Structural and Ultrastructural Alterations in BALB/c Mice: Effects of Penicillium CitrinumMetabolites

The aims of this work were to determine the effect of feeding BALB/c mice a diet containing culture materials of a citrinin producing strain of Penicillium citrinum (Thom). Changes in hematological parameters, serum chemistry and histological changes in liver, kidney and heart were determined. After 60 days, control treated (CT) mice appeared normal in all respects, whereas, the mice fed the feeds supplemented with Penicillium (CMT) showed decreased weight gain, lower hematocrits, increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and clear signs of renal and hepatotoxicity based on histological changes. Changes observed in the liver of CMT mice included portal and lobular infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells, with concomitant hepatocellular necrosis, hepatic steatosis, prominent Kupffer's cells, hemosiderin granules in the cytoplasm of periportal hepatocytes and other lipid inclusions in the surrounding mitochondria were also observed. Our findings suggest that in vivo, P. citrinum Thom metabolites, which contain citrinin, could cause illnesses such as toxic hepatitis or intravascular hemolysis.

[Cryptosporidium y Giardia in surface water]

The aim of this work was to determine Giardia and Cryptosporidium levels in surface water used either as recreational or drinking water source, and to estimate the relationship with bacteriological and physicochemical parameters determining water quality. This study was carried out during 22 months, in Santa Fe and Santo Tomé cities (Santa Fe Province, Argentina). Cryptosporidium from 100% of the recreational samples (44-2404 oocysts/100 l) and from 92% of water sources (< 20-539 oocysts/100 l) was detected, while Giardia was found in lower concentrations and frequencies: 72% (< 20-670 cysts/100 l) and 31% (< 20-65 cysts/100 l), respectively. Statistically significant relationships were found between these parasites and organic matter, turbidity and bacteriological indicators of contamination (Escherichia coli, streptococci, Enterococcus spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). These relationships, however, vary according to the sampling place, the source and levels of contamination.

[Detection of Cryptosporidium in subterranean drinking water]

The objective of the present work has been to determine the role of drinking water of subterranean origin in the transmission of enteroparasitosis. The samples were obtained from wells and tanks supplying population areas in Santa Fe province. The physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters were all determined. The detection of parasites was carried out by means of filtration, the subsequent washing of the filters with a Tween 80 solution and the concentration of the remaining liquid which was then submitted to microscopic examination. This examination was made for both fresh samples and samples stained with permanent and differential staining techniques. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were found in the water which supplies one of those population areas. The bacteriological examination revealed the presence of total coliforms but neither chemical contamination parameters nor faecalis coliforms were found. We conclude that the absence of the latter is not enough to discard the presence of parasites and that protective measures of the water supply must be implemented.