Divani Maria Capuano

Etiology of acute diarrhea among children in Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil

To study the main enteropathogens causing diarrhea in the region of Ribeirão Preto regarding serogroups and serotypes, the feces of 1836 children under 10 years old, from both sexes, attack of acute gastroenteritis, were analysed during a period of 4 years in Adolfo Lutz Institute - Ribeirão Preto, SP. The pathogens identified by standard methods were the following: Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp., Yersinia spp., and Cryptosporidium spp. Positive samples were 22.8% (419) with 1.7% association of pathogens. Larger isolates were mainly from children 0 to 11 months old. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) was most frequent (8.7%) with predominance of serogroup O119 (40.2%), followed by Shigella (6.2%), 63.6% of which S. sonnei.

Fiscalização de verduras comercializadas no município de Ribeirão Preto, SP

Resumo O consumo de verduras cruas constitui importante meio de transmissao de varias doencasinfecciosas. Este estudo tem como objetivo a avaliacao microbiologica e parasitologica de verdurascomercializadas no municipio de Ribeirao Preto, SP, abrangendo todos os pontos de venda ao consumidor.Do total de 172 estabelecimentos fixos ou ambulantes analisados, 115 (67%) apresentaram hortalicas comirregularidades: elevada concentracao de coliformes fecais em 63%, presenca de Salmonella em 9% e deenteroparasitas em 33%. Os pontos de venda com maior frequencia de hortalicas com resultados inadequadosforam: mercearias (92%), CEAGESP (75%), quitandas (71%), vendedores ambulantes (71%), feiras-livres(69%), supermercados (52%) e hortas (18%). O tipo de contaminacao apresentou distribuicao uniforme emrelacao aos locais de venda e a variedade da hortalica. A maioria (61%) das verduras contaminadas eraprocedente de hortas localizadas no municipio de Ribeirao Preto. Considerando a elevada frequencia decontaminacao fecal e o potencial risco de doencas veiculadas pelas hortalicas, sugerimos uma vigilânciasanitaria mais atuante na fiscalizacao de alimentos oferecidos a populacao.Palavras-chaves: Verduras. Coliformes fecais. Salmonella. Cisticercose.Abstract The ingestion of raw vegetables represents an important means of transmission of several infectiousdiseases. The objective of the present study was to perform a microbiological and parasitological evaluationof the vegetables commercially sold in the municipality of Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil. Of a total of 172 commercialconcerns analyzed, 115 (67%) presented irregularities in the vegetables they sold, such as elevatedconcentration of fecal coliforms in 63%, presence of Salmonella in 9%, and presence of enteroparasites in33%. The commercial concerns with the highest frequencies of vegetables showing inadequate results were:grocery stores (92%), CEAGESP (75%), fruit and vegetables stores (71%), traveling vendors (71%), fairs(69%), supermarkets (52%), and vegetable gardens (18%). The type of contamination was uniformly distributedamong these commercial concerns. Most of the contaminated vegetables (61%) were from gardens located inthe municipality of Ribeirao Preto. Considering the high frequency of fecal contamination and the potential riskof disease transmitted by vegetables, we suggest greater enforcement in the sanitary surveillance of the foodoffered to the population.Key-words: Lettuce. Vegetable. Fecal coliforms. Salmonella. Cysticercosis.The ingestion of raw vegetables represents an important means of transmission of several infectious diseases. The objective of the present study was to perform a microbiological and parasitological evaluation of the vegetables commercially sold in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Of a total of 172 commercial concerns analyzed, 115 (67%) presented irregularities in the vegetables they sold, such as elevated concentration of fecal coliforms in 63%, presence of Salmonella in 9%, and presence of enteroparasites in 33%. The commercial concerns with the highest frequencies of vegetables showing inadequate results were: grocery stores (92%), CEAGESP (75%), fruit and vegetables stores (71%), traveling vendors (71%), fairs (69%), supermarkets (52%), and vegetable gardens (18%). The type of contamination was uniformly distributed among these commercial concerns. Most of the contaminated vegetables (61%) were from gardens located in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto. Considering the high frequency of fecal contamination and the potential risk of disease transmitted by vegetables, we suggest greater enforcement in the sanitary surveillance of the food offered to the population.

Fiscalização de hortas produtoras de verduras do município de Ribeirão Preto, SP

The ingesting of raw vegetables plays an important role in the transmission of several infectious diseases due to the high frequency of irrigation with wastewater. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sanitary conditions of all lettuce producing crops in Ribeirao Preto through microbiological and parasitological analysis of both irrigation water and lettuce together with the implantation of an effective crop monitoring. Laboratory analysis of 129 crops showed irregularities in 26 (20.1%) of these: high concentration of fecal coliforms in 17% of the lettuce, presence of Salmonella in 3.1% and several enteroparasites (Ascaris sp, Ancylostomidae, Strongyloides sp, Hymenolepis nana, and Giardia sp ) in 13.1%. Persistent irregularities determined the definitive closing down of one producer; all of the remaining 128 crops were eventually approved, thus demonstrating the efficacy of lettuce crop monitoring. Crops approved in the laboratory analysis were awarded a Sanitary Inspection Certificate - an unprecedented procedure in our Country - that resulted in a better acceptance of the monitoring.The ingesting of raw vegetables plays an important role in the transmission of several infectious diseases due to the high frequency of irrigation with wastewater. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sanitary conditions of all lettuce producing crops in Ribeirão Preto through microbiological and parasitological analysis of both irrigation water and lettuce together with the implantation of an effective crop monitoring. Laboratory analysis of 129 crops showed irregularities in 26 (20.1%) of these: high concentration of fecal coliforms in 17% of the lettuce, presence of Salmonella in 3.1% and several enteroparasites (Ascaris sp, Ancylostomidae, Strongyloides sp, Hymenolepis nana, and Giardia sp ) in 13.1%. Persistent irregularities determined the definitive closing down of one producer; all of the remaining 128 crops were eventually approved, thus demonstrating the efficacy of lettuce crop monitoring. Crops approved in the laboratory analysis were awarded a Sanitary Inspection Certificate - an unprecedented procedure in our Country - that resulted in a better acceptance of the monitoring.

Environmental contamination by Toxocara sp. eggs in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil

Toxocariasis is a zoonosis mainly caused by Toxocara canis, an intestinal nematode of dogs. Man acquires the infection through accidental ingestion of viable eggs, and the toxocariasis clinical manifestations may vary from an asymptomatic infection up to the Visceral Larva Migrans syndrome. Seventy eight public squares of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, including Bonfim Paulista district were visited aiming to evaluate the soil contamination by Toxocara eggs. The squares were divided in five different areas corresponding to the Sanitary Districts of the city. From May to December 2003, soil samples weighting about 250 g each were collected from five distinct sites of each public square. The laboratory analysis was done by centrifugal-flotation techniques in magnesium sulphate solutions with 5% of potassium iodide (d = 1.33) and zinc sulphate (d = 1.20), and by the sedimentation- flotation in conic chalices with zinc sulphate (d = 1.20). Toxocara sp. eggs were found on 16 (20.5%) squares, with the lowest prevalence (12%) at the central area. From these results, it is expected that the legal authority will adopt protection measures for the city public areas, reducing thus the contamination risk by Toxocara sp. eggs.

Avaliação da contaminação de hortas produtoras de verduras após a implantação do sistema de fiscalização em Ribeirão Preto, SP

This study evaluated the microbiological and parasitological contamination of 88 market gardens producing green vegetables, of which 47 had been investigated previously. The contamination rate was 38.3% in the market gardens previously evaluated and 43.9% in the new market gardens. Food safety requires a continuous and efficient sanitary surveillance system for market gardens.

Análise da cadeia de produção de verduras em Ribeirão Preto, SP

With the aim of assessing the cumulative risk of lettuce contamination, 45 production chains were investigated. The presence of thermotolerant coliforms, Salmonella and/or parasites was detected in 69% of these, in all steps of the production chain. Quality control in all steps of the lettuce production process should be intensified.

Enteroparasitoses e onicomicoses em manipuladores de alimentos do município de Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil

Most microbial food-borne illnesses are due to inappropriate food handling. The identification of food handlers contaminated with pathogenic organisms that can be transferred to food is a useful tool in the prevention of food contamination. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the presence of enteroparasitosis and onychomycosis in food handlers in Ribeirao Preto, in order to contribute to sanitary surveillance actions. METHODS: From July to November 2000, 69 fecal and 23 nail samples of 23 food handlers in Ribeirao Preto were examined. Feces were submitted to the KATOs and spontaneous sedimentation method. In the mycological analysis, every nail scraping sample was submitted to clarification with 30% KOH for 30 minutes for the microscopic study (direct examination) and culture in Sabouraud agar with 100 mg/L of chloramphenicol, and later incubation at 28-30oC. Yeast growth was checked weekly. RESULTS: Among the workers evaluated, 04 (17.4%) presented intestinal parasitism, 08 (34.8%) mycosis, and 01 (4.3%), concurrent enteroparasitosis infection and mycosis. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent food-borne illnesses, the joint implementation of some actions is necessary, including the identification of pathogenic agents that can be transmitted by food, through handling.

Relato de nematóides da família Anisakidae em bacalhau comercializado em Ribeirão Preto, SP

Anisakiasis is a human gastrointestinal parasitosis that results from accidental ingestion of infective larvae belonging to the Anisakidae family. Eleven codfish samples were analyzed and 64% did not conform to the present legislation, because they contained nematode larvae from the Anisakidae family and were therefore unfit for consumption.

Monitoring of lettuce crops of Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

The ingesting of raw vegetables plays an important role in the transmission of several infectious diseases due to the high frequency of irrigation with wastewater. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sanitary conditions of all lettuce producing crops in Ribeirao Preto through microbiological and parasitological analysis of both irrigation water and lettuce together with the implantation of an effective crop monitoring. Laboratory analysis of 129 crops showed irregularities in 26 (20.1%) of these: high concentration of fecal coliforms in 17% of the lettuce, presence of Salmonella in 3.1% and several enteroparasites (Ascaris sp, Ancylostomidae, Strongyloides sp, Hymenolepis nana, and Giardia sp ) in 13.1%. Persistent irregularities determined the definitive closing down of one producer; all of the remaining 128 crops were eventually approved, thus demonstrating the efficacy of lettuce crop monitoring. Crops approved in the laboratory analysis were awarded a Sanitary Inspection Certificate - an unprecedented procedure in our Country - that resulted in a better acceptance of the monitoring.The ingesting of raw vegetables plays an important role in the transmission of several infectious diseases due to the high frequency of irrigation with wastewater. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sanitary conditions of all lettuce producing crops in Ribeirão Preto through microbiological and parasitological analysis of both irrigation water and lettuce together with the implantation of an effective crop monitoring. Laboratory analysis of 129 crops showed irregularities in 26 (20.1%) of these: high concentration of fecal coliforms in 17% of the lettuce, presence of Salmonella in 3.1% and several enteroparasites (Ascaris sp, Ancylostomidae, Strongyloides sp, Hymenolepis nana, and Giardia sp ) in 13.1%. Persistent irregularities determined the definitive closing down of one producer; all of the remaining 128 crops were eventually approved, thus demonstrating the efficacy of lettuce crop monitoring. Crops approved in the laboratory analysis were awarded a Sanitary Inspection Certificate - an unprecedented procedure in our Country - that resulted in a better acceptance of the monitoring.

Enteroparasitoses em manipuladores de alimentos do município de Ribeirão Preto - SP, Brasil, 2000

INTRODUCAO: A seguranca alimentar vem adquirindo mundialmente uma importância crescente. As doencas transmitidas por alimentos (DTAS) tem impactos na saude publica e socioeconomicos, acarretando custos hospitalares em tratamentos e internacoes. As pessoas envolvidas na producao de alimentos podem ser portadoras de enteroparasitos e vir a contaminar os alimentos, provocando surtos de origem alimentar. OBJETIVOS: Investigar a presenca de enteroparasitoses em manipuladores de alimentos do municipio de Ribeirao Preto, SP, propondo medidas que assegurem a qualidade sanitaria dos alimentos. METODOS: Entre julho a dezembro de 2000, 429 manipuladores de alimentos (248 mulheres e 181 homens), com idades entre 16 e 77 anos, foram submetidos ao exame coproparasitologico por ocasiao da obtencao ou renovacao da carteira de saude. As amostras de fezes foram examinadas pelos metodos de Kato e da sedimentacao espontânea. A pesquisa de oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp foi realizada em 7,0% das amostras de fezes diarreicas atraves da tecnica de concentracao pelo formol-eter. RESULTADOS: Foram encontradas enteroparasitoses em 33,1% dos manipuladores, incluindo 20,0% de casos de poliparasitismo. Prevalencias mais altas de infeccoes ocorreram entre os individuos envolvidos com atividades de manipulacao direta dos alimentos (68%). CONCLUSOES: Considerando os resultados obtidos, sao necessarios a educacao sanitaria e o treinamento dos manipuladores bem como a implementacao da metodologia da Analise dos Perigos e Pontos Criticos de Controle (APPCC) em todas as etapas da cadeia de producao dos alimentos, para garantir produtos alimenticios seguros aos consumidores.