Temporal and spatial variations in metals and arsenic contamination in water, sediment and biota of freshwater, marine and coastal environments after the Fundão dam failure.

Temporal and spatial variabilities in concentrations of metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn) and metalloid (As) associated with the Fundão dam tailings were evaluated in water, sediment and biota from freshwater (tributary, river, lakes and lagoons), marine and coastal (mangroves and beaches) ecosystems affected by the Mariana dam disaster (southeastern Brazil). In freshwater shrimps and fishes, temporal increases in the concentrations of most elements analyzed were observed. This finding was clearly associated with temporal increases in the concentrations of As and metals observed in both water and sediment. In turn, freshwater plankton showed only a temporal increase in Hg concentration, which was also associated with an increased concentration of this metal in the abiotic matrices. In marine fishes, temporal increases were only observed for Cu, Fe and Pb concentrations. Also, temporal increase was observed for Fe concentration in marine plankton (phytoplankton and zooplankton) and shrimps. Marine phytoplankton also showed a temporal increase in Hg concentration. All these findings were clearly associated with temporal increases in the concentrations of these metals in marine sediments. Mangrove crabs showed temporal increases in Hg and Cd, which were associated with temporal increases in water Hg and sediment Cd concentrations, respectively. In turn, beach crabs displayed temporal increases in Mn and Zn, which were associated with temporal increases in the concentrations of these metals in sediments, especially for Mn. In summary, all environmental matrices evaluated in the present study were shown to be contaminated with metals and metalloid associated with the Fundão dam tailings. Additionally, findings reported in the present study relative to the spatial variabilities observed in the whole aquatic area affected by the Fundão dam failure clearly reinforce the need of incorporating biological diversity in monitoring programs aiming to assess environmental health of aquatic systems, considering that patterns of metals and metalloid contamination levels may vary among taxa.

Comparação de duas técnicas parasitológicas na detecção de enteroparasitos em catadores no sul do Brasil / The comparison between two parasitological techniques for the detection of enteroparasites in waste pickers from the south of Brazil

Alguns pesquisadores e laboratórios clínicos utilizam apenas uma técnica para detecção de parasitos intestinais, podendo isto subestimar os achados. Enteroparasitos afetam principalmente populações com vulnerabilidade social, como os catadores. Alguns destes trabalhadores se reúnem em cooperativas, melhorando a condição de trabalho e o rendimento mensal, porém ainda não é o adequado, sendo por vezes insalubre. Nosso objetivo foi verificar a prevalência de enteroparasitos e comparar duas técnicas parasitológicas em suas medidas de efeito em catadores de material reciclável que trabalhavam em cooperativas no Sul do Brasil. Três amostras de fezes de 48 catadores, de seis cooperativas, foram coletadas em dias alternados, para a análise de parasitos. Duas técnicas de concentração de amostra foram utilizadas (Faust e Ritchie) e testadas para verificação da melhor a ser utilizada. A prevalência de parasitos em catadores foi de 62,5% (30/48) utilizando as duas técnicas em paralelo, sendo que quando utilizadas sozinhas, essa prevalência foi menor. Diagnosticaram-se helmintos e protozoários, tanto patogênicos quanto comensais. A partir da análise estatística, provou-se que as técnicas parasitológicas fornecem melhores resultados quando utilizadas em paralelo, ou seja, quando utilizamos as duas técnicas juntas e em três amostras de fezes.

Some researchers and clinical laboratories use just one technique for the detection of enteroparasites, allowing substandard findings. Enteroparasites mostly affect the socially vulnerable population, like the waste pickers. Some of these workers are gathered in cooperatives where work conditions and monthly wage are better. However, this environment is still not adequate being, sometimes, unsanitary. The objective was to study the enteroparasite prevalence and compare the two parasitological techniques in their effect measure in recyclable waste picker who were working in cooperatives in the south of Brazil. Three stool samples from 48 pickers from six cooperatives were collected in alternate days for parasite analysis. Two sample concentration techniques were used (Faust and Ritchie) and tested to verify which was the best to use. The parasite prevalence in waste picker was 62.5% (30/48), using the two techniques concurrently. When used individually, the prevalence was lower. Commensal and pathogenic helminths and protozoan were diagnosed. From the statistical analysis, it was proved that the parasitological techniques provide better results when used concomitantly, that is, when using the two techniques at the same time in three stool samples.

Intestinal parasite prevalence in schoolchildren from northwestern Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

Parasites are often a public health hazard, especially among schoolchildren. The transmission of these parasites is associated with poor hygiene and sanitation, as well as close contact between people. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren from the rural and urban areas of the Palmeira das Missões county, a major town in northwestern Rio Grande do Sul State. Fecal samples from 209 schoolchildren aged three to fourteen were analyzed. The Hoffman, Pons and Janer, Faust, Ritchie, and Kinyoun's stain for coccidea parasite detection techniques were applied. 59.3% of the patients were positive for pathogenic or commensal parasites. The most common parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides, Entamoeba coli, Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp., respectively. There were no significant differences in positivity among schoolchildren from rural and urban areas. Low family income and the mothers' schooling (up to 8 years of education) were statistically significant for the presence of parasites. This is the first parasite study carried out in the Palmeira das Missões county

Toxoplasma gondii: IgG E IgM em pacientes oncológicos na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Toxoplasma gondii: IgG and IgM in cancer patients in southern Rio Grande do Sul

A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose causada pelo protozoário Toxoplasma gondii, que produz infecções oportunistas em pacientes imunocomprometidos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a positividade para anticorpos IgG e IgM para T. gondii em pacientes portadores de neoplasias que realizaram tratamento quimioterápico no Hospital Escola da Universidade Federal de Pelotas e no Centro de Radioterapia e Oncologia da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Pelotas. A sorologia para a detecção de anticorpos foi realizada em 77 amostras por meio da técnica de Eletroquimioluminescência. Verificou-se que a taxa de soropositivos para anticorpos IgG foi de 90,9% e de 7,8% para IgM. De acordo com a análise dos fatores de risco, foi constatada entre os soropositivos para IgG anti-T.gondii diferença significativa (p<0,05) apenas na variável idade. Os resultados obtidos indicam a necessidade de um controle sorológico dos pacientes em tratamento quimioterápico para evitar consequências graves e até mesmo fatais.