First record of helminths parasitizing Vanellus chilensis (Aves, Charadriiformes) in Acre state, southwestern Brazilian Amazon / Primeiro registro de helmintos parasitando Vanellus chilensis (Aves, Charadriiformes) no estado do Acre, sudoeste da Amazônia brasileira

The southern lapwing, Vanellus chilensis, is a bird frequently seen in most of Brazil. Although it is widely distributed in other Brazilian biomes, including some parts of the Brazilian Amazon, it has only been recorded in the western Amazonian state of Acre since 2000. We report the presence of intestinal parasites in individuals of V. chilensis from the Cazumbá-Iracema Extractive Reserve in Acre through a coproparasitological analysis. Seven of the nine sampled individuals were parasitized. We observed larvae of Strongyloides sp. (28.5% of the samples), and eggs of Ascaridia sp. (28.5%), Ancylostoma sp. (14.2%), and Choanotaenia sp. (42.8%). These parasites are reported for the first time parasitizing V. chilensis in Brazil. The parasitized birds may act as reservoirs and were recorded in a peridomicile area, which may facilitate their contact with domestic birds.

O quero-quero, Vanellus chilensis é uma ave vista com frequência no Brasil. Apesar de ser uma espécie amplamente distribuída em todos os biomas brasileiros, incluindo algumas partes da Amazônia bresileira, somente a partir de 2000 começou a ser observado no Estado do Acre. Neste trabalho relatamos a presença de parasitas intestinais em indivíduos de V. chilensis capturados na Reserva Extrativista Cazumbá-Iracema, no Acre, por meio de análise coproparasitológica. Dos nove indivíduos com amostras coletadas, sete estavam parasitados. Foram encontradas larvas de Strongyloides sp. (28,5%), ovos de Ascaridia sp. (28,5%), ovos de Ancylostoma sp. (14,2%) e ovos de Choanotaenia sp. (42,8%). Estes parasitos são registrados pela primeira vez parasitando V. chilensis no Brasil. As aves parasitadas podem atuar como reservatórios e foram registradas em área de peridomicílio, o que pode facilitar o contato com aves domésticas.

Criteria for identification of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in faecal sediments prepared with the Helmintex method and stained by ninhydrin

Helmintex is a sensitive method used for detecting Schistosoma mansoni eggs. Here, we describe the observed frequency of six proposed criteria associated with the identification of S. mansoni eggs prepared with the Helmintex method and stained with ninhydrin. The efficacy of these criteria in classifying S. mansoni eggs when applied in various combinations was also examined. Nine observers registered the presence or absence of 6 different criteria in 100 eggs using a microscope at 100x magnification. Ninhydrin purple, which was frequently observed, was the criterion associated with the lowest inter-observer variability. At least three criteria were associated with a significantly better performance in egg identification. In conclusion, ninhydrin staining and a combination of criteria are recommended for microscope examination of faecal sediments.

Tipos morfológicos, número de parásitos por campo y carga parasitaria de Blastocystis sp proveniente de pacientes sintomáticos y asintomáticos

El papel patógeno de Blastocystis sp es controversial, por lo que es importante definir criterios diagnósticos que permitan dilucidar tal rol. Se evaluó la morfología de Blastocystis sp, número de parásitos por campo y por gramo de heces, en sujetos con sintomatología general y portadores sanos. El estudio fue descriptivo y el diseño no-experimental. La observación y contaje al microscopio se hizo en diez campos consecutivos de 40X y en relación al peso de las heces en gramos, en parásitos teñidos con lugol. Se encontró 77% de muestras positivas para Blastocystis sp, 52% provenientes de pacientes con síntomas como flatulencia 6 (24%), dolor abdominal 5 (20%), náuseas 2 (8 %), diarrea 6 (24%) y estreñimiento 6 (24%). Los rangos de parásitos por campo más frecuente en sintomáticos fueron 0-3 (74%) y 10-12 (26%), mientras que 100% de los pacientes asintomáticos presentaron Blastocystis sp en el rango 0-3. Los pacientes asintomáticos presentaron menor número de parásitos por gramo de heces, en el rango de 0-3 y el rango 7-10 con altas cargas parasitarias sólo fue observado en sintomáticos. Se encontró menor cantidad de formas granulares en ambos grupos, en el rango 0-3 en sintomáticos: 85% vacuolares y 15% granulares; 76% vacuolares y 24% granulares, en asintomáticos. En el rango 10-12, 98% vacuolares y 2% de granulares, en sintomáticos. En conclusión, el estudio de las morfologías, el reporte de la cuantificación diferencial de formas por campo y la cuantificación del número de parásitos por campo pueden contribuir a optimizar el diagnóstico y el manejo quimioterapeútico del paciente.

Morphological types, number of parasites per field and parasite load of Blastocystis sp from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients The pathogenicity of Blastocystis sp is controversial, therefore, it is important to define diagnostic criteria for its determination. We evaluated the morphology of Blastocystis sp, number of parasites per field and per gram of faeces in patients with general symptoms and in healthy carriers. The study was a descriptive and nonexperimental design. The microscopic observation and counting was done in ten consecutive fields in relation to 40X and stool weight in grams. We found 77% of samples positive for Blastocystis sp, 52% from patients with symptoms such as flatulence 6 (24%), abdominal pain 5 (20%), nausea 2 (8 %), diarrhea 6 (24%) and constipation 6 (24%) . The ranges of parasites per field more frequent in symptomatic patients were 0-3 (74%) and 7-10 (26%); and in the asymptomatic group 100% of the patients were in the 0-3 range. In the 0-3 range asymptomatic patients had a lower number of parasites per gram of feces, while in the 7-10 range high parasite loads were observed only in symptomatic patients. Less granular forms in relation to vacuolar ones were found in both groups, in the 0-3 range of the symptomatic group, 85% vacuolar and 15% granular, and 76% vacuolar, and 24% granular in the asymptomatic. In conclusion, the study of the morphologies, the quantification of differential forms by field and the quantification of the number of parasites per field contributes to the technical optimization of routine coproparasitology.

Frequency of Blastocystis hominis and other intestinal parasites in stool samples examined at the Parasitology Laboratory of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the São Paulo State University, Araraquara / Freqüência de Blastocystis hominis e outros enteroparasitas em amostras de fezes examinadas no Laboratório de Parasitologia da Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas da Universidade Estadual Paulista, Araraquara

Blastocystis homins is a protozoan that causes an intestinal infection known as human blastocystosis. This infection is diagnosed by means of parasitological examination of stools and by permanent staining techniques. The present study was developed to evaluate the frequency of Blastocystis hominis infection among inhabitants of the Araraquara region, State of São Paulo, and to compare different methods for investigating this protozoan in feces samples. Evaluations on 503 stool samples were performed by means of direct fresh examination and using the techniques of Faust et al., Lutz and Rugai et al. In addition, the iron hematoxylin, trichrome and modified Kinyoun staining techniques were used. Out of the 503 samples examined, 174 (34.6 percent) were found to be positive for the presence of intestinal parasites. The most frequent protozoa and helminths were Entamoeba coli (14.6 percent) and Strongyloides stercoralis (6.7 percent), respectively. Blastocystis hominis was present in 23 (4.6 percent) fecal samples, with a predominately pasty consistency and without characterizing a condition of diarrhea. Despite the low frequency of Blastocystis hominis found in the Araraquara region, compared with other regions of Brazil, it is important to perform laboratory diagnostic tests for this protozoan. Its finding in fecal material is indicative of food and drinking water contamination. Since the transmission route for this parasite is accepted to be oral-fecal, this implies that the population needs guidance regarding hygiene and basic sanitation measures as a means for controlling health problems caused by enteroparasites.

Blastocystis hominis é um protozoário, causador de infecção intestinal denominada blastocistose humana, cujo diagnóstico é realizado pelo exame coproparasitológico e por meio de técnicas de coloração permanente. Este estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar a freqüência da infecção por Blastocystis hominis em habitantes da região de Araraquara/SP, bem como comparar diferentes métodos para a pesquisa desse protozoário em amostras de fezes. Foram estudadas 503 amostras de fezes submetidas ao exame direto a fresco, às técnicas de Faust e cols, Lutz e de Rugai e cols, além das colorações pela hematoxilina férrica, tricrômio e de Kinyoun modificada. Entre as 503 amostras examinadas, 174 (34,6 por cento) apresentaram-se positivas para a presença de parasitas intestinais. O protozoário e o helminto mais freqüentes foram Entamoeba coli (14,6 por cento) e Strongyloides stercoralis (6,7 por cento), respectivamente. Blastocystis hominis foi observado em 23 (4,6 por cento) amostras fecais com consistência predominantemente pastosa, não caracterizando quadro diarréico. Apesar da baixa freqüência de Blastocystis hominis encontrada na região de Araraquara, comparativamente a outras regiões brasileiras, é importante a realização do diagnóstico laboratorial desse protozoário. O encontro de Blastocystis hominis em material fecal é indicativo de contaminação de alimentos e água de consumo, desde que se admita a rota de transmissão oral-fecal desse parasita, o que implica na orientação da população sobre as medidas de saneamento básico e higiene como meio para se controlar problemas de saúde ocasionados pelos enteroparasitas.