Although there are programs to control other sexually transmitted diseases, there are none for trichomoniasis. The results of this study indicate the presence of T. vaginalis in the female population, and points to the need for more research in Brazil to gain a better understanding of the profile and epidemiology of the parasite.
The isoenzyme profiles (IP) of 33 strains of Entamoeba histolytica isolated from patients and carriers of two regions in Brazil (Amazonia and Southeast) were determined. The enzymes phosphoglucomutase, glucose-phosphate isomerase, hexokinase and malic enzyme were considered. IP of the strains was correlated with culture conditions, time of maintenance in laboratory and clinical history of patients. The strains were maintained under polyxenic, monoxenic and axenic culture conditions: 27 polyxenic, 1 polyxenic and monoxenic, 1 polyxenic, monoxenic and axenic and 4 axenic only. The patients were symptomatic and asymptomatic. The symptomatic patients presented either non dysenteric (NDC) or dysenteric colitis (DC), associated or not with hepatic abscess (HA). One patient presented anal amoeboma (AM). The analysis of IP for isolates maintained in polyxenic culture showed non pathogenic IP (I) for strains from carriers and patients with NDC, while the strains isolated from patients presenting DC, HA and AM resulted in isolates II or XIX pathogenic IP. This parameter was not able to differentiate strains from carriers from symptomatic patients when these strains were found in axenic or monoxenic culture. All these strains displayed pathogenic IP (II), demonstrating the inability of this parameter to classifying for virulence since it showed identical IP for strains isolated from carriers or symptomatic patients.
Trichomonas vaginalis é o agente etiológico da tricomonose, sendo transmitido sexualmente ou por meio de fômites contaminados. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência do parasito, identificando os possíveis fatores de risco associados à infecção. Amostras de secreções vaginais de 157 mulheres procedentes da Unidade de Atendimento Integrado, em Uberlândia-MG, foram coletadas e questionários epidemiológicos foram aplicados com o intuito de se conhecer variáveis socioeconômicas e hábitos comportamentais. Foram coletadas duas amostras individuais de cada paciente, as quais foram analisadas por meio de exame direto a fresco, cultura e Papanicolaou. Do total, nove (5,7%) mulheres apresentaram o parasito, sendo encontrada maior prevalência da infecção entre as casadas, negras, morenas ou pardas e com idade média de 37 anos, apesar de não ser estatisticamente significante (p>0,05). A baixa escolaridade, a fase do ciclo menstrual e a presença de sinais clínicos foram variáveis associadas à infecção (p<0,05). Na comparação entre os métodos diagnósticos, o exame direto a fresco e a cultura mostraram concordância de 100% e apresentaram sensibilidade maior do que o Papanicolaou. Esses fatores constituem informações importantes no estudo socioepidemiológico envolvendo o parasito e são fundamentais para o controle da doença. DESCRITORES: Trichomonas vaginalis. Prevalência. Mulheres. Fatores de Risco.
SUMMARYIn regions with high prevalence, Blastocystis hominis is frequently found in association with Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar in xenic cultures. Its exacerbated growth is often superimposed on the growth of amebas, thus impeding the continuation of the amebas in the culture, within a few generations. The present study reports on the excellent efficacy (100%) of the antifungal agent miconazole in eliminating B. hominis from cultures of E. histolytica/E. dispar, thereby maintaining the integrity of the trophozoites of the amebas. Nystatin presented low efficacy (33.3%). KEYWORDS: Blastocystis hominis;Miconazole; Entamoeba histolytica; Entamoeba dispar; Culture.The human intestinal protozoan Blastocystis hominis causes infection that is often asymptomatic, and is found at higher prevalence in developing countries 1 . Although it is one of the most common parasites encountered in stool samples, its pathogenicity is still controversial 4 . In regions of high endemicity, B. hominis is frequently found in xenic cultures of Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar. In cultures it tends to grow vigorously and, unless it is eradicated completely at an early stage, it eventually overgrows and kills all amebas, usually within a few generations 3,7 .There are some methods for eliminating B. hominis from ameba cultures. DOBELL & LAIDLAW 3 described ameba cyst treatment with a 0.2% solution of hydrochloric acid, at room temperature, for two hours (or with 0.1 N HCl for 10 minutes, according to CLARK & DIAMOND 2 ), followed by washing with distilled water and reinoculation into a culture medium to which a suitable bacterial flora has been added. The acid kills B. hominis, fungi and bacteria, while leaving the cysts intact. In the method described by SMEDLEY 7 , ameba cultures are pelleted, resuspended in distilled water at room temperature for 20 minutes, repelleted, and then this material is inoculated into fresh culture medium. This last procedure is simple, and it is not necessary to use separate bacterial flora. However, it needs to be repeated a couple of times before the B. hominis is completely eliminated 2 . The use of acriflavin (with or without subsequent passage through a medium containing lactic acid) for decontaminating the cultures is generally unsatisfactory, presenting adverse effects on the bacterial flora and, directly or indirectly, on the amebas 2,3,7,8 . According to SILVA 6 , culture treatment with nystatin at 25-50 UI/mL concentrations does not present high efficacy in decontamination, and B. hominis resistance to nystatin occurs in some cases.This study reports on the excellent inhibitory action of the antifungal agent miconazole on B. hominis found in cultures of amebas, thereby keeping the amebas alive. It was approved by protocol number 217/ 03, from the ethical committee of Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.Twenty fresh stool samples (from people living in the municipality of Barcelos, Amazonas State, Brazil) containing cysts of E. histolytica/ E. dispar were inoculated into tubes containing 10 mL of modified Pa...
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