Se evaluó la presencia de infecciones maláricas en individuos asintomáticos en la población Jivi de Puente Parhueña. El estudio fue de tipo prospectivo en tres momentos. El diagnóstico parasitológico se realizó mediante el examen convencional de gota gruesa y extendido (GGE) y la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR). El diagnóstico por microscopia indicó 2% (5/261) de láminas positivas en Abril, 1% (3/274) en Septiembre y 4% (5/135) en Diciembre. La PCR para Plasmodium spp., fue 46% (26/57) en abril, 49% (28/57) en Septiembre y 35% (20/57) en Diciembre. En los tres momentos predominó la presencia de P. vivax. La prueba de ELISA demostró 72% (41/57) seroreactivos en Abril, 53% (30/57) en Septiembre y 60% (34/57) en Diciembre. En Puente Parhueña habitan individuos con infecciones maláricas asintomáticos, con persistencia de anticuerpos antimalaricos, que probablemente representan un reservorio de gametocitos dentro de la comunidad.

The study was carried out to determine the present malaria infection in the asymptomatic Jivi people of Puente Parhueña. The study was prospective over three periods of time. The parasitological diagnoses were from thick and thin blood smears (GGE) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The antibody search was performed by ELISA. Microscopy of the slides detected the following positive results: 2% (2/261) April, 1% (3/274) September and 4% (5/135) December. Detection of Plasmodium by PCR was 46% (26/57) in April, 49% (28/57) in September y 35% (20/57) in December. Plasmodium vivax infected individuals predominated during these 3 times. Positives for ELISA were 72% (41/57) in April, 53% (30/57) September and 60% (34/57) December. The study demonstrated that people living in Puente Parhueña presented asymptomatic malaria infection with malaria antibodies persistence which likely represents a gametocyte potential reservoir for infection among the population.

Fasciolíase é uma doença emergente/re-emergente transmitida por vetores com a distribuição sabidamente mais ampla. Existem aproximadamente 17 milhões de pessoas infectadas em todo mundo, sendo a região andina a área mais afetada. Há uma necessidade importante para desenvolver ferramentas diagnósticas sensíveis e específicas para tratar cedo os pacientes e para evitar complicações. Neste trabalho avaliamos a resposta imune de seres humanos infectados comparando a duas preparações antigênicas: o extrato solúvel total (FhTSE) e o vômito (FhAWV) do verme adulto a fim de identificar as frações antigênicas específicas para Fasciola hepatica. Ambas as preparações foram processadas por SDS-PAGE e Western blot com os soros humanos de portadores de fasciolíase (F), outras parasitoses e indivíduos saudáveis. No immunoblot de FhTSE, os soros F reconheceram 16 faixas com PM entre 8 e 110 kDa, das quais as de 8, 9, 10, 38, 45 e 57 kDa foram específicas. Na preparação de FhAWV, os soros F reconheceram 9 faixas com PM entre 8 e 85 kDa, das quais as de 8, 12, 15 e 24 kDa foram específicas. Algumas faixas com reação cruzada foram evidentes com os soros dos pacientes com outras parasitoses, mais freqüentes com o FhTSE. As faixas dentro do PM mencionado, particularmente aquela de 8 kDa, mostraram ser específicas por outros autores, e merecem a caracterização adicional para seu uso potencial no diagnóstico imunológico.

Fascioliasis is an emerging/re-emerging vector-borne disease with the widest known distribution. Approximately 17 million people are infected around the world, being the Andean region the most affected area. There is an important necessity to develop sensitive and specific diagnostic tools to treat patients early and to avoid complications. In this paper we evaluated the immune response of infected humans against two antigenic preparations: the total soluble extract (FhTSE) and the adult worm vomit (FhAWV) in order to identify antigenic fractions specific for Fasciola hepatica. Both preparations were processed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot with human sera with fascioliasis (F), other parasitosis and healthy individuals. In the immunoblot of FhTSE, sera F recognised 16 bands with MW between eight and 110 kDa, from which those of 8, 9, 10, 38, 45 and 57 kDa were specific. In the preparation FhAWV, sera F recognised nine bands with MW from eight to 85 kDa, from which those of 8, 12, 15 and 24 kDa were specific. Some bands of cross-reaction were evident with sera from patients with other parasitoses, more frequent with the FhTSE. Bands within the MW mentioned, particularly that of eight kDa, have been shown to be specific by others, and deserve additional characterisation for their potential use in immunodiagnosis.

Se estudiaron los parámetros farmacocinéticos del antimoniato de meglumina Glucantime® después de su administración solo y en combinación con gentamicina, a objeto de determinar el efecto del aminoglucósido sobre las concentraciones plasmáticas y los parámetros farmacocinéticos del metal. Se inyectaron cuatro perros con una dosis única/día de Glucantime® (25.65 mgkg-1) durante 5 días y Glucantime® + gentamicine (25.65 mg kg-1 y 5 mg kg-1, respectivamente). Se colectaron muestras de sangre 0.25, 0.75, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, 12.0 y 24.0 horas post-tratamiento. Las determinaciones de antimonio se realizaron usando espectroscopia de absorción atómica. Los resultados demuestran que la combinación modificó la depuración del metal y disminuyó sus concentraciones plasmáticas. Solo ClB mostró una diferencia significativa (0.353 ± 0.110 a 0.733 ± 0.33 mLh-1kg-1), sugiriendo menor persistencia tisular con la administración conjunta. En el futuro debe aclararse si la gentamicina interfiere en el análisis de las concentraciones de antimonio o viceversa.

The pharmacokinetic parameters of Glucantime® was studied after alone administration and in combination with gentamicine, to determine the effect of the aminoglucoside on the plasmatic concentrations and the pharmacokinetic parameters the metal. Four injected dogs were used with unique daily dose of alone Glucantime® (25.65 mg kg-1) and Glucantime® + gentamicine (25.65 mg kg-1 and 5 mg kg-1, respectively). The blood samples were collected 0.25, 0.75, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, 12.0 and 24.0 hours post-treatment. Determination of antimony was carried out using atomic absorption spectrometer. The results demonstrated that the combination modifies the depuration of the metal and their sanguine decline resulted in plasmatic concentration minors. The pharmacokinetics parameters evaluated only ClB showed a statistically significant difference (0.353 ± 0.110 to 0.733 ± 0.33 mL h-1kg-1) suggesting minor tisular persistence of antimony when administered together with gentamicine. It is important to recognize in future if the gentamicine interferes with the analysis of the antimony concentration o viceversa.

Introducción. En Trujillo, Venezuela, la prevalencia de leishmaniasis tegumentaria americana (LTA) es de 38 por 100.000 habitantes. Objetivo. En una localidad periurbana, rural, de la ciudad capital, estudiamos a los perros caseros (Canis familiaris) para investigar mediante la técnica de xenodiagnóstico la eventual capacidad para infectar a Lutzomyia youngi, especie flebotomina con actividad vectorial intradomiciliaria comprobada y abundante en el área de estudio. Materiales y métodos. Los perros con lesiones sugestivas de LTA, parasitológicamente diagnosticados, fueron seleccionados para el xenodiagnóstico permitiendo a flebótomos silvestres de una zona libre de LTA alimentarse ad libitum sobre toda la superficie corporal de cada animal, y evidenciar, en disecciones efectuadas a los 5 días post-ingesta, la posible presencia de flagelados en sus tractos digestivos, en cuyo caso, fueron evaluados por la técnica PCR-Multiplex para determinar la identidad del parásito. Resultados. Un total de 455 flebótomos se ingurgitaron sobre dos perros en tres evaluaciones distintas; en una única ocasión, se observaron promastigotes en 4 (0,88%) insectos, cuya identificación molecular reveló pertenecían al subgénero Viannia. Conclusión. El perro casero constituye un potencial factor de riesgo intradomiciliario en el ciclo de la LTA.

Introduction. In Trujillo, Venezuela the prevalence for American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is 38 per 100.000 inhabitants. Objective. In a periurban, rural settlement of the capital city Trujillo, we studied the potential capability of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) as a source of infection for Lutzomyia youngi, a phlebotomine sand fly species abundant in the study area and whose domestic vectorial activity has been proven. Materials and methods. Dogs with dermal lesions suggestive of ATL and parasitological confirmation of infection, were selected for xenodiagnosis by allowing sylvatic phlebotomines from a ATL free area, to feed ad libitum over each animal´s entire body surface. The insects´ intestinal tracts were dissected 5 days after the blood meal in order to look for flagellate forms. When these were found, parasitological identification was performed by the multiplex-PCR technique. Results. Four hundred and fifty five sand flies engorged over two dogs in three different assays; promastigotes were found in 4 (0.88%) of the specimens on only one occasion. PCR identified DNA of the Leishmania Viannia subgenus. Conclusion. The household dog has the potential of being a domestic risk factor in the ATL transmission cycle.

On a savanna of the Sucre Municipallity, Trujillo State, Venezuela, Triatominae from fourteen palm trees Acrocomia aculeata were investigated, being found 45 + 25 Rhodnius robustus in all evolutives stages, per palm tree, conforming a decreasing pyramid from the II to V stage (32% to 2.5%, respectively), with a surprising highest rate of adults (7.3%). Natural infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in R. robustus was high and obsereved from 22.2 in II stage to 63% in the imagos, for an average of 32.9%. R. robustus eggs were count in the dry leaves of A. aculeata, being found 3.6 hatched eggs for each leaf, with an average of (150 + 60) dry leaves by palm tree. In all of the palm trees was constantly found fresh eggs, not hatched (22.5/palm), where average of imago of R. robustus was from 4.18 + 3.4 for eleven plants. In three palm trees, even with fresh eggs, we did not find adults. The relation of these findings with the importance for the biocenosis interpretation in the enzootia is discussed

En una sabana del Municipio Sucre, del estado Trujillo, Venezuela, se han investigado Tria-tominae en catorce palmeras (Acrocomia aculeata), encontrándose 45 ± 25 Rhodnius robustus por palmera, en todos los estadios, conformando una pirámide decreciente desde el II hasta V estadio (32% al 2,5% respectivamente), con un sorprendente mayor porcentaje de adultos (7,3%). La infección natural por Trypanosoma cruzi en R. robustus es alta y se observa desde 22,3 en II instar hasta 63% en los imagos, para una media de 32,9%. Se han contado los huevos de R. robustus en las hojas secas de A. aculeata, encontrándose 3,6 huevos eclosionados por hoja con una media de (150 ± 60) hojas secas por palma. En todas las palmeras han sido constantes hallar huevos frescos no eclosionados (22,5/palma) donde la media de imagos de R. robustus ha sido de 4,18 ± 3,4 para once plantas. En tres palmeras aun con huevos frescos, no hemos hallado adultos. Se discute la relación de estos hallazgos con su importancia para la interpretación de la biocenosis en la enzootia

Faz-se uma revisão das espécies de Haemogregarina, encontradas, até a presente data, em Bufo marinus L. da região Norte, Leste e Sul da Venezuela,descrevendo-se o ciclo agâmico da Haemogregarina darlingi Leger, 1918, o ciclo esquizogônico da Haemogregarina aquai Phisalix, 1930, propondo-se seja denominada Karyolysus aquai (Phisalix) por realizar o ciclo agâmico nas células endoteliais. Descreve-se a Haemogregarina legeri nov. sp. Estuda-se um Toxoplasma no sangue e vísceras de Bufo marinus L., descrevendo-se a anatomia patológica dos órgãos afetados, discutindo-se o estado atual da sistemática das espécies de Toxoplasma, parasitos de vertebrados poikilotermos, propondo-se o nome de Toxoplasma serpai nov. sp. para êste protozoário.

A revision is made of the species of Haemogregarina found up to now in Bufo marinus L. from the Neotropical Region. Parasites in toads from the north, center, south and east of Venezuela are studied and descriptions are made of the agamic cycle of Haemogregarina darlingi Leger 1918; the schizogonic cycle of Haemogregarina aquai Phisalix 1930, proposing reclassify it as Karyolysus aquai (Phisalix) since its agamic cycle is carried through in endothelial cells, and Haemogregarina legeri nov. sp. A Toxoplasma is studied in the blood and viscera of Bufo marinus L. describing the pathology of affected organs, proposing the name Toxoplasma serpai nov. sp. for it. The actual state of the systematics of Toxoplasma parasites in poikilotherm vertebrates is discussed.

Se hace una revisión de las especies de Haemogregarina encontradas hasta el presente en Bufo marinus L. de la región neotrópica, estudiando estos parásitos en sapos del centro, norte, oriente y sur de Venezuela, describiendo el ciclo agamico de la Haemogregarina darlingi Leger 1918, el ciclo esquizogonico de la Haemogregarina aquai Phisalix 1930, proponiendo denominaria Karyolysus aquai (Phisalix) por realizar su ciclo agámico en las células endoteliales. Se describe la Haemogregarina legeri nov. sp. Se estudia un Toxoplasma en la sangre y visceras de bufo marinus L. describiendo la anatomia patológica de los órganos afectados, discutiendose el estado actual de la sistematica de Toxoplasma parasitos de vertebrados poikilotermos, proponiendo el nombre de Toxoplasma serpai nov. sp. para este protozoario.

Es wird eine Revision von den bisher in bufo marinus L. gefundenen Haemogregarina-Arten in der neotropischen Region zusammengefasst. Die genannten Parasiten wurden in den Kröten der zentralen, nördlichen, östlichen und südlichen venezuela studiert. Der agamische Zyclus von Haemogregarina darlingi Langer 1918 und der schizogonische Zyclus von Haemogregarina aquai Phisalix 1930 wurde beschrieben, was als Karyolysus aquai (Phisalix) zu nennen vorgeschlagen wurde, da er seinen agamischen Zyclus in endotelialen Zellen vollbringt. Man beschreibt Haemogregarina legeri sp. n. Man erforscht ein Toxoplasma im Blut und Eingeweiden von Bufo marinus L., beschreibend die patologische Anatomie der befallenen Organen, erörtend den jetzigen Zustand über Sistematik der Toxoplasma-Parasiten von poikolithermen Wirbeltieren. Es wird der Name Toxoplasma serpai sp. n. für den genannten Einzeller vorgeschlagen.