The presence of parasitic structures in sandy soil samples from beaches located along the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Beaches are a source of parasite contamination because protozoan cysts and helminth eggs and larvae can remain viable in sandy soils for months. Parasitic infections are mainly related to hygiene conditions, health, and environmental education, and can affect the life quality of the population. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the presence of parasitic structures in five beaches located along the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Eighty samples were collected in August and September 2020 at the beaches of Torres, Tramandaí, Capão da Canoa, Arroio Teixeira, and Arroio do Sal and processed with the spontaneous sedimentation method for microscopic analyses. The results showed that 32% (26/80) of samples were positive for the presence of parasitic structures, and there was a significantly higher frequency of positive samples in September than in August. Torres was the beach with the highest frequency of positive samples, while Arroio Teixeira and Arroio do Sal presented the lowest frequency of contamination. Nematode larvae, including hookworm larvae, were the most prevalent parasitic structures in the samples. Hence, the sandy soil from beaches must be monitored to develop programs and strategies for improving infrastructures and basic sanitation conditions, thus ensuring the health of the population.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in a clinical analysis laboratory in southern Brazil: a retrospective study

The population's living conditions, basic sanitation, hygiene, and poor socioeconomic status, are determining factors for diseases´ transmission, such as intestinal parasitic infections which constitute one of the main public health problems in Brazil. These diseases are considered endemic in several areas of the country, presenting a wide geographic distribution, varying according to environmental conditions and parasites´ species. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in individuals attending a clinical analysis laboratory in a municipality located in Southern of Brazil. A retrospective study was carried out through the analysis of 2,247 reports of parasitological stool examination from individuals who attended a clinical analysis laboratory located in Veranópolis, Rio Grande do Sul, from September 1st, 2018, to December 31st, 2020. Parasitic structures were found in stool samples from 181 (8.1%) individuals. The protozoans Endolimax nana and Entamoeba coli were the most prevalent parasites, being present in 58.0% and 29.8% of individuals, respectively. A higher prevalence of intestinal parasites was observed in women (52.5%), aged 21 to 60 years old (62.4%). Biparasitism or polyparasitism was present in 7.2% (13/181) of individuals and only 31.7% (713/2247) of samples collected three fecal samples for examination. The low prevalence of intestinal parasites found in the present study may be an indicator of improvements in sanitary, environmental, and health education conditions.

Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) no diagnóstico complementar da toxoplasmose congênita: uma revisão bibliográfica / Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in the complementary diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis: a bibliographic review

A toxoplasmose é uma doença de ampla distribuição geográfica, sendo um grave problema de saúde pública. A infecção primária durante a gravidez pode causar infecção congênita ao feto e gerar consequências graves. Neste contexto, a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) é atualmente um dos métodos mais eficientes para investigação fetal em casos de suspeita de infecção. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar uma revisão bibliográfica sobre a toxoplasmose congênita e seu diagnóstico molecular através da PCR. Para tanto, foram pesquisados artigos publicados no período de janeiro de 2010 a abril de 2021 em diferentes bases de dados usando os descritores "Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase", "Toxoplasma gondii" e "Toxoplasmose congênita". A partir da pesquisa, foi possível verificar que a combinação de métodos sorológicos com a realização da PCR, principalmente no líquido amniótico, constitui uma importante ferramenta para o diagnóstico antenatal e pós-natal da toxoplasmose congênita. Além disso, a PCR em tempo real parece não apresentar melhores resultados em comparação à PCR convencional. Não obstante, estudos voltados à padronização da técnica visando melhor sensibilidade são necessários, uma vez que o diagnóstico da toxoplasmose gestacional/congênita permite a implementação do tratamento a fim de minimizar as consequências da infecção ao neonato.

Toxoplasmosis is a disease of wide geographical distribution, being a serious public health concern. The primary infection during pregnancy may cause congenital infection of the infant and lead to serious consequences. In this context, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is currently one of the most efficient methods for fetal investigation in cases when infection is suspected. Therefore, the present study aimed to conduct a literature review on congenital toxoplasmosis and its molecular diagnosis by PCR. Thus, the research for papers published between January 2010 and April 2021 was conducted in different databases, using the terms "polymerase chain reaction", "Toxoplasma gondii" and "congenital toxoplasmosis". It was possible to verify that the combination of serological methods and PCR, mainly of the amniotic fluid, is a valuable tool the antenatal and post-natal diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis. Furthermore, real time PCR seems to have no better results in comparison to conventional PCR. Nevertheless, studies related to standardization of the technique aiming higher sensitivity are necessary since the diagnosis of gestational/congenital toxoplasmosis enables the treatment in order to minimize the consequences of the infection to the infant.

Occurrence of parasites in the soil of public squares in Veranópolis, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Human health is threatened by diseases transmitted between animals and humans, denominated zoonoses. Public parks and squares are environments used by the population and easily accessed by domestic and stray animals. The contact of dogs and cats with the soil from those places may favor the transmission of zoonoses to humans. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of parasites in the soil of public squares in the city of Veranópolis in Rio Grande do Sul State. Forty sand samples were collected in four squares throughout the months of December 2021, January, February and March 2022. The samples were processed by the Hoffman, Pons and Janer (HPJ) and Rugai methods. The results showed that 32.5% (13/40) of samples were positive for the presence of parasitic structures. Nematode larvae, including hookworm, were the most prevalent parasitic structures in the samples. In addition, Capillaria sp. eggs, Strongyloides sp. larvae, free-living larvae and Entamoeba coli cysts were also found. Two collections conducted after rainy days had a higher rate of contamination. The presence of parasites was observed in both superficial and deep samples. Therefore, the presence of parasites in the sand of Veranópolis' public squares demonstrates that there is a risk of parasitic infection for the local population.

Hepatites B e C em pacientes com HIV/ AIDS atendidos pelo serviço de assistência especializada da Serra Gaúcha, Brasil

Introdução: A implantação da terapia antirretroviral de alta efetividade (TARV) na década de 90 implicou em mudanças no perfil da epidemia de síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (AIDS), na qual as pessoas infectadas com o HIV passaram a viver mais tempo. No entanto, estas pessoas estão sujeitas a outros agravos, como por exemplo, as hepatites virais dos tipos B (HBV) e C (HCV). Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência das coinfecções por HBV e HCV em pacientes com HIV/AIDS atendidos pelo Serviço de Assistência Especializada em um município da Serra Gaúcha, Brasil. Método: Foram analisados 722 prontuários de pacientes com HIV/AIDS atendidos entre janeiro de 2018 e junho de 2019, de acordo com sexo, idade, escolaridade e provável etiologia da infecção pelo HIV. Resultados: Dentre os pacientes analisados, 47 (6,5%) apresentaram coinfecção com hepatites virais, sendo a coinfecção pelo HCV a mais prevalente. A idade média da população analisada foi de 45,8 anos; uma maior prevalência de coinfecções foi observada em pacientes do sexo masculino. O grau de escolaridade foi considerado baixo, considerando-se que 22 (46%) pacientes não possuíam ensino fundamental completo. Quanto à provável etiologia da infecção pelo HIV, a maioria dos pacientes não tinha conhecimento de que modo podia ter adquirido a doença. Conclusões: Apesar da baixa prevalência de coinfecções HIV/HBV e HIV/HCV observada no presente estudo, o seu conhecimento é importante pois pacientes coinfectados possuem maior probabilidade de apresentarem um mau prognóstico em relação aos pacientes monoinfectados.

Prevalência de parasitos intestinais em pacientes atendidos um laboratório de análises clínicas de um município do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Resumo Introdução: As parasitoses intestinais são caracterizadas como um grave problema relacionado à saúde pública no Brasil. Tais doenças estão associadas às condições socioculturais, como nível de escolaridade, renda, saneamento básico, hábitos de higiene, idade do indivíduo, entre outros. Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência de parasitos intestinais em pacientes atendidos em um laboratório de análises clínicas do município de Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Métodos: Estudo de caráter observacional, descritivo, retrospectivo e de abordagem quantitativa em que foram analisados 1808 laudos de exame parasitológico de fezes (EPF) realizados, em um laboratório de análises clínicas do município de Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, no período de 1 janeiro de 2016 a 31 dezembro de 2018. Resultados: Foram encontrados parasitas em 5,3% das amostras analisadas. A Endolimax nana foi o parasito mais prevalente (37,5%), seguida da Giardia lamblia (27,1%) e Entamoeba coli (21,9%). Foi observada uma maior prevalência de parasitos intestinais em pacientes do sexo masculino (54,1%), sendo que, em relação à idade, o maior percentual de amostras positivas (42,7%) foi verificado em crianças. Foram analisadas 3.235 amostras, sendo que, entre os pacientes com exame parasitológico de fezes (EPF) negativo, 59,1% (1012/1712) coletaram apenas uma amostra, 4,0% (69/1712) coletaram duas amostras e 36,9% (631/1712) coletaram três amostras. Quanto aos pacientes com EPF positivo, 47,9% (46/96) destes, coletaram apenas uma amostra, 4,1% (4/96) coletaram duas amostras e 47,9% (46/96) coletaram três amostras. Conclusão: Nas amostras avaliadas, observou-se uma menor prevalência de parasitos intestinais, quando comparado a outros estudos realizados no Brasil e no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Entretanto, a presença de parasitos intestinais na população como E. nana e G. lamblia, indicam contaminação fecal, e constitui um mau indicador das condições socioeconômicas, ambientais e sanitárias.

Effects of bovine enterovirus and type 1 diabetes on liver and kidney pyruvate kinase activity in an animal model

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the selective destruction of pancreatic beta cells. In addition to genetic factors, enteroviruses have been considered the main environmental factor involved in this pathology. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes and bovine enterovirus (BEV) on liver and kidney pyruvate kinase activity in rats. Fourteen male Wistar rats were divided in three groups: control, diabetes and a third group, which was fed with water experimentally contaminated by BEV. Increased blood glucose levels were found in both diabetes and enterovirus groups, whereas there were no alterations in the lipid profile. A reduced pyruvate kinase activity was observed in the liver and kidney of animals from diabetes and enterovirus groups. Under our experimental conditions, the ingestion of water experimentally contaminated by BEV induced alterations in glycaemia, and also interfered in the pyruvate kinase activity in liver and kidney of the rats, which might be one of the possible mechanisms involved in the T1D development.

Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Water Quality of The Paranhana River, Southern Brazil

Abstract: The Paranhana River, located in Southern Brazil, is one of the major tributaries of the Sinos River basin and receives mainly industrial and domestic effluents. In the present study, water physicochemical and microbiological analyses, condition factor, micronucleus test, gill histopathology and metal bioaccumulation in the muscle of the native fish Bryconamericus iheringii collected at two sites (S1 and S2) of the Paranhana River under different degrees of anthropogenic pressures were assessed in four sampling campaigns. Data from water quality parameters, condition factor, mucous cells proliferation in fish gills and bioaccumulation of chromium and manganese in muscle evidenced higher impacts at S2, whereas a higher genotoxic potential was observed at S1. Gill histopathological alterations were found in fish captured at both sampling sites. Temporal variations in all biomarkers analyzed and bioaccumulation of manganese and nickel were observed at S1, whereas only variations in condition factor, gill alterations and bioaccumulation of manganese and aluminum were found at S2. Our study evidences that S1 is under minor anthropogenic impacts and that the high urbanization at S2 reflects in a poor water quality. Nonetheless, the human consumption of fish from the Paranhana River should be avoided given the high concentrations of cadmium, chromium and lead.

Uso do bioensaio com Allium cepa L. e análises físico-químicas e microbiológicas para avaliação da qualidade do Rio da Ilha, RS, Brasil / Allium cepa L. bioassay and physicochemical and microbiological analysis to evaluate the water quality of the Ilha River, RS, Brazil

O estudo avalia a toxicidade, citotoxicidade, genotoxicidade e análises físico-químicas e microbiológicas de amostras de águas coletadas em dois pontos (nascente e foz) do Rio da Ilha - um dos principais afluentes do Rio dos Sinos, RS, Brasil - em dois períodos: inverno (2014) e verão (2015), através do bioensaio com Allium cepa que fornece esses dados através da mensuração das raízes dos bulbos, índice mitótico e presença de aberrações cromossômicas. Os resultados demonstraram níveis de citotoxicidade principalmente na foz do rio, e alguns parâmetros (DBO5, fósforo, alumínio, chumbo, ferro, níquel e coliformes termotolerantes) acima da legislação estabelecida, mesmo a região sofrendo pouco impacto de origem antrópica.

This study evaluates the toxicity, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and physicochemical and microbiological analysis of water samples collected at sites (source and mouth) of the Ilha River -one of the main tributaries of the Sinos River, RS, Brazil - in winter (2014) and summer (2015), by Allium cepa bioassay which provided the data by measuring the roots of the bulbs, mitotic index and presence of chromosomal aberrations. The results show levels of cytotoxicity especially at the mouth of the river, and some parameters (DBO5, phosphorus, aluminum, lead, iron, nickel and fecal coliforms) above the limits established by the Brazilian legislation, despite the localization of the region in an area under minor anthropic impact.

Relationship between depression and diabetes Mellitus / Relação entre depressão e diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To review studies examining the possible relationship between depression and diabetes Mellitus.Methods: Articles were searched in the following databases: the Latin-American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences, the Scientific Library Online, Base in Nursing and Pubmed. The search was limited to articles published between January 2000 and October 2010. Search terms included: ?diabetes?, ?depression?, ?chronic diseases? and ?psychiatric disorders? Results: A total of 21 articles which examined the relationship between diabetes and depression were included in the present paper. There is a bidirectional relationship between these two chronic diseases. Diabetes could lead to depression due its effects on the quality life of patients, its complications and the difficulty in treatment adhesion. Depression could lead to diabetes on account of alterations in glucose transport function and increased immunoninflamatory activation, which could contribute to insulin resistance and beta islet cell dysfunction. Conclusion: There is a bidirectional relation between diabetes and depression and the nature of this relation is still unclear. However, this research contributes to the comprehension of this relation and possible mechanisms involved, since both diseases should be monitored and deserve attention from health professionals.

Objetivo: Revisar estudos que avaliaram a possível existência da relação entre depressão e diabetes Mellitus.Métodos: Artigos foram pesquisados nas seguintes bases de dados: Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Bases de Dados em Enfermagem e Pubmed. A busca foi limitada aos artigos publicados de janeiro de 2000 a outubro de 2010. Os termos de busca utilizados foram ?diabetes?, ?depressão?, ?doenças crônicas? e ?distúrbios psiquiátricos? Resultados: Um total de 21 artigos que avaliaram a relação entre diabetes e depressão foi incluído e analisado no presente trabalho. Há uma relação bidirecional entre essas duas doenças crônicas. O diabetes poderia levar à depressão por afetar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes, dadas suas complicações e a dificuldade de adesão ao tratamento. A depressão poderia ocasionar o diabetes devido às alterações na função do transporte de glicose e ao aumento da ativação da resposta imunoinflamatória, o que poderia contribuir para a resistência à insulina e para a disfunção da célula betapancreática. Conclusão: Existe uma relação bidiretional entre diabetes e depressão, e a natureza dessa relação permanece desconhecida. Esta revisão contribui para a compreensão dessa relação e dos possíveis mecanismos envolvidos, visto que ambas as doenças devem ser monitoradas e merecem atenção dos profissionais da saúde.

Demand of sports and leisure for youth in the city of Novo Hamburgo, Brazil / Demandas de deporte y ocio para la juventud en el municipio de Novo Hamburgo, Brasil

The adult and elderly population of Brazil has increased recently and the country has directed public policies which are in accordance with its demands. Youth have been neglected in specific public policies, in particular when considering the sports and leisure needs. Thus, we aimed to identify the demand for sports and leisure by young people in the city of Novo Hamburgo, Brazil. Sixty young answered a structured questionnaire in 2010, of these, 34.7% answered they need more time for their activities, 30.4% need more infrastructure and 15.3% seek more accessible spaces. Although Novo Hamburgo presents projects and actions in the scope for sports and leisure for this age-group, the projects do not include all young people, but rather a small part, and as such this is considered to be a state of social vulnerability.