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Balantidiasis, a disease caused by the ciliated protozoan Balantidium coli, mainly infects thelarge intestine and may present intestinal spread. The purpose of this literature review was to study the infection by B. coli and comorbidities to identify the factors that can contribute to the establishment of the disease. In this review, we attempt to explore and describe the various comorbidities associated with B. coli infection. We reviewed the literature based on comorbidities with a focus on the association with B. coli infection. The primary platforms targeted were PubMed, LILACS, SciELO and Google Scholar. Studies published between 1990 and 2020 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish were considered. The comorbidities reported in the papers were diverse, associating infection by B. coli with the immunosuppression that they generate. The intestinal microbiota may also play an important role, because when dysbiosis is present, its composition and structure are affected, which may enable the invasion of the mucosa. The review shows that the presence of the parasite and establishment of balantidiasis can influence in the clinical stage of chronic and autoimmune diseases, considering themodulation of the immune response in presence of B. coli.KEY WORDS: Balantidium coli; autoimmunity; balantidiosis; comorbidities; immunodepression.

Congenital transmission of Chagas disease plays an important role in endemic countries because it is not a diagnosis that is encountered frequently in prenatal care. Due to limited information regarding congenital transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in Mexico, the present study aimed to investigate protozoan infectivity and modulation of immune responses in human placental explants infected with T. cruzi Ia Mexican strains. The Inc-5 strain showed increased infectivity and modulated IL-1β, IL-10 and TLR-4, decreasing their expression after 24 h of infection. Both strains (Inc-5 and Ninoa) stimulated the production of TNF-α and decreased IL-6 levels 96 h after infection. An important detachment of the syncytiotrophoblast caused by infection with T. cruzi was observed after 24 h of infection. In this study, ex vivo infection of human placental villi was performed to better understand interactions involving parasitic T. cruzi and human placental tissue. It was concluded that the strains of TcIa present parasitism in placental tissue, modulation of the innate immune system of the placenta, and cause intense detachment of the syncytiotrophoblast, a fact that may be more associated with abortion and premature birth events than the congenital transmission itself, justifying the low rate of this transmission mechanism by this genotype.

Objetivo: Investigar a presença de IgG e IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii no soro de estudantes de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, campus do Pontal. Métodos: Estudo transversal de prevalência, com coleta de dados realizada entre junho de 2017 e fevereiro de 2018. Foram utilizadas as técnicas de Imunofluorescência Indireta e Ensaio Imunoenzimático (ELISA) e aplicados questionário semiestruturado para avaliação dos conhecimentos prévios sobre a toxoplasmose. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 128 alunos com faixa etária de 18 a 41 anos, sendo 83 (64,4%) do sexo feminino e 45 (35,6%) do sexo masculino. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue de 106 participantes e 13 (12,3%) apresentaram anticorpos anti-T. gondii. Destes, 3 (2,8%) afirmaram consumir leite bovino não pasteurizado, 3 (2,8%) carne crua ou mal passada e 1 (0,94%) vegetais crus ou não higienizados. Não foi observada associação estatisticamente significativa entre positividade (IgM anti-T. gondii e/ou IgG anti-T. gondii) e as variáveis analisadas no questionário.Conclusão: Neste trabalho foi possível verificar a presença de anticorpos IgM e IgG anti-T. gondii em universitários. Não se observou uma associação entre soropositividade e o hábito alimentar. Entretanto, a análise das respostas obtidas no questionário mostrou comportamento de risco por parte destes indivíduos, principalmente ao que se refere ao contato frequente com cães e gatos, muitas vezes recolhidos na rua.

Visceral leishmaniasis is an endemic protozoonosis observed in over 60 countries, with over 500 000 new cases recorded annually. Although the diagnostic procedure of its symptomatic forms is well established, for asymptomatic patients, who represent about 85% of those infected, there is no consensus on the best method for its identification. Recent studies have presented molecular techniques as viable identification methods, with good sensitivity and specificity indices in asymptomatic individuals. Therefore, we aimed to use molecular methods to assess their effectiveness in identifying the presence of asymptomatic infection by Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) individuals from endemic regions of Brazil. Screening was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and confirmed by sequencing the cytochrome B gene. Of the 127 samples [from 608 blood donors who had participated in a previous study, of which 34 were positive by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) rK39] tested by qPCR, 31 (24.4%) were positive. In the sequencing of 10 qPCR-positive samples, five were identified as L. infantum. Complimentary samples of the ELISA rK39 and conventional PCR showed only reasonable and low agreement with qPCR, respectively. The qPCR confirmed the presence of infection in five of the 10 sequenced samples, ELISA confirmed three, and the conventional PCR confirmed none.

Trata-se de um relato de experiência de promoção em saúde realizada com moradores de um assentamento da reforma agrária no município de Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais com o objetivo de orientar e desmitificar temas que envolvem as sexualidades, métodos contraceptivos e infecções sexualmente transmissíveis, com moradores de um assentamento. Esta intervenção foi necessária uma vez que áreas ocupadas por assentados geralmente não apresentam serviços básicos em saúde e assistência em âmbito educacional, refletindo desatenção à educação e saúde dessas populações. Apesar do avanço alcançado em relação a prevenção e tratamento, infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (ISTs) persistem como um sério problema de saúde pública, tendo maior prevalência em populações socialmente vulneráveis, dentre elas a população rural. Participaram das atividades indivíduos com idade entre 14 e 60 anos, residentes do assentamento. Baseando-se em uma perspectiva emancipatória e respeitando os saberes da comunidade, as atividades ocorreram na forma de palestras e oficinas e ao final foi distribuído material informativo. Durante as atividades foi observado a predominância de muitas crenças e mitos sobre as temáticas abordadas. O trabalho mostra a contínua necessidade de ações de políticas públicas efetivas para educação e saúde, principalmente para a população de assentados, muitas vezes marginalizados e sem orientações preventivas.

Congenital transmission of Chagas disease plays an important role in endemic countries because it is not a diagnosis that is encountered frequently in prenatal care. Due to limited information regarding congenital transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in Mexico, the present study aimed to investigate protozoan infectivity and modulation of immune responses in human placental explants infected with T. cruzi Ia Mexican strains. The Inc-5 strain showed increased infectivity and modulated IL-1β, IL-10 and TLR-4, decreasing their expression after 24 h of infection. Both strains (Inc-5 and Ninoa) stimulated the production of TNF-α and decreased IL-6 levels 96 h after infection. An important detachment of the syncytiotrophoblast caused by infection with T. cruzi was observed after 24 h of infection. In this study, ex vivo infection of human placental villi was performed to better understand interactions involving parasitic T. cruzi and human placental tissue. It was concluded that the strains of TcIa present parasitism in placental tissue, modulation of the innate immune system of the placenta, and cause intense detachment of the syncytiotrophoblast, a fact that may be more associated with abortion and premature birth events than the congenital transmission itself, justifying the low rate of this transmission mechanism by this genotype.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are a type of antigen-presenting cells that play an important role in the immune response againstTrypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease.In vitroandin vivostudies have shown that the modulation of these cells by this parasite can directly affect the innate and acquired immune response of the host in order to facilitate its biological cycle and the spreading of the species. Many studies show the mechanisms by whichT. cruzimodulates DCs, but the interaction of these cells with the Mexican strains ofT. cruzisuch as Ninoa and INC5 has not yet been properly investigated. Here, we evaluated whether Ninoa and INC5 strains evaded the immunity of their hosts by modulating the biology and function of murine DCs. The CL-Brener strain was used as the reference strain. Herein, it was demonstrated that Ninoa was more infective toward bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) than INC5 and CL-Brener strains in both BMDCs of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Mexican strains ofT. cruziinduced different cytokine patterns. In BMDCs obtained from BALB/c mice, Ninoa strain led to the reduction in IL-6 and increased IL-10 production, while in C57BL/6 mice Ninoa strain considerably increased the productions of TNF-αand IL-10. Also, Ninoa and INC5 differentially modulated BMDC expressions of MHC-II, TLR2, and TLR4 in both BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice compared to Brazilian strain CL-Brener. These results indicate thatT. cruziMexican strains differentially infect and modulate MHC-II, toll-like receptors, and cytokine production in DCs obtained from C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, suggesting that these strains have developed particular modulatory strategies to disrupt DCs and, consequently, the host immune responses.

Soil contamination by protozoan parasites and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) is common in beach sand due to a number of factors such as pets, pluvial water, garbage, etc. These pathogens may cause many diseases in humans and animals and become a public health problem. Thus, systematic evaluation and inspection are necessary to develop control strategies regarding public contamination. For this purpose, our aims were to evaluate the parasitic profile of sandy soils on an urban beach and an untouched beach and correlate this with environmental and seasonal characteristics in Ubatuba, Brazil, in two seasons (winter and summer). 132 soilsamples were collected for parasite analysis utilizing Rugai’s method and the sedimentation adapted method. Our results showed positivity in 62% of the samples for at least one parasite in the urban beach and no parasitic structures on the untouched beach. The positivity was higher in summer (85%) than in winter (51.7%). All samples were positive for both, helminths and protozoa. Seasonal influence was noted regarding the presence of STH while for protozoa this influence was not observed. The parasitic structures most found were larvae of hookworms (35%) and Toxocara eggs (31.7%). We also noted the presence of Strongyloides sp, Ascarislumbricoides, coccidia, Dipylidium caninum, Entamoeba hystolitica/dispar, Endolimax nana, Entamoeba coli, Giardia sp, Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris sp and Dibothricephalus latus. There was a positive correlation between temperature and the presence of STH in the sand samples. Most of the collection sites on the urban beach presented dogs or canine traces and garbage in both seasons. There was an association between the presence of dogs or their traces and parasitic structures. In conclusion, seasonality, urbanization and the presence of pets on beaches can potentially favor environmental contamination by parasites increasing the risk oftransmission of zoonotic and parasitic diseases.KEY WORDS: Soil-transmitted helminths; protozoa; environmental contamination; sand; beaches.

The influence of antimoniate treatment on specific anti-protozoan T-cell responses was evaluated in a 48-year-old male patient diagnosed with mucosal leishmaniasis and Chagas disease infection. Before and after treatment, PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) were cultured in the absence or presence of Leishmania braziliensis or Trypanosoma cruzi live parasites, their soluble antigens, or PHA (phytohaemagglutinin). Cytokines were measured and Treg (T regulatory) cell percentages were quantified. Before treatment, PBMC were able to produce higher amounts of TNF-α, IL-6 (Interleukin-6), and IL-10 (Interleukin-10) but lower amounts of IL-12 (Interleukin-12) in response to culture stimulation. However, after treatment, there was a down-modulation of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 cytokines but an up-modulation in IL-12 production. PBMC had the ability to produce TNF-α only against live parasites or PHA. There was an overall decrease of circulating Treg cells after treatment. In mixed Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease infection, treatment with antimoniate could modulate immune responses toward a more protective profile to both diseases.

Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes are able to resist lysis via the complement system, which involves many surface proteins including the complement regulatory protein (CRP). To examine the diversity in CRP recognition among strains of T. cruzi, the expression levels of the translated protein on trypomastigote surfaces were analyzed by flow cytometry, and associations between protein expression and the biological behavior of these strains, especially the ability to induce lytic antibodies in animal models, were assessed. The highly virulent T. cruzi strains Ninoa, INC-5, and Colombiana and the less virulent strains CL-Brener, LGB-231, and JG were used in the experiments. An expression profile analysis showed that the Colombiana and INC-5 strains have higher translated protein levels and induced higher production of antibodies in mice than the other strains. Our results indicated that there are differences in the surface expression of CRP between parasite strains, with a tendency for the most virulent strains to have higher expression levels. Combined, these results contribute to a better understanding of CRP functions and the complexity of host-parasite interactions, considering the large number of virulence factors involved in the process.

The free-living amoebae are currently considered an emerging parasitic infection. The infection by this protozoan can generate serious infection and even cause death. Due to their amphizoic and opportunistic characters of these microorganisms, one should give more attention, not only in swimming pools but also where there are immunologically susceptible patients such as those found in intensive care units and surgical centers. Due to their difficult diagnosis often postmortem, because they are considered to be an emerging parasitic infection and their diagnosis is difficult, often performed post mortem. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of these protozoa in air conditioners by taking samples of dust from both the surgical center and the intensive therapy unit. We analyzed 48 dust samples that were collected from six air conditioners equipment located in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Surgical Center (SC) of a public hospital. We found 10.4% of the samples collected in the SC, and 75% of the samples collected in the ICU presented free-living amoeba cysts by light microscopy analysis. In total, 35.4% (17/48) of the air conditioning samples of the hospital were positive and, by PCR, were identified to belong to the genus Acanthamoeba spp and Balamuthia mandrillaris species. By DNA sequencing analysis, it was possible to classify the Acanthamoeba samples as belonging to the T3 and T4 genotypes. These genotypes are the main cause of keratitis in humans, and Balamuthia may cause amoebic encephalitis, and together are emerging parasitic infections. Our results show the presence of the two most important amoebas Acanthamoeba (T3 and T4 genotypes) and Balamuthia in the SC and the ICU, and these necessary precautions these sites could be propagating cysts of these amoebas and patients during their stay or discharge could present ocular and NSC alterations without perhaps arriving to the diagnosis of free-living amoeba infection.

Chagas Disease is a zoonosis caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Several high-resolution markers have subdivided T. cruzi taxon into at least seven lineages or Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) (TcI-TcVI and TcBat). Trypanosoma cruzi I is the most diverse and geographically widespread DTU. Recently a TcI genotype related to domestic cycles was proposed and named as TcIDOM. Herein, we combined traditional markers and housekeeping genes and applied a Multispecies Coalescent method to explore intra-TcI relationships, lineage boundaries and genetic diversity in a random set of isolates and DNA sequences retrieved from Genbank from different countries in the Americas. We found further evidence supporting TcIDOM as an independent and emerging genotype of TcI at least in Colombia and Venezuela. We also found evidence of high phylogenetic incongruence between parasite's gene trees (including introgression) and embedded species trees, and a lack of genetic structure among geography and hosts, illustrating the complex dynamics and epidemiology of TcI across the Americas. These findings provide novel insights into T. cruzi systematics and epidemiology and support the need to assess parasite diversity and lineage boundaries through hypothesis testing using different approaches to those traditionally employed, including the Bayesian Multispecies coalescent method.

Despite public health campaigns and epidemiological surveillance activities, Chagas disease remains a major health problem in Latin America. According to data from the World Health Organization, there are approximately 7-8 million people infected with Trypanosoma cruzi worldwide, a large percentage of which in Latin America. This study aims to examine the serological profile of blood donors in blood banks of Hemominas hematology center, in the town of Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The study sample consisted of 53,941 blood donors, which were grouped according to gender and age. Sample collections were performed from January 1991 to December 2011, and 277 donors (0.5%) were considered serologically ineligible due to Chagas disease. Analysis of data showed no significant difference between genders. As for age, the highest proportion of ineligible donors was from 40 to 49 years (30%), and there was a positive correlation between increasing age and the percentage of patients seropositive for Chagas disease. Therefore, adopting strategies that allow the safe identification of donors with positive serology for Chagas disease is essential to reduce or eliminate indeterminate serological results. A doença de Chagas, apesar das campanhas de saúde pública e das ações de vigilância epidemiológica, ainda constitui-se um sério problema de saúde na América Latina. De acordo com dados divulgados pela Organização Mundial de Saúde, existem cerca de 7 a 8 milhões de pessoas infectadas com Trypanosoma cruzi em todo o mundo, principalmente na América Latina. Este estudo tem por objetivo analisar o perfil sorológico de doadores de sangue dos bancos de sangue do Hemominas de Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais. Os doadores também foram separados de acordo com o sexo e a idade. A amostra do estudo foi composta por 53.941 doadores de sangue durante o período de janeiro de 2001 a dezembro de 2011. Duzentos e setenta e sete doações (0,5%) foram considerados sorologicamente inaptas para a doença de Chagas. Quanto à idade, a maior proporção de doadores impróprios foi de 40 a 49 anos (30%). Os dados não revelaram diferença significativa entre os sexos (p < 0,05). Houve correlação positiva entre o aumento da idade e o percentual de pacientes soropositivos para doença de Chagas. É imprescindível a adoção de estratégias que permitam a identificação segura de um doador com sorologia positiva para doença de Chagas, tentando assim minimizar ou eliminar resultados sorológicos indeterminados.

Background Among the practices of complementary medicine used to treat several diseases is the Spiritist “passe (SP).” Experimental studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of this energy therapies in reducing anxiety in adults. However, studies evaluating the effects of the “passe” energy therapy on health outcomes in newborns (NBs) are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of SP on stress hormone levels, pain, physiological parameters and length of stay in NBs. Methods NBs were randomly allocated into two groups: intervention (3 days SP sessions, n=13) and control (3 days sham sessions, n=12). Results In the SP group, respiratory frequency (RF) was found significantly lower (p Conclusions In this pilot study, RF reduced and prevented the elevation of the salivary cortisol concentration in preterm NBs receiving the SP compared with the control group.

Investigou-se a presença de formas evolutivas de enteroparasitos em alfaces (Lactuca sativa) vendidas em diferentes áreas de distribuição urbanas em Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais. Foram analisados 72 pés de alface, utilizando as técnicas de sedimentação espontânea e de Ritchie, com o intuito de encontrar cistos e ovos de enteroparasitos. Observou-se a presença de enteroparasitos em 75% das amostras oriundas de sacolões, sendo, Endolimax nana (90,7%), ascarídeos (29,6%), ancilostomídeos (18,5%), Strongyloides sp. (16,7%), Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar (9,2%) e Entamoeba coli (3,7%). Das amostras advindas das feiras livres, 16,7% foram positivas, sendo, E. nana (91,7%), ancilostomídeos (33,3%), ascarídeos (25%), E. histolytica/E. dispar (16,7%) e Strongyloides sp. (8,3%). Quanto às alfaces da horta, 8,4% mostraram-se positivas, sendo, E. nana (66,6%), ascarídeos (50%), Strongyloides sp. (16,7%), E. histolytica/E. dispar (16,7%) e Toxocara sp. (16,7%). As alfaces comercializadas em diferentes estabelecimentos da área estudada apresentaram condições de higiene, manipulação e acondicionamento inadequados.

In this study, trypanosomatids commonly found in bats, including Trypanosoma cruzi marinkellei, T. dionisii, and Leishmania braziliensis, were identified. Additionally, T. wauwau was identified in one specimen of Anoura caudifer, and represents the first report of this parasite from the Central West region of Brazil. T. wauwau was previously identified by other researchers in the North of the country, in only three species of bats in the genus Pteronotus: P. parnellii (Pará and Rondônia states), and P. personatus and P. gymnonotus (Rondônia). The identification of T. wauwau indicates how different trypanosomatids are able to adapt to new host species of bats. This is owing to bats’ high mobility, wide geographic distribution, social behavior, and ability to coexist in large colonies. These characteristics may facilitate the transmission of infectious agents in nature, which are responsible for outbreaks of some zoonoses. Therefore, health authorities should focus on both vertebrates and vectors associated with the environments where these bats are found.Author summaryThe prevalence of Trypanosoma in bats is high, with T. cruzi, T. cruzi marinkellei, and T. dionisii as the most prevalent infective species. This study reports for the first time the presence of T. wauwau in the southeast region of Brazil in the bat Anoura caudifer. Although this species of Trypanosoma has been found in bats of the genus Pteronotus, it was not detected in any other genus, including in the bats that share the same shelter with Pteronotus. The species T. wauwau was found infecting bats only in Brazil. Its occurrence was restricted to the northern region of the country, in the states of Pará, infecting the species P. parnellii and in Rondônia infecting P. personatus, P. gymnonotus as well as P. parnellii. Although its morphology is similar to that of T. cruzi, little is known about the development of T. wauwau, both in its vertebrate host and the existence of a plausible invertebrate vector. Its characteristics include its inability to develop in mammalian cells and its non-infectiousness in mice and triatomine insects. Further research, through molecular studies, may provide important and valuable data for understanding the origin, evolution, and global distribution of, and the association between the different species of Trypanosoma and their hosts.

Oral infection by Trypanosoma cruzi has been responsible for frequent outbreaks of acute Chagas disease in the north of South America and in the Amazon region, where T. cruzi genetic group TcI predominates. TcI strains from different geographical regions have been used in oral infection in mice, but there is no information about strains from Mexico where TcI is prevalent. Here, we analyzed four Mexican strains as concerns the course of oral infection, the ability to invade host cells in vitro, and the profile of metacyclic trypomastigote surface molecules gp82 and gp90 that are implicated in parasite internalization. Oral infection of mice with metacyclic forms of all strains resulted in reduced blood and tissue parasitism, and mild to moderate inflammatory process in the heart/skeletal muscle. They expressed pepsin-resistant gp82 and gp90 molecules at high levels and invaded host cells poorly in full nutrient medium and efficiently under nutrient-deprived condition. The properties exhibited by Mexican strains were similar to those displayed by TcI strains from other geographical regions, reinforcing the notion that these features are common to the genetic group TcI as a whole.

Several bat species can be infected by trypanosomes, but there is not much information about which of these parasites infect bats from Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, a formerly endemic region for Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. The aim of this study was to describe, characterize, and identify the presence of trypanosomes in bats. The captured bats (448) belong to four families and to 19 different species. Of those, 37 bats were found to be positive for trypanosomes by microhematocrit, (infection rate 8.3%) and 27 were positive after hemoculture analysis. Initially, the isolates were identified by PCR (18S rDNA, 24S? rDNA, spliced leader, COII RFLP-PCR) using primers originally designed for T. cruzi. PCRs (18S rDNA, 24S? rDNA) showed compatible bands for TcI, whereas COII RFLP-PCR showed a similar pattern associated to TcII. However, there was no DNA amplification using spliced leader as a target, revealing a discrepancy between the results. Phylogenetic analysis of Cathepsin L-like and 18S rDNA sequences proved that 15 of the isolates corresponded to Trypanosoma cruzi marinkellei and one to Trypanosoma dionisii. These results revealed that the diversity of trypanosome species in a region considered endemic for Chagas disease is greater than previous descriptions. All this can confirm the necessity of using DNA sequencing approaches in order to determinate trypanosomes species isolated from bats. © 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

SUMMARYLeishmaniasis is a complex of zoonotic diseases caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania, which can develop in domestic as well as wild animals and humans throughout the world. Currently, this disease is spreading in rural and urban areas of non-endemic regions in Brazil. Recently, bats have gained epidemiological significance in leishmaniasis due to its close relationship with human settlements. In this study, we investigated the presence of Leishmania spp. DNA in blood samples from 448 bats belonging to four families representing 20 species that were captured in the Triangulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaiba areas of Minas Gerais State (non-endemic areas for leishmaniasis), Brazil. Leishmania spp. DNA was detected in 8·0% of the blood samples, 41·6% of which were Leishmania infantum, 38·9% Leishmania amazonensis and 19·4% Leishmania braziliensis. No positive correlation was found between Leishmania spp. and bat food source. The species with more infection rates were the insectivorous bats Eumops perotis; 22·2% (4/18) of which tested positive for Leishmania DNA. The presence of Leishmania in the bat blood samples, as observed in this study, represents epidemiological importance due to the absence of Leishmaniasis cases in the region.

This study aimed to measure the synthesis of Th1 and Th2 cytokines by mononuclear cells after culture with liveT. gondiiand identified Th17 (CD4+) and Tc17 (CD8+) cells in toxoplasma-seronegative and toxoplasma-seropositive parturient and nonpregnant women. Cytometric bead arrays were used to measure cytokine levels (IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10); immunophenotyping was used to characterize Th17 and Tc17 cells, and the cells were stained with antibodies against CD4+and CD8+T cells expressing IL-17. The addition of tachyzoites to cell cultures induced the synthesis of IL-5, IL-10, and TNF-αby cells from seronegative parturient women and of IL-5 and IL-10 by cells from seropositive, nonpregnant women. We observed a lower level of IL-17-expressing CD4+and CD8+T lymphocytes in cultures of cells from seronegative and seropositive parturient and nonpregnant women that were stimulated with tachyzoites, whereas analysis of the CD4+and CD8+T cell populations showed a higher level of CD4+T cells compared with CD8+T cells. These results suggest that the cytokine pattern and IL-17-expressing CD4+and CD8+T lymphocytes may have important roles in the inflammatory response toT. gondii, thus contributing to the maintenance of pregnancy and control of parasite invasion and replication.

In previous studies, we have demonstrated that inoculation with a Trypanosoma cruzi marinkellei (avirulent RM1 strain) was able to reduce parasitemia in mice challenged with T. cruzi, although it was not able to prevent histopathological lesions. Th1 response stimulation by immunization is necessary for T. cruzi infection control, but the resistance is also dependent on immunoregulatory mechanisms, which can be induced by adjuvants. Thus, we evaluated whether inoculation of T. cruzi marinkellei associated with administration of different adjuvants would be capable of inducing different patterns of immune response to maximize the immune response against T. cruzi (virulent Romildo strain) infection. Two hundred eighty nonisogenic mice were divided into 14 groups according to the immunization scheme and the subsequent challenge with virulent Romildo T. cruzi strain. Nonimmunized groups and animals inoculated without adjuvants were also included. Immune protection was not observed with Th2 adjuvants (incomplete Freund's adjuvant [IFA] and Alum) due to high parasitemia. Th1/Th2-polarizing adjuvants also did not induce immune protection because inulin was unable to maintain survival, and immune-stimulating complexes induced intense inflammatory processes. Animals sensitized with RM1 strain without adjuvants were able to reduce parasitemia, increase survival, and protect against severe histological lesions, followed by adequate cytokine stimulation. Finally, our results demonstrate that the early and balanced IFN-γ production becomes critical to promote protection and that Th1 adjuvant elicited a controversial infection control due to increased histopathological damage. Therefore, the host's immunomodulation remains one of the most important challenges in the research for effective protection against T. cruzi infection. Similarly, the identification of protective antigens in the RM1 strain of T. cruzi marinkellei may contribute to further studies on vaccine development against human Chagas disease.

INTRODUCTION: For a long time, the importance of Chagas disease in Mexico, where many regarded it as an exotic malady, was questioned. Considering the great genetic diversity among isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi, the importance of this biological characterization, and the paucity of information on the clinical and biological aspects of Chagas disease in Mexico, this study aimed to identify the molecular and biological characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi isolates from different endemic areas of this country, especially of the State of Jalisco. METHODS: Eight Mexican Trypanosoma cruzi strains were biologically and genetically characterized (PCR specific for Trypanosoma cruzi, multiplex-PCR, amplification of space no transcript of the genes of the mini-exon, amplification of polymorphic regions of the mini-exon, classification by amplification of intergenic regions of the spliced leader genes, RAPD - (random amplified polymorphic DNA). RESULTS: Two profiles of parasitaemia were observed, patent (peak parasitaemia of 4.6×10(6) to 10(7) parasites/mL) and subpatent. In addition, all isolates were able to infect 100% of the animals. The isolates mainly displayed tropism for striated (cardiac and skeletal) muscle. PCR amplification of the mini-exon gene classified the eight strains as TcI. The RAPD technique revealed intraspecies variation among isolates, distinguishing strains isolated from humans and triatomines and according to geographic origin. CONCLUSIONS: The Mexican T. cruzi strains are myotrophic and belong to group TcI.INTRODUÇÃO: Durante muito tempo, foi questionada a importância da doença de Chagas no México onde muitos a consideravam um padecimento exótico. Considerando a grande diversidade genética existente, entre os isolados de Trypanosoma cruzi, a importância da caracterização biológica desses e o escasso número de informações sobre os aspectos clínicos e biológicos da doença de Chagas no México, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a caracterização biológica e molecular de isolados de Trypanosoma cruzi originários de diferentes áreas endêmicas deste país, principalmente do Estado de Jalisco. MÉTODOS: Oito cepas mexicanas de Trypanosoma cruzi foram caracterizadas biologicamente e geneticamente (PCR específica para Trypanosoma cruzi, PCR-multiplex, amplificação do espaço não transcrito dos genes do mini-exon, amplificação das regiões polimórficas do gene do mini-exon, classificação pela amplificação de regiões intergênicas dos genes do spliced leader, RAPD - random amplified polymorphic DNA). RESULTADOS: Foram observados dois tipos de parasitemia: patente com picos máximos de parasitemia entre 4,6x10(6) e 10(7) parasitas/mL e subpatente. Além disso, todos os isolados foram capazes de infectar 100% dos animais. Observou-se tropismo predominante pelo músculo estriado (cardíaco e esquelético). As técnicas de PCR do gene do mini-éxon classificaram as oito cepas como TcI e a técnica de RAPD mostrou variação intra-especifica das mesmas, separando as cepas isoladas de humanos daquelas de triatomíneos e por origem geográfica. CONCLUSÕES: As cepas mexicanas de Trypanosoma cruzi são miotrópicas e correspondem ao TcI.

INTRODUCTION: For a long time, the importance of Chagas disease in Mexico, where many regarded it as an exotic malady, was questioned. Considering the great genetic diversity among isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi, the importance of this biological characterization, and the paucity of information on the clinical and biological aspects of Chagas disease in Mexico, this study aimed to identify the molecular and biological characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi isolates from different endemic areas of this country, especially of the State of Jalisco. METHODS: Eight Mexican Trypanosoma cruzi strains were biologically and genetically characterized (PCR specific for Trypanosoma cruzi, multiplex-PCR, amplification of space no transcript of the genes of the mini-exon, amplification of polymorphic regions of the mini-exon, classification by amplification of intergenic regions of the spliced leader genes, RAPD - (random amplified polymorphic DNA). RESULTS: Two profiles of parasitaemia were observed, patent (peak parasitaemia of 4.6×10(6) to 10(7) parasites/mL) and subpatent. In addition, all isolates were able to infect 100% of the animals. The isolates mainly displayed tropism for striated (cardiac and skeletal) muscle. PCR amplification of the mini-exon gene classified the eight strains as TcI. The RAPD technique revealed intraspecies variation among isolates, distinguishing strains isolated from humans and triatomines and according to geographic origin. CONCLUSIONS: The Mexican T. cruzi strains are myotrophic and belong to group TcI.

As características físico-geográficas da região Ciénega, Jalisco, México a tornam propícia para transmissão do Trypanosoma cruzi, causador da doença de Chagas. Este trabalho caracteriza a prevalência de triatomíneos infectados pelo parasita, sua sazonalidade e distribuição nesta região. Foram analisados 328 triatomíneos no período de janeiro de 2005 a junho de 2007 procedentes de 13 municípios da região, sendo abril, maio e junho os meses de maior captura. Dos triatomíneos analisados, 57,3% foram positivos para Trypanosoma cruzi, correspondendo 15,4% para a área urbana e 84,6% para a área rural. A espécie mais freqüente foi Triatoma longipennis e a mais parasitada foi Triatoma barberi com índice de infecção de 83,3% quando comparada a Triatoma longipennis (67,5%) (pThe physical and geographical characteristics of the Ciénega region, Jalisco, Mexico make it suitable for transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent for Chagas disease. This study characterizes the prevalence of triatomines infected by this parasite, their seasonality and their distribution in this region. A total of 328 triatomines were evaluated between January 2005 and June 2007, from 13 municipalities in the region. April, May and June were the months with the highest capture levels. Among the triatomines examined, 57.3% were positive for Trypanosoma cruzi, corresponding to 15.4% in urban areas and 84.6% in rural areas. The species with greatest prevalence was Triatoma longipennis and the species with the highest parasitism rate was Triatoma barberi, with an infection rate of 83.3%, whereas the rate for Triatoma longipennis was 67.5% (p

As características físico-geográficas da região Ciénega, Jalisco, México a tornam propícia para transmissão do Trypanosoma cruzi, causador da doença de Chagas. Este trabalho caracteriza a prevalência de triatomíneos infectados pelo parasita, sua sazonalidade e distribuição nesta região. Foram analisados 328 triatomíneos no período de janeiro de 2005 a junho de 2007 procedentes de 13 municípios da região, sendo abril, maio e junho os meses de maior captura. Dos triatomíneos analisados, 57,3% foram positivos para Trypanosoma cruzi, correspondendo 15,4% para a área urbana e 84,6% para a área rural. A espécie mais freqüente foi Triatoma longipennis e a mais parasitada foi Triatoma barberi com índice de infecção de 83,3% quando comparada a Triatoma longipennis (67,5%) (p

Intestinal parasites are among the most commonly found pathogens in humans and are considered a public health problem. The frequency of intestinal parasites was evaluated in children and staff at two day care centers in the city of Ituiutaba, Brazil and health encouragement activities were developed. For parasite detection in stool samples the Ritchie’s technique and the Hoffman-Pons-Janer, Baermann-Moraes, Willis and Ziehl-Neelsen methods were applied. Of 140 children, 88 (62.9%) were positive, where Giardia intestinalis cysts were present in 65 children (51.1%), Entamoeba coli in 22 (17.3%), Endolimax nana in 12 (9.4%), Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar in 9 (7%), Hymenolepis nana eggs were found in 5 (4%), hookworms in 4 (3.1%), Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis in 3 (2.3%) and Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichuris trichiura, Cryptosporidium spp. and Iodamoeba butschlii in one child (0.8%). Among the 41 employees examined, 10 (24.3%) were positive, E. coli cysts were found in 6 samples (35.2%) and E. nana in 5 (29.4%), followed by E. histolytica/E. dispar in 4 (23.6%) and G. intestinalis and E. vermicularis eggs in (5.9%). The data show the high frequency of intestinal parasites in fecal samples analyzed and demonstrate the importance of adopting preventive measures such as health and education involving the community.

Dogs are considered important reservoirs of intestinal parasites due to their coprophagic behavior and close interaction with humans. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Giardia spp. cysts and of coccidia oocysts in dog stool samples collected at the Zoonosis Control Center (CCZ) and at pet shops in Ituiutaba town, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Eighty stool samples (40% puppies and 60% adult dogs) were collected from dogs of both genders in individual and collective kennels. Cysts were then isolated from the samples using Sheather’s solution, and the oocysts were isolated in accordance with a modified version of the protocol by Ortega-Mora (1999). Thirty-four (42.5%) of dog samples were found to be positive for Giardia spp., 26 (51.0%) of which came from the CCZ, and 8 of which (27.6%) came from the pet shops. There was a prevalence of 13.72% (7) of oocysts in stool samples of CCZ dogs, and of 34.48% (10) oocysts in pet shop animals. The high prevalence of Giardia spp. cysts and oocysts in the samples may be associated with exposure to parasites from stray dogs. Clustering of animals in collective kennels or pet shops promotes the risk of intestinal parasite transmission with high zoonotic potential for the animals and for the people living with them.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite of worldwide distribution with different infective forms: tachyzoites, bradyzoites and oocysts. Toxoplasmosis is a common zoonosis in vertebrates and its definitive hosts are the felines. It features high seroprevalence, is asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals and detected by IgM and IgG against antigens of the parasite. The aim of this work was to investigate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the region of the Pontal of Triangulo Mineiro, in Minas Gerais State, in 1,532 patients seen in a clinical laboratory of the region from August 2007 to April 2010, considering: IgM and IgG anti-T.gondii. Information about gender and age were obtained through retrospective review of the clinical tests of these patients. The serological tests performed were passive hemagglutination and indirect immunofluorescence. There was no detection of IgM anti-T. gondii, however, seropositivity of IgG anti-T. gondii was found in 36% of the subjects, which may indicate that the patients were in the chronic phase of the disease. In this study, it was observed that the prevalence was higher in individuals aged 16 to 45 years, mostly with IgG titers of 1:256. Given the results, it is suggested the implementation of preventive measures, in the region of Pontal of Triângulo Mineiro.

The physical and geographical characteristics of the Ciénega region, Jalisco, Mexico make it suitable for transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent for Chagas disease. This study characterizes the prevalence of triatomines infected by this parasite, their seasonality and their distribution in this region. A total of 328 triatomines were evaluated between January 2005 and June 2007, from 13 municipalities in the region. April, May and June were the months with the highest capture levels. Among the triatomines examined, 57.3% were positive for Trypanosoma cruzi, corresponding to 15.4% in urban areas and 84.6% in rural areas. The species with greatest prevalence was Triatoma longipennis and the species with the highest parasitism rate was Triatoma barberi, with an infection rate of 83.3%, whereas the rate for Triatoma longipennis was 67.5% (p0.05). This natural infection in the captured vectors may indicate that individuals in this region have high exposure to Trypanosoma cruzi. The recent findings of positive Triatoma dimidiata in this region suggest that new species are becoming adapted to the ecological conditions of these populations.

Introduction: During pregnancy, mother’s immune system modulates immune response in order to allow the maintenance of fetal tolerance. Besides, this tolerogenic environment the adaptative immune response exist and are effective against microbes such as T. gondii, causative agent of toxoplasmosis. Objective: Evaluate the production of cytokines by PBMC from parturient and non-pregnant women exposed to live tachyzoites ME49 strain of T. gondii. Methods: PBMC from 31 parturient, which 21 were T. gondii IgG+ and 22 non-pregnant women, where 8 were T. gondii IgG+ were cultivated (105cells/well) in presence of anti CD3 or live tachyzoites (2 parasites/cell) of T. gondii ME49 strain. The cells were incubated for 72h and cytokine titration by CBA in supernatants. Results: The cytokine’s levels produced by parturient’s cells and non pregnant women showed existence of correlation between the production of Th2 and Th1 cytokines on live tachyzoites culture, independent of group or serology: IL4/TNF-α (r=0.51, p