Intestinal parasitoses in suburban and rural school children in Argentina

Neste trabalho, são apresentados os resultados da primeira etapa do Programa de controle de doençasparasitárias intestinais e nutrição (PROCOPIN) e comparadas as condições de saúde pública e os hábitos associados a parasitos intestinais em crianças de zona suburbana (SC) e de zona rural (SR) na Argentina. Recolheu-se informação pessoal e sobre as condições de saúde pública. Foram realizados exames parasitológicos de fezes e de esfregaço perianal com gazes seriados. Foram examinadas 465 SC e 251 RC, entre as quais se encontraram os seguintes índices de infecção: em SC, 39,1por cento e em RC, 31,1por cento, sendo p igual 0,032. Os parasitos mais frequentes em ambas as localizações foram: Blastocystis hominis, Enterobius vermicularis e Giardia intestinalis. Más condições de saúde pública nas casas de SC não constituíram fator de risco de a criança ser parasitada, o que sugereque a transmissão desses parasitos não ocorre na casa, mas, provavelmente, em escolas, clubes ou outras áreas de recreação que congregam grande número de crianças. Entre as RC, condições de saúde pública dentro ou no entorno da casa apareceram como fator de risco, indicando que é principalmente ali onde ocorre a transmissão do parasito. Portanto, o comportamento social das crianças, as condições da saúde pública e os hábitos de higiene das populações devem ser vistoscomo fatores de risco para a parasitose.

In vitro and in vivo effects of Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 on Toxocara canis

The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the larvicidal effect of Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 (Ef7121) on the Toxocara canis cycle both in vitro and in vivo. For the in vitro experiments, T. canis larvae were incubated with the supernatants of Ef7121 (EI) and mutant Ef7121 (EIm), in a pre-culture of Ef7121 (EII) and in a fresh culture with Ef7121 (EIII) and the Ef7121 mutant strain (EIIIm). The viability of the larvae was calculated after a 48 h incubation. A significant reduction of the viability of T. canis larvae was observed in EI, EII and EIII. A decrease of this inhibitory effect was observed in EIm and EIIIm (p = 0.008). In the in vivo experiments, mice were orally inoculated with three doses of Ef7121. To study the probiotic persistence in the intestine, the animals were sacrificed every four days and their intestines were dissected. The initial average bacterial levels were 9.7 x 10(4) for Ef7121 (colony forming units/g). At the end of the assay the levels were 1.46 x 10(4). No bacterial translocation was detected in mesenteric lymphatic nodules and spleen. Ef7121 interference with the biological cycle was evaluated in mice challenged with T. canis. The interference was significant when the mice were challenged with probiotic and T. canis simultaneously (p = 0.001), but it was not significant when the challenge was performed 15 days after administration of the bacterial inoculum (p = 0.06). In conclusion, Ef7121 possessed in vitro and in vivo larvicidal activity.

Intestinal parasitoses and environmental factors in a rural population of 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 percent. Most prevalent protozoa were Blastocystis hominis (27.2 percent) and Giardia lamblia (6.9 percent), while the most prevalent helminth was Ascaris lumbricoides (3.8 percent). 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 percent of the soil samples and in 84.2 percent 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 por ciento. Los protozoos prevalentes fueron Blastocystis hominis (27,2 por ciento) y Giardia lamblia (6,9 por ciento), mientras que el helminto mas prevalente fue Ascaris lumbricoides (3,8 por ciento). 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 por ciento de las muestras de suelo y en el 84,2 por ciento 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.

Related factors to human toxocariasis in a rural community of Argentina

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between toxocariasis frequency and demographic, environmental, sanitary variables, eosinophylia, and other intestinal parasites in a rural population of Argentina. Serological examination of 100 individuals was carried out by using ELISA technique for the detection of anti-toxocara antibodies. Eosinophiles in peripheral blood, presence of intestinal parasites, and demographic, environmental, and socio-cultural data were evaluated. Eighty-one feces samples of dogs belonging to the studied people were analyzed to detect eggs of Toxocara canis. Thirty of them were from 30 dogs and 51 were pools from dog feces. Samples of dirt from around the homes (n: 47) and from public park (n: 4) were taken. To determine the associations, the c² and Fisher tests were used. The seroprevalence was 23 percent. Eosinophilia in peripheral blood was detected in 86.95 percent seropositive individuals and in 37.66 percent seronegative individuals (p < 0.001, OR = 11.03). Of the 23 people with positive serology, 69.56 percent had at least one intestinal parasite. All individuals with positive serology had dogs in their homes. Among the dog owners there was a significant association between the presence of anti-toxocara antibodies and home flooding. Eggs of T. canis were detected in the feces of 5/81 dogs and three of these dogs belonged to individuals with positive serology. Eggs of Toxocara spp. were found in 41.17 percent of the dirt samples, eight of which came from the area surrounding the homes of individuals with positive serology (p = 0.032; OR = 4.36). Taking into account all the variables influencing the frequency of toxocariasis in this population, the implementation of Public Health programs specifically focused on anti-parasitic treatment of dogs is recommended.

Aspectos epidemiológicos asociados a toxocarosis en Gualeguaychú, Entre Ríos. Argentina / Epidemiological aspects associated to toxocarosis in Gualeguaychú, Entre Ríos, Argentina

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar factores epidemiológicos de toxocarosis en la ciudad de Gualeguaychú, Entre Ríos, Argentina. Se evaluó en 272 donantes de sangre la seroprevalencia de esta parasitosis, su relación con las condiciones socioeconómicas de las personas estudiadas, presencia o ausencia de perros parasitados en sus hogares y en los alrededores; y la contaminación de plazas y paseos públicos con huevos de Toxocara spp. La seroprevalencia fue del 12,13 por ciento sin correlacionarse significativamente con condiciones socioeconómicas ni tenencia de perros, siendo la mayoría de los individuos asintomáticos. El 25 por ciento de los perros y el 100 por cientode los paseos públicos estudiados, resultaron parasitados. Esta situación establece un riesgo importante de adquirir toxocarosis en los habitantes de esta ciudad.

Presencia de parásitos intestinales en paseos públicos urbanos en La Plata Argentina / Presence of intestinal parasities in public places from urban areas from La Plata Argentina

Con el objeto de recuperar e identificar contaminantes parasitarios se estudiaron muestras de suelo de todos los paseos públicos del área urbana de La Plata, Argentina. Se analizaron 23 paseos durante los meses de marzo y abril de 2000 y al mismo tiempo se evaluó el pH y la humedad de cada muestra. Se observaron 552 elementos parasitarios, 98 correspondieron a quistes de protozoos, 106 a huevos de helmintos y 348 a larvas de nematodos. Se demostró que los suelos de los paseos analizados estaban contaminados con parásitos de origen humano y animal

Prevalencia de Cryptosporidium spp en animales mamíferos de la ciudad de La Plata y área rural de influencia / Prevalence of cryptosporidium SPP in mammals of La Plata and its rural areas

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la prevalencia de Cryptosporidium spp en mamíferos en cautiverio, roedores domiciliarios y bovinos de la ciudad de La Plata y área rural de influencia. Las poblaciones fueron analizadas a través de exámenes coproparasitológicos. Las muestras fecales se procesaron según el método de Telemann modificado. La presencia de ooquistes de Cryptosporidium spp se evidenció en mamíferos del Zoológico de La Plata y en los bovinos de la región rural analizada. No se detectaron ooquistes en las muestras de los roedores domiciliarios. Es la primera referencia de hallazgo de ooquistes de Cryptosporidium spp en la especie de félido Puma concolor. Se obtuvo una prevalencia del 42,5 por ciento en terneros. La alta prevalencia en los bovinos examinados sugiere que los terneros naturalmente infectados pueden ser reservorios de importancia para la transmisión Cryptosporidium spp de hombres y animales

Prevalencia de giardia lamblia, su detección en aguas y su relación con factores ambientales en Gualeguaychú, Argentina / Prevalence of giardia lamblia, isolation in water and the relationship with envionmental factors in Gualeguaychú, Argentina

The increasing environmental contamination affects the water quality, and is going to raise the waterborne intestinal infections such as giardiosis. This study determined the prevalence of g. lamblia infection in 1.201 persons of Gualeguaychú, Argentina. It was observed the relationship between giardiosis and the detection of g. lamblia in the recreational and drinking water and with homes environmental factors. General rate of infection was 19,7 percent. The group 2-11 years old was the highest (28,0 percent). No cysts of g. lamblia were found in drinking water, but recreational water was contaminated. Higher rate of infected persons lived in suburban dwellings with dirt floor, latrine, ground-water and close contact with dogs. It is concluded that to drink water is no risk-infection at present, but it will be if this community continues discharging excretsa into the river because this is the source of water for the habitants

Estudio de las infecciones por enteroparásitos en una comunidad periurbana de la provincia de Buenos Aires en Argentina / Study of enteroparasite infections in a periurban community at Buenos Aires, Argentina

A survey for intestinal parasites was performed on 38 individuals within the urban area of La Plata city (province of Buenos Aires, Argentina). This community is composed of brick-factory workers who also live in the factory premises. An analysis for intestinal parasites was done on fecal samples collected serially and by means of anal swabs and there after preserved in formol solution. At the same time, the ocurrence of the parasites under study as well as that of commensal organisms was investigated in water and soil samples within the factory environs. Information was also obtained from the members of this community as their age, sex, birthplace and recent travels, either abroad or to the interior of Argentina. The prevalence of the pathogens and commensal parasites was 89,5 percent. The frecuency of protozoans and helminths was: G. lamblia 26,3 percent; B. hominis 65,8 percent; A. lumbricoides 7,9 percent; H. nana 2,6 percent; uncinaria sp. 7,9 percent; S. stercoralis 2,6 percent and E. vermicularis 42,1 percent. None of these parasite or commensal organisms were present in the water samples investigated. Four out of 20 soil samples analyzed contained parasitic elements T. canis eggs (one); G. liamblia cysts (two) and A. lumbricoides eggs (one). These results indicated that most important factors causing such a high prevalence of coproparasites were the poor conditions of personal and community hygiene in combination with the frequent travels to the north and the northeast of the country, regions which are endemic parasitic areas. The implementation of programs on health education and communal sanitation would contribute in the control of this health problem

Frecuencia de hallazgo de huevos de helmintos en materia fecal canina recolectada en lugares públicos de la ciudad de La Plata, Argentina / Frequency of helminth eggs finding in canine stool samples collected in public places from La Plata city, Argentina

Frequency of finding helminths eggs in canine stool samples collected in public places from La Plata city, Argentina