Associação entre infecções por ancilostomídeos e Strongyloides stercoralis e concentração de hemoglobina e eosinófilos em residentes de Salvador-Bahia, Brasil

SUMMARY Parasitic infections are responsible for substantial mortality and morbidity worldwide. In most healthy individuals, little overt pathology is observed during infection with S. stercoralis. However, the symptoms in advanced cases may include gastrointestinal bleeding. Anemia is most commonly associated with hookworm infection, especially when several hundred worms are present. Our study evaluates the relationship between the hookworm or S. stercoralis infection status and the hemoglobin concentration of individuals examined by a private network of laboratories in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. We examined 374,120 samples from middle-class individuals living in Salvador City from January 2004 to April 2008. The stool samples were analyzed by the Lutz and Baermann-Moraes methods, and the blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin concentration and eosinophil counting. The prevalence of hookworm and S. stercoralis were 0.27% (1,027) and 0.34% (1,286), respectively. The prevalence of hookworm and S. stercoralis infection was significantly higher in males than in females and increased with age. Eosinophilia was a common laboratorial finding in individuals infected with hookworm and S. stercoralis. The hemoglobin concentration was lower in the hookworm-infected individuals than in non-infected ones, but none of the examined patients were anemic. Lack of anemia could be a consequence of the socioeconomic status of these patients.RESUMO As infecções parasitárias são responsáveis por importantes quadros de morbimortalidade em todo o mundo. A maioria dos indivíduos saudáveis infectados pelo S. stercoralis não apresenta sintomas clínicos evidentes. Entretanto, em casos mais avançados sangramentos gastrintestinais podem estar presentes. A anemia é mais comumente associada à infecção causada pelos ancilostomídeos, especialmente quando centenas de vermes estão presentes. Neste trabalho, a associação entre infecções causadas por ancilostomídeos ou S. stercoralis e as concentrações de hemoglobina e de eosinófilos foi investigada em indivíduos atendidos em uma rede de laboratórios de Salvador, Bahia, Brasil. Foram examinadas 374.120 amostras de indivíduos de classe média residentes na cidade de Salvador, de janeiro de 2004 a abril de 2008. As amostras de fezes foram analisadas pelos métodos de Lutz e Baermann-Moraes e as de sangue foram avaliadas para determinação da concentração de hemoglobina e do número de eosinófilos. A prevalência de ancilostomídeos e de S. stercoralis foi de 0,27% (1.027 ) e 0,34% (1.286) respectivamente. A prevalência de infecções, tanto por ancilostomídeos quanto por S. stercoralis, foi significativamente maior em homens que em mulheres e aumentava com o aumento da idade. A eosinofilia foi um achado comum tanto em indivíduos infectados por ancilostomídeos como por Strongyloides. A concentração de hemoglobina foi menor nos indivíduos infectados por ancilostomídeos quando comparado aos indivíduos não infectados, embora nenhum paciente apresentasse anemia. A ausência de anemia pode ser devida às boas condições socioeconômicas dos pacientes analisados

Meloidogyne eggs in human stool in Northeastern Brazil

Submitted by Adagilson Silva ([email protected]) on 2017-04-26T13:01:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 0037-8682-rsbmt-49-06-00802.pdf: 881275 bytes, checksum: 2ed70d5ef304cf6e7d07f36985968266 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Adagilson Silva ([email protected]) on 2017-04-26T13:10:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 0037-8682-rsbmt-49-06-00802.pdf: 881275 bytes, checksum: 2ed70d5ef304cf6e7d07f36985968266 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-26T13:10:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 0037-8682-rsbmt-49-06-00802.pdf: 881275 bytes, checksum: 2ed70d5ef304cf6e7d07f36985968266 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Patologia e Biointervenção. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Grupo Promedica. Laboratório Datalab. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Aggeu Magalhães. Departamento de Imunologia. Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia. Recife, PE, Brasil

Alterations in the lipid profiles and circulating liver enzymes in individuals infected by Schistosoma mansoni

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2019-02-01T18:03:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 SILVA, F.L. Alterations in lipid profile...2018.pdf: 2734859 bytes, checksum: 8b8fe8385076ecbba9e7c3b334824b27 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2019-02-01T18:11:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 SILVA, F.L. Alterations in lipid profile...2018.pdf: 2734859 bytes, checksum: 8b8fe8385076ecbba9e7c3b334824b27 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2019-02-01T18:11:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SILVA, F.L. Alterations in lipid profile...2018.pdf: 2734859 bytes, checksum: 8b8fe8385076ecbba9e7c3b334824b27 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018Gonçalo Moniz Institute (Fiocruz-BA).Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Aggeu Magalhães. Laboratório de Análise de Sistemas de Informações em Saúde. Recife, PE, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório Avançado de Saúde Pública. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Interação Parasito-Hospedeiro e Epidemiologia. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório Avançado de Saúde Pública. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Grupo Promedica. Laboratório Datalab. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório Avançado de Saúde Pública. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Portal hypertension and periportal fibrosis commonly occur in severe Schistosoma mansoni infection. Changes in lipid profile and elevated levels of circulating liver enzymes have also been described in infected individuals. The present study sought to assess the alterations in laboratory parameters associated with liver disorder in individuals infected by S. mansoni who visited a private routine laboratory service. Levels of circulating liver enzymes (gamma-glutamyl transferase [γ-GT], aspartate transaminase [AST], alanine transaminase [ALT], and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]) and a lipid panel (total cholesterol [COL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], very low-density lipoprotein [VLDL], and triglycerides [TRI]) were evaluated in both infected and non-infected individuals and relative risk was used to measure associations. Methods: Data were collected for analysis from a total of 1,078 cases identified in 379,600 individuals who submitted samples to the Datalab Laboratory (Salvador, Bahia) between 2004 and 2008. Results: S. mansoni infection led to increased circulating levels of γ-GT in both women and men, AST (women), and ALP (men). S. mansoni infection was a protective factor against increased levels of TRI, CHO, and VLDL for individuals aged 19 years or older. The results of our analysis indicate that alterations in lipid metabolism and circulating liver enzymes in asymptomatic S. mansoni-infected individuals might be attributed to eggs lodged in the hepatic sinusoids. Conclusions: Parasitological testing for S. mansoni should be indicated in endemic areas when this pattern of alterations is detected

Alterations in the lipid profiles and circulating liver enzymes in individuals infected by Schistosoma mansoni

Abstract INTRODUCTION Portal hypertension and periportal fibrosis commonly occur in severe Schistosoma mansoni infection. Changes in lipid profile and elevated levels of circulating liver enzymes have also been described in infected individuals. The present study sought to assess the alterations in laboratory parameters associated with liver disorder in individuals infected by S. mansoni who visited a private routine laboratory service. Levels of circulating liver enzymes (gamma-glutamyl transferase [γ-GT], aspartate transaminase [AST], alanine transaminase [ALT], and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]) and a lipid panel (total cholesterol [COL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], very low-density lipoprotein [VLDL], and triglycerides [TRI]) were evaluated in both infected and non-infected individuals and relative risk was used to measure associations. METHODS Data were collected for analysis from a total of 1,078 cases identified in 379,600 individuals who submitted samples to the Datalab Laboratory (Salvador, Bahia) between 2004 and 2008. RESULTS S. mansoni infection led to increased circulating levels of γ-GT in both women and men, AST (women), and ALP (men). S. mansoni infection was a protective factor against increased levels of TRI, CHO, and VLDL for individuals aged 19 years or older. The results of our analysis indicate that alterations in lipid metabolism and circulating liver enzymes in asymptomatic S. mansoni-infected individuals might be attributed to eggs lodged in the hepatic sinusoids. CONCLUSIONS Parasitological testing for S. mansoni should be indicated in endemic areas when this pattern of alterations is detected

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora