"Terra é vida, despejo é morte": saúde e luta Kaiowá e Guarani / "Territory is life, eviction is death": Kaiowá and Guarani health and fight / "Tierra es vida, desalojo es muerte": salud y lucha Kaiowá y Guaraní

Partindo da psicologia, este texto compõe nosso exercício ético-político de assumir a perspectiva dos povos e de suas organizações, neste caso em específico, da Aty Guasu, movimento étnico-social dos Kaiowá e Guarani de Mato Grosso do Sul. A colonização e expropriação violenta dos territórios tradicionais destes povos, o tekoha guasu, culminou na limitação do modo originário de ser, segundo os princípios cosmológicos, desdobrando-se na precarização da saúde, visível pelos altos índices de desnutrição, suicídio, violência e mortalidade. Com este estudo, visamos descrever e analisar aspectos da dimensão saúde para os Kaiowá e Guarani a partir de suas próprias narrativas. Como estratégia metodológica, realizamos a análise documental de todos os comunicados, em formato de notas, publicados entre 2011 e 2013 no blog do movimento na internet. Também participamos, de 2015 a 2020, de momentos importantes para as comunidades, como as Grandes Assembleias Kaiowá e Guarani, com registros em diário de campo. Esses procedimentos, articulados às produções teóricas da antropologia, psicologia da libertação, estudos decoloniais e anticoloniais, possibilitaram o entendimento da indissociabilidade da saúde indígena dos processos de colonização territorial e intersubjetiva. Nesse sentido, a saúde dos Kaiowá e Guarani, tendo o tekoha como aspecto vital, segundo a cosmopolítica, encontra-se em profundo conflito devido à expropriação, expulsão e confinamento empreendido pelas políticas colonialistas. Portanto, propomos a compreensão do tekoha como indicador da saúde Kaiowá e Guarani e os movimentos de reocupação dos territórios, protagonizados pela organização autônoma das comunidades e sintetizados pela sentença: "terra é vida", como retomada da saúde.(AU)

From the psychology, this text makes up our ethical-political exercise of regarding the perspective of the peoples and their organizations, in this specific case, Aty Guasu, ethnic-social movement of the Kaiowá and Guarani of Mato Grosso do Sul. Colonization and violent expropriation of the traditional territories of these peoples, the tekoha guasu, resulted in limiting the original way of being, according to cosmological principles, unfolding in the precariousness of health, visible from the high rates of malnutrition, suicide, violence, and mortality. With this research, we aim to describe and analyze aspects about the health dimension for the Kaiowá and Guarani from their own narratives. As a methodological strategy, we carry out the Document Analysis of all communications, in the form of notes, published between 2011 and 2013 on the organization's blog on the internet. We also participated, from 2015 to 2020, of important moments for the communities, such as the Highs Assemblies Kaiowá and Guarani, with records in a field diary. These proceedings, articulated with the theoretical productions of anthropology, liberation psychology, decolonial and anticolonial studies, made it possible to understand the inseparability of indigenous health from the processes of territorial and intersubjective colonization. In this sense, the health of the Kaiowá and Guarani, taking the tekoha as a vital aspect, according to cosmopolitics, is in deep conflict due to the expropriation, expulsion, and confinement undertaken by colonialist policies. Therefore, we propose the understanding of the tekoha as an indicator of Kaiowá and Guarani health, and the movements of reoccupation of territories, led by the autonomous organization of communities and synthesized by the sentence: "land is life," as a recovery of health.(AU)

Este texto realiza un ejercicio ético-político desde el aporte de la Psicología al asumir la perspectiva de los pueblos y sus organizaciones, en este caso, de la Aty Guasu, un movimiento étnico y social de los Kaiowá y Guaraní. La colonización y expropiación violenta de los territorios tradicionales de estos pueblos, los tekoa guasu, culminó en la limitación de los modos originarios de ser según los principios cosmopolíticos, que tienen como resultado la precarización de la salud, visibles por los altos índices de desnutrición, suicidio, violencia y mortalidad. En este estudio se busca tejer aproximaciones acerca la dimensión salud para los Kaiowá y Guaraní a partir de sus proprias narrativas. La metodología utilizada realizó un Análisis Documental de todos los anuncios en formato de "notas", publicados en los años 2011 y 2013, en el blog del movimiento en la internet. También hubo participación, de 2015 a 2020, en momentos importantes para las comunidades, tales como en las Gran Asambleas Kaiowá y Guaraní, con registro en diario de campo. Estos procedimientos articulados a las producciones de la Antropología, Psicología de la Liberación, Estudios Decoloniales y Anticoloniales permiten comprender la condición indisociable de la salud indígena en los procesos de colonización territorial e intersubjetiva. En este sentido, la salud de los Kaiowá y Guaraní, por el tekoha ser aspecto vital según la cosmovisión de estos pueblos, se encuentra en profundo conflicto debido a la expropiación, expulsión y confinamiento practicado por las políticas colonialistas. Por lo tanto, comprender el tekoha como indicador de la salud Kaiowá y Guaraní, y los movimientos de reocupación de los territorios, protagonizado por la autonomía de las comunidades, como recuperación de la salud, sintetiza en la sentencia: "tierra es vida".(AU)

Resistencia bacteriana de Escherichia coli uropatogénica en población nativa amerindia Kichwa de Ecuador / Bacterial resistance of uropathogenic Escherichia coli in native Kichwa Amerindian population of Ecuador

Contexto: Escherichia coli uropatógena (ECUP) se presenta como uno de los principales agentes etiológicos en infecciones del tracto urinario (ITUs) no complicadas (70-95%). El objetivo del tratamiento de ITUs no complicadas es obtener curación clínica y microbiológica. Para ello, es de particular importancia el conocimiento de las tasas de resistencia antibiótica local. Objetivo: identificar los perfiles de resistencia a antibióticos de primera línea para ITUs no complicadas en poblaciones nativas amerindias Kichwas ecuatorianas, en donde el tratamiento empírico se basa en trimetoprim/sulfametoxazol, ampicilina, y ciprofloxacina mayoritariamente. Métodos: se analizaron 335 muestras de orina procedentes de las poblaciones de Zumbahua, Colta y Guamote, en un periodo de 4 meses (febrero-mayo 2016). Las muestras fueron incubadas por 24 y 48 horas en agar Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB), para luego ser identificadas en género y especie por pruebas bioquímicas. Para determinar la susceptibilidad antibiótica, se realizó la técnica de difusión en disco de Kirby-Bauer. Para la Concentración Inhibitoria Mínima (CIM), se utilizó la técnica de microdilución en caldo (Vitek 2). El método de doble disco fue la técnica utilizada para la detección de betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE). Resultados: noventa (26,9%) muestras mostraron un recuento significativo de ≥105 (ufc)/ml, compatibles con ITUs. El microorganismo identificado con mayor frecuencia fue E. coli (n=75; 83,3%). La resistencia antibiótica encontrada para los aislados de E. coli fue de 56,7% a trimetoprim/sulfametoxazol, 52,5% a ampicilina, 43.3% a ácido nalidíxico, 32.5% a ciprofloxacina, 28.3% a norfloxacina, 25% a levofloxacina, 15.85% a cefazolina, 17.5% a cefoxitina, 15% a cefuroxima, 15% a ceftazidima, cefotaxima, y ceftriaxona, 15% a cefepima, 7,5% a nitrofurantoina y 1,7% a fosfomicina. Se identificaron 7 aislados productores de betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE). Conclusión: con los resultados obtenidos se recomienda no utilizar ampicilina, trimetoprim/sulfametoxazol, ni quinolonas en la zona estudiada como terapia empírica. Se sugiere instaurar tratamiento empírico con fosfomicina o nitrofurantoina para ITUs no complicadas. (AU)

Interfaces entre a produção de conhecimentos ameríndios e as relações de gênero com os Guarani / Interfaces between the production of Amerindian knowledge and gender relations with the Guarani people / Interfaces entre la producción de conocimientos amerindios y las relaciones de genero con los Guaraní

O projeto “Aprendizagens interculturais com os Guarani e produção de conhecimentos ameríndios para a educação”, desenvolvido pela Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul (Unisc) que reúne professores, estudantes de pós-graduação e graduação tem possibilitado a discussão e fomento à pesquisa com interfaces transdisciplinares. Este tem procurado abordar a reflexão sobre os processos educativos interculturais que permitam visualizar outros modos de pensar as “infâncias”. A partir das discussões da equipe do projeto, do conhecimento acumulado em pesquisas tendo os Guarani como principais interlocutores e da revisão bibliográfica efetuada, a seguir desenvolvemos algumas considerações sobre as relações de gênero em coletivos Guarani. Pois ao contemplar a educação das infâncias no plural priorizando a linguagem que busca recuperar a ação do corpo que a inscreve no mundo e lhe atribui sentido, identificamos a abertura do eixo analítico relacionado às relações de gênero no projeto, visto a necessidade de uma melhor compreensão deste tema nas práticas educativas interculturais que objetivam desenvolver metodologias que contemplem as especificidades dos saberes ameríndios.

The project “Intercultural learning with the Guarani people and production of Amerindian knowledge for education”, developed by the University of Santa Cruz do Sul (Unisc), which brings together professors, graduate and undergraduate students has enabled the discussion and fostered the research with transdisciplinary interfaces. It has sought to address the reflection on the intercultural educational processes that allow to visualize other ways of thinking the "childhood”. Based on the discussions of the project team, the accumulated knowledge in surveys having the Guarani people as main interlocutors and the bibliographical review carried out, we have developed some considerations about the gender relations in the Guarani groups. When contemplating the education of childhood in the plural, prioritizing the language that seeks to recover the action of the body that inscribes it in the world and gives it meaning, we identify identified the opening of the analytical axis related to the gender relations in the project since the need for a better understanding of this theme in intercultural educational practices that aim to develop methodologies that contemplate the specificities of Amerindian knowledge.

El proyecto “Aprendizajes interculturales con los Guaranís y producción de conocimientos amerindios para la educación”, desarrollado por la Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul (Unisc) que reúne profesores, estudiantes de posgrado y graduación tiene posibilitado la discusión y fomento a la investigación con interfaces transdisciplinarias. Este tiene buscado abordar la reflexión sobre los procesos educativos interculturales que les permitan mirar y reflexionar otros modos de pensar las “infancias”. Desde las discusiones del equipo del proyecto, del conocimiento de las investigaciones que tiene los guaranís como principales interlocutores y de la revisión bibliográfica realizada, desarrollamos algunas consideraciones a respecto de las relaciones de género en colectivos guaranís. Puesto que contempla la educación de las infancias en el plural privilegiándose el lenguaje que busca recuperar la acción del cuerpo que le inscribe en el mundo y le asigna sentido, identificamos la apertura del eje analítico relacionado a las relaciones de género en el proyecto, a la necesidad de una mejor comprensión del tema en las prácticas educativas interculturales que objetivan desarrollar metodologías que tengan las especificidades de los saberes amerindios.

Relevance of the ancestry for the variability of the Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 polymorphisms in a multiethnic Costa Rican population / Relevancia de la ancestría para la variabilidad de polimorfismos de las enzimas metabolizadoras de fármacos CYP2C9, CYP2C19 y CYP2D6 en una población multiétnica de Costa Rica

Abstract:CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 metabolize around 40 % of drugs and their genes vary across populations. The Costa Rican population has a trihybrid ancestry and its key geographic location turns it into a suitable scenario to evaluate interethnic differences across populations. This study aims to describe the diversity of CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 polymorphisms in Costa Rican populations in the context of their ancestry. A total of 448 healthy individuals were included in the study: Bribri (n= 47), Cabécar (n= 27), Maleku (n= 16), Guaymí (n= 30), Huetar (n= 48), Chorotega (n= 41), Admixed/Mestizos from the Central Valley/Guanacaste (n= 189), and Afro-Caribbeans (n= 50) from Limón. CYP2C9 (alleles *2, *3, *6) and CYP2C19 (*2, *3, *4, *5, *17) genotypes were determined by Real-Time PCR. African, European and Native American ancestry were inferred using 87 ancestry informative markers. The frequency of the decreased activity allele CYP2C9*2 is lower in the self-reported Amerindian groups compared to the admixed population, and the highest frequencies of CYP2C19*2 (null activity) and the CYP2C19*17 (increased activity) were found in the self-reported AfroCaribbean population. Moreover, a frequency of 0.7 % CYP2C9 gPMs in the Admixed population and a variable frequency of CYP2C19 gUMs (0.0-32.6 %, more prevalent in Afro-Caribbeans) in Costa Rican populations, was found. Finally, the following alleles were positively correlated with genomic African ancestry and negatively correlated with genomic Native American ancestry: CYP2D6*5 (null activity), CYP2D6*17 (decreased activity), CYP2D6*29 (decreased activity) and CYP2C19*17 (increased activity). No correlation for CYP2C9 polymorphisms and genomic ancestry was found. Further studies assessing the CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 sequence in these populations, preferentially by sequencing these genes, are warranted. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 1067-1076. Epub 2016 September 01.

ResumenCYP2C9, CYP2C19 y CYP2D6 metabolizan aproximadamente el 40 % de los fármacos y los genes que las codifican varían en las distintas poblaciones humanas. La población costarricense posee ancestría trihíbrida y su posición geográfica estratégica la convierten en un escenario idóneo para evaluar la variabilidad interétnica en sus poblaciones multiétnicas. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo describir la diversidad de los polimorfismos CYP2C9, CYP2C19 y CYP2D6 en las poblaciones costarricenses en el contexto de su ancestría. Un total de 448 individuos sanos fueron incluidos: Bribri (n= 47), Cabécar (n= 27), Maleku (n= 16), Guaymí (n= 30), Huetar (n= 48), Chorotega (n= 41), mestizos del Valle Central y Guanacaste (n= 189) y afrocaribeños de Limón (n= 50). Los genotipos CYP2C9 (alelos *2, *3, *6) y CYP2C19 (*2, *3, *4, *5 y *17) fueron determinados mediante PCR tiempo real. Las ancestrías africana, europea y nativa americana fueron inferidas usando 87 marcadores informativos de ancestría. La frecuencia del alelo de actividad disminuida CYP2C9*2 fue menor en los grupos autodefinidos de amerindios que en la población mestiza y las frecuencias más altas de CYP2C19*2 (actividad nula) y CYP2C19*17 (actividad incrementada) se encontraron en la población autodefinida afrocaribeña. Asimismo, se encontró una frecuencia de gPMs CYP2C9 de 0.7 % en la población mestiza y una frecuencia variable de gUMs CYP2C19 (0.0 a 32.6 %, más prevalente en afrocaribeños) en las poblaciones costarricenses. Por último, los siguientes alelos fueron positivamente correlacionados con la ancestría africana y negativamente con la ancestría nativa americana: CYP2D6*5 (actividad nula), CYP2D6*17, CYP2D6*29 (ambos de actividad disminuida) y CYP2C19*17 (actividad incrementada). No se encontró correlación entre los polimorfismos CYP2C9 y la ancestría. Se requieren estudios posteriores que evalúen la secuencia de CYP2C9 y CYP2C19 en estas poblaciones, preferiblemente mediante la secuenciación de estos genes.

Inmunidad anti-cisticerco en una comunidad indígena del occidente venezolano / Anti-Cysticercus Immunity in an Amerindian Community from Western Venezuela

Para determinar la presencia de anticuerpos anti-cisticerco en una comunidad indígena del occidente venezolano, 93 individuos entre 1-78 años de edad fueron estudiados. La detección de anticuerpos anti cisticerco se realizó mediante la técnica inmunoenzimática de ELISA con extractos antigénicos de fluido vesicular de Taenia crassiceps. Los sueros fueron considerados positivos a diluciones ≥ 1:256 y las heces fueron estudiadas mediante examen parasitológico directo y concentrado. El 27,9% de la población presentó inmunidad anti-cisticerco y todos los grupos etarios fueron positivos. No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en relación al sexo, ni entre los grupos etarios. En el examen físico y en la historia clínica, no se encontraron datos relevantes de una probable alteración funcional en relación a cisticercosis. El porcentaje general de infección parasitaria fue de un 81,5%, con un marcado poliparasitismo de un 64,6%, con predominio de infección por protozoarios. No se detectaron huevos de Taenia spp. Este es el primer estudio sobre la prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-cisticerco en una comunidad indígena del occidente venezolano, con un alto porcentaje de la prevalencia desde la infancia, sugiriendo una exposición temprana a la cisticercosis. Además, una alta prevalencia de protozoarios y helmintos intestinales, lo que supone un riesgo sanitario considerable en esta población.

To determine the presence of anti-cysticercus antibodies in an Amerindian community in western Venezuela, ninety-three individuals between 1-78 years of age were studied. Anti-cysticercus antibodies were detected using the ELISA immune-enzymatic technique with antigenic extracts of vesicular fluid of Taenia crassiceps. Sera were considered positive at 1:256 dilutions; feces were studied by direct and concentrate parasitological examination. A 27.9% of the population had anti-cysticercus immunity, and all age groups were positives. No statistically significant differences in relation to sex or between age groups were observed. In the physical examination and medical history, no data relevant to a probable functional impairment related to cysticercosis were found. The overall percentage of parasitic infection was 81.5%, with a marked polyparasitism of 64.6% and a predominance of protozoan infection. No Taenia spp eggs were detected. This is the first study on the prevalence of anti-cysticercus antibodies in an indigenous community of western Venezuela with a high percentage of prevalence from childhood, suggesting early exposure to cysticercosis. In addition, a high prevalence of intestinal protozoa and helminthes were found, which supposes a significant health risk in this population.

Efecto del estado nutricional neonatal en la asociación entre polimorfismo rs9939609 del gen FTO y obesidad en niños chilenos de origen amerindio / Effects of neonatal undernutrition on the association of obesity with rs9939609 polymorphism of FTO gene among Amerindian children

The presence of A allele in FTO gene is associated with a higher risk of obesity. Aim: to investigate the effect of neonatal nutritional status on the association between FTO gene rs9939609 variant and obesity in a cohort of Chilean children with Amerindian ancestry. Material and Methods: using birth registries, the neonatal ponderal index of 238 obese and 136 normal weight children was calculated. Nutritional status of participants was determined using cutoff points proposed by the Center for Disease Control. FTO polymorphism was measured by real time polymerase chain reaction. Results: the presence of FTO A allele was associated with a higher risk of obesity (odds ratio (OR) 1.87 95 percent confidence intervals (CI) 1.14-3.06, p < 0.01). The effect of this allele was only significant among males. The risk of obesity associated with A allele presence was non-significantly higher among males with a neonatal ponderal index below percentile 10, as compared with their counterparts with a neonatal ponderal index above this value (OR 5.65 95 percent CI 0.87-60.4). A logistic regression analyzing the presence of A allele as a risk factor for obesity using neonatal nutritional status and gender as control variables, did not substantially change the results. Conclusions: there is a non-significant effect of neonatal undernutrition on the risk of obesity conferred by the presence of A allele of FTO gene...

Ethnic background and CYP2D6 genetic polymorphisms in Costa Ricans / Antecedentes étnicos y polimorfismo genético del CYP2D6 en los costarricenses

CYP2D6 differences have already been demonstrated within Latin American populations by the CEIBA.FP Consortium of the Ibero-American Network of Pharmacogenetics (RIBEF, as per the acronym in Spanish). However, within the population of Costa Rica, no research has been conducted until now, even though this population has a trihybrid component ancestry that represents an interesting condition. Thus, the present study was aimed to determine the frequency of Ultra-rapid Metabolizers (UMs) and Poor Metabolizers (PMs) in a Costa Rican population, as well as to determine whether there are differences in the CYP2D6-predicted phenotype frequencies among three Costa Rican groups with different ethnic backgrounds. Additionally, these frequencies of PMs and UMs obtained were compared with Ibero-American populations published data. Finally, we also aimed to describe allele frequencies among different Costa Rican ethnic groups. This research has been undertaken within the framework of the RIBEF CEIBA Consortium studies on Latin American populations. A total of 385 individuals were included in the study: 139 mestizos, 197 Amerindians, and 49 Afro-Caribbeans. CYP2D6 genotypes were determined by XL-PCR and Real-Time PCR. The CYP2D6 variant alleles *2, *3, *4, *5, *6, *10, *17, *29, *35 and *41 were also determined. For the entire Costa Rican population, the frequency of PMs and UMs was 6% and 6.5%, respectively. The percentage of UMs in the mestizo population was higher than in the Amerindian population. CYP2D6 UMs vary from 3.6% to 10.1% and PMs from 1.4% to 10.2% among three Costa Rican groups. The highest frequencies of UMs (10.1%) and PMs (10.2%) were found in the mestizo and Amerindian populations, respectively. In conclusion, the frequencies of UMs and PMs for CYP2D6 varied widely across the mestizo, Amerindian and Afro-Caribbean Costa Rican populations. Future research in this population should be oriented to identify new CYP2D6 variants through sequencing methods, as well as to determine CYP2D6 phenotype, in order to establish the phenotype-genotype relation. Finally, further studies involving genetic markers of ancestry are needed in the Costa Rican population.

El Consorcio de la Red Iberoamericana de Farmacogenética CEIBA.FP ha demostrado que existen diferencias en cuanto a CYP2D6 en las poblaciones latinoamericanas. Sin embargo, hasta ahora, se sabe poco de este gen de importancia farmacogenética en la población de Costa Rica, la cual tiene una ancestría trihíbrida. El presente estudio tiene como objetivos: determinar la frecuencia de los fenotipos extrapolados de CYP2D6 en una población costarricense y determinar si existen diferencias en cuanto a las frecuencias de metabolizadores lentos (PMs) y ultra-rápidos (UMs) entre tres grupos con distinto origen étnico. Adicionalmente, las frecuencias de PMs y UMs obtenidas en este estudio fueron comparadas con datos de poblaciones iberoamericanas. Por último, se pretende describir las frecuencias alélicas en los distintos grupos. En el estudio se incluyeron 385 muestras de individuos: 139 mestizos, 197 amerindios y 49 afro-caribeños. Los genotipos CYP2D6 fueron determinados por XL-PCR y PCR tiempo real. Se determinaron las variantes alélicas *2, *3, *4, *5, *6, *10, *17, *29, *35 y *41. Para la población total estudiada las frecuencia de PMs y UMs fueron respectivamente 6% y 6.5%. El porcentaje de individuos UMs fue mayor en la población mestiza que en la amerindia. La frecuencia de UMs varió de 3.6 a 10.1% y la de PMs de 1.4 a 10.1% en los grupos costarricenses. Las frecuencias más altas de UMs (10.1%) y de PMs (10.2%) se encontraron respectivamente en las poblaciones mestiza y amerindia. En conclusión, las frecuencias de UMs y PMs de CYP2D6 varían ampliamente en las poblaciones mestiza, amerindia y afro-caribeña de Costa Rica. Investigaciones futuras en la población de Costa Rica deberían orientarse a identificar nuevas variantes del CYP2D6 mediante métodos de secuenciación, así como a determi- nar el fenotipo de CYP2D6 con el objetivo de establecer la relación fenotipo-genotipo. Finalmente, es necesario realizar estudios adicionales que involucren marcadores genéticos de ancestría en la población costarricense.

Seroepidemiología de la toxocariasis en una comunidad indígena Yucpa de la Sierra de Perijá al occidente de Venezuela / Seroepidemilogy of toxocariasis in a Yucpa amerindian community from the Perijá Mountains, western Venezuela

El propósito de este estudio fue determinar la seroprevalencia de infección por Toxocara spp en una comunidad indígena de la sierra de Perijá, al occidente de Venezuela, identificando el efecto de los cambios socioculturales sobre los factores de riesgo. Se estudió el 75,4% del total de la comunidad (110 individuos). La determinación de anticuerpos anti-Toxocara spp se realizó a través de una técnica de ELISA comercial. El análisis estadístico se realizó a través de la prueba de Chi cuadrado y la correlación de Spearman. El porcentaje general de infección fue de 21,7%, la más alta prevalencia se observó en el grupo de mayores de 50 años (37,5%). No se apreciaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas con relación al sexo. La prevalencia encontrada fue más alta que la apreciada en poblaciones urbanas y más baja que en otras comunidades indígenas. El proceso de transculturización en esta comunidad indígena es un factor de riesgo para la infección por Toxocara spp

The aim of this study was to determine the Toxocara spp infection seroprevalence in an Amerindian community from western Venezuela, identifying the effect of socio-cultural changes on the risk factors. 75.4% of the community, 110 individuals, were studied. Blood samples were gathered by venous puncture. Determination of anti-Toxocara spp antibodies was carried out using a commercial ELISA technique. The overall prevalence was 21.7%. Higher prevalence was observed in the age group >50 years old (37.5%). There were no statistically significant differences with regard to sex. The prevalence found was higher than that of an urban population and lower than in other indigenous communities. The transculturization process in this indigenous community is a risk factor for Toxocara spp infection

Analysis of the CCR5 gene coding region diversity in five South American populations reveals two new non-synonymous alleles in Amerindians and high CCR5*D32 frequency in Euro-Brazilians

The CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) molecule is an important co-receptor for HIV. The effect of the CCR5*D32 allele in susceptibility to HIV infection and AIDS disease is well known. Other alleles than CCR5*D32 have not been analysed before, neither in Amerindians nor in the majority of the populations all over the world. We investigated the distribution of the CCR5 coding region alleles in South Brazil and noticed a high CCR5*D32 frequency in the Euro-Brazilian population of the Paraná State (9.3 percent), which is the highest thus far reported for Latin America. The D32 frequency is even higher among the Euro-Brazilian Mennonites (14.2 percent). This allele is uncommon in Afro-Brazilians (2.0 percent), rare in the Guarani Amerindians (0.4 percent) and absent in the Kaingang Amerindians and the Oriental-Brazilians. R223Q is common in the Oriental-Brazilians (7.7 percent) and R60S in the Afro-Brazilians (5.0 percent). A29S and L55Q present an impaired response to beta-chemokines and occurred in Afro- and Euro-Brazilians with cumulative frequencies of 4.4 percent and 2.7 percent, respectively. Two new non-synonymous alleles were found in Amerindians: C323F (g.3729G > T) in Guarani (1.4 percent) and Y68C (g.2964A > G) in Kaingang (10.3 percent). The functional characteristics of these alleles should be defined and considered in epidemiological investigations about HIV-1 infection and AIDS incidence in Amerindian populations.

Diversidad genética en poblaciones humanas de dos regiones colombianas / Genetic diversity in human populations of two regions from Colombia

Introducción: Estudios preliminares han mostrado la existencia de relaciones genéticas entre las poblaciones humanas del sur-occidente y las de la región andina colombiana, teniendo esto implicaciones en el grado de miscegenación de estas comunidades. No obstante el reconocimiento de este amplio proceso de mestizaje, no se tiene suficiente información que permita establecer la estructura y el grado de diversidad genética para cada región en particular y de la población colombiana en general. Objetivo: Determinar la estructura y diversidad genética presente en grupos poblacionales del centro y sur-occidente colombiano. Metodología: Se analizaron las frecuencias alélicas de 12 sistemas de microsatélites autosómicos y el tipo y frecuencia de RFLPÆs de mtDNA presentes en 472 individuos de tres grupos étnicos: mestizos, indígenas y afroamericanos. Resultados: La caracterización de haplotipos de mtDNA en individuos afrodescendientes presentó 15% de marcadores típicos amerindios y 43% de africanos. El anßlisis de la diversidad genética mostró un índice de 0.72 en individuos Pijaos, valor cercano al índice de diversidad de la población mestiza de Cali (0.75). El analisis molecular de varianza (AMOVA) a partir de los 12 STRÆs, mostró que la estructuración genética no es significativa (FST de 0.032); adicionalmente se evidenció alta endogamia en la muestra mestiza de Caldas (0.43) y en la muestra indígena Coyaima (0.34).Conclusiones: Con los marcadores moleculares estudiados se estableció la estructura genética de poblaciones del sur-occidente colombiano confirmandose adicionalmente el grado de miscegenación y el flujo genético ocurrido entre diferentes grupos étnicos del centro y sur-occidente colombiano.

Introduction: Preliminary studies have showed close relations among southwest human populations and Andean region leaving it consequences in ethnic admixe process. However, this wide process of racial admixture today it is not exist sufficient information to define structure and genetic diversity for each region and Colombian population in general. Objectives: The principal goal from this study was to determinate the genetic structure and diversity present into human populations from Andean and Southwest Colombia regions. Methods: This study was realized by characterization allelic frequencies of 12 autosomal STRÆs and six RFLPÆs of mtDNA presents in 472 individuals from three ethnics groups: Caucasoids, Afroamericans and Amerindians. Results: mtDNA haplotypes presents in Afrodescends sample was 15% and 43% typical Amerindian and African markers respectively; the genetics diversity analysis shows a value of 0.72 in Pijao indigenous, these values are close to diversity index of mestizos from Cali (0.75). AMOVA of allelic frequencies from 12 STRÆs shows that genetic structures donÆt was significatively different (FST de 0.032); in addition itÆs to exhibit high endogamy in mestizos from Caldas sample (0.43) and Coyaima indigenous (0.34). Conclusions: was established genetic structure for southwest Colombian population. Additionally, the results confirm the mixing process and the genetics flow among many populations groups from Andean and southwest Colombia regions.

Mitochondrial DNA mapping of social-biological interactions in Brazilian Amazonian African-descendant populations

The formation of the Brazilian Amazonian population has historically involved three main ethnic groups, Amerindian, African and European. This has resulted in genetic investigations having been carried out using classical polymorphisms and molecular markers. To better understand the genetic variability and the micro-evolutionary processes acting in human groups in the Brazilian Amazon region we used mitochondrial DNA to investigate 159 maternally unrelated individuals from five Amazonian African-descendant communities. The mitochondrial lineage distribution indicated a contribution of 50.2 percent from Africans (L0, L1, L2, and L3), 46.6 percent from Amerindians (haplogroups A, B, C and D) and a small European contribution of 1.3 percent. These results indicated high genetic diversity in the Amerindian and African lineage groups, suggesting that the Brazilian Amazonian African-descendant populations reflect a possible population amalgamation of Amerindian women from different Amazonian indigenous tribes and African women from different geographic regions of Africa who had been brought to Brazil as slaves. The present study partially mapped the historical biological and social interactions that had occurred during the formation and expansion of Amazonian African-descendant communities.

Parásitos intestinales en una comunidad Amerindia, Costa Rica / Intestinal parasites in an Amerindian community

In Costa Rica there were three national surveys of intestinal parasitism (1966, 1982, and 1996) that showed dramatic reduction of the prevalence of Trichuris, Ascaris, and Necator/Ancylostoma (hookworms); however, these nematodes persist with high prevalence in low socio-economically groups, as the squatter settlements around the cities; however, it is possible that pour Amerindian communities with substandard housing condition also suffer the burden of intestinal parasites. For this reason, the present study was planted in a rural disperse Amerindian community from the South of Costa Rica. 45 fecal samples were collected from children under 15 years old, and were processed according a modification of the Baermann method, which also permits the observation of other parasites beyond Strongyloides. 38 (84 percent) of the analyzed samples were positive for at least one parasite. The prevalence for nematodes was Ascaris (36 percent), hookworms (22 percent) Enterobius (4 percent), and Trichuris (2 percent). For protozoa was Endolimax nana (33 percent), Entamoeba coli (27 percent), and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (11 percent). These data are the reflect of the inadequate sanitation conditions of this community.

In Costa Rica there were three national surveys of intestinal parasitism (1966, 1982, and 1996) that showed dramatic reduction of the prevalence of Trichuris, Ascaris, and Necator/Ancylostoma (hookworms); however, these nematodes persist with high prevalence in low socio-economically groups, as the squatter settlements around the cities; however, it is possible that pour Amerindian communities with substandard housing condition also suffer the burden of intestinal parasites. For this reason, the present study was planted in a rural disperse Amerindian community from the South of Costa Rica. 45 fecal samples were collected from children under 15 years old, and were processed according a modification of the Baermann method, which also permits the observation of other parasites beyond Strongyloides. 38 (84%) of the analyzed samples were positive for at least one parasite. The prevalence for nematodes was Ascaris (36%), hookworms (22%) Enterobius (4%), and Trichuris (2%). For protozoa was Endolimax nana (33%), Entamoeba coli (27%), and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (11%). These data are the reflect of the inadequate sanitation conditions of this community.