ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasites are common in children in poor countries around the world, and are the cause of serious health problems. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in schoolchildren in Santarém, and associated socio-environmental risk factors. METHODS: Questionnaires were applied to parents, and fecal exams were performed by direct method and sedimentation. RESULTS: The parasites that prevailed were Entamoeba coli (20.4%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (9.0%). The family income is an important factor related to parasitic infections (χ2=21.000/p=0.001). Other factors such as water treatment (χ2=20.15/p=0.002), health infrastructure (χ2=25.40/p=0.001), and hygiene practices such as hand washing (χ2=11.54/p=0.003) were statistically significant for the presence of intestinal parasites too, some on a lesser scale. CONCLUSION: The results showed that Entamoeba coli and Ascaris lumbricoides are the prevalent parasites. The Family income, water quality, and sanitary infrastructure are the main risk factors for parasitic infections.
INTRODUÇÃO: As parasitoses intestinais são comuns em crianças em países pobres pelo mundo, e são a causa de sérios problemas de saúde. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de parasitos intestinais em crianças de escolas em Santarém, e fatores de risco socioambientais associados. MÉTODOS: Foram aplicados questionários as famílias, e os exames de fezes foram realizados pelo método direto e sedimentação. RESULTADOS: Os parasitas que prevaleceram foram Entamoeba coli (20,4%) e Ascaris lumbricoides (9,0%). A renda familiar é um fator importante relacionado às infecções parasitárias (χ2=21.000/p=0.001). Outros fatores como o tratamento da água (χ2=20.15/p=0.002), infraestrutura de saúde (χ2=25.40/p=0.001), e práticas de higiene como lavagem das mãos (χ2=11.54/p=0.003) foram também estatisticamente significativos para a presença de parasitas intestinais, alguns em menor escala. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados mostraram que Entamoeba coli e Ascaris lumbricoides são os parasitos prevalentes. A renda familiar, qualidade da água, e infra-estrutura sanitária são os principais fatores de risco para infecções parasitárias.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child, Preschool , Child , Schools , Child Health , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , Protozoan Infections , HelminthiasisABSTRACT
Beneficial interactions between plants and microorganisms have been investigated under different ecological, physiological, biochemical, and genetic aspects. However, the systematic exploration of biomolecules with potential for biotechnological products from this interaction still is relatively scarce. Therefore, this study aimed the evaluation of the diversity and antimicrobial activity of the endophytic fungi obtained from roots, stems and leafs of Myrcia guianensis (Myrtaceae) from the Brazilian Amazon. 156 endophytic fungi were isolated and above 80% were identified by morphological examination as belonging to the genera Pestalotiopsis, Phomopsis, Aspergillus, Xylaria, Nectria, Penicillium and Fusarium. Fermented broth of those fungi were assayed for antimicrobial activity and four inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans and Penicillium avellaneum. As the strain named MgRe2.2.3B (Nectria haematococca) had shown the most promising results against those pathogenic strains, its fermented broth was fractioned and only its two low polar fractions demonstrated to be active. Both fractions exhibited a minimum bactericidal concentration of 50 µg.mL-1 against S. aureus and a minimum fungicidal concentration of 100 µg.mL-1 against P. avellaneum. These results demonstrate the diversity of fungal genera in M. guianensis and the potential of these endophytic fungi for the production of new antibiotics.