The occurrence of Blastocystis in animals is high, with a predominance of subtype 1 in the region. This is the first study conducted in Brazil showing the genetic profile of Blastocystis isolated from animals.
SUMMARYCryptosporidium spp. and Cystoisospora belli are monoxenic protozoa that have been recognized as the causative agents of chronic diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals, especially HIV-infected subjects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of these intestinal protozoa in HIV-positive patients in the Triângulo Mineiro region of Brazil and to correlate the presence of these infections with clinical, epidemiological and laboratory data of the patients. Oocysts were detected in stool samples of 10 (16.9%) of the 59 patients studied, while Cryptosporidium spp. were present in 10.1% (6/59) and C. belli in 6.7% (4/59). The frequency of these parasites was higher among patients with diarrheic syndrome and CD4 + T lymphocyte counts < 200 cells/ mm 3 , demonstrating the opportunistic characteristic of these infections. A significant association was observed between the lack of adherence to antiretroviral therapy and the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and/or C. belli. Parasitism with Cryptosporidium spp. was more frequent in February and April, the months following the period of high rainfall. The same was not observed for C. belli. Genetic characterization of two isolates led to the identification of Cryptosporidium parvum, one of the main species associated with the zoonotic transmission of cryptosporidiosis.
Intestinal parasites are a problem for public health all over the world. The
infection with Blastocystis, a protozoan of controversial
pathogenicity, is one of the most common among them all. In this study, the
occurrence of intestinal parasites, with emphasis on Blastocystis,
in patients at the Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro was investigated in
Uberaba (MG) through microscopy of direct smears and fecal concentrates using
Ritchie’s method. Feces of 1,323 patients were examined from April 2011 to May 2012.
In 28.7% of them at least one intestinal parasite was identified, and the most
frequent organisms were Blastocystis spp. (17.8%) and Giardia
intestinalis (7.4%). The occurrence of parasitism was higher in children aged 6 -10
years old, and the infection with Blastocystis spp. was higher above
the age of six (p < 0.001). The exclusive presence of G.
intestinalis and of Blastocystis spp. was observed in
5.4% and 12.2% of the patients, respectively. Regarding patients with diarrheic
feces, 8% revealed unique parasitism of Blastocystis spp. Other
intestinal parasites observed in children were Ascaris
lumbricoides(0.3%) and Entamoeba
histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii (1.4%). The Ritchie’s method was more
sensitive (92.8%) when compared to direct microscopy (89.8%), with high agreement
between them (97.7%, kappa = 0.92). In conclusion, the occurrence of
Blastocystis spp. in Uberaba is high and the presence of
diarrheic feces with exclusive presence of the parasite of
Blastocystis spp. was observed.
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