RESUMO
A census of the sandfly fauna was undertaken in 1993-98 in 5 endemic leishmaniasis foci situated at different altitudes in Anzoátegui State, Venezuela. From the 17 species of Lutzomyia identified, we believe that Lu. ovallesi, Lu. panamensis and Lu. gomezi are the probable vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis, while Lu. evansi might transmit visceral leishmaniasis.
Assuntos
Leishmaniose Cutânea/parasitologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/parasitologia , Psychodidae/classificação , Animais , Doenças Endêmicas , Feminino , Humanos , Insetos Vetores , Leishmaniose Cutânea/epidemiologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/epidemiologia , Masculino , Psychodidae/parasitologia , Venezuela/epidemiologiaRESUMO
An epidemiological survey based on the Montenegro intradermal reaction (IDR) was carried out in San José de Hacha, south of the Bolivar State, Venezuela, on the occasion of an outbreak of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (LTA) in that locality. The IDR was applied to 121 of the 184 local inhabitants (65.8%), with a 33.9 rate of positive reactions (44/121). The highest percentage of positivity was observed among males (39.5%) (P < 0.05) and among adults, especially in the 31 to 40 year age group (52.4%) (chi2 = 18.28; g.l. = 6). With respect to occupation, agriculturist were the most reactive with 69%. of subjects IDR positive, in 65.9% (27/41) the reaction areas ranging from 5 to 9 mm. Active lesions of LTA were identified in 22 inhabitants and scars were detected in only seven cases. It is suggested that San José de Hacha is a recent focus of LTA.
Assuntos
Surtos de Doenças/estatística & dados numéricos , Leishmaniose Cutânea/epidemiologia , População Rural/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Distribuição por Idade , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Reservatórios de Doenças/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Leishmaniose Cutânea/imunologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Ocupações/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Distribuição por Sexo , Inquéritos e Questionários , Venezuela/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Balantidium coli is the etiologic agent of balantidiasis, an infrequent zoonose of worldwide distribution. The objective of the present study was to determine the clinical and epidemiological aspects of balantidiasis in a rural community in the Bolivar State in Venezuela. Fifty persons and 12 pigs were evaluated. Fecal samples were analyzed by direct examination and by the methods of Faust and Willis. The global rate of intestinal parasitoses detected was 88.0% for the human population and 83.3% for the pigs. The prevalence of human and porcine balantidiais was 12.0% (6/50) and 33.3% (4/12), respectively. The disease was only detected in children, all of them with multiple parasites and with clinical manifestations. Deficient environmental sanitation, absence of basic services in the dwellings, low socioeconomic level, and the presence of pigs infected with B. coli are the factors that explain and maintain the conditions favorable to the transmission of balantidiasis in the population studied.
Assuntos
Balantidíase/epidemiologia , Enteropatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Adulto , Distribuição por Idade , Animais , Balantidíase/parasitologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Enteropatias Parasitárias/parasitologia , Masculino , Prevalência , Saúde da População Rural , Distribuição por Sexo , Suínos/parasitologia , Doenças dos Suínos/parasitologia , Venezuela/epidemiologiaRESUMO
In recent years, in addition to American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL), a significant number of cases of American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) have been reported in periurban areas of Barcelona city (Anzoátegui State, Venezuela). We studied the bionomics of Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) evansi and Lutzomyia (Psychodopygus) panamensis, possible vectors of AVL and ACL, respectively, in El Rincón, a periurban village of that city. To evaluate the seasonal domiciliary landing/biting activity of sandflies on human bait, a house was chosen in El Rincón. Landing catches were carried out between 18:00 and 06:00, once a month for a year. The results show the presence of 2 species, Lu. (Lu.) evansi (89.9%) and Lu. (Psy.) panamensis (10.1%). Lu. evansi was most abundant in the months of October and July, associated with the bimodal cycle of annual rainfall in the area. Maximum landing/biting activity of Lu. evansi was observed at 24:00 and 03:00. These findings suggest that at this time of the year and at these hours there is heightened risk of the transmission of AVL. Lu. panamensis monthly abundance also shows a direct association with rainfall and maximum landing/biting activity was observed between 02:00 and 03:00. The lower domiciliary abundance of Lu. panamensis suggests its greater importance in the extradomiciliary transmission of ACL.
Assuntos
Mordeduras e Picadas/epidemiologia , Insetos Vetores , Leishmaniose Visceral/epidemiologia , Psychodidae , Animais , Mordeduras e Picadas/parasitologia , Humanos , Leishmaniose Visceral/transmissão , Estações do Ano , Fatores de Tempo , Saúde da População Urbana , Venezuela/epidemiologiaRESUMO
A descriptive study is presented of sand-fly fauna in Bolivar State, Venezuela. Identification was made of 2,364 sand-flies belonging to 18 species. The vectors of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the different geographic regions of Bolivar State are possibly L. anduzei, L. wellcomei and L. squamiventris in the South, and L. flaviscutellata and L. gomezi in the North.
Assuntos
Psychodidae , Animais , Demografia , VenezuelaRESUMO
Enterobius vermicularis is a nematode with a peculiar biological cycle, thus requiring a special diagnostic technique. In order to determine the prevalence of E. vermicularis infection among schoolchildren in Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela, 282 children aged 5-14 years old were evaluated between november 1995 and august 1996 by the Graham technique (three perianal swabs with adhesive cellulose tape). The prevalence of enterobiasis in the studied children was estimated 19.1% (54/282). There was no difference between sexes (P > 0.05), but there was a difference between ages (x2 = 13.8; 1.g. = 4), being the infection more frequent between 5 and 8 years. Symptoms were observed in 90.7% of the schoolchildren. Anal pruritus was the most common clinical finding (81.6%). Other less frequent manifestations were enuresis (28.6%) and vulvitis in girls (26.1%). This intestinal parasitosis occurs with high frequency among schoolchildren in Ciudad Bolívar with characteristic and identifiable symptoms in most cases. The Graham method must be used for its diagnosis. This test is not routinely performed in our laboratories unless specifically requested by the attending physician.
Assuntos
Enterobíase/epidemiologia , Enterobius/isolamento & purificação , Adolescente , Animais , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Enterobíase/diagnóstico , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Prevalência , Venezuela/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Blastocystis hominis is a polymorphic protozoan of discussed taxonomic position, which is currently associated with human intestinal disease. In order to determine the prevalence of the microorganism in a sample of hospitalized patients, a study was carried out from november 1996 to april 1997 on 100 adult patients of both sexes aged 20 to 79 years at the "Ruíz y Páez" University Hospital of Bolivar city, Venezuela. A coproparasitological study was carried out using direct examination and Faust method. Infection by parasites and/or commensals was demonstrated in 48 patients. The most frequent agent was B. hominis with a prevalence of 42.0%. We did not find a statistically association between sex (P > 0.05) or age (X2 = 3.52; d.f; = 3) and B. hominis infection. B. hominis was most frequently identified as the single parasite (88.1%), and with a number of less than 5 cells per 400X microscopic field (73.8%). The infection was more common in patients with base chronic-immunosuppressive diseases, the major one being cancer. Diarrhea was observed in 27.0% of cases. Due to its high prevalence, especially as a single agent, together with the particular immunological characteristics of the patients studied, a potential pathogenic role of the opportunistic type is suggested for B. hominis.
Assuntos
Infecções por Blastocystis/epidemiologia , Blastocystis hominis/isolamento & purificação , Adulto , Idoso , Animais , Infecções por Blastocystis/diagnóstico , Fezes/parasitologia , Feminino , Hospitais Universitários , Humanos , Pacientes Internados , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Venezuela/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Blastocystis hominis is found in about 25% of feces in normal asymptomatic people. Its pathogenic role is still discussed. A prospective study was performed to determine the prevalence of B. hominis infection in schoolchildren from Bolivar City. We evaluated 446 children, between five and fourteen years old, both sexes, using direct examination of feces and Willis Method. They were also evaluated clinically. Results showed that B. hominis had a prevalence of 16.8%. We did not find a statistically significant association between sex (P > 0.05) or age and infection with B. hominis (x2 = 1.94 g.l = 4). In 39 schoolchildren (52.0%) we identified other parasites along with B. hominis, the most frequent was Trichuris trichiura as helminth and Giardia lamblia as protozoan. We observed B. hominis alone in 36 cases (48.0%). There was a spectrum of clinical symptoms in 41 (54.7%) of all children evaluated. Diarrhea was the most frequently clinical manifestation observed. Other studies are necessary to determine clinical relevance of B. hominis in school population in Bolivar City.