Utilization of Deworming Drugs and Its Individual and Community Level Predictors among Pregnant Married Women in Cameroon: A Multilevel Modeling.

BACKGROUND: Although deworming pregnant women is one of the strategies to reduce parasites (roundworms and hookworms) causing anemia and related perinatal and maternal complications, utilization of deworming medication among pregnant women in Cameroon is suboptimal. Comprehensive assessment of individual, household (including women's autonomy), and community-level factors associated with utilization of deworming medication has not been done so far. Therefore, we investigated the individual/household and community-level factors associated with deworming among pregnant married women in Cameroon. METHODS: Our study was limited to pregnant women because they have a greater risk due to increased chances of anemia. We used data from the 2018/19 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey. Analysis on 5,013 pregnant married women was carried out using multilevel logistic regression. Odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported. RESULTS: Our findings showed that about 29.8% of pregnant married women received deworming medications. The individual/household level predictors of deworming medications utilization identified in this study were women's educational level, wealth quintile, and skilled antenatal care. Distance to health facility and region were identified as community-level predictors of deworming medications utilization. Higher odds of receiving deworming medication occurred among educated and wealthier pregnant married women as well as among pregnant married women who had skilled antenatal care or lived in the south region, whereas lower odds were observed among pregnant married women living in the north region. CONCLUSION: Access to education and economic empowerment of pregnant married women in remote areas and the north region should be the primary focus of the Cameroon government to enhance deworming coverage in the country.

Prevalencia de parasitosis intestinal en trabajadores de la florícola Irose de la provincia de Pichincha ­ Cantón Pedro Moncayo 2019 / Prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in workers of the irose florícola of the province of pichincha - Canton Pedro Moncayo

Las infecciones por parásitos intestinales son de ocurrencia constantes y se encuentran asociadas al incumplimiento de las medidas sanitarias por parte de la población. El objetivo de esa investigación fue establecer la prevalencia de parasitosis intestinal por protozoos y helmintos en trabajadores de la florícola iRose de la provincia de Pichincha-Cantón Pedro Moncayo mediante el examen coproparasitario realizado en el mes de agosto de 2019. Correspondió a un estudio transversal, descriptivo y de tipo observacional. La población estuvo integrada por 88 personas, quienes son trabajadores de la florícola iRose, Provincia de Pichincha, cantón Pedro Moncayo, distribuidos de la siguiente manera: 49 trabajadores del sexo masculino y 39 trabajadores del sexo femenino. La técnica de recolección de datos utilizada fue la encuesta y la observación directa y luego de obtener las muestras biológicas, la detección de parásitos intestinales se realizó mediante el método de coproparasitario en muestras heces. Los resultados evidencian presencia de protozoos en un 92.5% de las muestras estudiadas, mientras que el 7.5% presentan helmintos; mientras que el 40% de los estudios revelan quistes de endolimax nana, detectándose en el 25% de la muestra de los trabajadores de sexo masculino y con una presencia del 15% en los trabajadores del sexo femenino. Por lo que se recomienda realizar el examen coproparasitario al menos dos veces al año y paralelamente fortalecer las estrategias de promoción y prevención(AU)

Infections with intestinal parasites are of constant occurrence and are associated with non-compliance with health measures by the population. The objective of this research was to establish the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis by protozoa and helminths in la workers IRose flower farm of the province of Pichincha-Canton Pedro Moncayo through the coproparasitario examination carried out in august 2019. It corresponded to a cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study. The population was composed of 88 people, who are workers of the floricultural iRose, Province of Pichincha, canton Pedro Moncayo, distributed as follows: 49 male and 39 female workers. The data collection technique used was survey and direct observation and after obtaining biological samples, detection of intestinal parasites was performed using the coproparasitario method in fecal samples. The results showed the presence of protozoa in 92.5% of the samples studied, while 7.5% showed helminths; while 40% of studies reveal endolimax nana cysts, being detected in 25% of the sample of male workers and with a presence of 15% in female workers. Therefore, it is recommended to perform the coproparasitario examination less twice a year and in parallel strengthen strategies promotion and prevention(AU)

Interactome analysis of CD5 and CD6 ectodomains with tegumental antigens from the helminth parasite Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato.

Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) is a cestode parasite affecting both human and livestock health. Recombinant ectodomains of human scavenger receptors CD5 (rshCD5) and CD6 (rshCD6) were previously reported to bind its tegumental antigens and to exert prophylactic effects in a murine model of infection. Although the properties of mammalian scavenger receptors include the binding to diverse pathogen-derived structures, their interaction with helminth parasites has been scarcely explored. Therefore, we report here a search for CD5 and CD6 interactors within E. granulosus s.l. antigens. Mass spectrometry analysis of pull-downs from soluble tegumental components with biotinylated rshCD5 and rshCD6 resulted in 17 and 11 overrepresented interactors, respectively, 8 of which were shared. The interactors included previously reported protective molecules against E. granulosus s.l. and/or other helminths. Similar studies performed with 11-mer peptides mapping to each of the three extracellular scavenger domains of CD5 and CD6 allowed an estimated molecular topology of the interactions. In conclusion, the fact that most helminth interactors identified for rshCD5 and rshCD6 were already reported as vaccine candidates or pharmacological targets against different helminthiases, supports the view that their beneficial effects in experimental infection results from binding to multiple relevant tegumental antigens.

Post-genomic progress in helminth parasitology.

Helminth parasitology is an important discipline, which poses often unique technical challenges. One challenge is that helminth parasites, particularly those in humans, are often difficult to obtain alive and in sufficient quantities for study; another is the challenge of studying these organisms in vitro - no helminth parasite life cycle has been fully recapitulated outside of a host. Arguably, the key issue retarding progress in helminth parasitology has been a lack of experimental tools and resources, certainly relative to the riches that have driven many parasitologists to adopt free-living model organisms as surrogate systems. In response to these needs, the past 10-12 years have seen the beginnings of helminth parasitology's journey into the 'omics' era, with the release of abundant sequencing resources, and the functional genomics tools with which to test biological hypotheses. To reflect this progress, the 2019 Autumn Symposium of the British Society for Parasitology was held in Queen's University Belfast on the topic of 'post-genomic progress in helminth parasitology'. This issue presents examples of the current state of play in the field, while this editorial summarizes how genomic datasets and functional genomic tools have stimulated impressive recent progress in our understanding of parasite biology.

Compilation of 29 years of postmortem examinations identifies major shifts in equine parasite prevalence from 2000 onwards.

Horses are infected by a wide range of parasite species that form complex communities. Parasite control imposes significant constraints on parasite communities whose monitoring remains, however, difficult to track through time. Postmortem examination is a reliable method to quantify parasite communities. Here, we compiled 1,673 necropsy reports accumulated over 29 years, in the reference necropsy centre from Normandy (France). The burden of non-strongylid species was quantified and the presence of strongylid species was noted. Details of horse deworming history and the cause of death were registered. Building on these data, we investigated the temporal trend in non-strongylid epidemiology and we determined the contribution of parasites to the deaths of horses throughout the study period. Data analyses revealed the seasonal variations of non-strongylid parasite abundance and reduced worm burden in race horses. Beyond these observations, we found a shift in the species responsible for fatal parasitic infection from the year 2000 onward, whereby fatal cyathostominosis and Parascaris spp. infection have replaced cases of death caused by Strongylus vulgaris and tapeworms. A concomitant break in the temporal trend of parasite species prevalence was also found within a 10 year window (1998-2007) that has seen the rise of Parascaris spp. and the decline of both Gasterophilus spp. and tapeworms. A few cases of parasite persistence following deworming were identified, which all occurred after 2000. Altogether, these findings provide insights into major shifts in non-strongylid parasite prevalence and abundance over the last 29 years. They also underscore the critical importance of Parascaris spp. in young equids.

Gastrointestinal helminth parasites of the common wallaroo or euro, Osphranter robustus (Gould) (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from Australia.

The gastrointestinal helminth parasites of 170 common wallaroos or euros, Osphranter robustus (Gould), collected from all mainland states in which the species occurs as well as the Northern Territory, are presented, including previously published data. A total of 65 species of helminths were encountered, including four species of anoplocephalid cestodes found in the bile ducts and small intestine, and 61 species of strongylid nematodes, all but two of which occurring in the stomach, and with the remainder occurring in the terminal ileum, caecum and colon. Among the mainland subspecies of O. robustus, 52 species of helminths were encountered in O. r. robustus, compared with 30 species in O. r. woodwardi and 35 species in O. r. erubescens. Of the parasite species encountered, only 17 were specific to O. robustus, the remaining being shared with sympatric host species. Host-specific species or species occurring in O. robustus at a high prevalence can be classified as follows: widely distributed; restricted to northern Australia; restricted to the northern wallaroo, O. r. woodwardi; found only in the euro, O. r. erubescens; found essentially along the eastern coast of Australia, primarily in O. r. robustus; and species with highly limited regional distributions. The data currently available suggest that the acquisition of a significant number of parasites is due to co-grazing with other macropodids, while subspeciation in wallaroos as well as climatic variables may have influenced the diversification of the parasite fauna.

Endoparasitos em veados-catingueiros (Mazama gouazoubira) mantidos em cativeiro no Semiárido Paraibano / Endoparasites in brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) kept in captivity in the Semiarid of Paraíba

Objetivou-se investigar a ocorrência de endoparasitos em veados-catingueiros (Mazama gouazoubira) pertencentes a uma propriedade conservacionista no município de Sousa, Paraíba. Foram realizadas coletas de fezes em sete animais que foram submetidas às técnicas de sedimentação espontânea, centrífugo-flutuação em solução de sacarose, contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG), contagem de oocistos por grama de fezes (OoPG) e coproculturas. Foram avaliados os locais de criação dos animais, para obtenção das informações acerca do manejo sanitário e alimentar. Em todas as amostras observaram-se ovos da Superfamília Trichostrongyloidea(OPG 200 ± 100) ecoccídios(OoPG 1500 ± 300). Nas coproculturas, 100% das larvas infectantes pertenciam ao gênero Trichostrongylus. Foram constatados oocistos do gênero Cystoisospora em todas as amostras. Em uma fêmea, que apresentou OoPG 1800, observaram-se sinais clínicos como apatia, anorexia, desidratação e diarreia intermitente, condizentes com Coccidiose. Este animal recebeu tratamento com a associação de sulfametoxazol e trimetropim, por sete dias, havendo melhora clínica. Erros de manejo foram observados na propriedade, como o convívio de M. gouazoubira com bovinos, ovinos e caprinos, alimentação inadequada à base de ração industrializada para equinos, bebedouros improvisados e não higienizados, e acúmulo de sujeira dos ambientes frequentados pelos animais. Concluiu-se que os veados-catingueiros estavam parasitados por helmintos (Trichostrongylus sp.) e protozoários (Cystoisospora spp.), podendo estas infecções estarem associadas ao convívio destes animais com ruminantes domésticos. Este estudo apresenta o primeiro relato da infecção por Cystoisospora spp. em M. gouazoubira.

The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of endoparasites in brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) belonging to a conservationist property in the municipality of Sousa, Paraíba. Fecal samples were collected in seven animals that were submitted to the techniques of spontaneous sedimentation, centrifugation-flotation in sucrose solution, egg count per gram of feces (EPG), oocyst count per gram of feces (OoPG) and coproculture. The breeding sites were evaluated to obtain information on Sanitary and food management. In all samples, eggs of the Trichostrongyloidea Superfamily (EPG 200 ± 100) and coccidia (OoPG 1500 ± 300) were observed. In the coprocultures, 100% of the infecting larvae belonged to the genus Trichostrongylus. Oocysts of the genus Cystoisospora spp. were found in all samples. In one female, who presented OoPG 1800, clinical signs such as apathy, anorexia, dehydration and intermittent diarrhea, consistent with Coccidiosis. This animal received treatment with the combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimetropim for seven days, with clinical improvement of the animal. Management errors were observed in the property, such as M. gouazoubira's conviviality with as cattle, sheep and goats, inadequate feed based on industrialized ration for horses, improvised and unhygienic drinking fountains, accumulation of dirt in the environments frequented by animals. They concluded that veados-catingueiros were parasitized by helminths (Trichostrongylus sp.) and protozoa (Cystoisospora sp.) infections may be associated with the coexistence of animals with domestic ruminants. This study presents the first report of Cystoisospora spp. in M. gouazoubira.

Dysbiosis associated with acute helminth infections in herbivorous youngstock - observations and implications.

A plethora of data points towards a role of the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota of neonatal and young vertebrates in supporting the development and regulation of the host immune system. However, knowledge of the impact that infections by GI helminths exert on the developing microbiota of juvenile hosts is, thus far, limited. This study investigates, for the first time, the associations between acute infections by GI helminths and the faecal microbial and metabolic profiles of a cohort of equine youngstock, prior to and following treatment with parasiticides (ivermectin). We observed that high versus low parasite burdens (measured via parasite egg counts in faecal samples) were associated with specific compositional alterations of the developing microbiome; in particular, the faecal microbiota of animals with heavy worm infection burdens was characterised by lower microbial richness, and alterations to the relative abundances of bacterial taxa with immune-modulatory functions. Amino acids and glucose were increased in faecal samples from the same cohort, which indicated the likely occurrence of intestinal malabsorption. These data support the hypothesis that GI helminth infections in young livestock are associated with significant alterations to the GI microbiota, which may impact on both metabolism and development of acquired immunity. This knowledge will direct future studies aimed to identify the long-term impact of infection-induced alterations of the GI microbiota in young livestock.

Infection dynamics of gastrointestinal helminths in sympatric non-human primates, livestock and wild ruminants in Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal parasites are neglected infections, yet they cause significant burden to animal and human health globally. To date, most studies of gastrointestinal parasites focus on host-parasite systems that involve either a single parasite or a host species. However, when hosts share habitat and resources, they may also cross-transmit generalist gastrointestinal parasites. Here we explore multi-host-parasite interactions in a single ecosystem to understand the infection patterns, especially those linked to livestock-wildlife interfaces and zoonotic risk. METHODS: We used both coprological methods (flotation and sedimentation; N = 1,138 fecal samples) and molecular identification techniques (rDNA and mtDNA; N = 18 larvae) to identify gastrointestinal parasites in nine sympatric host species (cattle, sheep, goats, wildebeest, Grant's gazelles, Thomson's gazelles, impala, vervet monkeys and baboons) in the Amboseli ecosystem, Kenya. RESULTS: We found that the host community harbored a diverse community of gastrointestinal helminths, including 22 species and/or morphotypes that were heterogeneously distributed across the hosts. Six zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths were identified: Trichuris spp., Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Enterobius spp. Oesophagostomum bifurcum, Strongyloides stercoralis and Strongyloides fuelleborni. The dominant parasite was Trichuris spp, whose ova occurred in two morphological types. Baboons were co-infected with Strongyloides fuelleborni and S. stercoralis. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the interface zone shared by wild ungulates, livestock and non-human primates is rich in diversity of gastrointestinal helminths, of which some are extensively shared across the host species. Closely related host species were most likely to be infected by the same parasite species. Several parasites showed genetic sub-structuring according to either geography or host species. Of significance and contrary to expectation, we found that livestock had a higher parasite richness than wild bovids, which is a health risk for both conservation and livestock production. The zoonotic parasites are of public health risk, especially to pastoralist communities living in areas contiguous to wildlife areas. These results expand information on the epidemiology of these parasites and highlights potential zoonotic risk in East African savanna habitats.

Comparative analysis of the mitochondrial genomes of Orthonectida: insights into the evolution of an invertebrate parasite species.

Among invertebrates, only a few groups still have uncertain phylogenetic position, Orthonectida, a small group of rare multi-cellular parasites of marine invertebrates, being one of them. Recent molecular and morphological findings suggest that orthonectids belong to Lophotrochozoa and are close to Annelida. Nevertheless, phylogenetic relationships between orthonectids and annelids are unclear, and the phylogeny within the group itself has never been studied. Sequencing of mitochondrial genomes is used here to clarify this issue. Complete mt genomes of the orthonectids Intoshia variabili and Rhopalura litoralis were characterized and compared with Intoshia linei mt genome. Our results show that Orthonectida mt genomes have undergone reduction and gene loss, and that they have complicated organization revealed in strand asymmetry in nucleotide composition, in some features of intergenic non-coding regions, tRNA duplication and folding. Moreover, all species of Orthonectida have a unique gene order with complicated rearrangement landscape. Significant differences in mitochondrial genomes in the three orthonectid species could be explained by the fact that their host species belong to different taxa (flat worms, nemertines and gastropods). Among the analyzed mt genomes of Orthonectida, I. linei possesses the closest gene order to the ancestral genome. All Orthonectida species are monophyletic, and in the phylogenetic tree are close to Pleistoannelida, and specifically, to Clitellata.

"For how long are we going to take the tablets?" Kenyan stakeholders' views on priority investments to sustainably tackle soil-transmitted helminths.

Recent global commitments to shift responsibility for Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) control to affected countries reflect a renewed emphasis on sustainability, away from aid-dependency. This calls for a better understanding of how domestic stakeholders perceive investments in different strategies for NTD control. Soil transmitted helminths (STH) are among the NTDs targeted for elimination as a public health problem by international agencies through mass drug administration, provided periodically to at-risk population groups, often using drugs donated by pharmaceutical companies. This study was conducted in Kenya at a time when responsibilities for long running STH programmes were transitioning from external to national and sub-national agencies. Following an initial assessment in which we identified key domestic stakeholders and reviewed relevant scientific and government documents, the perspectives of stakeholders working in health, education, community engagement and sanitation were investigated through semi-structured interviews with national level policymakers, county level policymakers, and frontline implementers in one high-STH burden county, Kwale. Our conceptual framework on sustainability traced a progression in thinking, from ensuring financial stability through the technical ability to adapt to changing circumstances, and ultimately to a situation where a programme is prioritised by domestic policymakers because empowered communities demand it. It was clear from our interviews that most Kenyan stakeholders sought to be at the final stage in this progression. Interviewees criticised long-term investment in mass drug administration, the approach favoured predominantly by external agencies, for failing to address underlying causes of STH. Instead they identified three synergistic priority areas for investment: changes in institutional structures and culture to reduce working in silos; building community demand and ownership; and increased policymaker engagement on underlying socioeconomic and environmental causes of STH. Although challenging to implement, the shift in responsibility from external agencies to domestic stakeholders may lead to emergence of new strategic directions.

Temperature-dependent behaviors of parasitic helminths.

Parasitic helminth infections are the most common source of neglected tropical disease among impoverished global communities. Many helminths infect their hosts via an active, sensory-driven process in which environmentally motile infective larvae position themselves near potential hosts. For these helminths, host seeking and host invasion can be divided into several discrete behaviors that are regulated by both host-emitted and environmental sensory cues, including heat. Thermosensation is a critical sensory modality for helminths that infect warm-blooded hosts, driving multiple behaviors necessary for host seeking and host invasion. Furthermore, thermosensory cues influence the host-seeking behaviors of both helminths that parasitize endothermic hosts and helminths that parasitize insect hosts. Here, we discuss the role of thermosensation in guiding the host-seeking and host-infection behaviors of a diverse group of helminths, including mammalian-parasitic nematodes, entomopathogenic nematodes, and schistosomes. We also discuss the neural circuitry and molecular pathways that underlie thermosensory responses in these species.

Prevalência de enteroparasitas em indivíduos atendidos no Laboratório Municipal de Buriti dos Lopes, Piauí, Brasil / Prevalence of enteroparasites in individuals attended at the Buriti dos Lopes Municipal Laboratory, Piauí, Brazil

Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a prevalência de enteroparasitas em populares atendidos no laboratório municipal de Buriti dos Lopes-PI, durante os meses de fevereiro a outubro de 2017. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, descritivo e retrospectivo, em que foram utilizados dados coletados dos prontuários do laboratório em questão. Resultados: Dentre os prontuários analisados, 41% dos casos manifestaram-se positivos; houve prevalência da presença dos parasitas no sexo feminino (61%); os casos que apresentaram monoparasitismo obtiveram maior prevalência (76%). Em relação ao poliparasitismo, a maior associação encontrada entre os parasitas foi de Entamoeba coli e Endolimax nana (55,7%). O parasita mais detectado, de forma geral, foi Endolimax nana; a faixa etária mais parasitada foi entre 0 a 10 anos (32%). Conclusão: As condições de saneamento básico e higiene associados ao tratamento são fatores indispensáveis para reduzir a frequência desses parasitas. Apesar de apresentarem melhorias nos índices, esses parasitas continuam sendo um problema frequente para a população.

Changes in parasite traits, rather than intensity, affect the dynamics of infection under external perturbation.

Understanding the mechanisms that generate complex host-parasite interactions, and how they contribute to variation between and within hosts, is important for predicting risk of infection and transmission, and for developing more effective interventions based on parasite properties. We used the T. retortaeformis (TR)-rabbit system and developed a state-space mathematical framework to capture the variation in intensity of infection and egg shedding in hosts infected weekly, then treated with an anthelminthic and subsequently re-challenged following the same infection regime. Experimental infections indicate that parasite intensity accumulates more slowly in the post-anthelminthic phase but reaches similar maximum numbers. By contrast, parasite EPG (eggs per gram of feces) shed from rabbits in the post-treatment phase is lower and less variable through time. Inference based on EPG alone suggests a decline in parasite intensity over time. Using a state-space model and incorporating all sources of cross-sectional and longitudinal data, we show that while parasite intensity remains relatively constant in both experimental phases, shedding of eggs into the environment is increasingly limited through changes in parasite growth. We suggest that host immunity directly modulates both the accumulation and the growth of the parasite, and indirectly affects transmission by limiting parasite length and thus fecundity. This study provides a better understanding of how within-host trophic interactions influence different components of a helminth population. It also suggests that heterogeneity in parasite traits should be addressed more carefully when examining and managing helminth infections in the absence of some critical data on parasite dynamics.

Prevalencia de parasitosis en niños de 1 a 7 años en condición de vulnerabilidad en la Región Central Sur de Costa Rica / Prevalence of parasitosis in children aged 1 to 7 years in vulnerable condition in the South Central Region of Costa Rica

Resumen Objetivo: Actualizar la información sobre la prevalencia de parasitosis en niños en Costa Rica y la relación de esta con factores socioeconómicos. Metodología: se realizó un estudio para determinar la prevalencia de parásitos y comensales intestinales en niños de 1-7 años, de 13 centros que cuentan con dos modalidades de programas de alimentación. A los padres se les administró un cuestionario estructurado (n=2514; 96,8% de los padres invitados a participar accedieron). Se recolectaron muestras de heces de los niños (n=1368, 54,0%), que fueron analizadas por frotis directo y montaje de Kato. Se corrieron pruebas de chi cuadrado, se calcularon las razones de probabilidades (OR) y se realizó un modelo de regresión logística binaria para examinar las asociaciones entre las características socioeconómicas de las familias de los niños y su probabilidad de desarrollar parasitosis. Resultados: la prevalencia de protozoarios comensales, protozoarios patógenos, helmintos o una combinación de los anteriores (CPH) fue del 24,1% (IC 95%: 21,9-26,4). La prevalencia de parásitos patógenos y la de helmintiasis fue del 8,5% (IC 95%: 7,5-10,5) y 0,7% (IC 95%: 0,1-1,5), respectivamente. El protozoario patógeno más frecuente fue Giardia intestinalis (8,0%), el comensal fue Endolimax nana (7,7%) y el helminto fue Ascaris lumbricoides (0,4%). No se observaron diferencias significativas en la prevalencia de CPH o parasitosis según sexo o programa de alimentación. Las prevalencias más altas de CPH y parasitosis se observaron en La Uruca (46,9% y 17,2%, respectivamente) y las más bajas en Paso Ancho (7,7% y 0%, respectivamente). Tener una edad >5 años, vivir en una casa con paredes construidas con material de desecho o zinc, habitar en una vivienda no adecuada (i.e., vivienda indígena, cuarto en cuartería, tugurio, casa móvil, pensión o convento) y tener una familia con más de 4 miembros, fueron identificados como posibles factores de riesgo para CPH. Conclusiones: la prevalencia de comensales, patógenos, helmintos encontrada en este estudio fue menor a la observada en la última Encuesta Nacional de Nutrición de Costa Rica (32,6%), realizada en 2008-2009. Sin embargo, el estudio muestra que existen condiciones permisivas para la trasmisión de enteroparásitos, y que resulta necesario darle seguimiento a las medidas preventivas y de tratamiento de las parasitosis.

Abstract Objective: to determine the prevalence of parasitosis in children in Costa Rica and its association with socioeconomic factors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites and commensals in children aged 1-7 years old, from 13 centers with two types of food distribution programs. We administered a structured questionnaire, which included some questions from the 2014 Costa Rican National Home Survey, to most of the parents who consented for their children to participate in the study (n=2435 out of 2514). We collected stool samples from children (n=1368; 54,0%) and then analyzed them using a direct smear and Kato assembly. Odds ratios (OR) and chi-square tests were calculated and a binary logistic regression model was fitted to assess the associations between socioeconomic characteristics of the children's families and the probability of having an intestinal parasitic infection. Results: The prevalence of commensal protozoans, pathogenic protozoans, helminthes, or a combination of them (referred to henceforth as CPH) was 24.1% (95% CI: 21.9-26.4), whereas prevalences of pathogenic parasites and helmithiasis were 8.5% (95% CI: 7.5-10.5) and 0.7% (95% CI: 0.1-1.5), respectively. The most prevalent pathogenic parasite was Giardia intestinalis (8.0%), the most frequent commensal protozoan was Endolimax nana (7.7%), and the most prevalent helminth was Ascaris lumbricoides (0.4%). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of CPH or parasitosis by sex or nutritional program. The highest prevalences of CPH and parasitosis were observed in La Uruca (46.9% and 17.2%, respectively) and the lowest in Paso Ancho (7.7% and 0%, respectively). Being 5 years old or above, living in a house with walls made up of waste material or zinc, having a non-suitable house (i.e., indigenous housing, living in a small room inside a quartery house, slums, mobile housing, pension, or convent), and having more than 4 family members were identified as risk factors for having a CPH. Conclusions: The CPH prevalence found in this study was lower than the one observed in the Costa Rican National Nutritional Survey 2008-2009 (32.6%). However, this study shows that there are several permissive conditions that allow the transmission of intestinal parasites and that it is necessary to improve the preventive and treatment measures of intestinal parasites.

Metazoan Parasite Vaccines: Present Status and Future Prospects.

Eukaryotic parasites and pathogens continue to cause some of the most detrimental and difficult to treat diseases (or disease states) in both humans and animals, while also continuously expanding into non-endemic countries. Combined with the ever growing number of reports on drug-resistance and the lack of effective treatment programs for many metazoan diseases, the impact that these organisms will have on quality of life remain a global challenge. Vaccination as an effective prophylactic treatment has been demonstrated for well over 200 years for bacterial and viral diseases. From the earliest variolation procedures to the cutting edge technologies employed today, many protective preparations have been successfully developed for use in both medical and veterinary applications. In spite of the successes of these applications in the discovery of subunit vaccines against prokaryotic pathogens, not many targets have been successfully developed into vaccines directed against metazoan parasites. With the current increase in -omics technologies and metadata for eukaryotic parasites, target discovery for vaccine development can be expedited. However, a good understanding of the host/vector/pathogen interface is needed to understand the underlying biological, biochemical and immunological components that will confer a protective response in the host animal. Therefore, systems biology is rapidly coming of age in the pursuit of effective parasite vaccines. Despite the difficulties, a number of approaches have been developed and applied to parasitic helminths and arthropods. This review will focus on key aspects of vaccine development that require attention in the battle against these metazoan parasites, as well as successes in the field of vaccine development for helminthiases and ectoparasites. Lastly, we propose future direction of applying successes in pursuit of next generation vaccines.

Enteroparasites in Preschool Children on the Pacific Region of Nicaragua.

The aim of this study was to determine for the first time the prevalence of enteroparasites in preschool children originating from the seven departments of the Pacific region in Nicaragua. One stool sample of each of 1,217 children, from 6 months to 5 years of age, was collected and personal data were recorded on delivery of the container. Samples fixed in 10% formalin were processed by a formol-acetate concentration and a modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. The overall prevalence of enteroparasite infections was 68.2% with a total of at least 20 species. Blastocystis hominis (45.5%), Giardia intestinalis (31.7%), Trichuris trichiura (8.2%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (5.2%) were the most prevalent protozoa and helminth species in the total study as well as in all departments. Protozoan prevalence presented a statistically significant difference by gender (male: 69.6%; female: 46.7%; P < 0.001), and males presented a higher T. trichiura infection rate than females (male: 9.9%; female 6.4%; P < 0.035). Protozoan prevalence increased with age with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Helminths were always more prevalent in urban areas (P < 0.0002). Protozoan infections result statistically higher than helminth infections so that water-based transmission could be suspected. Based on the differences with respect to species and parasite prevalence between the seven departments in the Pacific region of Nicaragua, the exploration of local factors associated with the transmission of enteroparasites should also be considered to reduce infection.

Levantamento das condenações de fígados e pulmões de equinos por migração larvar em matadouro-frigorífico sob inspeção federal / Survey of condemnation of horses' lungs and lungs by larval migration in a slaughterhouse under federal inspection

A importância da helmintose em diferentes espécies de açougue se dá pelos prejuízos econômicos gerados pelas condenações de suas carcaças e vísceras. O presente estudo avaliou as condenações por migração larvar em fígados e pulmões em um frigorífico de equídeos sob inspeção federal localizado em Minas Gerais no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2016. Os 13.636 animais pesquisados eram provenientes dos Estados de Goiás, Pernambuco, Bahia e Piauí, sendo os dados obtidos por meio dos registros das condenações realizadas na inspeção post mortem de acordo com os critérios do serviço de inspeção federal. Dos fígados e pulmões condenados, 12% e 8% respectivamente corresponderam à condenação por migração larval, podendo concluir que o prejuízo devido à parasitose se torna evidente no abate de equinos, principalmente com o acometimento em maior porcentagem de fígados e com representatividade à ocorrência de parasitas também nos pulmões.(AU)

The importance of helminthoses in different species of butchers is due to the economic damages generated by the condemnation of their carcasses and viscera. The present study evaluated the condemnations for larval migration in livers and lungs in a equidae slaughterhouse under federal inspection located in Minas Gerais from January to December 2016. The 13,636 animals studied were from the States of Goiás, Pernambuco, Bahia and Piauí , the data being obtained through the records of the convictions carried out in the post-mortem inspection according to the criteria of the federal inspection service. Of the condemned livers and lungs, 12% and 8%, respectively, corresponded to the larval migration conviction, and it can be concluded that the parasitic injury is evident in the slaughter of horses, mainly with involvement in a higher percentage of livers, and with the occurrence of parasites also in the lungs.

Quantitative PCR and Digital PCR for Detection of Ascaris lumbricoides Eggs in Reclaimed Water.

The reuse of reclaimed water from wastewater depuration is a widespread and necessary practice in many areas around the world and must be accompanied by adequate and continuous quality control. Ascaris lumbricoides is one of the soil-transmitted helminths (STH) with risk for humans due to its high infectivity and an important determinant of transmission is the inadequacy of water supplies and sanitation. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a limit equal to or lower than one parasitic helminth egg per liter, to reuse reclaimed water for unrestricted irrigation. We present two new protocols of DNA extraction from large volumes of reclaimed water. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and digital PCR (dPCR) were able to detect low amounts of A. lumbricoides eggs. By using the first extraction protocol, which processes 500 mL of reclaimed water, qPCR can detect DNA concentrations as low as one A. lumbricoides egg equivalent, while dPCR can detect DNA concentrations as low as five A. lumbricoides egg equivalents. By using the second protocol, which processes 10 L of reclaimed water, qPCR was able to detect DNA concentrations equivalent to 20 A. lumbricoides eggs. This fact indicated the importance of developing new methodologies to detect helminth eggs with higher sensitivity and precision avoiding possible human infection risks.

Anthropometric Indices and Serum Micronutrient Status of Helminth - Infected School Children from Semi-Urban Communities in Southwestern Nigeria.

Adequate nutrition is essential for normal growth of children but helminth infection is proposed to cause nutritional deficiencies. This study was carried out to assess the nutritional status of helminth infected school aged children in semi-urban communities of South-West Nigeria. Two hundred children from primary schools in Akinyele Local Government of Oyo State, Nigeria participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements were analyzed using the WHO AnthroPlus software. Kato Katz method was used to detect ova of helminths in the stool while serum levels of iron, zinc, selenium, ferritin, transferrin, vitamin A, vitamin C and haptoglobin were measured using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Atomic Absorption Spectophotometry as appropriate. 60 (30%) of the children had intestinal helminth infection with Ascaris lumbricoides (23.0%) as most prevalent, followed by hookworm (2.5%) and Trichuris trichuria (0.5%).  Stunting was more prevalent than thinness or underweight among the study population especially the female children. There were significantly reduced serum levels of zinc and vitamin A and significantly increased serum levels of transferrin and selenium in helminth-infected children compared with helminth-uninfected children. This study established the need for regular deworming of school age children and supplementing diets of school children in rural communities with vitamin A and zinc.