Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Women of Reproductive Age: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Northwestern Mexican City.

BACKGROUND: Through a cross-sectional survey, we determined the seroprevalence and correlates of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in women of reproductive age in Hermosillo City, Mexico. METHODS: We studied 445 women of reproductive age in Hermosillo City in the northwestern Mexican state of Sonora. Women were enrolled in the University of Sonora. Sera of women were examined for IgG and IgM antibodies to T. gondii by commercially available enzyme immunoassays. The association of T. gondii seropositivity with the characteristics of the pregnant women was determined by bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of the 445 women (mean age: 22.18 ± 5.6 years) studied, 16 (3.6%) had IgG antibodies to T. gondii, and two (12.5%) were also positive for IgM antibodies to T. gondii. Of the 16 anti-T. gondii IgG-positive women, six (37.5%) had IgG levels higher than 150 IU/mL, four (25.0%) between 100 and 150 IU/mL, and six (37.5%) between 9 and 99 IU/mL. Multivariate analysis of socio-demographic and behavioral variables showed that T. gondii seropositivity was associated with older age (odds ratio (OR): 5.30; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.37 - 20.50; P = 0.01) and boar meat consumption (OR: 6.86; 95% CI: 1.27 - 37.07; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Women of reproductive age in Hermosillo City had a low seroprevalence of T. gondii infection. However, this finding indicates that most of these women were susceptible to a primary infection. Factors associated with T. gondii infection found in this study may be useful for the optimal planning of preventive measures against T. gondii infection and its sequelae.

Breast milk intake and mother to infant pesticide transfer measured by deuterium oxide dilution in agricultural and urban areas of Mexico.

Vector-borne diseases have increased pesticide use in urban areas (UA) and agricultural areas (AA) in Mexico. Breast milk can be contaminated by pesticide exposure. The objective of the study was to measure breast milk intake by deuterium oxide dilution as well as organochlorine and pyrethroid transfer from mother to infant in AA and UA of Sonora, Mexico. Human milk intake was determined by the 'dose-to-mother' technique using deuterium oxide (D2O) dilution. Mothers' body composition was also assessed by this technique and the intercept method. Pyrethroids (deltamethrin, cypermethrin and cyhalothrin) and organochlorine pesticide residues (p,p'- DDT, p,p'- DDE, p,p'- DDD) in breast milk samples were measured by gas chromatography. Sixty-two lactating women and their infants participated in the study, 32 lived in the UA and 30 lived in the AA. Breast milk intake was approximately 100 mL higher in the AA than in the UA 799 ± 193 and 707 ± 201 mL/day, respectively (p < 0.05). The concentrations of p,p'- DDT and cypermethrin levels in breast milk were higher in the UA than in the AA (p < 0.05 and p = 0.001, respectively). None of the pyrethroids and organochlorine pesticides studied surpassed the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) in milk for humans according to EPA and FAO/WHO. In conclusion, breast milk intake was higher in the AA compared to the UA. The p,p'- DDT and cypermethrin levels in breast milk were higher in the UA compared to the AA. Since pesticide levels in human milk did not exceed the ADI, breastfeeding is still a safe practice and should be encouraged.

Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Healthy Blood Donors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Sonora, Mexico.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) can be transmitted by blood transfusion. We determined the prevalence of T. gondii infection in healthy blood donors in Hermosillo city, Mexico, and the association of infection with T. gondii with the sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics of blood donors. Four hundred and eight blood donors who attended two public blood banks in Hermosillo city were examined for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies by using enzyme-linked immunoassays. Of the 408 blood donors (mean age 31.77 ± 9.52; range 18-60 years old) studied, 55 (13.5%) were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, and 12 (21.8%) of them were also positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. Multivariate analysis showed that seropositivity to T. gondii was associated with age (OR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.03-2.94; P = 0.03) and tobacco use (OR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.02-4.29; P = 0.04). Seropositivity to T. gondii was correlated with the number of pregnancies, deliveries, and cesarean sections. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in blood donors in Sonora is the highest reported in blood donors in northern Mexico so far. This is the first report of an association of T. gondii exposure and tobacco use. Further research to confirm this association is needed.

Seroprevalence and correlates of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Yoremes (Mayos) in Mexico: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in Yoremes and to identify associations of T. gondii exposure with sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural characteristics of Yoremes. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Yoremes were enrolled in the locality of Tierra Blanca in the municipality of Navojoa in Sonora State, Mexico. PARTICIPANTS: We studied 200 Yoremes (Mayos); they are an indigenous ethnic group living in a coastal region in northwestern Mexico. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in participants using enzyme-linked immunoassays. We used a standardised questionnaire to obtain the characteristics of Yoremes. The association of T. gondii exposure and Yoremes' characteristics was assessed by bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of the 200 Yoremes studied (mean age: 31.50±18.43 years), 26 (13.0%) were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies and 19 (73.1%) of them were also positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. Seroprevalence of T. gondii infection did not vary with sex, educational level, occupation or socioeconomic status. In contrast, multivariate analysis of sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics showed that T. gondii exposure was associated with increasing age (OR=1.02; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.04; p=0.03) and consumption of squirrel meat (OR=4.99; 95% CI 1.07 to 23.31; p=0.04). Furthermore, seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was significantly higher in Yoremes with a history of lymphadenopathy (p=0.03) and those suffering from frequent abdominal pain (p=0.03). In women, T. gondii exposure was associated with a history of caesarean sections (p=0.03) and miscarriages (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate, for the first time, serological evidence of T. gondii exposure among Yoremes in Mexico. Results suggest that infection with T. gondii might be affecting the health of Yoremes. Results may be useful for an optimal design of preventive measures against T. gondii infection.

Spirotetramat induce cambios histológicos y bioquímicos en rata Wistar / Spirotetramat induces histological and biochemical changes in Wistar rats

Spirotetramat, comercialmente conocido como Movento®, es derivado del ácido tetrámico, empleado en el cultivo de la vid y de algunos vegetales para el control de parásitos chupadores. Los estudios toxicológicos in vivo solo publican una descripción general de su metabolismo. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer los cambios en el comportamiento, en indicadores bioquímicos séricos e histológicos en ratas Wistar macho. Se realizó los siguientes tratamientos: a) intoxicación aguda con Spirotetramat (BY108330, 15.3%) vía oral con 1⁄4 DL50 (625 mg kg-1) y 1⁄2 DL50 (1250 mg kg-1), y b) control. Se obtuvieron muestras de sangre mediante punción cardíaca los días 1, 3 y 7; las muestras se evaluaron por cambios en indicadores bioquímicos (triglicéridos, colesterol, albúmina, proteína total, actividad de transaminasas, urea y creatinina), y cambios histológicos en hígado, riñón y páncreas. Se presentó la muerte en el 35% de los animales tratados. Se observaron signos de toxicidad como: salivación, ataxia, convulsiones, sangrado nasal y diarrea. El peso corporal y el peso relativo del hígado en promedio fueron constantes, sin diferencias entre tratamientos, ni entre días. El perfil lipídico y las transaminasas presentaron una tendencia al incremento en relación al control. En la evaluación histológica los hepatocitos mostraron degeneración balonoide en el 25% (8 de 32) y colestasis en el 72% (23 de 32) de las ratas intoxicadas, sin embargo en bazo y riñón no se observaron cambios visibles en relación al control (AU)

Spirotetramat, derived from tetramic acid, and commercially known as Movento®, is applied in grapevine orchards and other vegetable for the control of sucking pests. Published in vivo toxicological studies report only a general description of its metabolism. The objective of this study was to detect changes in the behavior, in blood biochemical markers, and in histological liver cells on male Wistar rats treated with spirotetramat. The following treatments were applied: a) acute poisoning with spirotetramat (BY108330, 15.3%) oral route with 1⁄4 DL50 (625 mg kg- 1) and 1⁄2 DL50 (1250 mg kg-1), and b) control. Blood samples were obtained by heart punction on days 1, 3 and 7; the samples were evaluated for changes of biochemical indicators (triglycerides, cholesterol, albumin, total protein, transaminase activity, urea and creatinine), and by histological changes in liver, kidney and pancreas. Death occurred in 35% of the treated animals. Some signs of toxicity were observed: nasal running, diarrhea, salivation, ataxia, convulsions, and bleeding. The average body weight and the liver relative weight were stable during the experiment, without differences between treatments, nor between days. The lipid profile and transaminases showed a clear tendency to increase in relation to the control. In the histological evaluation the hepatocytes showed balloonoide degeneration in 25% (8 of 32) and cholestasis in 72% (23 of 32) of the exposed rats; however, there were not visible changes in spleen and kidney in relation to the control (AU)

Bioactive Lipidic Extracts from Octopus (Paraoctopus limaculatus): Antimutagenicity and Antiproliferative Studies.

Fractions from an organic extract from fresh octopus (Paraoctopus limaculatus) were studied for biological activities such as antimutagenic and antiproliferative properties using Salmonella tester strains TA98 and TA100 with metabolic activation (S9) and a cancer cell line (B-cell lymphoma), respectively. A chloroform extract obtained from octopus tentacles was sequentially fractionated using thin layer chromatography (TLC), and each fraction was tested for antimutagenic and antiproliferative activities. Organic extract reduced the number of revertants caused by aflatoxin B(1) showing a dose-response type of relationship. Sequential TLC fractionation of the active extracts produced several antimutagenic and/or antiproliferative fractions. Based on the results obtained, the isolated fractions obtained from octopus contain compounds with chemoprotective properties that reduce the mutagenicity of AFB(1) and proliferation of cancer cell lines.

Antimutagenicity and antiproliferative studies of lipidic extracts from white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).

An organic extract from fresh shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) was studied for antimutagenic and antiproliferative properties using Salmonella typhimurium tester strains TA98 and TA100 with metabolic activation (S9) and a cancer cell line (B-cell lymphoma), respectively. Shrimp extract was sequentially fractionated by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and each fraction was tested for antimutagenic and antiproliferative activities. Crude organic extracts obtained from shrimp reduced the number of revertants caused by aflatoxina B(1), showing a dose-response type of relationship. Sequential TLC fractionation of the active extracts produced several antimutagenic and/or antiproliferative fractions. These results suggested that the lipid fraction of the tested species contained compounds with chemoprotective properties that reduce the mutagenicity of AFB(1) and proliferation of a cancer cell line.