Previous studies using methods varying from traditional serologic tests to molecular biology techniques have shown that in northeastern Brazil, Entamoeba dispar was more prevalent than E. histolytica. In this study, the prevalence was established by using E. histolytica stool antigen detection kits and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with genomic DNA extracted from cultured trophozoites in all four-nuclei, amoeba-positive samples from a population living in Macaparana in northeastern Brazil. Among 1,437 stool samples analyzed, only 59 (4.1%) were positive for four nuclei amoeba. However, all of these samples were negative in an immunoenzymatic assay for the presence of E. histolytica-specific galactose adhesin. Of 59 cultivated samples, only 31 showed trophozoites. Extraction of DNA from these 31 samples, followed by the PCR, showed that 23 samples (74.19%) were positive for E. dispar and no amplification was observed for pathogenic E. histolytica. The remaining eight samples were negative for both species. These findings are consistent with those previously reported.

-(4-methoxi-benzylidene)-2-thioxo-imidazolidin-4-one JT69; 3-(4-phenyl-benzyl)-1-methyl-5-(4-methoxi-benzylidene)-2-thioxo-imidazolidin-4-one

SUMMARYDespite all efforts to store and reduce its consumption, water is becoming less inexhaustible and its quality is falling faster. Considering that water is essential to animal life, it is necessary to adopt measures to ensure its sanitary conditions in order to be fit for consumption. The aim of this study was to analyze the microbiological quality of drinking rainwater used by rural communities of Tuparetama, a small town located in Northeast Brazil. The study covered seven rural communities, totaling 66 households. In each household two samples were collected, one from a tank and the other from a clay pot located inside the home, resulting in 132 samples (tank plus clay pot). Approximately 90% of samples were below the standard recommended by the current legislation, being considered unfit for human consumption. Part of this high microbiological contamination of drinking rainwater could be related to the lack of sanitary education and of an adequate sewerage sanitation system.

Indivíduos imunossuprimidos estão sujeitos a uma série de complicações infecciosas causadas por agentes oportunistas, e em decorrência deste fato, poder-se-á observar o aparecimento de algumas doenças denominadas emergentes 20 ABSTRACTThe objective of the present study was to analyze the frequency of oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp in fecal samples from children aged one to fourteen years at a public daycare center located in a needy community in the city of Recife, Pernambuco. The investigation was carried out between June 28, 2006, and April 3, 2007, and involved 182 children. Among the samples analyzed, 59 (32.4%) were positive regarding the presence of oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp, and the age group most affected was between three and five years (54.2%). The high frequency of samples positive for Cryptosporidium spp obtained in this study confirms that daycare centers are an environment that favors such occurrences, because of the direct contact between children or between children and staff. The most important infection route for Cryptosporidium spp is person-to-person transmission, which is well illustrated in daycare centers. Immaturity, deficiencies of the immune system and inadequate hygiene habits are factors that also contribute towards this type of infection.

SUMMARYSand contamination due to parasites was evaluated on the beaches of Porto de Galinhas, Muro Alto and Maracaípe in southern Pernambuco State. Samples were analyzed using the spontaneous sedimentation and modified Rugai methods. The highest contamination occurred on Porto de Galinhas beach, from which 42% of the samples were contaminated with Ancylostoma larvae and 13% with Trichuris sp. eggs. From Muro Alto beach, 30% of the samples were contaminated with Ancylostoma larvae and 13% with Ascaris lumbricoides. No pathogenic parasites were detected on Maracaípe beach. We suggest that further studies on beach sand contamination due to parasites should be conducted.

No abstract

Previous studies conducted with the imidazolidinic derivative 3-benzyl-5-(4-chloro-arylazo)-4-thioxo-imidazolidin-2-one (LPSF-PT05) show outstanding activity against adultSchistosoma mansoniwormsin vitro. In the first phase of this study,S. mansoni-infected mice were treated, orally, with 100 mg/Kg of the LPSF-PT05 in three formulations: Tween 80 and saline solution, oil/water (70 : 30) emulsion, and solid dispersion with polyethylene glycol (PEG). In the second phase, three other doses of the LPSF-PT05 in PEG were tested: 3, 10, 30 mg/kg. These treatment regimens significantly reduced the number of recovered worms due to increases in the solubility of the compound in this formulation; the greatest reduction (70.5%) was observed at the dose of 100 mg/kg. There was no changes in the pattern of mature egg compared to immature eggs; however there was a significant increase in the number of dead eggs. Histopathological analysis of liver tissue showed changes in morphological aspects of the hepatic parenchyma with decrease exudative-productive hepatic granuloma stages, although we found no significant differences in IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, or NO production in response to the specific antigen SEA. The results show the derivative LPSF-PT05 to be a potential candidate in the etiological treatment of schistosomiasis with a possible dampening effect of the granulomatous process.

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