ABSTRACT Two triatomine genera (Panstrongylus and Triatoma) have essentially been recorded in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Panstrongylus megistus should be highlighted since this species is one of the main vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in Brazil, due to its wide geographical distribution and the high susceptibility to this protozoan. This study aimed to present not only the occurrence and distribution of P. megistus in the Porto Alegre city’s metropolitan area (PAMA), Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, but also the rates of T. cruzi infection, from 2009 to 2020. The PAMA, which comprises 34 cities and 4.4 million habitants, extends across the transition area in two biomes – Pampa and Mata Atlantica – found in the state. Results showed that P. megistus was recorded in 76.5% of cities (i.e., 26 out of 34), mainly in Porto Alegre city, where the vector was found in 11 out of the 12 years that were monitored. Three hundred and nineteen specimens were captured. Two hundred and sixty-seven specimens (83.7%) were located intradomicile (p < 0.0001), while 52.3% positivity for T. cruzi was found. Thus, P. megistus is important in the PAMA, because it invades and colonizes the households. Moreover, the high rates of T. cruzi infection have drawn attention.

ABSTRACT Triatoma rubrovaria has been captured in some areas of Rio Grande do Sul State (RS), Brazil, as this species can be found in the Pampa biome. Its distribution across this biome should be described in detail to verify the potential of this vector to transmit Trypanosoma cruzi. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of T. rubrovaria in the Pampa biome and transitional areas of RS. The collected information resulted from the analysis of secondary data provided by the Centro Estadual de Vigilancia em Saude (CEVS – State’s Center of Health Surveillance). The following aspects were taken into consideration: the year in which the insect was captured, the city, the number of specimens captured, invasion or domiciliation, the notification in the household, surroundings or both, and T. cruzi infection. The data comprised the period from 2009 to 2020, in 109 cities located in the Pampa biome and 98 located in transitional areas. The Pampa biome exhibited 85% of the occurrences of T. rubrovaria, while 1.2% of specimens were T. cruzi-like positive. Both the first and second biennia concentrated 64.6% of captures. Alegrete city, Cangucu city and Piratini city were the locations in the Pampa where the largest numbers of specimens were found. Regarding the transitional areas, Roque Gonzales city, Santiago city and Santana da Boa Vista city exhibited the largest numbers. Most insects were adults, which were found in households. Even though positivity for T. cruzi-like was low, the species still has epidemiological importance in the region.

Resumo Milhões de pessoas podem ser acometidas por geohelmintos, especialmente crianças em idade escolar, devido a sua maior exposição a ambientes contaminados. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a contaminação do solo por ovos de Ancylostoma spp. e Toxocara spp. em áreas de recreação de escolas de ensino fundamental da cidade de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Foram colhidas amostras de areia de 22 escolas e processadas pelo método de centrífugo-flutuação. Em 54,5% (12/22) das escolas houve registro da presença de ovos de helmintos com potencial zoonótico. A contaminação por Ancylostoma spp. e Toxocara spp. foi observada em 36,4% (8/22) e 27,3% (6/22) das amostras de solo das escolas, respectivamente. Existe a presença de ovos de Ancylostoma spp. e Toxocara spp., havendo risco de transmissão de zoonoses à comunidade escolar.

Abstract Millions of people worldwide, and especially schoolchildren, may be infected by geohelminths due to their exposure to a contaminated environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate soil contamination by Ancylostoma spp. and Toxocara spp. eggs in recreation areas at elementary schools in Pelotas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Sand samples were collected from 22 schools and were processed using the centrifugal flotation method. Helminth eggs with zoonotic potential were found in 12 out of the 22 schools (54.5%). Contamination by Ancylostoma spp. and Toxocara spp. was observed in 36.4% (8/22) and 27.3% (6/22) of the soil samples collected at these schools, respectively. These findings of eggs show that the school communities are exposed to risks of zoonotic transmission.

ABSTRACT Background: We aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Chagas disease among blood donors in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods: The study was conducted from 2010 to 2019 based on data registered by the Hemocentro Regional de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Results: There were 106,320 blood donations, and the discard rate of blood bags, either due to positive reactions to anti-T. cruzi antibodies or inconclusive results was 0.27% (283 bags). Conclusions: The usage of methods that enable the safe identification of donors with positive serology for Chagas disease is fundamental to ensure transfusional safety.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: This retrospective study conducted from 2001 to 2018 investigated the residual foci of Triatoma infestans infestation in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: The data were obtained via entomological surveillance and the distribution of vector occurrence. The coverage of active research was mapped. RESULTS: The largest coverage rate for active research was observed in the northwest region of the total of 515,081 domiciles researched. Most T. infestans specimens were captured in the peridomicile. CONCLUSIONS: Infestation has decreased significantly since 2008, and T. infestans has not been captured since 2015.

ABSTRACT Chagas disease (CD) has been considered endemic in the South of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, Brazil. This study aimed at evaluating the occurrence of Trypanosoma cruzi vectors based on the main species captured in Southern Rio Grande do Sul State from 2008 to 2019. The study area comprised counties that belong to the 3rd Regional Health Coordination (RHC) and to the 7th RHC, whose headquarters are in Pelotas and Bage, respectively. The study was based on secondary data provided by the partnership between the Federal University of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State (UFPel-RS) and the State Health Surveillance Center in RS (SCHS-RS). One thousand and four hundred triatomines were captured in the area supervised by the 3rd RHC, mainly in Cangucu (37.7%), Piratini (22.4%) and Pinheiro Machado (15.1%), while, in the area supervised by the 7th RHC, the largest number of triatomines was captured in Lavras do Sul (64.15%). In both areas, Triatoma rubrovaria (90.6%) and Panstrongylus tupynambai (7.4%) were the most common species. Most were captured inside households but T. cruzi-positive insects were not found in the period under study. The results of this study show that, in Southern Rio Grande do Sul State, there is still a high rate of triatomine household invasion and dispersal, mainly by T. rubrovaria. Thus, the entomological surveillance should be maintained with the participation of the population and further studies should be deepened in the area.

Resumo Introdução A doença de Chagas (DC) é uma endemia relevante na América Latina, contudo poucas pesquisas são realizadas sobre os conhecimentos que a população possui sobre o tema. Objetivo Verificar o conhecimento que uma população de origem rural do sul do Rio Grande do Sul possui acerca da DC e seus vetores. Método O estudo foi realizado com a população atendida em um Hospital-Escola de Pelotas, a partir de questionário semiestruturado, no qual foi verificado se as pessoas conseguiam identificar os triatomíneos, se já encontraram “barbeiros” na residência, quais órgãos a DC acomete, entre outras questões. As associações entre as variáveis foram analisadas pelos testes do qui-quadrado e odds ratio (OR). Resultados Dos 132 participantes, 58,3% identificaram os vetores, e as variáveis que se mostraram significativas foram morar ou ter morado no município de Canguçu e possuir galinheiro ou chiqueiro no peridomicílio. Já as variáveis residir ou ter residido em casa de pau a pique/torrão/barro (p = 0,0038; OR = 3,18) e ser proveniente de Canguçu (p = 0,004; OR = 3,4) foram significativamente associadas ao ato de já ter encontrado vetores na residência. Sobre os órgãos que a DC acomete, somente 25 pessoas reportaram o coração (18,9%). Conclusão Esta investigação ressalta a necessidade de campanhas educativas, pois foi realizada em região com importantes índices de DC em estudos recentes.

Abstract Background Chagas disease (CD) is a relevant endemic in Latin America, however, few researches is carried out about the knowledge that the population has on the subject. Objective Verify the knowledge that the population of rural origin, in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, has about the CD and its vectors. Method The study was carried out with individuals attended at the School Hospital of Pelotas, from a semi-structured questionnaire, through which it was verified if people could identify the vectors; if individuals found “kissing-bugs” in your residence; which organs the CD affects; among other issues. The associations between the variables were analyzed by the χ2 and odds ratio (OR) tests. Results Of the 132 individuals interviewed, 58.3% identified the significant vectors linked to the variables as to reside or had resided in the municipality of Canguçu and had a chicken coop or pigsty in the peridomicile. The variables residing or having resided in a stick house (p = 0.0038, OR = 3.18) and coming from Canguçu (p = 0.004, OR = 3.4) were significant to have already found vectors in the residence. Regarding the organs that CD affects, only 25 people reported heart issues (18.9%). Conclusion This research highlights the need for educational campaigns, being carried out in a region with important CD indexes in recent studies.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a contaminação ambiental por ovos de helmintos com potencial zoonótico, diagnosticados em fezes caninas depositadas nas proximidades de escolas primárias. Setenta e nove amostras de fezes foram colhidas em 28 escolas municipais localizadas em cinco bairros da cidade de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brasil. As amostras foram processadas pela técnica de Willis-Mollay e analisadas em microscópio óptico (40X), para identificar quaisquer parasitos presentes. Todos os bairros foram positivos e 74,7% das amostras apresentaram um ou mais gêneros de helmintos. O agente com maior prevalência foi Ancylostoma spp. (93,2%), seguido por Trichuris spp. (18,6%), Toxocara spp. (11,9%) e Toxascaris (1,7%). Esses dados mostram que há necessidade de maior cuidado no controle desses helmintos com potencial zoonótico, incluindo a posse responsável dos animais e atividades diárias de limpeza e colheita de fezes de cães nas proximidades das escolas, porque esses são locais onde as crianças brincam e estudam.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate environmental contamination by helminth eggs with zoonotic potential that were found in dog feces in the vicinity of elementary schools. Seventy-nine samples of dog feces were collected from 28 municipal schools located in five neighborhoods in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. The samples were processed using the Willis-Mollay technique and analyzed using an optical microscope (40X), to identify any parasite eggs present. All neighborhoods were positive and 74.7% of the samples exhibited one or more helminth genera. The agent with the highest prevalence was Ancylostoma spp. (93.2%), followed by Trichuris spp. (18.6%), Toxocara spp. (11.9%) and Toxascaris (1.7%). These data show that there is a need for greater care towards controlling these helminths with zoonotic potential, including responsible pet ownership and daily activities to clean and collect dog feces in the vicinity of schools, because these are places where children play and study.

Resumo As infecções por nematódeos gastrintestinais (ING) constituem a maior limitação à produção de pequenos ruminantes. Na busca do controle desses parasitos, estudos com plantas medicinais têm sido uma importante alternativa. Visto isto, o estudo desenvolvido teve como objetivo avaliar a ação ovicida e larvicida in vitro do óleo essencial de Rosmarinus officinalis. O óleo foi extraído, analisado por cromatografia gasosa e testado sobre ovos e larvas de ING em seis concentrações, 227,5mg/mL; 113,7mg/mL; 56,8mg/mL; 28,4mg/mL; 14,2mg/mL; 7,1mg/mL. Para determinar a ação ovicida, ovos de ING foram recuperados de fezes de ovinos e incubados por 48h com as diferentes concentrações do óleo. Na avaliação da migração das larvas, as larvas de terceiro estágio (L3) foram obtidas por coprocultura, e associadas ao óleo essencial por 24h nas mesmas concentrações, permanecendo por mais 24h em microtamises, seguindo-se a contagem de larvas que migraram e que não migraram. Os testes in vitro com o óleo de R. officinalis mostraram o nível de significância (p<0.05) 97,4% a 100% na inibição da eclodibilidade e 20% a 74% na inibição da migração das larvas. Na análise por cromatografia gasosa o constituinte majoritário foi o eucaliptol. Os resultados apresentados mostram que o óleo essencial de R. officinalis possui ação ovicida e larvicida sobre ING de ovinos.

Abstract Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection (GIN) are the main constraint to the production of small ruminants. Studies of medicinal plants have been an important alternative in the effort to control these parasites. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro ovicidal and larvicidal activity of essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis. The oil was extracted, analyzed by gas chromatography and tested on GIN eggs and larvae in six concentrations, 227.5mg/mL, 113.7mg/mL, 56.8mg/mL, 28.4mg/mL, 14.2mg/mL and 7.1mg/mL. To determine the ovicidal activity, GIN eggs were recovered from sheep feces and incubated for 48h with different concentrations of the oil. For the evaluation of larval migration, third-stage larvae (L3) were obtained by fecal culture, and associated with the essential oil for 24h at the same concentrations, after which they were left for another 24 hours on microsieves, followed by the count of migrating and non-migrating larvae. The assays of R. officinalis oil showed a significant (p<0.05) 97.4% to 100% inhibition of egg hatching and a significant (p<0.05) 20% to 74% inhibition of larval migration. The main constituent revealed by gas chromatography was Eucalyptol. The results indicate that R. officinalis essential oil has ovicidal and larvicidal activity on sheep GINs.

ABSTRACT Due to the growing population of pets, especially homeless dogs and cats, zoonoses still represent a significant public health problem. Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. are epidemiologically important zoonotic agents as they are etiological factors of human toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis, respectively. These parasites remain neglected even though they are substantially prevalent in rural areas. The aim of this study was to investigate T. gondii and T. canis seroprevalence and risk factors of seropositivity in a rural population in Pelotas municipality, Brazil. The study participants (n=344) were patients of a Basic Healthcare Unit (BHU) located in Cerrito Alegre. Blood samples were collected and tested for T. gondii antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence and T. canis antibodies by an indirect ELISA that targets an excreted-secreted antigen (TES). T. gondii seropositivity was 53.2%, with higher titers (1:256 - 1:1,024) in individuals who habitually eat pork, beef, or chicken, while T. canis seropositivity was 71.8% and concomitant T. gondii and T. canis seropositivity was 38.3%. Among the seropositivity risk factors assessed, only habitual undercooked meat consumption was significant (p = 0.046; OR = 3.7) for T. gondii and none of them were associated with T. canis seropositivity. Both parasites have a high prevalence in rural areas, which reinforces the need to invest in rural community education and health.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and to identify risk factors associated therewith in hospitalized children. METHODS: Three fecal samples from each patient were evaluated using three different techniques. The patients’ nutritional and socioeconomic status and hematologic profiles were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 106 children, 32.1% tested positive for intestinal parasitosis. The associated risk factors were low parental education levels and children's nail-biting habit. Eosinophilia, observed in 15 cases, was not associated with parasitosis. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend routine fecal parasitologic examination for hospitalized children and implementation of educational campaigns on the prevention of these diseases.

Abstract Chagas disease reactivation has been a defining condition for acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Brazil for individuals coinfected with Trypanosoma cruzi and HIV since 2004. Although the first coinfection case was reported in the 1980s, its prevalence has not been firmly established. In order to know coinfection prevalence, a cross-sectional study of 200 HIV patients was performed between January and July 2013 in the city of Pelotas, in southern Rio Grande do Sul, an endemic area for Chagas disease. Ten subjects were found positive for T. cruzi infection by chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay and indirect immunofluorescence. The survey showed 5% coinfection prevalence among HIV patients (95% CI: 2.0–8.0), which was 3.8 times as high as that estimated by the Ministry of Health of Brazil. Six individuals had a viral load higher than 100,000 copies per µL, a statistically significant difference for T. cruzi presence. These findings highlight the importance of screening HIV patients from Chagas disease endemic areas.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Chagas disease in patients treated at a Public Oncology Service in the City of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. METHODS: This study included 200 individuals undergoing cancer treatment and involved the use of a questionnaire and venous blood collection for the detection of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibody. RESULTS: The study found a 5% prevalence of patient seropositivity. Significant variables are presented and discussed in the article. CONCLUSIONS: Serological T. cruzi checks are recommended in cancer patients, especially individuals from endemic areas in Brazil and other Latin American countries.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The Housing Improvement Program for Chagas Disease Control (HIPCDC) was established in 2001 in Northwestern Rio Grande do Sul State, aiming to improve the conditions of the domiciliary and peridomiciliary environments to make them resistant to triatomine colonization. This study aimed to assess the impact of the HIPCDC on triatomine control by developing local population and authority awareness on the issue. METHODS: The study was conducted by means of questionnaires applied to local authorities and the program beneficiaries. Three municipalities - Ajuricaba, Coronel Barros, and Crissiumal - were visited. RESULTS: A program coordinator from each municipality and 62 individuals from selected households were interviewed. The authorities reported difficulties in the implementation of the program due to differences between the project development period and financial resource availability, in addition to a lack of understanding by the community not included in the program. As for the houses, most improvements were made in the peridomiciliary environments; moreover, construction of 4 new residences, as well as the renovation of others, was also reported. Regarding suggestions to the program, requests for better planning (44.9%) and renovation quality (36.7%) were highlighted. With reference to the presence of triatomine bugs, prior to the HIPCDC adaptations, 12.9% of the respondents reported coming across at least one specimen at home, as compared to 22.6% who found these insects in peridomiciliary areas. CONCLUSIONS: Despite reports of difficulties in carrying out the HIPCDC, there was an improvement in the housing conditions, with no triatomine occurrence reports after the program implementation.

SUMMARY Trichomonas vaginalis infections have been associated with other diseases so that epidemiological studies of the parasite are important and help to prevent the spread of the disease. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. vaginalis in female patients of 19 counties in southwestern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. For diagnosis, was used direct examination, followed by applying a socio-epidemiological questionnaire. We analyzed 300 women and 9% were infected by Trichomonas vaginalis. The highest frequency occurred in women between 18 and 39 years old, single/divorced/widowed, whose family income was at one minimum wage or less, and they had not completed the primary school. Statistically significant risk factors were: women reporting two or more sexual partners in the last year were 3.3 times more likely to acquire the parasite, and those in use of oral contraceptives were 2.7 times more likely to have T. vaginalis. Importantly, 33% of the asymptomatic women were infected, and most of the negative results were from women presenting symptoms consistent with the infection. The findings emphasize that it is necessary to expand the knowledge of individuals about the disease, especially among women with the above mentioned risk factors and also to include the regular screening of Trichomonas vaginalis infections in health centers.