Triatoma rubrovaria (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in the Pampa biome, Brazil: a retrospective study of its occurrence and abundance

Triatoma rubrovaria has been captured in some areas of Rio Grande do Sul State (RS), Brazil, as this species can be found in the Pampa biome. Its distribution across this biome should be described in detail to verify the potential of this vector to transmit Trypanosoma cruzi. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of T. rubrovaria in the Pampa biome and transitional areas of RS. The collected information resulted from the analysis of secondary data provided by the Centro Estadual de Vigilancia em Saude (CEVS – State’s Center of Health Surveillance). The following aspects were taken into consideration: the year in which the insect was captured, the city, the number of specimens captured, invasion or domiciliation, the notification in the household, surroundings or both, and T. cruzi infection. The data comprised the period from 2009 to 2020, in 109 cities located in the Pampa biome and 98 located in transitional areas. The Pampa biome exhibited 85% of the occurrences of T. rubrovaria, while 1.2% of specimens were T. cruzi-like positive. Both the first and second biennia concentrated 64.6% of captures. Alegrete city, Cangucu city and Piratini city were the locations in the Pampa where the largest numbers of specimens were found. Regarding the transitional areas, Roque Gonzales city, Santiago city and Santana da Boa Vista city exhibited the largest numbers. Most insects were adults, which were found in households. Even though positivity for T. cruzi-like was low, the species still has epidemiological importance in the region

Occurrence and distribution of Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) in a metropolitan area of Southern Brazil

Two triatomine genera (Panstrongylus and Triatoma) have essentially been recorded in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Panstrongylus megistus should be highlighted since this species is one of the main vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in Brazil, due to its wide geographical distribution and the high susceptibility to this protozoan. This study aimed to present not only the occurrence and distribution of P. megistus in the Porto Alegre city’s metropolitan area (PAMA), Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, but also the rates of T. cruzi infection, from 2009 to 2020. The PAMA, which comprises 34 cities and 4.4 million habitants, extends across the transition area in two biomes – Pampa and Mata Atlantica – found in the state. Results showed that P. megistus was recorded in 76.5% of cities (i.e., 26 out of 34), mainly in Porto Alegre city, where the vector was found in 11 out of the 12 years that were monitored. Three hundred and nineteen specimens were captured. Two hundred and sixty-seven specimens (83.7%) were located intradomicile (p < 0.0001), while 52.3% positivity for T. cruzi was found. Thus, P. megistus is important in the PAMA, because it invades and colonizes the households. Moreover, the high rates of T. cruzi infection have drawn attention

How Well Does the G20 Reflect African Interests and Priorities?: Some Thoughts Following the Los Cabos, Mexico Summit

The leaders of the G20 countries have now held seven summits -- enough to begin critically evaluating how well the G20 serves the interest of specific sub-parts of the international community. The purpose of this paper is to assess how well the G20 responds to African interests. It is divided into three parts. The first is a brief description of the most recent summit, held on June 18-19, 2012 in Los Cabos, Mexico. The second part is a brief discussion of the criteria that will be used in this evaluation. The third part is an assessment of the G20 against these criteria

Óbitos por doença de Chagas na região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: Deaths from Chagas disease in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Introdução: A doença de Chagas (DC) ainda é considerada um problema de saúde pública. Métodos: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o número de óbitos por DC na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo e descritivo que foi realizado no período de 2008 a 2019, a partir de dados registrados no Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade (SIM). Resultados: Durante o período, a moléstia foi responsável por 364 óbitos no RS, com média de 30,33 óbitos/ano. Nos municípios contemplados pela 3ª CRS (Pelotas), ocorreu um total de 60 (16,5%) óbitos, na 7ª CRS (Bagé), ocorreram 2,5% das mortes por DC (9 casos). Os municípios com maior número de óbitos por DC no extremo sul do RS, foram: Pelotas, Canguçu, Rio Grande e Lavras do Sul. A maioria das mortes se deram em pacientes com 60 anos ou mais (82,6%) e com baixa escolaridade Conclusão: A DC continua apresentando importância no RS, sobretudo em idosos, levando ao óbito dezenas de pessoas por ano, sendo que quase ¼ das ocorrências se dão no extremo sul do estado. Contudo, os dados se mostram menores do que os encontrados em décadas anteriores, principalmente em pacientes abaixo dos 40 anos, o que provavelmente é resultado do controle vetorial e transfusional conduzido nas últimas décadas em todo o país

Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi in a population of pregnant women and evaluation of their knowledge about Chagas Disease and its vectors

This study aimed at determining prevalence of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in pregnant women in the extreme south of Brazil and at evaluating their knowledge about Chagas Disease (CD) and its vectors. The study was carried out in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil. The Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) was used for the triage and, when it was reagent, results were confirmed by the Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA). A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to evaluate patients’ knowledge. The Chi-squared test was used for evaluating correlations among variables under study while an Odds Ratio was conducted when associations were statistically significant. Only 33 (27.7%) out of 119 pregnant women under investigation underwent the serological test to identify T. cruzi because the study was carried out in the worst phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, prevalence was 6.1% (2 cases). Only 26.9% of pregnant women were able to identify triatominae and 66.4% did not know that the heart could be affected by CD. Associations between variables “lived/have lived in a rural area” and “having found ‘kissing bugs’ in the household”; “high schooling level” and “knowing that CD causes heart disorders”; and “stating that they know what CD is” and “identifying triatominae” exhibited statistical significance. Results showed that the rate of positive pregnant women is high and needs attention, even though the size of the sample is a limiting factor. Besides, the patients’ lack of knowledge about the disease and its vectors shows the importance of educational interventions

Current situation of Chagas disease vectors (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) in Southern Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Chagas disease (CD) has been considered endemic in the South of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, Brazil. This study aimed at evaluating the occurrence of Trypanosoma cruzi vectors based on the main species captured in Southern Rio Grande do Sul State from 2008 to 2019. The study area comprised counties that belong to the 3rd Regional Health Coordination (RHC) and to the 7th RHC, whose headquarters are in Pelotas and Bage, respectively. The study was based on secondary data provided by the partnership between the Federal University of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State (UFPel-RS) and the State Health Surveillance Center in RS (SCHS-RS). One thousand and four hundred triatomines were captured in the area supervised by the 3rd RHC, mainly in Cangucu (37.7%), Piratini (22.4%) and Pinheiro Machado (15.1%), while, in the area supervised by the 7th RHC, the largest number of triatomines was captured in Lavras do Sul (64.15%). In both areas, Triatoma rubrovaria (90.6%) and Panstrongylus tupynambai (7.4%) were the most common species. Most were captured inside households but T. cruzi-positive insects were not found in the period under study. The results of this study show that, in Southern Rio Grande do Sul State, there is still a high rate of triatomine household invasion and dispersal, mainly by T. rubrovaria. Thus, the entomological surveillance should be maintained with the participation of the population and further studies should be deepened in the area

Prevalência de enteroparasitos em alfaces (Lactuca sativa) comercializadas em estabelecimentos no Sul do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

As doenças parasitárias são apontadas como um frequente problema de saúde pública no Brasil e no Mundo, com maior incidência em comunidades empobrecidas, principalmente em países subdesenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento. A transmissão ocorre na maioria dos casos por via oral passiva, atingindo indivíduos de todas as idades, causando anemia, má absorção de nutrientes, diarreia e emagrecimento, diminuição da capacidade de aprendizado e trabalho e redução na velocidade de crescimento. Hortaliças podem representar risco para a saúde pública por serem consumidas cruas, em sua grande maioria, e, eventualmente, por estarem contaminadas com ovos, larvas e cistos de parasitos intestinais. Com o objetivo de verificar a presença destes organismos em alfaces-crespas comercializadas em diferentes estabelecimentos, foram analisadas 50 amostras de alface-crespa (Lactuca sativa) provenientes de cinco estabelecimentos diferentes do município de Pelotas-RS, no período de Janeiro a Março de 2017, pelas técnicas de sedimentação espontânea (Hoffman) e flutuação em solução de sulfato de zinco (Faust). Observou-se que 54% (27/50) das amostras analisadas apresentaram algum tipo de protozoário e/ou helmintos. Os parasitos detectados foram da Superfamília Strongyloidea, Giardia spp., Entamoeba coli, Ascaris spp., Toxocara spp. e Entamoeba hartmanni. Concluiu-se que as hortaliças comercializadas nos diferentes estabelecimentos de Pelotas-RS podem veicular parasitos intestinais se não forem devidamente higienizadas

Plantas medicinais nativas do bioma pampa com potencial anti-trypanosoma cruzi / Native Medicinal plants from the pampa biome with potential anti-trypanosoma cruzi

Este artigo teve como objetivo realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre as plantas medicinais mais utilizadas pela população no RS, contempladas na REPLAME/RS, com potencial para o tratamento da doença de Chagas. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura, com os seguintes descritores: “planta medicinais”, “Trypanosoma cruzi” e “doença de chagas”, selecionados, nos sites PubMed, SciELO, LILACS e no Portal de Periódicos CAPES. 50 artigos foram lidos na íntegra, dos quais cinco foram explanados no texto. Das plantas estudadas com potencial anti-Tripanosoma no RS, destacam-se as espécies: Achyrocline satureioides popularmente conhecida como “marcela”; Baccharis trimera identificada como “carqueja”; ambas pertencentes à família Asteraceae e Eugenia uniflora L., intitulada “pitangueira”, e contemplada na família Myrtaceae.  O estado do RS apresenta plantas promissoras para desenvolvimento de pesquisas com resultados em tecnologias e terapêuticas apropriadas anti o gênero Trypanosoma, com ênfase para a espécie T. cruzi. 

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis in a human rural population of Southern Rio Grande do Sul

Due to the growing population of pets, especially homeless dogs and cats, zoonoses still represent a significant public health problem. Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. are epidemiologically important zoonotic agents as they are etiological factors of human toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis, respectively. These parasites remain neglected even though they are substantially prevalent in rural areas. The aim of this study was to investigate T. gondii and T. canis seroprevalence and risk factors of seropositivity in a rural population in Pelotas municipality, Brazil. The study participants (n=344) were patients of a Basic Healthcare Unit (BHU) located in Cerrito Alegre. Blood samples were collected and tested for T. gondii antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence and T. canis antibodies by an indirect ELISA that targets an excreted-secreted antigen (TES). T. gondii seropositivity was 53.2%, with higher titers (1:256 - 1:1,024) in individuals who habitually eat pork, beef, or chicken, while T. canis seropositivity was 71.8% and concomitant T. gondii and T. canis seropositivity was 38.3%. Among the seropositivity risk factors assessed, only habitual undercooked meat consumption was significant (p = 0.046; OR = 3.7) for T. gondii and none of them were associated with T. canis seropositivity. Both parasites have a high prevalence in rural areas, which reinforces the need to invest in rural community education and health

Cartilha educativa para auxiliar no enfrentamento da doença de Chagas no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Educational booklet to help fight Chagas disease in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Introdução: As tecnologias educacionais em saúde são consideradas ferramentas inovadoras, capazes de fomentar a discussão e disseminação de conhecimentos sobre a doença de Chagas (DCH), estimulando assim, uma comunicação mais eficiente e acessível entre os sujeitos, através do estímulo ao autocuidado, proporcionando uma melhor qualidade de vida aos indivíduos acometidos pela DCH. Objetivo: Descrever o processo de construção e divulgação de cartilha educativa sobre a DCH para a população do extremo sul do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), visando a promoção da saúde e prevenção da moléstia e os seus vetores. Método: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, metodológico, com foco descritivo no processo de elaboração de material educativo, e se apresenta o fluxograma empregado na sua elaboração. Resultado: produziu-se um instrumento elucidativo, ilustrado, disponível em cópias impressas e conteúdo digital, distribuído gratuitamente para a população. Constituído por frases, figuras e ilustrações no que concerne o combate e prevenção da doença. O material contou com 13 páginas e 9 ilustrações. Conclusão: Julga-se que a cartilha possui conteúdo informativo relevante, devendo ser considerada uma ferramenta auxiliadora no contexto das atividades educativas e na prática clínica, sendo capaz de sensibilizar a população alvo e contribuir no enfrentamento da DCH