Claudia Maria Antunes Uchôa

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis em cães naturalmente infectados

Eight dogs from Marica Municipality (RJ), with suggestive lesion of american tegumentary leishmaniasis were studied by parasitological and serological methods. Leishmania spp was found in six dogs by in vitro cultivation. Specific antibodies were detected in six dogs by ELISA and in two by indirect immunofluorescence. Five canine isolates were found to belong to the same zymodeme as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. The authors suggest that clinically suspect dogs should be followed-up in an attempt to confirm the diagnostic of canine tegumentary leishmaniasis.

Contaminação por enteroparasitas em hortaliças comercializadas nas cidades de Niterói e Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the parasitological contamination of vegetables to be consumed raw and commercialized in Niteroi and Rio de Janeiro cities. We studied 128 samples of vegetables ¾ lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and watercress (Nasturtium officinale) ¾ from supermarkets, greengrocer shops and self-service restaurants. Only 6.2% of the samples were positive for parasitic structures with morphological aspects similar to those of animal parasites. We detected acharids, acharid eggs, insects, nematode larvae and ciliated protozoa in most of the samples (96.1%), including those from restaurants. This high percentage suggests a risk of human infection since parasite structures capable of infecting man may exist in association with these agents.The aim of this study was to evaluate the parasitological contamination of vegetables to be consumed raw and commercialized in Niteroi and Rio de Janeiro cities. We studied 128 samples of vegetables — lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and watercress (Nasturtium officinale) — from supermarkets, greengrocer shops and self-service restaurants. Only 6.2% of the samples were positive for parasitic structures with morphological aspects similar to those of animal parasites. We detected acharids, acharid eggs, insects, nematode larvae and ciliated protozoa in most of the samples (96.1%), including those from restaurants. This high percentage suggests a risk of human infection since parasite structures capable of infecting man may exist in association with these agents. Key-words: Intestinal parasite. Vegetables. Vanessa C.L. Mesquita, Cathia M.B. Serra, Otílio M.P. Bastos e Cláudia M.A. Uchôa Intestinal parasites contamination from vegetables comercialized in Niterói and Rio de Janeiro cities, Brazil As enteroparas i toses por possuí rem ecossistema infectivo com mecanismos de infecção passivo oral e/ou ativo cutâneo, apresentam-se com distribuição cosmopolita, porém com possibil idade de variação na prevalência7. Geralmente, tanto em áreas rurais quanto urbanas dos países de terceiro mundo devido as baixas condições sanitárias, as parasi toses intest inais são amplamente difundidas, sendo as hortaliças citadas como um dos veículos de suas estruturas infectantes5 9. A principal forma de contaminação dessas hortaliçasThe aim of this study was to evaluate the parasitological contamination of vegetables to be consumed raw and commercialized in Niterói and Rio de Janeiro cities. We studied 128 samples of vegetables--lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and watercress (Nasturtium officinale)--from supermarkets, greengrocer shops and self-service restaurants. Only 6.2% of the samples were positive for parasitic structures with morphological aspects similar to those of animal parasites. We detected acarids, acarid eggs, insects, nematode larvae and ciliated protozoa in most of the samples (96.1%), including those from restaurants. This high percentage suggests a risk of human infection since parasite structures capable of infecting man may exist in association with these agents.

Exame parasitológico de fezes de gatos (Felis catus domesticus) domiciliados e errantes da Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

In a survey of 131 faecal samples from Rio de Janeiro domiciliated and stray cats, 63,4% were positive with a higher prevalence among stray animals. Ancylostoma sp (43.5%), Toxocara sp (19.1%), Cystoisospora sp (43.5%), Uncinaria sp (1.5%), Toxocaris leonine (7.6%), Giardia sp (6.1%) and Sarcocystis sp (0.8%) were found. This high prevalence suggests the need for improved control measures against cats to protect animal and human health.

Contaminação microbiológica e parasitológica em alfaces (Lactuca sativa) de restaurantes self-service, de Niterói, RJ

Thirty samples of lettuces from self service restaurants of Niteroi were analyzed to detect bacteriological and parasitological contamination. Sixteen samples presented fecal coliform, 16 mesophilic aerobic microorganisms greater than 107 UFC/g and 3 cysts of Entamoeba coli. These data suggest the need of better orientation for food handlers regarding the hygiene of processed vegetables.

Aspectos sorológicos e epidemiológicos da leishmaniose tegumentar americana canina em Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

A sample of 261 dogs from 134 households located in a periurban area of Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was studied to evaluate serologic reactions and active infection of american tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL). Eight dogs presented lesions suggestive of ATL, but this was isolated in only three. Using ELISA, 24.5% (64/261) of the dogs studied were positive (sensitivity = 66% and specificity = 76%), associated with isolation in 2 animals and 0.4% (1/261) by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIF) with no association with isolation. In order to reduce the unspecific reactions to ELISA, a second criterion was used to obtain the cutoff (sensitivity = 33% and specificity = 93%), resulting in a reactivity of 6.9 % (18/261) associated to isolation in a single animal. As observed in this study, serologic results by IIF were not associated with active infection and ELISA showed high unspecific reactions, indicating that the serologic reactions alone are not recommended for ATL diagnosis. ATL scars were been observed in 7 persons in the region and active lesion, under treatment, was observed in one patient. The finding of active lesions, either in dogs or humans, confirmed the existence of active tegumentary leishmaniasis in Maricá, indicating the need for further studies to evaluate the importance of this infection in the municipality.

Educação em saúde: ensinando sobre a leishmaniose tegumentar americana

Knowledge on the circulation of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) and perception by the local population are highly relevant for developing a control program, since they mobilize the community for effective health measures. This work aimed to orient primary school teachers and pupils (grades 1 through 4) in the public school system in Marica, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, on ATL, using talks, posters, and leaflets with an interactive approach. Talks were given in seven municipal schools, and activities were held with 1,314 pupils and 56 teachers. Leaflets were distributed to the pupils with activities to help consolidate the content. Two months later one school was chosen for post-evaluation. Of the 213 pupils who had attended the talk, 198 answered a questionnaire, of whom 178 (89.9%) could remember the disease and 125 (63.1%) provided correct answers on transmission. Thus, informed children and teachers can function as information disseminators in health within their community and are therefore capable of contributing to control of endemic diseases.

Leishmaniose tegumentar canina em Morada das Águias (Serra da Tiririca), Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

This is a report of canine tegumentary leishmaniasis in Morada das Aguias (in the Serra da Tiririca mountain range), Marica, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. A clinical, serological, and parasitological survey was performed in 83 dogs. Eleven (13.2%) were positive on indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and 30 (36.1%) on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ulcerated cutaneous or mucosal lesions were observed in 18 (n = 83; 21.7%) dogs. Leishmania was isolated from 11 of the animals. The disease occurrence and local occupational characteristics are discussed.

Parasitological and immunological diagnoses from feces of captive-bred snakes at Vital Brazil Institute

Fecal samples from 56 snakes at the Vital Brazil Institute, in the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, were tested using the sedimentation and flotation techniques to investigate the evolutionary forms of parasites such as helminths and protozoa, and using enzyme immunoassay techniques to detect antigens of Cryptosporidium sp. and Giardia sp. Among the animals tested, 80.3% were positive for parasites. Out of these, there were 16 Bothrops jararaca, 16 B. jararacussu and 13 Crotalus durissus. The prevalence of parasitic nematodes was 41.1%, and nematodes were found in all three snake species. Among these, the most frequent finding was eggs of Kalicephalus sp., which were diagnosed in 25% of the snakes. The positivity for protozoa detected using parasite concentration techniques was 75%, including oocysts of Caryospora sp. in 75%, cysts with morphology similar to Giardia sp. 3.6%, amoeboid cysts in 41.1% and unsporulated coccidia oocysts in 8.9%. Immunoassays for Cryptosporidium sp. antigens produced positive findings in 60.7%. Pseudoparasites were detected in 64.3%. These results show that there is a need to improve the sanitary handling of captive-bred snakes, and also for the animal house that supplies rodents to feed them. The results also highlight that diagnostic tests should be performed periodically on stool specimens from captive-bred snakes.

Isolation and maintenance of Balantidium coli (Malmsteim, 1857) cultured from fecal samples of pigs and non-human primates.

Balantidium coli is a protozoa that can determine dysentery in humans, pigs and non-human primates having zoonotic potential. The lack of standardization in isolation and maintenance hinders the development of research on its biology and epidemiology. This study is aimed to standardize the isolation and maintenance of this parasite from animal feces, in culture medium, Pavlova modified. From 2012 to 2014, 1905 fecal samples were collected from captive animals of Rio de Janeiro. Were selected for isolation samples with a minimum of 10 trophozoites and/or 30 cysts of B. coli, totaling 88 pigs, 26 Cynomolgus and 90 rhesus macaques. In the presence of cysts, the sample was homogenized in saline solution, 500 μL was removed and inoculated into culture medium. The material that contained trophozoites the inoculum was made from 240 μL of fecal solution. All inoculate tubes with the subcultures were kept at 36°C, and sterile rice starch was always added to the medium. The parasites isolate from pigs, 34%, and from Cynomolgus 38.4% were maintained in vitro for a period of more than 24 months. These procedures proved to be adequate for isolation and maintenance of B. coli from different animals, they were found to be inexpensive and easy to perform.

Balantidium coli and other gastrointestinal parasites in captives non-human primates of the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Parasites are agents of diarrhea in captive non‐human primates (NHP). To broaden information about those etiological agents in captive animals in Brazil, gastrointestinal parasites in captive NHP were researched in nurturing Centers of Rio de Janeiro State.