per-protocol and intention-to-treat eradication rates were 100 and 83% (P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: the combination of rabeprazole, levofloxacin and furazolidone in a single daily dose for 10 days constitutes a highly-effective and low-cost alternative as a third-line therapy in patients infected with H. pylori.

One-week triple therapy with omeprazole plus azithromycin and secnidazole is ineffective in eradicating "helicobacter pylori"

Background: There is not yet consensus on the most effective treatment for the helicobacter pylori infection, particularly in most developing countries. Azithromycin is a new macrolide and relatively novel agent for H. pylori eradication with an in vitro MIC90 lower than 1 mg/ml.Secnidazole, a nitromidazole that causes fewer side effects than metronidazole, was recenty reported to be used, for the firt time, in the treatment of H. pylori infection. Aim: To evaluate, in a prospective, randomized, single-center study, the association of twodifferent doses of omeprazole, azithromycin and secnidazole in H. pylori eradication. Patients and methods: After informed consent, 55 patients (36m,19F) with duodenal ulcer associated with H. pylori infection were randomized to receive omeprazole 20mg uid (Group A) or 20mg bid (Group B) for sevem days plus azithromycin 500mg uid for six days and secnidazole 2,000mg uid in the first, fourth and seventh day. The H. pylori status was assessed before and 60-90 days posttreatment using urease test, histology and 13C-urea breath test. Statistical analysis was performed by X² test. Results: The two groups had similar demographic characteristics. Fifty-five patients (36M, 19F) were enrolled. Six patients did not show-up for the second visit posttreatment. So, of the 49 evaluable patients, 25por cento (6/24) in Group A and 44por cento(11/25) in Group B wereeradicated, in a per protocol (PP) analysis. Intetion-to-treat (ITT) eradication rates were 21,4por cento (6/28) in Group A and 40.7por cento (11/27) im Group B. The differences betweem ITT and PP analysis from the two groups were not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study shows a very low eradication rate with the two regimens comprising of omeprazole, azithromycin and secnidazole and therefore, should not be recommended for thetreatment of H. pylori infection

Application of isotope-selective non-dispersive infrared spectrometry for the evaluation of the 13C-urea breath test: comparison with three concordant methods

The aim of this work was to compare the performance of isotope-selective non-dispersive infrared spectrometry (IRIS) for the 13C-urea breath test with the combination of the 14C-urea breath test (14C-UBT), urease test and histologic examination for the diagnosis of H. pylori (HP) infection. Fifty-three duodenal ulcer patients were studied. All patients were submitted to gastroscopy to detect HP by the urease test, histologic examination and 14C-UBT. To be included in the study the results of the 3 tests had to be concordant. Within one month after admission to the study the patients were submitted to IRIS with breath samples collected before and 30 min after the ingestion of 75 mg 13C-urea dissolved in 200 ml of orange juice. The samples were mailed and analyzed 11.5 (4-21) days after collection. Data were analyzed statistically by the chi-square and Mann-Whitney test and by the Spearman correlation coefficient. Twenty-six patients were HP positive and 27 negative. There was 100 per cent agreement between the IRIS results and the HP status determined by the other three methods. Using a cutoff value of delta-over-baseline (DOB) above 4.0 the IRIS showed a mean value of 19.38 (minimum = 4.2, maximum = 41.3, SD = 10.9) for HP-positive patients and a mean value of 0.88 (minimum = 0.10, maximum = 2.5, SD = 0.71) for negative patients. Using a cutoff value corresponding to 0.800 per cent CO2/weight (kg), the 14C-UBT showed a mean value of 2.78 (minimum = 0.89, maximum = 5.22, SD = 1.18) in HP-positive patients. HP-negative patients showed a mean value of 0.37 (minimum = 0.13, maximum = 0.77, SD = 0.17). IRIS is a low-cost, easy to manage, highly sensitive and specific test for H. pylori detection. Storing and mailing the samples did not interfere with the performance of the test.

Antiácido de alta potência versus cimetidina no tratamento da úlcera duodenal: comodidade posológica / High potency antacid versus cometidine in the treatment of duodenal ulcer: commodus psosology

Foram estudados 98 pacientes com úlcera péptica duodenal distribuídos de forma randômica em dois grupos. Um grupo recebeu antiácido liquido de alta potência (282,4mEq/dia) dividido em 4 tomadas durante 4 semanas e outro recebeu cimetidina (800 mg/dia) dividida em 2 tomadas por igual período. A potência antiácida da associaçäo líquida utilizada é de 7,06 mEq/ml. Todos os pacientes foram avaliados clinicamente no pré-tratamento e duas e quatro semanas após, com exames endoscópicos realizados na admissäo e após quatro semanas. A eficácia, considerada como cicatrizaçäo da úlcera duodenal associada a melhora da sintomatologia foi equivalente para ambos os tratamentos, näo havendo diferença estatisticamente significante. A tolerabilidade de ambas as drogas foi considerada boa