Brisa Maria Fregonesi

Adaptation of Ritchie's Method for Parasites Diagnosing with Minimization of Chemical Products

Latin America, Africa, and Asia present wide dissemination and high prevalence rates of waterborne parasitic diseases, which is a strong indicative of the fragility of public sanitation systems. In this context, parasitological analyses represent extremely relevant instruments. Several parasite diagnosis methods exist, among which Ritchies method (1948) stands out. This method uses formaldehyde and ether, two reagents of toxicological importance that can cause damages to environmental and occupational health. The present study aimed to compare Ritchies method modified by Régis Anécimo, without use of solvents, with the traditional Ritchies method, routinely used for helminth and protozoa diagnosing in Brazil. Some changes were introduced in the modified method, such as controlled increase of water temperature used after stool dilution and substitution of formaldehyde and ether by a neutral detergent before material centrifugation for observation of parasites. In examined samples by both methods, multiple infections were commonly observed; the modified method presented a similar sensitivity to identify the parasites. The development of analytic diagnosis methods that minimize the use of chemical products like ether and formaldehyde represents an important tool to prevent occupational diseases among exposed professionals, as well as to preserve environmental quality through the use of clean techniques.

Integrating three tools for the environmental assessment of the Pardo River, Brazil

There is a growing need for strategic assessment of environmental conditions in river basins around the world. In spite of the considerable water resources, Brazil has been suffering from water quality decrease in recent years. Pardo River runs through Minas Gerais and São Paulo, two of the most economically important states in Brazil, and is being currently promoted as a future drinking water source. This study aimed at integrating three different tools to conduct a hydromorphological assessment focused on the spatial complexity, connectivity, and dynamism of the Pardo River, Brazil. Twelve sampling stretches were evaluated in four sampling campaigns, in dry and rainy seasons. In each stretch, permanent preservation areas (PPAs), hydromorphological integrity by rapid assessment protocol (RAP), and physicochemical parameters were qualified. The kappa coefficient was used to assess statistical agreement among monitoring tools. The PPA analysis showed that in all stretches, the vegetation was modified. RAP results revealed environmental deterioration in stretches located near human activities and less variability of substrates available for aquatic fauna and sediment deposition as well. Low values for dissolved oxygen in the river mouth were noted in the rainy season. Electrical conductivity was higher in stretches near sugarcane crops. The poor agreement (k < 0.35) between the RAP and physicochemical parameters indicates that the tools generate different and complementary information, while they are not replaceable. Potential changes of the hydromorphological characteristics and variations in physicochemical indicators must be related to extensive PPA modification.

Emergent and re-emergent parasites in HIV-infected children: immunological and socio-environmental conditions that are involved in the transmission of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp.

INTRODUCTION Emergent and re-emergent waterborne protozoans have become a worldwide public health problem, especially among vulnerable groups. METHODS This cross-sectional study evaluated 17 HIV-infected children and their families. RESULTS A high (76.5%) percentage of parasite-infected children was observed, even among children with CD4+ T-cell counts of >200 cells/mm3. Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Cyclospora spp. were observed in 41.2% of these children Low income, poor hygiene practices, and co-infection in domestic, peridomestic and scholastic environments were significant sources of these intestinal infections. CONCLUSIONS Early diagnosis, timely treatment, and socio-educational interventions may improve the health conditions of this vulnerable population.

AVALIAÇÃO ESPACIAL E SAZONAL DAS CONCENTRAÇÕES DE PARTÍCULAS TOTAIS EM SUSPENSÃO E ELEMENTOS METÁLICOS ASSOCIADOS NO AR DE UMA CIDADE DO SUDESTE BRASILEIRO

Gabriel P. Machadoa, Renato I. S. Alvesa, Ana Paula M. S. Senhukb, Brisa M. Fregonesia, Guilherme S. Zaguia, Martí Nadalc, Jordi Sierrac, Josep L. Domingoc e Susana I. Segura-Muñoza,* Departamento Materno-Infantil e Saúde Pública, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-902 Ribeirão Preto – SP, Brasil Departamento de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, 38064-200 Uberaba – MG, Brasil Departamento de Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Escola de Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Universidad Rovira i Virgili, 43003 Reus – Tarragona, Espanha

Enteroparasitos em crianças de instituição de ensino filantrópica: ênfase para Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp.

Resumo Introdução: A inserção das crianças em creches e pré-escolas tem constituído um importante dispositivo na atual configuração social. No entanto, o convívio permanente na creche/escola propicia o adoecimento das crianças com maior frequência quando comparadas com outras que permanecem em espaços familiares mais restritos, especialmente por enteroparasitos. Objetivos: O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp., considerados enteroparasitos oportunistas emergentes e reemergentes, e outros enteroparasitos em amostras de fezes de crianças de 2 a 6 anos de uma escola de educação infantil filantrópica. Casuística e Métodos: Participaram do estudo 32 crianças e a detecção de enteroparasitos foi feita pelo Método de Hoffmann, Pons e Janer. A identificação de Cryptosporidium spp. foi realizada pela centrífugo-sedimentação formalinaéter seguido da coloração de Ziehl-Neelsen modificada. Para confirmação d e Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp. foi utilizado o teste de ELISA (RIDASCREEN®). Resultados: A prevalência de enteroparasitos foi de 62,5%, com elevada frequência de Cryptosporidium spp. (31%) e Giardia spp. (25%). A idade mais acometida por esses microrganismos emergentes e reemergentes foi de 3 e 4 anos. Conclusão: A partir do exposto, é de suma importância realizar processos de educação em saúde para famílias e funcionários das instituições escolares a respeito das principais formas de transmissão e medidas de prevenção de enteroparasitoses, a fim d e evitar a disseminação de microrganismos patogênicos no ambiente escolar.

Water Quality Assessment of the Pardo River Basin, Brazil: A Multivariate Approach Using Limnological Parameters, Metal Concentrations and Indicator Bacteria

Located in the southeast of Brazil, the Pardo River Basin has a large population and an economy focused on agriculture, with a strong predominance of the sugarcane agro-industry. The purpose of the study was to assess the water quality of the Pardo River Basin under a multivariate approach using limnological parameters, metal concentrations, and indicator bacteria. Nine sampling campaigns were performed during both the dry and rainy seasons. Element concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS, Perkin Elmer Elan 6000). A battery of test to determine limnological parameters was performed (in situ). Total coliforms and Escherichia coli were detected and quantified using Defined Substrate Technology Colilert® and multiple tube dilutions. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were used as multivariate exploratory analysis. In general, the results suggest the influence of rain, possible sewage discharges into the watercourse, and the input of organic matter in some sampling points in both seasons, besides the absence of riparian vegetation in much of the Pardo River. The likely influence of industrial activities that do not have great prominence in the region was supported by temporal/spatial assessment of Cr and V. The water quality monitoring of Pardo River is an important tool for environmental management, and its continuity is indicated to obtain a consistent series of systematic data and thereby support concretely the actions of planning and controlling the use of water from the Pardo River and soil around them.