Parasitos intestinais em dois grupos indígenas no noroeste da Amazônia

Aproximadamente 90% da população no noroeste da Amazônia é composta de grupos indígenas e o acesso deles aos serviços de saúde ainda é um desafio. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a frequência de parasitos em dois grupos indígenas (Baré e Baniwa) no noroeste da Amazônia. Amostras de fezes de 270 indivíduos (199 Baniwa e 71 Baré) foram analisadas pelos métodos de Richie e sedimentação espontânea. Foram determinadas diferenças estatísticas entre as proporções de indivíduos infectados com base no sexo, idade e etnia. Todos os indivíduos estavam infectados por protozoários ou helmintos. Os parasitos mais frequentes nos índios foram Ascaris lumbricoides (73%), Entamoeba spp. (53%), e Giardia intestinalis (48%). Protozoários parasitos foram mais comuns entre as crianças com idade entre 0-12 anos; no entanto, a frequência de ancilostomídeos e A. lumbricoides foi maior em adultos. Não houve diferenças significativas nas frequências de parasitos entre os diferentes sexos ou grupos étnicos. Infecções mistas por duas ou mais espécies de protozoários e/ou helmintos foram detectadas em 96% dos indivíduos. Um indivíduo estava infectado por 14 espécies. Uma alta frequência de parasitos intestinais foi encontrada em indígenas dos grupos Baré e Baniwa. Melhorias dos programas de infra-estrutura e educação em saúde são necessárias para reduzir o risco de infecção por parasitos intestinais.Approximately 90% of the population in the northwestern Amazonia is composed of indigenous people and their healthcare is still a challenge. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of parasites in two indigenous ethnic groups (Baré and Baniwa) in northwestern Amazonia. Stool samples from 270 individuals (199 Baniwa and 71 Baré) were analyzed using Richie's method and the spontaneous sedimentation method. Statistical differences among the proportions of infected individuals based on gender, age, and ethnicity were determined. All individuals were infected by protozoans or helminths. The most frequent parasites in the indigenous people were Ascaris lumbricoides (73%), Entamoeba spp. (53%), and Giardia intestinalis (48%). Protozoan parasites were more common among children aged 0-12 years; however, the frequency of helminths, such as hookworms and A. lumbricoides, was higher in adults. There were no significant differences in parasite frequencies between different genders or ethnic groups. Mixed infections by two or more protozoan and/or helminth species were detected in 96% of individuals. One individual was infected by 14 species. A high frequency of intestinal parasites was found in Baré and Baniwa ethnic groups. Improvements to infrastructure and health education programs are required to reduce risk of infection by intestinal parasites

Good manufacturing practices of minimally processed vegetables reduce contamination with pathogenic microorganisms

Consumption of ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetables is quick, easy and healthy, especially when eaten without cooking. However, they might be a source of foodborne pathogenic microorganisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological and parasitological contamination of fresh RTE vegetables produced in agroindustries in the Federal District of Brazil (FD), and to correlate contamination with good manufacturing practices (GMP). One hundred and three samples of RTE vegetables were collected from six agroindustries for microbiology and parasitology analyses and correlate with GMP; 54 samples were collected from three hypermarkets for parasitological evaluation. None of the samples analyzed were positive for Salmonella sp. and for thermotolerant coliforms, but they were contaminated with total coliforms. All analyzed samples were contaminated with at least one species of enteroparasistes or commensals, which were identified as Ascaris sp., Balantidium coli, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Hookworm, Strongyloides sp., Trichuris sp., Entamoeba sp., eggs and larvae of Nematoda, insects and fungi. Agroindustries that adopted GMP showed less contamination with helminths. RTE vegetables sold in hypermarkets of the FD are unfit for human consumption. It is important to guide farmers in the FD on the need to adopt good practices in the production and processing of vegetables to reduce the microbial contamination

Detection of intestinal parasites on field-grown strawberries in the Federal District of Brazil

Introduction This study evaluated the presence of pathogenic human parasites on field-grown strawberries in the Federal District of Brazil. Methods A total of 48 samples of strawberries and 48 soil samples from 16 properties were analyzed. Results Contaminated strawberries were detected in 56% of the properties. Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides or Ascaris suum, Balantidium coli, Endolimax nana, and Entamoeba spp. were detected. Soil was contaminated with Entamoeba spp., Entamoeba coli, Strongyloides spp., Ancylostomatidae, and Hymenolepis nana. Conclusions Producers should be instructed on the safe handling of strawberries in order to reduce the incidence of strawberries that are contaminated with enteroparasites

Strongyloides venezuelensis alkaline extract for the diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

The present study was conducted to detected IgG antibodies using Strongyloides venezuelensis alkaline extract for the diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sera from 90 subjects were analyzed (30 with strongyloidiasis, 30 with other parasites and 30 healthy individuals). Results were expressed in antibody titers, which were considered as positive when titer was > 80. Sensibility and specificity of the assay were 100% and 96.7%, respectively. It can be concluded that the heterologous alkaline extract could be employed in ELISA as a diagnostic aid in human strongyloidiasis, due to its advantages as easiness of obtaining, practicability in preparing, and high indexes of sensitivity and specificity.84985

Estudo dos fatores determinantes do grau de infectividade de linhagens de Strongyloides venezuelensis e analise de antigenos heterologos no imunodiagnostico da estrongiloidiase humana

Orientadores: Marlene Tiduko Ueta, Lucia Helena FaccioliTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: Neste estudo mostramos que camundongos infectados com as linhagens L-2 ou L-49 de Strongyloides venezuelensis induzem aumento de leucócitos totais, eosinófilos (EO) e células mononucleares (MO) no sangue, na cavidade peritoneal (LCP) e espaço broncoalveolar (LBA) de formas semelhantes. Ambas linhagens estimularam síntese de citocinas do padrão TH1 ou TH2 da resposta imune, com maior tendência para TH2. L-2 foi mais infectante que L-49, induzindo precocemente maior síntese de IL-4, IL-5 e IFNy e anticorpos. Houve correlação positiva entre indução de maior síntese de IL-4 e de IgG e maior expulsão do parasita pela L-2. Não houve correlação entre indução de maior síntese de IL-5 e maior proliferação e recrutamento de EO e MO. O tempo e a temperatura de manutenção das culturas influenciaram na infectividade do parasita. Com menor tempo de permanência das larvas nas culturas estas induziram resposta imune inata mais intensa no sangue e no LCP, com eliminação mais rápida dos parasitas. Larvas obtidas a temperatura mais alta induziram eosinofilia mais intensa e precoce no LCP, e sob temperatura mais baixa, a eosinofilia foi menor e tardia. Larvas mantidas por menor tempo nas culturas estimularam resposta imune celular capaz de expulsar mais rapidamente as fêmeas parasitas, e as mantidas por maior tempo e sob temperaturas mais altas induziram maior síntese de anticorpos e de IL-4 e IL-10. Larvas mantidas por menor tempo nas culturas induziram maior síntese de IL-12, e as de maior tempo, maior produção de IFN-y. O tempo e/ou temperatura não influenciaram a síntese de IL-5. Observamos que leucotrienos participam do aumento de leucócitos totais, EO e MO no sangue, no LCP e LBA na estrongiloidíase. A IL-5 também participa no aumento de leucócitos nesses compartimentos. IL-12 e IFN-y protegem o parasita contra as defesas do hospedeiro. Verificamos que as oito linhagens de S. venezuelensis apresentaram antigenicidade semelhante, detectada por imunofluorescência indireta, ELISA e "Immunoblot". O anticorpo IgG anti-S. stercotalis reconheceu a fração antigênica de peso molecular aparente de 45 kDa. Assim, antígenos destas linhagens podem ser usados no imunodiagnóstico da estrongiloidíase humana. Palavras chave: Strongyloides venezue/ensis, estrongiloidíase, leuc6citos totais, eosinofilia, células mononucleares, citocinas, anticorpos, leucotrienos, imunodiagnósticoAbstract: In this study, we have shown that, in mice, L-2 and L-49 strains of S. venezuelensis induced an increase in the total number of leukocytes, eosinophils (EO) and mononuclear cells in blood, peritoneal cavity (LCP) and in the bronchoalveolar space (LBA), in a similar manner. Both strains stimulated synthesis of TH1 or TH2 type immune response cytokines, with a greater tendency to TH2. L-2 strain was more infective than L-49, inducing earlier synthesis of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-y, and antibodies. In L-2, there was a direct correlation between greater production of IL-4 and IgG and expulsion of parasites, but no correlation to greater synthesis of IL-5 or proliferation and recruitment of EO and MO. Time and temperature had influence on parasite infectivity. Larvae that remained in the cultures for shorter periods of time had their infectivity affected, inducing a more intense innate immune response in blood and LCP, with rapid elimination of the parasites. Parasites kept in higher temperatures rapidly induced higher eosinophil levels in LCP, while for low temperatures, eosinophils appeared later and in lower numbers. When larvae were cultured for shorter periods of time, they stimulated a cellular immune response capable of quickly expelling female parasites, while those submitted to shorter periods and high temperatures induced a higher synthesis of antibodies, IL-4 and IL-10. Larvae kept in culture for short periods induced greater synthesis of IL-12, while longer periods lead to greater IFN-y production. Neither time nor temperature affected IL-5 synthesis. It was observed that, in strongyloidiasis, leukotrienes participate on the increase of total leukocyte numbers, EO, and MO in blood, LCP and LBA. IL-5 is also involved in the increase of leukocyte numbers in these compartments. 80th IL-12 and IFN-y protect the parasite against host defense. It was also verified, through indirect immunofluorescence, ELISA, and Immunoblot, that eight strains of S. venezuelensis presented similar antigenicity. The antibody anti-S. stercoralis IgG was able to recognize the antigenic fraction with apparent molecular weight of 45 kDa. Therefore, antigens to these strains may be used for the immunodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. Key words: S. venezue/ensis, strongyloidiasis, leukocytes, eosinophils, mononuclear cells, cytokines, antibody, leukotrienes, immunodiagnosis, miceDoutoradoDoutor em Parasitologi