Prevalence of dog intestinal parasites and risk perception of zoonotic infection by dog owners in São Paulo State, Brazil

Coprological examination was used to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in stray and domiciled dogs from Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. Risk factors for dog infection were assessed in relation to demographic, husbandry and management data. The dog owners completed a questionnaire survey on some aspects of dog parasitism such as parasite species, mechanisms of infection, awareness of zoonotic diseases and history of anthelmintic usage. Parasites were found in the faeces of 138 dogs, with an overall prevalence of 54.3%. Dogs harbouring one parasite were more common (31.4%) than those harbouring two (18.5%), three (3.2%) or four (1.2%). The following parasites and their respective frequencies were detected: Ancylostoma (37.8%), Giardia (16.9%), Toxocara canis (8.7%), Trichuris vulpis (7.1%), Dipylidium caninum (2.4%), Isospora (3.5%), Cryptosporidium (3.1%) and Sarcocystis (2.7%). Stray dogs were found more likely to be poliparasitized (P < 0.01) and presented higher prevalence of Ancylostoma, T. canis and Giardia (P < 0.01) than domiciled ones. Toxocara canis was detected more frequently in dogs with < 6 months of age (P < 0.05) and no effect of sex or breed could be observed (P > 0.05). Except for Ancylostoma, that showed a significantly higher prevalence in dogs living in a multi-dog household (P < 0.01), parasite prevalences were similar in single- and multi-dog household. The answers of dog owners to the questionnaire showed that the majority does not know the species of dog intestinal parasites, the mechanisms of transmission, the risk factors for zoonotic infections, and specific prophylactic measures. The predominance of zoonotic species in dogs in the studied region, associated with the elevated degree of misinformation of the owners, indicates that the risk of zoonotic infection by canine intestinal parasite may be high, even in one of the most developed regions of Brazil.

Giardíase e criptosporidiose em crianças institucionalizadas em creches no estado de São Paulo

Realizou-se dois estudos transversais em 2002 (N=379) e 2003 (N=397) onde estimou-se a prevalência de enteroparasitas em crianças de cinco creches municipais de Botucatu, SP. Coletou-se variáveis socioeconômicas, sanitárias e educacionais e realizou-se exames coproparasitológicos. Giardia duodenalis apresentou prevalência de 23,7% (2002) e 21,4% (2003) seguido por Cryptosporidium sp com 15,5% (2002) e 3,7% (2003).

Avaliação de duas técnicas coproparasitológicas convencionais e de um kit comercial na investigação da epidemiologia de parasitas gastrintestinais de cães no Estado de São Paulo

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ

Ocorrência de endoparasitos com potencial zoonótico em gatos no município de Andradina, São Paulo, Brasil

Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal - FMVA

Investigação epidemio-parasitológica em hortaliças comercializadas em feiras livres, mercados e restaurantes do Distrito Federal

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ

Estudo clínico e etiológico da diarréia em potros

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ

In vitro ANTIGIARDIAL ACTIVITY OF THE CYSTEINE PROTEASE INHIBITOR E-64

As cisteína-proteases estão entre os alvos mais promissores para o desenvolvimento de novos agentes terapêuticos, visto que participam de eventos fundamentais do ciclo de vida de muitos microorganismos, inclusive Giardia. Como a atividade das proteases pode ser controlada por inibidores específicos, essas substâncias têm sido avaliadas quanto ao potencial antiparasitário. Diante disso, o presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito in vitro do inibidor de cisteína-proteases E-64 sobre o crescimento, a aderência e a viabilidade de trofozoítos de cepa de Giardia isolada em Botucatu. Nos ensaios de crescimento e aderência, o número de trofozoítos foi estimado microscopicamente em hemocitômetro, enquanto que a viabilidade celular foi avaliada pelo método do MTT. No presente estudo, embora o metronidazol tenha se apresentado bastante efetivo, o E-64 mostrou ser capaz de inibir o crescimento, a aderência e a viabilidade em taxas superiores a 50%, especialmente nos cultivos expostos à concentração de 100 µM. A despeito de preliminares, esses resultados demonstram que o inibidor E-64 pode interferir em processos primordiais para a sobrevivência do parasita, além do que, abrem novas perspectivas para investigações futuras a fim de se avaliar o real potencial giardicida dos inibidores de proteases.

Avaliação parasitológica em amostras de alfaces (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) comercializadas no município de Quatá, São Paulo, Brasil

There is little research on the practices of sanitary inspection in the chain of production of vegetables to the consumer, especially those eaten raw, they are liable to serve microorganism such as bacteria, fungi and parasites, contributing to possible health hazards. The aim of this study was to assess qualitatively contamination by parasites and / or commensals of medical interest in lettuce leaves (Lactuca sativa) fresh market in the municipality of Quata Sao Paulo. A total of 15 random samples were analyzed every other day of the three different places that sell vegetables a grocery store, a supermarket and a vegetable garden during the month of May 2011. The parasites and / or commensals found in lettuce were Entamoeba coli (67%), Entamoeba histolytica (20%), Giardia sp (13%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (7%). The analysis showed the presence of parasites and / or commensals in all samples, except in the cultivated garden which showed poor sanitary conditions, probably due to contamination in the shipping and handling by third parties in supermarket and grocery store. The parasite monitoring sanitary conditions of vegetables sold in urban environments becomes relevant for preventive measures to avoid the continued parasitic cycle and possible future health complications.

Presence of infectious agents and co-infections in diarrheic dogs determined with a real-time polymerase chain reaction-based panel

Background: Infectious diarrhea can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or protozoan organisms, or a combination of these. The identification of co-infections in dogs is important to determine the prognosis and to plan strategies for their treatment and prophylaxis. Although many pathogens have been individually detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a comprehensive panel of agents that cause diarrhea in privately owned dogs has not yet been established. The objective of this study was to use a real-time PCR diarrhea panel to survey the frequencies of pathogens and co-infections in owned dogs attended in a veterinary hospital with and without diarrhea, as well the frequency in different countries. Feces samples were tested for canine distemper virus, canine coronavirus, canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin (CPA), Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., and Salmonella spp. using molecular techniques.Results: In total, 104 diarrheic and 43 control dogs that were presented consecutively at a major private veterinary hospital were included in the study. Overall, 71/104 (68.3%) dogs with diarrhea were positive for at least one pathogen: a single infection in 39/71 dogs (54.9%) and co-infections in 32/71 dogs (45.1%), including 21/32 dogs (65.6%) with dual, 5/32 (15.6%) with triple, and 6/32 (18.8%) with quadruple infections. In the control group, 13/43 (30.2%) dogs were positive, all with single infections only. The most prevalent pathogens in the diarrheic dogs were CPA (40/104 dogs, 38.5%), CPV-2 (36/104 dogs, 34.6%), and Giardia spp. (14/104 dogs, 13.5%). CPV-2 was the most prevalent pathogen in the dual co-infections, associated with CPA, Cryptosporidium spp., or Giardia spp. No statistical difference (P = 0.8374) was observed in the duration of diarrhea or the number of deaths (P = 0.5722) in the presence or absence of single or co-infections.Conclusions: Diarrheic dogs showed a higher prevalence of pathogen infections than the controls. Whereas the healthy dogs had only single infections, about half the diarrheic dogs had co-infections. Therefore, multiple pathogens should be investigated in dogs presenting with diarrhea. The effects of multiple pathogens on the disease outcomes remain unclear because the rate of death and the duration of diarrhea did not seem to be affected by these factors.

Prevalência das enteroparasitoses em escolares após Programa de Saneamento Ambiental (Bahia Azul) realizado em Salvador, BA

Introduction: The intestinal parasites continue to represent a significant public health problem, due to the large number of infected people and the various organic changes that can cause. The intestinal parasites become more prevalent in villages with high population density absence or inadequacy of sanitation and adequate, and personal hygiene practices and inadequate housing. Objective: To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Giardia duodenalis in children of school age (7-14 years) living in the city of Salvador, Bahia, which were part of the Environmental Sanitation Program (Bahia Azul) covering eight different sewage basins in the years 1997/1998 and 2003/2004. Methods: Data were collected pre-coded questionnaire administered to the parents of students, collecting information socioeconomic, environmental and housing conditions. Stool samples were analyzed for each school in the Laboratory of Parasitology of the ISC, UFBA. The database was built and analyzed by Epi Info program (version 3.5.1/2008) were built where overall prevalence rate and Basin depletion of parasites. We compared the overall prevalence rates (at least one parasite) before and after the intervention health, as well as species of parasite. Results: The overall prevalence before the intervention was 56,2% (N = 729) and 42,5% after the intervention (N = 890), down -24,5%. The prevalence observed for each species A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and G. duodenalis before intervention was respectively 31,4%, 35,8% and 9,9% respectively after the intervention and 24,4%, 28,8% and 6,0%. In relation to variations in prevalence were found to decrease A. lumbricoides, T. Trichiura and G. duodenalis respectively -22,4%, -19,7% and -39,7%. When the results were compared by Basin exhaustion, it was observed that the greatest variation with reduction occurred among students Basin M. Camurujipe to at least one parasite (-51,4%), ...

Molecular characterization of intestinal protozoa in two poor communities in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)