FREQUENCY OF Candida SPECIES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN TRIANGULO MINEIRO,MINAS GERAIS STATE,BRAZIL

Infections by Candida species are a high-impact problem in public health due to their wide incidence in hospitalized patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate frequency, susceptibility to antifungals, and genetic polymorphism of Candida species isolated from clinical specimens of hospitalized patients. The Candida isolates included in this study were obtained from blood cultures, abdominal fluids, and central venous catheters (CVC) of hospitalized patients at the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Uberlândia during the period of July 2010 - June 2011. Susceptibility tests were conducted by the broth microdilution method. The RAPD-PCR tests used employed initiator oligonucleotides OPA09, OPB11, and OPE06. Of the 63 Candida isolates, 18 (28.5%) were C. albicans, 20 (31.7%) were C. parapsilosis complex species, 14 (22.2%) C. tropicalis, four (6.4%) C. glabrata, four (6.4%) C. krusei, two (3.3%) C. kefyr, and one (1.6%) C. lusitaniae. In vitro resistance to amphotericin B was observed in 12.7% of isolates. In vitroresistance to azoles was not detected, except for C. krusei. The two primers, OPA09 and OPB11, were able to distinguish different species. Isolates of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis complex species presented six and five clusters, respectively, with the OPA09 marker by RAPD-PCR, showing the genetic variability of the isolates of those species. It was concluded that members of the C. parapsilosis complex were the most frequent species found, and most isolates were susceptible to the antifungals amphotericin B, flucozanole, and itraconazole. High genetic polymorphisms were observed for isolates of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis complex species, mainly with the OPA09 marker.     

PREVALENCE OF PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS INFECTION BY INTRADERMAL REACTION IN RURAL AREAS IN ALFENAS,MINAS GERAIS,BRAZIL

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of paracoccidioidal infectionby intradermal reaction (Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity, DTH) toParacoccidioides brasiliensis in rural areas in Alfenas, SouthernMinas Gerais (MG) State, Brazil, and to assess risk factors (gender, occupation, age,alcohol intake and smoking) associated with infection. We conducted apopulation-based cross-sectional study using intradermal tests with gp 43paracoccidioidin in 542 participants, who were previously contacted by local healthagents and so spontaneously attended the test. Participants underwent an interview byfilling out a registration form with epidemiological data and were tested with anintradermal administration of 0.1 mL of paracoccidioidin in the left forearm. Thetest was read 48 hours after injection and was considered positive if induration wasgreater than or equal to 5 mm. Out of 542 participants, 46.67% were positive to theskin test. Prevalence increased in accordance with an increase of age. There wasstatistical significance only for males. Occupation, alcohol intake and smokinghabits were not significantly associated with the risk of paracoccidioidomycosisinfection. There is relevance of paracoccidioidomycosis infection in such ruralareas, which suggests that further epidemiological and clinical studies on thismycosis should be done in the southern part of Minas Gerais State.     

PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG FOOD HANDLERS IN WESTERN IRAN

Parasitic infection is one of the problems that affect human health,especially in developing countries. In this study, all of the fast food shops,restaurants, and roast meat outlets of Khorramabad (Western Iran) and all thestaff employed by them, some 210 people, were selected through a census andtheir stools were examined for the presence of parasites. The parasitologicaltests of direct wet-mount, Lugol''s iodine staining, formaldehyde-ethersedimentation and Trichrome staining techniques were performed on the samples.The data was analyzed with a chi-square test and logistic regression wasselected as the analytical model. The results showed 19 (9%) stool specimenswere positive for different intestinal parasites. These intestinal parasitesincluded Giardia lamblia 2.9%, Entamoeba coli4.3%, Blastocystis sp. 1.4%, and Hymenolepisnana 0.5%. There was a significant difference between the presenceof a valid health card, awareness of transmission of intestinal parasites,participation in training courses in environmental health with intestinalparasites (p < 0.05). No statistically significantdifference was found between the rate of literacy and gender among patientsinfected with intestinal parasites (p > 0.05). To controlparasitic infection in food handlers, several strategies are recommended such asstool examinations every three months, public education, application of healthregulations, controlling the validity of health cards and training on parasiticinfection transmission. In this regard, the findings of the present study can beused as a basis to develop preventive programs targeting food handlers becausethe spread of disease via them is a common problem worldwide.     

OCCURRENCE OF Blastocystis spp. IN UBERABA,MINAS GERAIS,BRAZIL

Intestinal parasites are a problem for public health all over the world. Theinfection with Blastocystis, a protozoan of controversialpathogenicity, is one of the most common among them all. In this study, theoccurrence of intestinal parasites, with emphasis on Blastocystis,in patients at the Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro was investigated inUberaba (MG) through microscopy of direct smears and fecal concentrates usingRitchie’s method. Feces of 1,323 patients were examined from April 2011 to May 2012.In 28.7% of them at least one intestinal parasite was identified, and the mostfrequent organisms were Blastocystis spp. (17.8%) and Giardiaintestinalis (7.4%). The occurrence of parasitism was higher in children aged 6 -10years old, and the infection with Blastocystis spp. was higher abovethe age of six (p < 0.001). The exclusive presence of G.intestinalis and of Blastocystis spp. was observed in5.4% and 12.2% of the patients, respectively. Regarding patients with diarrheicfeces, 8% revealed unique parasitism of Blastocystis spp. Otherintestinal parasites observed in children were Ascarislumbricoides(0.3%) and Entamoebahistolytica/dispar/moshkovskii (1.4%). The Ritchie’s method was moresensitive (92.8%) when compared to direct microscopy (89.8%), with high agreementbetween them (97.7%, kappa = 0.92). In conclusion, the occurrence ofBlastocystis spp. in Uberaba is high and the presence ofdiarrheic feces with exclusive presence of the parasite ofBlastocystis spp. was observed.     

PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG FOOD HANDLERS OF SARI,NORTHERN IRAN

Parasitic infection is highly prevalent throughout the developing countries of theworld. Food handlers are a potential source of infection for many intestinalparasites and other enteropathogenic infections as well. The aim of this study was todetermine the prevalence of intestinal parasite carriers among food handlersattending the public health center laboratory in Sari, Northern Iran for annualcheck-up. The study was performed from August 2011 through February 2012. Stoolsamples were collected from 1041 male and female food handlers of different jobs agedbetween 18 to 63 years and were examined following standard procedures.Sociodemographic, environmental and behavioral data analysis of the food handlerswere recorded in a separate questionnaire. Intestinal parasites were found in 161(15.5%) of the studied samples. Seven species of protozoan or helminth infectionswere detected. Most of the participants were infected with Giardia lamblia (53.9%)followed by Blastocystis hominis (18%), Entamoebacoli (15.5%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (5.5%),Cryptosporidium sp. (3.1%), Iodamoeba butschlii(3.1%) and Hymenolepis nana (1.9%) as the only helminth infection.The findings emphasized that food handlers with different pathogenic organisms maypredispose consumers to significant health risks. Routine screening and treatment offood handlers is a proper tool in preventing food-borne infections.     

PREVALENCE OF Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar IN THE CITY OF CAMPINA GRANDE,IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

There is a clear need to perform epidemiological studies to find the true prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica around the world. The evaluation of this prevalence has been hindered by the existence of two different species which are morphologically identical, but genetically different, namely E. histolytica, which causes amebiasis, and E. dispar, which is non-pathogenic. In Brazil, the E. dispar has been detected in communities in the Southeastern (SE) and Northeastern (NE) regions with poor sanitation. However, individuals infected with E. histolytica have been identified in other regions. There is an absence of reports on the prevalence of these parasites in the state of Paraíba, which also has areas with poor sanitary conditions where a high prevalence of the E. histolytica/E. dispar complex has been detected in children from urban slums. The present study evaluated the prevalence of E. histolytica and E. dispar in 1,195 asymptomatic children between two and 10 years of age, living in a sprawling urban slum in Campina Grande, in the state of Paraíba, in Northeastern Brazil. These children were examined and their feces samples were analyzed microscopically. A total of 553 children tested positive for the E. histolytica/E. dispar complex, and 456 of the positive samples were tested with the E. histolytica II® ELISA kit. All 456 samples were negative for the presence of the adhesin E. histolytica specific antigen. The evidence suggests that in this community E. histolytica is absent and E. dispar is the dominant species.     

HIV AND HCV COINFECTION: PREVALENCE,ASSOCIATED FACTORS AND GENOTYPE CHARACTERIZATION IN THE MIDWEST REGION OF BRAZIL

A cross-sectional study on prevalence, associated factors and genotypedistribution of HCV infection was conducted among 848 HIV-infected patientsrecruited at reference centers in the Midwest Region of Brazil. The prevalencerate of HIV-HCV coinfection was 6.9% (95% CI: 5.2 to 8.6).In multivariable analysis, increasing age, use of illicit drugs (injectionand non-injection), a history of blood transfusion before 1994, and theabsence of a steady partnership were significant independent associated factorsfor HIV-HCV coinfection. The phylogenetic analysis based on the NS5B regionrevealed the presence of two major circulating genotypes of HCV: genotypes 1(58.3%) and 3 (41.7%). The prevalence of HIV-HCVcoinfection was lower than those reported in studies conducted with HIV-infectedpatients in different regions of Brazil, due to the fact that illicit drug useis not a frequent mode of HIV transmission in this region of Brazil. Serologicscreening of HIV-patients for HCV before initiating antiretroviral treatment, acomprehensive identification of associated factors, and the implementation ofeffective harm reduction programs are highly recommended to provide usefulinformation for treatment and to prevent HCV coinfection in these patients.     

SEROLOGIC SURVEY ON HANTAVIRUS IN BLOOD DONORS FROM THE STATE OF SANTA CATARINA,BRAZIL

Emergent diseases such as Hantavirus Cardio-pulmonary Syndrome (HCPS) are able to create a significant impact on human populations due to their seriousness and high fatality rate. Santa Catarina, located in the South of Brazil, is the leading state for HCPS with 267 reported cases from 1999 to 2011. We present here a serological survey on hantavirus in blood donors from different cities of the state of Santa Catarina, with an IgG-ELISA using a recombinant nucleocapsid protein from Araraquara hantavirus as an antigen. In total, 314 donors from blood banks participated in the study, geographically covering the whole state. Among these, 14 individuals (4.4%) had antibodies to hantavirus: four of 50 (8% positivity) from Blumenau, four of 52 (7.6%) from Joinville, three of 50 (6%) from Florianópolis, two of 50 (4%) from Chapecó and one of 35 (2.8%) from Joaçaba. It is possible that hantaviruses are circulating across almost the whole state, with important epidemiological implications. Considering that the seropositive blood donors are healthy individuals, it is possible that hantaviruses may be causing unrecognized infections, which are either asymptomatic or clinically nonspecific, in addition to HCPS. It is also possible that more than one hantavirus type could be circulating in this region, causing mostly benign infections.     

SEROPREVALENCE OF T. cruzi INFECTION IN BLOOD DONORS AND CHAGAS CARDIOMYOPATHY IN PATIENTS FROM THE COAL MINING REGION OF COAHUILA, MEXICO

Context and Objective: Chagas disease is considered a worldwide emergingdisease; it is endemic in Mexico and the state of Coahuila and is considered oflittle relevance. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence ofT. cruzi infection in blood donors and Chagas cardiomyopathy inpatients from the coal mining region of Coahuila, Mexico.Design and Setting: Epidemiological, exploratory and prospective studyin a general hospital during the period January to June 2011.Methods: We performed laboratory tests ELISA and indirecthemagglutination in three groups of individuals: 1) asymptomatic voluntary blooddonors, 2) patients hospitalized in the cardiology department and 3) patients withdilated cardiomyopathy.Results: There were three levels of seroprevalence: 0.31% inasymptomatic individuals, 1.25% in cardiac patients and in patients with dilatedcardiomyopathy in 21.14%.Conclusions: In spite of having detected autochthonous cases of Chagasdisease, its importance to local public health remains to be established as well asthe details of the dynamics of transmission so that the study is still inprogress.     

HIGH PREVALENCE OF Strongyloides stercoralis INFECTION AMONG THE ELDERLY IN BRAZIL

SUMMARY

Little is known about the frequency of intestinal parasites in the elderly due to a lack of attention given to the occurrence of these infections among older adults. This study compares the frequency of Strongyloides stercoralis and other enteroparasites between elderly living in nursing homes (n = 100) and those noninstitutionalized (n = 100) from Uberlândia, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, associated with data of epidemiological and socio-demographic conditions. Through coproparasitological examination of both groups, enteroparasites were detected in 15 of 200 individuals examined (7.5%; CI: 5.1- 9.9). S. stercoralis was the most frequent parasite 10/200 (5%; CI: 4.2-5.8), being significantly higher in males and in individuals with autonomy for daily living activities. There were no statistical differences in the prevalence of parasites between the two groups compared. In conclusion, S. stercoralis infection was highly prevalent in elderly patients and it does not depend on whether the individual was institutionalized or not.     

PREVALENCE OF Calodium hepaticum (SYN. Capillaria hepatica) IN Rattus norvegicus IN THE URBAN AREA OF RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

The nematode Calodium hepaticum (syn.Capillaria hepatica) is a zoonotic helminth foundmainly infecting rats. It was studied the prevalence of C.hepaticum infection in Rattus norvegicus in anurban area of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), with low urban planning andsanitation. The presence of C. hepaticum was identified throughvisible yellowish-white lesions in liver tissue and histological analyses. Thetotal prevalence of infection was 45%, with no significant differencesbetween sex and age. The presence of infected rodents near the peridomestic areaposes substantial risk to human health.     

DECREASING PREVALENCE OF THE ACUTE/SUBACUTE CLINICAL FORM OF PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS IN MATO GROSSO DO SUL STATE,BRAZIL

With the objective to evaluate the behavior of paracoccidioidomycosisin the last three decades, clinical and epidemiological data of 595 patientsadmitted to clinical services of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sulfrom 1980 to 2009 were investigated. Gender, age distribution, clinical form,comorbidity with tuberculosis or AIDS, and mortality were compared by decades ofclinical admission. It was shown that during the three decades there was adecrease in women percentage, and the same manner occurred a reduction inparticipants in the age group of 20 to 39 years. Moreover, the acute/subacuteforms have been diminished in the period. These fluctuations are closely relatedand can be simultaneously analyzed. Increased AIDS co-infection prevalence fromthe first to the second decade was also revealed, coinciding with the appearanceof the retroviral epidemic and stabilizing during the third decade. No change inthe tuberculosis co-infection rate was observed (overall = 6.9%). Itreinforces the importance of this co-morbidity. The overall mortality rateremained steady at 6.7%, not varying significantly from one decade to another.The persistent mortality rate calls attention to the importance of thisneglected disease.     

EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITIES OF PLANT EXTRACTS FROM SOUTHERN MINAS GERAIS CERRADO

The antimicrobial activity of plant hidroethanolic extracts on bacteriaGram positive, Gram negative, yeasts, Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37and Mycobacterium bovis was evaluated by using the technique of Agardiffusion and microdilution in broth. Among the extracts evaluated by Agar diffusion,the extract of Bidens pilosa leaf presented the most expressiveaverage of haloes of growth inhibition to the microorganisms, followed by the extractof B. pilosa flower, of Eugenia pyriformis'' leafand seed, of Plinia cauliflora leaf which statistically presentedthe same average of haloes inhibitory formation on bacteria Gram positive, Gramnegative and yeasts. The extracts of Heliconia rostrata did notpresent activity. Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 andMycobacterium bovis (BCG) appeared resistant to all the extracts.The susceptibility profile of Candida albicans andSaccharomyces cerevisiae fungi were compared to one another andto the Gram positive Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcusfaecalis and the Gram negative Salmonella typhimuriumbacteria (p > 0.05). The evaluation of cytotoxicity was carriedout on C6-36 larvae cells of the Aedes albopictus mosquito. Theextracts of stem and flower of Heliconia rostrata, leaf and stem ofPlinia cauliflora, seed of Anonna crassifloraand stem, flower and root of B. pilosa did not present toxicity inthe analyzed concentrations. The highest rates of selectivity appeared in theextracts of stem of A. crassiflora and flower of B.pilosa to Staphylococcus aureus, presenting potentialfor future studies about a new drug development.     

TEMPORAL TRENDS IN THE DETECTION RATES OF HEPATITIS B IN THE SANTA CATARINA STATE,BRAZIL

Hepatitis B is a serious public health problem. The state of SantaCatarina presents areas of high endemicity. The aim of this study was to describetemporal trends in detection rates of hepatitis B in the period from 2002 to 2009 inSanta Catarina and in its regions. A time series study was carried out. Crude rateswere calculated and standardized by age using the direct method. Annual variationpercentages were estimated by Joinpoint regression. There were two distinct andsignificant trends in Santa Catarina. From 2002 to 2006 a significant increase of5.9% per year was observed. From 2006, there was a significant decrease of 6.4% peryear. In this same period the southern and far-western regions had significantincreases of 15.9% and 4.6% and significant decreases of 7.5% and 4.8%, respectively.Greater Florianópolis and Northeast also showed significant increases until 2006, of15.4% and 17.4%, respectively. In the following period, non-significant decreases of5.8% and 9.8% respectively were observed. Foz do Rio Itajaí and Planalto Serranoshowed non-significant increases up to half of the studied period of 21.1% and 12.0%,respectively and after, significant decreases of 21.5% and 18.0%, respectively. Valedo Itajaí showed a significant decrease of 9.7%; Planalto Norte showed anon-significant decrease of 0.6% and Midwest a non-significant increase of 2.7% peryear, in the period from 2002 to 2009.     

PHLEBOTOMINE SANDFLIES IN RURAL LOCATIONS IN THE STATE OF PARANA,SOUTHERN BRAZIL

SUMMARY

This study reports the fauna and frequency of sandflies in domestic animal shelters, residences and other ecotopes in rural areas of the municipality of Bandeirantes, Paraná State. Sandflies were collected twice in eight rural villages by using Falcon traps from 8pm to 6am in 2008. In these localities 4,790 sandflies were collected, which were represented by ten sandfly species, prevailing of Nyssomyia neivai and Nyssomyia whitmani species. It was observed that animal shelters are the domestic ecotopes where there is the greatest frequency of these insects. The localities where the collections were made had the environmental characteristics that allow the persistence of transmission of parasites from the American tegumentary leishmaniasis. Although the fauna and the behavior of sandflies species are similar in different localities, the method of controlling these insects should be adjusted to the environmental characteristics of each one of the most diverse endemic areas of American tegumentary leishmaniasis in the municipalities of Paraná State.