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.

In may 2003 an epidemiologic-parasitological survey was carried out in 206 pre-school and school-children from San Vicente de Lo Arcaya School in Colina, a semi-rural county of the Santiago Province in the Metropolitan Region of Chile.The most frequent parasitic elements were: Blastocystis hominis - in men and women respectively - 38.8% and 44.4%, Giardia intestinalis with 9.5% and 16.2% and Enterobius vermicularis with 12.9% and 10.0%. It is notewortly that the infected children were asymptomatic Cryptosporidium parvum was not observed and an ELISA test for Strongyloides stercoralis infections was positive in one children.This study confirms that intestinal parasitic infections in children remain with a high prevalence in Chile.

En mayo de 2003 se efectuó una encuesta epidemio-parasitológica en pre-escolares y escolares de la Escuela San Vicente de Lo Arcaya de Colina, comuna semirural de la Provincia de Santiago ubicada en la Región Metropolitana de Chile. Hay que destacar que los niños estudiados eran asintomáticos. Los elementos parasitarios más frecuentemente encontrados fueron: Blastocystis hominis - en hombre y mujeres respectivamente - 38,8% y 44,4%, Giardia intestinalis con 9,5% y 16,2% y Enterobius vermicularis con 12,9% y 10,0%. Cryptosporidium parvum no fue encontrado y ELISA para Strongyloides stercoralis resultó positiva en un niño.

Latrodectism, produced by the bite of Latrodectus spiders, is worldwide distributed, occurs in hot seasons, and affects mostly men when carrying out agricultural activities. The main symptoms are muscular pain and tremors, profuse perspiration, increased lacrimal, nasal and salival secretions, and hypertension. Symptoms last one week. Neostigmine is a very efficient drug in the treatment of this condition. Loxoscelism, caused by the bite of Loxosceles spiders, is worldwide distributed, affects individuals of all ages. It may present two clinical forms: cutaneous loxoscelism (CL) and viscerocutaneous loxoscelism (VCL). Both forms have been registered in all seasons, with a higher incidence in hot periods, and in bedrooms, when the person is sleeping or dressing. The cutaneous surface of limbs and face are most frequently affected. Local clinical manifestations are pain, edema and livedoid plaque, most of which evolve into a necrotic scar in CL, whereas hematuria, hemoglobinuria, jaundice, fever and sensorial involvement characterize VCL. If visceral involvement does not appear within 24 hours, it is probable that the diagnosis corresponds to CL, with a good prognosis. If a VCL patient survives 48 hours, the possibilities of recovery are high. The patients are successfully treated with parenteral antihistamines or corticosteroids in CL and corticosteroids in VCL (Rev Méd Chile 2003; 131: 437-44).

Background: Malaria was restricted to the I Region of Chile, being Anopheles pseudopunctipennis the only vector species. In 1936 the parasitosis affected more than 50% of the population and 62.4% of military recruits, proceeding from Southern regions became infected. From 1937 to 1947, an antimalaria campaign was carried out, stressing actions on the battle against the vector and the treatment of malaria infected individuals. Since April 1945 no autochthonous cases of malaria have been detected. Aim: To update the situation of malaria in Chile. Methods: 1) Imported malaria: Analysis of occasional publications on the subject (1945-1988) and the annual reports of the Ministry of Health Department of Epidemiology (1990-2001). Annual reports on the Anopheles specimens collected -mostly larvae- in the provinces of Arica and Iquique and examined in the Parasitology Unit of the School of Medicine, University of Chile, during the period 1980-2001. Results: 1) Imported malaria. A total of 24 cases were published in the period 1945-1988. In the 1980-2001 period, the Ministry of Health recorded 66 cases with 5 (8.8%) deaths. 2) Anophelines: Only in 1984, 1985, 1998 and 2001 A. pseudopunctipennis foci were detected. Entomological surveillance was stressed and insecticides were applied on these focuses. Conclusions: Autochthonous malaria does not exist in Chile since 1945. The detection of malaria cases in countries where the parasitosis was eradicated, can be the result of tourism or migrations. In Chile, the Environmental Programs of Arica and Iquique perform periodical surveys in localities where mosquitoes exist. When A. pseudopunctipennis is found, the entomological vigilance is stressed and insecticide applications are reiterated until the situation is controlled (Rev Méd Chile 2002; 130: 1170-6)

Background: Human and animal trichinosis has been recorded in Chile since the late XIX century and is irregularly distributed along the country. From high rates of infection in the early 1900, the frequency of this parasitosis in man has progressively decreased. Aim: To describe and discuss the epidemiological situation of trichinosis in Chile during the decade 1991 - 2000. Material and methods: Human infection was assessed using annual incidence and lethality reports provided by the Ministry of Health, periodic photostrichinoscopies in corpses of non selected individuals autopsied at the Medico Legal Service and periodic national serologic surveys. The advise of one of the authors in an epidemic that occurred in 1999 in the VIII Region was also used. Animal infection was assessed using the annual prevalence of infection in pigs slaughtered in abattoirs, furnished by the Ministry of Health. Results: A total of 631 clinical cases with 4 deaths (0.6%) was recorded. A decline in the incidence, from 0.7 x 100,000 in 1991 to 0.2 x 100,000 in 2000 was recorded. The higher frequency of the parasitosis was observed in the Metropolitan, VI, VIII and X regions. Although human trichinosis has been observed in all seasons, its frequency increases in close relation with the higher pork consumption in cold seasons (45.8% in winter and 37.5% in spring). There has been a decrease of infection rates in pigs from 0.17%o in 1991 to 0.04%o in 1998 - 2000. Conclusions: The incidence and prevalence of trichinosis shows a constant decline in Chile. Considering the geographical characteristics of Chile, it is possible that an undetermined number of pigs are home reared and butchered without veterinary control, constituting an important source of human trichinosis (Rev Méd Chile 2002; 130: 281-5

Congenital Chagas disease (CChD) has been reported in different countries, mostly in Latin America. In 1987 a fatal case of CChD of second generation (CChDSG) was published. Within a period of six months - 1989-1990 - two cases of CChDSG were diagnosed and studied in the city of Santiago. Two premature newborns, sons of two sisters, with moderate liver and spleen enlargement, were found to have positive serology for Chagas disease and xenodiagnoses. The mothers, urban residents all their lives, without antecedents of triatomine bugs contact or blood transfusions, showed positive serology and xenodiagnoses. Their mother (grandmother of the infants), lived 20 years in a Northern rural Chagas disease endemic locality, in a triatomine infested house. Afterwards, she moved to Santiago, where she married and has resided up to now. Serology and xenodiagnoses were also positive. All the Trypanosoma cruzi infected individuals were successfully treated with nifurtimox.

La enfermedad de Chagas congénita ha sido reportada en diferentes países, en su gran mayoría de Latinoamérica. En 1987 un caso fatal de enfermedad de Chagas congénita de segunda generación fue publicado. En 1989-1990 dos casos de enfermedad de Chagas congénita de segunda generación fueron diagnosticados y estudiados en la ciudad de Santiago. Dos recién nacidos prematuros, hijos de dos hermanas, con moderado aumento del hígado y del bazo, presentaron serología para enfermedad de Chagas y xenodiagnósticos positivos. Las madres, residentes urbanas toda su vida, sin antecedentes de contacto con triatominos ni transfusiones de sangre presentaron serología y xenodiagnósticos positivos. La madre de ellas (abuela de los niños) nació y vivió 20 años en una localidad rural de endemia chagásica, en una casa infestada con triatominos. Posteriormente, se trasladó a vivir a Santiago, donde se casó y ha residido hasta el presente; su serología y xenodiagnóstico fueron positivos. Todas las personas infectadas con Trypanosoma cruzi fueron tratadas exitosamente con nifurtimox.

Myasis is the parasitism of organs and tissues of warm-blooded vertebrates by flies larvae. D hominis is a flie geographically restricted to tropical America from Mexico to northern Argentina. The adult flie, which is not hematophagous, needs to put its eggs on the abdominal surface of hematophagous arthropods which serve as carriers of future larvae which are deposited on the skin of the hosts (mammals, birds and accidentally men) when biting. Seven patients (two females) aged 7 to 35 years old, of different nationalities, recalled receiving mosquito bites, after staying in tropical American areas in the previous forty days. They presented furuncle-like lesions in exposed surfaces of the body. These lesions, 2-3 cm long, pruritic and mildly tender, broke and released a serous or serohematic fluid. Through the resulting opening, it was possible to partially observe the larva. Larvae were extracted by manual pressure (4) or surgical incision (3) and identified as D hominis larvae. Diagnosis of dermatobiasis, an imported myasis, must be based on the characteristics of lesions and the previous residence in endemic areas of America (Rev Méd Chile 2001; 129: 786-8)

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.

In order to stablish the current prevalence by eggs of Toxocara canis, 110 squares of five zones of the Metropolitan Region of Santiago city were examined by a flotation in saturated zinc solution modified method. Samples were taken from different kinds of soil in the four seasons of the year and they were preserved under anaerobic conditions over 2 years. 18,2% of samples resulted positive to Toxocara canis eggs and 26.4% were positive to nematodes larvae. No viable eggs were found. Western zone is the most contaminated of the city and autumn is the season in which we obtained higher recovery of eggs. Silty clay sample soil seems to be better than sandy soils on maintenance of studied eggs.

An indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) and an ELISA test for trichinosis using as antigen a larvae soluble fraction from Trichinella spiralis was carried out for the detection of IgG, IgM and IgA specific antibodies in 113 serum samples from patients confirmed or suspected to have trichinosis by strong clinical and epidemiological evidences (Group I). The same tests were also performed on 110 serum samples corresponding to patients without strong evidences of having trichinosis (Group II). In Group I the corresponding sensitivities for RHAI, ELISA IgG, ELISA IgM, ELISA IgA were: 82.3-85.8-88.5 and 88.5% respectively. Seventeen patients were tested again a week after the first analysis (10 of them corresponded to negative ones), increasing the positivity: 23.5-100.0;35.3-100.0;41.2-100.0 and 41.2-100.0% for RHAI, ELISA IgG, ELISA IgM and ELISA IgA, respectively. Other two patients were followed-up for 5 years. IHAT and ELISA IgG remained positive, whereas ELISA IgM and ELISA IgA were constantly negative betweeen 17 and 32 months in one case, and between 48 and 60 months in the other (this last one had presented a severe clinic disease). In the group II, four patients were positive with IHAT, however only one for ELISA IgA, the latter also presented ELISA IgM near the cut off. The use of ELISA IgG, ELSIA IgM and ELISA IgA in the immunodiagnosis of trichinosis is discussed.

Loxoscelism is the toxic picture produced by the venom of spiders of genus Loxosceles, in Chile L. laeta. It may presents in two clinical forms, cutaneous loxoscelism (CL) and viserocutaneous loxoscelism (VCL). The objective of this paper is to present and analyze the clinico-epidemiological aspects of 56 paedriatric cases, 38CL and 18 VCL treated in the Metropolitan Region. The highest incidence of both forms was in spring-summer, and in bedrooms when the child was sleeping or dressing. The skin of the limbs and face were most frequently affected with a burning stinging sensation as the initial symptom. Local clinical manifestations were, pain, oedema and a livedoid plaque most of which evolved into a necrotic scar, in VCL, hematuria, hemoglobinuria, jaundice, fever and sensorial involvement, with a mortality of 22.2%. The occurence of VCL had no relationship with the size of the bite, size of the local lesion or season. If visceral involvement does not appear within the first 24 hours it is most probably that the diagnosis is CL, with a good prognosis. If a patient with VCL survives 48 hours the possibilities of recovery are high. Patients were parenterally treated with antihistamines or steroids in CL and steroids in VCL. Conclusion: In this serie there was a female predominance, without seasonal differences or differences in age. The majority of cases occurred at home, affecting prinicipally the extremieties. VCL was more frequent in girls, heamaturia and hemoglobinuria the most frequent manifestations. Early diagnosis and treatment are fundamental for the prognosis

Loxoscelismo es el cuadro tóxico producido por veneno que arañas del género Loxosceles L. laeta, en Chile, inyectan en el momento de la mordedura. Puede presentarse en dos formas clínicas: loxoscelismo cutáneo (LC) y loxoscelismo cutáneo-visceral (LCV). El objetivo del presente trabajo es exponer y analizar los aspectos clínico-epidemiológicos de 56 casos pediátricos -38 LC y 18 LCV- atendidos en la Región Metropolitana. En los últimos 45 años se ha encontrado una mayor incidencia de ambas formas en primavera-verano, en dormitorios cuando el niño dormía o se estaba vistiendo, siendo las áreas cutáneas más frecuentemente afectadas las extremidades y cara, con sensación de lancetazo urente como síntoma inicial. Manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes: dolor, edema y placa livedoide que derivó a escara necrótica. Manifestaciones clínicas del LCV fueron hematuria, hemoglobinuria, ictericia, fiebre y compromiso de conciencia; letalidad 22,2%. El LCV no tuvo relación con el sitio de mordedura, extensión de la lesión local ni época del año. Si el compromiso vísceral no aparece en las primeras 24 h es muy probable que se trate de un LC cuyo pronóstico es bueno. Si el paciente con LCV ha sobrepasado las 48 h, sus posibilidades de recuperación son altas. El tratamiento fue parenteral: antihistamínicos o corticoides en LC y corticoides en LCV. Conclusiones: En esta serie se observa una predominancia en el sexo femenino, sin diferencias estacionales ni de edad. En su gran mayoría los casos se originaron en el domicilio, afectando en especial las extremidades. El LCV fue más frecuente en mujeres, y sus principales manifestaciones fueron la hematuria y hemoglobinuria, y la precocidad del diagnóstico y su manejo son factores fundamentales en el pronóstico