Helmintosis y eventos alérgicos

En las últimas tres décadas se ha reconocido un alarmante aumento en la frecuencia de las en- fermedades  alérgicas,  asociadas  con  cuadros  de  parasitismos,  y  este  número  sigue  creciendo. Se realizó una revisión del tema, en cuanto a características clínicas, epidemiológicas y factores inmunológicos que identifican a esta asociación. El objetivo de esta revisión es exponer, algunos aspectos relevantes de estas patologías. Se destaca la importancia del papel modulador de las hel- mintiasis, en el desarrollo de las alergias; sin embargo, las evidencias de esta asociación no están claramente establecidas, por lo que existe todavía en la comunidad científica, la controversia y el debate, acerca de este tema y específicamente de los mecanismos que intervienen en la modula- ción de las alergias por los parásitos helmintos. Palabras clave: Geohelmintosis, helmintiasis, alergia. Abstract: In the last three decades an alarming increase in the frequency of allergic diseases associated with symptoms of parasitism has been recognized, and this number continues to grow. A review of the topic was conducted regarding clinical, epidemiological and immunological factors that identify this association. The objective of this review is to present some important aspects of these pathologies. The importance of modulatory helminthiasis, in the development of allergies is highlighted; however, the evidence of this association is not clearly established, so there is still, in the scientific community, controversy and debate about this issue and specifically of the mechanisms involved in the modula- tion of allergies by helminth parasites. Key words: Geohelmintosis, helminth infections, allergies

Molecular Characterization and Risk Factors of Giardia duodenalis among School Children from La Habana, Cuba

Giardia duodenalis is considered the most common protozoan infecting humans worldwide. Molecular characterization of G. duodenalis isolates has revealed the existence of eight groups (assemblages A to H) which differ in their host distribution. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 639 children from La Habana between January and December 2013. Two assemblage-specific PCRs were carried out for the molecular characterization. The overall prevalence of Giardia infection was 11.9%. DNA from 63 of 76 (82.9%) samples was successfully amplified by PCR-tpi, while 58 from 76 (76.3%) were detected by PCRE1-HF. Similar results by both PCRs were obtained in 54 from 76 samples (71%). According to these analyses, assemblage B and mixed assemblages A + B account for most of the Giardia infections in the cohort of children tested. Our current study identified assemblage B as predominant genotype in children infected with Giardia. Univariate analysis indicated that omission of washing hands before eating and keeping dogs at home were significant risk factors for a Giardia infection. In the future, novel molecular tools for a better discrimination of assemblages at the subassemblages level are needed to verify possible correlations between Giardia genotypes and symptomatology of giardiasis

Molecular Characterization and Risk Factors of Giardia duodenalis among School Children from La Habana, Cuba

Giardia duodenalis is considered the most common protozoan infecting humans worldwide. Molecular characterization of G. duodenalis isolates has revealed the existence of eight groups (assemblages A to H) which differ in their host distribution. A crosssectional study was conducted in 639 children from La Habana between January and December 2013. Two assemblage-specific PCRs were carried out for the molecular characterization. The overall prevalence of Giardia infection was 11.9%. DNA from 63 of 76 (82.9%) samples was successfully amplified by PCR-tpi, while 58 from 76 (76.3%) were detected by PCRE1-HF. Similar results by both PCRs were obtained in 54 from 76 samples (71%). According to these analyses, assemblage B and mixed assemblages A + B account for most of the Giardia infections in the cohort of children tested. Our current study identified assemblage B as predominant genotype in children infected with Giardia. Univariate analysis indicated that omission of washing hands before eating and keeping dogs at home were significant risk factors for a Giardia infection. In the future, novel molecular tools for a better discrimination of assemblages at the subassemblages level are needed to verify possible correlations between Giardia genotypes and symptomatology of giardiasis