SUMMARYIntestinal parasites are a major public health problem in developing countries, most prevalent in areas where sanitation is poor and the population's hygiene is inadequate. They affect people of all ages, although school-age children are the most susceptible. In this study, we investigated the presence of intestinal parasites in the shared environments of a public school in the town of Diamantina, Minas Gerais State. From December 2012 to February 2013, samples were collected for three months (once a month) by using the Graham method (1941), in duplicate, by affixing a 6 x 5 cm clear tape, six times in each collection site, in a space of about 30 cm2. Then, each tape was positioned longitudinally on a microscope slide and the identification of the biological forms of the parasites was performed with the aid of a 40X objective from an optical microscope. Eleven sites were selected for sampling. Cysts of Entamoeba coli were the most frequently found in this study (50%), followed by Hymenolepis diminuta eggs (27.6%), Iodamoeba butschllii cysts (5.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides eggs (5.6%), Taenia species eggs (5.6%) and hookworm eggs (5.6%). The highest positivity rates were found in the samples drawn from the cafeteria's eating table. The results have indicated the need to improve the cleaning in the school environments, as well as the development of educational practices that may help in the preservation of public health.

BackgroundIntestinal parasites’ eggs, larvae, or cysts can be carried in public transport buses, and contribute to the increased incidence of diseases. This study aimed to detect biological forms of intestinal parasites in samples from public buses in the town of Diamantina, Minas Gerais, in order to know the local situation and propose interventions to improve public health.Materials and methodsIn November 2014, six samples were obtained in buses of the two stations by using Graham method, in duplicate, by affixing a 6×5 cm clear tape, six times on each collection site of the bus, in an area of ~30 cm2. Then, each tape was positioned longitudinally on a slide microscope, and the identification of the biological forms of the parasites was performed with the aid of a 40× objective optical microscope.ResultsA total of 216 slides were analyzed, of which 86 (39.8%) were positive for at least one intestinal parasite. Cysts of Entamoeba coli were the most frequently found in this study (52.1%), followed by Endolimax nana cysts (30.7%), Iodamoeba butschlii (6.5%), helminth larvae (4.7%), Giardia lamblia cysts (3.6%), Hymenolepis nana eggs (1.2%), Enterobius vermicularis eggs (0.6%), and Entamoeba histolytica cysts (0.6%). Top right handrails and right stanchions had the highest occurrence of biological forms, with 18.3% and 14.8%, respectively.ConclusionThe results indicated the need for better cleaning of the buses and better personal hygiene by users, since pathogenic and non-pathogenic intestinal parasites were found, suggesting fecal contamination of these sites, representing a risk to public health.

BackgroundBanknotes are objects of great turnover and diffusion among the population, and can be efficient mechanisms in the dissemination of several intestinal parasites. This study investigated the presence of biological forms of intestinal parasites present in circulating cash banknotes in the city of Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil, aiming to propose interventions aimed at improving local public health.Materials and methodsBetween February and April 2017, samples of banknotes collected in five commercial establishments of the city were analyzed, namely: 1) gas station, 2) supermarket, 3) butchery, 4) pharmacy and 5) free fair. Ten circulating banknotes of each value (R$2.00, R$5.00, R$10.00, R$20.00, R$50.00 and R$100.00) were exchanged for new banknotes, washed with Tween 80 and, after spontaneous sedimentation, analyzed under an optical microscope with a magnification of 10× and 40×.ResultsCysts of Entamoeba coli (74.60%), cysts of Endolimax nana (16.94%), Giardia lam-blia cysts (4.44%), unidentified nematode larvae (2.02%), Hymenolepis sp. (0.81%), Taenia sp. (0.81%) and Ancylostomidae larvae (0.40%) were found.ConclusionsThe results revealed the need for improvements in basic sanitation, health and education activities that emphasized the importance of proper hand hygiene.

A grande circulação de pessoas nas unidades de saúde pode potencializar o processo de disseminação de enteroparasitos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo detectar a presença de parasitos intestinais em unidade de saúde do município de Diamantina, a fim valorizar a promoção da saúde e estimular a adoção de hábitos de higiene adequados entre usuários, visitantes e funcionários do hospital. Nos meses de abril e maio de 2017 foram coletadas amostras em nove superfícies utilizando o método de Graham, em duplicata, através da fixação de uma fita adesiva transparente, por seis vezes sobre cada local amostrado. Cada fita foi posicionada sobre uma lâmina de microscopia e a identificação das formas biológicas foi realizada com o auxílio de um microscópio óptico. Foram detectadas 78 formas biológicas de parasitos intestinais. Cistos da espécie Entamoeba coli foram as mais frequentes nas lâminas analisadas (71,8%), seguido por cistos de Endolimax nana (12,8%), ovos de Taenia sp. (6,4%), larvas de helmintos (3,8%), ovos de Hymenolepis nana (2,6%), ovos de Trichuris trichiura (1,3%) e cistos de Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (1,3%). As superfícies da maçaneta interna da porta do banheiro dos pacientes e o corrimão de acesso aos quartos foram as que apresentaram a maior ocorrência de formas biológicas, com 15,4% e 20,5%, respectivamente. Os resultados demonstraram que há necessidade de uma melhor limpeza nas superfícies da unidade de saúde e a adoção de medidas socioeducativas que enfatizem a importância da higienização adequada das mãos visando o bem-estar e a saúde dos usuários.