Fabrizio Furtado de Sousa

Epidemiologic aspects of toxoplasmosis and evaluation of its seroprevalence in pregnant women

INTRODUCTION The aim of the present study was to analyze the exposure to risk factors for toxoplasmosis disease and the level of knowledge in pregnant women who were treated by the Public Health Care System (SUS) from October 2007 to September 2008 in Divinópolis City, Brazil. METHODS We analyzed 2,136 prenatal exams of pregnant women that were treated from October 2007 to September 2008. RESULTS Out of the 2,136 pregnant women evaluated, 200 answered a quantitative questionnaire; 49.5% were seropositive for immunoglobulin (Ig) G and 3.6% for IgM. Comparative analysis of congenital toxoplasmosis cases were evaluated in 11 regions and showed an irregular distribution (p < 0.01). This difference was also observed among the pregnant women observed in each location. The results from the questionnaire show that 93% of the pregnant women had no knowledge about toxoplasmosis, and 24% presented with positive serology, but no clinical manifestation. Analysis for pregnant IgG-positive women and the presence of pets showed a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05), suggesting that the transmission of this disease might occur in the domestic environment. CONCLUSIONS We suggest the implementation of a triage program for pregnant women and health education to encourage their use of SUS services.

Public Knowledge about and Detection of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Urban Divinópolis, Brazil.

Background. Leishmaniases are diseases with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations including cutaneous (CL) and visceral (VL) forms. Many factors may affect their occurrence and expansion including environmental, geographic, and social conditions. In the past two decades, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, has exhibited the potential for a disease outbreak, with the appearance of CL, and VL cases (human and canine). Hence, this study was initiated to monitor public knowledge of the disease. Questionnaires were administered in four neighborhoods (Jardim Belvedere, Esplanada, Danilo Passos I and II) where most of the human and canine cases have been reported. The analyses demonstrated that public knowledge of the disease is sparse and fragmented. A strong perception of the dog as the main reservoir was observed. Five veterinary clinics were evaluated for the presence of canine VL using serological (RIFI and ELISA) and molecular (PCR-RFLP) techniques. This is the first study demonstrating the occurrence of Leishmania infantum in Divinópolis, suggesting a possible urbanization of VL.

Fatores de risco peridomiciliares e conhecimento sobre leishmaniose visceral da população de Formiga, Minas Gerais

Introduction: Leishmaniasis represents an important burden of diseases in tropical countries, with significant levels of morbidity and mortality where they occur, including in Brazil. In this context, popular participation in prophylactic actions can be decisive for the success of the control strategies. Objective: For this reason, this study aimed at investigating the populations knowledge concerning leishmaniasis and the occurrence of peridomiciliary risk factors associated with the population of Formiga, Minas Gerais. Methods: A household questionnaire with a sample of 427 individuals was conducted between May and July 2011. Results: Only 7.5% of the residents presented knowledge regarding leishmaniasis, most of them being women (OR = 3.15; 95%CI 1.30 - 7.65). The prevalence of peridomiciliary risks was 95%. A statistically significant association was found between higher education levels and less peridomiciliary risk factors (OR = 0.45; 95%CI 0.28 - 0.72) and between the place of residence and a higher number of risk factors (OR = 0.84; 95%CI 1.19 - 2.85). Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the population has low levels of knowledge about leishmaniasis. Moreover, the majority of respondents are subject to some peridomiciliary risk factor, which may contribute to the maintenance of the disease cycle in the city.INTRODUCTION Leishmaniasis represents an important burden of diseases in tropical countries, with significant levels of morbidity and mortality where they occur, including in Brazil. In this context, popular participation in prophylactic actions can be decisive for the success of the control strategies. OBJECTIVE For this reason, this study aimed at investigating the populations knowledge concerning leishmaniasis and the occurrence of peridomiciliary risk factors associated with the population of Formiga, Minas Gerais. METHODS A household questionnaire with a sample of 427 individuals was conducted between May and July 2011. RESULTS Only 7.5% of the residents presented knowledge regarding leishmaniasis, most of them being women (OR = 3.15; 95%CI 1.30 - 7.65). The prevalence of peridomiciliary risks was 95%. A statistically significant association was found between higher education levels and less peridomiciliary risk factors (OR = 0.45; 95%CI 0.28 - 0.72) and between the place of residence and a higher number of risk factors (OR = 0.84; 95%CI 1.19 - 2.85). CONCLUSION The results demonstrate that the population has low levels of knowledge about leishmaniasis. Moreover, the majority of respondents are subject to some peridomiciliary risk factor, which may contribute to the maintenance of the disease cycle in the city.

Prevalência de Toxoplasma gondii em gestantes atendidas pelo Sistema Único de Saúde

Introducao: A toxoplasmose e uma das zoonoses mais disseminadas do mundo, conhecida popularmente como a “doenca do gato”. A infeccao materna primaria adquirida durante a gestacao, e de elevada importância podendo resultar em infeccao com graves sequelas para o feto. Objetivo: Analisar a prevalencia do Toxoplasma gondii em gestantes atendidas Sistema Unico de Saude (SUS), na cidade de Divinopolis, Minas Gerais, Brasil, durante os anos de 2013 e 2014. Materiais e Metodos: Foi feito um estudo transversal retrospectivo a partir da analise da prevalencia do Toxoplasma gondii. Os dados foram estatisticamente analisados segundo o teste χ2. Resultados: As prevalencias observadas foram de 45 e 38% em 2013 e 2014, respectivamente, sendo encontrada diferenca significativa entre os dois anos (p<0,05). Na analise da distribuicao dos registros obtidos por regioes no municipio, foi observada maior frequencia nas regioes Sudoeste distante, Noroeste rural, Noroeste distante e Oeste. Nao houve diferenca significativa entre as regioes atingindo prevalencia de ate 58,6%. A soropositividade tambem foi relacionada com as categorias de idade, sendo mais frequente entre as gestantes de15 a ≥35 anos. Em 2013 houve relacao entre a idade e a soroprevalencia (p<0,05). Conclusao: Verificou-se a prevalencia de soropositividade para Toxoplasma gondii em 45% das gestantes, em 2013, em 38%, em 2014. Estas prevalencias, encontradas na cidade de Divinopolis-MG, sao semelhante as observadas em outros estudos no Brasil, ressaltando a importância de medidas de prevencao, que devem ser intensificadas durante o acompanhamento gestacional, para diminuir a soroconversao e a transmissao fetal.

Fatores associados às enteroparasitoses em crianças usuárias de creches comunitárias

Objetivo: Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal avaliar os fatores de risco associados a presenca de enteroparasitoses em criancas usuarias de duas creches comunitarias do municipio de Divinopolis (MG). Materiais e Metodos: Neste estudo prospectivo, exploratorio e transversal, foram coletadas amostras de fezes de 86 criancas e estas foram analisadas atraves do metodo de Hoffman, Pons e Janer. As informacoes familiares e socioeconomicas das criancas foram obtidas atraves de um questionario. As condicoes higienico sanitarias das creches foram analisadas atraves de observacao estruturada. Resultados: A prevalencia de enteroparasitoses encontrada foi de 15,1%, sendo estas ocasionadas pelos protozoarios Giardia lamblia (58,4%) e Entamoeba coli (41,6%), nao sendo observada infeccao por helmintos. Foram identificados alguns fatores de risco associados a presenca de parasitoses intestinais, como a baixa escolaridade da mae (p=0,048), a presenca de animais domesticos em casa (p=0,028), o tempo de gestacao inferior a 36 semanas (p=0,022) e o tempo de amamentacao inferior a seis meses (p=0,009). As condicoes higienico sanitarias das creches foram consideradas adequadas. Conclusao: Os resultados demonstram que caracteristicas familiares estao relacionadas a ocorrencia de enteroparasitoses em criancas e reforca a necessidade da educacao/conscientizacao dos pais como fator essencial no controle dessas doencas.

EXIGÊNCIAS NUTRICIONAIS DE MUDAS DE Dipteryx alata SOB LIMITAÇÃO NUTRICIONAL

This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the nutritional requirements and the effect of nutrient limitation over the development of baru seedlings ( Dipteryx alata Vogel), using the nutrient limitation technique. The trial was established in a completely randomized design, with 12 treatments and 8 replicates. The adopted treatments were the following: complete 1 (C1 – fertilization with N, P, K, S, B, Cu, Zn and liming), complete 2 (C2 – fertilization with N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, B, Cu, Zn, with no liming), complete treatment with the omission of a nutrient at a time (C1-N, C1-P, C1-K, C1-S, C1-B, C1-Zn, C2-Ca, C2-Mg, C1-liming) and control (natural soil). We assessed plant height and diameter, and separated them into shoot and root system. The seedlings were dried, weighed, ground for the determination of nutrient content of the shoot dry matter. According to the results, the limitation of S and B did not affect the growth of Dipteryx alata seedlings. In general, P and N were the nutrients that most limited the growth of Baru seedlings. The sequence of nutritional requirements presented by the Baru seedlings, in decreasing order, considering the production of shoot dry biomass, was: P = N > Ca = Mg = Zn = K = S = B.

BIOMASSA E ATIVIDADE MICROBIANA SOB DIFERENTES COBERTURAS FLORESTAIS

This study evaluated the soil fertility, biomass and microbial activity of the soil under forest cover of Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus pilularis, Eucalyptus cloeziana and Corymbia maculata; Pinus Caribbean var. hondurensis, 40 years old, and a fragment of Semideciduous Forest, located on the campus of the Federal University of Lavras. In soil samples collected in the 0-5 cm layer were determined fertility parameters, basal respiration and microbial biomass carbon. The results showed that for the species E. grandis and E. cloeziana the carbon of biomass microbial content was higher than for any other ecosystem evaluated, and equal to those observed under native forest. In contrast, the ground under Pinus had the lowest microbiological indexes. Under C. maculata and E. pilularis the contents were intermediate for this parameter. The basal respiration of all ecosystems was equal. The fertility level was very low in all types of evaluated vegetation.

Prevalência e fatores associados ao sobrepeso/obesidade e à hipertensão arterial sistêmica em crianças da rede privada de ensino de Divinópolis/MG

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of overweight/obesity and systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) in children aged 8-10 years of private schools in Divinopolis, MG and the associated risk factors. Levels of blood pressure, body weight and height of children were measured. The risk factors were obtained by questionnaire. Data were analyzed using STATA software and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Sampling included 199 children (107 girls and 92 boys). Of these, 33.2% were overweight/obese. Overweight was associated with the gender and mother`s weight. Regarding hypertension, 33.2% of children showed borderline or high blood pressure. The altered levels of blood pressure proved to be related to race and breastfeeding duration. Another feature associated with altered blood pressure was excess body weight, reinforcing the literature data that demonstrate a significant association between hypertension and overweight/obesity.