Avaliação de constipação intestinal em estudantes de nível superior em uma universidade do extremo sul catarinense / Evaluation of intestinal constipation in higher level students at a university in the extreme south of catarina / Evaluación del estreñimiento intestinal en estudiantes de nivel superior de una universidad del extremo sur de catarina

Objetivo: Avaliar a presença de CI em estudantes das fases iniciais e finais dos cursos de Medicina, Nutrição e Engenharia Civil de uma Universidade no Extremo Sul Catarinense -Criciúma, através da ingestão alimentar e hídrica, dos tipos de fezes, se fazem uso, ou não, de alternativas de evacuação, comparando os hábitos alimentares com influência na constipação nos estudantes das três diferentes áreas. Método:Tal estudo foi realizado através de um questionário adaptado com questões sobre os hábitos de vida do indivíduo, juntamente com os critérios de Roma III, Roma IV e Escala de Bristol. Resultados:Caracterizou-se por 158 estudantes, sendo 71,5% (n=113) representam o sexo feminino e apenas 28,5% (n=45), o sexo masculino. A ingestão de líquidos demonstrou-se ser baixa, sendo 33,5% (n=53) ingerem mais que 1600ml/dia. Através da Escala de Bristol, 15,8% (n=25) revelaram evacuar o Tipo 1 e 2, caracterizando CI. Sobre os laxantes, apenas 3,2% (n=5) confirmaram a utilização. Foi verificada CI em 18,6% (n=21) das mulheres e 8,9% (n=4) dos homens. Conclusão:a alimentação destacou ser pobre em fibras. É notório que os estudantes sofrem com sintomas de CI. Através do auxílio de um profissional de nutrição, é necessário que equilibrem sua alimentação com fibras, consumem mais água diariamente e, consequentemente, auxiliem no bom funcionamento intestinal e na melhora da qualidade de vida.

Objective: To evaluate the presence of IC in students in the initial and final stages of Medicine, Nutrition and Civil Engineering courses at a University in the extreme south of Santa Catarina -Criciúma, through food and water intake, types of feces, whether they use, or no, of evacuation alternatives, comparing eating habits with influence on constipation in students from three different areas. Method: This study was carried out through a questionnaire answered with questions about the individual's life habits, together with the criteria of Rome III, Rome IV and Bristol Scale. Results: Characterized by 158 students, 71.5% (n=113) female and only 28.5% (n=45) male. Liquid intake was low, with 33.5% (n=53) ingesting more than 1600ml/day. Through the Bristol Scale, 15.8% (n=25) revealed to evacuate Type 1 and 2, characterizing CI. Regarding laxatives, only 3.2% (n=5) confirmed their use. CI was found in 18.6% (n=21) of women and 8.9% (n=4) of men. Conclusion:the highlighted diet is low in fiber. It is notorious that students suffer from HF symptoms. Through the help of a nutrition professional, it is necessary that they balance their diet with fiber, consume more water daily and, consequently, help in the good intestinal functioning and in the improvement of the qualityof life.

Objetivo:Evaluar la presencia de CI en estudiantes de las etapas inicial y final de las carreras de Medicina, Nutrición e Ingeniería Civil de una Universidad del extremo sur de Santa Catarina -Criciúma, a través de la ingesta de alimentos y agua, tipos de heces, si utilizan , o no, de alternativas de evacuación, comparando los hábitos alimentarios con influencia sobre el estreñimiento en estudiantes de las tres diferentes áreas. Método:Este estudio se realizó mediante un cuestionario adaptado con preguntas sobre el estilo de vida del individuo, junto con los criterios de Roma III, Roma IV y la Escala de Bristol. Resultados:Se caracterizó por 158 estudiantes, 71,5% (n=113) mujeres y sólo 28,5% (n=45) hombres. La ingesta de líquidos resultó ser baja, con un 33,5% (n=53) ingiriendo más de 1.600 ml/día. A través de la Escala de Bristol, el 15,8% (n=25) reveló evacuar Tipo 1 y 2, caracterizando CI. Respecto a los laxantes, sólo el 3,2% (n=5)confirmó su uso. La CI se verificó en el 18,6% (n=21) de las mujeres y en el 8,9% (n=4) de los hombres. Conclusión:la dieta era baja en fibra. Es notorio que los estudiantes padecen síntomas de CI. Con la ayuda de un profesional de la nutrición, es necesario que equilibren su dieta con fibra, consuman más agua diariamente y, en consecuencia, ayuden en el buen funcionamiento intestinal y en la mejora de la calidad de vida.

Invasive lizard has fewer parasites than native congener.

Invasive species can carry parasites to introduced locations, which may be key to understand the success or failure of species establishment and the invasive potential of introduced species. We compared the prevalence and infection levels of haemogregarine blood parasites between two sympatric congeneric species in Lisbon, Portugal: the invasive Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus) and the native green Iberian wall lizard (Podarcis virescens). The two species had significant differences in their infection levels: while P. virescens had high prevalence of infection (69.0%), only one individual of P. siculus was infected (3.7%), and while P. virescens exhibited an average intensity of 1.36%, the infected P. siculus individual had an infection rate of only 0.04%. Genetic analyses of 18S rRNA identified two different haemogregarine haplotypes in P. virescens. Due to the low levels of infection, we were not able to amplify parasite DNA from the infected P. siculus individual, although it was morphologically similar to those found in P. virescens. Since other studies also reported low levels of parasites in P. siculus, we hypothesize that this general lack of parasites could be one of the factors contributing to its competitive advantage over native lizard species and introduction success.

Parasites in a hotspot: diversity and specificity patterns of apicomplexans infecting reptiles from the Socotra Archipelago.

Although parasites represent a major component of biodiversity, they remain poorly assessed, especially in remote regions. In this study, we screened 461 reptiles from Socotra, the largest and most biologically diverse archipelago in Arabia. Using 18S rRNA primers, we detected various apicomplexan parasites, namely haemogregarines, sarcocystids and eimeriids. Haemogregarines were the most common and genetically diverse, followed by sarcocystids (genus Sarcocystis) and eimeriids (genera Isospora and Lankesterella). All were related to parasites of other reptiles, including species from Arabia, Northern Africa and Asia. Like their 29 endemic reptile hosts, almost all Socotran parasites presented high genetic divergence and ecological differences from those found elsewhere, and probably represent undescribed endemic species. Among hosts, skinks were the most parasitized, which contrasted with similar studies from other areas, probably due to their more generalist diet and habitat use. As expected due to its high species richness, geckos harboured the highest parasite diversity in the archipelago. Parasite diversity also seemed to be correlated to island size, as the largest island harboured most haplotypes. This study emphasizes the importance of screening parasites in wild hosts from remote regions and of considering host ecology to understand disease transmission across taxa.

A paradise for parasites? Seven new haemogregarine species infecting lizards from the Canary Islands.

Oceanic islands are hotspots of biodiversity due to their high levels of endemism, with the Canary Islands being a notable example. A previous molecular study on the biogeography and host associations of haemogregarines (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) infecting lizards from this archipelago detected seven parasite haplogroups. These haplogroups exhibited high host-specificity and geographical structure, suggesting that they might correspond to distinct biological identities. In this study, along with sequencing a longer fragment of the 18S rRNA, we further explore the distinctiveness of these parasites by analysing their morphology, effects on host erythrocytes and parasitaemia levels. These lines of evidence together with their genetics, host associations, frequency of occurrence and geographical distribution support them as different biological entities. As such, we describe seven new species: Karyolysus canariensis sp. nov., Karyolysus galloti sp. nov., Karyolysus stehlini sp. nov., Karyolysus gomerensis sp. nov., Karyolysus atlanticus sp. nov., Karyolysus tinerfensis sp. nov. and Karyolysus makariogeckonis sp. nov. These new taxa are further examples of endemic diversity in the Canarian archipelago. They also contribute to clarify the taxonomy within the Apicomplexa, a phylum estimated to have one of the lowest percentages of described species.

Haemogregarine Genetic Diversity in Captive African Rock Pythons from Nigeria Suggests a Geographical Pattern.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding the processes that drive parasite diversification, distribution, and abundance is central to disentangle the dynamics and evolution of diseases. In this study, we screened African rock pythons from Nigeria for the presence of blood parasites to assess their distribution, diversity, and phylogenetic relationships. METHODS: A total of 21 captive African rock pythons collected from across 11 locations in Nigeria were sampled between August 2016 and January 2017. Samples were microscopically and genetically analyzed. RESULTS: From the blood smears analyzed, 10 (47.6%) snakes were found to be infected with haemogregarines. Eight of the infected samples were genetically assessed and confirmed as haemogregarines of the recently described Bartazoon group. Two haplotypes were retrieved, of which one was distributed in the northern-central sampled localities and the other in the southern localities. The two haplotypes were clustered in a clade of haemogregarines from snake, gecko, and rodent hosts, and among them, the haemogregarine species Hepatozoon ayorgbor was described from the ball python Python regius. CONCLUSIONS: Two haemogregarine haplotypes in Nigerian rock pythons, which appear to have a geographical pattern across the country, were detected in this study.

Along for the ride or missing it altogether: exploring the host specificity and diversity of haemogregarines in the Canary Islands.

BACKGROUND: Host-parasite relationships are expected to be strongly shaped by host specificity, a crucial factor in parasite adaptability and diversification. Because whole host communities have to be considered to assess host specificity, oceanic islands are ideal study systems given their simplified biotic assemblages. Previous studies on insular parasites suggest host range broadening during colonization. Here, we investigate the association between one parasite group (haemogregarines) and multiple sympatric hosts (of three lizard genera: Gallotia, Chalcides and Tarentola) in the Canary Islands. Given haemogregarine characteristics and insular conditions, we hypothesized low host specificity and/or occurrence of host-switching events. METHODS: A total of 825 samples were collected from the three host taxa inhabiting the seven main islands of the Canarian Archipelago, including locations where the different lizards occurred in sympatry. Blood slides were screened to assess prevalence and parasitaemia, while parasite genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships were inferred from 18S rRNA gene sequences. RESULTS: Infection levels and diversity of haplotypes varied geographically and across host groups. Infections were found in all species of Gallotia across the seven islands, in Tarentola from Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma, and in Chalcides from Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro. Gallotia lizards presented the highest parasite prevalence, parasitaemia and diversity (seven haplotypes), while the other two host groups (Chalcides and Tarentola) harbored one haplotype each, with low prevalence and parasitaemia levels, and very restricted geographical ranges. Host-sharing of the same haemogregarine haplotype was only detected twice, but these rare instances likely represent occasional cross-infections. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that: (i) Canarian haemogregarine haplotypes are highly host-specific, which might have restricted parasite host expansion; (ii) haemogregarines most probably reached the Canary Islands in three colonization events with each host genus; and (iii) the high number of parasite haplotypes infecting Gallotia hosts and their restricted geographical distribution suggest co-diversification. These findings contrast with our expectations derived from results on other insular parasites, highlighting how host specificity depends on parasite characteristics and evolutionary history.

High Diversity of Hepatozoon spp. in Geckos of the Genus Tarentola.

: Hemogregarines are the most-commonly reported hemoparasites in reptiles. In this work we analyzed samples from 572 individuals of 6 species of the wall gecko genus Tarentola from European and African countries adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea as well as from the Macaronesian islands. Screening was done using hemogregarine-specific primers for the 18S rRNA gene. Positive amplifications were sequenced so that the diversity of the hemogregarines from these hosts could be assessed within a phylogenetic framework. The results from the phylogenetic analysis showed that within Tarentola, the detected parasites are comprised of at least 4 distinct main lineages of Hepatozoon spp. In clades A and B, the new sequences clustered closely together with the ones previously known from individuals of the genus Tarentola and other species of geckos but also with those from other vertebrate host groups including skinks, snakes, iguanids, and rodents. Clade C included a sample from Tarentola angustimentalis of the Canary Islands. This sequence is the first molecular characterization of these hemogregarines in this archipelago. Until now, this lineage had only been found in lacertids, skinks, and snakes, so this infection extends the host range for this clade. Lastly, in the newly detected clade D, the retrieved parasite sequences form a group currently identified as exclusive of geckos. Our results show that geckos of Tarentola spp. harbor a great diversity of hemogregarines but also that further sampling and other tools, including a multi-locus approach using faster-evolving genetic markers, and identification of definitive hosts are needed to better understand the biology, diversity, and distribution of these parasites.

Patterns of genetic diversity in Hepatozoon spp. infecting snakes from North Africa and the Mediterranean Basin.

Species of Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 are blood parasites most commonly found in snakes but some have been described from all tetrapod groups and a wide variety of hematophagous invertebrates. Previous studies have suggested possible associations between Hepatozoon spp. found in predators and prey. Particularly, some saurophagous snakes from North Africa and the Mediterranean region have been found to be infected with Hepatozoon spp. similar to those of various sympatric lizard hosts. In this study, we have screened tissue samples of 111 North African and Mediterranean snakes, using specific primers for the 18S rRNA gene. In the phylogenetic analysis, the newly-generated Hepatozoon spp. sequences grouped separately into five main clusters. Three of these clusters were composed by Hepatozoon spp. also found in snakes and other reptiles from the Mediterranean Basin and North Africa. In the other two clusters, the new sequences were not closely related to geographically proximate known sequences. The phylogeny of Hepatozoon spp. inferred here was not associated with intermediate host taxonomy or geographical distribution. From the other factors that could explain these evolutionary patterns, the most likely seems series of intermediate hosts providing similar ribotypes of Hepatozoon and a high prevalence of host shifts for Hepatozoon spp. This is indicated by ribotypes of high similarity found in different reptile families, as well as by divergent ribotypes found in the same host species. This potentially low host specificity has profound implications for the systematics of Hepatozoon spp.

Molecular assessment of apicomplexan parasites in the snake Psammophis from North Africa: do multiple parasite lineages reflect the final vertebrate host diet?

The Apicomplexa are intracellular pathogens of animals, with the Coccidia being the largest group. Among these are the hemogregarines, which include some of the most common hemoparasites found in reptiles. Several studies have reported a possible pattern of prey-predator transmission for some of these parasites. Snakes from the Mediterranean region have been found to be parasitized with Hepatozoon spp. similar to those in lacertids and gekkonids, supporting the prey-predator transmission hypothesis. Here we analyzed specimens of the saurophagous genus Psammophis from North Africa, an ecologically different region. Through molecular analysis of tissue samples we detected 3 different apicomplexan parasites: Caryospora, Sarcocystis, and Hepatozoon. Caryospora was detected in a Forskål's sand snake Psammophis schokari from Algeria, constituting the first time these parasites have been detected from a tissue sample through molecular screening. The obtained Sarcocystis phylogeny does not reflect the relationships of their final hosts, with the parasites identified from snakes forming at least 3 unrelated groups, indicating that it is still premature to predict definitive host based on the phylogeny of these parasites. Three unrelated lineages of Hepatozoon parasites were identified in Psammophis, each closely related to lineages previously identified from different lizard groups, on which these snakes feed. This once again indicates that diet might be a key element in transmission, at least for Hepatozoon species of saurophagous snakes.

Hepatozoon infection prevalence in four snake genera: influence of diet, prey parasitemia levels, or parasite type?

Hepatozoon spp. (Apicomplexa: Haemogregarinidae) are the most commonly reported hemoparasites from snakes. Of over 300 Hepatozoon species identified, more than 120 were described from snakes. However, recent genetic assessments have found Hepatozoon lineages recovered from both prey and predators, indicating that diet may play an important role in the infection of final vertebrate hosts. Here 4 different snake genera with different diets were assessed. Hepatozoon spp. prevalence varied greatly between the genera, but only lineages already identified from potential prey, i.e., gecko and lacertid lizards, were recovered from the snakes. Interestingly, the Hepatozoon spp. lineage known from geckos was the most common in the snakes, but this does not reflect their diet. Higher parasitemia levels, reported for some geckos relative to lacertid lizards, may play a role. Alternatively, this lineage may be more effective at parasitizing snakes or may occur, despite being unrecorded, in other vertebrate groups consumed by snakes.