First genotyping of <i>Giardia lamblia</i> from human and animal feces in Argentina, South America

The purpose of this study was to investigate the genotypes of Giardia lamblia from human and animal feces and their epidemiological and clinical characteristics in Argentina, South America. Seventy isolates, 60 from humans (adults and children), eight from dogs and two from cows were processed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Data corresponding to demographic, socio-cultural and environmental variables and presence/absence of signs/symptoms were collected. The triosephosphate isomerase gene was amplified from 43 (71.66%) of the 60 human fecal samples. Among these, 3/43 (6.98%) were genotype AII and 40/43 (93.02%) were genotype B. Assemblage AII was detected in three children who lived together in a shantytown and they were oligosymptomatic and none had diarrhea. This genotype was not found in animals. Genotype B showed a high prevalence in both adults and children. It was also found in polysymptomatic people, many of whom presented diarrhea. It was also found only in one dog. The present study represents the first contribution to the knowledge of G. lamblia genotypes in Argentina.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Influencing factors in the occurrence of injured coliforms in the drinking water distribution system in the city of La Plata, Argentina

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influencing factors in the occurrence of coliforms in the drinking water in La Plata (Argentina) from June 1999 to June 2001. A total of 180 samples were collected from Rio de La Plata (102 samples) and Puelche Aquifer (78 samples); 45 samples were collected for each of the four seasons. The membrane filter procedure was used for isolating bacteria, and each sample was tested for chlorine and pH. The highest percentage of samples positive for coliforms in the two tested media was obtained in summer while the highest percentage of negative samples was obtained in winter. No Escherichia coli was isolated. The percentage of injured coliforms fluctuated between 70 and 100%. The most frequently isolated bacteria was Enterobacter cloacae in summer, Enterobacter agglomerans in autumn and Klebsiella oxytoca in winter and spring. Significant correlations were observed between coliforms and the distance from the initial treatment point, and with the level of free chlorine. We conclude that drinking water contamination in La Plata occurs in the distribution system due to increased temperatures and reduced disinfectant levels, which result in bacterial regrowth.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Enterobius vermicularis infection among population of General Mansilla, Argentina

Aim: To evaluate the relationships between the personal, sociocultural, and environmental characteristics, and the presence or absence of symptoms with the detection of Enterobius vermicularis (E. vermicularis) in a population sample in our region (General Mansilla, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina), by individual and familiar analyses. Methods: E. vermicularis was diagnosed in 309 people from 70 family units residing in the urban area and the rural area of the city of General Mansilla. Each of them was surveyed so as to register personal, environmental and sociocultural data. Questions about the presence or absence of anal itch, abdominal pain and sleeping disorder were also asked. Significant associations were determined by square chi tests. Logistic regression models were adjusted by using a backward conditional stepwise method to determine the presence of this parasite in the individuals and in the families. Results: The parasites were found in 29.12% (90/309) of the individuals, with a frequency of 14.28% (20/140) among the heads of the families and of 41.42% (70/169) among the children. The only variables showing a significant association were affiliation, where the risk category was "being the son/daughter of", and the symptoms were abdominal pain, sleeping disorder, and anal itch. Families with a member infected with parasite were considered Positive Families (PF) and they were 40/70 (57.14%), only 5% (2/40) of the PF had 100% of their members infected with the parasite. The logisbc regression models applied showed that the risk categories were mainly affiliation (son/daughter) and housing (satisfactory) among others. Conclusion: The presence of E. vermicularis was proved in one third of the studied population. The frequency of families with all their members infected with the parasite was very low. Most of the studied personal, sociocultural, and environmental variables did not turn out to be significantly associated with the presence of the parasite. An association with the category of "son/daughter" and housing classified as "satisfactory" was determined. The latter may be due to the fact that the people living in that category of housing have hygienic practices at home that favour the distribution of the eggs in the environment. The presence of the analysed symptoms was associated with the presence of the parasite, thus strengthening the need of periodical control of the population showing at least one of these symptoms.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Enterobius vermicularis infection among population of General Mansilla, Argentina

Aim: To evaluate the relationships between the personal, sociocultural, and environmental characteristics, and the presence or absence of symptoms with the detection of Enterobius vermicularis (E. vermicularis) in a population sample in our region (General Mansilla, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina), by individual and familiar analyses. Methods: E. vermicularis was diagnosed in 309 people from 70 family units residing in the urban area and the rural area of the city of General Mansilla. Each of them was surveyed so as to register personal, environmental and sociocultural data. Questions about the presence or absence of anal itch, abdominal pain and sleeping disorder were also asked. Significant associations were determined by square chi tests. Logistic regression models were adjusted by using a backward conditional stepwise method to determine the presence of this parasite in the individuals and in the families. Results: The parasites were found in 29.12% (90/309) of the individuals, with a frequency of 14.28% (20/140) among the heads of the families and of 41.42% (70/169) among the children. The only variables showing a significant association were affiliation, where the risk category was "being the son/daughter of", and the symptoms were abdominal pain, sleeping disorder, and anal itch. Families with a member infected with parasite were considered Positive Families (PF) and they were 40/70 (57.14%), only 5% (2/40) of the PF had 100% of their members infected with the parasite. The logisbc regression models applied showed that the risk categories were mainly affiliation (son/daughter) and housing (satisfactory) among others. Conclusion: The presence of E. vermicularis was proved in one third of the studied population. The frequency of families with all their members infected with the parasite was very low. Most of the studied personal, sociocultural, and environmental variables did not turn out to be significantly associated with the presence of the parasite. An association with the category of "son/daughter" and housing classified as "satisfactory" was determined. The latter may be due to the fact that the people living in that category of housing have hygienic practices at home that favour the distribution of the eggs in the environment. The presence of the analysed symptoms was associated with the presence of the parasite, thus strengthening the need of periodical control of the population showing at least one of these symptoms.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Especie fúngica ambiental con acción ovicida sobre huevos de Toxocara canis

En las últimas décadas surgieron los agentes biológicos como una alternativa para el control de los parásitos. Dentro de estos agentes se destacan los hongos antagonistas de huevos y larvas de nematodes. El objetivo es evaluar la actividad ovicida/ovistática de Chysosporium merdarium, (hongo saprótrofos del suelo) sobre huevos de Toxocara canis.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Abordaje multidisciplinario de patologías transmisibles y nutricionales en escolares de La Plata y Berisso articulando investigación, extensión y docencia universitaria

Instituciones co-partícipes: Subsecretaría de Políticas Sociales, Centros de Atención Primaria de Salud, Instituciones Educativas nivel Jardín y Primaria. El control y erradicación de enfermedades son objetivos de la Salud Pública; disciplina de carácter multidisciplinario. La OMS define tres niveles de prevención como objetivo de la Salud Pública; primaria: evita la adquisición de la enfermedad, secundaria: detecta la enfermedad en estadios precoces y terciaria: comprende medidas dirigidas al tratamiento y rehabilitación de una enfermedad para mejorar la calidad de vida del paciente. Teniendo en cuenta estos conceptos, el equipo de trabajo desarrolla los siguientes proyectos: 1- Estudios poblacionales en patologías transmisibles y nutrición (M172, Programa de Incentivos); 2- PROCOPIN (Programa Estable de Facultad de Cs. Médicas y Proyecto de Extensión de UNLP) y 3- Chau Parásito (Proyecto de Voluntariado Universitario). Objetivo general: mejorar la salud y calidad de vida de las personas de comunidades vulnerables de La Plata y Berisso. Los proyectos se desarrollan en cuatro etapas: 1- Evaluación del estado socio-sanitario, nutricional y parasitario de escolares (3-12 años), 2- Intervención terapéutica en niños; tratamiento de mascotas e intervención ambiental factible 3- Talleres educativos y 4- control post-intervenciónFacultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Cortometraje educativo/sanitario: “Las aventuras del capitán Toxocara”

Enmarcado en el Programa de Control de las Parasitosis y Nutrición (PROCOPIN), subsidiado por la Universidad Nacional de La Plata y la Secretaría de Políticas Universitarias (Programa de Voluntariado Universitario), un grupo de alumnos y profesionales de distintas disciplinas (veterinaria, medicina, bioquímica y diseño gráfico), elaboramos un cortometraje, como recurso didáctico para favorecer y motivar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en alumnos de todos los niveles educativos. Las aventuras del capitán Toxocara es el relato de una situación cotidiana, como es la consulta médica de una madre con sus hijos. Esto constituye un disparador para transmitir a los niños cuáles son los factores que pueden ocasionar las parasitosis intestinales, cuáles son los síntomas más comunes, y sobre todo, el cortometraje hace hincapié en la creación de hábitos higiénico-sanitarios para la prevención de estas infecciones.Facultad de Ciencias VeterinariasFacultad de Ciencias Médica

Especie fúngica ambiental con acción ovicida sobre huevos de Toxocara canis

En las últimas décadas surgieron los agentes biológicos como una alternativa para el control de los parásitos. Dentro de estos agentes se destacan los hongos antagonistas de huevos y larvas de nematodes. El objetivo es evaluar la actividad ovicida/ovistática de Chysosporium merdarium, (hongo saprótrofos del suelo) sobre huevos de Toxocara canis.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Análisis de 12 casos de niños con helmintiosis y eosinofilia

En enfermedades parasitarias, especialmente por helmintos, el rol de los eosinófilos en defensa del huésped es esencial y su presencia elevada es un marcador hematológico de enfermedad. Sin embargo, la eosinofilia puede aumentar y disminuir según los factores del huésped, la etapa del desarrollo del parásito, su localización dentro del paciente y la cantidad de parásitos. Objetivos: presentar 12 casos de escolares con helmintiosis intestinales y su relación con serología positiva para toxocariasis y eosinofilia.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Abordaje multidisciplinario de patologías transmisibles y nutricionales en escolares de La Plata y Berisso articulando investigación, extensión y docencia universitaria

Instituciones co-partícipes: Subsecretaría de Políticas Sociales, Centros de Atención Primaria de Salud, Instituciones Educativas nivel Jardín y Primaria. El control y erradicación de enfermedades son objetivos de la Salud Pública; disciplina de carácter multidisciplinario. La OMS define tres niveles de prevención como objetivo de la Salud Pública; primaria: evita la adquisición de la enfermedad, secundaria: detecta la enfermedad en estadios precoces y terciaria: comprende medidas dirigidas al tratamiento y rehabilitación de una enfermedad para mejorar la calidad de vida del paciente. Teniendo en cuenta estos conceptos, el equipo de trabajo desarrolla los siguientes proyectos: 1- Estudios poblacionales en patologías transmisibles y nutrición (M172, Programa de Incentivos); 2- PROCOPIN (Programa Estable de Facultad de Cs. Médicas y Proyecto de Extensión de UNLP) y 3- Chau Parásito (Proyecto de Voluntariado Universitario). Objetivo general: mejorar la salud y calidad de vida de las personas de comunidades vulnerables de La Plata y Berisso. Los proyectos se desarrollan en cuatro etapas: 1- Evaluación del estado socio-sanitario, nutricional y parasitario de escolares (3-12 años), 2- Intervención terapéutica en niños; tratamiento de mascotas e intervención ambiental factible 3- Talleres educativos y 4- control post-intervenciónFacultad de Ciencias Veterinaria