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Some helminth species belonging to the order Strongylida are parasites of the digestive tract of vertebrates, including man and domestic animals. In humans, infections with Oesophagostomum spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. may be misdiagnosed as hookworm disease on parasitological stool examination, mainly in regions where these infections are coendemic, since eggs released in hosts' feces are morphologically similar. This study presents the morphologic characterization of Strongylida larvae recovered from humans and pigs living in close proximity, exploring putative zoonotic cycles. One hundred three humans and 27 pigs were included in low-resource rural communities in the state of Piauí, northeastern Brazil. Strongylida eggs were present in 12 (11.7%) humans and 23 (85.2%) pigs through conventional parasitological examination. Strongylida-positive fecal samples were submitted to coprocultures using the Harada–Mori technique. All 22 larvae obtained from human feces were classified as hookworms (Ancylostomatidae). From a total of 37 larvae obtained from swine, 23 (62.3%) were classified as Oesophagostomum, 6 (16.2%) were Hyostrongylus, and 4 (10.8%) were Trichostrongylus. Four larvae (10.8%) obtained from pigs were classified as Strongyloides. The morphological study of filariform larvae obtained in coprocultures is a useful and inexpensive tool in the screening of intestinal helminthiasis in a One Health approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastrongylosis is an infection of the respiratory tract of pigs caused by parasites of the genus Metastrongylus, whose eggs are similar to other Strongylida through light microscopy; species-specific identification can be performed with molecular tools. We explored the species composition and the genetic diversity of Metastrongylus infecting pigs in close contact with humans in impoverished rural communities in the state of Piauí, in northeastern Brazil. Fecal samples (n = 78) were collected for parasitologic tests. Egg morphometry and molecular characterization, using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox 1) gene, were performed. For strongyliform eggs, 62 of 78 (80%) pigs were positive and 6 of 99 (6%) eggs had dimensions compatible with Metastrongylus. Of the 37 samples submitted to PCR, 10 were identified as M. salmi. We found 3 M. salmi haplotypes, including 2 new and 1 described previously in Europe. Overall, M. salmi demonstrated lower intraspecific genetic diversity: diversity index (H) ± SD = 0.318 ± 0.164, n = 12, compared with published M. pudendotectus sequences (1.000 ± 0.272, n = 3). To our knowledge, M. salmi DNA sequences have not been published previously from pigs in South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In northeastern Brazil, the wild nature of Trypanosoma cruzi vectors has challenged control actions. This study aims to describe the entomological and epidemiological scenario of Chagas disease in rural communities in the state of Piauí. Methods A cross-sectional study (n=683 individuals/244 dwellings) was carried out to obtain serum samples, sociodemographic data and intra- and peridomestic triatomines. Results The overall seroprevalence rate was 8.1%, with no positive tests among subjects <30 y of age. Prevalence rates reached 34.3% and 39.1% among subjects 61–75 and >75 y of age, respectively; 1474 triatomines were collected, of which 90.3% were found in peridomiciliary structures and 9.7% inside houses; 87.2% were classified as Triatoma brasiliensis. T. cruzi infection rates in insects were 0.5% by light microscopy and 0.9% by culture in NNN/LIT medium. Five cultivated isolates were submitted to molecular genotyping, three of which were identified as T. cruzi I and two as T. cruzi II. Conclusions Although no vector transmission currently occurs, prevalence rates are high in adults and the elderly. This disease should be targeted by primary healthcare providers. Insect surveillance and control activities should not be discontinued in an environment favourable to the perpetuation of house colonization by triatomines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the prevalence, distribution, and etiological profile of intestinal parasitism in children living in periurban areas in Cachoeiras de Macacu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A community-based cross-sectional survey (n = 479) was carried out. Prevalence of infection with G. duodenalis and E. histolytica/E. dispar was 8.6% (n = 41) and 13.4% (n = 64), respectively. Infection with G. duodenalis was significantly more frequent among children living in poor families (24/187 (12.8%) vs. 16/272 (5.9%); prevalence ratio (PR) = 2.18; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19–3.99; p = 0.011). This difference was also significant for infection with any pathogenic parasite (43/187 (23%) vs. 40/272 (14/7%); PR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.06–2.30; p = 0.026). In addition, people residing in houses with more than four inhabitants showed significantly higher positivity for infections with G. duodenalis and with E. histolytica/E. dispar (22/138 (15.9%) vs. 16/311 (5.1%); PR = 3.09; 95% CI = 1.68–5.71; p < 0.001 for G. duodenalis and 32/138 (23.2%) vs. 30/311 (9.6%); PR = 2.40; 95% CI = 1.52–3.79; p < 0.001 for E. histolytica/E. dispar). Laboratory diagnosis of protozoan enteric infections and effective drugs for their treatment are unmet goals in the primary health care system. Therefore, giardiasis and amebiasis are neglected conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we assessed the genetic diversity of Ascaris lumbricoides / Ascaris suum circulating in humans and pigs, exploring potential zoonotic cycles in endemic areas in Brazil. We carried out cross-sectional surveys in four municipalities: Santa Isabel do Rio Negro (SIRN-AM) (n = 328); Nossa Senhora de Nazaré (NSN-PI) and Teresina (TER-PI) (n = 605 and n = 297, respectively); and Cachoeiras de Macacu (CAM-RJ) (n = 543). We also studied 61 fecal samples/adult worms obtained from pigs (n = 53 in NSN-PI and n = 8 in TER-PI). A ~450 bp fragment of the Ascaris cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and ~400 bp of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) were amplified and sequenced. Maximum-likelihood (ML) tree and Median-joining (MJ) haplotype network analyses were performed. We also performed scanning electron micrographs of adult specimens. Positivity rates were 93/328 (28.4%) in SIRN-AM, 6/297 (2.0%) in TER-PI, 0/605 (0%) in NSN-PI, and 6/543 (1.1%) in CAM-RJ. In NSN-PI it reached 11/53 (20.7%) in pigs. The MJ network based on cox1 locus (383 bp) revealed three main clusters, one centered around haplotypes H01/H28/H32 and the other around H07/H11. The cox1 haplotypes had a heterogeneous distribution, showing no pattern by geographic region, and high haplotype diversity. The ML trees based on cox1 and nad1 loci showed a similar topology with each other, and with the haplotype networks. Three distinct clusters were observed. Sequences of cox1 and nad1 from humans and animals were distributed throughout the tree and it was not possible to differentiate specimens of human and swine origin. Ascaris populations obtained from humans and swine in different Brazilian regions are not discriminable through the genetic markers used, which indicates the potential for zoonotic transmission and the need for better control of these infections in swine herds, mainly when created in a peridomestic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study investigated the possible correlation between the phenotypical and genotypical characteristics of Microsporum canis isolated from cats and dogs in north-east Brazil. Methods and Results: The mycological study was conducted by direct microscopic examination and by fungal culture. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction enzyme analysis and random amplification of polymorphic DNA techniques were used for the genotypical analysis. The morphological analysis showed a considerable diversity of colonies as well as different morphologies of conidia, despite the M. canis strains having been isolated under the same conditions. However, the molecular analysis showed that all analysed strains are genetically similar. Conclusions: This study, based on phenotypical and molecular analysis, evidences the wide spectrum of phenotypical variations in M. canis in contrast to the stable genotypes of such dermatophytes. Significance and Impact of the Study: The findings of this study indicate that M. canis isolated from cats and dogs with dermatophytosis in north-east Brazil may be clones, well adapted to the conditions of this region, despite M. canis showing different morphological features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over a 3-year period (March 1999 to March 2002), 944 patients with scalp lesions attended a dermatology reference center in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Clinical specimens were examined at the Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil, to detect patients with tinea capitis. Specimens were obtained from pus, scales, and hairs from suspected lesions of tinea capitis. Mycologic analyses were conducted by direct microscopy and by fungal culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar, with or without chloramphenicol and Mycosel agar. The culture tubes were incubated at 28 °C and examined daily for 1 month. Fungi were seen in 438 (46.4%) of the 944 clinical specimens. The percentage of positive direct microscopic examinations of the clinical specimens was 83.7%. Of those patients with tinea capitis, 157 (35.8%) were males and 281 (64.2%; P < 0.001) were females. The distribution of dermatophyte species in males, from 136 positive cultures, was Trichophyton tonsurans (54.41%), Microsporum canis (38.97%), T. rubrum (4.41%), T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes (1.47%), and M. gypseum (0.74%). On the other hand, only three species, from 251 positive cultures, were present in females: T. tonsurans (80.08%), M. canis (17.53%), and T. rubrum (2.39%). There was a high proportion of positive results in children under 10 years of age ( n = 309). No significant difference was detected in the seasonal distribution of tinea capitis. Our data show that T. tonsurans is the main etiologic agent of tinea capitis, and is more likely to be found in females and in the prepubertal population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small ruminant production is a common agricultural activity worldwide. However, studies on the fungal microbiota of these animals are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed at isolating yeasts from goats and sheep and evaluating the antifungal susceptibility of the recovered Candida albicans. A total of 120 animals from farms in Ceará State, Brazil, were assessed in this study. The samples were collected from nasal, oral and rectal cavities with sterile swabs. Candida spp., Trichosporon spp. and Rhodotorula spp. were isolated from small ruminants. Resistance to three azole drugs was observed in C. albicans. In summary, Candida spp. were predominantly observed as part of the microbiota of the nasal, oral and rectal cavities of small ruminants, including azole-resistant strains of C. albicans.

This study aimed at evaluating the in vitro antifungal susceptibility of Candida albicans isolates obtained during necropsy of a wild Brazilian porcupine and the mechanism of azole resistance. Initially, we investigated the in vitro susceptibility of the three isolates to amphotericin B, caspofungin, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole and voriconazole. Afterwards, three sub-inhibitory concentrations (47, 21 and 12 mg/l) of promethazine, an efflux pump inhibitor, were tested in combination with the antifungal drugs in order to evaluate the role of these pumps in the development of antifungal resistance. In addition, the three isolates were submitted to RAPD-PCR and M13-fingerprinting analyses. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) obtained with the isolates were 1, 0.03125, 250, 125, 8 and 250 mg/l for amphotericin B, caspofungin, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole and voriconazole, respectively, and the isolates were found to be resistant to all tested azoles. The addition of the three subinhibitory concentrations of promethazine resulted in statistically significant (P < 0.05) reductions in the MICs for all tested drugs, with decreases to azoles being statistically greater than those for amphotericin B and caspofungin (P < 0.05). The molecular analyses showed a genetic similarity among the three tested isolates, suggesting the occurrence of candidemia in the studied animal. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring antifungal susceptibility of Candida spp. from veterinary sources, especially as they may indicate the occurrence of primary azole resistance even in wild animals.

Aims: To investigate the presence of fungi during three human decomposition stages: bloated, putrefaction and skeletonization., Methods and Results: The samples were gathered in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, from the public morgue and cemeteries. The material was submitted to conventional mycological procedures by direct examination and macro/micro morphological and biochemical analyses. The main fungi isolated were Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp. and Candida spp. in the bloated stage (n = 34 cadavers) and in the putrefaction stage (n = 6 cadavers), while in the skeletonization stage (n = 20 cadavers), the main fungi were Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp. and Mucor sp., Conclusions: Aspergillus, Penicillium and Candida species were associated with decomposed human cadavers., Significance and Impact of the Study: These findings enable tracing out the profile of fungal communities of human cadavers for the first time. However, much more research will be necessary to develop this new segment of mycology and to enable its routine use in forensic science.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of filamentous fungi and yeasts on the external surface of ants at hospitals. From March 2007 to February 2008, 2,899 ants were evaluated in two public hospitals in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, in northeastern Brazil. The ants were attracted by nontoxic baits, distributed within critical and semicritical hospital areas. The fungi were identified through macro- and micromorphological analysis, biochemical profile, and growth in chromogenic medium. From this study, 5 genera and 13 species of ants were identified, from critical (8% of the collected ants) and semicritical (92%) areas, during the daytime (48%) and nighttime (52%) periods. In the mycological analysis, 75% of the ants were fungi carriers, with the species Tapinoma melanocephalum and species from the genus Pheidole having the most potential as carriers of airborne fungi (75 and 18%, respectively) and yeasts (6 and 1%, respectively). In summary, ants act as carriers of airborne fungi and yeasts, including some pathogenic species.

Dermatophytes are a group of fungi that are capable of invading keratinized tissues of humans and other animals. Antifungal susceptibility analysis and genetic studies by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), have been used to detect polymorphism as well as determining the possible resistance of dermatophytes to antifungals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible correlation between the antifungal susceptibility and genotypical pattern of Microsporum canis strains isolated in dogs and cats with dermatophytosis in Northeast Brazil. The antifungal susceptibility study was conducted using the broth microdilution test with griseofulvine, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole. The genotypical analysis was performed using the RAPD method. The antifungal susceptibility analysis showed that all the strains of M. canis analyzed (n = 22) were sensitive to griseofulvine (0.25 microg/mL < or minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) < or = 1 microg/mL), ketoconazole (0.25 microg/mL < or = MIC < or = 2 microg/mL), itraconazole (0.25 microg/mL < or = MIC < or = 1 microg/mL), and fluconazole (1 microg/mL < or = MIC < or = 16 microg/mL). The RAPD results showed that all analyzed strains are genetically similar. Thus, based on antifungal susceptibility analysis and RAPD data, a possible correlation can be shown between the antifungal susceptibility and the genotypical pattern of the strains of M. canis from Northeast Brazil.

Knowledge of epidemiological and mycological characteristics of onychomycosis has been noted by many authors as being an important tool for control of these fungal infections. This study seeks to improve knowledge of onychomycosis epidemiology and mycological features. Samples were taken from infected fingernails and toenails of 976 patients undergoing treatment at a respected Dermatology Center in Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. Specimens from 512 patients (52%) were positive for onychomycosis. From the culture-positive samples, yeasts of the genus Candida (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis) were dominant. The dermatophytes isolated (Trichophyton rubrum, T. tonsurans, T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes) were dominant in 46 patients (12.99%). The mould Fusarium spp. was isolated from 29 patients (8.19%). Yeast of the genus Candida is the main causal factor in onychomycosis in our region. Also, the study showed the importance of performing direct examination and culture in diagnosis of onychomycosis.

Malassezia pachydermatis is usually associated with otitis and dermatitis in dogs but it can also cause diseases in other species, including humans. In a human neonatal intensive care unit, M. pachydermatis was isolated from an infant's ocular discharge. Therefore, the aim of this study was to ascertain the presence of Malassezia spp. and its possible consequences in dogs' eyes. This research included 19 dogs with unilateral or bilateral corneal ulcers and 60 healthy dogs. A total of 158 clinical specimens from both the groups were obtained from the conjunctival sac of each eye by a calibrated platinum loop. The samples were placed on Dixon and blood agar, incubated at 35 degrees C, and examined daily for 15 days. Then, the strains were subcultured on Sabouraud agar. Of 22 clinical specimens collected from the eyes with corneal ulcers, five cultures (23%) were positive for M. pachydermatis. Of 16 samples collected from the contralateral healthy eye, cultures were positive in three samples (19%). Three animals had unilateral corneal ulcer and positive cultures for M. pachydermatis in both the eyes. Two dogs had unilateral corneal ulcer and positive cultures for M. pachydermatis in the same eye. However, from the 120 samples of 60 healthy dogs, only four clinical specimens (3%) had positive cultures for M. pachydermatis. The findings of M. pachydermatis, in a considerable percentage of clinical specimens from dogs with corneal ulcer, suggest its possible role at least as an aggravating factor in the pathophysiology of this disease.

The growing use of intracavity treatment of uterine neoplasia has not been accompanied in the Brazilian literature by articles appropriate for day-to-day consultation. Based on this fact we endeavour to transmit in this paper our experiences related to this therapy technique.