Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections versus knowledge, attitudes and practices of male residents in Brazilian urban slums: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are neglected diseases caused by helminths and protozoa, with the relationships between parasite, host and environment having the potential to produce high morbidity and incapacity to work and mortality in vulnerable areas. This study assessed the prevalence of IPIs concerning socio-environmental conditions and analyzed the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to these diseases among men living in the slums of Rio de Janeiro city, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted in an agglomeration of urban slums between 2018 and 2019, with men aged between 20 and 59 years. A socioeconomic status questionnaire and an IPIs knowledge, attitudes and practices questionnaire (KAPQ) were applied. Coproparasitological diagnoses (n=454) were performed using four methods and samples of water for household consumption (n=392) were subjected to microbiological and physicochemical analysis. A total of 624 participants were enrolled. About 40% of the households had "water unsuitable for consumption". Only one Major Area, MA 3 was not statistically significant for IPIs (AOR=0.75; 95% CI: 0.30-1.88; p=0.55). The overall prevalence of IPIs was 23.8%. Endolimax nana (n=65, 14.3%) and hookworm (n=8, 1.7%) were the most frequently identified parasites. The analysis of the frequency of responses to the KAPQ has shown that men reported to seeking medical care if they were suspicious of IPIs, and around 35% would self-medicate. The results have shown the need to adopt integrated health education practices targeting male residents in urban slums to qualify the care with water for human consumption and promote self-care about IPIs. The household can be considered strategic for Primary Health Care activities for men.

Fatal pulmonary parafilaroidiasis in a free-ranging subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) coinfected with two gammaherpesviruses and Sarcocystis sp / Parafilaroidose pulmonar fatal em um lobo-marinho-subantártico (Arctocephalus tropicalis) de vida livre coinfectado com dois gammaherpesvírus e Sarcocystis sp

Abstract A juvenile subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) found dead in Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil, presented with disseminated verminous pneumonia due to Parafilaroides sp. A concomitant infection with two different gammaherpesviruses was identified by PCR in different tissues; one of them possibly a novel species (tentatively named Otariid herpesvirus 7). Sarcocystis sp. DNA was identified molecularly in skeletal muscle samples with intrasarcoplasmic bradyzoites and no apparent tissue response. All analyzed samples (mandibular, laryngeal, tracheal, and mesenteric lymph nodes, and lung) were PCR-negative for Brucella spp. The most likely cause of death was severe pulmonary parafilaroidiasis. The pathogenic role of the gammaherpesviruses in several of the tissues was not evident. This study describes the pathogenicity of Parafilaroides sp. in a subantarctic fur seal, widens the host range of herpesvirus in pinnipeds, and reports the first molecular identification of Sarcocystis sp. in this species.

Resumo Um lobo-marinho-subantártico (Arctocephalus tropicalis) juvenil foi achado morto no Estado de Santa Catarina, sul do Brasil, apresentando pneumonia parasitária disseminada por Parafilaroides sp. Infecção concomitante por dois gammaherpesvírus diferentes foi identificada pela PCR em diversos tecidos, um desses herpesvírus possivelmente uma nova espécie (denominada provisoriamente Otariid herpesvirus 7). DNA de Sarcocystis sp. foi identificado molecularmente em amostras de músculo esquelético que apresentavam bradizoítos intra-sarcoplasmáticos sem aparente resposta tecidual. Todas as amostras analisadas (linfonodo mandibular, laríngeo, traqueal e mesentérico, e pulmão) pela PCR para Brucella spp. foram negativas. A causa mais provável da morte do animal foi parafilaroidose pulmonar severa. O papel patogénico dos gammaherpesvírus em vários tecidos não foi evidente. Este estudo descreve a patogenicidade de Parafilaroides sp. em um lobo-marinho-subantártico, amplia a variedade de hospedeiros de herpesvírus em pinípedes e reporta a primeira identificação molecular de Sarcocystis sp. para essa espécie.

Toxoplasma gondii in cetaceans of Brazil: a histopathological and immunohistochemical survey / Toxoplasma gondii em cetáceos do Brasil: estudo histopatológico e imuno-histoquímico

Abstract Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. In cetaceans, T. gondii infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Despite the worldwide range and broad cetacean host record of T. gondii infection, there is limited information on toxoplasmosis in cetaceans from the Southern hemisphere. We investigated the occurrence of T. gondii by histopathology and immunohistochemistry in tissue samples of 185 animals comprising 20 different cetacean species from Brazil. Three out of 185 (1.6%) animals presented T. gondii-associated lesions: a captive killer whale Orcinus orca, a free-ranging common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus and a free-ranging Guiana dolphin Sotalia guianensis. The main lesions observed in these animals were necrotizing hepatitis, adrenalitis and lymphadenitis associated with protozoal cysts or extracellular tachyzoites presenting immunolabeling with anti-T. gondii antibodies. This study widens the spectrum of species and the geographic range of this agent in Brazil, and provides the first reports of T. gondii infection in a captive killer whale and in a free-ranging common bottlenose dolphin in South America.

Resumo Toxoplasmose é uma doença parasitária causada pelo protozoário Toxoplasma gondii. A infecção por T. gondii é uma causa significativa de morbidade e mortalidade, nos cetáceos. Apesar da abrangência mundial e amplo registro de espécies de cetáceos infectadas por T. gondii, informações sobre toxoplasmose em cetáceos do hemisfério sul são limitadas. Neste estudo pesquisou-se por meio de histopatologia e imuno-histoquímica a ocorrência de T. gondii em amostras de tecido de 185 animais, compreendendo 20 diferentes espécies de cetáceos que ocorrem no Brasil. Três dos 185 (1,6%) animais apresentaram lesões associadas a T. gondii: uma orca Orcinus orca mantida em cativeiro, um golfinho-nariz-de-garrafa Tursiops truncatus e um boto-cinza Sotalia guianensis de vida livre. As principais lesões observadas nesses animais foram hepatite, adrenalite e linfadenite necrotizantes associadas a cistos protozoários ou taquizoítos extracelulares, marcados com anticorpos anti-T. gondii. O presente estudo amplia o espectro de espécies susceptíveis a esse agente e o seu alcance geográfico no Brasil, fornecendo o primeiro relato da infecção por T. gondii em uma orca mantida em cativeiro e em um golfinho-nariz-de-garrafa de vida livre na América do Sul.

Malaria Preventive Practices among Under-five Children in Rivers State, Nigeria

Background:Malaria is a life threatening protozoan infection and children under 5 years are one of the most vulnerable group. Good malaria preventive practices among these group is key to reducing malaria burden and its associated mortality Objective:The aim of the study was to assess malaria preventive practices among under-five children in Rivers State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods:This was a cross sectional study carried out in public and private health facilities in Rivers state. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Research and Ethics committee of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, while an informed written consent was obtained from the parents or caregivers of the participants. Stratified sampling method was used to select the health facilities and the subjects for the study. A pretested interviewer administered questionnaire was used to harvest relevant information on socio demographic characteristics of the subjects and informants and malaria preventive practices. Obtaineddata was analysed using SPSS version 22 and results are presented in prose and tables. Results:A total of 1138 children participated in the study constituting of 613 (53.9%) male and 525(46.1%) female giving a male: female ratio of 1.2:1. Mean age of participants was 1.74±1.08 years. Mothers, accounted for majority 1012 (88.9%) of the informants. Most of the informants had tertiary degree; 605 (53.4%) and 697 (61.8%) among mothers and fathers respectively. Among the occupations of fathers, public servants, civil servants and the self-employed were more represented, constituting 242 (21.4%), 200 (17.7%) and 149 (13.2%) respectively. Traders/business women, the self-employed and civil servants were most represented among the occupations of mothers in the study and these accounted for 444 (39.7%), 181 (16.2%) and 137 (12.3%) respectively. Malaria preventive practices included use of Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), Indoor spraying of insecticide (modified IRS), use of antimalarial drugs, clearing of bushes/ disposal of containers where mosquitoes breed and use of mosquito repellent creams which constituted 605 (53.2%), 483 (42.4%), 133 (11.7%), 4 (0.4%) and 2 (0.2%) respectively; there were 512 (45.0%) children who slept under ITNs the previous night. Also, 970 (85.2%) had window nets installed in their homes. Protective window nets was also in place in the homes of 970 (85.2%) of the study participants. Among families that practiced use of ITNs, 110 (61.8%) were from the middle social class and 62 (34.8%) were from the upper social class, while 316 (52.2%) and 276 (45.6%) were from the upper and middle social class respectively among those that practised Indoor spraying of insecticide (IRS). Conclusion:Use of ITNs, modified IRS and use of anti malarials were the common malaria preventive practices among under-fives in Rivers state and these methods were more practiced among the middle and upper social class. Education on the integrated approach to malaria prevention which advocates the use of several malaria prevention methods in a holistic manner should be intensified

Cryptosporidium spp. em idosos residentes em instituições de longa permanência no sul do Brasil / Cryptosporidium spp. in older adults living in long-term care facilities in southern Brazil

Introdução: A criptosporidiose é uma doença mundial, levando a quadros desde assintomáticos à diarreia grave. O presente estudo teve como objetivo detectar oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. em idosos residentes em instituições de longa permanência na cidade de Lages, estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil, buscando avaliar a situação da parasitose, relativamente desconhecida na população idosa, foi avaliada por meio de um método diagnóstico fácil e de baixo custo, porém nem sempre realizado na rotina laboratorial. Métodos: Foram coletadas amostras dos exames Parasitológicos de fezes de 93 idosos residentes em instituições de longa permanência no período de setembro a novembro de 2015. Resultados: Os oocistos do protozoário foram detectados pela técnica de Ziehl-Neelsen modificada. A positividade para oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. foi de 6,45% (6/93). Em relação ao sexo, a positividade foi de 8,9% (4/45) para mulheres e 2,1% (2/48) dos homens. Todos os pacientes tinham idade entre 60 e 70 anos. Em relação à consistência fecal, todas as amostras foram descritas como diarreia. Conclusão: A criptosporidiose é uma infecção parasitária importante e debilitante que afeta os idosos e precisa ser tratada. Os cuidadores devem estar cientes disso, para que tenham cuidados adequados, especialmente de higiene individual e uso de utensílios que podem transmitir a infecção aos demais idosos que residem nessas instituições. (AU)

Introduction: Cryptosporidiosis is a worldwide disease whose characteristics range from absence of symptoms to severe diarrhea. The present study aimed to detect Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in older adults living in long-term care facilities in the city of Lages, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The situation of this parasitosis, which is relatively unknown in the older population, was evaluated using an easy and low-cost diagnostic method, although not always performed in laboratory routine. Methods: Stool samples were obtained from 93 older adults living in long-term care facilities from September to November 2015. Results: Protozoan oocysts were detected by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. Positivity for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts was 6.45% (6/93). Regarding sex, 8.9% (4/45) of women and 2.1% (2/48) of men were positive. All patients were aged between 60 and 70 years. Regarding fecal consistency, all samples were described as diarrhea. Conclusion: Cryptosporidiosis is an important, debilitating parasitic infection that affects older age and needs to be addressed. Caregivers must be aware of it in order to provide appropriate care, especially in terms of individual hygiene and use of tools that may transmit infection to other older adults living in these facilities. (AU)

Detecção de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em felinos domésticos / Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in domestic felines

A toxoplasmose é uma protozoonose que acomete uma variedade de animais de sangue quente e tem como agente etológico o protozoário Toxoplasma gondii, parasito intracelular obrigatório. Dentre a grande diversidade de animais susceptíveis, os felinos têm um importante papel na disseminação da infecção pelo T. gondii, pois são os únicos hospedeiros definitivos do parasito. Com o objetivo de verificar a ocorrência do T. gondii em gatos domésticos da microrregião de Santa Maria/RS, Brasil, foram coletadas 180 amostras de soros de felinos atendidos no Hospital Veterinário Universitário da UFSM. Estas amostras foram avaliadas no Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias para detecção de anticorpos anti-T. gondii pela técnica de imunofluorescência indireta (IFI). Das 180 amostras analisadas, 39 (21,6 %) apresentaram anticorpos anti-T. gondii com títulos iguais ou superiores a 64. Os resultados demonstram a alta prevalência de felinos anticorpos positivos, o que sugere a participação destes animais na contaminação ambiental, indicando a importância destes na epidemiologia da doença.

Toxoplasmosis is a protozoiasis that affects a variety of warm-blooded animals and its etiologic agentis the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, an obligatory intracellular parasite. Among the great diversity ofsusceptible animals, felines have an important role in the dissemination of T. gondii infection becausethey are the unique definitive hosts of this parasite. In order to verify the occurrence of T. gondii infectionin domestic cats in micro-Santa Maria, RS-Brazil, 180 serum samples were collected from cats examinedat the Veterinary Teaching Hospital - UFSM. These samples were tested in the Laboratory of ParasiticDiseases for detecting anti-T. gondii antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIF ) . Of 180samples, in 39 (21.6 %) were detected anti-T. gondii antibodies, reactive in titers equal or higher than 64.This study demonstrates the high prevalence of antibody-positive felines, suggesting the participation ofthese animals in environmental contamination, and indicates their importance in the epidemiology of thedisease.

A comparative study of the TF-Test®, Kato-Katz, Hoffman-Pons-Janer, Willis and Baermann-Moraes coprologic methods for the detection of human parasitosis

This study compares the diagnostic accuracy of the TF-Test® (TFT) for human parasitosis with results obtained using the traditional Kato-Katz (KK), Hoffman-Pons-Janer (HPJ), Willis and Baermann-Moraes (BM) techniques. Overall, four stool samples were taken from each individual; three alternate-day TFT stool samples and another sample that was collected in a universal container. Stool samples were taken from 331 inhabitants of the community of Quilombola Santa Cruz. The gold standard (GS) for protozoa detection was defined as the combined results for TFT, HPJ and Willis coproscopic techniques; for helminth detection, GS was defined as the combined results for all five coproscopic techniques (TFT, KK, HPJ, Willis and BM). The positivity rate of each method was compared using the McNemar test. While the TFT exhibited similar positivity rates to the GS for Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (82.4 percent) and Giardia duodenalis (90 percent), HPJ and Willis techniques exhibited significantly lower positivity rates for these protozoa. All tests exhibited significantly lower positivity rates compared with GS for the diagnosis of helminths. The KK technique had the highest positivity rate for diagnosing Schistosoma mansoni (74.6 percent), while the TFT had the highest positivity rates for Ascaris lumbricoides (58.1 percent) and hookworm (75 percent); HPJ technique had the highest positivity rate for Strongyloides stercoralis (50 percent). Although a combination of tests is the most accurate method for the diagnosis of enteral parasites, the TFT reliably estimates the prevalence of protozoa and selected helminths, such as A. lumbricoides and hookworm. Further studies are needed to evaluate the detection accuracy of the TFT in samples with varying numbers of parasites.

Intestinal parasitism prevalence amongst children from six indigenous communities residing in Cali, Colombia / Prevalencia de parasitismo intestinal en menores de seis comunidades indígenas residentes en Cali, Colombia

Objective Establishing the prevalence of intestinal parasitism in children aged 5 to 14 years of age from six indigenous communities residing in the city of Cali. Methodology A cross-sectional, descriptive epidemiological study was carried out in six indigenous communities residing in the city of Cali; it consisted of making a direct serial and concentration coproparasitological examination of a randomly selected sample of fifty-seven 5 to 14 year-old children. Results Of the 57 samples obtained, 84 % of the children were infected with parasites; protozoa (98 %) predominated over helminths (16.7 %) and mixed parasitemia was found in 14.6 % of the samples. Monoparasitism appeared in children over 10 years of age and biparasitism (10.4 %) and polyparasitism (52.1 %) in children under 10 years of age. Regarding occult blood determination, 6 % were observed to be positive in all the samples analysed; 4 % of these results were associated with E. histolyticaldispar. The simple parasitism index (SPI) reflected a high degree of infestation amongst the children included in the study. Conclusions The prevalence of intestinal parasitism in indigenous infants was higher than that reported nationally in the overall adolescent and school-aged children population in the same age group. Mono- and polyparasitism prevailed in the positive samples. The infestation load was not randomly distributed amongst the communities.

Objetivo Establecer la prevalencia de parasitismo intestinal en menores de 5 a 14 años de seis comunidades indígenas residentes en la ciudad de Cali. Metodología Se llevó a cabo un estudio epidemiológico transversal en seis comunidades indígenas residentes en la ciudad de Cali, que consistió en realizar un examen seriado coproparasitológico a una muestra de menores entre 5 y 14 años elegida al azar. Resultados De las 57 muestras, un total de 84 % estaban infectados con parásitos; en los cuales predominaron los protozoarios (98 %) sobre los helmintos (16,7 %) y la presencia de enfermedades parasitarias intestinales mixtas fue del 14,6 %. El monoparasitismo se observe en los mayores de 10 años; en niños por debajo de los 10 años se observó el biparasitismo (10,4 %) y poliparasitismo (52,1 %). Con relación a la determinación de sangre oculta, un 6 % de las muestras fueron positivas, 4 % de esos resultados estaban asociados con E. histolyticaldispar. El índice de parasitismo simple refleja un alto grado de infestación en los menores incluidos en este estudio. Conclusiones La prevalencia de parasitismo intestinal en menores de ascendencia indígena es mayor a la reportada en el orden nacional en menores escolares y adolescentes. Sobresalieron el mono y poliparasitismo en las muestras positivas. La carga de infestación no se distribuyó al azar entre las comunidades.

Investigation on Water Source Pollution by Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia in the Small Towns and Villages in Shenzhen,China / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To investigate the water source pollution by parasitic protozoa in small towns and villages in Shenzhen,China,in order to present the data to establish the national hygienic standard for controlling parasitic protozoa pollution.Methods The samples of water source were collected from 8 village level water plants in Shenzhen.Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium were detected,according to the EPA methods,by filtering,rinsing,magnetic isolation and staining.Results Giardia lamblia was found in water sources of 6 water plants and Cryptosporidium was found in one water plant.Conclusion At present,some water sources of village level water plants where the reservoirs were used as the water source in Shenzhen have been polluted by Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium,that indicates the potentiality of the water-born-diseases in that areas.