Max Moreira Alves

Mitochondrial and nuclear sequence polymorphisms reveal geographic structuring in Amazonian populations of Echinococcus vogeli (Cestoda: Taeniidae).

To date, nothing is known about the genetic diversity of the Echinococcus neotropical species, Echinococcus vogeli and Echinococcus oligarthrus. Here we used mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence polymorphisms to uncover the genetic structure, transmission and history of E. vogeli in the Brazilian Amazon, based on a sample of 38 isolates obtained from human and wild animal hosts. We confirm that the parasite is partially synanthropic and show that its populations are diverse. Furthermore, significant geographical structuring is found, with western and eastern populations being genetically divergent.

Equinococose policística na Amazônia oriental brasileira: atualização da casuística

Mediante criterios epidemiologicos, clinicos e laboratoriais, foi levantada a casuistica de equinococose policistica no periodo de 1962 a 2003, no âmbito da Amazonia oriental brasileira, incluindo casos ineditos e aqueles ja publicados. Dessa forma, foram identificados 40 casos da doenca no referido periodo, compreendendo casos procedentes dos estados do Para e Amapa, Brasil. A amplitude das idades foi de 10 a 72 anos. Do total 47,5% pertenciam ao sexo masculino. O figado foi o orgao mais acometido (82,5% dos casos). O Echinococcus vogeli (Rausch e Bernstein, 1972), apresentou-se como o principal agente etiologico envolvido. A partir do reconhecimento da importância e das implicacoes do manejo da equinococose para a regiao tropical, acredita-se que devera ocorrer uma implementacao do diagnostico precoce, tratamento adequado e de um melhor registro da doenca.

Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893) (Nematoda) entre populações indígenas e mamíferos silvestres no noroeste do Estado do Mato Grosso, Brasil, 2000

Capillaria hepatica is a hepatotropic nematode that infects rodents and other mammals. In 2000, eggs of this helminth were identified in stool samples from the indigenous population in Northwestern Mato Grosso, Brazil. A parasitological survey was conducted in stool samples from 477 (76.6%) out of 622 Indians from six villages (Mamaindé, Kithãulu, Camararé, Negatoré, Nambiquara and Wassussu) located in the valleys of the Guaporé and Nambiquara rivers. Liver samples from wild animals were used by these Indians as a food source and were collected for histopathological and parasitological assessment. The results revealed the presence of C. hepatica eggs in the stool samples from 8.6% (41/477) of the individuals and revealed enteric parasitic protozoa and other helminths. Eggs of C. hepatica were also found in the livers of Tayassu pecari (white-lipped peccary) and Ateles paniscus (black spider monkey). The fecal elimination of C. hepatica eggs that was found among the Indians represented a spurious infection and was associated with the consumption of the viscera of wild animals that are considered to be reservoirs of C. hepatica in the investigated area. Additional clinical and epidemiological studies must be performed in this area because of the zoonotic potential of C. hepatica to cause hepatic capillariasis. Keyword: Capillaria hepatica; Nematoda; Helminths; protozoan; Indigenous Population. Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893) (Nematodo) entre poblaciones indígenas y mamíferos silvestres en el noroeste del Estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil, 2000 RESUMEN Capillaria hepatica es un nematodo hepatotrópico capaz de infectar roedores y otros mamíferos. En virtud de la identificación de huevos de este helminto en muestras de heces de indígenas del noroeste de Mato Grosso, el año 2000, se realizó una investigación coproparasitaria en las heces de 477 (76,6%) de los 622 indígenas de seis aldeas (Mamaindé, Kithãulu, Camararé, Negatoré, Nambiquara y Wassussu) situadas en los valles de los ríos Guaporé y Nambiquara, noroeste del Estado de Mato Grosso. También se colectaron muestras, para evaluación histopatológica y parasitaria, de hígados de animales silvestres utilizados como fuente alimentar por estos indígenas. Los resultados indicaron la presencia de huevos de C. hepatica en las heces de 8,6% (41/477) de los indígenas y de protozoarios y otros helmintos enteroparásitos entre las muestras analizadas. Huevos de C. hepatica también fueron identificados en el hígado de Tayassu pecari (pecarí barbiblanco) y Ateles paniscus (mono araña). La eliminación fecal de huevos de C. hepatica entre los indígenas representó infecciones espurias y fue asociada al consumo de vísceras de animales silvestres, considerados como reservorios del helminto en el área. Estudios clínico-epidemiológicos complementarios deben ser desarrollados en la región, en virtud del potencial zoonótico del parásito en causar infecciones genuinas de capilariasis hepática. Palabras clave: Capillaria hepatica; Nematodo; helmintos; protozoarios; población indígena.

Neotropical echinococcosis: Second report of Echinococcus vogeli natural infection in its main definitive host, the bush dog (Speothos venaticus)

The bush dog (Speothos venaticus) acts as the natural definitive host in the life cycle of Echinococcus vogeli, the causative agent of polycystic hydatid disease, a zoonotic neglected disease in the South America. We report a case of natural infection by Echinococcus vogeli in a bush dog from the Brazilian Amazon, confirmed by the morphological and morphometric examination of adult parasites and their hooks obtained from the small intestine of the canid. Additionally, mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis corroborated these findings. This is the second report of natural infection by E. vogeli in a bush dog.

Ocorrência de hepatites virais, helmintíases e protozooses em primatas neotropicais procedentes de criação domiciliar: afecções de transmissão fecal-oral com potencial zoonótico

Brazilian environmental legislation does not allow non-human primates to be raised in captivity. However, this remains a common practice in the Amazon region, and the close proximity of animals and humans facilitates the transmission of zoonotic diseases. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the presence of zoonotic agents in household-raised non- human primates. We analyzed animals donated or apprehended by Brazils Environmental Police and/or the Instituto Brasileiro de Meio Ambiente e Recursos Naturais Renovaveis in Para State, Brazil, and sent to the Centro Nacional de Primatas. Blood samples taken from 25 animals during the quarantine period were subjected to serum and antibody tests for viral hepatitis (types A, B and E) at the Instituto Evandro Chagas. Parasitological analysis of fecal material was performed on 29 animals using direct examination and the Willis and Hoffman methods. None of the animals tested positive for anti- hepatitis B or anti-hepatitis E virus antibodies, but 12% were positive for total anti-hepatitis A antibodies. In addition, parasitological studies showed that 48.2% of the animals had parasites with zoonotic potential. Strongyloides stercoralis was observed in 17.2%, but this parasite was associated with Giardia lamblia in only 3.4% of the samples. Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica were detected in 3.4% and 10.3% of the samples, respectively. All of the pathogens described in this study are transmitted through the fecal-oral route. Therefore, we concluded that non-human primates should not be raised in captivity, and this practice should be addressed as an important public health concern.

Viral hepatitis, helminthiasis and protozoan disease in neotropical primates raised in captivity: potentially zoonotic affections with fecal-oral transmission

Brazilian environmental legislation does not allow non-human primates to be raised in captivity. However, this remains a common practice in the Amazon region, and the close proximity of animals and humans facilitates the transmission of zoonotic diseases. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the presence of zoonotic agents in household-raised non- human primates. We analyzed animals donated or apprehended by Brazils Environmental Police and/or the Instituto Brasileiro de Meio Ambiente e Recursos Naturais Renovaveis in Para State, Brazil, and sent to the Centro Nacional de Primatas. Blood samples taken from 25 animals during the quarantine period were subjected to serum and antibody tests for viral hepatitis (types A, B and E) at the Instituto Evandro Chagas. Parasitological analysis of fecal material was performed on 29 animals using direct examination and the Willis and Hoffman methods. None of the animals tested positive for anti- hepatitis B or anti-hepatitis E virus antibodies, but 12% were positive for total anti-hepatitis A antibodies. In addition, parasitological studies showed that 48.2% of the animals had parasites with zoonotic potential. Strongyloides stercoralis was observed in 17.2%, but this parasite was associated with Giardia lamblia in only 3.4% of the samples. Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica were detected in 3.4% and 10.3% of the samples, respectively. All of the pathogens described in this study are transmitted through the fecal-oral route. Therefore, we concluded that non-human primates should not be raised in captivity, and this practice should be addressed as an important public health concern.

Prevalence of hepatitis A, B, C and D infections in the Juruti municipal hospital, western Pará, Brazil

The Juruti Municipality, located to the west of the Pará State, possesses major bauxite reserves, the exploration of which started in 2005. The appearance of some diseases and the increased frequency of others have been influenced by this exploration, particularly in relation to viral hepatitis. These epidemiological trends are different from those observed anywhere else worldwide. To define the prevalence of the infections by the hepatitis A, B, C and D viruses in the Juruti municipal hospital between February 2007 and April 2008, serum samples were collected from patients and analyzed for serological markers of hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV), C (HCV) and D (HDV) by immunoenzymatic techniques. In samples positive for the hepatitis B and C viruses, assays were performed for the detection of HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA by PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. Among the 1,630 samples collected, the prevalence of total anti-HAV was 85.6%; HBsAg was 0.7%; + + anti-HBc/anti-HBs was 9.1% and isolated anti-HBs were 31.4%. Among the HBsAg , 9.1% were HBeAg ; 63.6% were anti+ + HBe and 72.7% were HBV-DNA . Anti-HCV was positive in 0.1% of the samples and positive serologies were not detected for HDV. Laboratory-based characterization revealed a high prevalence of infection by HAV, detected chronic HBV carriers and those susceptible to HBV, identified an HCV carrier and revealed the absence of HDV carriers. Local, community-based epidemiological studies are recommended for comparison to the hospital data presented here.

Prevalência de infecção pelos vírus das hepatites A, B, C e D na demanda de um hospital no Município de Juruti, oeste do Estado do Pará, Brasil

The Juruti Municipality, located to the west of the Pará State, possesses major bauxite reserves, the exploration of which started in 2005. The appearance of some diseases and the increased frequency of others have been influenced by this exploration, particularly in relation to viral hepatitis. These epidemiological trends are different from those observed anywhere else worldwide. To define the prevalence of the infections by the hepatitis A, B, C and D viruses in the Juruti municipal hospital between February 2007 and April 2008, serum samples were collected from patients and analyzed for serological markers of hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV), C (HCV) and D (HDV) by immunoenzymatic techniques. In samples positive for the hepatitis B and C viruses, assays were performed for the detection of HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA by PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. Among the 1,630 samples collected, the prevalence of total anti-HAV was 85.6%; HBsAg was 0.7%; + + anti-HBc/anti-HBs was 9.1% and isolated anti-HBs were 31.4%. Among the HBsAg , 9.1% were HBeAg ; 63.6% were anti+ + HBe and 72.7% were HBV-DNA . Anti-HCV was positive in 0.1% of the samples and positive serologies were not detected for HDV. Laboratory-based characterization revealed a high prevalence of infection by HAV, detected chronic HBV carriers and those susceptible to HBV, identified an HCV carrier and revealed the absence of HDV carriers. Local, community-based epidemiological studies are recommended for comparison to the hospital data presented here.

Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs) forming immune complexes in fulminant hepatitis

This paper reports an unusual pattern of serological HBV markers and the presence of HBsAg/anti-HBs immune complexes in serum samples from two patients with fulminant hepatitis from the Brazilian Western Amazon Basin. The diagnosis was made by both serologic tests and demonstration of antigen/antibody complexes by transmission electron microscopy. Concurrent Delta virus superinfection is also discussed.

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in captive non-human primates in the Amazon region, Brazil

Toxoplasma gondii infections in captive non‐human primates are of interest because often they die due to severe toxoplasmosis. Thus, we aimed to evaluate samples from a serum bank to T. gondii antibodies.