Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are neglected diseases caused by helminths and protozoa, with the relationships between parasite, host and environment having the potential to produce high morbidity and incapacity to work and mortality in vulnerable areas. This study assessed the prevalence of IPIs concerning socio-environmental conditions and analyzed the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to these diseases among men living in the slums of Rio de Janeiro city, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted in an agglomeration of urban slums between 2018 and 2019, with men aged between 20 and 59 years. A socioeconomic status questionnaire and an IPIs knowledge, attitudes and practices questionnaire (KAPQ) were applied. Coproparasitological diagnoses (n=454) were performed using four methods and samples of water for household consumption (n=392) were subjected to microbiological and physicochemical analysis. A total of 624 participants were enrolled. About 40% of the households had "water unsuitable for consumption". Only one Major Area, MA 3 was not statistically significant for IPIs (AOR=0.75; 95% CI: 0.30-1.88; p=0.55). The overall prevalence of IPIs was 23.8%. Endolimax nana (n=65, 14.3%) and hookworm (n=8, 1.7%) were the most frequently identified parasites. The analysis of the frequency of responses to the KAPQ has shown that men reported to seeking medical care if they were suspicious of IPIs, and around 35% would self-medicate. The results have shown the need to adopt integrated health education practices targeting male residents in urban slums to qualify the care with water for human consumption and promote self-care about IPIs. The household can be considered strategic for Primary Health Care activities for men.

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Introdução: A esquistossomose é uma doença parasitária causada pelo schistosoma mansoni. Segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) esta doença infecta mais de 200 milhões de pessoas, resultando em aproximadamente 200.000 mortes por ano. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi testar e comparar a atividade moluscicida do extrato bruto e do extrato fracionado em diclorometano das folhas de Plectranthus grandis sobre Biomphalaria glabrata. Material e métodos: O extrato bruto em diclorometano foi realizado no extrator soxhlet. A fração em diclorometano foi obtida através da cromatografia tipo “flash”. Os bioensaios foram realizados com moluscos de 10-12 mm, onde foram alocados em placas de 24 poços. Foram utilizados controles negativos (água destilada e DMSO 1%) e controle positivo (Niclosamida). Neste bioensaio, os caramujos foram expostos, por 24h e 48h. Os experimentos foram realizados em triplicata. Resultados: No ensaio moluscicida com o extrato bruto em diclorometano das folhas de Plectranthus grandis, foi possível observar uma taxa de mortalidade de 100 %, na concentração de 600 mg/L. Após o período de 48 h foi possível calcular as concentrações letais 50 e 90 sendo, 150 mg/L e 318 mg/L, respectivamente. No ensaio moluscicida com a fração em diclorometano, na concentração de 300 mg/L a taxa de mortalidade foi de 100 %. As concentrações letais das frações em diclorometano foram de CL50 = 134,71 mg/L e CL90 = 239, 97 mg/L. Conclusão: Pode-se observar que o extrato bruto e a fração em diclorometano apresentaram atividade moluscicida sobre Biomphalaria glabrata. Foi possível calcular as concentrações letais do extrato bruto e da fração em diclorometano e pode-se observar que a concentração letal 90 da fração em diclorometano está mais próximo do valor recomendado pela OMS. De acordo com estes dados, sugerem-se mais estudos utilizando a fração sobre embriões de B. glabrata e cercárias de Schistosoma mansoni.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms of several species of the genus Schistosoma. Transmission occurs by parasitic larvae that stay in freshwater snails of the genus Biomphalaria. Thus, the search for new products that are biodegradable has increased the interest in products of plant origin. The aim of this article is to review the isolated substances from natural products that showed molluscicidal activity against the species Biomphalaria glabrata in order to reevaluate the most promising prototypes and update the progress of research to obtain a new molluscicide. We perform searches using scientific databases, such as Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Google schoolar, PUBMED, Web of Science and Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS). From 2000 to 2022, using the keywords “isolated substances”, “molluscicidal activity” and “Biomphalaria glabrata”. In the present study, it was possible to observe 19 promising molluscicidal molecules with a lethal concentration below 20 µg/mL. Of these promising isolates, only 5 isolates had the CL90 calculated and within the value recommended by WHO: Benzoic acid, 2',4',6'-Trihydroxydihydrochalcone, Divaricatic acid, Piplartine and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (Lapachol). We conclude that beyond a few results in the area, the researches don’t follow the methodological pattern (exposure time and measure units, toxicity test), in this way, as they don’t follow a pattern on the result’s exposure (LC), not following, in sum, the recommended by WHO.

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The mollusk Achatina fulica, which is popularly known as the African giant snail, is the secondary vector of the helminths Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Angiostrongylus costaricensis, both of which cause human angiostrongyliasis. This species belonging to the class Gastropoda, belongs to the subclass Pulmonata, where terrestrial mollusks such as slugs, snails and snails are inserted. The introduction of this mollusk in Brazil occurred in a disorderly manner culminating in a problem of great environmental impact due to the behavior of agglomeration, direct competition with mollusks of the natural fauna for food and space. These factors may even put the mollusks of the native fauna at risk of extinction. In addition, the fact that the mollusk does not present a food requirement makes it an imminent economic danger, due to the fact that it can devour crops, generating an economic impact. To date, the only known control measures for A. fulica are the collection and direct salinization in the mollusk. Thus, another limitation in the control of infestation of this invasive species is the ignorance of a synthetic or natural substance, with effective molluscicide action and also duly legalized by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). In this context, it is easy to observe that there is a scarcity of studies aimed at obtaining new substances for the control of terrestrial molluscs. Since most studies of products with molluscicides are especially focused on aquatic molluscs, increasing the relevance of new studies and products, with effective action on A. fulica, and with low environmental impact.

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