Estudo soroepidemiológico da cisticercose humana em um município do Estado do Piauí, Região Nordeste do Brasil

INTESTINAL PARASITES IN PECARI TAJACU AND SUS SCROFA DOMESTICUS IN THE CAATINGA FROM SOUTHEASTERN PIAUÍ, BRAZIL

This study identifies gastrointestinal parasites in the feces of Pecari tajacu (caititu) and Sus scrofa domesticus (domestic pig) in southeastern Piauí, Brazil. The region covers 2 protected areas, Serra da Capivara National Park and Serra das Confusões National Park, and surrounding communities. Fecal samples from 64 animals, 42 from domestic swine and 22 from caititu, collected between 1985 and 2013, were analyzed by optical microscopy. Helminths and/or protozoa were found in 64% of the domestic pig samples and 27% of the caititu samples, totaling 18 morphospecies: Nematoda, Spirurida (2 morphospecies), Trichostrongyloidea, Eimeriidae, Aspidodera sp., Bertiella sp., Metastrongylus sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Moniezia sp., Gongylonema sp., Trichuris suis, Spirocerca lupi, Macracanthorhyncus hirudinaceus, Globocephalus urosubulatus, Strongyloides cf ransomi, Balantioides coli, and Eimeria cf scabra. The highest parasite diversity was obtained in the pig samples, totaling 15 morphospecies, compared to only 6 in caititus, with S. cf ransomi, G. urosubulatus, and S. lupi present in both hosts. We discuss the presence of parasites associated with domestic animals around the Protected Areas and potentially zoonotic parasites close to human communities, which raise concerns about the conservation of wildlife, human health, and livestock in the region.

Seroprevalence of human cysticercosis in Jataí, Goiás state, Brazil

The Taenia solium cysticercosis affects millions of people worldwide and is considered a public health problem, especially in developing countries. The diagnosis of neurocysticercosis is complex and involves the analysis of epidemiological, clinical, neuroimaging, and immunological host data. Neurocysticercosis is endemic in Brazil, and is related to the cause of death mainly in the Southeast, South, and Central-West regions. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of cysticercosis in inhabitants of the city of Jataí, Goiás, in the Central-West region of Brazil from April to August 2012. A total of 529 serum samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting IgG antibodies against T. solium larvae, and Western blotting was used for confirming the diagnosis through the recognition of at least two specific peptides from their serum antibodies. The 351/529 (66.3%) reactive samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting confirmed the diagnosis in 73 samples that recognized at least two of the following peptides specific IgG antibodies for cysticercosis: 18, 24, 28-32, 39-42, 47-52, 64-68, and 70kDa. The seroprevalence of cysticercosis was 13.8% (95% CI 5.9-21.7), demonstrating that the studied area is endemic to this disease.

[Seroprevalence and risk factors of cysticercosis in two rural communities in Anzoátegui state, Venezuela]

INTRODUCTION

Cysticercosis is caused by Taenia solium cysticerci, which are located mainly in the central nervous system causing neurocysticercosis. In Venezuela, few epidemiological studies on this disease have been conducted.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for cysticercosis in two rural communities in Anzoátegui state.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a survey to collect data on possible risk factors and signs and symptoms of the disease, and we took 182 samples in two communities, Boquerón and Punto Lindo. Detection of IgG antibodies against T. solium cysticerci was performed by ELISA.

RESULTS

Seroprevalence in Boquerón was 3.3%; due to the low number of seropositives the statistical analysis was not possible. However, the three seropositive persons had knowledge of the disease, and a history of consumption of undercooked pork meat, and presence of headache. In Punto Lindo, seroprevalence was 28.9%. There were no significant differences by sex or age; however, we found more seropositives among individuals younger than 20 years. With regard to risk factors and signs and symptoms, significant associations were found with consumption of undercooked pork (OR=18; 95% CI: 5.78 to 55.9), headaches (OR=3.6; 95% CI: 1.15 to 11.4), seizures (OR=18.9; 95% CI: 2.15 to 166.5) and visual problems (OR=5.7; 95% CI: 2.13 to 15.34).

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed low transmission of cysticercosis in Boquerón, and high in Punto Lindo, where the high prevalence in children suggests recent transmission.

Diagnóstico do complexo teníase-cisticercose bovina em São João Evangelista, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Com o objetivo de diagnosticar a situação do complexo teníase-cisticercose bovina em Minas Gerais, Brasil, foi selecionado o município de São João Evangelista, onde foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 339 bovinos em 15 propriedades rurais, sorteadas aleatoriamente. Em cada propriedade, foi aplicado um questionário socioeconômico para a análise de fatores que favorecem a manutenção do complexo teníase-cisticercose bovina. Foi realizado também o diagnóstico de teníase humana por meio de exame coproparasitológico dos habitantes das propriedades. Encontrou-se a prevalência de 4,1% para cisticercose bovina e a frequência de 2,94% para teníase humana. Entre os fatores de risco para a manutenção do complexo teníase-cisticercose analisados, foi observada uma relação estatisticamente significativa (P=0,042) entre a ocorrência de cisticercose bovina e a ingestão de carne malpassada pelos entrevistados. Concluiu-se que a cisticercose bovina está presente no município de São João Evangelista, MG, em índices considerados endêmicos, sendo o consumo de carne malpassada e não inspecionada o principal fator de risco para a manutenção do complexo teníase-cisticercose, o que reforça a necessidade da adoção de medidas de controle com contínua vigilância epidemiológica e sanitária.

Epidemiological survey of the taeniasis/cysticercosis complex in cattle farms in Viçosa County, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Despite the importance of human taeniasis/bovine cysticercosis for public and animal health and the economy, its actual epidemiological status in Brazil is not well-studied. We sought to assess the epidemiological profile of this zoonosis in the rural area of Viçosa County, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The prevalence of bovine cysticercosis was 0.42%, whereas no case of human taeniasis was diagnosed. Factors favoring the persistence of zoonosis were identified. These included the supply of untreated water to animals, animals raised for slaughter without sanitary supervision, poor mechanization of raising techniques, and the use of untreated water for human consumption. Bovine meat for human consumption acquired in the city or from the farm itself was characterized as a risk factor for bovine cysticercosis (Odds Ratio (OR) =16.77; p<0.05). Nevertheless, the families on the investigated farms did apply several appropriate measures to control this disease, such as the virtual lack of open sewers and the consumption of well-cooked meat. The presence of bovine cysticercosis cases, and the factors favoring its persistence, point to the need for constant epidemiological and sanitary surveillance in this county.

Survey of visitors to a National Park in the savannah region of northeast Brazil: Practices, incidents and hazardous situations

BACKGROUND

Wilderness travellers to remote National Parks of Brazil may be particularly at risk of tropical diseases and injury. The aim of this study was to describe injury and illness, potentially hazardous situations, accidents and other incidents experienced by travellers to a remote National Park in Brazil.

METHOD

The study was done in the National Park, "Serra da Capivara", in Piauí State northeast Brazil. Key informants were interviewed using semi-structured interviews, and a self-administered questionnaire was used for visitors. Questions included information on health problems and risk behaviour in the park, as well as pre-travel health advice.

RESULTS

In total, 14 tour guides, 7 hotel managers and 17 health professionals were interviewed, as key informants. Eighty visitors returned the completed questionnaires (60 Brazilian, 20 foreigners). The key informants reported different risk behaviour of groups and individuals travellers, and incidents most commonly mentioned were minor injuries, insect bites/bee stings and allergic reactions. Seventy percent of the Brazilian and 55% of the foreign visitors had obtained pre-travel health advice, but only 5% of Brazilians and 15% of foreign visitors has obtained this advice from a physician. The most common source of information was other people who already had visited the park and travel books. Of the Brazilians, 13.3% reported some health incident during their stay, most commonly bee bites and headache. Two foreign travellers reported three incidents (insect bites/bee stings, diarrhoea and sunburn). Most commonly reported hazardous situations perceived by the tourists were possible accidents caused by falling from a stairway or falling stones, poisonous animals and insect bites/bee stings.

CONCLUSIONS

Surveys conducted at remote tourist destinations are a feasible approach to report vulnerable situations, practices and incidents of visitors to a National Park. We have shown that most travellers are not adequately prepared and many experienced vulnerable situations during their visit to the National Park. It is important that visitors to National Parks in Brazil are encouraged to obtain travel health advice. The most common and potentially serious incident (bee stings) is rarely addressed in pre-travel health advice. Travel health advisers should ensure that they have access to locally relevant information for travellers, so that appropriate preventive measures can be instituted.