SummaryTo evaluate the long-term effect of mild-early maternal protein malnutrition on weight gain, hematological parameters and macrophage function in rats at adult age, we compared rats whose dams were fed diets containing either 9.5% (low protein-LPD) or 23% protein (normal-NPD) for the first 12 d of lactation. At 80 d of age, the functions of spreading, phagocytosis and killing Candida albicans were determined in resident peritoneal macrophages, whereas leukocytes and red blood cells were counted in peripheral blood. The number of resident peritoneal macrophages from LPD was the same as from NPD, but the ability of spreading and phagocytosing opsonised yeast was impaired. Besides, they were not able to block the germ tube formation or kill C. albicans to the same extent as in the control group. The low protein diet produced a significant reduction in the pups' growth and in hematological parameters although no difference was found in leukocyte counts. Taken together the data suggest that protein malnutrition during early lactation induces permanent alterations in macrophage function, body composition and hematological status, which are not restored completely even after a normal protein diet is supplied.

In order to evaluate the taeniosis-cysticercosis complex in a population of a peasants ' settlement, located at Teodoro Sampaio, state of São Paulo, Brazil (longitude 52°36'12", latitude 22°17'12") The taeniosis-cysticercosis complex is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, widespread not only in most underdeveloped countries, but also in industrialized ones (Raether & Hanel 2003). There is strong evidence supporting the high prevalence of Taenia infection in humans from resource-poor areas, especially in rural areas with deficient sanitation, low hygienic standards, and unusual customs, such as consumption of raw pork (Phiri et al. 2003).Taenia solium and Taenia saginata are two taenids of great economic and medical importance, causing bovine and porcine cysticercosis and taeniosis in humans. The encysted larva, known as cysticercus from T. saginata and T. solium are found in cattle and swine, respectively, and the adult tapeworm of T. saginata and T. solium are found in man. The cycle is completed when eggs in proglottids shed from the human tapeworm are disseminated to the environment through feces, followed by the ingestion by cattle or swine, and then the viable cysts are eaten by man in undercooked beef (Lees et al. 2002). People are also infected by ingestion of T. solium or T. saginata eggs by contact with carriers or contaminated foods. Cysticercosis is an infection caused by cysticercus, the larval stage of Cestoda Family Taeniidae. Neurocysticercosis (NC), the nervous-system form of cysticercosis is caused by larvae of tapeworm T. solium (Carpio 2002).In Brazil, several previous studies have shown that NC in humans is an important public-health problem; although, very few reports on the prevalence and distribution of porcine cysticercosis have been published (Sakai et al. 2001). In the state of São Paulo, the frequency of anti-T. solium cysticercus antibodies in humans was determined in few counties (Vaz et al. 1990, Bragazza et al. 2002. Nonetheless, studies about the prevalence of T. saginata infection in humans or the presence of T. saginata cysticercus in cattle are scarce (Ungar & Germano 1992). Dias et al. (1991) found in 311 samples of stools of humans living in the state of São Paulo an occurrence of 0.5% in Taenia sp. eggs; of which 273 were identified as T. saginata proglottidis.The ELISA screening test is commonly used for the serological diagnosis of cysticercosis, although it crossreacts with cestoda parasites such as Hymenolepis nana and Echinococcus granulosos (Garcia et al. 2003, Ishida et al. 2003. Low-molecular-weight glycoproteins obtained from T. solium by affinity chromatography, considerably improved the specificity of ELISA screening tests, but a large amount of antigens is required (Tsang et al. 1989). Recently, it has successfully been reported the use of low-molecular-weight peptides obtained from the vesicular fluid of T. crassiceps antigens (Tcra-VF) and T. crassiceps cysticercus glycoproteins (Tcra-GP and Tcra(18-14)-GP in ELISA and immunoblot assays , Ishida e...

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of inmates diagnosed with infectious diseases living in a region with a high number of prisons, São Paulo, Brazil.DesignThis is a retrospective and descriptive study conducted from November 2017 to October 2018.SettingPrisons located in the western and northwestern regions of São Paulo, Brazil.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis on infectious diseases and coinfections (HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), syphilis and tuberculosis (TB)) of inmates from 28 prisons. Inmates were previously diagnosed following the protocol for control and surveillance of infectious diseases, through laboratory or imaging methods. A questionnaire was completed by the healthcare staff. Prevalence was obtained by dividing the number of individuals with positive results by the number of inmates in each prison. Locations of prisons were obtained and maps were constructed using geographic information systems.ResultsA total of 741 of 37 497 inmates (1.97%) were diagnosed with HIV, HBV, HCV, syphilis or TB. HIV was the most prevalent infectious disease (0.68%), followed by TB (0.66%), syphilis (0.2%), HCV (0.2%) and HBV (0.04%). For all of these diseases, prevalence rates varied from very low to high (3.11% and 2.45%) for TB and HIV, respectively, in the five prisons where they were most prevalent. HIV-syphilis was the most associated coinfection (OR, 63.7; 95% CI 41.4 to 96.7). Three of those diagnosed with the infection were female and the ratio of female to men was 0.004:1.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that the number of cases of infectious disease among inmates in the northwestern and western region of São Paulo is probably underestimated, with lower rates of HCV, HBV and syphilis. This represents a challenge to prisoners’ health. Improvements in diagnosis, mainly to reduce viral hepatitis, are crucial with benefits for inmates and the general population.

BackgroundVisceral leishmaniasis is an emerging zoonosis and its geographic distribution is restricted to tropical and temperate regions. Most of the individuals infected in Latin America are in Brazil. Despite the control measures that have been adopted, the disease is spreading throughout new regions of the country. Domestic dogs are involved in the transmission cycle and are considered to be the main epidemiologic reservoir of Leishmania infantum (syn. L. chagasi). Our aim was to determine the prevalence of canine leishmaniasis (CL) and Ehrlichiosis infection in Presidente Prudente as well as the spatial dispersion of the disease in the western region of São Paulo state.MethodsDogs underwent clinical examination and symptoms related to CL were recorded. Anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected using ELISA, rK39-immunocromatographic tests (DPP), and an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Anti-E. canis antibodies were detected by IFAT. A follow-up was conducted in dogs that were positive in the ELISA at the baseline study. Data on the spatial distribution of L. longipalpis and CL in São Paulo state were obtained from Brazilian public health agencies.ResultsSerum samples from 4547 dogs were analyzed. The seroprevalence of CL was 11.2 % by ELISA and 4.5 % by IFAT. In the follow-up, seroprevalence was 32.9 % by ELISA, 15.3 % by IFAT, 11.8 % by DPP test, and 66.5 % for E. canis. There was a significant positive association between Leishmania and E. canis infection (P < 0.0001). In the follow-up, clinical examinations revealed symptoms compatible with CL in 33.5 % of the dogs. L. longipalpis was found in 24 and CL in 15 counties of the Presidente Prudente mesoregion. The dispersion route followed the west frontier of São Paulo state toward Paraná state.ConclusionsLow CL and high ehrlichiosis prevalence rates were found in Presidente Prudente city. This emerging focus of CL is moving through the western region of São Paulo state toward the border of Paraná state. Integrated actions to fight the vector, parasites, infected dogs, and humans are needed to monitor the disease and implement strategies for epidemiologic control.

Background: The goal of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Toxocara spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Taenia solium metacestode infection and determine some of the associated risk factors for people living in the Dona Carmen settlement, Pontal of Paranapanema, Sã o Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Serum samples from 194 subjects were tested and participants answered a questionnaire. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system based on Toxocara spp. excretory-secretory antigens obtained from the cultured second-stage larvae of Toxocara canis or vesicular fluid (VF) antigen from Taenia crassiceps metacestode was used to detect anti-Toxocara spp. IgG and IgE and anti-T. solium metacestode, respectively. For cysticercosis, the reactive ELISA samples were assayed by Western blotting using 18 kDa and 14 kDa proteins purified from VF. For T. gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies, anti-SAG-1, GRA-1, and GRA-7 epitope specificity was determined by ELISA. Results: Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies were found in 102/194 individuals (52.6%) with increased infections in females (P 5 0.02) and those with #US$300 monthly income (P 5 0.01). Positive IgM antibodies were detected in 21/194 individuals (10.8%). Antibodies specific to Toxocara spp. were found in 28/194 subjects (14.4%). All the individuals with Toxocara spp. also had T. gondii-specific IgG antibodies. Taenia solium metacestode antibodies were detected in 11 subjects (5.7%), but none were reactive based on Western blotting. Conclusion: In spite of environmental, educational, and socioeconomic factors favoring parasite infection, the seropositivity rates of T. gondii, Toxocara spp., and T. solium metacestode-specific IgG antibodies are similar to the rates found in studies conducted in different populations in Brazil.