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

Parasitosis intestinales y factores ambientales en una población rural de Argentina, 2002-2003

We evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in 504 people and the degree of association between environmental variables and parasites found in population, soil and water in a rural area of Argentina during 2002-2003. A structured survey was used to evaluate the environmental variables and fecal-human, soil and water samples were analyzed. The prevalence of parasites was 45.4%. Most prevalent protozoa were Blastocystis hominis (27.2%) and Giardia lamblia (6.9%), while the most prevalent helminth was Ascaris lumbricoides (3.8%). The analyzed environmental variables showing association (p < 0.05) with presence of parasites in population were: cardboard-tin or wooden house, dirt floor, home or communal water pump, faucet outside the house or public faucet and cesspool or latrine. Parasite forms were found in 82.3% of the soil samples and in 84.2% of the water samples. In both samples we found parasites that were also found in people. In this study we have found deficient sanitary conditions associated with presence of parasites in population and we have evidenced that contaminated soil and water were the source of these parasites.Hemos evaluado la prevalencia de parásitos intestinales en 504 personas y el grado de asociación entre las variables ambientales y los parásitos intestinales hallados en la población, el suelo y el agua de una zona rural de Argentina durante 2002-2003. Se utilizó una encuesta estructurada para relevar las variables ambientales y se examinaron muestras fecales humanas, de agua y de suelo. La prevalencia parasitaria fue de 45,4%. Los protozoos prevalentes fueron Blastocystis hominis (27,2%) y Giardia lamblia (6,9%), mientras que el helminto mas prevalente fue Ascaris lumbricoides (3,8%). Las variables ambientales analizadas que mostraron asociación (p < 0,05) con la presencia de parásitos en la población fueron: casa de cartón-chapa o de madera con piso de tierra, bomba de agua domiciliaria o comunitaria, canilla fuera de la casa o pública y pozo ciego o letrina. Elementos parasitarios fueron hallados en el 82,3% de las muestras de suelo y en el 84,2% de las muestras de agua. En ambas muestras fueron hallados parásitos que también se encontraron en las personas. En este trabajo hemos hallado deficientes condiciones sanitarias asociadas con la presencia de parásitos en las personas y hemos evidenciado que el suelo y el agua contaminada fueron la fuente de esos parasitos

Estatus oxidativo, antioxidante, del selenio, y aceptabilidad del consumidor de la carne de ave enriquecida con selenio dietari

The effect of selenium supplementation with an organic form (SeMet) and an inorganic form (SeNa) in the poultry finishing diet, on the oxidative and antioxidative status of Pectoralis and Gastrocnemius muscles, refrigerated at 2 °C during 0, 3 and 7 days, was studied. Also, selenium enrichment and sensory evaluation of each muscle was studied in fresh (0 days) meat. At 35 days old, chicks were distributed into three groups (30 birds each), and were fed with a corn-soybean basal diet without Se supplementation (Control) or with 0.30 ppm of selenium as selenomethionine (SeMet) or as sodium selenite (SeNa) until day 56 d-old. In Pectoralis muscle, significantly lower TBARS values were found at day 0 in meat from birds supplemented with both sources of Se (P<0.05). A higher GPx activity and selenium content was observed in meat from birds supplemented with SeMet compared with the Control (P<0.05). In SeMet raw meat from both muscles, selenium is increased and conserved after cooking in Gastrocnemius. The organic source enhanced the antioxidant enzyme activity in fresh Gastrocnemius muscle, and the inorganic source enhanced it in the fresh and in the refrigerated stored Pectoralis muscle (P<0.05). Inorganic selenium in poultry diet increase textural attributes as cohesiveness and chewed need to form a bolus. Perception of an aromatic aftertaste in Gastrocnemius (P<0.05) and Pectoralis (P<0.06) muscle felt as a metallic taste was perceived with SeMet diet. Swallowing ability was increased by SeNa and SeMet sources only in Gastrocnemius. In conclusion, selenium in the poultry diet improved antioxidant status, nutritional value by Se-enriching and textural and taste sensory perception in meat but differences are found depending on the muscle type.Se estudió el efecto de la suplementación con selenio con una forma orgánica (SeMet) y una forma inorgánica (SeNa) en la dieta de acabado de aves de corral, sobre el estado oxidativo y antioxidante de los músculos Pectoralis y Gastrocnemius, refrigerados a 2 ° C durante 0, 3 y 7 días. Además, se estudió el enriquecimiento de selenio y la evaluación sensorial de cada músculo en carne fresca (0 días). A los 35 días de edad, los polluelos se distribuyeron en tres grupos (30 aves cada uno), y fueron alimentados con una dieta basal de maíz y soja sin suplementos de Se (Control) o con 0,30 ppm de selenio como selenometionina (SeMet) o como selenito de sodio (SeNa) hasta el día 56 d-edad. En el músculo pectoral, se encontraron valores significativamente más bajos de TBARS en el día 0 en la carne de aves suplementadas con ambas fuentes de Se (P<0,05). Se observó una mayor actividad de GPx y contenido de selenio en la carne de aves suplementadas con SeMet en comparación con el Control (P<0,05). En la carne cruda SeMet de ambos músculos, el selenio se aumenta y se conserva después de la cocción en Gastrocnemius. La fuente orgánica mejoró la actividad de la enzima antioxidante en el músculo Gastrocnemius fresco, y la fuente inorgánica la mejoró en el músculo Pectoralis fresco y refrigerado almacenado (P<0.05). El selenio inorgánico en la dieta de las aves de corral aumenta los atributos texturales como la cohesión y la necesidad masticada de formar un bolo. La percepción de un regusto aromático en el músculo Gastrocnemius (P<0,05) y Pectoralis (P<0,06) se percibió como un sabor metálico con la dieta SeMet. La capacidad de deglución fue aumentada por las fuentes de SeNa y SeMet solo en Gastrocnemius. En conclusión, el selenio en la dieta avícola mejoró el estado antioxidante, el valor nutricional por el enriquecimiento de Se y la percepción sensorial textural y gustal en la carne, pero se encuentran diferencias según el tipo de músculo

Intestinal parasitoses and environmental factors in a rural population of Argentina, 2002-2003

Hemos evaluado la prevalencia de parásitos intestinales en 504 personas y el grado de asociación entre las variables ambientales y los parásitos intestinales hallados en la población, el suelo y el agua de una zona rural de Argentina durante 2002-2003. Se utilizó una encuesta estructurada para relevar las variables ambientales y se examinaron muestras fecales humanas, de agua y de suelo. La prevalencia parasitaria fue de 45,4%. Los protozoos prevalentes fueron Blastocystis hominis (27,2%) y Giardia lamblia (6,9%), mientras que el helminto mas prevalente fue Ascaris lumbricoides (3,8%). Las variables ambientales analizadas que mostraron asociación (p < 0,05) con la presencia de parásitos en la población fueron: casa de cartón-chapa o de madera con piso de tierra, bomba de agua domiciliaria o comunitaria, canilla fuera de la casa o pública y pozo ciego o letrina. Elementos parasitarios fueron hallados en el 82,3% de las muestras de suelo y en el 84,2% de las muestras de agua. En ambas muestras fueron hallados parásitos que también se encontraron en las personas. En este trabajo hemos hallado deficientes condiciones sanitarias asociadas con la presencia de parásitos en las personas y hemos evidenciado que el suelo y el agua contaminada fueron la fuente de esos parásitos.We evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in 504 people and the degree of association between environmental variables and parasites found in population, soil and water in a rural area of Argentina during 2002-2003. A structured survey was used to evaluate the environmental variables and fecal-human, soil and water samples were analyzed. The prevalence of parasites was 45.4%. Most prevalent protozoa were Blastocystis hominis (27.2%) and Giardia lamblia (6.9%), while the most prevalent helminth was Ascaris lumbricoides (3.8%). The analyzed environmental variables showing association (p < 0.05) with presence of parasites in population were: cardboard-tin or wooden house, dirt floor, home or communal water pump, faucet outside the house or public faucet and cesspool or latrine. Parasite forms were found in 82.3% of the soil samples and in 84.2% of the water samples. In both samples we found parasites that were also found in people. In this study we have found deficient sanitary conditions associated with presence of parasites in population and we have evidenced that contaminated soil and water were the source of these parasites.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

Epidemiological survey of Giardia spp. and Blastocystis hominis in an Argentinian rural community

The aim of this study was to relate personal data, socio-cultural and environmental characteristics, and the presence of symptoms/signs with the frequencies of Giardia spp. and Blastocystis hominis among a rural population in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Of the surveyed population (350), 3.7% were infected with only Giardia spp. or 22.9% with B. hominis, and 2.3% were infected with both protozoa. The frequency of infection according to sex; 6.1% of males were infected and 1.6% of females by Giardia spp., 26.7% and 19.5% by B. hominis, and 2.4% and 2.2% by both parasites, respectively. Giardia spp. was detected in only three adults (over 14 years), but B. hominis was more frequent in adults than in children. The prevalences of these protozoa in this community are lower than those reported by other Argentinean studies, which is probably associated with the low density of the studied population (5.95 inhab/km2). Statistical analysis revealed that a male sex, flooding of the home, the use of a latrine, and an abdominal pain were correlated with the presence of these parasites, which indicate the importance of these factors in rural communities.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Presence of intestinal parasites in public places from urban areas (Argentina)

With the aim of recovering and identifying parasitic elements we studied soil samples from all public place of La Plata, Argentina (urban area). We surveyed 23 places during March and April, 2000 and at the time of study we measured both the pH and moisture content of each sample taken. We detected 552 parasitic elements, with 98 corresponding to protozoon cysts, 106 to helminth eggs and 348 to nematode larvae. We conclude that the soils in surveyed public places are contaminated with parasites of animal as well as human origin.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Neumonías bacterianas bacteriémicas post-influenza (NBBPI)

Influenza es una enfermedad respiratoria aguda, altamente transmisible, de distribución mundial y de ocurrencia estacional, causada por alguno de los 3 tipos de virus de la influenza que se conocen: A, B o C. Se caracteriza por la súbita aparición de signos y síntomas como fiebre (38-40ºC), mialgias, cefalea, escalofríos, decaimiento, tos no productiva, faringitis y rinitis. Una de las complicaciones frecuentes durante la convalecencia del cuadro viral es la neumonía bacteriana secundaria, sobre todo en pacientes con enfermedades subyacentes como diabetes, tumores, enfermedades cardíacas o pulmonares crónicas. Los principales agentes implicados en la neumonía bacteriana secundaria son: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus y Haemophilus influenzae. La pandemia actual de influenza, iniciada en EE.UU y México durante el mes de marzo del año 2009, cuyo primer caso reportado en Argentina fue a mediados del mes de abril, está relacionada a un nuevo virus identificado como influenza tipo A H1N1. En la infección por esta cepa se observó un aumento en la tasa de ataque de las formas graves de influenza.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Inhibitory activity of the liquid fase of Copahue Thermal mud (Neuquén, Argentina) on strains of Staphylococcus aureus

El Complejo Termal de Copahue se sitúa a unos 1980 m sobre el nivel del mar, a 18 Km del volcán Copahue, sobre la cordillera de los Andes, Neuquén, Argentina. En él se halla la laguna Madre cuya temperatura oscila entre 70° y 90º C. En el fondo de la laguna se encuentra el fango gris, compuesto principalmente por azufre, silicio, oxígeno y aluminio. Empíricamente se conocen propiedades antiflogísticas y antibacterianas de los fangos minerales. Actualmente son utilizados en tratamientos de enfermedades de piel, reumáticas, infecciones de heridas quirúrgicas y también con fines estéticos. Staphylococcus aureus es un microorganismo integrante de la microbiota humana y como colonizante de piel y mucosas está implicado en diferentes procesos infecciosos. Su presencia en la microbiota del hombre aumenta el riesgo de padecer infecciones invasivas. La resistencia a antimicrobianos constituye un problema emergente en el tratamiento de este tipo de infecciones. El objetivo de éste trabajo fue analizar las propiedades antimicrobianas de la fase líquida (FL) del fango termal de Copahue, mediante ensayos in vitro, sobre cepas de S. aureus colonizantes de piel y mucosas, aisladas de pacientes provenientes de la comunidad y hospitales. El fango se obtuvo a 70 cm de profundidad del borde perimetral de la laguna. Se realizaron pruebas de difusión en agar y velocidad bactericida. Con la prueba de difusión en agar se observó halo inhibitorio frente a seis cepas de S. aureus ensayadas. La estimación del efecto inhibitorio frente a todas las cepas evidenció una declinación rápida del recuento de colonias viables antes de las 4 h (en el orden de ≤ 3 log), visualizándose un recrecimiento microbiano a las 24 h. La técnica de Killing Curve permitió establecer el tiempo óptimo de contacto para lograr inhibición del crecimiento bacteriano entre los microorganismos y la FL del fango. Este trabajo demuestra la actividad inhibitoria de la FL del fango del volcán Copahue sobre cepas de S. aureus colonizantes aisladas de piel y mucosas.The Copahue Thermal Complex is located at 1,980 m above sea level, at 18 km from the Copahue Volcano, on the Andes mountain range, in Neuquén, Argentina, where Lake Madre, whose temperature ranges from 70°C to 90° C is found. Grey fango composed of sulfur, silicon, oxygen and aluminum is found at the bottom of this lake. Empirically, mineral fango is known to have antiflogistic and antibacterial properties, which are currently used for treating skin conditions, rheumatic diseases and surgical wound infections and for cosmetic purposes. Staphylococcus aureus is a microorganism which forms part of the human microbiota, and as a skin and mucous membranes colonizer, it is involved in several infectious processes. Its presence in the human microbiota increases the risk of invasive infections. Antimicrobial resistance is a consequence arising from the treatment of this type of infections. The purpose of this work was to analyze the antimicrobial properties of the liquid phase of Copahue thermal fango by means of in vitro assays using skin and mucous membranes colonizer strains of S. aureus, isolated from community and hospital patients. The fango was obtained from the perimeter edge of the lake at a depth of 70 cm. Agar diffusion and bactericidal effect tests were conducted. The agar diffusion test showed an inhibition zones for six assayed strains of S. aureus. The estimated inhibitory effect for all the strains showed a fast decline in the viable colony count before 4 hs. (≤ 3 log order), visualizing a microbial regrowth at 24 hs. The Killing Curve technique allowed to establish the optimum contact time to achieve bacterial growth inhibition among microorganisms and the fango liquid phase. This work shows the antimicrobial properties of the liquid phase of fango from the Copahue Volcano against colonizer strains of S. aureus.Facultad de Ciencias Médica