[Eventual effect of artemisinine on the experimental infection of mice by Toxoplasma gondii]

Because of taxonomic similarities to previous data found in the literature, and with the aim of improving treatment of toxoplasmosis, we considered it of interest to assay artemisinin, an effective anti-malarial agent, for the treatment of experimental infection in mice by Toxoplasma gondii. Different amounts of the anti-parasitic agent were administered, including after previous contact in vitro with toxoplasma and stimulated macrophage production. With the methodology used artemisinin was not effective. Suggestions for further studies are made.

[Viability of Trypanosoma cruzi in sugar cane juice]

In Catolé do Rocha, State of Paraíba, Brasil several people were concomitantly contaminated by Chagas' disease and had the acute form of the infection. Because of this event, the hypothesis that Trypanosoma cruzi might have been transmitted by the digestive route, through the ingestion of accidentally contaminated sugar cane juice, was made. In the present study, we verified that the parasite has remained viable for four hours in the liquid, at room temperature. We have also demonstrated that, after one hour, it was capable of promoting infection in one mouse, by gastric tube administration. These observations enhance the interest on this alternative mechanism of disease transmission.

[Treatment of ascaridiasis with garlic (Allium sativum)]

In Brazil, there has been growing interest on alternative therapeutic approaches, as shown by asi increase of homeopathic prescriptions, and use of acupuncture and of the so called natural products. This study evaluated the usefulness of garlic (Allium sativum) for the treatment of ascaridiasis, trying to confirm the popular belief on this matter. Eight grams daily, as an infusion were used during five days, in children known to be infected with Ascaris lumbricoides. Little efficacy was observed, and this fact enhances the importance of not accepting propositions not based on adequately conducted studies.

[Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of albendazole on experimental and human infections by Hymenolepis nana]

With the objective of knowing adequately the spectrum of activity of albendazole against intestinal helminthiases, we made observations regarding hymenolepiasis caused by Hymenolepis nana. Two series of investigations were carried out: a) treatment of mice with single doses of either 25 or 50 mg/kg, repeated after ten days, using as controls animals treated with 25 mg/kg of praziquantel or not treated with any antiparasitic drugs; b) treatment of adults and children with 400 mg daily for three consecutive days, repeated after ten days.

[Effect of cyclosporin and prednisone on the acute phase of experimental infection of mice by Trypanosoma cruzi]

The relations between immunosuppression and human or experimental infection by Trypanosoma cruzi have recently been the subject of great interest, specially because of the wider use of drugs acting on immunity and of organ transplantation programs, now in frank expansion. The use of cyclosporin turned necessary to know adequately its interactions with T. cruzi parasitosis, and this has been the objective of the present study, regarding the acute phase in mice, in comparison to the use of prednisone. It was verified that cyclosporin, alone or associated to the corticosteroids, promotes and enhancement of the parasitosis, as shown by the assessment of parasitemia, the amount of amastigote forms in the heart and the severity of cardiac inflammation. Such observations may be useful in clinical practice, calling the attention for necessity of a strict control of such cases an eventually the use of an antiparasitic agent.

[Evaluation of the usefulness of the Coprotest for parasitologic examination of feces]

"Coprotest" is a device used for parasitological examination of the stools that has been marketed in Brazil with no previous literature support. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the usefulness of the procedure using "Coprotest", comparing it with the routine methods by Hoffman et al., Faust et al., and Rugai et al. Taking into consideration only positive samples, we observed the following figures, according to each technique: Hofmann et al.--98 (47.34%); Faust et al.--119 (57.48%); Rugai et al., only for larva detection--21 (10.14%); "Coprotest"--115 (55.55%). We concluded that "Coprotest" in addition to its operational qualities, has the merits that allow its use together with other techniques for parasitosis diagnosis. Nevertheless it has not modified the previous situation, since more than one technique must still be used, as we have noted for detection of Strongyloides stercoralis larvae in this instance.

[Treatment of Schistosomiasis mansoni with a combination oxamniquine and praziquantel. II. Experimental observations during the patent phase]

The efficacy of an association of oxamniquine and praziquantel in the patent phase of experimental schistosomiasis was studied. The mice were infected and divided in four groups in accordance to the following schedules with the use of single oral doses: I--Oxaminiquine (50 mg/kg); II--praziquantel (75 mg/kg); III--association of oxamniquine (50 mg/kg) and praziquantel (75 mg/kg); and IV--no drug. Efficacy was assessed by the oogram technique, studying and classifying the evolution of the output of eggs in fragments of the small intestine, and also by recovery of the worms by portal vein perfusion. In the animals of groups I and II, the drugs had a partial effect while in the group III sinergism was evident.

[Treatment of experimental infection by Strongyloides venezuelensis in rats, with the use of injectable ivermectin and levamisole]

For the therapy of human strongyloidiasis, are necessary effective drugs to eliminate both larvae and adult worm parasitism, which may also be used by parenteral route, to obviate the particular conditions presented by many patients. A study based on the experimental infection by Strongyloides venezuelensis in rats was done, administering injectable ivermectin or levamisole. Both drugs were shown to be active, when used in single doses of 0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg of ivermectin, or 26 mg/kg for levamisole. Ivermectin was slightly more effective as far as larval stage of the infection is concerned, and the same happened for levamisole for the adult worm stage. Promising perspectives are visualized to improve the therapy of patients with serious disseminated infection by Strongyloides stercoralis.

[In vitro activity of gentian violet on evolutive forms of Plasmodium falciparum]

In order to investigate whether gentian violet exhibited "in vitro" inhibitory activity against Plasmodium falciparum, the Authors have carried out 20 sensitivity tests according to the microtechnique described by RIECK MANN et al.5. Results have shown inhibition of schizonts'maturation at the following concentration: 1/1000; 1/1500; 1/2000; 1/2500; 1/3000 and 1/4000, thus demonstrating inhibitory activity of the tested dye against asexual blood parasites. The present data suggest gentain violet may be possibly used in the prophylaxis of transfusion-acquired malaria.

[Detection of heavy helminth eggs in feces: comparative study of the spontaneous sedimentation in water and Ritchie's methods]

Com a finalidade de melhor conhecer a sensibilidade do método de Ritchie (centrífugos edimentação em formol-éter), quanto ao diagnóstico de parasitoses intestinais pelo exame das fezes, foi investigada a capacidade dele no sentido de detectar ovos “pesados" de helmintos (Schistosoma mansoni e Ascaris lumbricoides inférteis). Houve comparação com o desempenho do processo da sedimentação espontânea em água, usado com o mesmo intuito. Os resultados obtidos e a respectiva avaliação estatística demonstraram que a técnica da sedimentação espontânea em água é mais eficiente, tendo sido analisadas 300 amostras de fezes, metade das quais certamente contendo os dois tipos de ovos citados e a outra parte considerada em trabalho laboratorial rotineiro.

[Evaluation of the sensitivity of the Suzuki technic for the hatching of miracidia in comparison with other processes use in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni]

Para simplificar o diagnóstico da esquistossomose mansônica há interesse de utilizar exame das fezes executado com base na eclosão de miracidios. Foi analisada a sensibilidade do método idealizado por Suzuki, através de comparação com os processos de Kato-Katz, Hoffman, Pons e Janer (sedimentação espontânea em água) e Chieffi e cols. Ficou comprovado que a tática em apreço é útil, mas não suplanta os méritos das outras empregadas, apresentando todavia melhor resultado quando presentes nas fezes maiores quantidades de ovos.

[Research on helminth eggs and protozoan cysts on money]

Em virtude da elevada prevalência de parasitoses intestinais no Brasil e da possível participação de objetos na transmissão dessas afecções, foi desenvolvida pesquisa envolvendo dinheiro difundido na coletividade. Foram analisadas, quanto à presença de ovos de helmintos e de cistos de protozoários, 1.003 cédulas e 1.011 moedas, de valores e procedências diversos. Do estudo resultou o encontro de cistos de Entamoeba histolytica em duas eventualidades, de ovos de Ascaris lumbricoides larvado e infértil, de ovo de Taenia sp. morfologicamente íntegro e de outros elementos não patogênicos. Ficou salientada a importância do dinheiro circulante na epidemiologia das enteroparasitoses, tendo havido sugestão de novos trabalhos de natureza congênere, inclusive delineando diretrizes de ordem profilática.

[Effect of gamma rays on blood forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Experimental study in mice]

Amostras de sangue de animais infectados com cepa Y de Trypanosoma cruzi foram submetidas, respectivamente, a 200 e 300 krad de radiação gama. Para verificar a eficácia do método na eliminação do parasita, o material foi inoculado em camundongos e os parâmetros utilizados na avaliação foram: parasitemia, cultura, xenodiagnóstico, subinoculação, reinoculação com cepa virulenta e exame anátomo-patológico das vísceras. Os sangues expostos às duas diferentes intensidades de radiação e inoculados em dois períodos após o processo, mostraram-se inócuos quanto a capacidade de produzir infecção nos animais

[Experimental study of the possible activity of gentian violet in preventing the transmission of toxoplasmosis due to blood transfusion]

Devido a evidências sugestivas da possibilidade de transmissão da toxoplasmose por transfusão de sangue, os autores se propuseram avaliar o papel preventivo da violeta de genciana, à semelhança do que já é estabelecido para a doença de Chagas. O experimento em camundongos revelou a ação profilática da violeta de genciana quando adicionado ao sangue a ser transfundido na concentração de 1/1000 e permanência por 48 horas na geladeira.