Prevalence of enteroparasitosis in children in a city in the north of Paraná and the associated factors / Prevalência de enteroparasitoses em crianças de uma cidade do norte do Paraná e fatores associados

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of enteroparasitosis and the factors involved in their transmission in children between the ages of 0 and 15 in the city of São Jerônimo da Serra, Paraná. The study was carried out from July 2014 to June 2017. 362 samples were analyzed using the methods of Hoffman, Pons and Janer, Faust and collaborators, and Kato-Katz modified. Associations between the socioeconomic variables, as it relates to the habits and environment of the children, and enteroparasitosis were verified by logistic regression, considering a level of significance of 5%. We encountered a high prevalence of enteroparasites (36.5%), a high frequency of polyparasitism (43.9%) and a higher frequency of protozoa (34.5%) in relation to helminths (3.9%). The pathogenic parasites found were Giardia lamblia (8.0%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (3.6%), Hymenolepis nana (2.5%), Enterobius vermicularis (2.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.1%), hookworms (0.8%) and Trichuris trichiura (0.3%). Endolimax nana was the most frequent (19.3%); even though it is a commensal amoeba, its detection is concerning since the transmission mechanism (fecal-oral) is equal to pathogenic microorganisms. We observed an association between the presence of enteroparasitosis and age group, household income, education level of parents/guardians, living in rural area, consumption of untreated water, inadequate garbage disposal, contact with sand or dirt and presence of a household pet. Hygienic habits, sanitary, socioeconomic and socio-demographic conditions are directly related to infection by intestinal parasites and must be improved to avoid dissemination in the population (AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a prevalência de enteroparasitoses e os fatores envolvidos na transmissão de enteroparasitoses em crianças de 0 a 15 anos de idade do município de São Jerônimo da Serra, Paraná. O trabalho foi desenvolvido no período de julho de 2014 a junho 2017. Analisou-se 362 amostras pelos métodos de Hoffman, Pons e Janer e Faust e cols. As associações entre variáveis socioeconômicas, referentes aos hábitos das crianças e ao ambiente em que vivem e enteroparasitoses foram verificadas por meio de regressão logística, considerado nível de significância de 5%. Encontrou-se alta prevalência de parasitismo (36,5%), uma alta frequência de poliparasitismo (43,9%) e uma freqüência maior de protozoários (34,5%) em relação aos helmintos (3,9%). Os enteroparasitas patogênicos encontrados foram Giardia lamblia (8,0%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (3,6%), Hymenolepis nana (2,5%), Enterobius vermicularis (2,2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1,1%), ancilostomídeos (0,8%) e Trichuris trichiura (0,3%). Endolimax nana foi o mais frequentemente encontrado (19,3%). Mesmo sendo comensal, sua detecção é preocupante uma vez que o mecanismo de transmissão (fecal-oral) é igual dos microrganismos patogênicos. Observou-se associação entre a presença de enteroparasitoses e faixa etária, renda familiar, escolaridade dos responsáveis, morar em zona rural, consumo de água não tratada, destino inadequado do lixo, contato com areia ou terra e presença de um animal de estimação Hábitos de higiene, condições sanitárias, socioeconômicas e sociodemográficas estão diretamenterelacionados às infecções por parasitos intestinais e devem ser melhoradas para evitar disseminação na população(AU)

Temporal and spatial distribution of American tegumentary leishmaniasis in north Paraná: 2010-2015

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Describing the general aspects of American tegumentary leishmaniasis enables the identification of the epidemiological scenario of the disease and the development of preventive actions. METHODS: We analyzed the records of patients with American tegumentary leishmaniasis in north Paraná between 2010 and 2015. RESULTS: We identified 108 cases (mostly in 2014) with the following characteristics: male individuals, rural workers, and ages averaging 56.8 years. Isolated ulcerated lesions were predominant, and Glucantime® was the most frequently used drug. CONCLUSIONS: American tegumentary leishmaniasis remains endemic and affects mostly men found in areas surrounded by woods; its treatment is partially efficient considering its side effects and incidence of recurrences.

Fatores associados a enteroparasitoses em escolares da rede municipal de ensino de Cambé / Factors associated with intestinal parasites in schoolchildren of municipal schools in Cambé

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os fatores associados à prevalência das parasitoses intestinais em escolares da rede municipal de Cambé, Paraná. Foram analisadas 1996 amostras de fezes, coletadas entre 2006 e 2009, pelos métodos de Hoffmann, Pons e Janer (1934), de Faust e colaboradores e de Kato-Katz. A prevalência encontrada foi de 23,2%. Os parasitas encontrados foram Entamoebacoli (10,4%); Endolimax nana (9,6%), Giardia lamblia (6,4%), Enterobius vermicularis (1,5%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (0,3%), Trichuris trichiura (0,4%), Iodamoeba butschlii, Hymenolepisnana e Ancilostomídeos (0,2%) e Ascaris lumbricoides e Schistosoma mansoni (0,1%). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa com relação ao sexo. A faixa etária, a renda familiar, o grau de instrução da mãe, o consumo de água não tratada, a ausência de esgoto e o hábito da criança frequentar córregos apresentaram associação com a presença de enteroparasitas. Apesar da maior prevalência ser de protozoários comensais este dado é preocupante, pois indica que a transmissão fecal-oral está presente nesta população podendo ocorrer aumento na transmissão das formas patogênicas, já que estas possuem as mesmas vias de transmissão. Foram identificados casos de esquistossomose que não eram autóctones, porém o diagnóstico precoce desta infecção foi importante para se evitar a contaminação do meio ambiente.

The aim of this work was to determine factors associated with the prevalence of intestinal parasites in school children in the municipality of Cambé, Paraná. A total of 1996 stool samples were collected between 2006 and 2009, using the methods of Hoffman, Pons and Janer, Faust and collaborators and the Kato-Katz. The prevalence was 23.2%. The parasites found were Entamoeba coli (10.4%); Endolimax nana (9.6%), Giardia lamblia (6.4%), Enterobius vermicularis (1.5%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar(0.3%), Trichuris trichiura (0.4%), Iodamoeba butschlii, Hymenolepis nana and hookworm infection(0.2%) and Ascaris lumbricoides and Schistosoma mansoni (0.1%). We found no statistically significant gender differences. The age, family income, mother’s education level, consumption of untreated water, absence of sewage collection and contact with freshwater streams were associated with the presenceof intestinal parasites. Although the highest prevalence of protozoa is commensal this is worrying as it indicates that the fecal-oral transmission is present in this population and may increase the transmission of pathogenic forms, since they share the same transmission routes. The identified cases of schistosomiasiswere not autochthonous, but early diagnosis of this infection was important to avoid contamination of the environment.

Sodium nitroprusside has leishmanicidal activity independent of iNOS

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania . Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form, with millions of new cases worldwide each year. Treatments are ineffective due to the toxicity of existing drugs and the resistance acquired by certain strains of the parasite. METHODS: We evaluated the activity of sodium nitroprusside in macrophages infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis . Phagocytic and microbicidal activity were evaluated by phagocytosis assay and promastigote recovery, respectively, while cytokine production and nitrite levels were determined by ELISA and by the Griess method. Levels of iNOS and 3-nitrotyrosine were measured by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Sodium nitroprusside exhibited in vitro antileishmanial activity at both concentrations tested, reducing the number of amastigotes and recovered promastigotes in macrophages infected with L. amazonensis . At 1.5µg/mL, sodium nitroprusside stimulated levels of TNF-α and nitric oxide, but not IFN-γ. The compound also increased levels of 3-nitrotyrosine, but not expression of iNOS, suggesting that the drug acts as an exogenous source of nitric oxide. CONCLUSIONS: Sodium nitroprusside enhances microbicidal activity in Leishmania -infected macrophages by boosting nitric oxide and 3-nitrotyrosine.

Coproparasitological survey of intestinal parasites in the city of Londrina, Parana, Brazil: a retrospective analysis

Intestinal parasites are a major public health problem. It is important to inform and educate the public about these infections, especially where such data are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites from the analysis of medical records of individuals of the city of Londrina. We analyzed 11,641 fecal reports from February 2009 to December 2012. Data were cataloged after the completion of parasitological testing of Hoffmann, Pons & Janer, Faust and Kato-Katz. From 11,641 reports, 19.1% were positive for intestinal parasites. Among those, 52.1% pertained to females and 47.9% to males, with predominance of positivity of 27.1% among children 0-10 years. For the regions studied, the northern region stood out with 35.4% of cases and prevalence of 6.8%. Among the pathogenic protozoa, reports of Giardia lamblia comprised 19.1% of positivity, while hookworms were the most frequent among helminths, comprising 7.8% of positive cases. It follows that poor conditions of basic sanitation contribute to the dissemination of these parasites. Early diagnosis is a determinant of successful treatment. Additionally, epidemiological data may be used to study the risk factors for transmission and may result in measures applicable to improving living conditions in the community

Leishmanicidal activity of brazilian propolis hydroalcoholic extract in Leishmania amazonensis / Atividade leishmanicida de extrato hidroalcoólico de própolisbrasileira em Leishmania amazonensis

As leishmanioses são consideradas doenças negligenciadas devido às altas incidências, ampla distribuição geográfica e dificuldade no tratamento sendo incluídas na relação de doenças prioritárias pela Organização Mundial da Saúde. Os tratamentos disponíveis para estas doenças apresentam elevada toxicidade,justificando a busca por fármacos alternativos. Estudos prévios com própolis, resina produzida por abelhas,demonstraram sua atividade antiparasitária e imunomoduladora em diversos modelos experimentais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito in vitro do extrato hidroalcoólico de própolis brasileira, coletadona cidade de Botucatu no estado de São Paulo, sobre formas promastigotas de Leishmania amazonensis, bem como analisar seu efeito in vivo sobre a carga parasitária em baço de camundongos susceptíveis à infecção. Assim, formas promastigotas tratadas com extrato hidroalcoólico de própolis brasileira nas concentrações 5, 10, 25, 50 ou 100 µg/mL apresentaram efeito inibitório sobre a proliferação desses parasitos nos tempos de 24, 96 e 168 h. No entanto, as concentrações de 50 e 100 µg/mL mostraram-se mais eficazes quando comparadas ao controle e às demais concentrações em todos os tempos avaliados.Em relação à carga parasitária, após 30 dias de infecção com L. amazonensis, camundongos BALB/c foram tratados diariamente com a própolis (5mg/kg), via oral ou intraperitoneal, durante 60 dias. Posteriormente,o baço destes animais foi coletado para análise da carga parasitária. O tratamento por via oral reduziu 40%da carga parasitária. Desta forma, a amostra de própolis brasileira testada apresentou ação leishmanicida sobre L. amazonensis em cultura e em camundongos infectados com este protozoário.

Leishmaniosis are considered neglected diseases due to its high incidence, widespread and difficultyin treatment being included in the list of priority diseases by the World Health Organization. Available treatments for these diseases have high toxicity, which explains the search for more effective drugs. Previous studies with propolis - a resinous substance produced by bees - demonstrated immunomodulatory and anti-parasitic activity in several experimental models. The objective of this study was to evaluatethe effect in vitro of Brazilian propolis hydroalcoholic extract, collected in the city of Botucatu in SãoPaulo State, on promastigotes forms of Leishmania amazonensis as well as its effect on the parasiteload in the spleen of infected mice. Thus, promastigote forms treated with 5, 10, 25, 50 or 100 μg/mLof Brazilian propolis hydroalcoholic extract at 24, 96 and 168 hours showed inhibitory effect on the spread of these pararasite at all indicated times. However, the concentrations of 50 and 100 μg/mL were more effective, reducing the parasite spread when compared to the control and other concentrations at all times. Regarding parasitic load, after 30 days of infection with L. amazonensis, BALB/c mice were treated on a daily basis with propolis (5mg/kg) orally or intraperitoneally for 60 days. Further, the spleen was collected for parasite load analysis. Oral treatment reduced 40% of the parasitic load. Thus, the tested Brazilian propolis sample showed antileishmanial activity on L. amazonensis in culture andin parasite- infected mice.