Trichinella spiralis infection and transplacental passage in human pregnancy.

Infection by Trichinella spp. during pregnancy still arises many questions. Worldwide an important number of trichinellosis outbreaks have occurred over time where pregnant women were or might have been involved. Parasitological and immunoserological parameters, clinical background and transplacental passage of Trichinella spiralis of six pregnant women, from different outbreaks, were studied. Serum samples were collected from patients and their children: at pregnancy, at delivery, newborn and/or infant (≥1 year-old). Total immunoglobulins (Igs) and isotypes against excretion-secretion products from muscle larvae (ESP-ML) and newborn larvae (NBL) of T. spiralis were detected by immunoserological techniques. Sera helminthocytotoxic activity against NBL was evaluated by antibodies dependent cell cytotoxicity assay. Patients presented similar clinical symptoms. Mother's sera showed differences in the presence and titres of Igs, IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 against NBL surface. All of them showed helminthocytotoxic activity against NBL, four in progesterone dependent manner and the other two by antibodies. Igs anti ESP-ML were present in mother's sera, with differences in the isotypes detected. Anti-ESP-ML IgE, IgA and/or IgM in newborn sera were observed. Three out of four infants showed specific Igs; one even at 8 years-old. The distinct immune response between mothers at pregnancy evidenced by sera helminthocytotoxic activity and immunoserological parameters may be associated with a different parasite burden exposition. Specific Igs observed in newborns would be a suggestion of transplacental passage of this Igs and/or their production by the fetus. Specific Igs found in infants sera suggests that newborn larvae transplacental passage is possible.

[Trichinellosis serology in blood-donors from a non-endemic area of Argentina]. / Serología para triquinosis en dadores de sangre en área no endémica de la Argentina.

The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of human trichinellosis in an area of Argentina historically regarded as free of this parasitic disease. This parasitosis was assessed on 150 blood donors by means of immunoserological tests, and their relation with risk alimentary habits by a questionnaire. The questionnaires showed that 98.0% (n=147) of the individuals consumed pork and pork products at a high frequency. The main pork products incorporated to the habitual diet were the stuffed ones. A 80.3% (n=118) of the individuals had acquired such products at butchers, a 38.1% (n=56) at home slaughters and a 34.0% (n=50) at supermarkets. The immunoserological techniques employed were: enzyme immunoanalysis, indirect immunofluorescence and/or immunoelectrotransfer blot assay. Anti-Trichinella antibodies were detected in 8.0% (n=12) of the serum samples by more than one of the methodologies employed, considering these results as confirmatory of trichinellosis. The studies carried out herein demonstrate the existence of human trichinellosis in an area historically regarded as free of this parasitic disease and suggest its relationship with the ingestion of pork or pork products as a risk factor. These results indicate that the lack of reports should not be the only criterion for an area to be considered as Trichinella-free. The awareness of the existence of the parasite in a region will favor the establishment of control and prevention strategies which is of fundamental importance to avoid the spread of the disease.

Serología para triquinosis en dadores de sangre en área no endémica de la Argentina / Trichinellosis serology in blood-donors from a non-endemic area of Argentina

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la presencia de triquinosis humana en un área considerada históricamente libre de esta parasitosis en la Argentina. Se evaluó la parasitosis mediante técnicas inmunoserológicas y su relación con los hábitos alimenticios de riesgo mediante un cuestionario realizado a 150 donantes de sangre. Las encuestas revelaron que el 98.0% (n=147) de los individuos consumía carne de cerdo y/o derivados con elevada frecuencia. Los principales productos porcinos incorporados a la alimentación habitual fueron los chacinados. El 80.3% (n=118) de los individuos adquirían los productos en carnicerías, el 38.1% (n=56) en faenas domiciliarias y el 34.0% (n=50) en supermercados. Las técnicas inmunoserológicas utilizadas para el diagnóstico de triquinosis fueron: enzimoinmunoanálisis, inmunofluorescencia indirecta y/o inmunoelectrotransferencia. En el 8.0% (n=12) de los sueros de los individuos se detectaron anticuerpos anti-Trichinella por más de una de las técnicas realizadas, considerándose este resultado diagnóstico confirmatorio de triquinosis. Los estudios realizados demuestran la existencia de triquinosis humana en un área considerada libre de esta parasitosis y sugieren su relación con la ingesta de carne porcina y/o sus subproductos, hábito alimenticio de riesgo. Estos resultados indican que la falta de denuncia de casos de la enfermedad no debe ser el único criterio a tener en cuenta para considerar a una región área libre de triquinosis. El conocimiento de la presencia del parásito en un área determinada favorece la instauración de medidas de control y prevención evitando la diseminación de la parasitosis.

The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of human trichinellosis in an area of Argentina historically regarded as free of this parasitic disease. This parasitosis was assessed on 150 blood donors by means of immunoserological tests, and their relation with risk alimentary habits by a questionnaire. The questionnaires showed that 98.0% (n=147) of the individuals consumed pork and pork products at a high frequency. The main pork products incorporated to the habitual diet were the stuffed ones. A 80.3% (n=118) of the individuals had acquired such products at butchers, a 38.1% (n=56) at home slaughters and a 34.0% (n=50) at supermarkets. The immunoserological techniques employed were: enzyme immunoanalysis, indirect immunofluorescence and/or immunoelectrotransfer blot assay. Anti-Trichinella antibodies were detected in 8.0% (n=12) of the serum samples by more than one of the methodologies employed, considering these results as confirmatory of trichinellosis. The studies carried out herein demonstrate the existence of human trichinellosis in an area historically regarded as free of this parasitic disease and suggest its relationship with the ingestion of pork or pork products as a risk factor. These results indicate that the lack of reports should not be the only criterion for an area to be considered as Trichinella-free. The awareness of the existence of the parasite in a region will favor the establishment of control and prevention strategies which is of fundamental importance to avoid the spread of the disease.

Detection of trichinellosis in a historically Trichinella-free area of Argentina.

The aim of the present work was to determine the presence of human and porcine trichinellosis in an area of Argentina historically regarded as Trichinella-free. Human blood donors (n=216) and swine destined for consumption (n=57) were evaluated by serological techniques (ELISA, immunofluorescence, and/or Western Blot). Muscle tissues from 26 of the pigs were evaluated for the presence of Trichinella larvae by the artificial digestion method. A questionnaire was used to collect and evaluate data on eating habits of the human population under study and on swine-raising conditions. The survey showed that 98.1% of the individuals (n=212) were regular consumers of pork in the form of stuffed products such as sausages produced by local butchers. The seroprevalence (positive sera by at least two of the three methods) was 8.3% (n=18) for human trichinellosis and 24.5% (n=14) for porcine trichinellosis. Trichinellaspiralis larvae were found in 2 of the 26 pigs (7.7%) with parasite loads of 0.33 and 2.4 muscle larvae per gram. Twelve swine found positive by serological and/or parasitological tests were raised under poor sanitary conditions (presence of rubbish in the surroundings, with cannibalism and scavenging behaviors, presence of rodents, etc.). Our study confirms the existence of porcine trichinellosis in an area regarded as Trichinella-free, provides supporting serological evidence of human infection in this area, and indicates that failure to report cases of trichinellosis based on inadequate surveillance can result in incorrect prevalence classification of an area.

Aspectos epidemiológicos asociados a toxocarosis en Gualeguaychú, Entre Ríos. Argentina / Epidemiological aspects associated to toxocarosis in Gualeguaychú, Entre Ríos, Argentina

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar factores epidemiológicos de toxocarosis en la ciudad de Gualeguaychú, Entre Ríos, Argentina. Se evaluó en 272 donantes de sangre la seroprevalencia de esta parasitosis, su relación con las condiciones socioeconómicas de las personas estudiadas, presencia o ausencia de perros parasitados en sus hogares y en los alrededores; y la contaminación de plazas y paseos públicos con huevos de Toxocara spp. La seroprevalencia fue del 12,13 por ciento sin correlacionarse significativamente con condiciones socioeconómicas ni tenencia de perros, siendo la mayoría de los individuos asintomáticos. El 25 por ciento de los perros y el 100 por cientode los paseos públicos estudiados, resultaron parasitados. Esta situación establece un riesgo importante de adquirir toxocarosis en los habitantes de esta ciudad.

Prevalencia de giardia lamblia, su detección en aguas y su relación con factores ambientales en Gualeguaychú, Argentina / Prevalence of giardia lamblia, isolation in water and the relationship with envionmental factors in Gualeguaychú, Argentina

The increasing environmental contamination affects the water quality, and is going to raise the waterborne intestinal infections such as giardiosis. This study determined the prevalence of g. lamblia infection in 1.201 persons of Gualeguaychú, Argentina. It was observed the relationship between giardiosis and the detection of g. lamblia in the recreational and drinking water and with homes environmental factors. General rate of infection was 19,7 percent. The group 2-11 years old was the highest (28,0 percent). No cysts of g. lamblia were found in drinking water, but recreational water was contaminated. Higher rate of infected persons lived in suburban dwellings with dirt floor, latrine, ground-water and close contact with dogs. It is concluded that to drink water is no risk-infection at present, but it will be if this community continues discharging excretsa into the river because this is the source of water for the habitants