Estudo preliminar de Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum (Nematoda, Raphidascarididae) parasitando pargo, Pagrus pagrus, coletados no litoral do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Preliminary study of Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum (Nematoda, Raphidascarididae) parasitizing red porgy, Pagrus pagrus, collected in the coast of the State of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

O pargo, Pagrus pagrus, possui carne muito apreciada na culinária brasileira. Peixes marinhos podem albergar larvas de nematoides anisaquídeos, que podem causar anisaquidose no ser humano, se ingerirem peixes crus ou mal cozidos. Entre os meses de fevereiro e julho de 2017, foram coletados 115 peixes em mercados de pescados no Município de Arraial do Cabo, RJ. Os peixes foram necropsiados e 17 estavam parasitados por anisaquídeos. Os sítios de infecção foram intestino, fígado e cavidade abdominal. Os nematoides foram processados seguindo as técnicas helmintológicas e identificados em taxonomicamente como Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum. O objetivo foi identificar a nível específico os nematoides coletados das lesões das serosas de P. pagrus e relatar alterações patológicas encontradas.

Caracterização molecular de Sarcocystis spp. em amostras de carne / Molecular characterization of Sarcocystis spp. in samples of meat

A sarcocistose é uma doença distribuída mundialmente, podendo acometer aves, répteis e diversos mamíferos, incluindo o homem. O objetivo desse trabalho foi detectar a presença de Sarcocystis spp. e caracterizar as espécies encontradas em 375 amostras de produtos cárneos (filé mignon bovino, carne moída bovina e salame colonial). Para isso, foi realizada a detecção do parasita através da técnica de PCR para amplificação parcial do gene 18S rRNA e sua caracterização molecular utilizando o polimorfismo no comprimento do fragmento de restrição (RFLP) com as enzimas de restrição Bcl I, Rsa I e Alu I. A ocorrência de Sarcocystis spp. foi de 17% (64/375) do total de amostras testadas pelo PCR. Entre os produtos cárneos avaliados, 5,6% (7/125) das amostras de filé mignon, 12,8% (16/125) de carne moída e 32,8% (41/125) de embutido colonial, foram positivas para presença do DNA do Sarcocystis spp. Entre estas amostras positivas, as espécies caracterizadas foram Sarcocystis hirsuta e Sarcocystis hominis com prevalências de 93,7% (60/64) e 6,3% (4/64), respectivamente. Considerando à relevância da sarcocistose na área da saúde pública, a ocorrência de S. hominis encontrado neste estudo, pode ser um fator de risco para a contaminação humana. Porém, a presença do DNA deste protozoário não significa necessariamente potencial de infecção aos humanos, pois cuidados nos processos de fabricação podem reduzir a viabilidade dos cistos.(AU)

The sarcocystosis is a worldwide spread disease and can affect birds, reptiles and many mammals, including man. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of Sarcocystis spp. and characterize the species found in 375 samples of meat products (filet mignon, ground beef and colonial salami). For this, we carried out the detection of the parasite by PCR for the amplification of the partial 18S rRNA gene and molecular characterization using the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with restriction enzymes Bcl I, Alu I and Rsa I. The occurrence of Sarcocystis spp. was 17% (64/375) of all samples. Among the meat products evaluated, the filet mignon samples were positive in 5.6% (7/125), the ground beef in 12.8% (16/125) and the colonial salami in 32.8% (41/125). Of the positive samples, Sarcocystis hirsuta and Sarcocystis hominis were detected, with prevalence of 93.7% (60/64) and 6.3% (4/64), respectively. Considering the relevance of sarcocystosis in public health, the occurrence of S. hominis found may be a risk factor to human contamination. However, the presence of DNA of this parasite does not necessarily mean potential of infection to humans, because good practices in the manufacturing processes can reduce the viability of the cysts.(AU)

Levantamento das condenações de fígados e pulmões de equinos por migração larvar em matadouro-frigorífico sob inspeção federal / Survey of condemnation of horses' lungs and lungs by larval migration in a slaughterhouse under federal inspection

A importância da helmintose em diferentes espécies de açougue se dá pelos prejuízos econômicos gerados pelas condenações de suas carcaças e vísceras. O presente estudo avaliou as condenações por migração larvar em fígados e pulmões em um frigorífico de equídeos sob inspeção federal localizado em Minas Gerais no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2016. Os 13.636 animais pesquisados eram provenientes dos Estados de Goiás, Pernambuco, Bahia e Piauí, sendo os dados obtidos por meio dos registros das condenações realizadas na inspeção post mortem de acordo com os critérios do serviço de inspeção federal. Dos fígados e pulmões condenados, 12% e 8% respectivamente corresponderam à condenação por migração larval, podendo concluir que o prejuízo devido à parasitose se torna evidente no abate de equinos, principalmente com o acometimento em maior porcentagem de fígados e com representatividade à ocorrência de parasitas também nos pulmões.(AU)

The importance of helminthoses in different species of butchers is due to the economic damages generated by the condemnation of their carcasses and viscera. The present study evaluated the condemnations for larval migration in livers and lungs in a equidae slaughterhouse under federal inspection located in Minas Gerais from January to December 2016. The 13,636 animals studied were from the States of Goiás, Pernambuco, Bahia and Piauí , the data being obtained through the records of the convictions carried out in the post-mortem inspection according to the criteria of the federal inspection service. Of the condemned livers and lungs, 12% and 8%, respectively, corresponded to the larval migration conviction, and it can be concluded that the parasitic injury is evident in the slaughter of horses, mainly with involvement in a higher percentage of livers, and with the occurrence of parasites also in the lungs.

Aspectos macroscópicos e histológicos da cisticercose bovina / Macroscopic and histological findings of bovine cysticercosis

Cisticercose bovina é uma importante doença parasitária de caráter zoonótico, com elevada ocorrência em algumas regiões do Brasil. Considerando a possibilidade de erro na identificação das lesões, bem como a dificuldade de classificação dos cistos e a necessidade de melhorar o diagnóstico, o objetivo desse trabalho foi caracterizar e correlacionar as lesões macroscópicas e microscópicas da cisticercose bovina, além de utilizar a técnica da PCR para auxiliar na identificação do agente. Amostras de lesões císticas e nodulares de bovinos, compatíveis macroscopicamente com cisticercose, foram coletadas em abatedouros frigoríficos do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Os cistos foram divididos em três grupos: Grupo 1, cisticercos vivos (viáveis); Grupo 2 (subdividido em 2a e 2b), cisticercos degenerados com potencial escólex viável; e Grupo 3 cisticercos mortos (mineralizados). Após a obtenção das lâminas histológicas dos cisticercos de cada grupo, foi realizada a correlação macroscópica e microscópica. Para a realização da técnica da PCR foram utilizadas lesões císticas de 26 bovinos. Foram analisados cisticercos de 127 bovinos, totalizando 232 cistos. Dos 127, 46 bovinos (36,2%) apresentaram mais de um cisticerco e 81 (63,8%) um cisticerco cada. Em relação a localização anatômica dos cistos, o coração demonstrou o maior envolvimento (55,9%), seguido do músculo masseter (22,8%). Quando houve o envolvimento de dois órgãos em um mesmo bovino, coração e músculo masseter juntos, totalizaram 11 casos (8,6%). De maneira geral a média da frequência de cisticercose foi de 10% a 15% de bovinos acometidos por lote. Entretanto, a média isolada de alguns lotes demonstrou condenações acima de 50%, 80% e 90%. Morfologicamente, os 232 cisticercos foram classificados dentro de três grupos. No Grupo 1, 23 cistos (9,9%) foram considerados como vivos (viáveis), e eram caracterizados por lesões císticas com parede translúcida ou levemente opaca, contendo líquido claro e um ponto esbranquiçado no interior (escólex). Na histologia, os cistos eram compostos por uma membrana de onde invaginava um escólex de Taenia saginata. No segundo grupo (Grupo 2), foram incluídos 156 (67,2%) cisticercos degenerados com potencial escólex viável e macroscopicamente os cistos demonstraram dois padrões morfológicos distintos. No primeiro deles (Grupo 2a), visualizado em 111 casos (71,1%), observaram-se lesões nodulares com aspecto caseoso. Microscopicamente, os cistos caracterizavam-se por formações nodulares compostas por área central contendo escólex e membrana, ambos degenerados, e necrose caseosa. No segundo padrão (Grupo 2b), observado em 45 cisticercos (28,9%), as lesões também eram caseosas, entretanto ao corte os cistos demonstravam na área central um orifício em meio ao material caseoso. Os aspectos microscópicos dos 45 cistos incluídos no segundo padrão macroscópico assemelhavam-se aos cisticercos do primeiro padrão. Entretanto, oito cistos (17,8%) demonstraram somente a membrana parasitária viável e em um cisto notou-se a membrana com o escólex viável. No restante dos 36 cistos (80%), observou-se área central contendo escólex e membrana, ambos degenerados, e necrose caseosa. No terceiro grupo de classificação morfológica dos cisticercos (Grupo 3), foram inseridos os cistos mineralizados (mortos), totalizando 53 cistos (22,9%). O aspecto macroscópico desses cisticercos caracterizava-se por lesões nodulares, amarelas, firmes ao corte, que se fragmentavam. Histologicamente observaram-se formações nodulares com área central de acentuada mineralização, rodeadas por infiltrado inflamatório granulomatoso. Dos 127 bovinos, foi realizado PCR a partir do DNA extraído dos cisticercos de 26 bovinos, no qual 24 foram positivos para cisticercose. Em relação aos dois cisticercos negativos, um deles fazia parte do Grupo 2a e o outro do Grupo 3. A correlação entre os aspectos macroscópicos e microscópicos do segundo padrão morfológico observado dentro do Grupo 2, demonstrou que esse subgrupo representa o maior problema na interpretação, pois alguns cistos apresentaram características de viabilidade. Macroscopicamente esses cisticercos podem ser identificados quando cortados, porque possuem um orifício na área central que pode auxiliar no diagnóstico.(AU)

Bovine cysticercosis is an important zoonotic parasitic disease with high prevalence in several regions of Brazil. Considering the need of improvement of the accuracy of diagnosis of these lesions, as well as the difficulty of classification of the cysts, this study aimed to correlate gross and histopathological changes of bovine cysticercosis and to use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as an aid in their identification. Cystic and nodular lesions from cattle, grossly compatible with cysticercosis, were sampled in slaughterhouses from Rio Grande do Sul State. Lesions were allotted in one of the following groups. Group 1: viable cysticercus; Group 2 (subdivided 2a e 2b): degenerating cysticercus with a potentially viable scolex; and Group 3: dead cysticercus (mineralized). The gross and microscopic aspects of every cysticerci of each group were compared. Two hundred and thirty two cysts and nodules compatible with cysticercus were sampled from 127 bovine. Twenty six of those lesions were tested with PCR. Out of 127 cattle, 46 (36.2%) had more than one cyst and the remaining 81 (63.8%) had on cyst each. Myocardium was the most frequently involved anatomical site (55.9%), followed by masseter muscle (22.8%). When there was more than one organ involved in the same bovine, myocardium a master muscle sum up 11 cases (8.6%). In general, the average of cysticercosis frequency was 10-15%. However the average in some cattle lots was in excess of 50%, 80% and 90%. Morphologically, 232 cysticerci were classified in three groups. In Group 1, 23 cysticerci (9.9%) were considered viable and were characterized by cysts of translucent or slightly opaque wall, containing clear and a white point (scolex) within the cyst. Histologically, the cysts consisted of a membrane from which a scolex of Taenia saginata invaginated. One hundred and fifty six cysts (67.2%) were allotted in Group 2; grossly these cysts revealed two different morphological patterns. In 111 (71.1%) cases of Group 2 (Group 2a) nodular caseous lesions were observed. Histologically, the cysts were characterized by nodules consisting by a central area containing the scolex and membrane, both degenerated, and caseous necrosis. In the remaining 45 (28.9%) cases of Group 2 (Group 2b), lesions were also caseous; however, at cut surface the cysts had a central hole amidst the caseous material. The microscopic aspect of the 45 cysts included in the second was similar to that of the first pattern. However in eight (17.8%) of the 45 cysts only a viable parasitic membrane was observed and in one cyst the membrane and viable scolex were observed. In the remaining 36 cases (80%), the cysts consisted of a central area containing both degenerated membrane and scolex, and caseous necrosis. In Group 3, 53 dead cysts (mineralized) (22.9%) were found among the total of 232 cysts. The gross aspect of these cysticerci was characterized by yellow form nodules which crumbled when cut. Histologically nodules were observed with marked central area of mineralization surrounded by granulomatous inflammatory response. Twenty four of the twenty cysts examined by PCR were positive for Cysticercus bovis and two of them were negative. One of the negatives was part of Group 2 (degenerated cysts) and the other one of the Group 3 (dead mineralized cysts). The correlation between gross and microscopic aspects of the second morphologic aspect of the Group 2 demonstrated that this subset represents a major complicating factor in interpretation, since a large number of these cysts reveal characteristics of viability. Grossly, these cysticerci might be identified when cut, since a hole in the central area will be observed aiding in recognizing his lesions.(AU)

Aspectos epidemiológicos e distribuição da cisticercose bovina: uma revisão / Epidemiological aspects and distribution of bovine cysticercosis: a review

A cisticercose é uma parasitose cosmopolita relevante para a saúde pública, animal e economia. Neste estudo objetivou-se analisar dados epidemiológicos da ocorrência da cisticercose bovina em diferentes continentes. Promoveu-se revisão bibliográfica em artigos científicos, dissertações e teses sobre aspectos epidemiológicos e distribuição espacial da cisticercose bovina. Observa-se que a ocorrência dessa parasitose relaciona-se com diversos fatores de natureza socioeconômica, cultural e práticas de manejo empregues em distintos sistemas de produção animal. Baseada principalmente em dados de inspeção de carnes, a ocorrência dessa parasitose tende a ser subestimada, entretanto, muitos dos casos reportados da parasitose apontam ocorrência de forma endêmica em algumas regiões da África e América Latina. A heterogeneidade na distribuição espacial da parasitose, associada a variações de fontes de infecção dos animais, justifica a necessidade de implantação de práticas de vigilância sanitária e informações adicionais referentes às práticas de criação dos animais aos frigoríficos, possibilitando identificar riscos espidemiologicos e desenvolver medidas alternativas de controle do complexo teníase cisticercose.(AU)

A cien años del inicio de la Gran Guerra: brote de triquinosis en marinos del Dresden en Chile: Crónica de una infección anunciada / A hundred years since the beginning of the Great War: trichinosis outbreak in Dresden marine in Chile: Chronicle of an announced infection

In commemoration of one hundred years of the beginning of World War I, the occurrence of an outbreak of trichinosis in the crew of the SMS Dresden, a German ship that participated in that world conflagration, is re-viewed. In September 1915, while the sailors of SMS Dresden were forcibly detained on Isla Quiriquina, Bío Bío Region, Chile, 60 individuals became ill. The cause of the outbreak was the consumption of sausages made from pork infected with the parasite Trichinella spiralis. There was a fatal case. The review of the epidemiological aspects that facilitated the presentation and spread of human trichinosis at that time allows to conclude that, pork breeded in poor hygienic conditions, meat and its by-products clandestinely sold without sanitary inspection and the language barrier were determinant in the occurrence of the epidemic outbreak.

A propósito de la conmemoración de los cien años del inicio de la Primera Guerra Mundial, se revisa la ocurrencia de un brote epidémico de triquinosis en tripulantes del SMS Dresden, buque alemán que participó en esa conflagración mundial. Este suceso, acaecido en septiembre de 1915, ocurrió mientras los marinos se encontraban forzosamente recluidos en la Isla Quiriquina, Región del Bío Bío, Chile. La causa del brote fue el consumo de embutidos fabricados a partir de carne de cerdo infectada con el parásito Trichinella spiralis e involucró a 60 mari-neros, de los cuales hubo un caso fatal. La revisión de los aspectos epidemiológicos que favorecían la presentación de triquinosis humana en la época permite concluir que, la crianza porcina en malas condiciones higiénicas, la venta clandestina de carnes y subproductos sin inspección sanitaria y la barrera idiomática fueron determinantes en la ocurrencia del brote epidémico.

Transmissão da doença de Chagas por consumo de carne de caça: revisão sistemática / Chagas disease transmission by consumption of game meat: systematic review

RESUMO: Objetivo: Avaliar a influência do consumo de carne de caça na transmissão da doença de Chagas (DC), assim como as condições em que ela ocorre e a frequência de relatos na literatura. Métodos: Mediante revisão sistemática, foram consultadas as bases PubMed, LILACS, MEDLINE e SciELO, sendo incluídos artigos escritos em português, inglês e espanhol, sem limitação do ano de publicação. Os descritores utilizados foram: oral, transmission, meat, wild animals, hunt, carnivory e Chagas disease, sendo inseridos na análise os artigos que mencionavam o consumo de carne de animais como forma de transmissão humana da DC. Foram utilizados critérios de evidência epidemiológico, clínico e laboratorial. Resultados: Entre os 298 artigos identificados, apenas seis preencheram os critérios de elegibilidade. Foram identificados somente cinco episódios de transmissão oral por consumo de carne ou sangue de animais silvestres, porém em dois deles não foi possível afastar a possibilidade de transmissão vetorial. A maior parte dos relatos preencheu os critérios de evidência epidemiológico, clínico e laboratorial, estabelecidos para sustentar a transmissão. Conclusão: Apesar da transmissão de DC ser incomum, a caça e o consumo de mamíferos silvestres reservatórios devem ser desestimulados nos países endêmicos em função dos riscos inerentes a essas práticas.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To evaluate the influence of game meat consumption in Chagas disease (CD) transmission, the conditions under which it occurs and the frequency of reports in the literature. Methods: Through systematic review, databases PubMed, LILACS, MEDLINE, and SciELO were consulted, and articles written in Portuguese, English, and Spanish were included, with no limitation over publication date. We used the following descriptors: oral, transmission, meat, wild animals, hunt, carnivory, and Chagas disease. Articles that mentioned consumption of animal meat as a form of human transmission of CD were included. We used epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory evidence criteria to confirm cases. Results: Among the 298 articles identified, only six met the eligibility criteria. Only five episodes of oral transmission through wild animal meat or blood consumption were identified. However, in two of them, the possibility of vectorial transmission could not be ruled out. Most reports met the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory evidence criteria established to support the transmission. Conclusion: Though CD transmission is uncommon, hunting and consumption of wild mammals that serve as Trypanosoma cruzi reservoirs should be discouraged in endemic countries in light of the risks inherent to these practices.

HUMAN TOXOPLASMOSIS OUTBREAKS AND THE AGENT INFECTING FORM. FINDINGS FROM A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW / Surtos de toxoplasmose humana e a forma infectante do agente. Achados de revisão sistemática

SUMMARY Toxoplasmosis, a worldwide highly prevalent zoonotic infection, is transmitted either by the oocysts, from water and soil, or the tissue cysts, in raw or undercooked infected meat, of Toxoplasma gondii. An ongoing debate is whether there are differences between the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the outbreaks due to one or the other infective form of the agent. We performed a systematic review, recovering 437 reported outbreaks of which 38 were selected. They were complete reports containing ascribed Toxoplasma infecting form, and clinical and demographic data. There was no gender or age group selection in the outbreaks, which were described more often in the Americas. A large number of individuals were affected when oocysts, associated with soil and water contaminated with cat feces, were considered the transmission source. Onset of symptoms occurred early when the infection was ascribed to meat tissue cysts (11.4 ± 6.7 days) with sharpened temporal distribution of cases, while a broader and prolonged appearance of new cases was observed when oocysts in water were the source of the infection (20 ± 7 days, p < 0.001). Such information may be useful in the design and implementation of control strategies.

RESUMO Toxoplasmose, infecção zoonótica altamente prevalente no mundo, é transmitida pela ingestão de oocistos em água e solo ou cistos teciduais em carne crua ou mal cozida. Um debate em andamento é se há diferenças nas características clínicas e epidemiológicas de surtos devido a uma ou outra forma infectante do agente. Realizamos revisão sistemática a partir de 437 relatos de surtos da doença, selecionando 38 artigos completos que descreveram a forma infectante do Toxoplasmacom dados clínicos e epidemiológicos. Não houve seleção por gênero ou faixa etária nos surtos, descritos mais frequentemente nas Américas. Quantidade maior de indivíduos foi afetada quando oocistos, associados com solo ou água contaminados com fezes de gato, foram considerados a fonte de transmissão. O início dos sintomas ocorreu mais precocemente quando a infecção foi atribuída a cistos na carne (11,4 ± 6,7 dias) com distribuição temporal nítida de casos, embora um aspecto mais amplo e prolongado de novos casos foi observado quando oocistos na água foram a fonte de infecção (20 ± 7 dias, p< 0.001). Essas informações podem ser úteis no desenvolvimento e implantação de estratégias de controle.

An Outbreak of Trichinellosis by Consumption of Raw Soft-Shelled Turtle Meat in Korea

Trichinellosis transmission to humans via the consumption of reptile meat is rare worldwide. In Korea, however, 2 such outbreaks, possibly via consumption of soft-shelled turtle meat, have occurred in 2 successive years. In 17 August 2014, 6 patients were admitted to Wonju Severance Christian Hospital complaining of myalgia, fever, and headache. Eosinophilia was the indication of the initial laboratory results, and they were eventually diagnosed as trichinellosis by ELISA. All of the patients worked at the same company and had eaten raw soft-shelled turtle meat at a company dinner 10 days prior to their admission. They were treated with albendazole for 2 weeks, upon which all of their symptoms disappeared. This is the 8th report on human trichinellosis in Korea, and the second implicating raw soft-shelled turtle meat.

Parasites transmitted to human by ingestion of different types of meat, El-Minia City, El-Minia Governorate, Egypt

Meat-borne parasites are Sarcocystis species, Toxoplasma gondii, Taenia saginata, Taenia solium and Trichinella spiralis. A total of 300 animals including 100 cattle, 100 goat, and 100 pigs, slaughtered in El-Minia governmental slaughterhouses. From each animal, five samples were taken from different muscles [esophageal, tongue and cardiac] and different organs [liver and brain]. Meat samples were examined macroscopic and microscopic [direct, homogenization and H and E staining] for detection of the above-mentioned parasites. Serum samples were subjected to IHA for detection of T. gondii specific antibodies. This study revealed that Sarcocystis species were the highest parasites that could be detected, with overall prevalence of 80%, which was statistically significant [P

Transmisión oral de Trypanosoma cruzi: una nueva situación epidemiológica de la enfermedad de Chagas en Colombia y otros países suramericanos / Oral transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi : a new epidemiological scenario for Chagas´ disease in Colombia and other South American countries

Durante la última década se han reportado numerosos casos de infección por Trypanosoma cruzi por vía oral, debidos a la contaminación de alimentos con heces de triatominos silvestres o con secreciones de reservorios en áreas donde los vectores domiciliados han sido controlados o no hay antecedentes de domiciliación. Con base en criterios epidemiológicos, clínicos y socioeconómicos, la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y la Alimentación (FAO) y la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) establecieron una clasificación de los parásitos transmitidos por contaminación de alimentos en diferentes regiones del mundo, en la cual T. cruzi ocupó el décimo lugar de importancia en un grupo de 24 parásitos. Los cambios ambientales, como la deforestación y el calentamiento global, han afectado los ecotopos y el comportamiento de los vectores y de los reservorios de T. cruzi , de manera que estos se han desplazado a nuevas zonas, generando una nueva forma de transmisión por contaminación de alimentos que requiere su evaluación en el país. La presente revisión aborda la transmisión oral de la enfermedad de Chagas con énfasis en los estudios orientados a identificar los factores de riesgo, las especies de triatominos involucrados, la fisiopatología de la infección oral y los genotipos del parásito que están implicados en esta forma de transmisión en Colombia y en otras regiones de América Latina, así como la necesidad de adoptar políticas para su control y vigilancia epidemiológica.

Many cases of infection caused by the oral transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi have been reported during the last decade. These have been due to the contamination of food by faeces from sylvatic triatomines or by leakage from reservoirs in areas where domiciliated vectors have been controlled or where there has been no prior background of domiciliation. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have used epidemiological, clinical and socioeconomic criteria for ranking parasites transmitted by the contamination of food in different areas of the world; T. cruzi was placed tenth in importance amongst a group of 24 parasites in such ranking. Environmental changes such as deforestation and global warming have affected ecotopes and the behaviour of T. cruzi vectors and reservoirs so that these have become displaced to new areas, thereby leading to such new transmission scenario caused by the contamination of food, which requires evaluation in Colombia. The current review deals with the oral transmission of Chagas´ disease, emphasising studies aimed at identifying the pertinent risk factors, the triatomine species involved, the physiopathology of oral infection, the parasite´s genotypes implicated in this type of transmission in Colombia and other Latin American regions, as well as the need for ongoing epidemiological surveillance and control policies.

Current Status of Taeniasis and Cysticercosis in Vietnam

Several reports on taeniasis and cysticercosis in Vietnam show that they are distributed in over 50 of 63 provinces. In some endemic areas, the prevalence of taeniasis was 0.2-12.0% and that of cysticercosis was 1.0-7.2%. The major symptoms of taeniasis included fidgeted anus, proglottids moving out of the anus, and proglottids in the feces. Clinical manifestations of cysticercosis in humans included subcutaneous nodules, epileptic seizures, severe headach, impaired vision, and memory loss. The species identification of Taenia in Vietnam included Taenia asiatica, Taenia saginata, and Taenia solium based on combined morphology and molecular methods. Only T. solium caused cysticercosis in humans. Praziquantel was chosen for treatment of taeniasis and albendazole for treatment of cysticercosis. The infection rate of cysticercus cellulosae in pigs was 0.04% at Hanoi slaughterhouses, 0.03-0.31% at provincial slaughterhouses in the north, and 0.9% in provincial slaughterhouses in the southern region of Vietnam. The infection rate of cysticercus bovis in cattle was 0.03-2.17% at Hanoi slaughterhouses. Risk factors investigated with regard to transmission of Taenia suggested that consumption of raw meat (eating raw meat 4.5-74.3%), inadequate or absent meat inspection and control, poor sanitation in some endemic areas, and use of untreated human waste as a fertilizer for crops may play important roles in Vietnam, although this remains to be validated.

Recent Situation of Taeniasis in Mongolia (2002-2012)

Epidemiological situation of taeniasis in Mongolia was assessed based on mitochondrial DNA identification of the parasite species. Multiplex PCR was used on a total of 194 proglottid specimens of Taenia species and copro-PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays were utilized for detection of copro-DNA of 37 fecal samples from taeniasis patients submitted to the Mongolian National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) from 2002 to 2012. In addition, 4 out of 44 calcified cysts in beef kept in formalin since 2003 were evaluated for histopathological confirmation of cattle cysticercosis. All proglottid specimens and stool samples were confirmed to be Taenia saginata by multiplex PCR and by copro-PCR and LAMP, respectively. Cysts collected from cattle were morphologically confirmed to be metacestodes of Taenia species. T. saginata taeniasis was identified from almost all ages from a 2-year-old boy up to a 88-year-old woman and most prominently in 15-29 age group (37%, 74/198) followed by 30-44 age group (34.8%, 69/198 ) from 15 of Mongolia's 21 provinces, while cattle cysticerci were found from 12 provinces. The highest proportion of taeniasis patients was in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.

Analysis of distribution and pathological characteristics of 9 fatal trichinosis cases in Yunnan / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore forensic pathology features of the fatal trichinosis cases and to summarize the population distribution characteristics of trichinosis in Yunnan.@*METHODS@#Nine recent fatal trichinosis cases were collected from the Forensic Science Identification Center of Kunming Forensic Hospital. Pathological and epidemiological characteristics of trichinosis were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The nine cases were all died in heart failure due to myocarditis. Among them, 1 case was complicated by encephalitis and 3 cases were complicated by pneumonia. The population mainly involved Bai and Dai nationalities. The geographic distribution was concentrated in Dali, Dehong, Lincang, Xishuangbanna, etc. The cases commonly appeared in winter and spring.@*CONCLUSION@#The cause of trichinosis is closely due to the habit of eating raw pork. It can be diagnosis through the pathological changes of the muscle system in the death cases.

An Outbreak of Trichinosis with Molecular Identification of Trichinella sp. in Vietnam

The 5th outbreak of trichinosis occurred in a mountainous area of North Vietnam in 2012, involving 24 patients among 27 people who consumed raw pork together. Six of these patients visited several hospitals in Hanoi for treatment. Similar clinical symptoms appeared in these patients within 5-8 days after eating infected raw pork, which consisted of fever, muscle pain, difficult moving, edema, difficult swallowing, and difficult breathing. ELISA revealed all (6/6) positive reactions against Trichinella spiralis antigen and all cases showed positive biopsy results for Trichinella sp. larvae in the muscle. The larvae detected in the patients were identified as T. spiralis (Vietnamese strain) by the molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (cox3) gene.

An Outbreak of Trichinellosis with Detection of Trichinella Larvae in Leftover Wild Boar Meat

The clinical diagnosis of trichinellosis can be difficult due to lack of pathognomonic signs or symptoms. In Korea, since the first report of human infection by Trichinella spiralis in 1997 following the consumption of raw badger meat, there have been occasional trichinellosis outbreaks. We describe an outbreak of 12 cases of trichinellosis in Korea and implicate raw wild boar meat as the culprit. A total of 27 larvae of Trichinella (0.54 larvae per gram of meat) were recovered from the leftover raw wild boar meat.

The Fifth Outbreak of Trichinosis in Korea

Trichinosis is a food-borne zoonotic disease caused by the nematode, Trichinella spp., and had been reported several times in Korea. Recently, there was an additional outbreak, involving 5 patients, the findings from which are reported herein. On 30 November 2010, 8 persons ate sashimi of the meat of a wild boar. Then, 2-3 weeks later, they complained of myalgia and fever. Unfortunately, muscle biopsy was not performed, but ELISA was performed using their sera. Two people among 8 were positive for Trichinella on the 34th day post-infection (PI), and 3 patients who initially revealed negative ELISA were additionally proved to be positive for trichinosis on the 42nd day PI. Hence, the confirmed patients of trichinosis were 5 in total in the present outbreak. They were treated with albendazole and discharged uneventfully. This was the fifth outbreak of trichinosis in Korea.