Genetic polymorphism and population structure of Echinococcus ortleppi.

The zoonotic cestode Echinococcus ortleppi (Lopez-Neyra and Soler Planas, 1943) is mainly transmitted between dogs and cattle. It occurs worldwide but is only found sporadically in most regions, with the notable exception of parts of southern Africa and South America. Its epidemiology is little understood and the extent of intraspecific variability is unknown. We have analysed in the present study the genetic diversity among 178 E. ortleppi isolates from sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and South America using the complete mitochondrial cox1 (1608 bp) and nad1 (894 bp) DNA sequences. Genetic polymorphism within the loci revealed 15 cox1 and six nad1 haplotypes, respectively, and 20 haplotypes of the concatenated genes. Presence of most haplotypes was correlated to geographical regions, and only one haplotype had a wider spread in both eastern and southern Africa. Intraspecific microvariance was low in comparison with Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto, despite the wide geographic range of examined isolates. In addition, the various sub-populations showed only subtle deviation from neutrality and were mostly genetically differentiated. This is the first insight into the population genetics of the enigmatic cattle adapted Echinococcus ortleppi. It, therefore, provides baseline data for biogeographical comparison among E. ortleppi endemic regions and for tracing its translocation paths.

Reappraising the theme of breeding systems in Echinococcus: is outcrossing a rare phenomenon?

Selfing has been considered the most common mode of reproduction in Echinococcus flatworms. However, population genetic studies on the asexual larval stage involving nuclear co-dominant markers have not always revealed significant heterozygote deficiencies--the expected outcome of a regularly and highly inbred population. In this study, we analysed the genetic structure of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato populations from Southern Brazil during their adult (sexual) stage using 1 mitochondrial and 1 nuclear marker (cox 1 and mdh, respectively). We show that parasite genetic differentiation is largest among definitive hosts (domestic dogs) from different farms, suggesting that transmission is mostly maintained within a farm. Moreover, we show that heterozygote deficiencies are not significant, and we suggest that outbreeding is the most common mode of reproduction of the parasite in that region.

Ecology and Life Cycle Patterns of Echinococcus Species.

The genus Echinococcus is composed of eight generally recognized species and one genotypic cluster (Echinococcus canadensis cluster) that may in future be resolved into one to three species. For each species, we review existing information on transmission routes and life cycles in different geographical contexts and - where available - include basic biological information of parasites and hosts (e.g., susceptibility of host species). While some Echinococcus spp. are transmitted in life cycles that involve predominantly domestic animals (e.g., dog - livestock cycles), others are wildlife parasites that do or do not interact with domestic transmission. In many cases, life cycle patterns of the same parasite species differ according to geography. Simple life cycles contrast with transmission patterns that are highly complex, involving multihost systems that may include both domestic and wild mammals. Wildlife transmission may be primary or secondary, i.e., resulting from spillovers from domestic animals. For most of the species and regions, existing information does not yet permit a conclusive description of transmission systems. Such data, however, would be highly relevant, e.g., for anticipation of geographical changes of the presence and frequency of these parasites in a warming world, or for initiating evidence-based control strategies.

The meaning of health and well-being: voices from older rural women.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of geographical location on the maintenance of older rural women's health and well-being has been largely unexamined in the research literature. Contextual explanations of environmental impact on health status have been traditionally been assigned to a narrow picture of rural life which emphasized occupational health at the expense of sociological aspects. There have been many research programs about ageing Australian people in urban areas but few concerning the older rural population. Few clues can be found as to how their needs and expectations may differ from those of their urban counterparts. The size of Australia's older population is increasing and steadily becoming feminised. Approximately 37% of these older women live outside capital cities in rural and remote areas. For those planning services for this group of older women, the influence of the rural and remote social and physical context on health and well-being must be understood and considered. METHODS: Data were collected in 2001 for this qualitative study from the five old (78-88 years), widowed rural women participants who had lived most of their lives on farms, by in-depth interviewing regarding life history, and by using personal document strategies. The life history research approach guided data collection, while thematic analysis was employed to avoid examining isolated themes. Social constructionism and socio-environmental theory of gerontology provided the philosophical boundaries to the central research question. RESULTS: While each informant's life history was unique, it was found that the informants' health and well-being were profoundly influenced by the geographical location of living on the land. CONCLUSION: This small study, which should be extended by a larger study, may be seen as a beginning step in defining health promotional activities, policy development and service programs for older rural women that are both person-centered and sensitive to their unique lifestyle.

Echinococcus canadensis (G7) and Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (G1) in swine of southern Brazil.

The cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important zoonotic disease caused by the parasite Echinococcus spp. In Brazil, this parasite is present in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, border with Argentina and Uruguay, causing several damages to human and animal health. This study aimed to identify Echinococcus spp. in hydatid cysts of swine and evaluate the similarity of the genotypes through the phylogenetic analysis. A total of 3,101,992 swine were slaughtered in the central/northern region of RS/Brazil, during 2008-2012. Five isolates were characterized as hydatid cyst by molecular analysis, based on the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox-I). The genotypes E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1) (n=2) and E. canadensis (G7) (n=3) were identified in the hydatid cysts. The swine represents a potential intermediate host for different genotypes of Echinococcus spp., besides it can contribute to the perpetuation of the parasite's life cycle in rural areas.

The action of albendazole on hydatid cysts in sheep experimentally infected with eggs of Echinococcus granulosus.

According to the Brazilian Agricultural Ministry, the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil has decreased between 1990 and 1998, possibly due to the common use of albendazole to control parasites in sheep. Therefore, albendazole (ABZ) action was tested on hydatid cysts of sheep experimentally infected with eggs of Echinococcus granulosus in Uruguaiana County (RS) with the aim of evaluating the observed changes in the parasite's prevalence. The sheep were divided into three groups of 15 animals each and treated as follows. Group 01 was a control (without treatment), groups 02 and 03 received 7.5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg, respectively, of ABZ orally for 12 months, at intervals between 36 and 45 days. At the end of the studied period the animals were necropsied and the viability of the hydatid cysts was evaluated. Lung and hepatic cysts of sheep treated with ABZ were reduced in size. Degeneration and evident calcification were seen in 87.3% (group 02) and 75.7% (group 03), which were significantly different (P < 0.01) from the 17.3% demonstrated in the control group. It could be concluded that ABZ used early and over long periods, even in small doses, is capable of promoting lesions that devitalize the cysts. This leads to a decrease in fertility of E. granulosus in sheep and could be the reason why the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis has decreased in recent years.

Human hydatidosis in the population of endemic regions of the Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil.

The incidence of human hydatidosis in South Brazil was evaluated in the areas of intensive ovine breeding. A total of 325 persons from two counties of an endemic area were evaluated by serological tests. Two positive cases (1.6%) were found in the county of Santana do Livramento and also two cases (1%) in the county of Bagé. The percentage of persons with antibodies against the hydatic cyst is high and higher than official statistics.

Coagulopatia devido à infecçäo aguda por Trypanosoma evansi em um cäo / Coagulopathy due to Trypanosoma evansi acute infection in a dog

O Trypanosoma evansi é um tripanosoma da secçäo salivaria pertencente ao subgênero Trypanozoon. Ele causa a "surra" no velho mundo e o "mal de caderas" na área subtropical da Argentina e no Pantanal, Brasil. Há similaridades entre as lesöes e patogenia causadas por T. brucei, T. evansi e T. equiperdum, inclusive no consumo de plaquetas na coagulaçäo intravascular disseminada (DIC). O presente estudo mostra os valores de APTT, PT e contagem de plaquetas evidenciando a DIC no primeiro relato de infecçäo natural pelo T. evansi em cäo no Pantanal, Brasil