Visceral larva migrans: a seroepidemiological survey in five municipalities of São Paulo State, Brazil

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), employing antigens from Toxocara canis larvae and the absortion of suspected sera with Ascaris lumbricoides extracts was used in a seroepidemiological study performed in five municipalities of São Paulo State, Brazil (São Paulo, Campinas, Santos, Marília and Presidente Prudente) in order to determine the frequency of antibodies to Toxocara. In 2,025 blood samples collected, 806 proceeded from male subjects and 1,219 from females; 483 samples were collected from subjects under 15 years of age and the remaining 1,542 from subjects aged 15 years or over. Among the 2,025 sera investigated, 3.60% had antibodies to Toxocara at significant levels. A moderate predominance of infection with Toxocara among male subjects (3.72%) was observed, although the difference was not statistically significant when this rate was compared with that for female (3.28%). Related to age, a higher frequency of positive results was detected among subjects under 15 years (6.41%) against the older group (2.53%). A trend of more elevated rates of infection was observed in municipalities with high demographic densities (São Paulo, Campinas and Santos). Nevertheless, such findings only appeared to be statistically significant in subjects younger than 15 years.

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Evaluation of the Sanitary Quality of Marine Recreational Waters and Sands from Beaches of the São Paulo State, Brazil

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1986.0112 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 61-72 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

P. S. Sanchez ◽

E. G. Agudo ◽

F. G. Castro ◽

M. N. Alves ◽

M. T. Martins

Keyword(s):

Water Samples ◽

Sea Water ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

São Paulo ◽

Recreational Waters ◽

Paulo State ◽

Helminth Eggs ◽

São Paulo State ◽

Positive Results

In order to evaluate the sanitary quality of marine recreational waters and sand at some beaches of São Paulo State, Brazil, a 19-month study (1984-1985) was undertaken at nine sampling stations, and a total of 342 samples of sea water and sand were analysed for total and faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella. In sand samples Candida albicans, dermatophytes, Pitryrosporum, helminth eggs and protozoan cysts were also researched. Sea water samples were also analysed for enteroviruses and, in the second part of this study, for enterococci also. The results have shown some areas with high levels of faecal contamination in sea water and sand. The Brazilian recommended faecal coliform limit was exceeded in 31% of the sea water samples. Out of 171 sea water samples analysed, 10.5% were positive for Salmonella and 3.5% for enteroviruses. Positive results for C. albicans were observed in 18.7% of the sand samples and helminth eggs were detected in 12.9% of these 171 samples; Pityrosporum, dermatophytes and protozoan cysts were not detected.

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Epidemiological and ecological aspects related to malaria in the area of influence of the lake at Porto Primavera dam, in western São Paulo State, Brazil

Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo ◽

10.1590/s0036-46652008000500008 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 50 (5) ◽

pp. 287-295 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Almério de C. Gomes ◽

Marcia B. de Paula ◽

Ana Maria R. de C. Duarte ◽

Maura A. Lima ◽

Rosely dos S. Malafronte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Changes ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Hydroelectric Power Station ◽

São Paulo ◽

Serological Tests ◽

Sylvatic Cycle ◽

Paulo State ◽

São Paulo State ◽

Area Of Influence

A study was carried out in the area of influence of the Porto Primavera Hydroelectric Power Station, in western São Paulo State, to investigate ecological and epidemiological aspects of malaria in the area and monitor the profile of the anopheline populations following the environmental changes brought about by the construction of the lake. Mosquitoes captured were analyzed by standardized indicator species analysis (ISA) before and during different flooding phases (253 m and 257 m elevations). The local human population was studied by means of parasitological (thin/thick blood smears), molecular (PCR) and serological tests. Serological tests consisted of Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) with synthetic peptides of the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) from classic Plasmodium vivax, P. vivax variants (VK247 and "vivax-like"), P. malariae and P. falciparum and Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) with asexual forms of P. vivax, P. malariae and P. falciparum. The results of the entomological survey indicated that, although the Anopheles darlingi population increased after the flooding, the population density remained very low. No malaria, parasite infection or DNA was detected in the inhabitants of the study area. However, there was a low frequency of antibodies against asexual forms and a significant prevalence of antibodies against P. vivax, P. vivax variants, P. falciparum and P. malariae; the presence of these antibodies may result from recent or less recent contact with human or simian Plasmodium (a parallel study in the same area revealed the existence of a sylvatic cycle). Nevertheless, these results suggest that, as in other places where malaria is present and potential vectors circulate, the local epidemiological conditions observed could potentially support the transmission of malaria in Porto Primavera Lake if infected individuals are introduced in sufficient numbers. Further studies are required to elucidate the phenomena described in this paper.

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Contamination of public parks and squares from Guarulhos (São Paulo State, Brazil ) by Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp.

Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo ◽

10.1590/s0036-46652012000500006 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 54 (5) ◽

pp. 267-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Jacó Pereira Marques ◽

Catarina de Rezende Guimarães ◽

Ailton Vilas Boas ◽

Paulo Usignolo Carnaúba ◽

Josué de Moraes

Keyword(s):

Sao Paulo ◽

Larva Migrans ◽

São Paulo ◽

Public Parks ◽

Sodium Dichromate ◽

Paulo State ◽

Public Areas ◽

Causative Agents ◽

São Paulo State ◽

Flotation Technique

The contaminated soil with mammal feces is an important factor of risk to infection with zoonotic diseases. Amongst these zoonoses are visceral larva migrans and cutaneous larva migrans caused by Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp., respectively. The aim of this study was to assess the environmental contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs and hookworms (Ancylostoma spp.) in public parks and squares in the city of Guarulhos, a metropolitan area of São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil. Soil samples were collected, between September and December 2010, and examined using the centrifugal flotation technique with sodium dichromate and zinc sulphate as well as the modified Baermann method. Notably, 35 (74.5%) of the 47 districts surveyed in Guarulhos possessed samples contaminated with Toxocara spp. and/or eggs or larvae of Ancylostoma spp. The frequency of Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp. in the samples from public areas was 68.1% and 46.8%, respectively. Overall, the eastern side of Guarulhos is the region with the highest occurrence of causative agents of larva migrans. In all collection sites, the presence of feces from dogs and cats accompanied by their owners and stray animals were observed. Notably, it is important to adopt measures to control dog and cat breeding, to treat infected animals, and provide health education to the population.

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First Report of Natural Occurrence of Zucchini Lethal Chlorosis Tospovirus on Cucumber and Chrysanthemum Stem Necrosis Tospovirus on Tomato in Brazil

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis.1998.82.12.1403a ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 82 (12) ◽

pp. 1403-1403 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Tatsuya Nagata ◽

Renato de O. Resende ◽

Elliot W. Kitajima ◽

Helcio Costa ◽

Alice K. Inoue-Nagata ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

Spherical Particles ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Natural Occurrence ◽

São Paulo ◽

First Report ◽

Paulo State ◽

Stem Necrosis ◽

São Paulo State

During a field survey in 1994, five cucumber (Cucumis sativus) cv. Hokushin plants showing symptom of yellowing, mottling, and vein banding on the leaves were collected from a commercial field of the Federal District. By electron microscopy, quasi-spherical particles with double membrane, typical tospovirus-like particles were found in the infected leaf material. All samples strongly reacted with antibody of zucchini lethal chlorosis tospovirus (ZLCV), but not with antibodies of other to-spoviruses reported in Brazil (1): tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV), groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV), chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus (CSNV), or iris yellow spot virusonion isolate (IYSV-BR). The virus was identified as ZLCV, which was first isolated in 1994 from zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) in São Paulo State, Brazil. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants showing stem necrosis and necrotic spots and rings on the leaves were collected in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State. By electron microscopy, molecular studies, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with antibodies of the six tospoviruses occurring in Brazil, the virus was identified as CSNV. This virus was first reported in 1995 on a Chrysanthemum sp. in São Paulo State and recently reported in the Netherlands from Dendranthema indicum. This is the first report of the natural occurrence of ZLCV and CSNV on cucumber and tomato, respectively. Reference: (1) A. C. de Ávila et al. 1998. Pages 32–34 in: Int. Symp. on Tospoviruses and Thrips in Floral and Vegetable Crops, 4th.

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