Superoxide Dismutase Inhibitors against Malaria, Leishmaniasis, and Chagas Disease: Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Diseases caused by protozoa are one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially in tropical regions such as Brazil. Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and malaria are responsible for around 234 million cases and more than 400,000 deaths worldwide. Despite this scenario, drugs for these diseases have several limitations, which justifies the search for new treatments. Iron superoxide dismutase is a promising target for the drug design to treat patients with these diseases. It is a validated target and protects against oxidative stress. AIM: Thus, this systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on the importance of superoxide dismutase in the drug design to treat patients with this protozoosis. METHODS: A search was performed for in vitro and in vivo studies, without publication and language restrictions, in MEDLINE (PubMed), LILACS (BVS), Science Direct, and EMBASE (Elsevier). Studies that pointed to the relationship between the reduction or increase in superoxide dismutase activity and the diseases were included. 23 studies were selected for the qualitative synthesis. RESULTS: The results showed that the inhibition or reduction of the enzyme activity decreases the degree of infection and reinfection and improves the results in treating these diseases. In contrast, the increase in activity caused a high degree of survival and resistance of the parasites. CONCLUSION: However, the overall quality of evidence is low and more studies with methodological rigor are provided.

Intestinal parasite infections associated with sociodemographic and seasonal factors in the Western Amazon.

Intestinal parasites are a constant public health problem in the Amazon region, with a high prevalence of cases related to poor sanitary conditions. We investigated the sociodemographic and seasonal factors associated with human intestinal parasite infections in an area of the Western Amazon, Brazil, from September 2017 to August 2019. Data were collected using a database available at the Diagnostic Support Centre (Centro de Apoio ao Diagnóstico, CAD) of the Municipality of Rio Branco, on positive diagnoses for intestinal parasites. Among the 53,200 samples analysed, 18.3% (n = 9712) were positive. Of these, 96.4% (n = 9363) and 3.6% (n = 349) were protozoan and helminthic infections, respectively. Males showed higher odds ratio (OR) for Enterobius vermicularis infection (OR: 2.3) and giardiasis (OR: 1.9) and lower OR for Endolimax nana (OR: 0.9) and Entamoeba coli (OR: 0.9) infections. Individuals aged ≥ 15 presented higher OR for Strongyloides stercoralis (OR: 3.4), hookworms (OR: 2.3), and almost all protozoan infections than younger individuals. In the dry season, the OR for hookworms (OR: 1.5), Iodamoeba butschlii (OR: 1.4), and Endolimax nana (OR: 1.3) infections was higher than that in the rainy season, including a high chance of polyparasitism (OR: 1.6). We concluded that there was a significant difference between the different types of intestinal parasites, particularly protozoa, with high OR in the dry season and for certain groups.

Prevalence and diversity of Eimeria spp. in free-range chickens in northeastern Brazil.

In tropical regions, family farming is a form of production and work that is highly present in rural areas. Because the production system for free-range chickens has a low level of technification, it frequently presents massive infection by coccidia. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and diversity of Eimeria species in free-range chickens in northeastern Brazil. Fecal analyses were carried out using materials collected from 100 farms, belonging to 10 different municipalities. The sample from each farm was composed of five stool samples collected from different animals. Coproparasitological analyses were performed and, in each positive sample, photomicrographs of 20 oocysts were used for morphological identification of coccidia. The presence of Eimeria spp. was detected in 59% (59/100) of the farms analyzed. Species identification was performed through morphometric analysis of 1,180 sporulated oocysts. The following eight species of Eimeria spp. were found, in decreasing order of prevalence: Eimeria necatrix (25%), Eimeria mitis (18.3%), Eimeria mivati (17.3%), Eimeria tenella (12.4%), Eimeria brunetti (9.9%), Eimeria acervulina (9.1%), Eimeria praecox (4.8%) and Eimeria maxima (3.2%). The prevalence and diversity of Eimeria spp. on farms producing backyard chickens in the semiarid region of Brazil were high, especially the diversity of species. Changing the management, with the adoption of sanitary measures, may be effective in reducing the high prevalence of coccidia on the farms studied.

Atualidades sobre giardíase / Updates on giardiasis

A giardíase é uma parasitose intestinal amplamente distribuída pelo mundo, com alta prevalência em países em desenvolvimento, inclusive o Brasil. Embora seja uma infecção com bom prognóstico, pode apresentar gravidade em pessoas com desnutrição, fibrose cística ou algumas imunodeficiências. Este artigo tem como objetivo atualizar os principais aspectos da giardíase.

Giardiasis is an intestinal parasite widely distributed around the globe with high prevalence in developing countries, including Brazil. Although it is an infection with a good prognosis may present serious in people with malnutrition, cystic fibrosis or certain immunodeficiencies. The aim of this paper is to perform an update on key aspects of giardiasis.

Avaliação das condições habitacionais e de saúde da comunidade quilombola Boqueirão, Bahia, Brasil / Evaluation of housing and health conditions of Boqueirão afro descendant community, state of Bahia, Brazil

A comunidade quilombola Boqueirão situada no município de Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brasil é formada por cerca de 500 indivíduos, e possui um único açude, com livre acesso de animais, utilizado para lavagem de roupa e coleta de água para utilização doméstica. O abastecimento de água é precário, assim como não há saneamento básico, visto que não existe água encanada e esgotamento sanitário, o que resulta no despejo de dejetos no açude e solos, comprometendo a qualidade da água consumida. Esses fatores associados ao acesso restrito da população aos serviços de saúde tornam esses indivíduos vulneráveis a doenças como infecções parasitárias. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar o levantamento das condições de habitação e saúde dos moradores do quilombo Boqueirão. A amostra foi composta por 467 indivíduos, que responderam a um questionário baseado em suas condições de moradia e saúde. Destes, 404 foram submetidos ao exame parasitológico de fezes para o diagnóstico de infecções parasitárias. A população é formada predominantemente por jovens ou adultos, lavradores, e a maioria das casas não possui água encanada e sanitário. A maioria da população utiliza exclusivamente o Sistema Único de Saúde, sendo a hipertensão arterial a doença pré-existente mais relatada. Em relação às parasitoses intestinais, as protozooses foram mais prevalentes que as helmintíases. A precariedade das moradias, do abastecimento de água e das condições de saneamento básico reflete o perfil sócioeconômico da população e a deficiência nas políticas públicas voltadas para a comunidade, justificando os dados encontrados referentes à prevalência de doenças crônicas e parasitárias.

The Boqueirão is an afro descendant community located in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil formed by about 500 individuals. This community has an only dam, where animals have free access, used frequently for washing clothes and water collection for domestic use. The water supply is precarious, as well as the basic sanitation, since it does not exist canalized water and sanitary exhaustion. It results in the ousting of dejections in the dam and ground, compromising the quality of the consumed water. These factors associated to limited access of the population health services become these individuals vulnerable to parasitic infections. The aim of this work is register the habitation and health conditions of the Boqueirão community. The sample was composed by 467 individuals that answered a questionnaire about their housing and health conditions. Of these, 404 had been submitted to fecal exam for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases. The population is formed predominantly by young or adult, agricultural worker, and most of houses have not canalized water and bathroom. Most of population uses only the public system of health and the high blood pressure was the most reported preexisting disease. In relation to the intestinal parasitisms, the protozoan infections were more prevalent than helminthic infections. The precarious conditions of habitation, water supply and basic sanitation reflect the social and economic population profiles and the inefficiency of health public politics for the community that explains the data found regarding the prevalence of chronic and parasitic diseases.

Enteroparasitosis en niños menores de 12 años del estado Anzoátegui, Venezuela / Enteroparasites in children under 12 years old at Anzoategui State, Venezuela

Las parasitosis intestinales representan uno de los problemas más importantes de salud en Venezuela desde los puntos de vista de salud pública y desarrollo socioeconómico. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la prevalencia de enteroparásitos en niños menores de 12 años de 45 comunidades del estado Anzoátegui, Venezuela. Se analizaron 5.876 muestras mediante examen directo y concentración por Kato, y se describieron las características geotopográficas por municipios, señalándose el parásito marcador de la localidad. La prevalencia general fue de 74,6%, siendo significativamente mayor en niños de 4-9 años (53,8%). Globalmente predominaron los protozoarios (82,5%), Blastocystis spp. (25,9%), Giardia intestinalis (20,6%) y Entamoeba coli (18,4%). Entre los helmintos los más comunes fueron Ascaris lumbricoides (6,9%), Trichuris trichiura (6,4%) y anquilostomideos (2,7%). Se concluyó que existe una elevada prevalencia de enteroparasitosis en la población infantil evaluada de la geografía anzoatiguense, abarcando costa, región montañosa con su piedemonte y las planicies de la mesa de Guanipa. El poliparasitismo a expensas de comensales observado en algunas comunidades, alerta sobre las precarias condiciones de salubridad que poseen, particularmente respecto a la calidad sanitaria del agua de consumo. Se sugiere realizar actividades de intervención educativa frecuentes para disminuir este problema de salud pública.

Intestinal parasitic diseases represent one of the most important health problems in Venezuela from both public health and socioeconomic development points of view. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of enteroparasites in children under 12 years old at 45 communities of Anzoategui State, Venezuela. The study included the analysis of 5,876 samples taken by direct examination and Kato concentration, and the geotopographic characteristics were described by municipality, identifying the marker parasite per locality. The overall prevalence was 74.6%, significantly higher in children 4-9 years old (53.8%). Globally, protozoa predominated (82.5%): Blastocytis spp. (25.9%), Giardia intestinalis (20.6%) and Entamoeba coli (18.4%). Among helmints, the most common were Ascaris lumbricoides (6.9%), Trichuris trichiura (6.4%), and hookworms (2.7%). It was concluded that there is a high prevalence of enteroparasites in the child population of the Anzoategui State geography evaluated, which includes a mountainous region with its piedmont and the plane regions of the Guanipa mesa. The polyparasitism at the expense of commensals observed in some communities reflects their precarious sanitary conditions, especially regarding the quality of the drinking water available, suggesting that health education activities be carried out frequently to decrease this public health problem.

Giardíase: aspectos gerais / Giardiasis: general aspects

A parasitose por Giardia intestinalis é de distribuição mundial. Sua prevalência no Brasil é alta em algumas regiões, principalmente naquelas onde o saneamento básico e as medidas higiênicas são precários. Acomete com mais frequência crianças de zero a seis anos. Geralmente é uma parasitose sem intercorrências graves, mas cabe maior atenção quando acomete pessoas com desnutrição, fibrose cística ou algumas imunodeficiências. O diagnóstico clínico é impreciso, sendo, então, necessários os métodos laboratoriais. O tratamento é simples e eficaz. Embora a Giardia intestinalis seja extremamente infecciosa, a doença pode ser prevenida. O objetivo deste artigo é discorrer sobre os principais aspectos da giardíase.

Manifestaciones clínicas y diagnóstico parasitológico de la infección intestinal causada por dientamoeba Fragilis

Dientamoeba fragilis (Df), un flagelado intestinal humano del orden Trichomonadida, ha sido asociado con síntomas gastrointestinales. El diagnóstico se hace por la observación de trofozoítos binucleados en las heces, en cultivo, o con biología molecular. En este trabajo se integran datos clínicos y parasitológicos de pacientes con Df, para establecer una relación con los síntomas, asociación con otros parásitos intestinales y evaluar los métodos de diagnóstico parasitológico. De 3729 pacientes evaluados entre 1974 y 2005, en el Laboratorio de Amibiasis, Cátedra de Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, se encontró 51 casos (1,4%) con Df, en 33,3% como único agente y en 66,7% asociado con otros protozoarios. La asociación mas frecuente fue con Blastocystis hominis (Bh) (35,3 %), o Bh y otros protozoarios (31,4%). No se observó asociación con nemátodos intestinales. En 16 pacientes con Df sola y en 28 asociada con Bh y comensales, los síntomas más frecuentes fueron respectivamente: diarrea (64,7% y 32,1%), dolor abdominal (11,7% y 25%), vómitos (11,7% y 14,4%). La frecuencia de Df en el grupo etario entre 1-10 años fue 39,2% y resultó estadísticamente significativa (p<0,001). El examen seriado de heces con directo, coloración de Hematoxilina férrica (Hf) y cultivo en medio de Boeck- Drbohlav (modificado) detectó mayor número de casos (58,8%), siendo estadísticamente significativo (p=0,032) al comparar los casos detectados con el directo y Hf (41,2%). Se recomienda considerar a Df como un patógeno intestinal cuando se encuentra en personas con síntomas y en ausencia de otros patógenos conocidos, e investigarla con los métodos recomendados, especialmente con el cultivo que incrementará la posibilidad del hallazgo.

Dientamoeba fragilis (Df), a human intestinal flagellated of the Trichomonadida order, has been associated with gastrointestinal symptoms. The diagnosis is made by observation of binucleated trophozoites in faeces, culture, or by using molecular biology. In this work, clinical and parasitological data of patients with Df are integrated, to establish a relation with the symptoms, the association with other intestinal parasites and to evaluate the methods used for parasitological diagnosis. Of 3729 patients evaluated between 1974 and 2005, in Laboratorio de Amibiasis, Cátedra de Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, 51 cases were positive for Df (1.4%); of these, Df was the only agent in 33.3% and in 66.7% it was associated with other protozoa. The most frequent association found was with Blastocystis hominis (Bh) (35.3%), or Bh and other protozoa (31.4%). No intestinal nematodes were found. In 16 patients with Df alone and 28 patients with Df, Bh and comensals, the most frequent symptoms were, diarrhea (64.7% and 32.1%), abdominal pain (11.7% and 25%), vomits (11.7% and 14.4%) respectively. There was statistical significance (p<0.001) on the frequency of Df (39.2%) in the group between 1-10 years. The examination of more than one faecal sample using fresh unpreserved stools samples, ferric hematoxylin stain and culture on Boeck- Drbohlav modified medium detected a greater number of cases (58.8%), as compared when using the two first methods only (41.2%), being statistically significant (p=0.032). It is recommended to consider Df as a pathogen when found in people with intestinal symptoms, in absence of other known pathogens, and to follow the methods mentioned above, specially with the culture which will increase the possibility of recovering this protozoa.

Parasitoses intestinais / Intestinal parasitosis

As parasitoses intestinais são motivo comum de procura ao pediatra. O quadro clínico é variável. Os pais sempre relacionam várias queixas inespecíficas a este quadro. O assunto é de interesse dos profissionais da área de saúde, assim como dos gestores da saúde, pois existem áreas endêmicas em nosso País e a infecção pode agravar ou desencadear quadros de desnutrição e anemia. Uma preocupação é a sua ocorrência em pacientes com doenças imunossupressoras ou em uso de medicamentos que levam à imunossupressão. Parasitos que não levam à sintomatologia em imunocompetentes podem levar a quadros graves nos pacientes. A reinfecção é comum, portanto o tratamento consiste além do emprego de antiparasitários, em medidas de educação preventiva e de saneamento básico. Esse artigo faz uma revisão sobre prevalência, formas de transmissão, manifestações clínicas, diagnóstico e tratamento. Aborda protozooses emergentes, principalmente em imunodeprimidos e o uso de ivermectina e albendazol no tratamento da ascaridíase, estrongiloidíase e tricocefalíase...(AU)

Intestinal parasitosis is a frequent cause of paediatric attendance. Clinical presentation may vary and parents commonly relate uns- pecific complaints to parasitosis. This is a subject that concems health professionals and authorities since there are endemic areas in Brasil and parasite infection may lead to malnutrition and anae- mia or aggravate these conditions. Special attention should be given to patients with immunodepressant diseases or those using immunossupressant medicines, considering that severe disease may occur when they are infected with parasites that usuaJ/y are innocuous to immunocompetent individuais. Reinfection is com- mono Thus, treatment is based on antiparasitic drugs, education and sanitary measures. Prevalence, transmission, manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of the diseases are reviewed in this paper. Emerging protozoosis in immunocompromised patients, treatment of ascaridiasis, strongiloidiasis and trichocefaliasis with ivermectin and albendazol, are also included...

Epimiology of africanized honeybee nosemosis in the region of Pindamonhangaba, SP, Brazil. / Epidemiologia da nosemose em abelhas africanizadas (Apis mellifera L.) na região de Pindamonhangaba, SP

Nosema apis Zander spores are currently present in many bee yards in Brazil throughout the year. For susceptible strains of honey bees, when environmentai conditions became favorable, this parasite can reproduce quickly, giving pace for the bee disease called nosemose, whose characteristic symptoms are abdominal distension, dysentery, difficulty to fly and increased rate of death. The work was carried out aiming to study natural infestation level and its yearly fluctuation in order to evaluate the lesses caused to the local beekeping industry and, besides, (o subsidize prevention programs for this disease. From samples of about 200 bees, taken fortnightly from five hives of Africanized honey bees, sorted in a 50-hive experimental apiary, 35 intestines (ventriculus, anterior intestine and rectum) were removed and ground. A drop of this smear was observed in a hernacytometer, in order to count the number of N. apis spores/mm3. From January to March and from October to December the number of spores is very low but, even during the period of highest infestation (April to September) the infestation remain fairly below 1 x 106 spores/mm3, level at which the symptoms arise. It was concluded that there is no need to treat the bees against nosemosis in the Pindamonhangaba area.

Esporos do protozoário Nosema apis Zander estão presentes em muitos apiários brasileiros durante todo o ano e quando as condições ambientais e o nível de susceptibilidade das abelhas são favoráveis, o parasito pode multiplicar-se rapidamente, aparecendo, então, os sintomas característicos da doença denominada de nosemose, tais como, dilatação do abdome, diarréia e morte. O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de determinar a intensidade de infestação natural e sua flutuação ao longo do ano, para avaliação dos prejuízos causados à produção apícola da região, bem como, subsidiar o estabelecimento de um programa de tratamento preventivo da doença. Foram tomadas , em intervalos quinzenais durante dois anos, amostras de cerca de 200 abelhas em 5 colônias de abelhas africanizadas, sorteadas entre as 50 do apiário experimental do Centro de Apicultura Tropical. De cada amostra foram destacados os intestinos de 35 abelhas, triturados e contado em heimocitômetro, o número de esporos de N. apis/mm3 do conteúdo intestinal. Verificou-se que de janeiro a março e de outubro a dezembro a incidência de esporos é muito baixa e mesmo no período de maior infestação (abril a setembro) a infestação é muito inferior ao nível de 1 X 106 esporos/mm3, capaz de causar mortalidade em abelhas quando esta taxa de infestação permanece por mais de quinze dias. Pode-se concluir que para a região de Pindamonha

Epimiology of africanized honeybee nosemosis in the region of Pindamonhangaba, SP, Brazil / Epidemiologia da nosemose em abelhas africanizadas (Apis mellifera L.) na região de Pindamonhangaba, SP

Nosema apis Zander spores are currently present in many bee yards in Brazil throughout the year. For susceptible strains of honey bees, when environmentai conditions became favorable, this parasite can reproduce quickly, giving pace for the bee disease called nosemose, whose characteristic symptoms are abdominal distension, dysentery, difficulty to fly and increased rate of death. The work was carried out aiming to study natural infestation level and its yearly fluctuation in order to evaluate the lesses caused to the local beekeping industry and, besides, (o subsidize prevention programs for this disease. From samples of about 200 bees, taken fortnightly from five hives of Africanized honey bees, sorted in a 50-hive experimental apiary, 35 intestines (ventriculus, anterior intestine and rectum) were removed and ground. A drop of this smear was observed in a hernacytometer, in order to count the number of N. apis spores/mm3. From January to March and from October to December the number of spores is very low but, even during the period of highest infestation (April to September) the infestation remain fairly below 1 x 106 spores/mm3, level at which the symptoms arise. It was concluded that there is no need to treat the bees against nosemosis in the Pindamonhangaba area.

Esporos do protozoário Nosema apis Zander estão presentes em muitos apiários brasileiros durante todo o ano e quando as condições ambientais e o nível de susceptibilidade das abelhas são favoráveis, o parasito pode multiplicar-se rapidamente, aparecendo, então, os sintomas característicos da doença denominada de nosemose, tais como, dilatação do abdome, diarréia e morte. O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de determinar a intensidade de infestação natural e sua flutuação ao longo do ano, para avaliação dos prejuízos causados à produção apícola da região, bem como, subsidiar o estabelecimento de um programa de tratamento preventivo da doença. Foram tomadas , em intervalos quinzenais durante dois anos, amostras de cerca de 200 abelhas em 5 colônias de abelhas africanizadas, sorteadas entre as 50 do apiário experimental do Centro de Apicultura Tropical. De cada amostra foram destacados os intestinos de 35 abelhas, triturados e contado em heimocitômetro, o número de esporos de N. apis/mm3 do conteúdo intestinal. Verificou-se que de janeiro a março e de outubro a dezembro a incidência de esporos é muito baixa e mesmo no período de maior infestação (abril a setembro) a infestação é muito inferior ao nível de 1 X 106 esporos/mm3, capaz de causar mortalidade em abelhas quando esta taxa de infestação permanece por mais de quinze dias. Pode-se concluir que para a região de Pindamonha