Rosuvastatin enhances alterations caused by Toxoplasma gondii in the duodenum of mice.

Infection by Toxoplasma gondii may compromise the intestinal histoarchitecture through the tissue reaction triggered by the parasite. Thus, this study evaluated whether treatment with rosuvastatin modifies duodenal changes caused by the chronic infection induced by cysts of T. gondii. For this, female Swiss mice were distributed into infected and treated group (ITG), infected group (IG), group treated with 40 mg/kg rosuvastatin (TG) and control group (CG). After 72 days of infection, the animals were euthanized, the duodenum was collected and processed for histopathological analysis. We observed an increase in immune cell infiltration in the IG, TG and ITG groups, with injury to the Brunner glands. The infection led to a reduction in collagen fibers and mast cells. Infected and treated animals showed an increase in collagen fibers, acidic mucin-producing goblet cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes and mast cells, in addition to the reduction of muscle, neutral mucin-producing and Paneth cells. While treatment with rosuvastatin alone led to increased muscle layer, proportion of neutral mucin-producing goblet cells, Paneth cells, and reduction of collagen fibers. These findings indicate that the infection and treatment caused changes in the homeostasis of the intestinal wall and treatment with rosuvastatin potentiated most parameters indicative of inflammation.

Prospective evalution of pregnant women with suspected acute toxoplasmosis treated in a reference prenatal care clinic at a university teaching hospital in Southern Brazil.

Infection by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy demands greater attention from the health authorities due to the risk of placental transmission, which can have devastating consequences to the foetus and newborn. This study was conducted in a high-risk prenatal care outpatient clinic of a university teaching hospital. Pregnant women screened for specific IgM and IgG anti -T. gondii, attended from January 2009 to August 2018 were included. From 530 suspected patients, 218 were followed up and they presented positive IgM and IgG anti- T. gondii. From these patients, 83 (38.0%) had low IgG avidity, 39 (18%) seroconverted in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, 19 (8.7%) had no avidity test, 69 (31.6%) had high IgG avidity after 16 weeks of gestation, five had recurrent chorioretinitis (2.2%) and three (1.3%) were seropositive to HIV. Complementary diagnoses were made in 30/48 (62.5%) of the patients revealing the presence of specific IgA antibodies raised to T. gondii; 3/63 (4.8%) peripheral blood samples and 1/57 (1.8%) amniotic fluid sample. There were eight foetal deaths, one case of neonatal hepatomegaly and one case of T. gondii DNA detected in a peripheral blood sample. Of the 139 newborn deliveries at the teaching hospital, there was a 38% loss of follow-up. The prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis was 1.2 cases/1,000 live births in this study area, according to the retrospective survey of cases. Prenatal treatment may have helped to reduce the risk of vertical transmission.

Association between KIR genes and dust mite sensitization in a Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), found on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells, play a key role in controlling the innate response. Such response depends on a series of cellular interactions between these receptors and HLA activating/inhibiting ligands. Atopic diseases have been associated with genes that regulate cytokine production and HLA genes, which may either protect or predispose to hypersensitivity. OBJECTIVE: To verify an association study of KIR genes with sensitization to the following mites: Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and Blomia tropicalis. METHODS: A total of 341 children aged up to 14 years, were classified as mite-sensitive or mite-insensitive after undergoing a skin prick test for immediate allergic reactions. The presence/absence of KIR genes and their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands was determined by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide (PCR-SSO) with the commercial kit LabType™ using Luminex™. RESULTS: The frequencies of KIR genes and their respective class I HLA ligands and the frequency of haplotypes were performed in sensitive and insensitive individuals, and no significant differences were found. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest no influence of KIR genes on resistance/susceptibility to sensitization to dust mites.

Association between HLA genes and dust mite sensitivity in a Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: Type I hypersensitivity, also known as IgE-mediated allergy, is a complex, multifactorial condition whose onset and severity are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Mite allergens stimulate the production of humoral response (IgE), especially in children, which is closely involved in atopic asthma and rhinitis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between HLA class I (-A, -B, and -C), and HLA class II (-DRB1) genes in individuals sensitive to dust mites (Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, or Blomia tropicalis) and mite-insensitive controls. METHODS: 396 participants were grouped as mite-sensitive and mite-insensitive according to immediate hypersensitivity as determined by skin-prick tests, and to HLA genotyping by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide (PCR-SSO). RESULTS: After chi-square heterogeneity testing no significant differences were observed in HLA-A, B, and C genes, except for the HLA-DRB1 locus, which, showed a negative association for DRB1∗04, between mite-sensitive and mite-insensitive individuals. In high resolution, DRB1∗04:11 allele was significantly different from all other results (P=0.0042, OR=0.26, and 95%CI=0.09-0.70). The analysis stratified by etiologic agent confirmed these associations. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a possible association between HLA-DRB1 genes and hypersensitivity to dust mites.

Association of cytokines in individuals sensitive and insensitive to dust mites in a Brazilian population.

INTRODUCTION: Allergic reaction to dust mites is a relatively common condition among children, triggering cutaneous and respiratory responses that have a great impact on the health of this population. Anaphylactic hypersensitivity is characterized by an exacerbated response involving the production of regulatory cytokines responsible for stimulating the production of IgE antibodies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate an association of variants in cytokine genes (IL1A-889, IL1B-511, +3962, IL1R1970, IL1RA11100, IL4RA+1902, IL12-1188, IFNG+874, TGFB1 codon 10, codon 25, TNFA-308, -238, IL2-330, +166, IL4-1098, -590, -33, IL6-174, nt565, and IL10-1082, -819, -592) between patients sensitive to dust mites and a control group. METHODS: A total of 254 patients were grouped as atopic and non-atopic according to sensitivity as evaluated by the Prick Test and to cytokine genotyping by the polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) method using the Cytokine Genotyping Kit. RESULTS: A comparison between individuals allergic to Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and Blomia tropicalis and a non-atopic control group showed significant differences between allele and genotype frequencies in the regulatory regions of cytokine genes, with important evidence for IL4-590 in T/C (10.2% vs. 43.1%, odd ratio [OR] = 0.15, p = 5.2 10-8, pc = 0.0000011, and 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 0.07-0.32) and T/T genotypes (42.9% vs. 13.8%, OR = 4.69, p = 2.5 10-6, pc = 0.000055, and 95%CI = 2.42-9.09). Other associations were observed in the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL1A-889 (T/T, C, and T) and IL2-330 (G/T and T/T) and the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL4RA+1902 (A and G), IL4-590 (T/C, T/T, C, and T), and IL10-592 (A/A, C/A, A, and C). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a possible association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokine genes and hypersensitivity to dust mites.

Homeopatia: significância estatística versus tamanho da amostra em experimento com Toxoplasma gondii / Homeopathy: statistical significance versus the sample size in experiments with Toxoplasma gondii

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis that represents a serious public health problem, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which affects 20-90% of the world human population [1,2]. It is a serious problem especially when considering the congenital transmission due to congenital sequels. Treatment with highly diluted substances is one of the alternative/complementary medicines most employed in the world [3,4]. The current ethical rules regarding the number of animals used in animal experimental protocols with the use of more conservative statistical methods [5] can not enhance the biological effects of highly diluted substances observed by the experience of the researcher.}Conclusion: Bootstrap seems to be an interesting methodology for the analysis of data obtained from experiments with highly diluted substances. Experiments involving highly diluted substances and infection of mice with T. gondii should be better work with experimental groups using 17 animals at least.(AU)

Introdução: A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose causada pelo Toxoplasma gondii, que atinge de 20-90% da população humana mundial [1,2] sendo um sério problema de saúde pública, sobretudo ao se considerar a transmissão congênita com suas conseqüências e seqüelas. O tratamento com substâncias ultradiluídas é uma das práticas alternativas / complementares mais empregadas no mundo [3,4]. As regras éticas atuais quanto ao número de animais utilizados nos protocolos de experimentação animal juntamente com o uso de métodos estatísticos mais conservadores [5] não conseguem valorizar efeitos biológicos de substâncias ultra-diluídas percebidos pela experiência do pesquisador.Conclusão: O Bootstrap mostrou ser uma metodologia interessante para a análise de dados derivados de experimentos com substâncias ultra-diluídas. Experimentos envolvendo substâncias ultra-diluídas e a infecção de camundongos pelo T. gondii deveriam trabalhar com grupos experimentais utilizando, no mínimo, 17 animais.(AU)

An alternate technique for isolation of Toxocara canis excretory-secretory antigens / Uma técnica alternativa para o isolamento de Toxocara canis excreção e secreção de antígenos

The aim of the present study was to test the effectiveness of a sausage-casing membrane for dialysis of Toxocara excretory-secretory antigens (TES). The protein concentrated by the tested membrane was compared with that obtained using a Sigma commercial membrane, as were the protein fractions found by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Standard positive and negative serum samples were evaluated in an ELISA immunoassay, and equivalent data were obtained in all steps, indicating that the sausage-casing membrane is efficient, besides being less expensive to process.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi testar a eficácia de uma membrana utilizada para o preparo de embutidos, na obtenção do antígeno de excreção e secreção de Toxocara (TES). A concentração protéica foi comparada com a obtida com a membrana Sigma tanto quanto as frações protéicas separadas por eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida. Amostras de soros padrão positivo e negativo foram avaliadas no teste imunoenzimático ELISA. Dados equivalentes foram observados em todas as etapas, sugerindo que a membrana possa ser utilizada para diálise por ser eficiente e de menor custo no preparo do antígeno.

Relato de dois casos de toxoplasmose em gestantes atendidas no noroeste do Paraná, Brasil / Report of two cases of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women from the northwest of Parana state, Brazil

Paraná em acompanhar adequadamente gestantes com suspeita de toxoplasmose aguda, como observado nestes relatos, com um caso de toxoplasmose congênita e outro de reagudização ocular severa. Descrição dos casos: no primeiro caso, a gestante apresentou IgM, IgG e IgA Toxoplasma gondii-específicas reagentes e líquido amniótico com pesquisa de DNA e inoculação em camundongos positivas para Toxoplasma gondii. Houve acometimento fetal, com achados ultrassonográficos de placentomegalia e calcificações cerebrais. O recém-nascido apresentou a tétrade de Sabin. No outro caso, uma gestante imunocompetente, IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii reagente e IgM não reagente, apresentou reagudização ocular grave. Ambas procuraram o serviço de saúde no primeiro trimestre de gestação, mas os encaminhamentos ocorreram entre 20 e 32 semanas de gestação. Conclusões: a falta de agilidade e de conhecimento entre os vários níveis de assistência no controle da toxoplasmose gestacional retardaram a tomada de decisão por parte dos profissionais de saúde. A ocorrência desses casos de toxoplasmose em gestantes evidencia a importância de integração vertical e aplicação de medidas que possam proporcionar a formação de uma rede de controle ágil e com infra-estrutura adequada para sua gestão.

Aims: To highlight the difficulty of the various services that comprise the public health system from the Northwest of Paraná in the monitoring of pregnant women with suspected toxoplasmosis, as observed in the present reports, one of a case of congenital toxoplasmosis and the other of severe ocular reagudization. Cases description: In the first case, the pregnant women had positive serum Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgM, IgG and IgA, and PCR and inoculation in mice positive for Toxoplasma gondii in amniotic fluid. The fetus had ultrasound findings of placentomegalia and cerebral calcifications, and the newborn presented the Sabin tetrad. In the other case, an immunocompetent pregnant woman, with positive Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG and negative IgM from serum, presented with severe ocular reagudization. Both patients sought the health service in the first trimester of pregnancy, but the referrals occurred between 20 and 32 weeks of gestation. Conclusions: The lack of agility and knowledge between the various levels of assistance in the control of gestational toxoplasmosis delayed a decision on the part of health professionals. The occurrence of toxoplasmosis in these pregnant women highlights the importance of vertical integration and of implementing strategies that can provide the development of a network of control and adequate management.

[Enteropathogens relating to diarrhea in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy]. / Enteropatógenos relacionados à diarréia em pacientes HIV que fazem uso de terapia anti-retroviral.

The etiology of the diarrheic process in AIDS may be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa or helminths, as well as HIV itself. This study evaluated enteropathogens relating to diarrhea in HIV patients who were on antiretroviral therapy. The parasitological methods used were Faust, Hoffmann and Kinyoun. Isolation and culturing of fungi were carried out in accordance with the methodology recommended by the NCCLS M27-A standard. The yeast species were identified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Bacteria were isolated on MacConkey and SS agar and the species were identified using Enterokit B (Probac do Brasil) and biochemical methods. Forty-nine patients were evaluated: 44.89% presented enteroparasites and 48.1% presented Candida sp, of which 61.5% were Candida albicans, 7.6% were Candida sp and 30.7% were Candida non-albicans. Bacteria were isolated from 72% of the patients, of which 49% were Escherichia coli, 13% Salmonella parathyphi, Klebsiella sp or Proteus and 6% Citrobacter freundii or Yersinia sp. There was high prevalence of Candida sp in HIV patients with diarrhea and non-albicans species were isolated. Their presence could be taken to mean that they were accomplices in or causes of the infection.

Enteropatógenos relacionados à diarréia em pacientes HIV que fazem uso de terapia anti-retroviral / Enteropathogens relating to diarrhea in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy

A etiologia do processo diarréico na AIDS pode ser causada por vírus, bactérias, fungos, protozoários e helmintos, assim como pelo próprio HIV. Este trabalho avaliou enteropatogenos relacionados à diarréia em pacientes HIV que fazem uso de terapia anti-retroviral. Os métodos parasitológicos utilizados foram Faust, Hoffmann e Kinyoun. O isolamento e cultura dos fungos foram realizados conforme metodologia recomendada por NCCLS M27-A standard. A identificação das espécies de leveduras foi realizada através da reação em cadeia da polimerase. O isolamento de bactérias, foi feito em agar Mac Conkey e agar SS, a identificação das espécies através do Enterokit B (Probac do Brasil) e métodos bioquímicos. Foram avaliados 49 pacientes, 44,9 por cento apresentaram enteroparasitas, 48,1 por cento Candida sp com 61,5 por cento Candida albicans, 7,6 por cento Candida sp e 30,7 por cento Candida não- albicans. Foram isoladas bactérias de 72 por cento dos pacientes, 49 por cento Escherichia coli, 13 por cento Salmonella parathyphi, Klebsiella sp ou Proteus e 6 por cento Citrobacter freundii ou Yersinia sp. Houve alta prevalência de Candida sp nos pacientes HIV com diarréia e foram isoladas espécies não albicans cuja presença pode ser entendida como cúmplice ou causa da infecção.

The etiology of the diarrheic process in AIDS may be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa or helminths, as well as HIV itself. This study evaluated enteropathogens relating to diarrhea in HIV patients who were on antiretroviral therapy. The parasitological methods used were Faust, Hoffmann and Kinyoun. Isolation and culturing of fungi were carried out in accordance with the methodology recommended by the NCCLS M27-A standard. The yeast species were identified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Bacteria were isolated on MacConkey and SS agar and the species were identified using Enterokit B (Probac do Brasil) and biochemical methods. Forty-nine patients were evaluated: 44.89 percent presented enteroparasites and 48.1 percent presented Candida sp, of which 61.5 percent were Candida albicans, 7.6 percent were Candida sp and 30.7 percent were Candida non-albicans. Bacteria were isolated from 72 percent of the patients, of which 49 percent were Escherichia coli, 13 percent Salmonella parathyphi, Klebsiella sp or Proteus and 6 percent Citrobacter freundii or Yersinia sp. There was high prevalence of Candida sp in HIV patients with diarrhea and non-albicans species were isolated. Their presence could be taken to mean that they were accomplices in or causes of the infection.

Avaliação da água do sistema de abastecimento municipal de Maringá, PR, com relação à possível ocorrência de Cyptosporidium sp. e Giardia sp. / Evaluation of the water of the public water treatment system of Maringá, Pr, with regard to possible occurrence of Cryptosporidium sp. e Giardia sp

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e comparar os resultados das análises microbiológicas e físico-químicas da água “in natura” e da água tratada pela Companhia de Saneamento do Paraná (SANEPAR), de Maringá, Paraná, com dados da literatura que se referem à relação entre esses parâmetros e a presença de Cryptosporidium sp. e Giardia sp. Foram coletadas 186 amostras de água, sendo 93 “in natura” e 93 de águatratada. As análises microbiológicas (coliformes totais e termotolerantes) e físico-químicas (turbidez, pH, ferro, fluoretos, cor e cloro) foram realizadas de acordo com a metodologia descrita pelo Standart Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Os resultados destas análises encontravam-se em conformidade com os requerimentos regulatórios, entretanto, comparando estes resultados com aqueles encontrados na literatura, mesmo a água tratada obedecendo às normas da Portaria estabelecida pelo Ministério da Saúde, não elimina a possibilidade de ocorrência desses protozoários. O presente estudo suporta a recomendação de que a pesquisade indicadores para Cryptosporidium sp e Giardia sp e de metodologias que sejam simples, sensíveis, eficientese de baixo custo para a pesquisa destes protozoários em águas de abastecimento precisam ser continuadas.

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the results of microbiological and physical-chemical analyses of untreated and treated water from the Sanitation Company of Paraná (SANEPAR) of Maringá,Paraná, with literature data relating to the relation between these parameters and the presence of Cryptosporidium sp. and Giardia sp. We collected 186 water samples, 93 of treated water and 93 of untreatedwater. The microbiological analyses (total and thermotolerant coliforms) and physical-chemical analyses(turbidity, pH, iron, fluorides, color and chlorine) were carried out in accordance with the methodology describedin the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. The results of these analyses met incompliance with legislation; however, comparing these results with those found in literature does not eliminate the possibility of the occurrence of these protozoans. The present study supports the recommendation for the continuation of research of indicators for Cryptosporidium sp and Giardia sp, as well as methodologies that aresimple, sensible, efficient and affordable for the research of these protozoans in water supplies.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar y comparar los resultados de los análisis físico-químicas y microbiológicos del agua in natura y del agua tratada por la Compañía de Saneamiento del Paraná (SANEPAR),de Maringá, Paraná, con los datos de la literatura que se refieren a la relación entre esos parámetros y lapresencia de Cryptosporidium sp. y Giardia sp. Fueron recogidas 186 muestras de agua, siendo 93 de aguatratada y 93 de agua in natura. Los análisis microbiológicos (coliformes totales y termotolerantes) y los físicoquímicas(turbidez, pH, hierro, fluoruro, color y cloro) fueron realizadas de acuerdo con la metodología descritapor Standart Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Los resultados de estos análisis se encontraban en conformidad con la legislación, no obstante, comparando estos resultados con aquellos encontrados en la literatura, mismo el agua tratada obedeciendo a las normas establecidas por el Ministerio dela Salud, no elimina la posibilidad de ocurrencia de estos protozoarios. El actual estudio soporta la recomendación de que la investigación de los indicadores para el Cryptosporidium sp. y Giardia sp. y de las metodologías que sean simples, sensibles, eficientes y de bajo costo para la investigación de estos protozoariosen aguas de abastecimiento necesitan ser continuadas.

[Clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with Chagas disease at the University Hospital in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil]. / Perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes com doença de Chagas no Hospital Universitário de Maringá, Paraná, Brasil.

This paper describes the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with Chagas disease treated in outpatient and inpatient departments at the Maringá University Hospital (UHM) in Paraná State, Brazil, from May 1998 to May 2003. Mean age was higher among hospitalized patients (p < 0.000). Hospitalized patients were predominantly males, as opposed to inpatients who were mostly females (p = 0.0033). Of the 95 patients, 60% were born in the States of Minas Gerais and São Paulo and 25.3% in Paraná. Family history for Chagas was positive in 68.9%, while 53.3% reported the presence of triatomine vectors in the household. In decreasing order, the most common clinical forms were cardiac, digestive, indeterminate, and cardiodigestive. The indeterminate form predominated among outpatients, as opposed to the cardiac and digestive forms among inpatients. Chronic cardiac and digestive complications were the principal complaints at hospital admission. This study showed particularly high percentages of cardiac (38.9%) and digestive disease (26.3%) as compared to other geographic areas. The Maringá University Hospital provides symptomatic care for these complications and does not prioritize etiological treatment, even for patients in the indeterminate phase.

Perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes com doenca de Chagas no Hospital Universitário de Maringá, Paraná, Brasil / Clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with Chagas disease at the University Hospital in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil

Este trabalho descreveu o perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes com doenca de Chagas atendidos no ambulatório e na internacão do Hospital Universitário de Maringá (HUM), Paraná, Brasil, entre maio de 1998 a maio de 2003. A média de idade foi maior no servico de internacão (p < 0,000). O sexo masculino predominou entre os internados e o feminino entre os ambulatoriais (p = 0,0033). De 95 pacientes, 60 por cento nasceram em Minas Gerais e São Paulo e 25,3 por cento no Paraná. A história familiar para doenca de Chagas foi positiva em 68,9 por cento deles e 53,3 por cento relataram a presenca de triatomíneos no domicílio. Em ordem decrescente ocorreram as formas clínicas cardíaca, digestiva, indeterminada e cardiodigestiva. A forma indeterminada prevaleceu entre os ambulatoriais e as formas cardíaca e digestiva entre os internados. As complicacões crônicas cardíacas e digestivas foram as principais queixas para a internacão. Destacam-se os altos percentuais de doenca cardíaca (38,9 por cento) e digestiva (26,3 por cento) encontrados neste estudo, de forma distinta ao que acontece em outras regiões geográficas. O HUM disponibiliza o tratamento sintomático dessas complicacões e não prioriza o tratamento etiológico mesmo para pacientes em fase indeterminada.

Giardíase em creches do município de Maringá / Giardiasis in daycare centres at Maringá, PR

A giardíase é uma parasitose das mais comuns em crianças menores de 5 anos com prevalência no Brasil de 5,7%, nesta faixa etária(Benfam, 1996). Vários autores afirmam ser um problema comum em instituições como creches e enfermarias infantis. Este trabalho procurou avaliar a prevalência de giardíase em crianças com diferentes níveis cultural e socioeconômico que frequentam creches no município de Maringá - PR. Foram estudadas três creches. Como metodologia estudou-se ficha epidemiológica, exame parasitológico de fezes e exame de extrato sub-ungueal. A prevalência de giardíase nas três creches foi de 26,25%, 20,7% e 24,1% não mostrando diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre as mesmas. Os resultados mostraram que a prevalência de giardíase não sofreu influência do ponto de vista sóciocultural.

Doença de Chagas em crianças no Estado do Paraná, Brasil / Chagas'disease in children from Paraná State, Brazil

Este trabalho discute a importância do estado de alerta em relação à doença de Chagas no estado do Paraná, Brasil, a partir do diagnóstico da doença em duas situações peculiares. Situação 1: criança do município de Roncador, 11 meses, apresentando edema bipalpebral unilateral e gripe forte. Hemocultura e PCR positivas. A experiência do médico obtida na Bolívia foi decisiva para o diagnóstico clínico/encaminhamento da criança. Situação 2: duas crianças do município de Ortigueira, 9 e 12 anos, sorologia e PCR positivas. A investigação iniciou-se após a denùncia de que adultos de Panstrogylus megistus sugaram as crianças. Considerando que a situação da transmissão da doença de Chagas no Brasil está sob controle, estes casos ilustram o valor da experiência profissional e enfatizam a importância da manutenção da vigilância epidemiológica.

Panstrongylus megistus em ecótopos artificiais de ilhas do Alto Rio Paraná / Panstrongylus megistus in artificial ecotopes on islands of the Paraná River

Em resposta a denúncias de triatomíneos em ilhas do Alto Rio Paraná foram investigados 145 ecótopos artificiais e 4 (2,8 por cento) deles encontravam-se infestados: residência, clube, ex-escola e monte de madeira. Foram analisados 17 de 35 P. megistus coletados; 12 (70,6 por cento) apresentavam-se infectados por Trypanosoma cruzi. Ave e roedor constituíram as fontes alimentares mais comuns. Todos os exames sorológicos (56 de humanos, 18 de cães e 10 de gatos) foram negativos

Secondary triatomine species in dwellings and other nearby structures in municipalities under epidemiological surveillance in the state of Paraná, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: Since data are scarce regarding secondary triatomine species in the Brazilian state of Paraná, this study investigated infestations in inhabited and abandoned houses nad in various other nearby structures in rural areas of that state. METHODS: Triatomines were manually captured in inhabited and uninhabited ouses and other nearby structures in nine areas (eight municipalities and one district) of Paraná from June 1996 to February 2000. Testing for Trypanosoma cruzi infections was performed, as were also precipitin tests to detemine the triatomines' food sources. RESULTS: While Triatoma infestans was not found in any of the nine areas of Paraná that were studies, three secondary triatomine species were detected: Triatoma sordida, Panstrongylus megistus, and Rhodinus neglectus. T. sordida was the most common species found, comprising 575 of the 658 triatomines captured (87.4). The second-most common was P. megistus, with 82 specimens (12.5). Of the various categories of structures investigated, uninhabited houses was the most frequently infested category (19/62, or 30.6), followed by chicken coops (24/350, or 6.9). The primary food source fo the triatomines was the blood of birds. Nevertheless, in the municipality with the highest density of triatomines, the food sources included domestic animals and even humans. We found that 13.4 of the T. sordida and 13.5 of the P. megistus were infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the need to maintain entomological surveillance measures in the studied areas. This is especially important since Brazil and other countries of Latin America have affirmed the need to interrupt the vector-borne transmission of Chagas' disease

Envolvimento de acadêmicos em programa integrado visando a melhoria nas condições de vida de comunidades / Undergraduate studentsÆ involvement in an integrated program to improve life conditions in communities

Desenvolvendo um trabalho de parceria entre universidade e comunidade, o projeto teve por objetivo geral proporcionar a participação de acadêmicos em levantamento das principais dúvidas e apresentar propostas de solução sobre problemas de saúde de famílias residentes próximas à Associação Kairós, Maringá/PR. Dez famílias foram selecionadas para o trabalho. Foram eleitos como assuntos para esclarecimento: parasitoses, doenças transmissíveis, dengue, primeiros-socorros, prevenção de câncer, diabetes, hipertensão, plantas medicinais, nutrição, aleitamento materno e alimentação alternativa. Os assuntos foram apresentados às famílias através de minicursos para os adultos e para as crianças, sob a forma de ruas de recreio e gincanas. Realizou-se exame parasitológico de fezes de todos os membros das famílias que receberam tratamento específico e esclarecimentos sobre os parasitas. A avaliação do trabalho foi realizada através de exames parasitológicos após o tratamento e atividades pré-elaboradas a respeito dos conhecimentos adquiridos. Constatou-se uma queda na prevalência dos parasitas e houve melhoria de hábitos de higiene.Palavras-chave: educação sanitária, enteroparasitoses, profilaxia

Secondary triatomine species in dwellings and other nearby structures in municipalities under epidemiological surveillance in the state of Paraná, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: Since data are scarce regarding secondary triatomine species in the Brazilian state of Paraná, this study investigated infestations in inhabited and abandoned houses nad in various other nearby structures in rural areas of that state. METHODS: Triatomines were manually captured in inhabited and uninhabited ouses and other nearby structures in nine areas (eight municipalities and one district) of Paraná from June 1996 to February 2000. Testing for Trypanosoma cruzi infections was performed, as were also precipitin tests to detemine the triatomines' food sources. RESULTS: While Triatoma infestans was not found in any of the nine areas of Paraná that were studies, three secondary triatomine species were detected: Triatoma sordida, Panstrongylus megistus, and Rhodinus neglectus. T. sordida was the most common species found, comprising 575 of the 658 triatomines captured (87.4). The second-most common was P. megistus, with 82 specimens (12.5). Of the various categories of structures investigated, uninhabited houses was the most frequently infested category (19/62, or 30.6), followed by chicken coops (24/350, or 6.9). The primary food source fo the triatomines was the blood of birds. Nevertheless, in the municipality with the highest density of triatomines, the food sources included domestic animals and even humans. We found that 13.4 of the T. sordida and 13.5 of the P. megistus were infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the need to maintain entomological surveillance measures in the studied areas. This is especially important since Brazil and other countries of Latin America have affirmed the need to interrupt the vector-borne transmission of Chagas' disease