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Abstract The spatial and temporal variability of gravity waves (GWs) potential energy (Ep) over South America (SA) was examined by analyzing temperature profiles obtained through the utilization of Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) from January 2002 to December 2021. We used the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis to decompose GWs parameters and to analyze the GW variations over SA. We considered the first three eigenmodes (EOF1, EOF2, and EOF3) and their principal components (PC1, PC2, and PC3) of the EOF decomposition, which accounts for ∼80–90% of the total GWs variation over SA. Further, we analyzed the coupled variation of Ep and zonal mean wind (U) to verify their inter-dependencies using the singular value decomposition (SVD). The spatial variation showed that different localized mechanisms generate GWs at different sectors of the continent. The EOF1 of Ep comprised more than 50%, the EOF2 ∼20–25%, and the third ∼10–15% of the total GWs variation. The positive variation of GWs energy in the EOF1 is localized in the tropical region from the lower stratosphere to the lower mesosphere and southward below 1.5° S in the upper mesosphere. The spectral analysis of GWs energy showed biannual, annual, semiannual, and 11-year variations at different eigenvectors. Relative Ep (REp) showed an asymmetric hemispheric response to solar flux over South America. The REp response to QBO showed a modulating effect below 70 km and a positive response above 70 km. There is a good positive correlation between the temporal component of EOF2 of Ep and the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) at 30 mb and 50 mb in the PC2 temporal variation. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Using COSMIC-2 and METOP radio occultation measurements during the years 2020 and 2021, the study presents the first direct and independent relationship between the potential energy (Ep) in the stratosphere, precipitable water vapour (PWV), tropopause heights (TPH), and cold-point heights (CPH) over South America. The South American continent comprises the tropical region, the Andes Mountain range, and mid-latitude climates. The seasonal mean of the potential energy (Ep), the PWV, and the tropopause parameters height (TPH and CPH) were obtained to investigate the relationship between the stratospheric gravity wave (SGW) Ep and the tropospheric parameters (PWV, TPH, and CPH). Around the Andes Mountains to the east, there is significantly less water vapour (PWV 8 kJ kg −1). A good correlation of variability was found between the PWV and the lower SGW Ep in summer over the tropical region (± 20 ◦ ). Generally, good and strong correlations were observed in the summer and spring, with negative/no correlations in the winter in 2020 and 2021. Also, good and strong correlations between SGW, PWV, and TPH were observed in the summer at $${20}^{o}N - {10}^{o}N$$ 20 o N - 10 o N in 2020 and 2021. Our result demonstrated the possibility that convective activity was a major driver of the tropical gravity waves over South America. In the subtropical (30 $$^\circ$$ ∘ –40 $$^\circ$$ ∘ ) region, especially in the winter, the tropospheric parameters make little or no contribution to gravity wave activity in the region. The CPH generally showed a no/negative with SGW over the South American tropics. The SGW activities in the tropical region showed an impact on the structure of the tropopause parameters, which could be a result of the convective activity in this region. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Interaction between Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs) and midnight Brightness wave (MBW) was observed over Bom Jesus da Lapa (13.3° S, 43.5° W; Quasi-Dipole geomagnetic latitude of 14.1° S), using OI 630 nm all-sky images. On the night of December 22nd, 2019, an EPB was seen propagating eastward in its fossil stage until it interacted with an MBW. After the interaction, the west walls of EPBs generated secondary instabilities that can be associated with gradient drift instability (GDI) and/or Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities (KHI). We suggest that the MBW contributed to generate a shear in the EPBs walls due to changes in the thermospheric dynamics, such as neutral wind in the F layer height. Furthermore, spectral analysis of the all-sky images suggests that GDI and/or KHI generated turbulence and helped to dissipate the EPBs. Graphical Abstract

Abstract The thermal dynamics of the upper atmosphere, especially in the mesosphere, have been improving our understanding about the effects of climate change, as well as how the dynamics and general circulation in the upper atmosphere are driven by different types of waves, such as the atmospheric gravity waves, planetary waves and atmospheric tides. In order to study the upper atmospheric temperature variability and gravity waves, several research groups have been employing the remote technique of observing the airglow emissions originated in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere, besides emissions from the ionosphere. INPE’s airglow group started the studies on emissions from the upper atmosphere to investigate temperature and dynamics in the mesosphere, thermosphere/ionosphere at the end of 70’s. However, only in 2001 this group sent the first airglow experiment to the Brazilian Antarctic Station Comandante Ferraz (EACF) to measure the OH (8-3) emission and temperature. From that year to 2014, several other experiments were carried out at EACF, not only to measure the temperature and airglow intensities, but also to observe gravity waves, winds and other related phenomena. This paper presents airglow experiments at EACF from 2001 to the present, including illustrations, examples of already published results, and unpublished data.

We evaluated the association between T. gondii seropositivity and violent behavior in a sample of inmates in Durango, Mexico. Through a cross-sectional study design, we studied 128 inmates (mean age: 35.89 ± 10.51; range: 19-65 years). Sera of participants were analyzed for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Violence was assessed by 1) the Historical, Clinical and Risk Management-20 (HCR-20) tool; 2) the type of the crime for which inmates were convicted; and 3) the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AGQ). Of the 128 inmates, 17 (13.3%) had high risk of violence by the HCR-20 criteria, 72 (56.3%) were considered violent by the type of the crime committed, and 59 (46.1%) were considered violent by the AGQ. Depending on the evaluation method of violence, the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in violent inmates varied from 0% to 6.9%. No statistically significant difference in anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence between violent and non-violent inmates was found (for instance by AGQ, OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 0.22-6.07; P = 1.00). Mean scores of the AGQ in T. gondii seropositive inmates (73.67 ± 29.09; 95% CI: 50.00-99.31) were similar to those (79.84 ± 25.00; 95% CI: 75.46-84.27) found in T. gondii seronegative inmates (P = 0.55). Mean scores of anger, psychical aggression, verbal aggression, and hostility in T. gondii seropositive inmates were similar to those found in T. gondii seronegative inmates. Results of this study suggest that infection with T. gondii is not associated with violence in inmates in Durango, Mexico. Further studies with larger sample sizes and in several correctional facilities to determine the association between T. gondii infection and violence in inmates are needed.

OI 630.0 nm airglow observations, from a new observatory at Bom Jesus de Lapa, were used to study the interaction between EPBs (Equatorial Plasma Bubbles) and the MSTID (Medium-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance) over the Northeast region in Brazil. On the night of September 16 to 17, 2020, an EPB was observed propagating eastward, in an apparent fossil stage, until it interacted with a dark band electrified MSTID (eMSTID). After the interaction, four EPBs merged, followed by an abrupt southward development and bifurcations. Analysis of the data suggests that an eastward polarization electric field, induced by the dark band eMSTID, forced the EPB into an upward drift, growing latitudinally along the magnetic field lines and then bifurcating.

A violência altera a sociedade de inúmeras formas, sendo desproporcional em relação às mulheres, principalmente, pretas e pardas em situação de vulnerabilidade, o que as deixam propensas a marcas que influenciam seu cotidiano. Objetivou-se com esta temática analisar a prevalência de violência doméstica, sexual e/ou outras condicionantes em mulheres pretas e pardas no período de 2010 a 2018, no extremo sul baiano. Para a concretude da presente pesquisa, no campo metodológico optou-se pela abordagem epidemiológica, transversal, descritiva por meio das informações secundarias fornecidas pelo Ministério da Saúde na base de dados DATASUS, avaliando o estado e a macrorregião do Extremo Sul, correlacionando com o número de violência psicológica/moral em ambos. Ao adentrar as questões que nortearam este estudo, percebeu-se que diante do universo pesquisado os resultados evidenciam um número de casos crescentes, sendo 873 casos em 2010 para 25.872 em 2018 no estado, quando analisada a macrorregião, houve um total de 1.751 casos, quanto à violência psicológica/moral, o pico máximo ocorreu em 2018, em ambas as regiões; o estudo mostra um aumento exorbitante da violência no que se concerne às mulheres pretas e pardas em situação de risco na Bahia, sobretudo na macrorregião. Conclui-se que é necessário um aumento de medidas que vise maior amparo e cuidado às vítimas, uma vez que o lar é "lugar mais perigoso para essas mulheres", o que culmina, frequentemente em violência de longa duração.

Introduction and objective: The epidemiology of infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) in Tepehuanos (a Mexican ethnic group living in rural areas) is largely unknown. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of and risk factors associated with HEV infection in Tepehuanos in Durango, Mexico, and to compare this seroprevalence with that in non-Tepehuanos. Materials and methods: Through a case–control seroprevalence study, we studied 146 Tepehuanos and 146 age- and gender-matched control subjects of the general population from rural settings. The frequency of anti-HEV IgG antibodies was determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association between seropositivity and socio-demographic, clinical and behavioral characteristics of the Tepehuanos. Results: IgG antibodies against HEV were found in 5 (3.4%; 95% CI: 1.1–7.8) of 146 Tepehuanos and in 46 (31.5%; 95% CI: 24.1–39.7) of 146 control subjects (OR = 0.01; 95% CI: 0.0007–0.20; P

We determined the association between Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection and insomnia. Through an age-and gender-matched case-control study, 577 people with insomnia (cases) and 577 people without insomnia (controls) were tested for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using commercially available enzyme-immunoassays. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 71 (12.3%) of 577 individuals with insomnia and in 46 (8.0%) of 577 controls (OR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.09-2.39; P = 0.01). Men with insomnia had a higher (16/73: 21.9%) seroprevalence of T. gondii infection than men without insomnia (5/73: 6.8%) (OR: 3.81; 95% CI: 1.31-11.06; P = 0.009). The rate of high (>150 IU/ml) anti-T. gondii IgG antibody levels in cases was higher than the one in controls (OR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.13-4.31; P = 0.01). Men with insomnia had a higher (8/73: 11.0%) rate of high anti-T. gondii IgG antibody levels than men without insomnia (0/73: 0.0%) (P = 0.006). The rate of high anti-T. gondii IgG antibody levels in cases >50 years old (11/180: 6.1%) was higher than that (3/180: 1.7%) in controls of the same age group (OR: 3.84; 95% CI: 1.05-14.00; P = 0.05). No difference in the rate of IgM seropositivity between cases and controls was found (OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 0.57-3.11; P = 0.50). Results of this seroepidemiology study suggest that infection with T. gondii is associated with insomnia. Men older than 50 years with T. gondii exposure might be prone to insomnia. Further research to confirm the association between seropositivity and serointensity to T. gondii and insomnia is needed.

This paper presents the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) as the possible source mechanism of the medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) propagating to the southeast direction over the South American region. Using the data collected by the GNSS dual-frequency receivers network from January 2014 to December 2019, detrended TEC maps were generated to identify and characterize 144 MSTIDs propagating southeastward over the South American low-latitude and equatorial region. We also used images from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) 13 and 16 in the infrared (IR) and water vapor (WV) channel, and reanalisys data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to study the daily features and seasonal migration of ITCZ. In the winter, when ITCZ migrates to the northern hemisphere around 10–15° N, 20 MSTIDs propagated southeastward. During summer, when the ITCZ lies within the continent, around 0–5° S 80 MSTIDs were observed to propagate southeastward; in the equinoxes (spring and fall), 44 MSTIDs were observed. Again, the MSTIDs propagating southeastward showed a clear seasonality of their local time dependence; in summer, the MSTIDs occurred frequently in the evening hours, whereas those in winter occurred during the daytime. We also found for the first time that the day-to-day observation of ITCZ position and MSTIDs propagation directions were consistent. With regard to these new findings, we report that the MSTIDs propagating southeastward over the South American region are possibly induced by the atmospheric gravity waves, which are proposed as being generated by the ITCZ in the troposphere. The mean distribution of the horizontal wavelength, period, and phase velocity are 698 ± 124 km, 38 ± 8 min, and 299 ± 89 m s−1, respectively. For the first time, we were able to use MSTID propagation directions as a proxy to study the source region.

Dual enrollment (DE)--where students earn college credits during high school--is expanding rapidly. To facilitate DE, institutional actors across K-12 schools and colleges must build or repurpose structures across separate organizations to determine course offerings, assignments, modality, and composition. Yet the organization and implications of those structures remain a black box. Using statewide administrative data from Texas, we describe DE coursetaking and course characteristics for traditional Texas public high school students and examine how DE course characteristics predict students' course performance and subsequent college enrollment. Our descriptive analyses illuminate striking differences between academic and career and technical education DE, both in students' backgrounds and course structures. Our regression analyses illustrate how several malleable DE course characteristics predict student outcomes.

Abstract Background The association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and thyroid disease has been poorly studied. Therefore, we sought to determine the association between T. gondii seropositivity and thyroid dysfunction. Methods We performed an age- and gender-matched case-control study of 176 patients suffering from hypothyroidism (n = 161) or hyperthyroidism (n = 15) and 528 control subjects without these diseases in a public hospital in Durango City, Mexico. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were determined in sera from cases and controls using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 11 (6.3%) of 176 patients suffering from thyroid dysfunction and in 48 (9.1%) of 528 control subjects (OR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.33–1.31; P = 0.23). Stratification by two groups of age (50 years and younger, and 51 year and older) showed that the youngest group of patients with thyroid dysfunction had a significantly lower seroprevalence of T. gondii infection than its age- and gender-matched control group (1/83: 1.2% vs 23/257: 8.6%; OR = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.01–0.93; P = 0.01). This stratification also showed that the youngest group of patients with hypothyroidism had a significantly lower seroprevalence of T. gondii infection than its age- and gender matched control group (0/75: 0% vs 21/233: 9.0%; P = 0.003). Conclusions Our results suggest that thyroid dysfunction is not associated with seropositivity to T. gondii in general; however, in young (50 years or less) patients, a negative association between infection and thyroid dysfunction and hypothyroidism was found. Further research to confirm this negative association is needed.

Objective To determine the seroprevalence of Leptospira immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM antibodies and its association with the characteristics of the study population from the northern Mexican city of Durango, Mexico. Methods Through a cross-sectional study design, inhabitants of Durango City, Mexico were surveyed between June 2018 and November 2018. Serum samples from the subjects were analysed for anti- Leptospira IgG and IgM antibodies using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Sociodemographic, clinical, behavioural and housing characteristics were recorded. Data were analysed by bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results The study enrolled 413 people, of which 124 (30.0%) and 137 (33.2%) were positive for anti- Leptospira IgG antibodies and anti- Leptospira IgM antibodies, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that Leptospira seropositivity was associated with professional occupation, alcohol consumption, ill clinical status, memory impairment and a history of surgery. Conclusions This is the first study to report the seroepidemiology of Leptospira infection in an urban general population in the north of Mexico. The seroprevalence of Leptospira infection found was higher than those previously reported in Mexican studies.

Resumo Original

A doença de Chagas, infecção ocasionada pelo protozoário Trypanosoma cruzi, está amplamente ligada a fatores ambientais com alta incidência em zonas com condições socioeconômicas e sanitárias precárias, sendo considerada uma doença tropical negligenciada que se tornou um grande problema de saúde pública e social. O estudo teve como objetivo verificar a prevalência da enfermidade em relação aos meios de transmissão e locais de provável infecção para a doença de Chagas Aguda nas zonas de risco do Brasil. Foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico, transversal, descritivo com busca em base de dados secundários. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio do Departamento de Informação em Saúde (DATASUS), a partir do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINANNET) sobre a doença de Chagas aguda no período de 2010 a 2018. Foi selecionado todo o Brasil, com filtros para o ano, faixa etária, meios de transmissão, local de provável infecção e zona de risco. Observou-se um total de 489 casos confirmados no Brasil no período de 2010 a 2018, tendo maior prevalência no ano de 2016 com 82 casos, seguido por 2017 com 81 casos confirmados. Quando analisadas as formas de transmissão, temse com maior frequência a transmissão oral com um total de 349 casos, sendo os anos de 2016 e 2018 os de maior incidência no país (65 notificações por ano), seguido da transmissão vetorial com 49 casos, transmissao vertical apresentando 10 casos, e acidental ou outros com 2 casos cada. A forma de transmissão por transfusão sanguinea não apresenta registros na faixa etária estudada. Avaliou-se o local de provável infecção, tendo como zona domiciliar a maior taxa de contagio com 296 notificações. Como zona de risco para transmissão da enfermidade, a Amazônia legal mostrou um total de 200 casos no período e na faixa etária estudada. A zona semiárida e de fronteira foram verificadas, porém não apresentaram resultados para o período e faixa etária analisada. Diante do estudo, os principais fatores que influenciam na transmissão da doença de Chagas em crianças e pré-adolescentes de 0 a 14 anos em todo o Brasil é a forma de transmissão oral, tendo como zona de risco para transmissão da enfermidade, locais de difícil acesso como a Amazônia legal; esses fatores são de fundamental importância na estratificação de risco de transmissão da enfermidade, contribuindo para o aumento de casos em determinadas regiões do país.

The seroepidemiology of infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in alcohol consumers is largely undeveloped. In light of this, we sought to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in alcohol consumers in Durango, Mexico, and the association of T. gondii seroprevalence with characteristics of the population studied. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were searched in sera of participants using commercially available enzyme immunoassays. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were then used to determine the association between T. gondii infection and the characteristics of the population studied. Of the 1544 people studied (mean age: 39.4±14.0 years), 173 (11.2%) tested positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. We were able to test 167 of the 173 anti-T. gondii IgG positive sera for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. Fifty-five (32.9%) of these 167 serum samples were positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. Bivariate analysis showed that visual impairment, history of surgery, and hepatitis were negatively associated with T. gondii IgG seropositivity (P150 IU/ml) anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were associated with consumption of both armadillo meat (OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.01-5.02; P = 0.04) and crowding at home (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.02-2.61; P = 0.03). We found a distinct T. gondii seroprevalence in people with alcohol consumption from those previously found in population groups in the region. This is the first study that illustrates the association between high anti-T. gondii antibodies and crowding in Mexico, and the second study on the association between T. gondii infection and consumption of armadillo meat and the use of latrines in this country. We conclude that epidemiology of T. gondii infection in people with alcohol consumption deserves further investigation.

No Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in pregnant women in Matehuala City, Mexico; and the associated risk factors.Design A cross-sectional study.Setting Matehuala City, Mexico.Participants 311 pregnant women.Primary and secondary outcome measures Sera of women were analysed for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies by commercially available immunoassays. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association between T. gondii seroprevalence and the characteristics of the pregnant women.Results Thirteen (4.2%) of the 311 pregnant women studied were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. No anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were found in anti-T. gondii IgG seropositive women. No association between seropositivity and history of blood transfusion, transplantation, caesarean sections, deliveries, miscarriages or number of pregnancies was found. Logistic regression analysis of sociodemographic, behavioural and housing variables showed that availability of potable water at street represented a risk factor for T. gondii infection (age-adjusted OR=2.18; 95% CI: 1.05 to 4.53; p=0.03), whereas being born in Mexico was a protective factor for infection (age-adjusted OR=0.01; 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.35; p=0.008).Conclusions In this first study on the seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection in pregnant women in Matehuala, we conclude that the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection is low and similar to those reported in pregnant women in other Mexican cities. However, the seroprevalence found is lower than those reported in pregnant women in other countries in the Americas and Europe. Two risk factors associated with T. gondii infection were identified. Results of the present study may help for the optimal planning of preventive measures against toxoplasmosis in pregnant women.

The improvement of quality of life in urban environments can occur through afforestation, which contributes to air purification, improvement of the city's climate by retaining soil and air moisture, by generating shadow, preventing solar rays from affecting directly on people. The aim of this research was to evaluate the positive and negative environmental impacts of urban arborization through the report of residents of the municipality of Ibateguara-AL. Thus, a semi-structured questionnaire was applied with fifteen questions about Arborization, Totaling 50 completed questionnaires. Through the results obtained, it was possible to observe that the residents, have empirical knowledge on the subject, where arborization is associated only with trees and shade, yet do not possess adequate knowledge about all the benefits of afforestation For its maintenance. These data reinforce the need for planning the afforestation of the municipality, with the implementation of an environmental education project, seeking to raise awareness of the population of its importance.

Abstracts Abstracts Abstracts Abstracts

Abstract Occurrences of equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) and medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) were studied using GPS satellite data-based total electron content mapping, ionograms, and 630 nm all-sky airglow images observed over the South American continent during the period of 2014–2015. In many cases, we observed a close relationship between the inter-bubble distance and the horizontal wavelength of the MSTIDs. The MSTIDs followed by EPBs occurred primarily in the afternoon to evening period under strong tropospheric convective activities (cold fronts and/or intertropical convergence zones). The close relationship between EPBs and MSTIDs suggests that MSTIDs could be one of the seeding sources of EPBs.

Using data collected by the GNSS dual-frequency receivers network, de-trended TEC maps were generated to identify and characterize the medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) over the South American equatorial region (latitude: 0∘ to 15∘ S and longitude: 30∘ to 55∘ W) during solar cycle 24 (from January 2014 to December 2019). A total of 712 MSTIDs were observed during quiet geomagnetic conditions. The Frequency of occurrence of MSTID is high during the solar maximum and low in the minimum phase. This might be due to the solar cycle dependence of gravity wave activity in the lower atmosphere and gravity wave propagation conditions in the thermosphere. The predominant daytime MSTIDs, representing 80% of the total observations, occurred in winter (June-August season in the southern hemisphere) with the secondary peak in the equinox; while the evening time MSTIDs, representing 18% of the entire events, occurred in summer (December to February season) and equinox (March to May and September to November), and the remaining 2% of the MSTIDs were observed during nighttime. The seasonal variation of the MSTID events was attributed to the source mechanisms generating them, the wind filtering and dissipation effects, and the local time dependency. The horizontal wavelengths of the MSTIDs were mostly concentrated between 500 and 800 km, with the mean value of 667 ± 131 km. The observed periods ranged from 30 to 45 min with the mean value of 36 ± 7 min. The observed horizontal phase speeds were distributed around 200 to 400 m/s, with the corresponding mean of 301 ± 75 m/s. The MSTIDs in the winter solstice and equinoctial months preferentially propagated northeastward and northwestward. Meanwhile, during the summer solstice, they propagated in all directions. The anisotropy of the propagation direction might be due to several reasons: the wind and dissipative filtering effects, ion drag effects, the primary source region, and the presence of the secondary or tertiary gravity waves in the thermosphere. Atmospheric gravity waves from strong convective sources might be the primary precursor for the observed equatorial MSTIDs. In all seasons, we noted that the MSTIDs propagating southeastward were probably excited by the likely gravity waves generated by the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ).

We determined the association between T. gondii seropositivity and a history of sexual promiscuity. The study included 3933 people (mean age: 41.81 ± 14.31 years) who attended public health facilities. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect data. Enzyme immunoassays were used to determine anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 57 (18.1%) of 315 individuals with sexual promiscuity and in 374 (10.3%) of 3618 individuals without this practice (OR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.41–2.60; p < 0.0001). High (>150 IU/mL) levels of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 29 (9.2%) of the 315 participants with sexual promiscuity and in 167 (4.6%) of the 3618 participants without this history (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.38–3.16; p = 0.0003). The association of sexual promiscuity with T. gondii seropositivity and serointensity was observed in men but not in women. Sexual promiscuity was associated with T. gondii seropositivity in all age groups studied (≤30 years, 31–50 years, and >50 years) and with T. gondii serointensity in two age groups (≤30 years, and >50 years). No difference in the frequencies of anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies among the groups was found. Our findings indicate that T. gondii seropositivity and serointensity are associated with sexual promiscuity.

We assessed the association between Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection of the central nervous system and suicide correlates in suicide decedents. Eighty-seven decedents who died by suicide received in a forensic setting for medico-legal autopsies in Mexico City were studied. Two samples of brain (amygdala and prefrontal cortex) from each decedent were examined for detection of T. gondii using immunohistochemistry. Correlates of suicide including a history of previous suicide attempts, co-morbid mental disorder, consumption of alcohol or tobacco, irritability and aggression, economic problems, presence of drugs or alcohol in blood and suicide method were obtained and analyzed for their association with T. gondii infection. T. gondii immunohistochemistry was positive in prefrontal cortex sections in 6 decedents and in an amygdala section in one decedent. Thus, the prevalence of T. gondii infection in brain in suicide victims was 8.0% (7/87). Bivariate and logistic regression analysis of suicide correlates showed that only a history of depression was associated with T. gondii infection of the brain in suicide victims (OR: 12.00; 95% CI: 2.26–63.46; p = 0.003). Our results provide evidence that T. gondii infection in brain is associated with a history of depression in suicide decedents.

This study aimed to determine the association between suicide and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) seropositivity. Serum samples of 89 decedents who committed suicide (cases) and 58 decedents who did not commit suicide (controls) were tested for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were further detected by enzyme-linked fluorescence assay (ELFA). A total of 8 (9.0%) of the 89 cases and 6 (10.3%) of the 58 controls were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies (OR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.28–2.60; p = 0.78). Anti-T. gondii IgG levels were higher than 150 IU/mL in two (2.2%) cases and in five (8.6%) controls (OR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.04–1.30; p = 0.11). Anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were not found in any case or control using the enzyme immunoassay and were found in only one (1.7%) control using ELFA (p = 0.39). Rates of IgG seropositivity and high levels of anti-T. gondii antibodies were similar in cases and in controls regardless of their sex or age groups. The results do not support an association between T. gondii seropositivity and suicide. However, the statistical power of the test was low. Further research is necessary to confirm this lack of association.

We determined the association between T. gondii infection and suicidal behavior in people with alcohol consumption. One-thousand four-hundred and twenty-three people with alcohol consumption were screened for suicidal behavior and tested for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 34 of 224 (15.2%) individuals with suicidal ideation and in 118 (9.8%) of 1199 individuals without suicidal ideation (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.08–2.47; p = 0.01). Seropositivity to T. gondii was associated with suicidal ideation in women (OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.33–3.78; p = 0.001) and in individuals aged ≤30 years (OR: 2.68; 95% CI: 1.22–5.87; p = 0.01) and >50 years (OR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.19–6.77; p = 0.01). Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 17 of 136 (12.5%) individuals with suicide attempts and in 135 (10.5%) of 1287 individuals without suicide attempts (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.71–2.08; p = 0.47). Seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was associated with suicide attempts in women (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 0.99–3.55; p = 0.04). No association between anti-T. gondii IgM and suicidal ideation or suicide attempts was found. Results suggest that T. gondii infection is associated with suicidal behavior in people with alcohol consumption.

Background and Aims: Infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii has been associated with bipolar disorder in several countries other than Mexico. Therefore, we sought to determine the association between seropositivity to T. gondii and bipolar disorder in a Mexican population.Methods: We performed an age- and gender-matched case–control study of 66 patients with bipolar disorder (WHO International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code: F31) and 396 subjects without this disorder from the general population. Anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies were determined using commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassays.Results: Six (9.1%) of the 66 patients with bipolar disorder and 22 (5.6%) of the 396 controls had anti–T. gondii IgG antibodies (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.66–4.36; P = 0.26). Stratification by gender and age did not show a difference in seroprevalence between cases and controls. The frequency of high (> 150 international units/ml) anti–T. gondii IgG levels was similar in cases (n = 2) and in controls (n = 12) (OR = 1.0; 95% CI = 0.21–4.57; P = 1.00). Stratification by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision F31 codes showed that patients with F31.3 code had a higher seroprevalence of T. gondii infection than their age- and gender-matched controls (OR = 16.4; 95% CI = 1.25–215.09; P = 0.04). None of the six anti–T. gondii IgG–seropositive patients with bipolar disorder and 4 (18.2%) of the 22 anti–T. gondii IgG–seropositive controls had anti–T. gondii IgM antibodies (P = 0.54).Conclusions: Our results suggest that T. gondii seropositivity is not associated with bipolar disorder in general. However, a specific type of bipolar disorder (F31.3) might be associated with T. gondii seropositivity. Further research to elucidate the role of T. gondii infection in bipolar disorder is needed.