[Detection and quantification of Fasciola hepatica antigens in sheep]. / Detección y cuantificación de coproantígenos de Fasciola hepatica en ganado ovino.

The diagnosis of ovine fascioliasis hepatica is presented by a sandwich ELISA with the use of monoclonal antibody ES78 previously reported for the diagnosis of bovine fascioliasis. The assay was applied to faeces of 40 sheep infected with Fasciola hepatica, 88 sheep with other parasitary infections tested by coproparasitology and 100 caprologically negative animals. Antigens of excretion-secretion of Fasciola hepatica were detected in 38 of the 40 sheep with fascioliasis and in none of the negative animals or with other parasitosis. The results show that ES78 sandwich ELISA, as in bovines, is fast, simple and useful for the diagnosis of the active infection caused by Fasciola hepatica among bovines.

[The detection of antibodies, antigens and circulating immune complexes in acute and chronic fascioliasis. Preliminary results]. / Detección de anticuerpos, antígenos y complejos inmunes circulantes en las fascioliasis aguda y crónica. Resultados preliminares.

24 patients with fascioliasis were studied. 19 of them were in the chronic stage and 5 in acute stage. The presence of antigens and of circulating immune complexes (CIC) was detected in 100% of the patients suffering from acute fascioliasis with less than 30 days of evolution of the clinical symptoms; whereas coproantigens were present in 100% of the chronic patients. In this group it was observed a considerable number of cases with elevated levels of antibodies. 43.7% of the cases with CIC were detected by using the precipitation technique with PEG and that of Clq deviation. A highly significant correlation was found between the eggs counting and the CIC levels by both techniques. Another important correlation was established between the eggs counting and the levels of coproantigens.

[The first report in Cuba of human intestinal infection by Cyclospora cayetanensis, Ortega, 1993]. / Primer reporte en Cuba de infección intestinal humana por Cyclospora cayetanensis, Ortega, 1993.

The human intestinal infection by Cyclospora cayetanensis, is reported for the first time in Cuba, Ortega, 1993. This coccidian parasite was being identified since several years in humans presenting with diarrhea, as a blue-green Alga, a similar body to cyanobacteria, or similar to a great coccidia. However, it was identified for the first time a genus of Cyclospora, in 1993, and the taxonomic description of the human species as C. cayetanensis is very recent. This paper reports on a child presenting with an acute diarrheal picture in which no other causative agent was found, and describes the morphological characteristics of this rounded organism which measures between 7.7 and 10 micras of diameter and results positive to Ziehl-Neelsen staining. This is a warning for all physicians and biomedical staff in charge of making the laboratory diagnosis of acute diarrheal diseases.

[Hematologic-nutritional study in children predisposed to infection with high-load of Trichuris trichiura]. / Estudio hematológico-nutricional de niños con predisposición a la infección por alta carga con Trichuris trichiura.

A coproparasitological survey is carried out in 3 family doctors' home-offices in City of Havana Province following the Kato-Katz technique (3 samples from each person); we found 15 children predisposed to high-load infection by Trichuris trichiura. This group was compared to a group of 20 children infected with a low parasite load, and to another group of 20 children with no parasite infection. A study of nutritional anemia was carried out to all of them including: hemoglobin, hematocrit, ferritin, serum iron, vitamin B12, and serum and erythrocyte folates. No significant differences were found in the mean values of the hematologic parameters under study in the various groups, all values being within normal limits. All the children under study had normal anthropometric-nutritional index values. Based on the results attained, we suggest that the reported anemia in individuals infected with a high load of T. trichiura is not only due to parasite infection; other factors may influence on it, probably a certain concomitant protein-energy deficiency.

[Assessment of the antibody response in patients with giardiasis]. / Evaluación de la respuesta de anticuerpos en pacientes con giardiasis.

Of 104 patients under study for giardiasis-like clinica symptoms, 101 were parasitologically positive. The presence of antibodies was shown in 99 of them, which means 96% sensitivity and 90% specificity in the indirect immunofluorescence technic. Antibody response was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in those patients with no history of the disease. A significant fall (p < 0.01) was seen in antibody titres in all patients a month after the effective treatment, as well as well as persistent positive titres in those who were not cured.

[Trichuriasis in Cuba]. / Trichuriasis en Cuba.

A representative sample of the Cuban population (11,364) is studied by using Willis and direct coproparasitological techniques. It was found that Trichuris trichiura is the most prevailing intestinal parasite (17.8%). A higher frequency of this kind of geohelminthiasis in people living in Cuban rural zones is seen. A prevalence peak is found in ages from 6 to 9 years, and a higher association of parasitism was found in those with worst hygienic and sanitary conditions.

[Comparison of several coproparasitological techniques for the diagnosis of soil-transmitted intestinal helminthiasis]. / Comparación de varias técnicas coproparasitológicas para el diagnóstico de geohelmintiasis intestinales.

Five hundred and eleven samples of feces were examined by several coproparasitological techniques: Kato-Katz, Willis, Ritchie and direct wet mount. It was found that Kato-Katz was the most reliable technique for the diagnosis of Trichuris trichiura, Necator americanus, and Ascaris lumbricoides, demonstrating the largest number of cases. Willis, Ritchie and direct wet mount were effective in that order. Taking into account that Kato-Katz is a quantitative method, it should be recommended in the diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminthiasis.