Coexistence of two species of haplosporidian parasites in a population of the marine amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis with evidence for parasite phagocytosis and transmission mode

The amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis live hiding underneath stones and shingles along the shore line in supra-littoral zone of Sharm El Nagha site, Hurghada city, Red Sea. The collected specimens of P. hawaiensis are infected with two protozoan parasites, Urosporidium sp. and Haplosporidium sp. which invade many organs of both females and males. The life cycle of the parasites was described in addition to their histopathological effects on host's tissues. The study showed some evidence for the defense reaction of the host as engulfing and degraded stages of parasites by granulocytes. The two parasite species coexist at different prevalence's in one host population and bi-infected individuals were few

Neosporose equina: ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Neospora spp. e associação entre status sorológico de éguas e de suas crias / Equine neosporosis: occurrence of antibodies against Neospora spp. and association between the serological status of the mares and of their offspring

Os protozoários Neospora caninum e N. hughesi infectam os equinos e podem provocar diferentes sinais clínicos associados a problemas reprodutivos ou a distúrbios neurológicos, respectivamente. A patogenia da neosporose é pouco conhecida nos equinos, bem como as fontes de infecção horizontal de N. hughesi. Além disso, há dúvidas quanto ao papel da transmissão vertical de Neospora spp. na sua manutenção em populações equinas. Neste estudo avaliaram-se: (1) a ocorrência da infecção por Neospora spp. na população de éguas em idade reprodutiva em um haras de cavalos da raça Crioula; e (2) a possível associação entre o status sorológico destas éguas com o de suas crias, como meio de investigar, indiretamente, a relevância da transmissão transplacentária na ocorrência da infecção por Neospora spp. nestes animais. A associação entre o status sorológico das éguas e o de suas crias foi altamente significativa. Os animais descendentes de éguas soropositivas tiveram maior ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Neospora spp. do que os descendentes de éguas soronegativas, embora expostos aos mesmos fatores de risco ambientais. A associação entre parentesco em primeiro grau e status sorológico indica a influência da infecção vertical (transplacentária) na ocorrência de Neospora spp. na população equina estudada.

Neospora caninum and N. hughesi are protozoa which can infect horses and can cause reproductive and neurological diseases, respectively. The pathogenesis of neosporosis in horses is poorly understood, as well as the sources of horizontal infection of N. hughesi. Furthermore, there are doubts about the role of the vertical transmission of Neospora spp. in maintenance of these parasites in equine populations. In this study, we evaluated: (1) the occurrence of infections by Neospora spp. in a population of mares (in reproductive age) on a farm of Crioula breed horses; and (2) the possible association between the serological status of mares and of their offspring, aiming to investigate, indirectly, the relevance of transplacental transmission for the occurrence of Neospora spp. in these horses. We found a highly significant association between the serological status of mares and their offspring. Although had been exposed to the same environmental risk factors, the descendants of seropositive mares had a higher percentage of seropositivity against Neospora spp. compared to the descendants of seronegative mares. The association between kinship and serological status indicates an influence of vertical (transplacental) infection raising the occurrence of Neospora spp. in the studied equine population.

Enteroparasite contamination in peridomiciliar soils of two indigenous territories, State of Paraná, southern Brazil / Contaminación por enteroparásitos en el suelo peridomiciliar de dos territorios indígenas del estado de Paraná, en el sur del Brasil

OBJECTIVES: To determine 1) the degree of soil contamination by parasites; 2) the prevalence of contaminated samples; 3) the overall number of parasitic forms, by distance between the collection site and the domicile; 4) the mean number of parasite forms per peri-household area; and 5) the variables associated with the total number of parasite forms. METHODS: Soil samples were collected in the peridomicile of 18 (out of a total sample of 63) and 22 (out of 190) residences of the Faxinal and Ivaí indigenous territories (ITs), respectively, from March 2005 through October 2006, and evaluated by the methods of Baermann, modified Faust et al., and Lutz. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of samples contaminated by enteroparasites of humans or of animals with zoonotic potential was 75.7 percent (84 out of 111) in Faxinal and 96.2 percent (127 out of 132) in Ivaí. The most prevalent parasites were Ascaris spp., Isospora spp., and Toxocara spp. Positive statistical associations were observed between the number of parasitic forms per domicile and the following variables: time of year (season), the presence of bathrooms in the domicile, and the presence of excrement on peridomiciliar soil. CONCLUSIONS: The high level of soil contamination in Faxinal and Ivaí 1) constitutes a potential source of parasitic infection and 2) suggests that the treatment of human and animal excreta continues to be inadequate.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar: 1) el grado de contaminación parasitaria del suelo; 2) la prevalencia de muestras contaminadas; 3) el número general de formas parasitarias, en función de la distancia entre el sitio donde se tomaron las muestras y el domicilio; 4) el número promedio de formas parasitarias por área peridomiciliar y 5) las variables relacionadas con el número total de formas parasitarias. MÉTODOS: Se recogieron muestras del suelo de los alrededores de 18 (de una muestra total de 63) y 22 domicilios (de una muestra total de 190) situados en los territorios indígenas Faxinal e Ivaí, respectivamente, entre marzo del 2005 y octubre del 2006. Las muestras se evaluaron mediante los métodos propuestos por Baermann, Faust et al. (modificado) y Lutz. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia general de las muestras contaminadas por enteroparásitos humanos o animales que se consideraron de potencial zoonótico fue de 75,7 por ciento (84 de 111) en Faxinal y de 96,2 por ciento (127 de 132) en Ivaí. Las especies de parásitos más prevalentes fueron Ascaris, Isospora y Toxocara. Se observó una asociación estadística positiva entre el número de formas parasitarias halladas en los alrededores de cada domicilio y las siguientes variables: la época del año (estación), la existencia de baños domiciliarios y el hallazgo de excremento en el suelo peridomiciliar. CONCLUSIONES: La gran contaminación del suelo hallada en Faxinal e Ivaí constituye una posible fuente de infección parasitaria e indica que sigue siendo insuficiente el tratamiento de los excrementos de seres humanos y animales.

Amebíase e epidemiologia / Amebiasis and epidemiology

A infecção por Entamoeba histolytica, identificada há mais de 130 anos por Fedor A. Lesh, existe praticamente em todo o mundo e é hoje considerada uma DST - com relação à transmissão é a doença dos cinco efes: finger, feces, flies, fomites e fornication. A epidemiologia da amebíase na cidade do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil), estudada por um de nós (R.M.), parece confirmar o lugar de infecção no rol das doenças sexualmente transmissíveis. Epidemiologia é o estudo da ocorrência de uma doença - estudos epidemiológicos podem influenciar a vida de populações inteiras. O estudo de Framingham (EUA), a investigação de Sharr sobre a doença dos legionários e o trabalho de John Snow sobre a cólera são exemplos clássicos de estudos epidemiológicos que mudaram o comportamento e estilos de vida.

Entamoeba histolytica infection was identified more than 130 years ago, has worldwide occurrence and nowadays is considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Regarding transmission is considered as the five Fs disease: finger, feces, flies, fomites and fornication. Rio de Janeiro city amebiasis epidemiology was studied by one of us and seems to confirm its place on STD list. Epidemiology consists on the study of the disease occurrence - epidemiological studies can influence an entire population life. Framinghan (EUA), Legionnaire's disease Sharr investigation and John Snow cholera study are classic examples of epidemiological studies that changed behaviour and lifestyle.

Transfusion-transmitted infections: existing and emerging pathogens.

In general, the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections has been greatly reduced today. However, blood-borne bacterial and parasitic infections and emerging infections transmitted through transfusion are an area of increasing concern. Implementation of stringent donor eligibility criteria, improved donor screening and more sophisticated as well as sensitive methods of antibody, antigen and viral genome detection, have virtually eliminated transfusion transmitted infection in developed countries. In developing countries like India, the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections is still considerable. A comprehensive MEDLINE search and review of relevant transfusion medicine literature were carried out and the data extracted and studied with particular reference to emerging pathogens transmitted through blood transfusion and posing a huge threat.

Transmissão de enteroparasitoses através do papel-moeda / Transmission of enteropasitosis through currency notes

PURPOSE: There are several ways to propagation of parasitary diseases and how there aren't many bibliographic work about this theme, it was realized a study near to the Natal-RN population, to verify the enteroparasites transmission through the paper money. METHODS: In the Laboratório Parasitologia Clínica was analysed 500 bills of several worths gotten in shops and, concomitantly it was examined samples of a water got from the washed hands of the people who held the money. The methods to realize the parasitologic exams were: Ritchie and Faust et al. RESULTS: It was observed the following parasites prevalent in 48 (9.6%) examined bills: Endolimax nana 31 (6.2%), Entamoeba coli 06 (1.2%), Entamoeba histolytica 01 (0.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides 10 (2.0%). In the water, it vas observed that 40 (40.0%) of them had the same kinds of parasites in their hands. CONCLUSIONS: Finally, it is postulated that the paper money is important to the enteroparasites transmission and it is suggested that new researches must be done in this area.

Dinâmica de transmissão de protozoários cinetoplastidas para a população humana de Paço do Lumias, MA: descrição de rede trófica associada com a transmissão de trypanosoma cruzi / Dinamics of transmission of kinetoplastida protozoa for the population human being of Paço do Lumiar, MA: description of trophic net associated with the transmission of trypanosoma cruzi

As infecções causadas por protozoários da Ordem cinetoplastida, Trypanosoma Cruzi, Leishemania chagasi e Leishemania braziliensis são enzooticas nos trópicos, em cuja floresta úmida encontra-se abundância de reservatórios mamíferos, vetores e ecótopos naturais onde são observados os elos da cadeia de transmissão...

Pesquisa de cistos de protozoários, larvas e ovos de helmintos em chupetas / A study on protozoan cysts, helminth eggs larvae in pacifiers

Objetivo: Devido à alta prevalência das enteroparasitoses entre crianças no Brasil e do possível envolvimento de objetos na transmissäo dessas doenças, foi desenvolvido um estudo para pesquisar a presença de cistos de protozoários, larvas e ovos de helmintos em chupetas. Métodos: No período de março a dezembro de 1993, foram examinadas 86 chupetas de crianças na faixa etária de zero a sete anos, residentes no bairro Vila Promessa, município de Alfenas, MG. A pesquisa de cistos, larvas e ovos foi realizada através do exame microscópico do sedimento obtido da centrifugaçäo do líquido resultante da lavagem das chupetas. Os resultados obtidos foram avaliados empregando-se a análise percentual. Paralelamente aos exames, foram realizadas entrevistas com os responsáveis pela criança...

Phalacrocorax olivaceus un huevo vector mecánico de henneguya sp en ecosistemas acuáticos del sur de Chile / Phalacrocorax olivaceus a new mechanical vector of henneguya sp in aquatic echosystems from the south of Chile

This is the first report of henneguya sp, a myxozoan parasite of fishes, in faeces of phalacrocorax olivaceus, a piscivorous bird, from Valdivia river, Chile. Phalacrocorax olivaceus would be a mechanical vector of henneguya sp an contributes to diseminate the infection in fishes

Presencia de quistes en Tritrichomonas muris / The presence of cysts in Tritrichomonas muris

Se describen formas quísticas de Tritrichomonas muris tal y como se observan a fresco, teñidas con hematoxilina y en preparaciones estudiadas al microscopio electrónico. Se comenta la importancia del hallazgo desde los puntos vista biológico y epidemiológico