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INTRODUCTION Blastocystis is an intestinal protozoan that may play a role in the pathogenicity of humans. This study aimed to (i) genetically characterize Blastocystis isolates obtained from human fecal samples and the water supply of the city of Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and (ii) to verify the phylogenetic relationship between these isolates. METHODS Blastocystis species present in 26 fecal samples obtained from humans and animals from Uberaba were genetically characterized by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and polymerase chain reaction-sequence-tagged sites. All amplicons were partially sequenced and/or defined according to the GenBank classification. RESULTS Polymerase chain reaction amplicons were generated from 21 human isolates and 18 water samples. The subtypes defined were ST1 (53.3%), ST3 (40.0%), and ST2 (6.7%) for human isolates; ST10 (100%) for bovine isolates; and ST5 (50.0%), ST1 (25%), and ST3 (25%) for pigs. Sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products showed a 98%-99% identity for the Blastocystis sequences deposited in GenBank, except for sequences from water samples that showed the identity of algae sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of Blastocystis sequences showed two distinct groups, one of which was principally formed by ST1, ST5, and ST10, and the other by isolates characterized as ST3 and ST7. Both clades showed human and animal sequences, reinforcing the notion that Blastocystis subtypes are not host-specific. CONCLUSIONS The data showed that Blastocystis subtypes circulating in Uberaba are ST1-ST3, ST5, and ST10, present in both humans and animals, demonstrating that the Blastocystis subtypes are not host-specific; that is, zoonotic transmission is possible.

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.

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.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, there are few studies regarding Blastocystis epidemiology. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Blastocystis in animals in Uberaba, Brazil. METHODS: Fecal samples were examined by parasitological methods and screened for Blastocystis by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Blastocystis spp. were observed in pigs, sheep, cattle, and dogs. Blastocystis polymerase chain reaction was positive in 14/22 samples positive by parasitological methods. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of Blastocystis in animals is high, with a predominance of subtype 1 in the region. This is the first study conducted in Brazil showing the genetic profile of Blastocystis isolated from animals.

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.