Primer reporte de Cyclospora cayetanensis en una comunidad indígena Kariña del municipio Sucre, estado Sucre, Venezuela / First report of Cyclospora cayetanensis in an indigenous Kariña A community in Sucre state, Venezuela

Cyclospora cayetanensis es un protozoario emergente, considerado un patógeno importante causante de diarrea endémica y epidémica en niños y adultos en todo el mundo. En el estado Sucre, son escasas las investigaciones dedicadas al diagnóstico de los coccidios intestinales y se desconocen los aspectos epidemiológicos asociados con estos parásitos. En este sentido, se realizó un estudio en la comunidad indígena Kariña de Piñantal, estado Sucre, Venezuela, con la finalidad de determinar la prevalencia de las enteroparasitosis haciendo énfasis en los coccidios intestinales. Para ello, se recolectaron 141 muestras fecales de individuos de ambos géneros con edades comprendidas entre 0 y 60 años. El diagnóstico parasitológico se realizó mediante el examen directo, técnica de filtración de formol al 5%, dicromato de potasio al 2,5%, coloración de Kinyoun y micrometría ocular. La prevalencia de enteroparasitosis fue de 82,98%, destacándose el cromista Blastocystis spp. (60,80%), Endolimax nana (24,70%) y Ascaris lumbricoides (25,53%). De los coccidios intestinales evaluados, sólo se encontró Cyclospora cayetanensis (10%), resultando los individuos menores de 20 años los más afectados (85,71%); esta alta prevalencia de C. cayetanensis refleja precarias condiciones de vida asociadas con insalubridad y falta de educación en la población indígena Kariña. De los individuos con ciclosporiosis, sólo el 36% presentó diarrea y el 64% restante resultaron portadores asintomáticos, lo que representa un riesgo epidemiológico que debe ser tomado en cuenta por los organismos sanitarios competentes para la implementación del diagnóstico de coccidios de forma rutinaria, contribuyendo así a la prevención de brotes.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is an emerging protozoan pathogen considered as a major cause of endemic and epidemic diarrhea in children and adults worldwide. In Sucre state, Venezuela, few investigations have focused on the diagnosis of intestinal coccidia, and the epidemiological aspects associated with these intestinal parasites are unknown. The prevalence of enteroparasitosis, in particular intestinal coccidian, was studied in an indigenous Kariña community in Piñantal, Sucre state, Venezuela. A total of 141 fecal specimens were collected from individuals of both sexes, aged between 0 and 60 years. Parasitological diagnosis was done by direct examination, filtration technique with 5% formalin, 2.5% potassium dichromate, Kinyoun stain and ocular micrometry. The total prevalence of intestinal parasites was 82.98% with the chromista Blastocystis spp. (60.8%), Endolimax nana (24.7%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (25.53%), being the most abundant species. Of the evaluated intestinal coccidia, only Cyclospora cayetanensis (10%) was found, with individuals under 20 years old being the most affected (85.71%). The high prevalence of C. cayetanensis reflects inadequate living conditions associated with poor health and a lack of education among the indigenous Kariña population. Of the individuals infected with Cyclosporiosis, only 36% had diarrhea and the remaining 64% were asymptomatic carriers, these latter representing an epidemiological risk. This should be taken into account by the competent health authorities and the diagnosis of coccidia conducted routinely in order to reduce outbreaks.

Parasitism in optima forma: exploiting the host fibrinolytic system for invasion.

The interaction of pathogenic bacteria with the host fibrinolytic system through the plasminogen molecule has been well documented. It has been shown, using animal models, to be important in invasion into the host and establishment of the infection. From a number of recent observations with parasitic protists and helminths, emerges evidence that also in these organisms the interaction with plasminogen may be important for infection and virulence. A group of molecules that act as plasminogen receptors have been identified in parasites. This group comprises the glycolytic enzymes enolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and fructose-1,6-biphosphate aldolase, in common with the plasminogen receptors known in prokaryotic pathogens. The interaction with the fibrinolytic system may arm the parasites with the host protease plasmin, thus helping them to migrate and cross barriers, infect cells and avoid clot formation. In this context, plasminogen receptors on the parasite surface or as secreted molecules, may be considered virulence factors. A possible evolutionary scenario for the recruitment of glycolytic enzymes as plasminogen receptors by widely different pathogens is discussed.

Plasminogen binding proteins in secreted membrane vesicles of Leishmania mexicana.

Membrane vesicles secreted by Leishmania mexicana were collected and analyzed. These vesicles can bind plasminogen and were shown to contain enolase, previously identified as a plasminogen-binding protein. In addition, another plasminogen-binding protein was identified, the small myristoylated protein, SMP-1. Recombinant SMP-1 was able to bind plasminogen in a lysine-dependent manner with a K(d) value of 0.24 µM. The C-terminal lysine seems to be responsible for this binding, since this recognition decreases upon carboxypeptidase B treatment. This protein was present within the secreted membrane vesicles as demonstrated by its protection from trypsin digestion in the absence of Triton X-100. Plasminogen-binding proteins in the secreted vesicles may be involved in parasite invasion in the mammalian host.

Protozoarios en aguas superficiales y muestras fecales de individuos de poblaciones rurales del municipio Montes, estado Sucre, Venezuela / Protozoans in superficial waters and faecal samples of individuals of rural populations of the Montes municipality, Sucre state, Venezuela

En el estado Sucre, el Río Manzanares se ve amenazado por actividades domésticas, agrícolas e industriales originadas por el hombre, convirtiéndose en factor de riesgo ambiental para sus habitantes. En este sentido se planteó evaluar la presencia de protozoarios en aguas superficiales de afluentes del Río Manzanares (Río Orinoco, Quebrada Seca, Río San Juan), municipio Montes, estado Sucre, Venezuela, así como también el análisis de muestras fecales de los habitantes de poblados aledaños. Se recolectaron muestras de aguas superficiales de los afluentes en estudio y fecales entre mayo 2006-abril 2007. Las muestras de aguas superficiales se procesaron con sedimentación por centrifugación, floculación y tinciones de Kinyoun y tricrómica; las muestras fecales se sometieron a examen directo con solución salina fisiológica y lugol, Ritchie modificado y las coloraciones antes mencionadas. Los protozoarios observados con mayor frecuencia en las aguas superficiales en los afluentes fueron: Amebas, Blastocystis sp., Endolimax sp., Chilomastix sp. y Giardia sp. Mientras que Blastocystis hominis, Endolimax nana y Entaomeba coli fueron los de mayor frecuencia observada en las muestras fecales. Los habitantes de Orinoco La Peña resultaron ser los más afectados por las infecciones parasitarias (77,60%), seguido de Río San Juan con 46,63%, y Quebrada Seca con 39,49%. La presencia de protozoarios patógenos y no patógenos en las aguas superficiales demuestra la contaminación fecal de los afluentes evaluados, por lo que representa un foco de infección permanente para los individuos que viven en las cercanías de estas aguas, esto se refleja por la observación de los mismos parásitos en ambas muestras.

In Sucre state, the Manzanares river is threatened by domestic, agricultural and industrial activities, becoming an environmental risk factor for its inhabitants. In this sense, the presence of protozoans in superficial waters of tributaries of the Manzanares river (Orinoco river, Quebrada Seca, San Juan river), Montes municipality, Sucre state, as well as the analysis of faecal samples from inhabitants of towns bordering these tributaries were evaluated. We collected faecal and water samples from may 2006 through april 2007. The superficial water samples were processed after centrifugation by the direct examination and floculation, using lugol, modified Kinyoun and trichromic colorations. Fecal samples where analyzed by direct examination with physiological saline solution and the modified Ritchie concentration method and using the other colorations techniques above mentioned. The most frequently observed protozoans in superficial waters in the three tributaries were: Amoebas, Blastocystis sp, Endolimax sp., Chilomastix sp. and Giardia sp. Whereas in faecal samples, Blastocystis hominis, Endolimax nana and Entaomeba coli had the greatest frequencies in the three communities. The inhabitants of Orinoco La Peña turned out to be most susceptible to these parasitic infections (77.60%), followed by San Juan River (46.63%) and Quebrada Seca (39.49%). The presence of pathogenic and nonpathogenic protozoans in superficial waters demonstrates the faecal contamination of the tributaries, representing a constant focus of infection for their inhabitants, inferred by the observation of the same species in both types of samples.

[Protozoans in superficial waters and faecal samples of individuals of rural populations of the Montes municipality, Sucre state, Venezuela]. / Protozoarios en aguas superficiales y muestras fecales de individuos de poblaciones rurales del municipio Montes, estado Sucre, Venezuela.

In Sucre state, the Manzanares river is threatened by domestic, agricultural and industrial activities, becoming an environmental risk factor for its inhabitants. In this sense, the presence of protozoans in superficial waters of tributaries of the Manzanares river (Orinoco river, Quebrada Seca, San Juan river), Montes municipality, Sucre state, as well as the analysis of faecal samples from inhabitants of towns bordering these tributaries were evaluated. We collected faecal and water samples from may 2006 through april 2007. The superficial water samples were processed after centrifugation by the direct examination and floculation, using lugol, modified Kinyoun and trichromic colorations. Fecal samples where analyzed by direct examination with physiological saline solution and the modified Ritchie concentration method and using the other colorations techniques above mentioned. The most frequently observed protozoans in superficial waters in the three tributaries were: Amoebas, Blastocystis sp, Endolimax sp., Chilomastix sp. and Giardia sp. Whereas in faecal samples, Blastocystis hominis, Endolimax nana and Entaomeba coli had the greatest frequencies in the three communities. The inhabitants of Orinoco La Peña turned out to be most susceptible to these parasitic infections (77.60%), followed by San Juan River (46.63%) and Quebrada Seca (39.49%). The presence of pathogenic and nonpathogenic protozoans in superficial waters demonstrates the faecal contamination of the tributaries, representing a constant focus of infection for their inhabitants, inferred by the observation of the same species in both types of samples.

Diarrhea due to Cyclospora-like organism in an immunocompetent patient.

Cyclospora cayetanensis infection continues to be a major cause of diarrhea particularly in immunosuppressed patients. The emergence of new related parasite pathogens, is an issue of public health concern. We report here a case where a Cyclospora-like organism was the cause of diarrhea in an immunocompetent patient from Venezuela.

Relación entre la helmintiasis intestinal y el estado nutricional-hematológico en niños de una escuela rural en el estado Sucre Venezuela / Relantionship between intestinal helminthiasis and Nutritional-haematologic status on rural schoolchildren at Sucre state Venezuela

Se realizó una evaluación parasitológica, nutricional y hematológica en 103 niños de ambos sexos, entre 4-12 años de una escuela rural en Santa Fe, estado Sucre, Venezuela, durante el período enero-marzo 2003. Las muestras de heces se analizaron mediante un examen al fresco, Willis-Malloy y Kato-Katz cuantitativo. El estado nutricional se determinó utilizando la combinación de los índices antropométricos. Los parámetros hematológicos fueron evaluados por los métodos clásicos, y el grado de eosinofilia se expresó en valores absolutos de eosinófilos. 93,2 por ciento de los escolares estaban parasitados, presentando elevado poliparasitismo (83,3 por ciento). La prevalencia de helmintos intestinales fue de 82, por ciento, destacando la asociación de Trichuris trichiura y Ascaris lumbricoides (69,4 por ciento) y predominando una intensidad de infestación leve. De los individuos con desnutrición, el 91,2 por ciento (31/34) tenían helmintiasis. En 97,6 por ciento de los escolares infestados por helmintos se encontró eosinofilia (p<0,001). Del 23,3 por ciento de los niños con anemia, 83,3 por ciento (20/24) presentaron helmintiasis. El 88,8 por ciento de los niños con helmintiasis intestinal pertenecían al estrato socioeconómico V. Estos hallazgos sugieren que la población escolar evaluada habita en una zona hiperendémica de helmintos, consistente con el estrato socioeconómico encontrado. Adicionalmente, se estableció que la eosinofilia en estos escolares es un factor asociado a la helmintiasis intestinal