Resumo Este estudo de revisão integrativa da literatura analisa os achados dos últimos 5 anos do parasita Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Sabe-se que esse nematoide é encontrado nas artérias pulmonares de ratos, onde permanece como hospedeiro definitivo. Dos camundongos, o ciclo se espalha para os animais, como os caracóis, que em contato com humanos podem desencadear a doença. Em humanos, o parasita causa diversas manifestações neurológicas, abdominais e principalmente meningite. Com base na revisão de estudos, sua epidemiologia mostra distribuição mundial, embora existam casos endêmicos para esse parasito, como países asiáticos. Os achados laboratoriais geralmente mostraram LCR alterado com turbidez, aumento de proteínas e eosinofilia, o que gerou sinais meníngeos nos pacientes, além disso, os exames de ressonância magnética mostraram múltiplas alterações. Foram relatados achados raros do nematoide no globo ocular, pulmão e sinais de inflamação peritoneal, o que requer mais estudos para o entendimento de toda a fisiopatologia. Por fim, o tratamento conservador à base de anti-helmínticos e anti-inflamatórios trouxe boas respostas, embora haja relatos de óbitos, o que demonstra a importância na prevenção e terapia dessa doença.

Abstract This integrative literature review study analyzes the findings of the last 5 years of the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis. It is known that this nematode is found in the pulmonary arteries of rats, where it remains as a definitive host. From mice, the cycle spreads to animals, such as snails, which in contact with humans can trigger the disease. In humans, the parasite causes several neurological, abdominal manifestations and mainly meningitis. Based on the review of studies, its epidemiology shows worldwide distribution, although there are endemic cases for this parasite, such as asian countries. Laboratory findings generally showed altered CSF with turbidity, increased protein and eosinophilia, which generated meningeal signs in the patient, moreover MRI exams showed multiple alterations. Rare findings of the nematode in the eyeball, lung and signs of peritoneal inflammation were reported, which requires further studies to understand the whole pathophysiology. Finally, conservative treatment based on anthelmintics and anti-inflammatories brought good responses, although there are reports of deaths, which demonstrates the importance in the prevention and therapy of this disease.

The crossbreeding activities of the Schistosoma mansoni vector snail Biomphalaria glabrata were counted in a laboratory aquarium throughout the year under two regimes of 12h light: 12h dark from 7 A., M. to 10 P. M. Mating increased significantly in Authmn and Winter and just missed a significant inverse correlation with temperature and a direct one with locomotion. Other similar experiments were carried out to compare mating under various ilumination conditions in complete daily cycle measurements. Mating counts decreased under the regimes which submited snail to a total exposure of 12h light and 12 dark during a daily cycle in the following sequence: 12h light: 12h dark alternating hourly with light gradient, 12h light: 12h dark, 1h light: 1h dark and 12h dark: 12h light. Under two constant illuminations, the mating scored less than under the previous conditions, except under 12h light. Under darkeness the mating count was lower than light conditions. There was no way to differentiate the night and day rhythms of mating on different days in each regime, except for mating under 12h light: 12 dark alternating with light gradient, constant dark and 12h dark: 12h light conditions. Mating increased in certain light and temperature conditions, in wich the intensities, should have an optimum value.