Antonio Henrique Almeida de Moraes Neto

Prevalence of intestinal parasites versus knowledge, attitudes, and practices of inhabitants of low-income communities of Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Intestinal parasites are the causative agents of common infections responsible for significant public health problems in developing countries and generally linked to lack of sanitation, safe water, and improper hygiene. More than two billion people throughout the world live with unrelenting illness due to intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs). The purposes of this study are to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices on IPIs and investigate the relationship with prevalence of intestinal parasites among a low-income group of inhabitants from two communities of the Travessão District area, Campos dos Goytacazes, north of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The two communities are known as “Parque Santuário,” which is an urban slum with miserable living conditions, and “Arraial,” where the socioeconomic and educational levels are better, neither having a sanitary infrastructure with an excreta collection system. Questionnaires revealed that both communities had local and specific codification to denominate the intestinal parasites and present correct knowledge on the theme but ignored some aspects of IPI transmission, with the Arraial population being better informed (p < 0.05). The overall prevalence of IPIs in Parque Santuário (49.7%) was greater than in Arraial (27.2%) (p < 0.001; prevalence ratio/95% confidence interval 1.83/1.50–2.23). This study reports the real IPI situation in the Travessão District and also reinforces the need to continue the investigation on the impact of combined prophylactic methods, educational measures, and socioeconomic and sanitary improvements by governmental authorities and the local popular organization.

A new metastrongyloidean species (Nematoda) parasitizing pulmonary arteries of Puma (Herpailurus) Yagouaroundi (É. Geoffroy, 1803) (Carnivora: Felidae) from Brazil

Abstract: Angiostrongylus felineus n. sp. (Nematoda, Metastrongyloidea), parasitic in Puma (Herpailurus) yagouaroundi (É. Geoffroy, 1803) (Carnivora, Felidae) from the municipality of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, is described and illustrated herein. Angiostrongylus felineus n. sp. differs from all congeneric species by having the anterior extremity with accentuated cuticular expansion and by smaller size of spicules. This study describes for the first time a species of Angiostrongylus in a wild Felidae in Brazil.

Morphological tegument alterations of adult Schistosoma mansoni, harbored in non anti-helminthic treated, high-immune-tolerogenic and low-inflammatory mice.

The present study exhibits original results of S. mansoni tegumental alterations due to contact with the immune system of non anti-helminthic treated mice. We compared, by SEM, the tegument of adult worms recovered from strains of mice genetically selected to extreme phenotypes of resistance (TR strain) and susceptibility (TS strain) to egg-albumin oral tolerance (OT). The parasites recovered from TR mice displayed no morphologic alteration, while specimens collected from TS mice presented tubercle swelling with blunted and shortened spines in lower density, increased sensory organelle numbers, fusion and tegumental ridge peeling. These tegument alterations were similar to those described for Artemether or Praziquantel treatment, supporting observations that the host immune system influences the development and function of the tegument of worms harbored in both anti-helminthic treated and non-treated mice. Our results are indicative that the development and function of the worm tegument depend on the immune regulatory capacity of each individual host.

Ultrastructural alterations in adult Schistosoma mansoni, harbored in non-antihelminthic treated and low-inflammatory mice by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

This original study suggests that alterations observed on tegumental structure and egg quality of adult Schistosoma mansoni harvested from TS mice are due to their high immune tolerogenic and low-inflammatory capacity. The tegument of worms harvested from genetically selected mice for extreme phenotypes of immune oral tolerance, resistance (TR) and susceptibility (TS) were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Parasites recovered from TR mice showed no tegumental morphological changes. However, specimens collected from TS mice exhibited tubercle swelling with blunted and shortened spines in lower density. These tegumental alterations were similar to those described with artemether or praziquantel treatment, but without to affecting the worm surveillance, supporting observations that the host immune system influences the development and function of the tegument of worms harbored in non-antihelminthic treated TS mice. TS mice showed a higher percentage of dead eggs and a lower percentage of immature eggs than TR mice, but had similar quantities of collected eggs. This suggests that in TS mice the alterations in adult worm tegument prevented egg development, but not egg production or worm survival. These results corroborate our previous scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study indicating the influence of the host immune regulatory profile on the development and function of the worms reproductive system and tegument.

Assessing the Influence of Water Management and Rainfall Seasonality on Water Quality and Intestinal Parasitism in Rural Northeastern Brazil

Introduction The drought in the Brazilian semiarid region has affected the quality of water. This study assessed the relationships between enteric parasitoses, water management, and water quality, correlating them with pluviometric seasonality. Methods Cross-sectional surveys were carried out in four rural communities at the beginning of the dry season (n=151), at the end of the dry season (n=184), and in the rainy season (n=199), in order to collect sociodemographic data, human fecal samples, and samples of the water used for human consumption for physicochemical and microbiological analyses. In 2015, water filters were provided to 30 households under study. Results There was an increasing trend in detection rates of commensal protozoa and the Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar complex at the beginning of the rainy season, with detection rates of 6% in 2014 and 21.6% in 2016. Giardia intestinalis and Ascaris lumbricoides presented distinct temporal distributions, which peaked in 2015: 20.1% and 30%, respectively. The proportion of inhabitants drinking inadequate water was 55% at the beginning of the dry season and 28.8% at the end of the dry season, reaching 70.9% at the beginning of the rainy season. The presence of filters reduced this proportion among those who received the hollow ceramic candle filter. Conclusions Data suggest that the strategies to increase water supply in the Brazilian semiarid region can be ameliorated in order to improve the quality of drinking water.

Insights on Blood Cytokines Production under Different In Vitro Mycobacterial Antigens in Tuberculosis Intestinal Parasites Co Infected Patients

Background: The concomitant presence of intestinal parasite infections (IP) and tuberculosis (TB) has relevance. M. tuberculosis immune response is associated with type 1 T helper cell (Th1) while IP is associated with type Th2 cell. However, there are several contradictory reports on cytokine production under coinfection and this could be in association to the mycobacterial antigens used in the studies. Aim: To get insight into the effects of different M. tuberculosis-specific antigens (ESAT-6/CFP-10 and 38 kDa/CFP-10) in generating of appropriate cytokines on peripheral blood mononuclear cells of IPTB co infected patients. Method: ELISA assessed IFN-γ and other 16 cytokines production and plasm IgE. In 18 months, we documented demographic, economic, clinical characteristics and IP frequency in individuals from Brazil. Results: An overall 10/35 (28.5%) were IPTB co infected and 40/76 (52.6%; p = 0.024) asymptomatic intestinal parasite infected community controls (IPCC). Endo-limax nana (40%) and Entamoeba coli (22%), were the most nonpathogenic protozoan identified and Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, Ascaris lumbricoides and Strongyloides stercoralis were the pathogenic species (40%). IgE was higher in IPCC (p = 0.036). Cytokine profiles were significantly biased toward a Th2 type IL-5 (p = 0.001) and IL-13 (p = 0.033), pro-inflammatory GM-CSF (p = 0.019) and borderline lower IL-1β in IPTB, all associated with ESAT-6/CFP-10, while IL-7 was borderline lower, but 38 kDa/CFP-10 associated; as well as IL-8 higher (p < 0.049) vs CC/IPCC. The TB/IPTB IFN-γ levels were similar to both antigens stimuli (p ≥ 0.208). Conclusion: Therefore, coin-cident IPTB coinfection did not exert a significant inhibitory effect in IFN-γ production in response to either of the two antigens, but the partial discrepancy in Th1/Th2 response, is associated with the antigen priming cells.

Matriz de avaliação de programas de promoção da saúde em territórios de vulnerabilidade social

Resumo A promocao da saude possui um conjunto de estrategias para trazer saude e reduzir desigualdades. No entanto, tem sido um desafio avaliar a efetividade de programas de promocao de saude. Este artigo apresenta o desenvolvimento e a aplicacao de Matriz de Avaliacao, construida por meio de indicadores quali-quantitativos e multidimensionais, que estao apoiados nas politicas publicas voltadas para territorios com vulnerabilidade social. Estudo transversal, com realizacao de programa de promocao da saude e a finalidade de desenvolver uma Matriz de Avaliacao, com possibilidade de aplicacao em duas areas de distinta vulnerabilidade socioambiental. A Matriz de Avaliacao demonstrou ser de facil aplicacao e permitiu detectar os pontos fortes e fracos dos programas de promocao da saude aplicados em diferentes territorios. Verificou-se que a adesao dos gestores, das equipes, da populacao e dos diversos setores da sociedade foram decisivos para o sucesso do programa. Adicionalmente, os agentes de saude se destacaram como atores essenciais devido ao seu vinculo com a populacao. As contribuicoes incluem instrumento e metodologia para avaliar os programas de promocao da saude, que podem ser aplicados em realidades distintas e modificados de acordo com o territorio.Health promotion has a set of strategies for advancing health and reducing inequalities. However, evaluating the effectiveness of health promotion programs has been a challenge. This paper shows the development and application of the Evaluation Matrix, constructed with qualitative-quantitative and multidimensional indicators supported by public policies targeting socially vulnerable territories. This is a cross-sectional study with the implementation of a health promotion program in order to develop an Evaluation Matrix to be applied in two distinct socio-environmentally vulnerable areas. The Evaluation Matrix proved to be easily applicable and enabled the detection of strengths and weaknesses of health promotion programs applied in different territories. The participation of managers, teams, population and multiple sectors of society was decisive for the success of the program. Furthermore, community health workers stood out as essential stakeholders due to their linkages with the population. Contributions include a tool and methodology for evaluating health promotion programs to be applied in different territories and modified according to the territory.

New morphological data of Litomosoides chagasfilhoi (Nematoda: Filarioidea) parasitizing Nectomys squamipes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Litomosoides chagasfilhoi, originally described by Moraes Neto, Lanfredi & De Souza (1997) parasitizing the abdominal cavity of the wild rodent, Akodon cursor (Winge, 1887), was found in the abdominal cavity of Nectomys squamipes (Brants, 1827), from the municipality of Rio Bonito, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. This study led to addition of new morphological data and a new geographical distribution for this filarioid in Brazil. Several characters were detailed and emended to previous records of L. chagasfilhoi in N. squamipes, and confirming the original description in A. cursor: buccal capsule longer than wide with walls thinner than the lumen, right spicule slightly sclerotized, with membranous distal extremity slender, with a small tongue-like terminal portion, left spicule with handle longer than the blade, whose edges form large membranous wings folded longitudinally.