Presence of anisakid larvae in commercial fishes landed in the Pacific coast of Ecuador and Colombia / Presencia de larvas de anisakidos en peces comercializados y desembarcados en la costa del Pacífico de Ecuador y Colombia

Introduction: Anisakidosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the consumption of raw or undercooked fish or crustaceans parasitized by nematode larvae of the Anisakidae family. In this study, the presence of anisakid larvae was identified in fish species of consumer of the Pacific coast in Ecuador and Colombia. Methods: We obtained 438 samples grouped into twenty species of fish caught in the fishing ports of Manta, Santa Rosa, Buenaventura and Tumaco. The morphological identification of the larvae was made by taxonomy and the percentage of infection, were calculated. For the identification of species, a multiplex PCR was carried. Results: The taxonomic review identified eight species of fish as hosts of the genders Anisakis and Pseudoterranova. The larvae were isolated mainly from the intestine with a percentage of infection between 18 and 100%. The percentage of infection and identification of anisakids in these fish will aid in the prevention and control of anisakiasis as a possible emerging disease for this area of the Pacific. With the multiplex PCR, A. pegreffii, A. physeteris, and P. decipiens were identified. Conclusion: The identification of these species is reported for the first time in this geographical area, providing the basis for future research into the Anisakidae family.

Introducción: La anisakidosis es una enfermedad zoonótica causada por el consumo de pescado o crustáceos crudos o poco cocinados parasitados por las larvas de nematodos de la familia Anisakidae. En este estudio, se identificó la presencia de larvas de anisakidos en especies de peces de consumo de la costa del Pacífico en Ecuador y Colombia. Métodos: Obtuvimos 438 muestras agrupadas en veinte especies de peces capturados en los puertos pesqueros de Manta, Santa Rosa, Buenaventura y Tumaco. La identificación morfológica de las larvas se realizó por taxonomía y se calculó el porcentaje de infección. Para la identificación de las especies, se llevó a cabo una PCR múltiplex. Resultados: La revisión taxonómica identificó ocho especies de peces como huéspedes de los géneros Anisakis y Pseudoterranova. Las larvas se aislaron principalmente del intestino con un porcentaje de infección entre 18 y 100%. El porcentaje de infección e identificación de anisakidos en estos peces ayudará a prevenir y controlar la anisakiasis como una posible enfermedad emergente en esta área del Pacífico. Con la PCR múltiplex, se identifico A. pegreffii, A. physeteris y P. decipiens. Conclusión: La identificación de estas especies se informa por primera vez en esta área geográfica, proporcionando la base para futuras investigaciones sobre la familia Anisakidae.

First reporting of Anisakis sp. in the Armed Snook fish (Centropomus armatus) caught and commercialized in Buenaventura, Colombia / Primer reporte de Anisakis sp. en el pez Róbalo (Centropomus armatus) capturado y comercializado en Buenaventura, Colombia

Objective: Nematodes of the Anisakidae family are parasites found in aquatic organisms. The lack of studies on anisakidosis and Anisakis in Colombia has meant this type of parasitosis is not widely known by health personnel and underreporting of the disease is highly likely. The objective of this study was to identify anisakid nematodes in the armed snook fish (Centropomus armatus) obtained by artisanal fishing and sold commercially in the coastal port city of Buenaventura. Material and methods: Morphological identification of these worms was performed using taxonomic keys and supplemented with microscopic study using the histochemical Hematoxylin-Eosin technique. Results: Nematodes of the genus Anisakis were found in 42% and the mean abundance was 2.8 in the C. armatus. Conclusions: The findings confirm the presence of Anisakis sp. in fish for human consumption in Buenaventura, the main fishing port in the Colombian Pacific region. This finding in itself warrants further investigation into the possibility of an emerging disease in Colombia.

Objetivos: Los nematodos de la familia Anisakidae son parásitos de organismos acuáticos. La falta de estudios en anisakidosis y anisakidos en Colombia ha resultado en el desconocimiento de esta infección por parte del personal de salud y un posible subregistro de la enfermedad. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar nematodos anisakidos en el pez róbalo (Centropomus armatus), obtenido por pesca artesanal y comercializado en la localidad de Buenaventura. Materiales y métodos: La identificación morfológica se realizó usando claves taxonómicas para estos gusanos complementada con estudio microscópico mediante técnica histoquímica de Hematoxilina-Eosina. Resultados: Se encontraron nemátodos del género Anisakis en 42% y una abundancia promedio de 2.8 en el hospedero C. armatus. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos confirman la presencia de Anisakis sp. en peces de consumo humano de Buenaventura, principal puerto pesquero en la región Pacífica colombiana, lo cual abre el camino en la investigación de una posible enfermedad emergente en este país.

Identificación morfológica y molecular de filarías caninas en una comuna semi-rural de la Región Metropolitana, Chile / Morphological and molecular identification of canine filariae in a semi-rural district of the Metropolitan Region in Chile

Introduction: To date, there has been no definitive confirmation of the presence of zoonotic dirofilariasis in dogs in Chile. Objectives: To study the presence of dirofilarias in blood samples from dogs collected in a semi-rural district near Santiago and to compare their frequency in dogs with and without dermatological manifestations. Methods: We examined 100 blood samples for dog filariae infections using microscopic methods (modified Knott technique). 50 dogs presented dermatological symptoms or signs compatible with filarial infections and 50 were asymptomatic. ITS-2 and 12s rDNA gene amplification by PCR and sequencing were performed in samples microscopically positive for microfilariae. Results. We observed microfilariae in 22 dogs (22%). Of these, 16/50 (32%) were symptomatic and 6/50 (12%) were asymptomatic (p = 0.02). Morphologically, the majority of micro-filariae were similar to Dirofilaria repens, although many had a bigger size than previously described. Nucleotide sequencing of the amplified genes showed no more than 95% homology with the D. repens sequences available for comparison. D. reconditum and D. dracunculoides infections were also identified. Conclusions: These features might indicate the presence of new species of Dirofilaria or a D. repens close related variant in Chile.

Introducción: A la fecha no hay datos concluyentes en Chile respecto a la presencia de dirofilariasis zoonótica en perros. Objetivos: Identificar la presencia de dirofilarias en sangre de perros de una comuna semi-rural cercana a Santiago y comparar su frecuencia en animales con y sin manifestaciones dermatológicas. Materialy Métodos. Se examinó un frotis sanguíneo de 100 perros en busca de microfilarias mediante observación microscópica (técnica de Knott modificada). Cincuenta perros presentaban síntomas o signos dermatológicos que se han asociado a esta parasitosis y 50 eran asintomáticos. Se amplificaron los genes ITS-2 y 12s ADNr de filarías en las muestras con microfilarias al frotis, secuenciando los fragmentos amplificados. Resultados: Se observaron microfilarias en 22 perros (22%), 16/50 (32%) sintomáticos y 6/50 (12%) asintomáticos (p = 0,02). Morfológicamente, la mayoría de las microfilarias observadas fueron similares a D. repens; sin embargo, una gran proporción mostró un tamaño mayor al descrito para esta especie. Las secuencias nucleotídicas de los genes amplificados mostraron una homología no mayor al 95% con las secuencias de D. repens disponibles para comparación. Se identificaron además dos especies poco patógenas, D. reconditum por morfología y secuenciación genética y D. dracunculoides por morfología. Conclusiones: Los resultados indican la existencia de una nueva especie de Dirofilaria cercanamente relacionada a D. repens o de una variante de esta especie.

Aspectos parasitológicos y epidemiológicos de los donantes de sangre seropositivos para Trypanosoma cruzi, en un hospital universitario / Parasitological and epidemiological aspects of Trypanosoma cruzi seropositive blood donors

Background: After the interruption of the transmission of Chagas disease via vector insects in Chile, there is little available epidemiological information about this parasitosis in blood banks. Aim To update the rates of T cruzi positive blood donors. To measure parasitological and epidemiological parameters in blood donors with anti T cruzi antibodies. Material and Methods: An ELISA-T cruzi test was carried out in 30,309 blood donors between 2000 and 2004. In 75 blood donors with an ELISA-T cruzi positive test and 79 donors with negative ELISA (controls), a survey about personal or parental history of biting by a kissing bug (Triatomine), was performed. A blood sample was also obtained to perform Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for T cruzi and a xenodiagnostic test. Results: Annual frequency of positive ELISA for T cruzi serum antibodies in blood donors varied from 0.31 percent to 0.45 percent. Twenty eight percent of subjects with positive and 6 percent of subjects with negative specific antibodies answered the survey about biting. PCR and xenodiagnostic test were positive in 52 (69 percent) and 16 (21 percent) of positive ELISA-T cruzi test blood donors, respectively. Xenodiagnostic was also positive in 5 individuals who had a negative PCR. Conclusions: Seroprevalence of T cruzi antibodies decreased from 3 percent in 1968 to 0.3 percent in 2004.

Seroepidemiological aspects of human Strongyloides stercoralis infections in Chile

To determine the frequency of Strongyloides stercoralis antibodies by means of the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in Chile, in 2001-2003, 675 blood samples of patients of two psychiatric hospitals and 172 of healthy individuals (doctors, nurses and paramedicals) of these institutions, and 1,200 serum samples of blood donors of Northern region (Arica and Antofagasta), Central region (Valparaiso and Santiago) and Southern region (La Union) were collected. ELISA showed positivity of 12.1 percent in psychiatric hospitalized patients, none (0 percent) in the health personnel and 0.25 percent in blood donors (p < 0.05). Only in blood donors of Arica (1 percent) and La Union (0.5 percent) the ELISA test was positive suggesting that strongyloidiasis is focalized in determinate zones of the country. In Chile, human infections by S. stercoralis are endemic with very low frequency in apparently healthy individuals and high prevalence in risk groups such as the mentally ill hospitalized patients.

Entre os anos de 2001-2003 foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 675 pacientes de dois hospitais psiquiátricos da região central do Chile, 172 de indivíduos sadios (médicos, enfermeiros e paramédicos) destas instituições e 1200 de doadores de sangue de cidades das regiões norte (Arica e Antofagasta), central (Valparaiso e Santiago) e sul (La Union) para determinar a frequência de anticorpos anti Strongyloides stercoralis mediante a reação de enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Foram observadas soropositividade de 12.1 por cento em pacientes de hospitais psiquiátricos e de 0,25 por cento em doadores de sangue (p < 0.05). Todas as amostras dos indivíduos sadios foram não reagentes. Entre os doadores de sangue a soropositividade ocorreu somente nos indivíduos de Arica (1,0 por cento) e La Union (0,5 por cento) sugerindo que a estrongiloidíase poderia estar localizada em determinadas áreas geográficas do país. Conclui-se que no Chile as infecções por S. stercoralis seriam endêmicas, de baixa freqüência e afetando especialmente grupos de risco como os pacientes psiquiátricos.

First record of human trichinosis in Chile associated with consumption of wild boar (Sus scrofa)

The first South American case of human trichinosis, resulting from the consumption of roast wild boar (Sus scrofa) is reported in Chile. The patient presented fever, diarrhea, myalgias, facial edema, sub-conjunctival reddening, photophobia, eosinophilia, and elevated glutamic oxalacetic transaminase. The diagnosis was confirmed by two immunoenzymatic tests (ELISA) using somatic and excretion-secretion antigens.

Exposure to larva migrans syndromes in squares and public parks of cities in Chile

Entre novembro de 2001 e dezembro de 2002, 600 amostras de fezes de cão foram coletadas nas principais praças e parques públicos de 13 cidades do Chile, localizadas nas regiões norte ao estremo sul da nação. No laboratório, as amostras foram processadas mediante os métodos de sedimentação por centrifugação e de Harada-Mori. Ovos de Toxocara canis foram encontrados em 12 cidades em freqüências que variaram entre 1,9 a 12,5 por cento por cidade, com média de 5,2 por cento. Sete por cento das amostras apresentaram ovos e 9,5 por cento larvas rabditóides ou filarióides de Ancylostomatidae. Strongyloides stercoralis não foi encontrado nas amostras estudadas. Praças e parques públicos do Chile apresentam riscos potenciais para aquisição de larva migrans visceral, ocular ou cutânea.

Strongyloidosis no autóctona en Chile: descripción de un brote familiar / Non autochthonous strongyloidosis in Chile: report of a familiar outbrake

Se presenta un brote familiar de stron-gyloidosis que afectó a inmigrantes peruanos que habían llegado a Chile en noviembre del año 2001. En marzo del 2002, se confirmó en el Laboratorio de Parasitología Básico-Clínico de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Chile que el caso índice presentaba infección por Strongyloides stercoralis. Correspondía a una menor de 11 años que estaba siendo estudiada en el Hospital Roberto del Río por artritis reumatoide juvenil. Además de esta patología la niña refería leves molestias abdominales, siendo derivada a nuestra unidad, donde se le efectuó un examen parasitológico seriado de deposiciones (EPSD), observándose abundantes larvas rabditoides de S. stercoralis, por lo cual se procedió a estudiar al grupo familiar integrado por los padres y una hermana. A todos ellos se les efectuó EPSD e inmunodiagnóstico mediante ELISA para detectar anticuerpos anti S.stercoralis. Resultaron positivos para ambos exámenes la madre y las dos hijas. El padre fue negativo. Se decidió tratar con ivermectina y controlar los resultados del tratamiento anti-parasitario al grupo familiar al cabo de un año. Después de ese periodo permanecía positiva serológicamente, solamente la hermana del caso índice debido a que no ingirió los medicamentos de la manera indicada.

Infecciones por protozoos y helmintos intestinales en pre-escolares y escolares de la Comuna de Colina, Santiago, Chile, 2003 / Intestinal protozoa and infections in pre-school and elementary school-children from colina county, Santiago, Chile, 2003

En mayo de 2003 se efectuó una encuesta epidemio-parasitológica en pre-escolares y escolares de la Escuela San Vicente de Lo Arcaya de Colina, comuna semirural de la Provincia de Santiago ubicada en la Región Metropolitana de Chile. Hay que destacar que los niños estudiados eran asintomáticos. Los elementos parasitarios más frecuentemente encontrados fueron: Blastocystis hominis - en hombre y mujeres respectivamente - 38,8 por ciento y 44,4 por ciento, Giardia intestinalis con 9,5 por ciento y 16,2 por ciento y Enterobius vermicularis con 12,9 por ciento y 10,0 por ciento. Cryptosporidium parvum no fue encontrado y ELISA para Strongyloides stercoralis resultó positiva en un niño.

Human infection by Pseudoterranova decipiens (Nematoda, Anisakidae) in Chile: report of seven cases

From 1997 to 1999, we identified seven human cases of infection by fourth stage larvae of Pseudoterranova decipiens in Chile. All identified larvae were coughed up by the patients. Subjects were 10-55 years old; five were female. Some patients complained of coughing, expectoration, pharyngeal pain, nausea or anal and nasal pruritus. Larvae of three patients were coughed up from 36 h to 7 days after having eaten raw (cebiche or sushi) or lightly fried fish. P. decipiens has a marine life cycle. Infective third stage larva develop to adult stage in pinniped mammals. The nematode eggs are voided with the host faeces and develop and hatch releasing third stage larvae. Some crustaceans and fish act as hosts of third stage larvae. Man is an accidental host for third or fourth stage larvae

Human case of gastric infection by a fourth larval stage of Pseudoterranova decipiens (Nematoda, Anisakidae)

Um anisakidio, identificado como larva do quarto estágio de Pseudoterranova decipiens, foi isolado por gastroendoscopia do estômago de uma pessoa de 45 anos de idade, residente no Sul do Chile. Relata-se que o paciente apresentou dor epigástrica aguda e sensaçäo de estômago vazio, tendo ingerido peixe defumado. O nematode foi fixado em etanol 70 por cento e diafanizado com lactofenol para estudo morfológico.

Algunos aspectos epidemiológicos de las infecciones por enterobius vermicularis en pacientes atendidos en consultorios de atención primaria del sector norte de Santiago 1995 / Some epidemiological aspects of enterobius vermicularis infections in patients attending at primary care centers of north section at Santiago, Chile 1995

During 1995, we examined 2,666 Graham's tests (five perianal swabs with adhesive cellulose tape) prescribed to ambulatory patients attended in 14 public outpatient clinics and four hospitals from the north section of Santiago. The infection rates found by age groups were the following: 6,1 percent in infants (< 2 years old), 20,9 percent in pre-schoolchildren (2 < 6 years old), 35,2 percent in elementary schoolchildren (6 < 15 years old) and 15,2 percent in adults (> 15 years old). Similar percentages of E. vermicularis infections were observed in females and males patients. Frequency of infection in each month of the year varied between 17,4 and 26,8 percent, with no seasonal variation. This study and previous surveys are stressing that E. vermicularis is the most frequent helminthic agent found in Chile, specially in elementary school children.

Infecciones por taenia sp y otros cestodos intestinales en pacientes de consultorios y hospitales públicos del sector norte de Santiago de Chile: 1985-1994 / Taenia sp and other intestinal cestode infections in individuals from public outpatient clinics and hospitals from the north sector of Santiago, Chile: 1985-1994

During 1985-1994 period, 70,642 parasitological stool examinations were perfomed. The exam was made to each patient which presenting gastrointestinal symptoms or nutritional problems, specially in children. 59,960 out of the 70,642 examinations corresponded to 1 month -15 years old chidren, 4,280 to 16-30 years old individuals and 6,402 to up to 30 years old adults. The infection rates (x 100,000) were: taenia sp, 86; hymenolepis nana, 1,165; diphyllobotrium sp, 4 and hymenolepis diminuta, 1. In this period, 11 cases of infection by taenia saginata were detected, and none taenia solium infection. Although infections rates by intestinal cestodes were higher in males than females, in the taenia sp. infection the difference was not statistical significative. Médico-veterinary control of animals slaughtered in abbatoirs and the improvement of sanitary conditions in the last two decades have contributed to the control of most of human intestinal cestodiases

Criptosporidiosis asintomática en un lactante / Asymptomatic cryptosporidiosis in an infant

A two year-old male who presented lack of appetite, mild coughing and one episode of vomiting was assisted in a pediatrics outpatient clinic. The parasitological examination of three stool samples of the patient revealed the presence of cryptosporidium parvum oocyts. Fecal parasitological examination of his mother and a one year-old sister showed oocyts of the same protozoon in this last patient, who was asymptomatic. With no pharmacological treatment, parasitological stool examination, performed one month later on the two children, results negative, being the boy without symptoms

Epidemiología de la enfermedad de Chagas en Chile: seguimiento serológico de 1.906 habitantes de un área rural endémica de la IV región, 1991-1993 / Epidemiology of Chagas' disease in Chile: serological follow-up of 1.906 inhabitants from an endemic rural area in IV región, 1991-1993

The IV region (29º 30' -32º 13' south lat.) is located in the center of the geographical area of distribution of Chagas' disease in Chile. Triatoma infestans is the main and almost exclusive vector of trypanpsoma cruzi in this country. The mean prevalence rate of T. cruzi human infection in urban and periurban sections of IV region is 24,7 percent. To assess the impact of anti-T. infestans activities, by means of health education and sprayings of dwellings with insecticides, carried out in the IV Region since 1980, during january-february (summer) a serological follow-up to residents from 46 rural chagasic localities was performed. An indirect hemagglutination test and an indirect immunofluorescence test were done to each of the surveyed persons. In 1991, 303 (15.9 percent) out of 1,906 examined people resulted serologically positive. In 1992, previous discarding the positive individuals found in 1991. 1,334 persons were examined resulting positive 9 (0.7 percent). In 1993, 1,398 persons were surveyed and 26 (1.9 percent) were positive. It is neteworthy that none of these 35 positive persons had been surveyed in 1991, being difficult to assert if any was positive before. Two infants, daughters of positive mothers, serologically positive at the beginning, changed to negative in the following survey, indicatins that it was passive transfer of maternal specific antibodies. According to the results of this study, it is concluded that dwelling spraying with persistent-activity insecticides against T. infestans and health education are good tools in the control of T. cruzi human infection, particularly when the involved community participates

Detección de péptidos inmunorreactivos de Fasciola hepatica, con sueros de personas infectadas, mediante enzimo-inmunoelectrotransferencia / Detection of immunoreactive peptides of Fasciola hepatica, with sera from infected subjects, by immunoelectrotransfer

In order to observe the immunoreactive peptides in a crude extract of adult Fasciola hepatica specimens, proteins were separated by 10// sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and transfered to nitrocellulose paper. Next, sera from 14 human cases of F. hepatica infection, parasitologically confirmed, which presented high titers of specific antivodies aginst F. hepatica detected by ELISA, were reacted with the blotted peptides and immunodetected by an anti-human IgG conjugated with horse-radish peroxidase. SDS-PAGE showed at least 18 bands ranging 96 to 14Kd. Groups of peptides weighting 94-66 Kd, 43-36 Kd and 35-14 Kd reacted with serum antibodies of 12 fascioliasis patients. In the remaining to cases, reactive peptides were not clearly observed. The 94-66 Kd components were immunoreactive with 12 out of the 14 serum samples. On the other hand, 43-36 Kd peptides reacted with 4 of the 14 sera and only 3 out of the 14 sera of infected individuals showed reaction with 30-14 Kd. F. hepatica infection induces in humans diverse antivody responses, being 94-66 Kd bands the most immunoreactive peptides and would be potential serodiagnostic antigens

Frecuencia de infecciones por protozoos y helmintos intestinales en escolares del sector norte de la Región Metropolitana, Santiago, Chile 1988-1989 / Incidence of protozoa infections and intestinal helminths in school children of the north area metropolitan Region, Santiago, Chile 1988-1989

Durante el período diciembre 1988-febrero 1989 se efectuaron exámenes parasitológicos, tendientes a pesquisar protozoos y/o helmintos intestinales, a 346 escolares del sector norte de la Región Metropolitana, Santiago, Chile. Los niños correspondían a dos escuelas públicas y sus edades fluctuaban entre 6 y 14 años. De cada niño se obtuvo una serie de tres muestras de deposiciones con cada una de las cuales se practicó el método de concentración de Burrows y la tinción de Ziehl-Neelsen, para detectar Cryptosporidium sp. Además, a cada niño se efectuó una serie de tres frotaciones anales con cinta adhesiva transparente, para buscar huevos de Enterobius vermicularis. Los resultados fueron los siguientes: Las frecuencias de infección por parásitos y/o comensales intestinales fueron similares en ambas escuelas y en los diferentes grupos de edad. Blastocystis hominis se encontró en el 53,7% de los niños. Otros parásitos diagnosticados, en orden de frecuencia, fueron Enterobius vermicularis, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Hymenolepis nana y Ascaris lumbricoides, con porcentajes de 36,7; 31,2; 6,4; 1,4 y 0,3 respectivamente. No se observaron ooquistes de Cryptosporidium sp. El presente estudio estaría demostrando que las enteroparasitosis mantienen un carácter endémico en los escolares del sector norte de Santiago, incluyendo a B. hominis que no había sido pesquisado previamente