Desenvolvimento e qualidade da lima ácida Tahiti em Colorado do Oeste, RO

Os aspectos de crescimento, desenvolvimento e qualidade de frutos cítricos na região de Colorado do Oeste, RO, não têm sido explorados. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento e a qualidade fisico-química de frutos de lima ácida Tahiti em diferentes épocas de desenvolvimento, sem irrigação, na região de Colorado do Oeste, RO. O experimento foi realizado no Instituto Federal de Rondônia (IFRO), Campus de Colorado do Oeste, durante os anos de 2006, 2007 e 2008, com o acompanhamento das safras de 2006/07 e 2007/08. Para cada safra foram avaliadas oito épocas de desenvolvimento dos frutos, da fase de chumbinho à colheita. Determinaram-se soma térmica em graus-dia, unidades fototérmicas e precipitação pluviométrica. Houve influência das condições meteorológicas na duração das épocas de desenvolvimento dos frutos e na qualidade dos frutos na safra 2006/07, mas na safra 2007/08 não houve diferença significativa para peso, tamanho médio dos frutos, acidez e rendimento médio de suco. Tamanho e peso dos frutos, pH, sólidos solúveis, acidez, relação SS/AT e teor de vitamina C do suco dos frutos apresentaram valores médios adequados aos padrões comerciais exigidos pelo mercado in natura e pela indústria. O rendimento de suco dos frutos colhidos na safra 2006/07 apresentou qualidade satisfatória para atender às necessidades do mercado in natura ou industrial, mas não para a safra 2007/08, devido ao baixo rendimento de suco dos frutos, provavelmente em razão da menor precipitação pluviométrica ocorrida nessa safra. O índice tecnológico encontrado nas safras avaliadas está abaixo do exigido pela indústria.

Fatores socioeconómicos y mortalidad infantil en Ecuador, 1970-1981

En Ecuador la tasa de mortalidad infantil se redujo entre 1970 y 1981 en un 35%, a pesar de lo cual su valor sigue siendo elevado en el contexto latinoamericano. A nivel provincial, el comportamiento de la tasa no ha sido homogéneo, observándose fuertes diferencias entre las entidades en cuanto a la mortalidad durante el primer año de vida. Mediante el empleo de técnicas de regresión múltiple, pretendióse identificar aquellos factores socioeconómicos que más han incidido en el descenso de la mortalidad infantil en Ecuador en el período señalado, así como las variables que más explican las diferencias interprovinciales en dicho indicador. La disminución de la natalidad y el aumento proporcional de los gastos del presupuesto destinado a salud por una parte, y la tasa de alfabetización por otra parecen ser elementos claves para una explicación económico social de los cambios recientes en la mortalidad infantil ecuatoriana.

Intestinal parasites among Karitiana Indians from Rondônia State, Brazil

Gravity sedimentation parasitological examinations were performed in stool samples from 111 Karitiana Indians from Rondônia State, Brazilian Amazon Basin. Intestinal parasites were found in 43 samples (38.7%). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent helminth species (18.9%). Egg counts in samples positive for Ascaris suggested an overdispersed distribution of worm burdens in the host population. Age-distribution pattern of intestinal parasites among Karitiana Indians was found to be rather unusual: the highest prevalence (60.0%) was detected in the 12-to 16-year-old age group

Intestinal parasitism in the Xavánte Indians, Central Brazil

This paper reports the findings of a survey for intestinal parasites among the Xavánte Indians from Central Brazil. A. lumbricoides (25.0%) and hookworms (33.6%) were the two most common helminths; E. histolytica complex (7.8%) and G. lamblia (8.6%) the most common protozoans. The majority (58.5%) of positive individuals hosted only one species of helminth. Egg counts for helminths, and for A. lumbricoides in particular, were found to be not dispersed at random, with a few individuals, all of whom young children, showing very high counts. The prevalence rates of intestinal parasites for the Xavánte are below those reported for other Amerindian populations from Brazil.

Dental caries experience in Indians of the Upper Xingu, Brazil

The present study describes the experience of dental caries in Indians communities of the Xingu, in order to supply parameters for further analysis of trends of the disease in Indians. We performed oral health examination in 288 Indians from four communities (Yawalapiti, Aweti, Mehinaku and Kamaiura) living in the southern part of the Xingu National Park, using international criteria defined by the World Health Organization. The outcome measures were the DMFT and dmft scores, and the care index. Indians of the Upper Xingu presented high levels of caries, in all age groups. The average DMFT for 11 to 13-year-old children - 5.93 - was lower than the index measured in 1993 for 12-year-old schoolchildren in nearby cities - 8.23 -, whose United Nations' human development index ranked medium. However, Indians presented a much lower care index, per age group, than these cities, and a high ratio of missing teeth for persons above 20 years old. These observations indicate low incorporation of dental care services. The irregularity of the services programmed for these communities, and the changing dietary and cultural patterns, mainly derived from their contact with the non-indigenous population of Brazil, reinforce the pressing need for health promotion initiatives aimed at these groups.

Relationship of cryptosporidiosis to abdominal pain and diarrhea in Mayan Indians

Demonstration of cryptosporidiosis in Mayan Indians living around Lake Atitlan provided an opportunity to correlate infection with abdominal pain and/or diarrhea in different age groups of children. 94 subjects experiencing abdominal pain and/or diarrhea, between the ages of 2 and 13 were studied in towns around Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, over a two-year period. Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in the feces of 29% of children who presented with abdominal pain and 21% with diarrhea. Of the 60 infected subjects, 45% were experiencing abdominal pain and 33% diarrhea, 22% had abdominal pain and diarrhea. Both abdominal pain and diarrhea were significantly higher in children under 10 years of age and were most prevalent in the 6-9 year old age group but the correlation of symptoms to infection was not significantly different as the ages of the children increased. The high frequency of abdominal pain and/or diarrhea with infection in children was consistent with cryptosporidiosis, a disease considered as one of several common intestinal infections that produce these symptoms.

Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis A virus among the Kuikuro and Kaiabi Indians of Xingu National Park, Brazil

A seroprevalence study to detect total antibodies against Hepatitis A Virus was done with 220 samples from 589 Native Indians from Xingu National Park, Brazil, in five Kaiabi and Kuikuro villages, the most populous ethnic groups. Using a commercial immunoassay kit we detected 97.7% positive samples (95% Confidence Interval: 95%-99%). We noticed a precocious seroconversion, before the age of six years, when the disease is usually asymptomatic. These results are similar to those found in the literature in non-Indian population studies of the Northern, Northeastern and West Central regions of Brazil. They suggest that it is not necessary to introduce vaccination against Hepatitis A in these highly endemic populations.

Intestinal parasitism and socio-environmental factors among Mbyá-Guarani indians, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Disturbing data reveal the prevalence of intestinal parasites and their relationship with socio-environmental factors among Mbyá-Guarani Indians. The prevalence was determined by spontaneous sedimentation in water, centrifugation-floatation, and Kato-Katz. A socioeconomic questionnaire was submitted to each family. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 88.7%, and 45.5% were polyparasitized. There was 90.5% prevalence of enteric parasites in children (1-12- year-old), and 85% among 13-65-year-old individuals, indicating that both age groups are extensively parasitized. The parasite load was low to moderate for geohelminths and 75% of the families did not have latrine, thus the practice of defecation occurred outdoors. These findings suggest that the multiple intestinal parasitism in the Mbyá-Guarani community is high to the point of being the rule, and that it relates essentially to the traditional lifestyle and health habits. It is urgently necessary to implement the association of anti-parasitic treatment with sanitation improvement. This should be done simultaneously with health education activities for this population.

Esparganosis humana en el ecuador: informe de un caso en la província de esmeraldas

Se informa el segundo caso de esparganosis humana en Ecuador, en unpaciente de sexo masculino, indígena Chachi, procedente de la província de Esmeraldas, quien presentó una nodulación localizada en la region escapular izquierda, En su extirpation se demostró la presencia de un céstodo clasificado como Spirometra, no siendo posible determinar la especie.

Intestinal helminthiases in Ecuador: the relatíonship between prevalence, genetic, and socioeconomic factors

Prevalence of infection with the intestinal helminths, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Ancylostoma duodenale and Strongyloides stercoralis was examinedin 632 residents of communities in Esmeraldas province of Ecuador. These communities were divided into two groups according to area of habitation which reflected different socioeconomic circumstances. Attempts were made to correlate infection status with race and ABO blood group phenotype. The racial groups included blacks, Chachi amerindians, and mixed-race mestizos. Greater prevalences of infection were seen in the area oflower socioeconomic status. No racial or blood group associations with helminth infection were seen controlling for socioeconomic status.

Severe digestive pathology associated with chronic Chaga's disease in Ecuador: report of two cases

DNA extracted from peripheral blood of two Ecuadorian patients showing severe digestive pathology was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using a Trypanosoma cruzi specific oligonucleotide primers derived from the primary sequence of a cDNA encoding for a 24 kDa excretory/secretory protein. The positive PCR results together with the clinical findings confirmed that both patients had a digestive pathology due to Chagas' disease. This pathology could be more frequent than previously described in the chagasic endemic regions of Andean countries.

Control of intestinal helminths in schoolchildren in Low-Napo, Ecuador: impact of a two-year chemotherapy program

A school-based control program of intestinal helminths was undertaken among schoolchildren in the Low-Napo region, north-eastern Ecuador. Forty-eight percent of children were infected with one or more helminths at the first examination. The prevalence at the baseline was Ascaris 33.2% followed by hookworm 24.1% and Trichuris 6.5%. Sex was found to be a significant factor influencing the prevalence of hookworm and Trichuris. Prevalence was compared 9 months and 18 months after treatment. After 9 months, Ascaris and Trichuris prevalence had decreased but not hookworm. All of them increased after 18 months. The findings suggest that only a course of mebendazol had a minor effect on the control of helminth infections.

Intestinal protozoa and helminths among Terena Indians in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul: high prevalence of Blastocystis hominis

A parasitological survey was carried out among Terena Indians living in the Tereré settlement in the municipality of Sidrolândia, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Single samples of feces from 313 Indians were processed by means of the spontaneous sedimentation method. In the population studied, 73.5% were infected with at least one intestinal parasite or commensal. Protozoa predominated. Blastocystis hominis (40.9%), Entamoeba coli (33.2%) and Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar (31.6%) were the most common. Bivariate analysis showed that females were generally more infected and presented higher rates of infection by Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar and Entamoeba coli. Males were more infected by hookworms and Strongyloides stercoralis than females. The precarious sanitary conditions of the Tereré settlement are probably a contributory factor towards the high prevalence of intestinal protozoa.