The evolution of Brazilian studies on helminths and the Escola tropicalista bahiana (Bahia Tropical School) (1866-1892).

In the mid nineteenth century, laboratory research in embryology, development, ecology and pathogeny of helminths unexpectedly resulted in a change in the explication of the etiology of some human pathology that was traditionally attributed to environmental factors. The new postulates of the parasitology of helminths put in question the traditional explications as well as the recognized authorities in the fields of clinical medicine, hygiene, and of medical geography, affecting not only the traditional circles where the innovations were discussed, but also the institutions that controlled and validated medical knowledge. From the beginning of the decade of the 1860s, a group of Brazilian medical doctors, initially led by Otto Wucherer, took part in this scientific movement that had an important impact on the area of the domestic and international academic medicine. The causality of known diseases, such as intertropical hypoemia, hematochyluria and elephantiasis, became the focus of intense debate between 1866 and 1892. By the end of this period, the field of helminthic parasitology had available well-established methodological and conceptual criteria and the role of Ankylostomum duodenale and of Wuchereria bancrofti in the production of those diseases was fully accepted.

The origin and dispersion of human parasitic diseases in the old world (Africa, Europe and Madagascar).

The ancestors of present-day man (Homo sapiens sapiens) appeared in East Africa some three and a half million years ago (Australopithecs), and then migrated to Europe, Asia, and later to the Americas, thus beginning the differentiation process. The passage from nomadic to sedentary life took place in the Middle East in around 8000 BC. Wars, spontaneous migrations and forced migrations (slave trade) led to enormous mixtures of populations in Europe and Africa and favoured the spread of numerous parasitic diseases with specific strains according to geographic area. The three human plasmodia (Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, and P. malariae) were imported from Africa into the Mediterranean region with the first human migrations, but it was the Neolithic revolution (sedentarisation, irrigation, population increase) which brought about actual foci for malaria. The reservoir for Leishmania infantum and L. donovani--the dog--has been domesticated for thousands of years. Wild rodents as reservoirs of L. major have also long been in contact with man and probably were imported from tropical Africa across the Sahara. L. tropica, by contrast, followed the migrations of man, its only reservoir. L. infantum and L. donovani spread with man and his dogs from West Africa. Likewise, for thousands of years, the dog has played an important role in the spread and the endemic character of hydatidosis through sheep (in Europe and North Africa) and dromadary (in the Sahara and North Africa). Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni have existed since prehistoric times in populations living in or passing through the Sahara. These populations then transported them to countries of Northern Africa where the specific, intermediary hosts were already present. Madagascar was inhabited by populations of Indonesian origin who imported lymphatic filariosis across the Indian Ocean (possibly of African origin since the Indonesian sailors had spent time on the African coast before reaching Madagascar). Migrants coming from Africa and Arabia brought with them the two African forms of bilharziosis: S. haematobium and S. mansoni.

Perspectivas da municipalizaçäo do controle da filariose linfática na regiäo metropolitana do Recife / Views on the municipalization of lymphatic filariasis control in greater metropolitan Recife

A filariose linfática resulta da infecçäo por três nematódeos: Brugia malayi, Brugia timori e Wuchereria bancrofti. Atingindo países considerados em desenvolvimento, é mais distribuída em áreas urbanas. Estima-se que quatro bilhöes de pessoas vivem em áreas de risco. No Brasil, a endemia é causada por W. bancrofti e foi documentada em 1878; na cidade do Recife, foi detectada em 1952. Atualmente, apenas na regiäo metropolitana do Recife e Belém, esta endemia é considerada um problema de saúde pública. Objetiva-se abordar e discutir a questäo da epidemiologia e controle da filariose linfática e revisar o histórico de seu controle desde sua notificaçäo em 1952 por Rachou, até nossos dias. Analisa-se o modelo campanhista do program institucional da Sucam/FNS e os métodos alternativos atuais propostos como inovadores. Apresenta estratégias viáveis para o controle da filariose, através da rede primária de saúde, da municipalizaçäo e do Programa de Agentes Comunitários de Saúde (Pacs).

História da filariose linfática em Pernambuco: I. Aspectos epidemiológicos e de controle / History of lymphatic filariasis in Pernambuco: I. Epidemiological and control aspects

This paper is a review of lymphatic bancroftian filariasis in the State of Pernambuco. Brazil. It shows that reports have existed since the 1st decade of the century. Knowledge of the disease in several areas during different periods makes a retrospective analyses very interesting, particularly in Great Recife. It is in the city that the epidemiological and control aspects of the diseases are examinations in details.

[History of lymphatic filariasis in Pernambuco. I. Epidemiologic and control aspects]. / História da filariose linfática em Pernambuco. I. Aspectos epidemiológicos e de controle.

This paper is a review of lymphatic bancroftian filariasis in the State of Pernambuco. Brazil. It shows that reports have existed since the 1st decade of the century. Knowledge of the disease in several areas during different periods makes a retrospective analyses very interesting, particularly in Great Recife. It is in the city that the epidemiological and control aspects of the diseases are examinations in details.