Intestinal parasitic infections in immunocompromised patients can lead to serious complications when not diagnosed and treated early. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of intestinal parasites in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in the South of Brazil. Three fecal samples collected from each patient (73 individuals) were processed by Ritchie and Faust techniques and submitted to specific staining methods for intestinal protozoa. A 61.6% parasite and/or commensal positivity was found. Helminths identified were Ascaris lumbricoides (33.3%), Taenia spp. (6.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (4.4%) and Trichuris trichiura (2.2%). Among protozoans, Giardia lamblia (26.6%), Cryptosporidium spp. (13.3%) and Cystoisospora belli (4.4%) were identified. The presence of Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana and Entamoeba hartmanni was also recorded. The results obtained warn of the importance of fecal parasitological diagnosis and the use of specific staining methods for the detection of intestinal parasites in cancer patients. These exams should be regularly requested at the patient's first clinic visit, given the high prevalence found in this study and the possible severity of such conditions for these individuals.Keywords: intestinal parasites, immunocompromised patients, cancer. Parasitos intestinais em pacientes com câncer do Sul do Brasil ResumoAs parasitoses intestinais em pacientes imunocomprometidos podem levar a graves complicações se não diagnosticadas e tratadas precocemente. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a frequência de parasitos intestinais em pacientes oncológicos submetidos ao tratamento quimioterápico. Foram coletadas três amostras de fezes de cada paciente, sendo processadas pelas técnicas de Ritchie e Faust e submetidas à métodos de coloração específicos para protozoários intestinais. Foi encontrada positividade de 61,6% para parasitos e/ou comensais. Os helmintos identificados foram Ascaris lumbricoides (33,3%), Taenia spp. (6,6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (4,4%) e Trichuris trichiura (2,2%). Dentre os protozoários, foram identificados Giardia lamblia (26,6%), Cryptosporidium spp. (13,3%) e Cystoisospora belli (4,4%). Também foi registrada presença de Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana e Entamoeba hartmanni. Os resultados encontrados alertam para a importância do diagnóstico parasitológico de fezes junto à utilização de colorações específicas para parasitos intestinais em pacientes oncológicos, sendo que os mesmos deveriam ser requeridos como conduta já na primeira consulta clínica destes pacientes, dada à elevada prevalência aqui constatada e a possível severidade que tais moléstias podem acarretar nestes indivíduos.Palavras-chave: parasitos intestinais, pacientes imunocomprometidos, câncer.

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.

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 3 rd Regional Health Coordination (RHC) and to the 7 th 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 3 rd RHC, mainly in Cangucu (37.7%), Piratini (22.4%) and Pinheiro Machado (15.1%), while, in the area supervised by the 7 th 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.

Several studies have shown that the population has relatively little information regarding Chagas disease (CD) and its vectors; however, this knowledge is relevant because community participation is vital for success in disease control actions. For this reason, and due to the lack of audiovisual material on this subject in the country, this study focused on making an educational documentary on CD and its vectors, which could be available to the population for free. The video preparation was divided into three phases: Pre-production, Production and Post-production. The site chosen for shooting was northwestern Rio Grande do Sul State due to the Triatoma infestans vector persistence in recent decades in that area. A documentary was obtained which addresses relevant CD aspects, such as its history, transmission, major vectors and biology, phases of the disease and, in particular, how to inspect the intra-domiciliary and peri-domiciliary areas in search of triatomine bugs or "kissing bugs". The use of videos as an educational tool helps broadcast information; therefore, this documentary is a public use tool, which aims to promote the control and prophylaxis of CD and its vectors.

Educational interventions may trigger actions that contribute to prevent parasitic diseases, such as Chagas disease (CD). This study aimed at investigating the impact of an instructional video named “Documentary on Chagas Disease” on knowledge about CD and its vectors displayed by a population that lives in an endemic area in Brazil, so as to validate it as an educational tool. The video was shown to 226 subjects, divided into two groups. Group 1 was composed of users of Basic Health Units (BHU) in Pelotas and Pinheiro Machado, cities located in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil, where CD is endemic. Group 2 consisted of students who attend three public schools located in the rural area in Pinheiro Machado, RS. Two questionnaires with questions about their knowledge about triatomines and CD were applied, before and after the documentary was shown. After the video was shown, there was significant increase in individuals’ knowledge (in both groups) about “kissing bugs”, their notification, the disease and its prevention. Besides, watchers considered that the quality of the material was satisfactory. Since the “Documentary on CD” can be easily accessed on the internet and was effective in teaching the population that lives in endemic areas, its use should be encouraged in places and meetings connected to health that aim at fighting against triatominae and at exposing an updated view of CD.