Cyclospora cayetanensis: Un coccidio emergente / Cyclospora cayetanensis: An emerging coccidian / Cyclospora cayetanensis: Um coccídio emergente

Cyclospora cayetanensis es un protozoo coccidio con diversa prevalencia a nivel mundial que causa cuadros con diarrea acuosa y voluminosa tanto en pacientes inmunocompetentes como inmunocomprometidos. En estos últimos, además de producir cuadros entéricos más severos, puede cursar con compromisos biliares. Su distribución es cosmopolita, jugando un rol importante en su transmisión, el suelo, el agua y los alimentos contaminados, especialmente las verduras ingeridas crudas. El hombre, único reservorio constatado hasta el presente, elimina con las heces ooquistes inmaduros, que evolucionan en el ambiente transformándose en ooquistes maduros infectivos. Como otros coccidios, presenta un ciclo evolutivo complejo con formas sexuada y asexuada de reproducción en un único hospedador. El diagnóstico se basa fundamentalmente en el hallazgo de ooquistes ácido alcohol resistentes variables en materia fecal. Se han desarrollado métodos moleculares para su detección tanto en muestras fecales como ambientales y de alimentos.(AU)

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a coccidian protozoon with several prevalence worldwide that causes watery and voluminous diarrhea conditions both in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. In the latter, apart from originating more severe enteric diseases, it can occur with billiary involvement. Its distribution is cosmopolitan, with soil, water and contaminated food, especially consumption of raw vegetables, playing an important role in its transmission. Man, the only reservoir recorded so far, eliminates immature oocytes in feces, which evolve in the environment becoming infective- mature oocytes. Like other coccidians, it presents a complex evolutionary cycle with sexed and unsexed forms of reproduction in a single host. Diagnosis is mainly based on findings of variable acid-alcohol resistant variables in feces. Molecular methods have been developed for its detection in fecal samples and in environmental and food samples as well.(AU)

Cyclospora cayetanensis é um protozoo coccídio com diversa prevalÛncia em nível mundial que causa quadros com diarreia aquosa e volumosa tanto em pacientes imunocompetentes como imunocomprometidos. Nestes últimos, além de produzir quadros entéricos mais severos, pode cursar com compromissos biliares. Sua distribuiþÒo é cosmopolita, tendo um papel importante na sua transmissÒo o solo, a água e os alimentos contaminados, especialmente as verduras ingeridas cruas. O homem, único reservatório constatado até o presente, elimina com as fezes oocistos imaturos, que evoluem no ambiente transformando-se em oocistos maduros infectivos. Como outros coccídios apresenta um ciclo evolutivo complexo com formas sexuada e assexuada de reproduþÒo num único hospedeiro. O diagnóstico se baseia fundamentalmente no achado de oocistos ácido-álcool resistentes variáveis em matéria fecal. Foram desenvolvidos métodos moleculares para sua detecþÒo tanto em amostras fecais quanto ambientais e de alimentos.(AU)

Cyclospora cayetanensis: Un coccidio emergente / Cyclospora cayetanensis: An emerging coccidian / Cyclospora cayetanensis: Um coccídio emergente

Cyclospora cayetanensis es un protozoo coccidio con diversa prevalencia a nivel mundial que causa cuadros con diarrea acuosa y voluminosa tanto en pacientes inmunocompetentes como inmunocomprometidos. En estos últimos, además de producir cuadros entéricos más severos, puede cursar con compromisos biliares. Su distribución es cosmopolita, jugando un rol importante en su transmisión, el suelo, el agua y los alimentos contaminados, especialmente las verduras ingeridas crudas. El hombre, único reservorio constatado hasta el presente, elimina con las heces ooquistes inmaduros, que evolucionan en el ambiente transformándose en ooquistes maduros infectivos. Como otros coccidios, presenta un ciclo evolutivo complejo con formas sexuada y asexuada de reproducción en un único hospedador. El diagnóstico se basa fundamentalmente en el hallazgo de ooquistes ácido alcohol resistentes variables en materia fecal. Se han desarrollado métodos moleculares para su detección tanto en muestras fecales como ambientales y de alimentos.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a coccidian protozoon with several prevalence worldwide that causes watery and voluminous diarrhea conditions both in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. In the latter, apart from originating more severe enteric diseases, it can occur with billiary involvement. Its distribution is cosmopolitan, with soil, water and contaminated food, especially consumption of raw vegetables, playing an important role in its transmission. Man, the only reservoir recorded so far, eliminates immature oocytes in feces, which evolve in the environment becoming infective- mature oocytes. Like other coccidians, it presents a complex evolutionary cycle with sexed and unsexed forms of reproduction in a single host. Diagnosis is mainly based on findings of variable acid-alcohol resistant variables in feces. Molecular methods have been developed for its detection in fecal samples and in environmental and food samples as well.

Cyclospora cayetanensis é um protozoo coccídio com diversa prevalência em nível mundial que causa quadros com diarreia aquosa e volumosa tanto em pacientes imunocompetentes como imunocomprometidos. Nestes últimos, além de produzir quadros entéricos mais severos, pode cursar com compromissos biliares. Sua distribuição é cosmopolita, tendo um papel importante na sua transmissão o solo, a água e os alimentos contaminados, especialmente as verduras ingeridas cruas. O homem, único reservatório constatado até o presente, elimina com as fezes oocistos imaturos, que evoluem no ambiente transformando-se em oocistos maduros infectivos. Como outros coccídios apresenta um ciclo evolutivo complexo com formas sexuada e assexuada de reprodução num único hospedeiro. O diagnóstico se baseia fundamentalmente no achado de oocistos ácido-álcool resistentes variáveis em matéria fecal. Foram desenvolvidos métodos moleculares para sua detecção tanto em amostras fecais quanto ambientais e de alimentos.

Algunas consideraciones acerca de Blastocystissp, un parásito controversial / Some considerations about Blastocystis sp, a controversial parasite / Algumas considerações sobre Blastocystis sp, Um parasita controverso

Blastocystis es un organismo unicelular, anaerobio y uno de los parásitos intestinales de mayor prevalencia a nivel mundial. Durante mucho tiempo su ubicación taxonómica fue difícil de definir. Actualmente es considerado el único parásito humano del Reino Chromista. Se le reconocen numerosas formas evolutivas (vacuolares, granulares, ameboidales, avacuolares, multivacuolares y quísticas) que conforman un ciclo vital aún en estudio. Los quistes son las formas de resistencia y transmisión. Se lo considera un parásito zoonótico con 9 subtipos que pueden tener diferentes especificidades entre hospedadores humanos y animales. Su carácter patógeno ha sido motivo también de controversia dado que puede presentar infecciones asintomáticas o sintomáticas con manifestaciones digestivas, y dérmicas, entre otras. El diagnóstico de laboratorio puede ser microscópico o mediante cultivos, serología y técnicas moleculares.

Blastocystis is an anaerobic, unicellular organism and it is one of the most prevalent among intestinal parasites. It has a worldwide distribution. Nowadays, it is considered the only human parasite that belongs to the kingdom Chromista. Many morphological forms of the parasite are known: vacuolar, granular, amoeboid, avacuolar, multivacuolar and cyst. Its life cycle is not completely understood. Cysts are the forms of resistance and transmission. It is considered a zoonotic parasite with 9 subtypes, with different specificities for human and animal hosts. Its pathogenesis is controversial because it can cause asymptomatic and symptomatic infections, with gastrointestinal and cutaneous manifestations. Laboratory diagnosis may be performed by microscopic, cultural, serological and molecular techniques.

[Associations between geohelminths and socioenvironmental conditions among different human populations in Argentina]. / Asociación entre geohelmintos y condiciones socioambientales en diferentes poblaciones humanas de Argentina.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the relationship between the geohelminth species found in urban, suburban, and rural areas of the Buenos Aires and Misiones provinces of Argentina, and the socioenvironmental conditions that promote infection by these parasites. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that analyzed 700 human fecal samples taken from 319 families residing in an urban population (UP) and two suburban ones (SUP1, SUP2) in the Province of Buenos Aires, and a rural one in Misiones (RP). Thirty-five samples of dog feces and 205 earth samples were taken, plus surveys were performed of the socioenvironmental characteristics of the study areas. The Ritchie, Carles-Barthelemy, Fülleborn, and Kato-Katz parasite analysis techniques were used. RESULTS: The highest incidence of parasites was in RP (78.4%), followed by the suburban areas SUP1 (35.0%) and SUP2 (25.8%), and lastly, the urban area (5.7%). Ancylostomatidae (71.1%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (22.2%) were found only in RP, while Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana, and Trichuris trichiura were most frequent in SUP1. The samples of dog feces from the Misiones province had the highest incidence of parasites (100%) compared to those from Buenos Aires, but the urban dirt from this city proved to be more contaminated. Poor hygiene habits in food preparation and toileting, overcrowding, walking barefoot, and dwellings with dirt floors were significantly associated with a higher frequency of intestinal geohelminths and pseudogeohelminths (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The great number of cases of multiple infestations seen among suburban as well as rural populations calls for special attention and underscores the need for more extensive epidemiological studies that take on the different aspects of this complex issue with the goal of implementing more efficient health initiatives and programs.

Asociación entre geohelmintos y condiciones socioambientales en diferentes poblaciones humanas de Argentina / Associations between geohelminths and socioenvironmental conditions among different human populations in Argentina

OBJETIVOS: Analizar la relación entre las especies de geohelmintos identificadas en poblaciones urbanas, suburbanas y rurales de las Provincias de Buenos Aires y Misiones, Argentina, y los aspectos socioambientales que favorecen la infestación por estos parásitos. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal. Se analizaron 700 muestras fecales humanas provenientes de 319 familias residentes en una población urbana (LPU) y dos suburbanas (LPS, LPN) de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, y una población rural de la provincia de Misiones (MR), en Argentina. Se colectaron 35 muestras fecales de perros y 205 de tierra, y se completaron encuestas sobre las características socioambientales de las localidades estudiadas. Se utilizaron las técnicas de análisis parasitológicos de Ritchie, Carles Barthelemy, Fülleborn y Kato Katz. RESULTADOS: La frecuencia de parasitosis fue mayor en MR (78,4 por ciento), seguida de las áreas suburbanas LPN (35,0 por ciento) y LPS (25,8 por ciento), y fue menor en la zona urbana LPU (5,7 por ciento). Los ancilostomideos (71,1 por ciento) y Strongyloides stercoralis (22,2 por ciento) se detectaron solamente en MR y Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana y Trichuris trichiura fueron más frecuentes en LPN. Las muestras de heces de perros de Misiones presentaron una mayor frecuencia de parásitos (100 por ciento) que las de las localidades de Buenos Aires, pero el suelo del sector urbano bonaerense resultó más contaminado. Las prácticas de alimentación y defecación poco higiénicas, el hacinamiento, el hábito de no usar calzado y el piso de tierra en las viviendas se asociaron significativamente con una mayor frecuencia de geohelmintos y pseudogeohelmintos intestinales (P < 0,05). CONCLUSIONES: El alto número de casos con infestación múltiple observado tanto en las poblaciones suburbanas como en la rural merece una atención especial y plantea la necesidad de profundizar estudios epidemiológicos que integren los diversos aspectos de este complejo ...

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the relationship between the geohelminth species found in urban, suburban, and rural areas of the Buenos Aires and Misiones provinces of Argentina, and the socioenvironmental conditions that promote infection by these parasites. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that analyzed 700 human fecal samples taken from 319 families residing in an urban population (UP) and two suburban ones (SUP1, SUP2) in the Province of Buenos Aires, and a rural one in Misiones (RP). Thirty-five samples of dog feces and 205 earth samples were taken, plus surveys were performed of the socioenvironmental characteristics of the study areas. The Ritchie, Carles-Barthelemy, Fülleborn, and Kato-Katz parasite analysis techniques were used. RESULTS: The highest incidence of parasites was in RP (78.4 percent), followed by the suburban areas SUP1 (35.0 percent) and SUP2 (25.8 percent), and lastly, the urban area (5.7 percent). Ancylostomatidae (71.1 percent) and Strongyloides stercoralis (22.2 percent) were found only in RP, while Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana, and Trichuris trichiura were most frequent in SUP1. The samples of dog feces from the Misiones province had the highest incidence of parasites (100 percent) compared to those from Buenos Aires, but the urban dirt from this city proved to be more contaminated. Poor hygiene habits in food preparation and toileting, overcrowding, walking barefoot, and dwellings with dirt floors were significantly associated with a higher frequency of intestinal geohelminths and pseudogeohelminths (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The great number of cases of multiple infestations seen among suburban as well as rural populations calls for special attention and underscores the need for more extensive epidemiological studies that take on the different aspects of this complex issue with the goal of implementing more efficient health initiatives and programs.