Studies show environmental contamination as a decisive factor for the perpetuation of the epidemiological triad of infection by parasites, posing a risk to human health. This work identified parasitic contamination in peridomestic soils, enteroparasite infection in humans and domestic animals in the Riacho Dantas and Rio do Onha, rural communities of Santo Antônio de Jesus (Bahia, Brazil). Analyses were performed in 53 homes, with soil samples collected in four points as well as collection of human and domestic animals feces from July to October 2015. Soil samples as well as human and domestic animal feces were analyzed. For the analysis of human fecal samples, four methods were used, including spontaneous sedimentation, Baermann-Moraes, Kato-Katz and Graham. For animal fecal samples three methods were used: spontaneous sedimentation, Willis and Rugai. For soil samples, two methods were used: spontaneous sedimentation and Rugai. Of the 636 samples of soil analyzed, 68.7% were positive for some parasitic form, especially non-ciliated protozoa, ciliate protozoa; adults and larvae of the nematodes and hookworms. Of the 144 samples of human feces, 75% were positive, especially for: Endolimax nana, Entamoeba coli, hookworms, Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar and Enterobius vermicularis. Of the 21 animal feces samples, 85.7% were positive, especially for the genera Ancylostoma, Toxocara, Trichuris and Giardia. The studied soil samples presented biological contaminants (for example, Toxocara and Ancylostoma) some of which pathogenic for humans and domestic animals. The lack of information regarding the care of domestic soil and direct contact with contaminated soil enabled the detection of parasites with hosts in this environment.
Demographic and social studies, as well as economic and cultural factors in a community are important regarding public health. This study identified demographic, socioeconomic and cultural aspects correlated with intestinal parasites in the population of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia-Brazil, from July to October 2015. 53 semi-structured questionnaires were applied to the rural population of the municipality with previous clarification on the purpose of the study. There were questions related to the individual’s gender, family income and parental level of education. Laboratory parasitological analyzes were performed to investigate enteroparasites and produced the following results: 53.7% (n=58) were female; 62.8% (n=66) with monthly family income lower or equal to the minimum wage and 48% (n=48) of adults with incomplete basic education. The main enteroparasites found in this population were: Iodamoeba butschlii, Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar complex, Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba coli and Endolimax nana in addition to some geohelminths, such as hookworms and Enterobius vermicularis. The profile visualized can be understood as a risk factor for the development of certain parasitic infections that are intrinsically associated to the social and economic aspects of vulnerable populations.KEY WORDS: Teenager; adult; child; parasitic diseases.
Studies linking human health to environmental conditions are essential since parasitic diseases are connected to environmental and sanitary aspects. This study identified the prevalence of enteric parasites in an academic community in the municipality of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil. The purpose was to determine the existence, or not, of links between infections and socio-epidemiological variables, such as personal hygiene habits, the presence of sewage systems and the environment. Participants answered a questionnaire and received universal collectors for fecal samples. Spontaneous sedimentation methods and Rugai were used for diagnosis. One hundred twenty-one samples were analyzed, in which a 38.8% parasite prevalence was detected as well as a 61.7% rate of monoparasitism, as well as a predominance of protozoa Endolimax nana (78.7%) and Giardia duodenalis (21.3%). Among parasitized individuals, 97.9% lived in the Recôncavo Baiano region. The following statistical significance stands out in the findings, with p<0.05: individuals who had already bathed in the local river were more likely to be parasitized than those who had not (p = 0.034) and individuals who washed their hands more frequently before meals proved to be less prone to intestinal parasitic infections (p = 0.018). Results evidenced the presence of enteric parasites in a number of participants in spite of their being university students. The socio-epidemiological variables analyzed brought to light characteristics that favor the establishment of the epidemiological infection triad, such as improper packaging of household waste on disposal and no records of regular domestic water tank cleaning. KEY WORDS: Enteric parasites; environment; diagnosis; health education.
Respiratory allergies may develop at any age, but the onset are more frequent in childhood and juvenile population due to genetic factors and to development of the immune system, which may presents as rhinitis and/or asthma. In Brazil, asthma is the second cause of hospital admission in children aged four to nine years old and the third in adolescents. Exposure to pathogens, particularly helminths, and their products are common in developing countries, and it appears to protect against the development of autoimmune and allergic diseases in experimental and human models. Based on these data, the present study investigated the presence of allergic conditions, infection by intestinal parasites and symptomatology on the juvenile population of the rural area of Santo Antônio de Jesus (Bahia -Brazil), from July to October, 2015. A questionnaire was applied to evaluate asthma and allergic symptoms and the parasitological feces exam was performed in 47 individuals. The study identified 81% of the positive samples for at least one parasite species; 45% polyparasitism; and the prevalence to Endolimax nana (48%) and hookworms (39%); eczema as the predominant allergic manifestation (34%) and headache, fatigue after physical activity, urticaria, itching in the head and nervousness as the most frequent signs and symptoms. The prevalence of enteroparasites, respiratory allergy and the symptoms associated with each of them are present in the studied population, and it may be related not only to the infection, but also to the presence of previous or overlapping diseases.
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