Cysticercosis in free-ranging agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon.

The study describes the occurrence of cysticercosis in liver of 22 wild agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) in the Brazilian Amazon. The phylogenetic analysis and microscopic characteristics of metacestodes in liver tissue sections, associated with the geographic distribution of the intermediate hosts indicated that a possibly novel Taenia sp. metacestode caused the parasitism. Additionally, two cases of hepatic co-infection by Taenia sp., Calodium sp. and Echinococcus oligarthra were also observed among the analyzed animals. The results point to the need for a better understanding of hepatotropic parasites among wild rodents in the Brazilian Amazon.

Perfil bioquímico e sorológico das hepatites b e c num centro recuperação para dependentes químicos / Biochemical and serological profile of hepatitis b and c in a recovery center for chemical dependents / Perfil bioquímico y serológico de hepatitis b y c en un centro de recuperación de dependientes químicos

Objetivo: A pesquisa visa determinar o perfil bioquímico e sorológico das hepatites B e C em internos de um centro de recuperação, Ananindeua, Pará, Brasil. Métodos: Estudo transversal, descritivo e quantitativo, desenvolvido entre 2015 e 2018. Os dados foram coletados com o uso de Ficha de Inquérito e entrevista. Os participantes foram submetidos à coleta de sangue para realização de testes sorológicos para as hepatites virais B e C e bioquímicos. Resultados: Participaram 125 internos, com frequência de 97,6% para o sexo masculino, prevalecendo a faixa etária de 31 a 40 anos (38,4%). Os marcadores bioquímicos que mais sofreram alterações: ácido úrico, alanina aminotransferase e lipoproteína de alta densidade. O HBsAg não foi detectado, porém houve detecção de anti-HBc total reagente isolado em 1,6% dos indivíduos. Em 20,8% pode-se observar resposta vacinal contra o vírus da hepatite B. A pesquisa detectou prevalência de 3,2% de anti-VHC reagente. Conclusão: É baixa prevalência da infecção pelos vírus das hepatites B e C, apesar dessa população ser considerada de elevado risco para a transmissão desses vírus, os examinados na sua maioria referiu utilizar apenas drogas inaláveis. A baixa cobertura vacinal encontrada entre os examinados demonstrou a vulnerabilidade em adquirir a hepatite B e a importância de estudos entre usuários de drogas no Pará. (AU)

Objective: The research aims to determine the biochemical and serological profile of hepatitis B and C in inmates of a recovery center, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study, developed between 2015 and 2018. Data were collected using an Inquiry Form and an interview. Participants underwent blood collection to perform serological tests for viral hepatitis B and C and biochemicals. Results: 125 inmates participated, with a frequency of 97.6% for males, with the age group of 31 to 40 years old prevailing (38.4%). The biochemical markers that suffered the most changes: uric acid, Alanine aminotransferase and High density lipoprotein. HBsAg was not detected, but total anti-HBc reagent isolated was detected in 1.6% of individuals. In 20.8%, a vaccine response against the hepatitis B virus can be observed. The survey found a 3.2% prevalence of anti-HCV reagent. Conclusion: The prevalence of infection by the hepatitis B and C viruses is low, although this population is considered to be at high risk for the transmission of these viruses, the majority of those examined reported using only inhalable drugs. The low vaccination coverage found among those examined demonstrated the vulnerability to acquire hepatitis B and the importance of studies among drug users in Pará. (AU)

Objetivo: La investigación tiene como objetivo determinar el perfil bioquímico y serológico de la hepatitis B y C en los reclusos de un centro de recuperación, Ananindeua, Pará, Brasil. Métodos: Estudio transversal, descriptivo y cuantitativo, desarrollado entre 2015 y 2018. Los datos se recopilaron mediante el Formulario de encuesta y la entrevista. Los participantes se sometieron a extracción de sangre para pruebas serológicas de hepatitis viral B y C y bioquímicos. Resultados: Participaron 125 reclusos, con una frecuencia del 97,6% para los hombres, prevaleciendo el grupo de edad de 31 a 40 años (38,4%). Los marcadores bioquímicos que sufrieron más cambios: ácido úrico, Alanina aminotransferasa y Lipoproteínas de alta densidad. No se detectó HBsAg, pero se detectó el reactivo anti-HBc total aislado en el 1,6% de los individuos. En 20.8%, se puede observar una respuesta de vacuna contra el virus de la hepatitis B. La encuesta encontró una prevalencia del 3.2% Del reactivo anti-VHC. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de infección por los virus de la hepatitis B y C es baja, aunque se considera que esta población tiene un alto riesgo de transmisión de estos virus, la mayoría de los examinados informaron que usaban solo medicamentos inhalables. La baja cobertura de vacunación encontrada entre los examinados demostró la vulnerabilidad a contraer hepatitis B y la importancia de los estudios entre usuarios de drogas en Pará. (AU)

Orthohepadnavirus infection in a neotropical bat (Platyrrhinus lineatus).

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the prototype of the Orthohepadnavirus genus and represents an important cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatic cancer in humans worldwide. To verify the occurrence and genetic variability of orthohepadnavirus among neotropical bats, we tested 81 liver samples of New World bats from São Paulo State, Southeastern Brazil, collected during 2012. PCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of Surface/Polymerase and Core viral genes confirmed the occurrence of the first isolate of bat orthohepadnavirus detected in South America. These results may contribute to subsequent studies of the origin, variability, host species, and evolution of bat orthohepadnaviruses in South America.

A paruterinid metacestode in the liver of a Neotropical bat (Molossus molossus).

We describe a case of microscopic liver lesion caused by larval cestode in a frugivorous bat (Molossus molossus) from the Western Brazilian Amazon. Histopathological analysis of liver indicated the occurrence of metacestode associated with multifocal histiocytic response and the phylogenetic analysis of Cox-I and 18S rDNA genes indicated that the parasite belonged to the family Paruterinidae. This is the first identification of cestodes of the family Paruterinidae in bats and may suggest a broad range of paruterinid tapeworm hosts to be investigated in the Brazilian Amazon.

Hepatitis E virus infection among rural Afro-descendant communities from the eastern Brazilian Amazon.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence, public health impact, and epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis E virus (HEV) are poorly understood in Brazil. METHODS: Serum samples from 535 individuals from three rural Afro-descendant communities located in eastern Brazilian Amazon were collected in October 2015 and tested for presence of anti-HEV IgM and IgG antibodies. Serologically positive samples were also tested for HEV-RNA. RESULTS: Two cases were confirmed for anti-HEV IgM (0.3 %) and two cases for anti-HEV IgG (0.3 %). No sample was positive for HEV-RNA. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated low prevalence of HEV infection in Afro-descendant rural communities from the eastern Brazilian Amazon.

Hepatitis E virus infection among rural Afro-descendant communities from the eastern Brazilian Amazon

Abstract INTRODUCTION The prevalence, public health impact, and epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis E virus (HEV) are poorly understood in Brazil. METHODS Serum samples from 535 individuals from three rural Afro-descendant communities located in eastern Brazilian Amazon were collected in October 2015 and tested for presence of anti-HEV IgM and IgG antibodies. Serologically positive samples were also tested for HEV-RNA. RESULTS Two cases were confirmed for anti-HEV IgM (0.3 %) and two cases for anti-HEV IgG (0.3 %). No sample was positive for HEV-RNA. CONCLUSIONS Results indicated low prevalence of HEV infection in Afro-descendant rural communities from the eastern Brazilian Amazon.