Resumen Introducción: La anisakidosis es una enfermedad zoonótica causada por el consumo de pescado o crustáceos crudos o poco cocinados parasitados por las larvas de nematodos de la familia Anisakidae. En este estudio, se identificó la presencia de larvas de anisakidos en especies de peces de consumo de la costa del Pacífico en Ecuador y Colombia. Métodos: Obtuvimos 438 muestras agrupadas en veinte especies de peces capturados en los puertos pesqueros de Manta, Santa Rosa, Buenaventura y Tumaco. La identificación morfológica de las larvas se realizó por taxonomía y se calculó el porcentaje de infección. Para la identificación de las especies, se llevó a cabo una PCR múltiplex. Resultados: La revisión taxonómica identificó ocho especies de peces como huéspedes de los géneros Anisakis y Pseudoterranova. Las larvas se aislaron principalmente del intestino con un porcentaje de infección entre 18 y 100%. El porcentaje de infección e identificación de anisakidos en estos peces ayudará a prevenir y controlar la anisakiasis como una posible enfermedad emergente en esta área del Pacífico. Con la PCR múltiplex, se identifico A. pegreffii, A. physeteris y P. decipiens. Conclusión: La identificación de estas especies se informa por primera vez en esta área geográfica, proporcionando la base para futuras investigaciones sobre la familia Anisakidae.

Abstract Introduction: Anisakidosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the consumption of raw or undercooked fish or crustaceans parasitized by nematode larvae of the Anisakidae family. In this study, the presence of anisakid larvae was identified in fish species of consumer of the Pacific coast in Ecuador and Colombia. Methods: We obtained 438 samples grouped into twenty species of fish caught in the fishing ports of Manta, Santa Rosa, Buenaventura and Tumaco. The morphological identification of the larvae was made by taxonomy and the percentage of infection, were calculated. For the identification of species, a multiplex PCR was carried. Results: The taxonomic review identified eight species of fish as hosts of the genders Anisakis and Pseudoterranova. The larvae were isolated mainly from the intestine with a percentage of infection between 18 and 100%. The percentage of infection and identification of anisakids in these fish will aid in the prevention and control of anisakiasis as a possible emerging disease for this area of the Pacific. With the multiplex PCR, A. pegreffii, A. physeteris, and P. decipiens were identified. Conclusion: The identification of these species is reported for the first time in this geographical area, providing the basis for future research into the Anisakidae family.

Resumen Objetivos: Los nematodos de la familia Anisakidae son parásitos de organismos acuáticos. La falta de estudios en anisakidosis y anisakidos en Colombia ha resultado en el desconocimiento de esta infección por parte del personal de salud y un posible subregistro de la enfermedad. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar nematodos anisakidos en el pez róbalo (Centropomus armatus), obtenido por pesca artesanal y comercializado en la localidad de Buenaventura. Materiales y métodos: La identificación morfológica se realizó usando claves taxonómicas para estos gusanos complementada con estudio microscópico mediante técnica histoquímica de Hematoxilina-Eosina. Resultados: Se encontraron nemátodos del género Anisakis en 42% y una abundancia promedio de 2.8 en el hospedero C. armatus. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos confirman la presencia de Anisakis sp. en peces de consumo humano de Buenaventura, principal puerto pesquero en la región Pacífica colombiana, lo cual abre el camino en la investigación de una posible enfermedad emergente en este país.

Abstract Objective: Nematodes of the Anisakidae family are parasites found in aquatic organisms. The lack of studies on anisakidosis and Anisakis in Colombia has meant this type of parasitosis is not widely known by health personnel and underreporting of the disease is highly likely. The objective of this study was to identify anisakid nematodes in the armed snook fish (Centropomus armatus) obtained by artisanal fishing and sold commercially in the coastal port city of Buenaventura. Material and methods: Morphological identification of these worms was performed using taxonomic keys and supplemented with microscopic study using the histochemical Hematoxylin-Eosin technique. Results: Nematodes of the genus Anisakis were found in 42% and the mean abundance was 2.8 in the C. armatus. Conclusions: The findings confirm the presence of Anisakis sp. in fish for human consumption in Buenaventura, the main fishing port in the Colombian Pacific region. This finding in itself warrants further investigation into the possibility of an emerging disease in Colombia.

Introduction: To date, there has been no definitive confirmation of the presence of zoonotic dirofilariasis in dogs in Chile. Objectives: To study the presence of dirofilarias in blood samples from dogs collected in a semi-rural district near Santiago and to compare their frequency in dogs with and without dermatological manifestations. Methods: We examined 100 blood samples for dog filariae infections using microscopic methods (modified Knott technique). 50 dogs presented dermatological symptoms or signs compatible with filarial infections and 50 were asymptomatic. ITS-2 and 12s rDNA gene amplification by PCR and sequencing were performed in samples microscopically positive for microfilariae. Results. We observed microfilariae in 22 dogs (22%). Of these, 16/50 (32%) were symptomatic and 6/50 (12%) were asymptomatic (p = 0.02). Morphologically, the majority of micro-filariae were similar to Dirofilaria repens, although many had a bigger size than previously described. Nucleotide sequencing of the amplified genes showed no more than 95% homology with the D. repens sequences available for comparison. D. reconditum and D. dracunculoides infections were also identified. Conclusions: These features might indicate the presence of new species of Dirofilaria or a D. repens close related variant in Chile.

Introducción: A la fecha no hay datos concluyentes en Chile respecto a la presencia de dirofilariasis zoonótica en perros. Objetivos: Identificar la presencia de dirofilarias en sangre de perros de una comuna semi-rural cercana a Santiago y comparar su frecuencia en animales con y sin manifestaciones dermatológicas. Materialy Métodos. Se examinó un frotis sanguíneo de 100 perros en busca de microfilarias mediante observación microscópica (técnica de Knott modificada). Cincuenta perros presentaban síntomas o signos dermatológicos que se han asociado a esta parasitosis y 50 eran asintomáticos. Se amplificaron los genes ITS-2 y 12s ADNr de filarías en las muestras con microfilarias al frotis, secuenciando los fragmentos amplificados. Resultados: Se observaron microfilarias en 22 perros (22%), 16/50 (32%) sintomáticos y 6/50 (12%) asintomáticos (p = 0,02). Morfológicamente, la mayoría de las microfilarias observadas fueron similares a D. repens; sin embargo, una gran proporción mostró un tamaño mayor al descrito para esta especie. Las secuencias nucleotídicas de los genes amplificados mostraron una homología no mayor al 95% con las secuencias de D. repens disponibles para comparación. Se identificaron además dos especies poco patógenas, D. reconditum por morfología y secuenciación genética y D. dracunculoides por morfología. Conclusiones: Los resultados indican la existencia de una nueva especie de Dirofilaria cercanamente relacionada a D. repens o de una variante de esta especie.

Background: After the interruption of the transmission of Chagas disease via vector insects in Chile, there is little available epidemiological information about this parasitosis in blood banks. Aim To update the rates of T cruzi positive blood donors. To measure parasitological and epidemiological parameters in blood donors with anti T cruzi antibodies. Material and Methods: An ELISA-T cruzi test was carried out in 30,309 blood donors between 2000 and 2004. In 75 blood donors with an ELISA-T cruzi positive test and 79 donors with negative ELISA (controls), a survey about personal or parental history of biting by a kissing bug (Triatomine), was performed. A blood sample was also obtained to perform Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for T cruzi and a xenodiagnostic test. Results: Annual frequency of positive ELISA for T cruzi serum antibodies in blood donors varied from 0.31% to 0.45%. Twenty eight percent of subjects with positive and 6% of subjects with negative specific antibodies answered the survey about biting. PCR and xenodiagnostic test were positive in 52 (69%) and 16 (21%) of positive ELISA-T cruzi test blood donors, respectively. Xenodiagnostic was also positive in 5 individuals who had a negative PCR. Conclusions: Seroprevalence of T cruzi antibodies decreased from 3% in 1968 to 0.3% in 2004

Entre os anos de 2001-2003 foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 675 pacientes de dois hospitais psiquiátricos da região central do Chile, 172 de indivíduos sadios (médicos, enfermeiros e paramédicos) destas instituições e 1200 de doadores de sangue de cidades das regiões norte (Arica e Antofagasta), central (Valparaiso e Santiago) e sul (La Union) para determinar a frequência de anticorpos anti Strongyloides stercoralis mediante a reação de enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Foram observadas soropositividade de 12.1% em pacientes de hospitais psiquiátricos e de 0,25% em doadores de sangue (p < 0.05). Todas as amostras dos indivíduos sadios foram não reagentes. Entre os doadores de sangue a soropositividade ocorreu somente nos indivíduos de Arica (1,0%) e La Union (0,5%) sugerindo que a estrongiloidíase poderia estar localizada em determinadas áreas geográficas do país. Conclui-se que no Chile as infecções por S. stercoralis seriam endêmicas, de baixa freqüência e afetando especialmente grupos de risco como os pacientes psiquiátricos.

To determine the frequency of Strongyloides stercoralis antibodies by means of the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in Chile, in 2001-2003, 675 blood samples of patients of two psychiatric hospitals and 172 of healthy individuals (doctors, nurses and paramedicals) of these institutions, and 1,200 serum samples of blood donors of Northern region (Arica and Antofagasta), Central region (Valparaiso and Santiago) and Southern region (La Union) were collected. ELISA showed positivity of 12.1% in psychiatric hospitalized patients, none (0%) in the health personnel and 0.25% in blood donors (p < 0.05). Only in blood donors of Arica (1%) and La Union (0.5%) the ELISA test was positive suggesting that strongyloidiasis is focalized in determinate zones of the country. In Chile, human infections by S. stercoralis are endemic with very low frequency in apparently healthy individuals and high prevalence in risk groups such as the mentally ill hospitalized patients.

The first South American case of human trichinosis, resulting from the consumption of roast wild boar (Sus scrofa) is reported in Chile. The patient presented fever, diarrhea, myalgias, facial edema, sub-conjunctival reddening, photophobia, eosinophilia, and elevated glutamic oxalacetic transaminase. The diagnosis was confirmed by two immunoenzymatic tests (ELISA) using somatic and excretion-secretion antigens.

Entre novembro de 2001 e dezembro de 2002, 600 amostras de fezes de cão foram coletadas nas principais praças e parques públicos de 13 cidades do Chile, localizadas nas regiões norte ao estremo sul da nação. No laboratório, as amostras foram processadas mediante os métodos de sedimentação por centrifugação e de Harada-Mori. Ovos de Toxocara canis foram encontrados em 12 cidades em freqüências que variaram entre 1,9 a 12,5% por cidade, com média de 5,2%. Sete por cento das amostras apresentaram ovos e 9,5% larvas rabditóides ou filarióides de Ancylostomatidae. Strongyloides stercoralis não foi encontrado nas amostras estudadas. Praças e parques públicos do Chile apresentam riscos potenciais para aquisição de larva migrans visceral, ocular ou cutânea.

Between November 2001 and December 2002, 600 dog fecal samples were collected in main squares and public parks of 13 cities in Chile, from the extreme north to the extreme south of the country. The samples were processed in the laboratory by centrifugal sedimentation and the Harada-Mori methods. T. canis eggs were found in 12 cities. Detection rates ranged from 1.9 to 12.5% with an average of 5.2%. Seven percent of the samples had eggs and 9.5% had rhabditoid and/or filariform larvae of Ancylostomatidae. Strongyloides stercoralis were not found. Squares and public parks in Chile pose a potential risk of exposure to visceral, ocular, and/or cutaneous larva migrans syndromes.

Entre novembro de 2001 e dezembro de 2002, 600 amostras de fezes de cão foram coletadas nas principais praças e parques públicos de 13 cidades do Chile, localizadas nas regiões norte ao estremo sul da nação. No laboratório, as amostras foram processadas mediante os métodos de sedimentação por centrifugação e de Harada-Mori. Ovos de Toxocara canis foram encontrados em 12 cidades em freqüências que variaram entre 1,9 a 12,5% por cidade, com média de 5,2%. Sete por cento das amostras apresentaram ovos e 9,5% larvas rabditóides ou filarióides de Ancylostomatidae. Strongyloides stercoralis não foi encontrado nas amostras estudadas. Praças e parques públicos do Chile apresentam riscos potenciais para aquisição de larva migrans visceral, ocular ou cutânea.

Between November 2001 and December 2002, 600 dog fecal samples were collected in main squares and public parks of 13 cities in Chile, from the extreme north to the extreme south of the country. The samples were processed in the laboratory by centrifugal sedimentation and the Harada-Mori methods. T. canis eggs were found in 12 cities. Detection rates ranged from 1.9 to 12.5% with an average of 5.2%. Seven percent of the samples had eggs and 9.5% had rhabditoid and/or filariform larvae of Ancylostomatidae. Strongyloides stercoralis were not found. Squares and public parks in Chile pose a potential risk of exposure to visceral, ocular, and/or cutaneous larva migrans syndromes.

From 1997 to 1999, we identified seven human cases of infection by fourth stage larvae of Pseudoterranova decipiens in Chile. All identified larvae were coughed up by the patients. Subjects were 10-55 years old; five were female. Some patients complained of coughing, expectoration, pharyngeal pain, nausea or anal and nasal pruritus. Larvae of three patients were coughed up from 36 h to 7 days after having eaten raw (cebiche or sushi) or lightly fried fish. P. decipiens has a marine life cycle. Infective third stage larva develop to adult stage in pinniped mammals. The nematode eggs are voided with the host faeces and develop and hatch releasing third stage larvae. Some crustaceans and fish act as hosts of third stage larvae. Man is an accidental host for third or fourth stage larvae.

In an attempt to amplify the perspective of allusions made to entomological and parasitological situations in the 20th century Latin American narrative, a total of 25 books written by Jorge Amado (1912-2001), Miguel Angel Asturias (1899-1974), Albert Camus (1913-1960), Camilo José Cela (1916), Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616), Julio Cortazar (1914-1984), Fedor Dostoievski (1821-1881), Jorge Edwards (1931), William Faulkner (1897-1962), Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880), Gabriel Garcia Marquez (1928), Herman Hesse (1877-1962), Victor Hugo (1802-1885), Franz Kafka (1883-1924), Patricio Manns (1937), Benito Perez Galdos (1843-1920), Luigi Pirandello (1867-1936), Marcel Proust (1871-1922), Francisco de Quevedo (1580-1645), Ernesto Sabato (1911), Jose Saramago (1922), Alexander Soljenitsin (1918) and Leon Tolstoy (1828-1910) has been reviewed. We have selectively extracted paragraphs and fragments from them, in which in a direct or metaphoric form varied entomological or parasitological situations are quoted, by thematic affinity, in an ordered presentation.

A limited epidemiological information on Strongyloides stercoralis infection excists in Chile. In 1983 a mentally retarded 53-year-old man died by disseminated strongyloidiosis associated with malabsortion syndrome, this case constitutes the first histopathological confirmation of the parasitose in Chile. Later on, cases have been described in hospitalized patients in mental institutions from the central part of the country, where the frequency of infection registered in studies carried out in the Psyquiatric Hospital of Putaendo in 1985 and 1987-1989 were 11.6% and 7.0%. In 1992 an outbreak of strongyloidiasis that affected 13 out of 55 children in a nutritional recuperation center in the north extreme of Chile was reported. In 2000 four cases were detected in a group of 20 hospitalized mental affected patients with elevated eosinophilia. Sensitive methods for detecting larvae in stool samples and seroepidemiological surveys would permit determine the importance of this human heminthic infection in Chile.

Most of cases of visceral larva migrans syndrome are caused by Toxocara canis larvae. Man acquires the infection by accidental ingestion of ripe eggs of the helminth. In order to find out the frequency of the presence of Toxocara sp. eggs in dog fecal specimens from public places of Santiago city in 1999 july-september a study was carried out in 84 squares and 12 parks from 32 counties. Three fecal samples were collected in each of these places, making a total of 288. Each sample was processed according to a modified Telemann method and three smears of each were microcopically examined. Toxocara sp. eggs were found in 39 (13.5%) fecal specimens. In 28/84 (33.3%) squares and in 8/12 (66.7%) parks these eggs were detected. These results make necessary the control of dogs and cats populations with the aim of reduce the presence of animals without responsible owners. It should be advisable to prevent dogs and cats defecation in public areas grounds, trying to exclude these animals from recreation areas.

Um anisakidio, identificado como larva do quarto estágio de Pseudoterranova decipiens, foi isolado por gastroendoscopia do estômago de uma pessoa de 45 anos de idade, residente no Sul do Chile. Relata-se que o paciente apresentou dor epigástrica aguda e sensação de estômago vazio, tendo ingerido peixe defumado. O nematode foi fixado em etanol 70% e diafanizado com lactofenol para estudo morfológico.

Only three cases of human infection by anisakid nematodes have been reported in Chile since 1976. In the present case, an anisakid worm, identified as a fourth-stage Pseudoterranova decipiens larva, was removed with a gastroendoscopic biopsy clipper from the stomach of a 45 year-old man from southern Chile. The patient, who presented acute epigastric pain and a continuous sensation of having an empty stomach, reported having eaten smoked fish. The worm was fixed in 70% ethanol and cleaned in lactophenol for morphological study. The morphometric characteristics of the worm are described and drawn. Anisakid larvae in fish flesh can be killed by freezing or cooking.

Un gusano anisákido identificado como larva del cuarto estadio de Pseudoterranova decipiens fue aislado mediante gastroendoscopio en el estómago de una persona de 45 años, residente en el sur de Chile. Se relató que el paciente presentó dolor epigástrico agudo y sensación de estómago vacío, siendo consumidor de pescado ahumado. El gusano fue fijado en etanol de 70% y diafanizado en lactofenol para su estudio morfológico.

Um anisakidio, identificado como larva do quarto estágio de Pseudoterranova decipiens, foi isolado por gastroendoscopia do estômago de uma pessoa de 45 anos de idade, residente no Sul do Chile. Relata-se que o paciente apresentou dor epigástrica aguda e sensação de estômago vazio, tendo ingerido peixe defumado. O nematode foi fixado em etanol 70% e diafanizado com lactofenol para estudo morfológico.

Only three cases of human infection by anisakid nematodes have been reported in Chile since 1976. In the present case, an anisakid worm, identified as a fourth-stage Pseudoterranova decipiens larva, was removed with a gastroendoscopic biopsy clipper from the stomach of a 45 year-old man from southern Chile. The patient, who presented acute epigastric pain and a continuous sensation of having an empty stomach, reported having eaten smoked fish. The worm was fixed in 70% ethanol and cleaned in lactophenol for morphological study. The morphometric characteristics of the worm are described and drawn. Anisakid larvae in fish flesh can be killed by freezing or cooking.

Un gusano anisákido identificado como larva del cuarto estadio de Pseudoterranova decipiens fue aislado mediante gastroendoscopio en el estómago de una persona de 45 años, residente en el sur de Chile. Se relató que el paciente presentó dolor epigástrico agudo y sensación de estómago vacío, siendo consumidor de pescado ahumado. El gusano fue fijado en etanol de 70% y diafanizado en lactofenol para su estudio morfológico.