RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Brazil has more than 200 indigenous peoples with 170 different languages that result in different epidemiological and demographic situations. The objective of this study was to describe the nutritional and metabolic profile of the adult Karib indigenous peoples, inhabitants of the Upper Xingu region, as well as to evaluate their possible effects on their cardiovascular health. METHODS: In 2002, the Karib population comprised 1091 individuals, 390 of whom (35.7%) were 20 years of age or older. This study was based on results from 251 adult individuals (64.4%). chi(2) statistics were used to evaluate the possible relationship between chronic diseases and tribe, gender and age. Analysis of variance was used to compare the average values of the biomedical variables of the individuals according to tribe and gender. RESULTS: The prevalence of the main risk factors detected was: 39.3% overweight and 6.8% obese, mainly among men (60.4%), 41.8% for central obesity mainly among women (66.7%), 68% for dyslipidaemia and 15.4% for blood pressure alterations mainly among men (24.7%). Overall, percentages were higher than in the non-indigenous Brazilian population. The percentage of individuals presenting simultaneously with at least two cardiovascular risk factors (29%) was also remarkable. CONCLUSIONS: These findings emphasize the need to implement preventive health measures to control obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors in indigenous peoples.
Assuntos
Doenças Cardiovasculares/etnologia , Adulto , Distribuição por Idade , Idoso , Antropometria/métodos , Pressão Sanguínea , Brasil/epidemiologia , Doenças Cardiovasculares/etiologia , Dislipidemias/complicações , Dislipidemias/etnologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estado Nutricional , Obesidade/complicações , Obesidade/etnologia , Sobrepeso/complicações , Sobrepeso/etnologia , Fatores de Risco , Distribuição por Sexo , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Measles vaccination efficiency was evaluated in children from two Indian tribes - Caiabi and Metuktire - living in the Amazon region, in the Parque Indigena do Xingu (PIX). The population sample, selected at random, made up 37 Caiabi and 28 Metuktire children, aged from 20-75 months (40%). For operational and epidemiological reasons, measles vaccine is given from 6 months of age. The average age of children when they received the vaccine was 11.5 months for the first dose and 20 months for the second. The search for IgG antibodies against measles virus and Plasmodium falciparum was made through immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Measles vaccine coverage has reached 60% at 12 months of age and 92% at 18 months, whereas post-vaccine serum conversion was 95% in Caiabi children (geometric mean of titres (GMT) 126) and 89% in Metuktire (GMT 109). The difference in GMT is not statistically significant. Seventy-three per cent of Caiabi children (GMT 101) and 100% of Metuktire children (GMT135) were plasmodium antibody positive, showing they had been exposed to malarial infection. Despite the differences detected, the immune response to measles vaccine was satisfactory in both groups, with a positive percentage consistent with that achieved in non-malarial areas in Americas. The results show the efficiency of a vaccination programme in an indigenous area despite the difficulties in reaching the villages and maintaining the cold chain, and also despite the malaria endemicity.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Indígenas Sul-Americanos/estatística & dados numéricos , Vacina contra Sarampo , Vírus do Sarampo/imunologia , Sarampo/epidemiologia , Sarampo/prevenção & controle , Avaliação de Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde , Serviços Preventivos de Saúde/normas , Animais , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Brasil/epidemiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Etnicidade/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Malária Falciparum/epidemiologia , Masculino , Plasmodium falciparum/imunologiaRESUMO
The Panará, who had previously lived in isolation from Brazilian national society in the Amazon forest, were first contacted in 1973. Two years later they were moved to another area in Central Brazil. During this same period they were reduced to 82 members, the survivors of a population of 400 to 500 in the mid-1960s. In 1995 they returned to a small area in their old territory still not occupied by outsiders. There, three years later, a health survey showed a presumed diagnosis of tuberculosis in 15 individuals out of a population of 181. Further tests in the town of Colider, based on clinical data and chest X-rays, confirmed the diagnosis in 10 Panará (6 children under 10 years of age and 4 adults from 40 to 50 years old). BCG scars were present in the entire population. The nutritional status of Panará children was better than that of other indigenous groups in the Amazon region. The following measures were introduced for Tb control: a) treatment follow-up in the village, under direct supervision by both a nurse and the local indigenous health worker; b) compliance with defined criteria for ending treatment; c) periodic control of contacts and non-contacts; c) and establishment of a reference system with the health services in Colider.
Assuntos
Indígenas Sul-Americanos , Tuberculose Pulmonar/etnologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Anemia Ferropriva/etnologia , Brasil/epidemiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Indígenas Sul-Americanos/estatística & dados numéricos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Distúrbios Nutricionais/etnologia , Estado Nutricional , Prevalência , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Tuberculose Pulmonar/prevenção & controle , Tuberculose Pulmonar/transmissãoRESUMO
Although the literature presents worrisome data regarding the incidence of cervical cancer among indigenous populations, in Brazil there is very little information regarding the occurrence of this type of cancer among indigenous peoples. Therefore, the objective of the present descriptive study was to assess the prevalence of cervical cancer and of cervical and vaginal infections among 423 indigenous women living in the Xingu Indian Reservation, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. These women were or had been sexually active. Data were collected between 1989 and 1996. Clinical and gynecological examinations were carried out prior to the collection of cervical specimens and to the performance of cytologic analyses. Upon detection of abnormalities, a colposcopy and a biopsy were also performed. Our results show that 1% of the women studied presented invasive carcinoma and that 3% presented premalignant lesions. In addition, 84% presented inflammatory atypia, resulting from sexually transmitted genital infections. The present findings are in accordance with the results of other international reports regarding the high prevalence of cervical conditions among indigenous populations, and they underscore the need to extend to the indigenous peoples of Brazil programs aiming at the control of sexually transmitted diseases and at the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer.
Assuntos
Carcinoma/epidemiologia , Indígenas Sul-Americanos , Programas de Rastreamento , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil/epidemiologia , Carcinoma/diagnóstico , Colposcopia , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Lesões Pré-Cancerosas/diagnóstico , Lesões Pré-Cancerosas/epidemiologia , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/diagnóstico , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/epidemiologia , Displasia do Colo do Útero/diagnóstico , Displasia do Colo do Útero/epidemiologia , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/diagnósticoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nutritional status and dietary habits of children of the Alto Xingu, Central Brazil, according to age. SUBJECTS: 172 Indian children (<10 years of age) of Alto Xingu tribes. METHODS: Date of birth, sex, weight, height (NCHS reference) and questionnaire of dietary habits at the time of field work. RESULTS: Of the 103 children less than 5 years of age, 34% presented protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), according to Gomez's criteria, of which only 2% with grade II malnutrition and no child presented severe PEM. In relation to the Z scores for the 172 children studied, it was observed that those younger than 1 year (n=25) presented weight for age (median, M=+0.43) and weight for height (M=+1.33) greater (p<0.05) than the children with ages between 12 and 60 months (n=78) (weight for age, M=-0.54; weight for height, M=+0.29) and between 60 and 120 months (n=69) (weight for age, M=-0.78; weight for height, M=+0.27). The height for age Z scores for the population studied showed a shift to the left in relation to the reference population in the three age groups (<12 months, M=-0.95; 12 to 60 months, M=-1.22 and 60 to 120 months, M=-1.40). The mothers nursed, without exception, to the age of 24 months, and the frequency of breastfeeding decreased progressively to age 42 months. The introduction of solid foods started at the age of 6 months and after the 10th month all the children ate "beiju" (flat bread), fruit and fish. CONCLUSION: The nutritional status of Alto Xingu Indian children, in 1992, is adequate and similar to that previously observed between 1974 and 1980.
Assuntos
Dieta , Indígenas Sul-Americanos , Estado Nutricional , Distribuição por Idade , Antropometria , Brasil/epidemiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Inquéritos Nutricionais , Desnutrição Proteico-Calórica/etnologia , Valores de Referência , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Lobomycosis and paracoccidioidomycosis are two different mycoses caused by Loboa loboi and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, respectively. To verify cross-antigenicity between them, lobomycosis sera were tested by immunoblotting, ELISA and capture-EIA against crude exo-antigen, 'cell-free antigen' and gp43 from P. brasiliensis. The majority of lobomycosis serum samples recognized crude exo-antigens and gp43 from P. brasiliensis. Gp43 was eluted from an affinity column prepared with IgG from a patient with active lobomycosis. In lower frequencies and intensities, lobomycosis sera also recognized proteins of 29 kDa, 36 kDa, 39 kDa, 52 kDa, 63 kDa, 70 kDa, 83 kDa, and 108 kDa from P. brasiliensis.
Assuntos
Antígenos de Fungos/imunologia , Entomophthorales/imunologia , Proteínas Fúngicas , Glicoproteínas/imunologia , Oligossacarídeos/imunologia , Paracoccidioides/imunologia , Zigomicose/microbiologia , Anticorpos Antifúngicos/sangue , Anticorpos Antifúngicos/imunologia , Cromatografia de Afinidade , Reações Cruzadas , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Humanos , Immunoblotting , Técnicas Imunoenzimáticas , Zigomicose/imunologiaRESUMO
The medical literature has shown that the inhabitants of the Amazon region are highly affected by hepatitis B and delta viruses infection, but this has never been studied in Indian children by age group. A study of the prevalence of serological markers of hepatitis B and delta viruses in Indian children aged 0 to 14 years living in the PIX was carried out. This Park is located in Central Brazil, a region which is in the transition between the savannab to the south and the Amazon jungle to the north. To determine the prevalence of HBV and HDV markers in Indian children and to characterize the route of HBV transmission in this region. Out of the 17 tribes living in the PIX, two--the Caiabi and the Txucarramãe--were chosen because both live in the North part of the Park, but have quite different ways of life. The overall prevalence of HBV serum markers was: HBsAg, 4.5%; anti-HBs, 39.6%; anti-HBc, 44.1%; any marker of HBV, 47.3%; and anti-HDV, 0.0%. However, a striking difference in the prevalence of hepatitis B markers was observed between the two tribes: younger Caiabi children were much less affected than the Txucarramãe ones. The prevalence of HBsAg in fertile women was 12%, being anti-HBe positive. Our data suggest that HBV infection is highly prevalent among Indian children living in this Indigenous Park and vertical infection is not an important route of transmission in either tribes.
Assuntos
Antígenos de Hepatite/sangue , Antígenos de Superfície da Hepatite B/sangue , Antígenos E da Hepatite B/sangue , Hepatite B/epidemiologia , Hepatite D/epidemiologia , Indígenas Sul-Americanos , Adolescente , Distribuição por Idade , Biomarcadores/sangue , Brasil/epidemiologia , Brasil/etnologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Hepatite B/imunologia , Hepatite D/imunologia , Antígenos da Hepatite delta , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Topografia MédicaRESUMO
An alternative way to estimate the endemic level of malaria amongst Brazilian indians is proposed. This is achieved by estimating the age-related 'force of infection' of malaria (the effective inoculation rate), applying a mathematical model, described elsewhere, to serological data. In addition we present a way to estimate the Basic Reproductive Rate of malaria in the same area. The results have shown a good degree of accuracy in describing the endemic pattern of malaria in the area, and also indicate some relevant aspects of its age distribution related to the design of control strategies.
Assuntos
Indígenas Sul-Americanos , Malária Falciparum/epidemiologia , Modelos Biológicos , Adolescente , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Animais , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Brasil/epidemiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Imunofluorescência , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Lactente , Malária Falciparum/sangue , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Plasmodium falciparum/imunologia , Distribuição de Poisson , PrevalênciaRESUMO
Male pubertal seclusion is a cultural characteristic shared by 10 Indian tribes in Alto Xingu, central Brazil. The seclusion lasts from several months to three years, with periods of interruption. Seclusion acts as a rite of passage and is connected with a boy's social, psychological, and physical maturation process into adulthood. This period is marked by many rules and taboos, and boys are considered highly vulnerable to the workings of evil entities. From 1978 to 1985, 133 boys between the ages of 11 and 20 years were observed in seclusion. Twenty-four of these youths showed clinical symptoms of intoxication, with seven of them dying in the acute phase, whereas the other seventeen developed peripheral neuropathy. The mortality rate among males was 6.6 times higher than that among females. Our findings suggest that the high risk of death associated with male pubertal seclusion results from the use of some native plants in infusions or ointments in the rite's purification process.
Assuntos
Cultura , Indígenas Sul-Americanos , Puberdade , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil , Causas de Morte , Criança , Etnicidade , Humanos , Masculino , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso Periférico/etnologia , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso Periférico/etiologia , Intoxicação por Plantas/etnologia , Plantas MedicinaisAssuntos
Nível de Saúde , Indígenas Sul-Americanos , Brasil , Cultura , Humanos , Mudança Social , Problemas SociaisRESUMO
STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of malnutrition in indian children of Alto Xingu region in Brazil, and to evaluate the usefulness of arm circumference and QUAC index in the diagnosis of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). SITE: The indian population of Alto Xingu maintains most of its traditional customs. PATIENTS: 335 children were studied prospectively in at least one of seven consecutive years between 1974 and 1980, and 1278 measurements were obtained of weight, height, and arm circumference. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The annual prevalence of PEM (weight-for-height) less than 90% according to Brazilian reference tables was 4.1% in children aged under 1 year, 7.3% in children from 1 to 5 years of age, and 7.5% in children older than 5. According NCHS tables, however, values of 1.0%, 2.8%, and 1.1% were obtained for the respective age groups. The sensitivity and specificity of arm circumference and QUAC index were calculated in relation to the weight-for-height relation. According to Brazilian reference tables, arm circumference had a sensitivity of 8.9% and specificity of 99.3%, whereas the QUAC index had a sensitivity of 11.1% and specificity of 98.3%. However, according to NCHS tables, slightly different values were obtained. The sensitivity and specificity in this case were 23.5% and 99.3%, respectively, for arm circumference and 35.3% and 98.3%, respectively, for the QUAC index. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that the prevalence of PEM was low in the Alto Xingu and that arm circumference and the QUAC index should only be used in situations suited to their sensitivity and specificity.
Assuntos
Antropometria , Indígenas Sul-Americanos , Estado Nutricional , Desnutrição Proteico-Calórica/diagnóstico , Braço/anatomia & histologia , Constituição Corporal/etnologia , Brasil , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Inquéritos Nutricionais , Estudos Prospectivos , Desnutrição Proteico-Calórica/etnologiaRESUMO
Four remote population samples (Yanomamo and Xingu Indians of Brazil and rural populations in Kenya and Papua New Guinea) had the lowest average blood pressures among all 52 populations studied in INTERSALT, an international cooperative investigation of electrolytes and blood pressure. Average systolic blood pressure was 103 versus 120 mm Hg in the remaining INTERSALT centers; diastolic blood pressure in these four population samples averaged 63 versus 74 mm Hg in the 48 other centers. There was little or no upward slope of blood pressure with age; hypertension was present in only 5% of the rural Kenyan sample and virtually absent in the other three centers. Also in marked contrast with the rest of the centers was level of daily salt intake, as estimated by 24-hour urinary sodium excretion. Median salt intake ranged from under 1 g to 3 g daily versus more than 9 g in the rest of INTERSALT populations. Average body weight was also low in these four centers, with no or low average alcohol intake, again unlike the other centers. The association within these four centers between the above variables and blood pressure was low, possibly reflecting their limited variability. While several other INTERSALT centers also had low average body weight or low prevalence of alcohol drinking, when this was accompanied by much higher salt intake (7-12 g salt or 120-210 mmol sodium daily), hypertension prevalence ranged from 8% to 19%. These findings confirm previous reports that in populations with a low salt intake, there is little or no hypertension or rise of blood pressure with age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Assuntos
Pressão Sanguínea , Indígenas Sul-Americanos , População Rural , Adulto , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas , Peso Corporal , Brasil , Eletrólitos/urina , Métodos Epidemiológicos , Feminino , Humanos , Quênia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Natriurese , Nova Guiné , Pulso ArterialRESUMO
Among the Cayabi Indians in Central Brazil, we found a high and unexpected prevalence of lobomycosis, which represents 21% of all the cases reported in the world medical literature until now. Most of the Cayabi patients have been observed for many years, and recently two developed cauliflower-like tumours in old lobomycosis scar lesions. The diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma was confirmed histologically. In both cases, the tumor was surgically removed, but several months later tumors recurred in both patients. The appearance of squamous cell carcinoma in chronic scar lesions and ulcers of various etiologies has been reported by many authors, and should include lobomycosis.
Assuntos
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/etiologia , Paracoccidioidomicose/complicações , Neoplasias Cutâneas/etiologia , Brasil , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/diagnóstico , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/cirurgia , Humanos , Indígenas Sul-Americanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia , Paracoccidioidomicose/epidemiologia , Neoplasias Cutâneas/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Cutâneas/cirurgiaRESUMO
Lesioned skin tissues from a female Caiabi indian with lobomycosis were processed for routine electron microscopy using, in the initial steps, solutions containing 2% lanthanum nitrate. The pattern of tracer distribution suggests that the tracer penetrates into the cavity containing the parasite through exocytotic-like apertures situated at the cell wall outer region. The tracer also infiltrates the virtual space between the cell wall and its recovering membrane, spreading over varying areas of the outer surface of the cell wall. The contrast imparted to the pericellular macrophage space by the lanthanum nitrate enabled easy localization of fibrillar, cell wall derived material which reaches the adjacent extracellular milieu.
Assuntos
Lantânio , Fungos Mitospóricos/citologia , Paracoccidioides/citologia , Adulto , Parede Celular , Dermatomicoses/patologia , Feminino , Humanos , Microscopia Eletrônica , Paracoccidioidomicose/patologia , Fagocitose , Pele/patologia , Pele/ultraestruturaRESUMO
Lesioned, cutaneous, tissue fragments from five indians of the Caiabi tribe with lobomycosis, living in the Xingu National Park (Central Brazil), are analyzed by light and electron microscopy. Clusters of macrophages filled with parasite and/or cell wall debris, separated by collagen fiber bundles, characterize the morphological pattern seen in thick and thin sections. Paracoccidioides loboi within the phagocytic cells are multinucleate organisms whose cytoplasm contains mitochondria with few cristae, ribosomes and vacuoles; a large, dense, globular body and peculiarly curved mitochondrial profiles are described. From the outer portion of the double layered parasite cell wall, radial projections commonly emerge, rendering the structure conspicuously thicker and more irregularly surfaced than that seen in many other phagocytized yeast cell species. The cell wall layers from fungi possessing distinct subcellular organization show a weak or no reaction for acid phosphatase. Most of the foamy cells commonly seen by light microscopy are macrophages filled with fungal cell wall remnants which exhibit marked acid phosphatase activity. Occasionally, microchannels extending from the outer layer of the parasite cell wall to the macrophage surface and exocytic-like openings, possibly derived from the fusion of the macrophage membrane covering the parasite cell wall and the macrophage plasmalemma can be seen. Through such routes, material of texture and density similar to that of the outermost cell wall layer appears to be deposited extracellularly.
Assuntos
Dermatomicoses/imunologia , Macrófagos/ultraestrutura , Fungos Mitospóricos/ultraestrutura , Paracoccidioides/ultraestrutura , Paracoccidioidomicose/microbiologia , Adulto , Idoso , Animais , Parede Celular/ultraestrutura , Dermatomicoses/microbiologia , Dermatomicoses/patologia , Feminino , Humanos , Macrófagos/microbiologia , Macrófagos/fisiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Paracoccidioidomicose/imunologia , Paracoccidioidomicose/patologia , Fagócitos/microbiologia , Fagócitos/ultraestruturaAssuntos
Antígenos da Hepatite B/análise , Hepatite B/epidemiologia , Indígenas Sul-Americanos , alfa 1-Antitripsina/análise , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Brasil , Feminino , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite B/análise , Antígenos do Núcleo do Vírus da Hepatite B/análise , Antígenos de Superfície da Hepatite B/análise , Antígenos E da Hepatite B/análise , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Influenza A antibodies in serum samples obtained in 1980 from two Indian populations in Central Brazil were compared. The Kren-Akorore, who were first contacted in 1973 and two years later transferred to the Xingu Indian Park (PIX), were compared with Indians from other tribes already living in the PIX before 1975. An analysis was made of the prevalence and distribution of antibodies against the influenza A viruses which have circulated in the civilized world since 1918. Antibodies to the early influenza A viruses were absent in both Indian populations, but A/Hong Kong/1/68 (H3N2) virus apparently circulated in the PIX. No antibody to influenza A/Bangkok/1/79 or to A/Brazil/11/78 (H1N1) was found in any of the sera, whereas antibodies to these viruses were commonly found in urban populations in Brazil. The evidence from influenza antibodies agrees with the information that the Kren-Akorore Indians had been living in complete isolation until 1973, when they were first contacted.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antivirais/análise , Indígenas Sul-Americanos , Vírus da Influenza A/imunologia , Brasil , Testes de Inibição da Hemaglutinação , HumanosRESUMO
Vaccine induced measles antibody titers in the Upper Xingu Indians remained at satisfactory levels without evidence of decline over a period of six years without re-exposure. However, in another area, a vaccination program which used a reduced dose of vaccine was only 63% effective. When measles virus was introduced to the latter area a protracted epidemic ensued with 23% of the population becoming ill and six deaths. The deaths occurred exclusively under 13 months or over 40 years of age.