Importância do método de gota espessa de sangue no diagnóstico de filárias simpátricas no Amazonas, Brasil

In this work, the visual diagnostic methods for human filarias in the blood are evaluated. The thick blood film method is more faithful to identify the microfilariae species if compared to policarbonate membrane filtration and Knott methods, especially in areas where more than one species occur, as in Amazon basin. Slides with Mansonella ozzardi microfilariae were mounted and photographed by different diagnosis methods. The thick blood film method is much easier to see the diagnostic morphological characters as cephalic and caudal space, pattern of nucleation of the tail and tail shape that can separate the blood Amazonian microfilariae species

AVALIAÇÃO DAS PERDAS DE FRUTAS E HORTALIÇAS NO MERCADO VAREJISTA DE MINEIROS-GO: UM ESTUDO DE CASO

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo realizar levantamento das principais perdas de frutas e hortaliças frescas no mercado varejista do município de Mineiros-GO, bem como dos fatores que as provocam. O trabalho de pesquisa foi executado mediante visitação aos equipamentos varejistas (supermercados, quitandas/sacolões e feira-livre) para aplicação de questionário no período de dezembro de 2005 a janeiro de 2006. Os resultados indicaram que foram perdidos 2,9% do volume total de frutas e hortaliças comercializado semanalmente. Os supermercados e as quitandas obtiveram as menores porcentagens de perdas (2,1 e 4,0%, respectivamente), porém a feira-livre apresentou elevada porcentagem de perda (15,9%). O pêssego (50,0%), ameixa (14,7%), abobrinha (9,0%), mamão (7,2%), nectarina (7,1%), tomate (6,2%), abacaxi (6,0%) e banana (5,2%) obtiveram médias a altas porcentagens de perdas em relação ao volume comercializado pelo varejo. A rede varejista considerou que o armazenamento inadequado é a principal causa das perdas dos produtos hortifrutícolas. Embora o mercado varejista de Mineiros demonstre baixos níveis de perda de frutas e hortaliças, este é passível de estruturação e adequações para redução das perdas.The objective of this work was to evaluate losses of fruits and vegetables on the market of the Mineiros city (Goiás State, Brazil), as well as its causes. The research was done at different retail equipments (supermarkets, groceries stores and street market) by questionnaire application from December 2005 to January 2006. The results showed week total losses of 2.9% for fruits and vegetables. Supermarkets and groceries stores losses (2.1% and 4.0%, respectively) were lower than the street market ones (15.9%). Peach (50.0%), plum (14.7%), summer squash (9.0%), papaya fruit (7.2%), nectarine (7.1%), tomato (6.2%), pineapple (6.0%) and banana (5.2%) showed medium to high rates of losses over the total volume commercialized at the different markets. The results showed that inadequate storage are the main causes of fruit and vegetable losses in the Mineiros retail trade. Although there are low losses of fruit and vegetables on the Mineiros market improvement could be done to adequate handling system and postharvest facilities to reduce that losses

Mansonella ozzardi in Amazonas, Brazil: Prevalence and distribution in the municipality of Coari, in the middle Solimões River

This study investigated some epidemiological aspects of the Mansonella ozzardi in municipality of Coari, Amazonas. Clinical symptoms were correlated with the filarial infection and the parasitic infection rates (PIR) were estimated in simuliid vectors. The general M. ozzardi human prevalence rate was 13.3% (231/1733), of which 10.2% (109/1069) were from the urban area and 18.4% (122/664) from the rural area. The prevalence rates were higher in men (14.5% urban and 19.7% rural) than in women (6.7% urban and 17.2% rural) and occurred in most age groups. The indices of microfilaremics were higher in people ≥ 51 years old (26.9% urban and 61.5% rural). High prevalence rates were observed in retired people (27.1% urban area), housewives and farmer (41.6% and 25%, respectively, in rural area). The main clinical symptoms were joint pains and sensation of leg coldness. Only Cerqueirellum argentiscutum (Simuliidae) transmits M. ozzardi in this municipality (PIR = 5.6% urban and 7.1% rural). M. ozzardi is a widely distributed parasitic disease in Coari. Thus, temporary residency in the region of people from other localities involved with the local gas exploitation might be a contributing factor in spreading the disease

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in Young Children: Analyzing the Performance of the Diagnostic Tests

This study evaluated the performance of the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and Quantiferon-TB Gold in-Tube (QFT) and the possible association of factors which may modify their results in young children (0-6 years) with recent contact with an index tuberculosis case. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study including 135 children was conducted in Manaus, Amazonas-Brazil. The TST and QFT were performed and the tests results were analyzed in relation to the personal characteristics of the children studied and their relationship with the index case. Results: The rates of positivity were 34.8% (TST) and 26.7% (QFT), with 14.1% of indeterminations by the QFT. Concordance between tests was fair (Kappa = 0.35 P<0.001). Both the TST and QFT were associated with the intensity of exposure (Linear OR = 1.286, P = 0.005; Linear OR = 1.161, P = 0.035 respectively) with only the TST being associated with the time of exposure (Linear OR = 1.149, P = 0.009). The presence of intestinal helminths in the TST+ group was associated with negative QFT results (OR = 0.064, P = 0.049). In the TST- group lower levels of ferritin were associated with QFT+ results (Linear OR = 0.956, P = 0.036). Conclusions: Concordance between the TST and QFT was lower than expected. The factors associated with the discordant results were intestinal helminths, ferritin levels and exposure time to the index tuberculosis case. In TST+ group, helminths were associated with negative QFT results suggesting impaired cell-mediated immunity. The TST-&QFT+ group had a shorter exposure time and lower ferritin levels, suggesting that QFT is faster and ferritin may be a potential biomarker of early stages of tuberculosis infection

Concurrent Helminthic Infection Protects Schoolchildren with Plasmodium vivax from Anemia

malaria in rural areas in the municipality of Careiro, in the Western Brazilian Amazon. (n = 9). In children without intestinal helminthes, a significant decrease in the hemoglobin during the malarial attack was seen as compared to the baseline concentration. In the survival analysis, no difference was seen in the time (in days) from the baseline cross-sectional to the first malarial infection, between parasitized and non-parasitized children.