ABSTRACT Changes in the amounts and proportions of leukocytes, known as leucocyte profiles, have been documented for several bird species and have been used to measure stress levels in these animals. The present work ascertained the biological and ecological attributes that influence the leukocyte profile of Antilophia galeata (Lichtenstein, 1823), the helmeted manakin. This species has been deemed useful in ecological studies because it responds to environmental changes. Blood samples drawn from 89 individuals of A. galeata captured in a Cerrado forest fragment were subjected to analysis under optical microscopy to identify and quantify leukocytes and micronuclei. The number of lymphocytes was greater for males, non-reproductive individuals and individuals infected with ticks. None of the leukocyte components differed in relation to age, molting or body condition index. The amount of micronuclei was correlated with values for total leukocytes, H/L ratio, heterophils, basophils and monocytes. The results suggest that reproduction may be an immunosuppressive factor for the species, producing sexual differences in lymphocyte availability. In addition, biomarkers of genotoxic damage (micronuclei) were related to the amount of leukocytes, indicating that individuals may be sensitive to environmental disturbances. Leukocyte profiles can be considered a useful tool for addressing ecological questions that are relevant to the conservation of species in degraded environments.

ABSTRACT Among the geohelminths, parasites from the Ascarididae family have a significant role in the human and animal health. This research aims to determine the prevalence of Ascarididae species in the soil in different areas located in a city of Minas Gerais State, Brazil (South America). The study was developed in squares, parks, sports clubs, orchards and municipal children's schools. Samples of sand/soil/grass were collected from January to August 2014. The optical microscope screening was performed through formal-ether and spontaneous sedimentation techniques. Out of the 183 collected samples, eight (4.4%) belonged to parks, 16 (8.7%) to sports clubs, 76 (41.5%) to squares, 23 (12.6%) to orchards, and 60 (32.8%) to schools. Out of the total, 28 (15.3%) contained Ascarididae eggs. Higher levels of positivity were demonstrated in the raining season (25.0%), in samples collected in the southern region of the town (25.1%), on ground soils (27.3%). Twenty-three (12.6%) were detected by the formal-ether sedimentation technique and 10 (5.5%) by spontaneous sedimentation technique. Therefore, it was concluded that the soils in the city of Uberlandia are contaminated with eggs and larvae of geohelminths, enabling dissemination of illnesses among animals and human beings.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se o uso da desinfecção com amônia quaternária associada à fermentação potencializa o controle de oocistos na cama de frangos de corte. A cama de frango reutilizada passou pela fermentação e/ou desinfecção com amônia quaternária no intervalo sanitário de 15 dias entre dois alojamentos sucessivos de 160 frangos cada. No 1° alojamento, as aves foram inoculadas, por via oral, com 3x10³ oocistos de Eimeria acervulina aos 12 dias de idade. Com a saída desse lote, a área de alojamento foi dividida em 4 boxes de 5m² cada. Cada box representou um grupo de tratamento da cama: grupo 1: a cama não passou por tratamento (controle); grupo 2: fermentação; grupo 3: desinfecção; e grupo 4: desinfecção associada à fermentação. No 2° alojamento, outras 160 aves foram divididas nos boxes. Foram realizadas contagens de oocistos por grama de fezes (OOPG), determinação do período pré patente, observação de lesões intestinais, avaliação de ganho de peso e da conversão alimentar. Os resultados demonstraram que não houve redução do número de oocistos recuperados da cama somente desinfetada (G3: 2,26x10(6)) em relação à cama não tratada (G1: 2,54x10(6)). Os grupos em que a cama foi fermentada (G2 e G4) apresentaram significativa redução do número de oocistos em relação ao grupo controle, no entanto, a cama fermentada e desinfetada (G4: 0,76x10(6)) não apresentou diferença significativa na redução do número de oocistos quando comparada à cama somente fermentada (G2: 0,67x10(6)). Conclui-se que a desinfecção com amônia quaternária associada à fermentação da cama não potencializa o controle da coccidiose aviária.

The objective of this study was to evaluate if the use of quaternary ammonium associated with the fermentation cause synergism in control of oocysts of poultry litter. The poultry litter recycled went through fermentation and/or disinfection with quaternary ammonium in sanitary interval between two successive housings of 160 chickens each. In the first housing, the birds were inoculated orally with 3x10³ Eimeria acervulina oocysts at 12 days old. With the removal of these birds, the housing area was divided into four pens of 5m² each. Each pen represents a treatment group of the litter: group 1: untreated (control), group 2: fermentation, group 3: disinfection and group 4: disinfection and fermentation. It was counted oocysts per gram of faeces (OOPG), determination of pre patent, intestinal lesions score, weight gain and feed conversion. The results showed no reduction in the number of oocysts recovered from the single litter only (G3: 2.26x10(6)) in relation to untread litter (G1: 2.54x10(6)). Groups in which the litter was fermented (G2 and G4) showed significant reduction of oocysts in the control group, however, the fermented and desinfected litter (G4: 0.76x10(6)) showed no significant difference in reducing the number of oocysts compared to single fermented litter (G2: 0.67x10(6)). It follows that the desinfection with quaternary ammonium associated to fermentacion of the litter does not potentiate the control of avian coccidiosis.

Este estudo determinou a prevalência de protozoários intestinais em Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPI), enfermeiros, manipuladores de alimentos identificando fatores de risco associados às infecções. Amostras de fezes de idosos (n = 293), enfermeiros (63), manipuladores de alimentos (19) foram estudadas. Foram aplicados questionários relacionados a variáveis sociodemográficas, de higiene, comportamento e características de saúde. As amostras de fezes foram examinadas pelas técnicas de Faust e Ziehl Neelsen e a prevalência de G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., E.histolytica/dispar nos idosos foi de 4,0%, 1,0% e 0,3%, respectivamente. Enfermeiros e manipuladores de alimentos apresentaram 4,8% e 5,2% de positividade apenas para G. duodenalis, respectivamente. A origem dos indivíduos, o contato com animais domésticos foram associados à infecção por G. duodenalis nos idosos, sendo que o contato com animais domésticos foi considerado um fator de risco para a infecção, o tempo do último exame coproparasitológico foi relacionado a Cryptosporidium spp.. Nenhuma das variáveis apresentaram associação com E. histolytica/dispar. A frequência da lavagem das mãos foi associada significativamente com G. duodenalis entre enfermeiros. As frequências de amostras positivas para G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., E. histolytica/dispar demonstram que ILPIs são ambientes propícios para esta ocorrência devido ao contato entre idosos, enfermeiros, manipuladores de alimentos, que muitas vezes são mal treinados em procedimentos de higiene e manipulação de alimentos.

This study determined the prevalence of intestinal protozoa in Long Term Residency Institutions for the Elderly (ILPI) in elders, nurses and food handlers, identifying the risk factors associated with the infections. Stool samples taken from the elderly (n = 293), nurses (63) and food handlers (19) were studied. Questionnaires were used with questions related to sociodemographic variables, health, behavior and health characteristics. Stool samples were examined using the techniques of Faust and Ziehl Neelsen, and the prevalence of G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., E. histolytica/dispar in the elderly was 4.0%, 1.0% and 0.3% respectively. Nurses and food handlers showed 4.8% and 5.2% positivity only for G. duodenalis, respectively. The origin of the individuals and contact with domestic animals has been associated with infection by G. duodenalis in the elderly, and contact with domestic animals was considered a risk factor for infection. The last stool examinations were related to Cryptosporidium spp.. None of the variables were associated with E. histolytica/dispar. The frequency of hand washing was significantly associated with G. duodenalis among nurses. The frequency of positive samples of G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., E. histolytica/dispar showed that ILPIs environments are conducive to this occurring due to contact between the elderly, nurses and food handlers, which are often poorly trained in hygiene procedures and food handling.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a presença de helmintos em caixas de areia de creches públicas e privadas da cidade de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais em 2005. Foram selecionadas 14 creches particulares e 14 públicas que possuíam área de lazer. As coletas foram realizadas em duas estações do ano, uma na seca e a segunda na chuvosa. As amostras foram analisadas pelos métodos de Willis e Baermann. Na primeira coleta 17 (61%) creches foram positivas para larvas e 14 (50%) para ovos de helmintos e na segunda, em 18 (64%) e 10 (36%), respectivamente. Não foi observada influência da estação climática e da situação socioeconômica das creches.

The objective of the study was to test for helminthes in sandboxes in day care centers in the city of Uberlândia, Southeastern Brazil in 2005. Fourteen private and 14 public day care centers with playgrounds were selected. One collection was carried out during the dry season (June and August), and the second one was in the rainy season (September and November). Samples were tested using Willis and Baermann methods. In the first collection, 17 (61%) day care centers were positive for helminthes larvae and 14 (50%) for eggs. In the second collection, 18 (64%) day care centers were positive for larvae and 10 (36%) for eggs. No influence of either season of the year or day care finance condition was seen.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a presença de helmintos em caixas de areia de creches públicas e privadas da cidade de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais em 2005. Foram selecionadas 14 creches particulares e 14 públicas que possuíam área de lazer. As coletas foram realizadas em duas estações do ano, uma na seca e a segunda na chuvosa. As amostras foram analisadas pelos métodos de Willis e Baermann. Na primeira coleta 17 (61%) creches foram positivas para larvas e 14 (50%) para ovos de helmintos e na segunda, em 18 (64%) e 10 (36%), respectivamente. Não foi observada influência da estação climática e da situação socioeconômica das creches.

The objective of the study was to test for helminthes in sandboxes in day care centers in the city of Uberlândia, Southeastern Brazil in 2005. Fourteen private and 14 public day care centers with playgrounds were selected. One collection was carried out during the dry season (June and August), and the second one was in the rainy season (September and November). Samples were tested using Willis and Baermann methods. In the first collection, 17 (61%) day care centers were positive for helminthes larvae and 14 (50%) for eggs. In the second collection, 18 (64%) day care centers were positive for larvae and 10 (36%) for eggs. No influence of either season of the year or day care finance condition was seen.

Para determinar a frequência de anticorpos anti-Toxocara sp. e os fatores de risco associados à infecção, soros de 242 crianças de ambos os sexos, com idade entre um a 15 anos, atendidas no ambulatório do Hospital da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil, foram analisados pelo ELISA. Questionários foram aplicados, para obter informações sobre os pacientes. As informações sobre as alterações clínicas, de 187 pacientes, foram obtidas no prontuário médico. Do total das 242 amostras, 21 (8,7%) foram positivas para anticorpos anti-Toxocara sp.. A presença de cães e gatos e a variável escola (local de contato) sugerem associação significativa (p < 0.05) com a sorologia positiva. Sintomas respiratórios e elevada contagem de eosinófilos (> 20%) mostram correlação positiva com a soropositividade para Toxocara sp.. A idade, sexo, sintomas como dor de cabeça, dor estomacal, crises convulsivas e anemia não apresentaram associação com toxocaríase.

To estimate the frequency of anti-Toxocara sp. antibodies, and evaluate factors associated with this infection, sera from 242 male and female children, aged from one to fifteen years old, attended at the Hospital of the Federal University of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, were analyzed by ELISA. Information on the patients was collected and registered using an investigative questionnaire, and details on possible clinical alterations were obtained from the medical charts of 187 patients. Of a total of 242 samples, 21 (8.7%) were positive for anti-Toxocara sp. antibodies. The presence of dogs and cats and the school variable (place of contact), appeared to be significantly associated (p < 0.05) with a positive serology. Respiratory symptoms and eosinophil counts greater than 20% also showed a positive statistical correlation with a positive serology for Toxocara sp.. Factors such as sex and age, and symptoms like headache, stomach ache, convulsive crises and anemia were not associated with toxocariasis.

With the purpose of investigating the biological aspects of Angiostrongylus vasorum (Baillet, 1866) Kamensky, 1905 in Subulina octona Bruguiere, 1789 experimental infections were carried out with the exposure of 90 adult molluscs to 155 L1 of the parasite/mollusc during 24 hours. The intramollus-can larval development was checked out daily through the chemical digestion of four infected molluscs and one molluscs from the control group during 21 days after infection. Until the 6th day post-infection, only Li of the parasite has been observed. On the 7th day; the presence of L2 was detected and from the 13th day on, L3 of A. vasorum also appeared. By means of larval morphometry, it has been observed that, Li had na average size of 335 x 14,5 um whereas L2 had an average size of 440,7 x 33,9 um on the 7th day ofter infection, reaching a, aximal diameter of 41,8 um on the 12th day after infections. The L3 had an average size of 472,4 x 38,7 um on the 13th day day and on the 21st' day after infection the measure was 551,3 x 27,6 um. In order to verify the infectivity of L3, from 5. octona to the definitive host, infection of a dog was undertaken by means of ingestion of tritured molluscs. On the 49th day post-infection, Li was found in the feaces of the dog and at necropsy on the 84th day post-infection adults worms were found in the lungs.