The aim of this study was to evaluate the parasitological contamination of vegetables to be consumed raw and commercialized in Niterói and Rio de Janeiro cities. We studied 128 samples of vegetables--lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and watercress (Nasturtium officinale)--from supermarkets, greengrocer shops and self-service restaurants. Only 6.2% of the samples were positive for parasitic structures with morphological aspects similar to those of animal parasites. We detected acarids, acarid eggs, insects, nematode larvae and ciliated protozoa in most of the samples (96.1%), including those from restaurants. This high percentage suggests a risk of human infection since parasite structures capable of infecting man may exist in association with these agents.

From 2012 to 2013 were surveyed gastrointestinal parasites from pig farms located in different municpaliyies in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Fecal samples from 790 pigs were collected from the rectum on 88 family farms and 702 farms with industrial production. The samples were subjected to Faust et al., Sheather, Ritchie, Lutz and direct examination faecal techniques. The estimated parasite prevalence was 93.1% in family farms and 59.1% in industrial farms. Balantidium coli, coccidia and Entamoeba sp. were the parasites with the highest frequencies, and the male and female reproductive categories and fatteners pigs the most infected (p<0.05). Trophozoites of B. coli were most evident in stool samples from semi-solid followed by solid and diarrheal consistencies. Strongyles eggs and Trichuris suis have been detected exclusively in family farms. Ascaris suum eggs and Strongyloides ransomi showed low frequency. The high degree of parasitism, especially protozoa, indicates the need to reassess the management of pigs in both types of production.

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FUNDAMENTOS: A infecção por dermatófitos afeta aproximadamente 40% da população mundial, representa 30% de todas as infecções micóticas cutâneas, e a onicomicose por dermatófito é a mais freqüente, representando entre 18 e 40% de todas as onicopatias. A onicomicose é causada primariamente por dermatófitos, Candida spp. e outros fungos não dermatófitos. Entre os agentes fúngicos, os dermatófitos, particularmente Trichophyton rubrum, são os mais comuns desses patógenos. Atualmente, Candida spp. pode invadir a unha distal e proximal. As onicomicoses provocadas por fungos não dermatófitos vêm aumentando em sua prevalência, e, pela similaridade clínica com a onicomicose por dermatófito, é necessário o diagnóstico laboratorial para sua diferenciação. OBJETIVOS: O objetivo do presente trabalho é avaliar a ocorrência de onicomicose na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 2.920 pacientes entre janeiro de 1998 e dezembro de 1999, dos quais 1.416 apresentaram anormalidades nas unhas. RESULTADOS: A confirmação micológica de onicomicose foi possível em 565 dos 2.920 pacientes, e a prevalência estimada pontual na cidade do Rio de Janeiro é 19,34%. Os homens foram responsáveis por 34,16% das onicomicoses, e as mulheres por 65,84%. A distribuição por agente etiológico dos 224 pacientes com onicomicose que apresentaram cultura positiva foi: dermatófitos 64,7%, Candida spp. 30,1% e outros não dermatófitos 5,2%. CONCLUSÃO: A microbiota fúngica é completamente trocada no mundo periodicamente em sua composição quantitativa e qualitativa, sendo afetada por vários fatores ambientais. Assim, o exame periódico da composição desta microbiota vem a ser vantajoso e de importância epidemiológica e terapêutica.

Introduction:To determine the prevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among pregnant and postpartum women attended within the public healthcare system in Niterói, State of Rio de Janeiro, and to detect possible exposure factors associated with T. gondii infection in this population. Methods: IgM and IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies were investigated in 276 pregnant and 124 postpartum women by using the indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT) and immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) techniques. The participants were selected by convenience sampling. All these 400 patients filled out a free and informed consent statement, answered an epidemiological questionnaire and were informed about the disease. Results: Among the 400 samples analyzed, 234 (58.5%) were reactive to IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies, according to the IFAT and/or ELISA assay. One pregnant woman was found to be reactive to IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies, with an intermediate IgG avidity test. Risk factor analysis showed that seropositivity was significantly associated (p<0.05) with age, contact with cats and presence of rodents at home. Through a logistic regression model, these associations were confirmed for age and contact with cats, while education at least of the high school level was found to be a protective factor. Conclusions: The prevalence rate of IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies in the City of Niterói was high and the risk factors for infection detected after multivariate analysis were: age over 30 years, contact with cats and education levels lower than university graduate level.

Paleoparasitology is the study of parasites found in archaeological material. The development of this field of research began with histological identification of helminth eggs in mummy tissues, analysis of coprolites, and recently through molecular biology. An approach to the history of paleoparasitology is reviewed in this paper, with special reference to the studies of ancient DNA identified in archaeological material.

FUNDAMENTOS: As dermatomicoses causadas por fungos emergentes são entidades clínicas raras, à exceção das onicomicoses. Como certos fungos e leveduras podem residir na pele, a positividade em culturas de escamas ungueais deve ser interpretada obrigatoriamente em concordância com os respectivos dados clínicos, exames diretos das amostras, quantificação das colônias isoladas em relação aos pontos de inoculação e, principalmente, deve a positividade ser mantida após a repetição dos cultivos. A invasão da unha por fungos não dermatofíticos (nondermatophytic molds, NDM) em diferentes estudos varia de 1,45% a 17,6%. OBJETIVOS: Os objetivos do trabalho são mostrar a ocorrência e realçar a importância dos fungos emergentes como causadores de onicomicose. MÉTODOS: As unhas dos pacientes atendidos nos consultórios dos dermatologistas foram examinadas, e, caso houvesse suspeita clínica de onicomicose, coletavam-se amostras que eram enviadas para exame micológico no laboratório. RESULTADOS: Neste estudo, foram avaliados 2.271 pacientes e diagnosticada onicomicose em 400 deles, sendo 264 com acometimento das unhas do pé, e 136 das unhas da mão. O agente etiológico foi confirmado pelo exame micológico direto e crescimento em cultura. A onicomicose por fungos emergentes representou 4,5% de todas as infecções de unha. Foram detectadas as leveduras do gênero Candida (49%) como agentes etiológicos mais freqüentes de onicomicoses nas unhas das mãos e em mulheres. Em contraste, os dermatófitos foram os mais freqüentes de todas as onicomicoses dos pés, no total de 186 (46,5%). CONCLUSÃO: Ao contrário da rotina diagnóstica hoje utilizada, concluiu-se que o diagnóstico correto do agente etiológico da onicomicose não dermatofítica deve obedecer a determinados critérios, dos quais se destaca o conjunto formado pela positividade no exame direto, na cultura, com comprovação na repetição do exame.

Background Gastrointestinal parasites may determine diarrhea, dysentery or even death in captive mammals. These animals tend to be more susceptible to parasitic infections due to confinement and stress. Purpose To increase the information about these etiological agents in captive animals in Brazil, the gastrointestinal parasites of the captive mammals of the Rio de Janeiro Zoo were investigated. Methods From 2016 to 2018, 180 fecal samples were collected from animals housed in the Rio de Janeiro Zoo: 63 from animals of the order Primates, 26 of Carnivora, 78 of Artiodactyla, 9 of Perissodactyla and 4 of the order Rheiformes. The feces were processed by direct examination and by the techniques of Faust et al., Sheather, Ritchie, Lutz, and smears were stained with safranin. Immunoenzymatic assays were also performed to investigate antigens of Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar. Results Parasite positivity was identified in 68.3% of the fecal samples, with a parasite positivity rate of 68.2% among primates, 65.3% among carnivores, 69.2% among artiodactyls, 33.3% among perissodactyls, and 100% among rheiformes. The most frequently detected parasite was Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar antigens, which showed a statistically significant positivity rate (33.3%; p = 0.000), particularly in the feces of carnivores (30.7%) and artiodactyls (53.8%). A statistically significant positivity rate of Balantioides coli (11.1%; p = 0.001) was also detected in feces from nonhuman primates, tapirs, collared peccaries and rheas. The positivity of Cryptosporidium sp. antigens in feces of the orders Carnivora, Artiodactyla and Primates was also statistically significant (7.2%, p = 0.010). Oocysts compatible with Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 6.3% from primates. The helminths most frequently detected were thin-shelled eggs of nematodes (17.7%, p = 0.000), nematode larvae (15.5%, p = 0.000) and Trichuris trichiura eggs (6.1%, p = 0.018). ConclusionThe positivity rate for gastrointestinal parasites demonstrates the need for a sanitation management program to be implemented in the zoo, including routine diagnostic parasitology tests followed by specific treatment for each parasitosis.