RESUMO
Objective To investigate the prognosis of two rare imported patients with human African trypanosomias (HAT) after treatment in a follow-up study, and to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, so as to provide insights into the treatment of imported HAT patients. Methods The white blood cells in cerebrospinal fluid samples and the trypomastigotes in cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples were monitored in an imported case with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense infection 1, 3, 11 and 25 months post-treatment and in an imported case with T. brucei gambiense infection 1, 3, 8 and 12 months post-treatment to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and prognosis. Results There were 1, 1, 4 and 2 white blood cells in per μL of cerebrospinal fluid in the case with T. brucei rhodesiense infection 1, 3, 11 and 25 months post-treatment, and there were 3, 6, 4 and 3 white blood cells in per μL of cerebrospinal fluid in the case with T. brucei gambiense infection 1, 3, 8 and 12 months post-treatment. In addition, no trypomastigotes were identified in the cerebrospinal fluid or blood samples of either case with T. brucei rhodesiense or T. brucei gambiense infection. Conclusion Following standardized treatment, two imported cases with human African trypanosomiasis cases recover satisfactorily, without any signs of relapse.
RESUMO
The use of indigenous or remote popular knowledge to identify new drugs against diseases or infections is a well-known approach in medicine. The inhabitants of coastal regions are known to prepare algae extracts for the treatment of disorders and ailments such as wounds, fever and stomach aches, as for the prevention of arrhythmia. Recent trends in drug research from natural sources have indicated that marine algae are a promising source of novel biochemically active compounds, especially with antiprotozoal activity. Algae survive in a competitive environment and, therefore, developed defense strategies that have resulted in a significant level of chemical structural diversity in various metabolic pathways. The exploration of these organisms for pharmaceutical and medical purposes has provided important chemical candidates for the discovery of new agents against neglected tropical diseases, stimulating the use of sophisticated physical techniques. This current review describes the main substances biosynthesized by benthic marine algae with activity against Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei; the causative agents of leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and African trypanosomiasis, respectively. Emphasis is given to secondary metabolites and crude extracts prepared from marine algae.
RESUMO
O autor apresenta seu ponto de vista pessoal sobre a situação atual do controle da doença de Chagas nos países da América Latina. Compara a situação com a tripanossomíase africana. Comenta a existência de casos em outros Continentes. Acentua o êxito da luta contra os triatomíneos domiciliados, através do uso de inseticidas residuais. Defende outras formas de transmissão do Trypansoma cruzi.
The author presents his personal point of view on the present situation of Chagas' disease control in Latin America countries. He compares the situation with African trypanosomiasis. He comments on the existence of cases in other Continents. He emphasizes the success of the fighting against domiciliated triatomine bugs by using residual insecticides. He discusses other forms of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission.