RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonosis caused by infection with the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus (s.l.). This study investigated the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with human CE in the towns and rural areas of Ñorquinco and Ramos Mexia, Rio Negro province, Argentina. METHODS: To detect abdominal CE cysts, we screened 892 volunteers by ultrasound and investigated potential risk factors for CE using a standardized questionnaire. Prevalence ratio (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to measure the association between CE and the factors investigated, applying bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Abdominal CE was detected in 42/892 screened volunteers (4.7%, 95% CI 3.2-6.1), only two of whom were under 15 years of age. Thirteen (30.9%) CE cases had 25 cysts in active stages (CE1, CE2, CE3a, according to the WHO Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis [WHO-IWGE] classification). The most relevant risk factors identified in the bivariate analysis included: living in rural areas (P = 0.003), age > 40 years (P = 0.000), always drinking water from natural sources (P = 0.007), residing in rural areas during the first 5 years of life (P = 0.000) and having lived more than 20 years at the current address (P = 0.013). In the multivariate final model, the statistically significant risk factors were: frequently touching dogs (P = 0.012), residing in rural areas during the first 5 years of life (P = 0.004), smoking (P = 0.000), age > 60 years (P = 0.002) and living in rural areas (P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Our results point toward infection with CE being acquired since childhood and with constant exposure throughout life, especially in rural areas with a general environmental contamination.
Assuntos
Equinococose/epidemiologia , Abdome/diagnóstico por imagem , Abdome/parasitologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Animais , Argentina/epidemiologia , Criança , Equinococose/diagnóstico , Equinococose/diagnóstico por imagem , Equinococose/parasitologia , Echinococcus granulosus/isolamento & purificação , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Fatores de Risco , População Rural/estatística & dados numéricos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Ultrassonografia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Two domestic cats from the Patagonia rural area in Argentina were found to be naturally infected with Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto/G1 genotype; so far, the only species/genotype of E. granulosus sensu lato complex described to infect domestic cats. The felines developed abdominal disseminated larval disease; the diagnosis was performed by ultrasound, exploratory laparotomy, and molecular techniques. These results indicate that cystic echinococcosis must be considered for differential diagnosis of felines with abdominal distension and/or observation of vesicles through ultrasound, from endemic areas. Even though cats and dogs are carnivores, differences in digestive physiology and immunological characteristics between them could allow the development of larval or adult worm parasites. Domestic cats with cystic echinococcosis show to be environmentally infected with E. granulosus s. s./G1 eggs.
Assuntos
Doenças do Gato/parasitologia , Equinococose/veterinária , Echinococcus granulosus/isolamento & purificação , Abdome/diagnóstico por imagem , Abdome/parasitologia , Animais , Argentina/epidemiologia , Doenças do Gato/diagnóstico , Gatos , Equinococose/diagnóstico , Equinococose/parasitologia , Echinococcus granulosus/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Genótipo , Larva/crescimento & desenvolvimento , UltrassonografiaRESUMO
Introduction of exotic tick vectors of bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and filarial parasites into the United States has accelerated in recent years, primarily because of globalization, increased frequency of travel, and a rise in legal and illegal animal trades. We herein report introduction of a live specimen of Amblyomma oblongoguttatum on a human into the United States from Central America, and we review 4 previous similar incidents. This tick species occurs widely in the neotropics, from western and southern Mexico, southwards through Central America, to the northern half of South America. It is a potential vector of bacterial agents of spotted fever group rickettsioses, raising concern that if A. oblongoguttatum ticks become established in this country, they might also be able to carry pathogens of human and veterinary concern. Given the potential for exotic ticks as vectors of numerous pathogens, proper surveillance, interception, and identification of these ticks are vital to protecting human and veterinary health. Rigorous governmental inspections of imported livestock and pet animals at ports of entry and educating human travelers and medical practitioners about the risks should be part of an overall national tick program.
Assuntos
Ixodidae/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Infestações por Carrapato/parasitologia , Abdome/parasitologia , Animais , Connecticut , Costa Rica , DNA/isolamento & purificação , Feminino , Humanos , Ixodidae/genética , Ixodidae/ultraestrutura , Masculino , Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , ViagemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to search for ancient parasites in abdominal content and coprolites from Bolivian mummies. MATERIALS: Twelve mummified individuals from the Andean highlands, housed at the National Museum of Archaeology (MUNARQ) in La Paz, Bolivia. METHODS: Microscopic analysis of rehydrated samples (coprolites and abdominal content), following Lutz's spontaneous sedimentation technique. RESULTS: Eggs of Enterobius vermicularis were identified in coprolites from one mummy, and capillariid eggs in the organic abdominal content from another individual. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first evidence of ancient intestinal parasites in Bolivian mummies. SIGNIFICANCE: This pioneering study focused on the search of ancient intestinal parasites in human remains of the Bolivian Andes and contributes to greater knowledge of paleoparasitology in South America. LIMITATIONS: All mummies in the MUNARQ belonged to the Andean Bolivian highlands (post-Tiwanaku era or Late Intermediate Period), although the exact provenance of the material and the associated contexts are not well recorded. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Considering the great number of well-known archaeological sites and other unexplored sites in Bolivia, in addition to large collections in museums, further paleopathological and paleoparasitological molecular studies in mummies and skeletons are called for.
Assuntos
Infecções por Enoplida/parasitologia , Enterobíase/parasitologia , Indígenas Sul-Americanos/história , Múmias/parasitologia , Abdome/parasitologia , Adulto , Animais , Bolívia , Enoplídios/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Enoplida/história , Enterobíase/história , Enterobius/isolamento & purificação , Fezes/parasitologia , Feminino , História Antiga , Humanos , Enteropatias Parasitárias/história , Enteropatias Parasitárias/parasitologia , Estágios do Ciclo de Vida/fisiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Múmias/história , PaleopatologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The bacterial community present in the abdomen in Anophelinae mosquitoes can influence mosquito susceptibility to Plasmodium infection. Little is known about the bacteria associated with Nyssorhynchus darlingi, a primary malaria vector in the Amazon basin. We investigated the abdominal bacterial community compositions of naturally Plasmodium-infected (P-positive, n = 9) and non-infected (P-negative, n = 7) Ny. darlingi from the Brazilian Amazon region through massive parallel sequencing of the bacterial V4 variable region of the 16S rRNA gene. RESULTS: Bacterial richness of Ny. darlingi encompassed 379 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), the majority of them belonging to the Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroides phyla. Escherichia/Shigella and Pseudomonas were more abundant in the P-positive and P-negative groups, respectively, than in the opposite groups. Enterobacter was found only in the P-negative group. The results of statistical analyses conducted to compare bacterial abundance and diversity between Plasmodium-infected and Plasmodium-non-infected mosquitoes were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study increased knowledge about bacterial composition in Ny. darlingi and revealed that Plasmodium-positive and Plasmodium-negative groups share a common core of bacteria. The genera Prevotella 9, Sphingomonas, Bacteroides, and Bacillus were reported for the first time in Ny. darlingi.
Assuntos
Anopheles/microbiologia , Bactérias/classificação , Plasmodium/patogenicidade , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , Análise de Sequência de DNA/métodos , Abdome/microbiologia , Abdome/parasitologia , Animais , Anopheles/parasitologia , Bactérias/genética , Bactérias/isolamento & purificação , Brasil , DNA Bacteriano/genética , DNA Ribossômico/genética , Feminino , Sequenciamento de Nucleotídeos em Larga Escala , FilogeniaRESUMO
The skin is the first organ to be infected by the parasite in canine visceral leishmaniasis. The enzyme matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) acts towards degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and modulation of the inflammatory response against many kinds of injuries. The aims of this study were to evaluate the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 through immunohistochemistry and zymography on the skin (muzzle, ears, and abdomen) of dogs that were naturally infected by Leishmania spp. and to compare these results with immunodetection of the parasite and with alterations to the dermal ECM. Picrosirius red staining was used to differentiate collagen types I and III in three regions of the skin. The parasite load, intensity of inflammation, and production of MMP-2 (latent) and MMP-9 (active and latent) were higher in the ear and muzzle regions. MMP-9 (active) predominated in the infected group of dogs and its production was significantly different to that of the control group. Macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells predominated in the dermal inflammation and formed granulomas in association with degradation of mature collagen (type I) and with discrete deposition of young collagen (type III). This dermal change was more pronounced in dogs with high parasite load in the skin. Therefore, it was concluded that the greater parasite load and intensity of inflammation in the skin led consequently to increased degradation of mature collagen, caused by increased production of MMPs, particularly active MMP-9, in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis. This host response profile possibly favors systemic dissemination of the parasite.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/patologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/veterinária , Metaloproteinase 2 da Matriz/biossíntese , Metaloproteinase 9 da Matriz/biossíntese , Pele/patologia , Abdome/parasitologia , Abdome/patologia , Animais , Colágeno Tipo I/metabolismo , Colágeno Tipo III/metabolismo , Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Cães , Orelha/parasitologia , Orelha/patologia , Matriz Extracelular/metabolismo , Inflamação/imunologia , Inflamação/parasitologia , Leishmania infantum/imunologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/parasitologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/patologia , Linfócitos/imunologia , Macrófagos/imunologia , Boca/parasitologia , Boca/patologia , Nariz/parasitologia , Nariz/patologia , Carga Parasitária , Plasmócitos/imunologia , Pele/parasitologiaRESUMO
Biological collections around the world are the repository of biodiversity on Earth; they also hold a large quantity of unsorted, unidentified, or misidentified material and can house behavioral information on species that are difficult to access or no longer available to science. Among the unsorted, alcohol-preserved material stored in the Formicidae Collection of the 'El Colegio de la Frontera Sur' Research Center (Chetumal, Mexico), we found nine colonies of the ponerine ant Neoponera villosa, that had been collected in bromeliads at Calakmul (Campeche, Mexico) in 1999. Ants and their brood were revised for the presence of any sign of parasitism. Cocoons were dissected and their content examined under a stereomicroscope. Six N. villosa prepupae had been attacked by the ectoparasitoid syrphid fly Hypselosyrphus trigonus Hull (Syrphidae: Microdontinae), to date the only known dipteran species of the Microdontinae with a parasitoid lifestyle. In addition, six male pupae from three colonies contained gregarious endoparasitoid wasps. These were specialized in parasitizing this specific host caste as no gyne or worker pupae displayed signs of having been attacked. Only immature stages (larvae and pupae) of the wasp could be obtained. Due to the long storage period, DNA amplification failed; however, based on biological and morphological data, pupae were placed in the Encyrtidae family. This is the first record of an encyrtid wasp parasitizing N. villosa, and the second example of an encyrtid as a primary parasitoid of ants. Furthermore, it is also the first record of co-occurrence of a dipteran ectoparasitoid and a hymenopteran endoparasitoid living in sympatry within the same population of host ants. Our findings highlight the importance of biological collections as reservoirs of hidden biodiversity, not only at the taxonomic level, but also at the behavioral level, revealing complex living networks. They also highlight the need for funding in order to carry out biodiversity inventories and manage existing collections.
Assuntos
Formigas/parasitologia , Biodiversidade , Dípteros/fisiologia , Abdome/parasitologia , Animais , Formigas/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Dípteros/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Interações Hospedeiro-Parasita , Larva/fisiologia , Masculino , Pupa/fisiologiaRESUMO
AbstractLatin America is among the highly endemic regions for cystic echinococcosis (CE). In Peru, an estimated 1,139 disability-adjusted life years are lost annually from surgical treatment of CE. This is comparable with the combined total for Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile. The prevalence of human infection has been investigated in the central Peruvian Andes, but there are no community-based screening data from other regions of Peru. We carried out a population survey in January 2015 using abdominal ultrasound to estimate the prevalence of abdominal CE in the Canas and Canchis provinces, in the Cusco region of Peru. Among 1,351 subjects screened, 41 (3%) had CE. There was significant variation between communities with similar socioeconomic features in a small geographical area. A history of CE was reported by 4.1% of the screened subjects, among whom 30.3% still had CE on ultrasound. Among patients reporting previous CE treatment, 14.9% had CE in active stages. Limited education, community of residence, and knowing people with CE in the community were associated with CE. These results demonstrate a significant burden of CE in the region and suggest the need for further investigations, control activities, and optimization of clinical management for CE in this area.