Abstract Pediculosis mainly affects school-age children worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the knowledge of the parents and guardians of children in elementary schools in Niterói, Brazil, regarding pediculosis. Questionnaires were applied to 237 guardians of children at five 1-5 grade municipal schools. The responses were analyzed and correlated with positivity to louse infestation, detected by scalp aspiration. 73.8% of the respondents reported that their child had already been infested with lice. 32.9% presented correct responses about transmission. Incorrect responses were attributed to the air/wind, blood type and the fact that lice jump and fly. 40.1% of the respondents erroneously correlated control over the parasitosis with hygiene. A majority of the participants (58.6%) responded that pediculosis is harmful to health, while a small proportion (20.7%) considered it to be a disease. The prevalence of pediculosis was 19.8% among schoolchildren. Female sex, pruritus on the head and indifference regarding infestation were shown to be risk factors for pediculosis. The lack of perception of pediculosis as a disease may lead to naturalization of this parasitosis. Incorrect responses may add difficulty to implementation of preventive and curative approaches, which highlights the importance of dissemination of correct information about pediculosis.

ABSTRACT Giardia duodenalis is a worldwide intestinal parasite and is one of the most frequent protozoa species infecting dogs and cats. This study aimed to modify the methodology of Alere GIARDIA Ag TEST KIT for its use in frozen fecal sediments with different storage times in a freezer (-20°C), thus expanding the range of use of this methodology. One hundred fecal sediments from dogs (n=50) and cats (n=50) previously examined by optical microscopy for Giardia cysts were selected for this study. The agreement between the modified immunochromatography and microscopy results was calculated by Kappa coefficient. To evaluate the performance of the modified immunochromatography assay on samples with different storage time, the fecal sediments were divided into three groups according to the time of storage in a freezer: (a) ≤ 1 year (n=37); (b) > 1 year and ≤ 3 years (n=39); (c) > 10 years (max. 13 years) (n=24). The results obtained by the modified immunochromatography assay demonstrates a higher sensitivity of this technique when compared with microscopy, regardless of the frozen storage time. These results allow for the use of this methodology in a greater scope of analysis, especially in frozen fecal sediment triage in sample collections, enabling epidemiological and comparative analysis along different decades.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a presença de organismos semelhantes a Helicobacter e as alterações endoscópicas e histopatológicas em estômago de gatos domésticos de sangue tipo A. Amostras de antro, corpo e fundo gástricos foram coletadas de 32 gatos, sem raça definida, não domiciliados através de gastroscopia. Teste de urease e análise citológica foram realizados em amostras frescas. Secções teciduais foram processadas e coradas com hematoxilina e eosina e pela prata pelo método de Warthin-Starry para avaliação histológica. Helicobacter spp. foi detectado em 100% das amostras submetidas às análises citológicas e coloração pela prata e em 96,9% das amostras submetidas ao teste de urease. Em 87,5% dos gatos foi identificado infiltrado inflamatório mononuclear. A graduação e distribuição do infiltrado inflamatório nestes gatos revelaram alterações leves (78,1%) a moderada (9,4%) em pelo menos uma região gástrica. Estas alterações eram independentes do escore de colonização. Hiperplasia de folículos linfoides foram detectadas em 3 gatos. Gatos do grupo sanguíneo A são frequentemente colonizados por Helicobacter spp. e os achados macro e microscópicos são consistentes com estudos em gatos domésticos realizados até a presente data. Conclui-se que o grupo sanguíneo mais comum em gatos não está associado com uma alta susceptibilidade a gastrite sintomática causada por Helicobacter spp.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of gastric Helicobacter-like organisms and the endoscopic and histopathological changes in domestic cats with blood type A. Samples from the stomach antrum, body and fundus were collected from 32 mixed-breed stray domestic cats using gastroscopy. Urease testing and cytological analysis were performed in fresh samples. Tissue sections were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and the Warthin-Starry (WS) silver staining methods for histopathological examination. Helicobacter spp. were detected in 100% of samples subjected to silver staining and cytological analysis, and in 96.9% of samples subjected to urease testing. In 87.5% of the cats, mononuclear inflammatory-cell infiltrates were identified. The graduation and distribution of inflammatory infiltrates in these cats revealed mild (78.1%) to moderate (9.4%) inflammatory changes in at least one gastric region. These changes were independent of the colonization score. Hyperplasia of the lymphoid follicles was detected in three cats. Cats of blood group A are often colonized by Helicobacter spp. and the macroscopic and microscopic findings are consistent with studies in domestic cats reported to date, concluding that the most common blood group in cats is not associated with high susceptibility to symptomatic gastritis.

RESUMO: Doenças causadas por rickettsias tem ampla distribuição geográfica e estão associadas a artrópodes hematófagos. Rickettsia rickettsii é espécie mais patogênica do Grupo da Febre Maculosa (GFM) e responsável pela Febre Maculosa Brasileira. No sudeste do país a doença é endêmica e inquéritos sorológicos tem demonstrado presença de anticorpos para antígenos do GFM em cães, reforçando a participação do cão como sentinela. Os principais vetores são carrapatos do gênero Amblyomma, cujos hospedeiros são, muitas vezes, animais de vida silvestre. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a circulação de rickettsias do GFM no entorno de Unidades de Conservação (UC) no Rio de Janeiro por meio da Imunofluorescência Indireta em cães, além de determinar os fatores associados. Amostras de soro de 155 cães foram testadas, sendo 16,1% dos animais sororreagentes pelo menos a um dos antígenos testados. Houve associação entre a sororreatividade dos cães e o acesso à mata; falta de assistência médico-veterinária; falta de medidas contra carrapatos; e renda familiar do responsável de até dois salários mínimos. Cães com este perfil apresentaram maior chance de serem expostos aos agentes do GFM. De acordo com o modelo de regressão logística, não frequentar áreas de mata foi considerado um fator de proteção para o cão, juntamente com possuir acompanhamento médico-veterinário e receber medidas contra carrapatos. Concluiu-se que patógenos do GFM circulam no entorno das UC estudadas, sendo possível que R. rickettsii e R. parkeri infectem cães, uma vez que os animais demonstraram exposição aos dois agentes. Ressalta-se a participação do veterinário e a adoção de medidas de combate a carrapatos como ferramentas na prevenção da infecção rickettsial.

ABSTRACT: Diseases caused by Rickettsiae have wide distribution and are associated with arthropods. Rickettsia rickettsii is the most pathogenic species of the Spotted Fever Group (SFG) and responsible for the Brazilian Spotted Fever. In the southeast the disease is endemic and serological surveys have demonstrated the presence of antibodies to SFG antigens in dogs, reinforcing the participation of the dog as sentinels. The main vectors are Amblyomma ticks, for which hosts are often wildlife animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of SFG Rickettsiae in the surroundings of Conservation Units (UC) at the state of Rio de Janeiro by Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay in dogs, and determine associated factors. Serum samples of 155 dogs were tested, with 16.1% of the seropositive animals at least to one of the antigens tested. There was an association between seroreactivity dogs and access to rainforest fragments; lack of veterinary care assistance; lack of actions against ticks; and family income up to two minimum salaries. Dogs with this profile had a higher chance of being exposed to SFG Rickettsiae. According to logistic regression, not going to rainforest areas was considered a protective factor for the dog along with the existence of veterinary care assistance and treatment against ticks. It was concluded that the SFG pathogens are present in the surroundings of UC studied, and possibly both R. rickettsii and R. parkeri are infecting dogs, since the animals showed exposure to both agents. We emphasize the participation of the veterinary and the adoption of the tick control measures as tools in preventing rickettsial infection.

Resumo: De 2012 a 2013 foram pesquisados parasitos gastrintestinais de suínos de granjas localizadas em diferentes municípios do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Amostras fecais de 790 suínos foram coletadas da ampola retal, sendo 88 de propriedades familiares e 702 de granjas com produção industrial. As amostras foram submetidas às técnicas de Faust et al., Sheather, Ritchie, Lutz e exame direto. A prevalência estimada foi de 93,1% nas granjas familiares e 59,1% nas granjas industriais. Balantidium coli, coccídios e Entamoeba sp. foram os parasitos que apresentaram as maiores frequências, sendo as categorias machos e fêmeas reprodutoras e leitões de terminação as mais infectadas (p<0,05). Trofozoítas de B. coli foram mais evidenciados nas amostras fecais de consistências semi-sólida, seguida pelas fezes com consistências sólida e diarreica. Ovos de estrongilídeos e Trichuris suis foram detectados exclusivamente em criações familiares. Ovos de Ascaris suum e de Strongyloides ransomi apresentaram baixa frequência. O alto grau de parasitismo, principalmente de protozoários, indica a necessidade de reavaliação do manejo dos suínos em ambos os tipos de produção.

Abstract: From 2012 to 2013 were surveyed gastrointestinal parasites from pig farms located in different municpaliyies in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Fecal samples from 790 pigs were collected from the rectum on 88 family farms and 702 farms with industrial production. The samples were subjected to Faust et al., Sheather, Ritchie, Lutz and direct examination faecal techniques. The estimated parasite prevalence was 93.1% in family farms and 59.1% in industrial farms. Balantidium coli, coccidia and Entamoeba sp. were the parasites with the highest frequencies, and the male and female reproductive categories and fatteners pigs the most infected (p<0.05). Trophozoites of B. coli were most evident in stool samples from semi-solid followed by solid and diarrheal consistencies. Strongyles eggs and Trichuris suis have been detected exclusively in family farms. Ascaris suum eggs and Strongyloides ransomi showed low frequency. The high degree of parasitism, especially protozoa, indicates the need to reassess the management of pigs in both types of production.