Risk factors and prevalence of enteroparasitic diseases in shellfish pickers from a lake area in the Northeast of Brazil / Fatores de risco e prevalência de enteroparasitoses em marisqueiras de uma região lagunar no Nordeste do Brasil

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasitosis are a public health problem worldwide. There are several risk factors and a high association with some specific labor activities. OBJECTIVE: The present study assessed the risk factors and prevalence of enteroparasitic diseases in shellfish pickers from one district of Maceió, Alagoas state, Brazil. METHODS: Crosssectional study of 41 female shellfish pickers including parasitological tests in fecal samples and a questionnaire with objective and subjective questions. Sand samples from their working environment were also analyzed. RESULTS: At least one species of parasite was found in 19.51% of the fecal samples. Pathogenic species of Giardia lamblia, Trichuris trichiura, Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, from the Ancylostomatidae family, and non-pathogenic species of Entamoeba coli were found. Polyparasitism was diagnosed in 37.5% of the positive samples. A total of 57.14% of sand samples contained hookworm larvae. Regarding the risk factor, low educational level was statistically associated to the presence of parasites (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Greater investment in basic education is needed to increase the knowledge about preventive measures against parasitic diseases and the promotion food-handling courses in order to change existing inadequate habits in the community. Basic sanitation is also essential in preventing environmental contamination.

INTRODUÇÃO: As parasitoses intestinais representam um problema de saúde pública mundial. Estão associados inúmeros fatores de risco, bem como atividades laborais específicas. OBJETIVO: O presente estudo avaliou os fatores de risco e a prevalência de enteroparasitoses em marisqueiras de um bairro da cidade de Maceió, Alagoas, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Procedeu-se um estudo de corte transversal, sendo 41 marisqueiras avaliadas mediante exame parasitológico de fezes e questionário contendo questões discursivas e de múltipla escolha. Foram analisadas também amostras de areia do ambiente de trabalho das mesmas. RESULTADOS: A positividade para pelo menos uma espécie de parasito nas fezes foi de 19,51%. Foram encontradas as espécies patogênicas Giardia lamblia, Trichuris trichiura, Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis e da família Ancylostomatidae, e a espécie não patogênica, Entamoeba coli. Poliparasitismo foi diagnosticado em 37,5% dos exames positivos. Um total de 57,14% das amostras de areia continha larvas de ancilostomatídeos. Em relação aos fatores de risco, a baixa escolaridade foi estatisticamente associada à presença de parasitas (p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: É necessário maior investimento na educação básica para aprimorar o conhecimento das formas de prevenção das parasitoses e a promoção de cursos de boas práticas de manipulação de alimentos, a fim de modificar hábitos errôneos já incorporados na comunidade. O saneamento básico também é fundamental para evitar contaminação ambiental.

Diagnóstico e incidencia de enfermedades bacterianas y parasitarias que afectan el cultivo de camarón marino en estanques del sector El Zompopero y Salinas del Potrero, municipio de Jiquilísco, departamento de Usulután: en vínculo con Cooperativas de San Hilario / Diagnosis and incidence of bacterial and parasitic diseases that affect the cultivation of marine shrimp in ponds of El Zompopero and Salinas del Potrero sectors, municipality of Jiquilísco, department of Usulután: in connection with cooperatives of San Hilario

Las enfermedades bacterianas y parasitarias pueden llegar a comprometer los niveles de sobrevivencia de un cultivo de camarón marino. La frecuencia de aparición de camarones muertos en las orillas de los estanques o que aparecen en las atarrayas, son solo un signo o señal de que algo marcha mal en el estanque. Cuando los camarones están sometidos a factores estresantes se reducen su actividad limpiadora, no mudan y por tanto, son altamente susceptibles a la invasión de ectoparásitos. En grados de severidad 3 y 4 de la infestación por ectoparásitos en la superficie corporal del camarón, trae como consecuencia dificultades en la locomoción, la alimentación, la respiración, y finalmente sobreviene la muerte. Por otra parte, las enfermedades de origen bacteriano reportados en los sistemas de cultivo causadas por el género Vibrio, ha llegado a ser la enfermedad económicamente más importante en el cultivo de organismos marinos, afectando un gran número de especies; es catalogada como la causa de serias pérdidas económicas en la producción de camarón de cultivo en diversos países.

Bacterial and parasitic diseases can compromise the survival levels of a marine shrimp culture. The frequency of the appearance of dead shrimp on the banks of the ponds or that appear on the cast nets, are just a sign that something is wrong in the pond. When shrimp are subjected to stress, their cleaning activity is reduced, they do not molt and therefore are highly susceptible to invasion by ectoparasites. In degrees of severity 3 and 4, the infestation by ectoparasites on the body surface of the shrimp, results in difficulties in locomotion, feeding, breathing, and finally, death ensues. On the other hand, the diseases of bacterial origin reported in culture systems caused by the Vibrio genus have become the most economically important disease in the cultivation of marine organisms, affecting a large number of species; It is classified as the cause of serious economic losses in the production of farmed shrimp in various countries.

Prevalence of Colacium vesiculosum (Colaciales: Euglenophyceae) on planktonic crustaceans in a subtropical shallow lake of Argentina

Colacium vesiculosum (Euglenophyceae) is an epibiont common on planktonic microcrustaceans of continental waters. The interaction between epibionts and substrate organisms is not very well known, particularly in subtropical environments of South America. In the present work, we analyzed the prevalence, density, biomass and attachment sites of C. vesiculosum on planktonic microcrustaceans from Paiva Lake, a subtropical lake of Argentina. With the aim to evaluate whether epibionts affect the filtering rates of Notodiaptomus spiniger, the dominant planktonic crustacean, we carried out bioassays using phytoplankton <53µm. Crustaceans were sampled using a PVC tube (1.2m long and 10cm in diameter), filtering 50L of water through a 53µm-mesh. Microcrustaceans were counted in Bogorov chambers under a stereoscopic microscope. The infested organisms were separated and observed with a photonic microscope to determine density and biovolume of epibionts, by analyzing their distribution on the exoskeleton. The prevalence of C. vesiculosum was higher in adult crustaceans than in their larvae and juveniles. The most infested group was that of calanoid copepods, related to their high density. The attachment sites on the exoskeleton were found to be the portions of the body which have a higher probability of encounter with epibionts during locomotion and feeding, i.e., antennae and thoracic legs in copepods, and thoracic legs and postabdomen in cladocerans. The similar values found in the filtering rate of infested and uninfested individuals of N. spiniger and the constant prevalence (<40%) of epibiont algae, suggest that C. vesiculosum does not condition the life of planktonic crustaceans of Paiva Lake. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (3): 1295-1306. Epub 2011 September 01.

Colacium vesiculosum Ehrenberg (Euglenophyceae) es un epibionte común en microcrustáceos del plancton de aguas continentales. La interacción epibiontes y organismo substrato es poco conocida, particularmente en ambientes subtropicales de América del Sur. Se analiza la prevalencia, densidad, biomasa y sitios de adhesión de C. vesiculosum en microcrustáceos planctónicos de un lago subtropical de Argentina. Con el fin de evaluar si los epibiontes afectan la tasa de filtración de Notodiaptomus spiniger Brian, crustáceo dominante del zooplancton, se realizaron bioensayos utilizando el fitoplancton <53µm. Los crustáceos fueron muestreados con un tubo de PVC (1m de largo, 10cm de diámetro) filtrándose 50L de agua a través de una red de 53µm de abertura de malla. El recuento de los microcrustáceos se realizó en cámaras de Bogorov bajo microscopio estereoscópico. Los organismos infectados fueron separados y observados al microscopio fotónico para determinaciones de densidad y biovolumen de los epibiontes, y su distribución en el exoesqueleto. La prevalencia de C. vesiculosum fue mayor en crustáceos adultos que en estadíos larvales y juveniles. El grupo más infestado fue el de los copépodos calanoideos en relación con su alta densidad. Los sitios de adhesión sobre el exoesqueleto fueron las regiones del cuerpo que durante la locomoción y alimentación tienen mayor probabilidad de encuentro con los epibiontes: antenas y patas toráxicas en copépodos, patas toráxicas y postabdomen en cladóceros. Valores similares en la tasa de filtración entre individuos infestados y no infestados de N. spiniger y la constante prevalencia (<40%) del alga epibionte sugieren que C. vesiculosum no condicionaría la vida de los microcrustáceos planctónicos del lago Paiva.

Perulernaea gamitanae (Copepoda: Lernaeidae) parasitizing tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) (Characidae) and the hybrids tambacu and tambatinga, cultured in northern Brazil / Perulernaea gamitanae (Copepoda: Lernaeidae) parasitando tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) (Characidae) e seus híbridos tambacu e tambatinga cultivados no norte do Brasil

The infestation rate in Colossoma macropomum, hybrid tambacu (C. macropomum x Piaractus mesopotamicus) and hybrid tambatinga (C. macropomum x Piaractus brachypomum) with Perulernaea gamitanae Thatcher and Paredes, 1985 from two fish farms in Amapá State, Brazil was studied. Lernaeid parasites (n=2887) were collected mainly on the tongue and the mouth cavity and also on cartilage of gill arches and filaments. Inflammation and fibrous nodules were observed on the attachment sites of the parasites. The infestation rate varied according to the fish farm and host. The prevalence of P. gamitanae was of 100 percent in hosts from one fish farm and was lower in the other fish farm. Higher intensity of P. gamitanae occurred in hybrids tambacu and tambatinga, but despite the high prevalence its intensity was moderate. This is the first report on epidemiology of P. gamitanae in cultured fishes from Brazilian Amazonia, and the occurrence of this crustacean parasite in two new hosts, the hybrids tambacu and tambatinga.

Estudou-se as taxas de infestação pelo crustáceo Perulernaea gamitanae Thatcher & Paredes, 1985 em tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) e seus híbridos tambacu (C. macropomum x Piaractus mesopotamicus) e tambatinga (C. macropomum x Piaractus brachypomum) de duas pisciculturas no estado do Amapá, Brasil. Os lerneídeos parasitos (n=2.887) foram coletados principalmente na língua e na boca das espécies estudadas. Os crustáceos foram encontrados também nos filamentos e cartilagem dos arcos branquiais. Nos locais parasitados foram observados inflamação e nódulos fibrosos. As taxas de infestações variaram entre espécies e entre pisciculturas. Na piscicultura um a prevalência de P. gamitanae foi 100 por cento, e na piscicultura dois, foi menor. A maior intensidade de infestação por P. gamitanae ocorreu nos híbridos tambacu e tambatinga. Apesar da elevada prevalência de P. gamitanae a intensidade de infestação foi moderada. Este é o primeiro relato sobre níveis epidemiológicos de P. gamitanae em peixes de cultivo da Amazônia brasileira, e amplia a ocorrência deste parasito crustáceo para dois novos hospedeiros, os híbridos tambacu e tambatinga.

Indochinamon ou (Crustacea: Potamidae) as a New Second Intermediate Host for Paragonimus harinasutai in Luang Prabang Province, Lao PDR

Paragonimus harinasutai metacercariae were found in a species of freshwater crab, Indochinamon ou, collected in a small stream of Namback District, Luang Prabang Province, Lao PDR. Adult flukes were recovered after experimental infection of the metacercariae to dogs. Metacercariae were round or slightly elliptical, 0.666 x 0.626 mm in average size, and had a thin cyst wall of about 20 microm in thickness, a black excretory bladder, convoluted ceca, and some pinkish materials in the body. Adults were somewhat elongated, 95.2 x 36.5 mm in average size, covered with single-tipped tegumental spines, had a smaller oral sucker than the ventral sucker, a moderately branched ovary, and 5-6 lobulated testes. Eggs were ovoid and bilaterally symmetrical in shape, 79 x 45 microm in average size, and had a uniformly thickened shell. By the present study, it has been confirmed that I. ou is a new second intermediate host for P. harinasutai.

Parasitic castration, growth, and sex steroids in the freshwater bonefish Cyphocharax gilbert (Curimatidae) infested by Riggia paranensis (Cymothoidea)

Cyphocharax gilbert shows parasitic castration when infested by the crustacean Riggia paranensis, being unable to reproduce. Fish were sampled in the middle rio Itabapoana, Brazil, to study the prevalence of parasitism, growth, and sex steroid concentrations, considering the body size, sex, and reproductive condition of specimens. Most of the fish analyzed were infested (56.0 percent). The presence of two lines on the scales was more frequent among infested fish (22.0 percent) than among fish without parasites (12.0 percent for females and 10.0 percent for males). The occurrence of three lines on the scales was rare (3.5 percent among infested and 2.0 percent among females without parasites). These results suggest that growth of the host is faster than that of non infested fish. The serum concentrations of sex steroids from fish without parasites varied at different gonadal development stages (17 beta-estradiol: 60.0 to 976.7 pg/ml; total testosterone: 220.0 to 3,887.7 pg/ml). All infested fish had lower levels of the two sex steroids and undeveloped gonads. Sex steroids levels in infested females were close to those in females at post-spawning stages. Total testosterone concentrations of infested males were below those of males at early gonadal maturation stage. These results suggest that R. paranensis reduces the reproductive capacity of C. gilbert by affecting the host endocrine system

Cyphocharax gilbert exibe castração parasitária quando está infestado pelo crustáceo Riggia paranensis, estando impossibilitado de reproduzir. Os peixes foram coletados no trecho médio do rio Itabapoana, Brasil, para analisar a prevalência do parasitismo, quantificar crescimento e as concentrações de esteróides sexuais, considerando o tamanho do corpo, o sexo e a condição reprodutiva dos espécimes. A maioria dos peixes analisados estava infestada (56,0 por cento). A presença de duas linhas em escamas foi mais freqüente entre os peixes infestados (22,0 por cento) que entre os peixes não infestados (12,0 por cento para as fêmeas e 10,0 por cento para os machos). A presença de três linhas na escama foi rara (3,5 por cento entre os peixes infestados e 2,0 por cento entre as fêmeas não infestadas). Estes resultados sugerem que o crescimento no hospeideiro pode ser mais rapido que no peixes não parasitados. As concentrações de esteróides sexuais no soro dos peixes não infestados variaram entre os diferentes estágios reprodutivos (17 beta-estradiol: 60,0 a 976,7 pg/ml; total testosterona: 220,0 a 3.887,7 pg/ml). Todos os peixes infestados apresentaram baixos níveis dos dois hormônios esteroidais e ausência de desenvolvimento gonadal. Os níveis de esteróides sexuais nas fêmeas infestadas foram próximos aos níveis encontrados nas fêmeas pós-desovadas. A concentração de testosterona encontrada nos machos infestados foi inferior àquela obtida nos machos que estavam iniciando o desenvolvimento gonadal. Estes resultados sugerem que R. paranensis impede a reprodução de C. gilbert, afetando o sistema endócrino do hospedeiro

Familial Infestation of Paragonimus westermani with Peritonitis and Pleurisy / 대한소화기학회지

Human paragonimiasis was endemic in Korea until the 1960's, and nowadays, the prevalence is decreasing. However, it is still one of the important helminthic diseases. Though it is essentially a pulmonary disorder, it may involve brain, muscle, mesentery, genital tract, pleura, peritoneum, spinal cord, spleen, and liver. We experienced two cases of paragonimiasis in a family who had ingested raw crabs together for 7 months. A 57-year-old female patient was admitted due to abdominal pain, diarrhea and tenesmus for 6 months. And, her 35-year-old son complained of cough, chest discomfort and dyspnea. The definite diagnosis for paragonimiasis could be made by the detection of the egg and adult worm from stool, sputum and involved lesion. Neither an egg or worm was detected. However, they were diagnosed based on the food history, laboratory data including serum eosinophilia, ELISA for specific IgG, pleural and peritoneal fluid examination, radiological findings, and intradermal tests. They were treated with praziquantel and their symptoms improved rapidly over 2 days. Both patients were asympromatic at a follow-up visit 2 months later.

Modelo de simulación para el control del mosquito Aedes aegypti, transmisor del dengue y la fiebre amarilla, por el crustáceo Mesocyclops spp / A simulation model for the control of the Aedes aegypti, the mosquito vector of dengue and yellow fever, by the crustacean Mesocyclops spp

OBJETIVOS: Se presenta un modelo de simulación que muestra la dinámica de depredación de Mesocyclops spp., sobre Aedes aegypti MÉTODOS: Representado por cuatro ecuaciones diferenciales: H'(t), cantidad de huevos; L'(t), cantidad de larvas; A'(t), cantidad de adultos y C'(t), cantidad de copépodos. Inicialmente las ecuaciones son del tipo clásico presa-depredador, según Lotka y Volterra. Posteriormente se modifica en un sistema con respuesta funcional para invertebrados, según Holling. RESULTADOS: El primer sistema controla y estabiliza la población de mosquitos, el segundo muestra que los copepodos son inefectivos como controladores. CONCLUSIONES: Se reconoce la necesidad de estudiar sistemas presa depredador (mosquitos - copepodos) con trabajos que integren pruebas de laboratorio y de campo. Solo así será posible establecer la validez en el uso de estos últimos como controladores biológicos efectivos de mosquitos.

The food-borne trematode zoonoses of Vietnam.

During the past couple of decades, numerous surveys for the occurrence and distribution of food-borne trematodes in Vietnam have been carried out. However, the majority of the data obtained have not been published in international journals, and therefore, the seriousness of these trematode parasitic zoonoses in the country has not been fully appreciated. To correct this, over 40 Vietnamese language reports and local publications were translated and organized as a status review for an international audience. The results show that such serious trematode zoonoses as clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, paragonimiasis and fascioliasis are common in many regions of Vietnam, and, in the case of fascioliasis and paragonimiasis, are increasing. Data on the species of intermediate hosts involved in the transmission of these zoonoses, and the effect of host sex and age on infection frequencies are presented, along with findings on food preference/behavior investigations. Finally, the authors present recommendations for further research to provide a more comprehensive picture of the status of these zoonoses, and to obtain the risk assessment information needed to design prevention and control programs.

Acuariosis en numida meleagris (aves: numididae) / Acuariosis in numida meleagris (aves: numididae)

A case of gastric nematodiasis is describes in a gineafowl (Numida meleagris) from the Municipal Zoo, Presidencia Roque Saenz Peña (Chaco) Argentina, nematodes obtained from the glandular stomach were observed in optic microscopy. According to their morphometric characteristies and location in the definitivo host, were identified as belonging to the family Acuariidae, subfamily Acuariinae, species Dispharynx nasuta Rudolphi, 1819

Parasitic nematodes of birds from De Monte Pond in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Con el objeto de conocer la helmintofauna de egretta thula, egretta alba y bubulcus ibis (ardeidae), se realizó un estudio preliminar en la Laguna de San Miguel del Monte, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. En las aves capturadas en otoño, invierno y primavera de 1994, se recolectaron dos especies de nematodes: microtetrameres canadiensis argentinensis n. subsp. y contracaecum philmultipapillatum n. sp. Las tres especies de aves se hallaban parasitadas por C. philomultipapillatum, mientras que M. canadensis argentinensis se halló únicamente en B. ibis. Los crustáceos y peces hallados en los contenidos estomacales de las especies de aves consideradas explican la presencia del parásito C. philomultipapillatum. M. canadensis argentinensis podría transmitirse a B. ibis a través de insectos terrestres y crustáceos acuáticos.

Distribución transversal y asociaciones interespecíficas en las comunidades de metazoarios ectoparásitos de peces esciénidos marinos del Perú / Transversal distribuition and interspecific associations in the communities of ectoparasites metozoans in marine sciaenid fishes from Peru

During 1987 and 1988 marine sciaenid fishes from the central Peruvian coast were examined: 237 Menticirrhus ophicephalus, 124 Paralonchurus peruanus, 249 Sciaena deliciosa, 50 Sciaena fasciata and 311 Stellifer minor. Thirty metazoan ectoparasites were identified, 18 helminths and 12 crustaceans. Paralonchurus peruanus was the species with higher number of ectoparasite species (11). The communities of ectoparasites were dominated by diplectanid monogeneans. The following showed preference by some site of infestation in their transversal partitioning: Rhamnocercoides menticirrhi, Rhamnocercus spp., Diplectanum sp., Pseudohaliotrema paralonchuri, Pedocotyle annakohni, P. bravoi, Caligus callaoensis and Lernanthropus huamani. With the exception of P. peruanus, these fishes showed an overall positive association in their ectoparasite communities. Menticirrhus ophicephalus and S. deliciosa had the most pairs of associated and covariated species. Paralonchurus peruanus and S. minor showed no interspecific associations. Negative interspecific association and covariation were not determined. The pair R menticirrhi-L. huamani (in M. ophicephalus) had the highest association degree. These results suggest an absence of competitive interspecific processes

A new record of the parasitic isopod orbione bonnieri nibili, 1906 (crustacea: isopoda: epicaridea) from the prawn palaemon lamarrei in Visakhapatnam coast, India

Orbione bonnieri, un pequeño isópodo, recolectado como ectoparásito del camarón marino, Palaemon lamarrei, es descrito por primera vez en la India

A new bopyrid isopod athelges neotenuicaudis (crustacea: Isopoda: epicaridea) parasitic on pagurus kulkarnii from Visakhapatnam coast, India

Se describe un nuevo isópodo bopirido ectoparásito Athelges neotenuicaudis, obtenido de la jaiba Pagurus kulkarnii. Los ejemplares fueron encontrados en la región de intermareas de Mukkam, costa de Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Se compara A. neotenuicaudis n. sp. con A. paguri, rathke, 1843, A. tenuicaudis rathke, 1843 y A. bilobus rathke, 1843

Parasites of commercial shrimps and fishes in Argentine sea: on the adult and metacercaria of Opecoeloides feliciae n. sp. (Digenea: Opecoelidae)

Opecoeloides feliciae n. sp., first record of opecoelid metacercariae in commercial shrimps of South Atlantic Ocean, parasitizing Cynoscion striatus (adults) and Artemesia longinaris (metacercariae), is described, illustrated and compared with related species of the genus. Adults, immature worms and metacercariae are compared, and rates of prevalence and intensity of infection are also given

El ciclo evolutivo experimental de Diphyllobothrium erinaceieuropei en Paracyclops fimbriatus, larvas de Bufo arenarum y caninos / Experimental evolutive cycle of Diphyllobothrium erinaceieuropei in Paracyclops fimbriatus, tadpoles of Bufo arenarum and dogs

El objetivo del trabajo fue lograr la reproducción experimental del ciclo evolutivo de Diphyllobothrium erinaceieuropei Rudolphi 1819 (Cestoda, Pseudophyllidea) con la intervención de Paracyclops fimbriatus y larvas de Bufo arenarum como hospedadores intermediarios y caninos como hospedadores definitivos. Los huevos del parásito se obtuvieron de heces de caninos infectados naturalmente y se conservaron refrigerados en agua. Se incubaron 7 días a 25-C para que desarrollaran los coracidios y se pusieron en recipientes que contenían a los copépodos mencionados. Al cabo de 12 días a 22,6-C (promedio) se hallaron procercoides maduros en ellos y se agregaron 10 renacuajos de Bufo arenarum. Estos se examinaron por disección 22, 23, 61 y 107 días después, hallándose en todos 1 o más plerocercoides (Temperatura promedio: 24,9-C. El día 23, de 6 renacuajos se obtuvieron 49 plerocercoides, de los cuales se administraron 28, por vía oral, a una perra. El día 107,3 de 11 plerocercoides obtenidos de un renacuajo se le dieron a otra perra por la misma vía. Se hallaron huevos del cestode en las heces del primer canino a partir del día 22 posterior a la infección (p.i.) y a los 30 días p.i., segmentos de estróbila. En el segundo canino se hallaron huevos a los 30 días p.i.

Establishment of a standard test method for determining susceptibility of Mesocyclops to different insecticides.

A method to determine the susceptibility of Mesocylops sp. to insecticides was devised. Matured adults were used for the bioassays. Mesocyclops sp. (25 in number) were placed in 24.9 ml of sterilized paddy field water in 5 cm diameter petri dish and 0.1 ml of appropriate stock solution of the insecticide was added. Mortality was scored 24 h after treatment. Among the insecticides tested, Permethrin, Dichlorvos, Temephos, DDT, Carbendazim, Fenitrothion, Zolone and Aldrin were effective against Mesocyclops sp.