Caracterização do processamento artesanal da carne de caranguejo-uçá Ucides cordatus e perfil socioeconômico dos quebradores

O caranguejo-uçá Ucides cordatus é um dos crustáceos com maior importância econômica no Brasil, sendo fonte de renda e trabalho às comunidades que vivem de sua pesca. Seu consumo é um dos atrativos da culinária do Nordeste do país, proporcionando sustentação a bares e restaurantes temáticos bastante apreciados pelos turistas. Os caranguejos não vendidos pelos pescadores ou pelos comerciantes são processados artesanalmente para extração da carne ou massa de caranguejo. Este trabalho teve como propósito diagnosticar a situação socioeconômica dos trabalhadores envolvidos nesta atividade, bem como as condições higiênico-sanitárias de processamento, manipulação e acondicionamento da carne de caranguejo em locais chamados de “quebradeiras”, verificando-se os parâmetros microbiológicos do produto. Foram avaliados oito locais de beneficiamento de carne de caranguejo, por meio de observações visuais, registros fotográficos, aplicação de questionário e entrevista semiestruturada. Amostras de carne de cada local foram coletadas para análise microbiológica (Coliformes termo tolerantes, Salmonella sp., estafilococo). Os resultados demonstraram um padrão semelhante de infraestrutura e práticas para o beneficiamento da carne nos diferentes locais. Foi constatado um baixo nível de escolaridade dos quebradores, baixa renda familiar e pouco conhecimento sobre contaminação e boas práticas na manipulação de alimentos. Ainda assim, os resultados microbiológicos das amostras de carne de caranguejo demonstraram um padrão sanitário satisfatório

Monitoring mangrove crab Ucides cordatus Linnaeus, 1763 (Crustacea: Ucididae) landing in the Parnaíba River Delta: fishing characteristics, social and economic aspects

Abstract The century-old mangrove crab Ucides cordatus Linnaeus, 1763 harvesting is a traditional activity of Northeastern Brazilian coastal communities, who use it as food, source of income and cultural reference. The extractivism and marketing of this crustacean is essential for the socio-economic development of the states of Maranhão, Piauí and Ceará. The aim of this study was to carry out the monitoring of harvesting and landing of the mangrove crab in Ilha Grande, PI. Interviews were conducted with crab gatherers and transporters to obtain information about harvesting, landed volume, market price and destination of commercialized crab. The main capture spots were located at the Maranhão part of the Parnaíba River Delta. Crab gatherers are active 5.07 times a week and spend an average of 6 hours in mangrove. The average number of crabs collected per gatherer/day was 77.0. The quantity landed in daytime period was 63,628 crabs/month, totalizing 714,543 crabs/year. The average price traded was USD 0.19/crab. The production chain of mangrove crab harvesting requires planning for maintain the natural stocks and aggregation of value to the product, benefiting the appreciation of crab gatherers

Determination of hepatitis B, C and D prevalence among urban and Amerindian populations from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon: a cross sectional study

Abstract Background This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HDV in urban populations and Amerindians living in the state of Tocantins (Eastern Amazon). Methods A total of 948 individuals were recruited in Tocantinopolis city (Tocantins state) of whom 603 were Amerindians (from 6 tribes) and 345 were non-Amerindians (6 urban areas of Tocantinópolis city). Anti-HCV, HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-HBc IgM, anti-HBe, HBeAg, and anti-delta antibodies were determined using enzyme immunoassay. Results HBV cleared infection (both anti-HBc/anti-HBs+), chronic inactive/immune controlled HBV infection (anti-HBc + only), previous HBV vaccination (anti-HBs + only), active HBV infection (HBsAg+), individuals susceptible to HBV, and anti-HCV reactivity were found in 12.9, 1.8, 27.2, 0.5, 57.7, 1.2% in Amerindians and 12.1, 2.0, 37.1, 0.3, 55.4, 0.3% in non-Amerindians respectively. Out of 139 anti-HBc reactive individuals, 70 were anti-HBe reactive and none presented HBeAg or anti-HBc IgM. Anti-HBc prevalence was associated to older age (p < 0.0001). Overall anti-Delta prevalence was 0.3% and regarding anti-HBc reactive individuals, anti-delta prevalence was 3.4 and 0% in Amerindians and non-Amerindians respectively. Conclusions Overall low prevalence of HBV and HCV infection was found in the populations studied, but high HBV and HCV prevalence was observed in Amerindians compared to non-Amerindians suggesting that these individuals have a higher likelihood of acquiring to these infections. Anti-delta antibodies were found among Amerindians from Eastern Amazon suggesting a risk for this population. Of note is that nearly half of Amerindians had no anti-HBs, indicating a need for HBV vaccination campaigns in this population

Ambulatory and hospitalized patients with suspected and confirmed mpox: an observational cohort study from BrazilResearch in context

Summary: Background: By October 30, 2022, 76,871 cases of mpox were reported worldwide, with 20,614 cases in Latin America. This study reports characteristics of a case series of suspected and confirmed mpox cases at a referral infectious diseases center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: This was a single-center, prospective, observational cohort study that enrolled all patients with suspected mpox between June 12 and August 19, 2022. Mpox was confirmed by a PCR test. We compared characteristics of confirmed and non-confirmed cases, and among confirmed cases according to HIV status using distribution tests. Kernel estimation was used for exploratory spatial analysis. Findings: Of 342 individuals with suspected mpox, 208 (60.8%) were confirmed cases. Compared to non-confirmed cases, confirmed cases were more frequent among individuals aged 30–39 years, cisgender men (96.2% vs. 66.4%; p < 0.0001), reporting recent sexual intercourse (95.0% vs. 69.4%; p < 0.0001) and using PrEP (31.6% vs. 10.1%; p < 0.0001). HIV (53.2% vs. 20.2%; p < 0.0001), HCV (9.8% vs. 1.1%; p = 0.0046), syphilis (21.2% vs. 16.3%; p = 0.43) and other STIs (33.0% vs. 21.6%; p = 0.042) were more frequent among confirmed mpox cases. Confirmed cases presented more genital (77.3% vs. 39.8%; p < 0.0001) and anal lesions (33.1% vs. 11.5%; p < 0.0001), proctitis (37.1% vs. 13.3%; p < 0.0001) and systemic signs and symptoms (83.2% vs. 64.5%; p = 0.0003) than non-confirmed cases. Compared to confirmed mpox HIV-negative, HIV-positive individuals were older, had more HCV coinfection (15.2% vs. 3.7%; p = 0.011), anal lesions (45.7% vs. 20.5%; p < 0.001) and clinical features of proctitis (45.2% vs. 29.3%; p = 0.058). Interpretation: Mpox transmission in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, rapidly evolved into a local epidemic, with sexual contact playing a crucial role in its dynamics and high rates of coinfections with other STI. Preventive measures must address stigma and social vulnerabilities. Funding: Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (INI-Fiocruz)