Parásitos zoonóticos caninos de los barrios costeros de Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, Argentina / Canine zoonotic parasites from two coastal neighborhoods in Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, Argentina

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las zoonosis son enfermedades compartidas entre animales vertebrados y humanos. La secuencia de transmisión comienza con la exposición del humano a elementos infectivos en el ambiente. Muchas patologías mantienen su reservorio en la población canina. Según estudios previos en la región, un 47% de las muestras de heces caninas ambientales (HCA) recolectadas en plazas y paseos públicos contenían al menos una especie parasitaria. El objetivo del trabajo fue actualizar la frecuencia de aparición de parásitos de importancia zoonótica en HCA recogidas en plazas de dos barrios costeros de la ciudad de Comodoro Rivadavia (Chubut) entre marzo y diciembre de 2018. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en Caleta Córdova (BCC) y Stella Maris (BSM), donde se recolectaron por conglomerados en forma de guarda griega, aleatoria y sistemática, 156 muestras de HCA. RESULTADOS: Se concentraron y observaron muestras al microscopio, resultando positivas para parásitos 83%; 63% presentó más de un género parasitario. Se destacaron 15 géneros con capacidad para infectar al humano. Los parásitos más abundantes fueron Toxocara spp. y Blastocystis spp. en BCC y Toxocara spp. y Giardia spp. en BSM. En BCC se reportó Mesostephanus spp. por primera vez en Argentina. DISCUSIÓN: Es necesario dimensionar la contaminación ambiental por parásitos zoonóticos, a fin de implementar intervenciones de salud pública adecuadas a cada escenario y contexto epidemiológico.

First Report of Zoonotic Genotype of Giardia duodenalis in Mussels (Mytilus edulis) from Patagonia Argentina.

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) are among the most consumed fishery products globally. Foodborne outbreaks of mussel-associated infections by viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens have been reported in the last years. In this study, we investigated the occurrence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential of the diarrhea-causing enteric protozoan Giardia duodenalis in blue mussels from Caleta Córdova in Chubut Province, southeast Patagonia, Argentina. A total of 344 free-living blue mussels were collected and distributed in 53 aliquots of pooled mussel tissue (each containing 5‒7 specimens) during the period 2015‒2018. Conventional optical microscopy was used as screening method for the detection of G. duodenalis cysts in pooled, homogenized tissues. Samples with a positive result were assessed by a multilocus sequence genotyping scheme based on the amplification of partial fragments of the glutamate dehydrogenase and ß-giardin genes of the parasite. G. duodenalis cysts were found in 30.2% (16/53) of the aliquots of pooled mussel tissue tested. PCR and sequencing analyses revealed the presence of G. duodenalis subassemblage BIV in selected aliquots. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of zoonotic subassemblage BIV from blue mussels in Argentina.

Consumo de mejillones y presencia de Giardia spp. en humanos en dos barrios costeros de Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, Argentina / Consumption of mussels and presence of Giardia spp. in humans in two coastal neighborhoods of Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, Argentina

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN Giardia spp. puede adquirirse por consumo de alimentos contaminados. Mytilus edulis es un organismo filtrador, y su recolección es frecuente en pobladores de costas patagónicas. El objetivo fue evaluar la asociación entre consumo de mejillones (Mytilus edulis) y presencia de Giardia spp. en humanos en dos barrios costeros de Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, entre marzo y diciembre de 2018. MÉTODOS Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en los barrios Caleta Córdova y Stella Maris. La selección de la población estudiada fue no probabilística de colección por casos consecutivos y cumplió los criterios de inclusión. Se colectaron 100 muestras fecales humanas (mfh) y 284 mejillones (46 muestras compuestas). Las muestras se procesaron por sedimentación, se observaron al microscopio óptico y se confirmaron por inmunofluorescencia directa (IFD). Se analizaron variables epidemiológicas y sociodemográficas. RESULTADOS Giardia spp. se detectó en 15% de las mfh y en 33% de los pools de mejillones, en ambos barrios. Las muestras se confirmaron por IFD. Se encontró asociación significativa Chi2=12,734 (2gl), p=0,008 y OR: 4,50 (IC: 1,24-3,20; p=0,027) entre presencia de Giardia spp. en mfh e ingesta de mejillones. DISCUSIÓN El presente constituye el primer reporte de presencia de Giardia spp. en mejillones en Argentina y demuestra que la ingesta de mejillones está relacionada con la presencia del parásito en la población estudiada.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Giardia spp. may be acquired by consuming contaminated food. Mytilus edulis is a filtering organism, and the inhabitants of the Patagonian coasts frequently collect it. The aim of the research was to evaluate the association between mussel consumption and presence of Giardia spp. in humans in two coastal neighborhoods of Comodoro Rivadavia (Chubut province, Argentina) during March-December 2018. METHODS An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in Caleta Cordova and Stella Maris neighborhoods. The selection of the population under study was non-probabilistic for collection by consecutive cases and met the inclusion criteria. A total of 100 human fecal samples (hfs) and 284 mussels (46 pools) were collected. The samples, processed by sedimentation and analyzed by light microscope, were later confirmed by direct immunofluorescence (DIF). Epidemiological and sociodemographic variables were analyzed. RESULTS Giardia spp. was detected in 15% of the hfs and 33% of the mussel pools, in both neighborhoods. Samples were confirmed by DIF. There was a statistically significant association between intake of mussels and presence of Giardia spp. in hfs: Chi2=12.734 (2gl), p=0.008 and OR: 4.50 (CI: 1.24-3.20; p=0.027). DISCUSSION This is the first report of Giardia spp. in mussels in Argentina, and it shows that there is a relation between the mussel intake and the presence of the parasite in the population under study.

Relação entre a bioética e a investigação nas ciências da vida na Argentina: estudo descritivo em escala nacional / Relationship between bioethics and life sciences research in Argentina: Descriptive study at national level / Relación entre bioética e investigación en ciencias de la vida en Argentina: estudio descriptivo a escala nacional

Los objetivos de este estudio son explorar y actualizar la relación entre bioética e investigación en ciencias de la vida en Argentina, a escala nacional. Para ello se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal, de análisis de contenido y corte bibliométrico, sobre productos públicos observables de carácter nacional. Se encontraron elementos propios de la bioética en las normas nacionales relacionadas con la investigación científica en este campo de las ciencias. Se evidenció que la solicitud de requerimientos de ética en la investigación científica para la publicación de los trabajos en dichas ciencias, es materia a optimizar en el país. Se constató el aporte de autores argentinos a la producción bibliográfica en la disciplina, desde 1988. Los resultados indican situaciones que contribuirían a una consolidación de la disciplina bioética en relación con las ciencias de vida en Argentina...

The aim of this study is to explore and update the relationship between bioethics and life sciences research in Argentina at national level. For this a descriptive, transversal, content analysis and bibliometric section study was carried out about observable public products of national character. Bioethical elements were found in national norms related to scientific research in this science field. It was evident that the ethical requirements asked in scientific research for the publication of studies in these sciences needs optimization. The contribution of Argentinean authors to bibliography production in the discipline was established since 1988. Results indicate situations that contribute to a consolidation of bioethics discipline in relation to life sciences in Argentina...

Os objetivos deste estudo são explorar e atualizar a relação entre a bioética e a investigação em ciências da vida na Argentina em escala nacional. Para isso se realizou um estudo descritivo, transversal, de análise de conteúdo e corte bibliométrico sobre produtos públicos observáveis de caráter nacional. Foram encontrados elementos próprios da bioética nas normas nacionais relacionadas com a investigação científica neste campo das ciências. Foi evidenciado que a solicitação de requerimentos de ética na investigação científica para a publicação dos trabalhos nas ditas ciências é matéria a ser otimizada no país. Foi constatado o aporte de autores argentinos na produção bibliográfica da disciplina, desde 1988. Os resultados indicam situações que contribuiriam para uma consolidação da disciplina bioética em relação às ciências da vida na Argentina...

An eco-epidemiological study of contamination of soil with infective forms of intestinal parasites.

The objectives of the present work were to screen topsoil samples collected from public squares in two cities within the Argentine Patagonia for the presence of infective forms of intestinal parasites and to examine the possible relationship between positive findings and the environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural conditions of that region. For this purpose we studied 13 public squares, their 13 custodians, and 44 family groups within their respective surrounding areas. Of the 226 topsoil samples analyzed, 44.3% proved positive for infective forms of intestinal parasites, with 17.3% of these containing more than one species. The frequency of appearance of positive samples was dependent on the season of the year (p < 0.001), while presence of the parasites was related to the soil pH (p < 0.05) but independent of the soil relative humidity (p > 0.05). Some of the organisms detected are associated with zoonoses. We observed the presence of Capillaria spp. and Spirocerca spp. under cool desert climatic conditions. Within the group of custodians we detected hematologic alterations one positive serology for toxoplasmosis and documented behavior conducive to risk of infection with the parasites found in those squares. Within the family group an acquaintance with parasitic zoonoses and their prevention was an inconsistent finding, with toxocarosis and toxoplasmosis being the diseases associated with the greatest degree of ignorance. Furthermore, we consider the failure to de-parasitize pets and the practice of feeding them with raw meat, as typically found in our family survey, to be factors contributing to a greater likelihood of public square contamination. From the results obtained here, we propose a spatial organization approach for the purpose of detecting zones at risk of contracting zoonotic parasitoses within urban environments.