Control of schistosomiasis mansoni in ravena (Sabará, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil) through Water supply and quadrennial treatments

In this study, the results obtained in a control programme of schistosomiasis in Ravena (Sabará, Minas Gerais) between 1980 and 1992 are evaluated. Control measures used in this programme were: specific treatment of the people infected with Schistosoma mansoni at four year-intervals (1980/84/88) and the supply of tap water to 90% of the residences in 1980. A significant reduction of the prevalence (36.7% to 11.5%, p < 0.05) and of the intensity of the infection (228.9 eggs per gram of feces (epg), s = 3.7 to 60.3 epg, s = 3.5, p < 0.05) was observed. No cases of the severe form of the disease were diagnosed in the area. Factors independently associated with the infection were in 1980 daily sand extraction and the lack of tap water in residences and in 1992 daily sand extraction and fishing and weekly swimming. Concluding, the supply of tap water together with quadrennial treatments significantly diminished both the prevalence and intensity of the S. mansoni infection, with the additional gain of persistent low indices even after four-year intervals between the treatments

The effect of finasteride on spermatogenesis of Mesocricetus auratus Impacto da finasterida na espermatogênese do Mesocricetus auratus

PURPOSE: To study the effect of finasteride on the spermatogenesis of adult Mesocricetus auratus. METHODS: Twenty adult hamsters were evaluated. The animals were one year-older, and were randomly divided in 2 different groups: control group with ten animals (n=10) and experimental group also with ten animals (n=10). The animals in the experimental group were shot 7.14 ng/mL (0.5mL) of finasteride by 100mg/Kg, subcutaneously in the dorsal region three times per week during 90 days. This dose correspondes to 5mg of the drug used in adult men for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). After three months, the animals were anesthetized through association of 200mg/kg ketamine chloridrate and 2.5 mg/kg of diazepan and were dead through hypovolemia.. The testis removed along with the whole genitourinary apparel were fixed with 10% formalin and submitted to histological analisys by optical microscopy. The hematoxilin-eosin (HE) method was used to stain the slides. RESULTS: The mean weight of animals in the control group before death was 129.0&plusmn;18.8gr. The mean weight of animals in experimental group was 145.0&plusmn;15.25gr. The mean age of animals in control group before death was 15.2&plusmn;1.13 months. The mean age of animals in experimental group before death was 17.16&plusmn;0.82 months. The mean difference in weight between both groups was not statistical significant (p=0.0514). The totality of animals in control group (100%) presented no tubular alterations and showed no disturbancy in the spermatogenesis stages. Four animals (40%) in the experimental group showed hypotrophy of the seminiferous tubules and six (60%) showed normal spermatogenesis, however reduced compared to control group. There was statiscally significant difference (p=0.043) between the control and experimental group related to testicular alterations. CONCLUSION: The animals that were administered finasteride showed significant tubules atrophy and spermatogenesis reduction compared to control group.<br>OBJETIVO: Estudar o impacto da finasterida na espermatogênese do Mesocricetus auratus, adulto. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 20 hamsters adultos, com idades superiores a 1 ano, distribuídos em dois grupos: grupo controle com dez animais (n=10) e grupo experimental também com dez animais (n=10). No grupo experimental foi aplicado 7,14ng/mL (0,5mL) de finasterida por 100mg/Kg/peso, subcutâneo (SC), na região dorsal do animal, três vezes por semana por 90 dias, dose correspondente a 5mg da droga usada em homens adultos, para tratamento da hiperplasia benigna da próstata (HBP). No final de três meses, esses Hamsters foram mortos por hipovolemia, após serem anestesiados com cloridrato de quetamina, na dosagem de 200 mg/kg juntamente com diazepam, na dosagem de 2,5 mg/kg. Os testículos foram retirados em monobloco juntamente com todo o aparelho geniturinário, fixados em formalina a 10% e encaminhados à histotécnica para posterior análise histológica em microscópico óptico. Foram usadas para coloração das lâminas a hematoxilina e eosina (HE). RESULTADOS: Quando foram mortos, os Hamsters do grupo de controle pesaram em média 129,0g e desvio padrão (DP) de 18,8g. O grupo de experimento apresentou média de peso de 145,0g e DP de 15,25g. A idade dos animas de controle quando foram mortos apresentou média de 15,2 meses e DP de 1,13 meses. Os animais de experimento apresentaram média de idade de 17,16 meses e DP de 0,82. A diferença das médias de peso entre os dois grupos não teve significado estatístico (p=0,0514). Os animais (100%) do grupo controle não tiveram alterações tubulares e apresentaram todas as etapas da espermatogênese normais. Quatro animais (40%) do grupo de experimento apresentaram hipotrofia dos túbulos seminíferos, e seis (60%) desses animais apresentaram espermatogênese normal, mas diminuída em relação ao grupo controle. Do ponto de vista estatístico houve significância (p=0,043) entre o grupo de experimento e controle em relação às alterações testiculares. CONCLUSÃO: Os animais em uso de finasterida apresentaram atrofia tubulares significativas e diminuição da espermatogênese em comparação com o grupo-controle