Chagas disease is classified as a neglected disease and has a high prevalence in the Northern region of Brazil, with outbreaks primarily associated with oral transmission. Nevertheless, triatomines, the vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, play a significant role in this transmission cycle. This study aimed to describe the occurrence of vectors in the municipality of Belém, based on previous reports from the local population. A retrospective descriptive study with a crosssectional component was conducted from 2010 to August 2023, focusing on the occurrence of T. cruzi vectors causing Chagas disease in urban and peri-urban areas of Belém. Data were obtained from the Municipal and State Health Departments of Pará. The information was organized in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, and spatial distribution maps were created using the open-source software QGIS®. During the study period, the following triatomine species were recorded: Rhodnius pictipes, R. robustus, Triatoma rubrofasciata, Panstrongylus geniculatus, and P. lignarius, totaling 145 specimens collected. The majority (71%) of the specimens belonged to T. rubrofasciata, predominantly collected indoors, with a higher incidence in January. In 2023, a T. rubrofasciata specimen was found in a residence in the Jurunas neighborhood, parasitized by T. conorhini. Of the total specimens collected, 11% tested positive for flagellates resembling T. cruzi. Between 2010 and 2022, 376 cases of acute Chagas disease were reported, with the highest incidence in the neighborhoods of Benguí, Jurunas, Marco, and Icoaraci. KEY WORDS: Triatomines; entomological surveillance; vector control; Amazon.
COVID-19 pandemic exposed challenges for health authorities, especially among vulnerable groups such as inmates. This study evaluated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and anti- SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM in inmates of semi-open penal institutions in the Central-West region of Brazil, as well as viral RNA in wastewater from these institutions. A cross-sectional study was conducted in male and female semi-open penal institutions in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, between September 2022 and February 2023. The presence of anti- SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies in plasma by rapid test, and virus RNA by RT–qPCR analysis of nasal and wastewater samples were investigated. Of the 225 inmates of the male penal unit, 12.4% (28) tested positive RT–qPCR test and/or reactive IgG and IgM. Of these, 57.1% were employed, and 81.2% engaged in activities outside the prison unit (p=0.002). The prevalence was 2.8 times higher among inmates who worked outside the penal institution. Among the 20 wastewater samples collected, 10% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA. Of the 14 inmates of the female penal unit, 21.4% (3) tested reactive IgG and IgM; all reported working, 66.6% (2) worked outside the penal unit; both used individual transportation. The wastewater sample was negative for SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA. We detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies within penal institutions. Our findings may contribute to strengthening preventive medicine and controlling new outbreaks, using wastewater analysis as a relevant tool. KEY WORDS: COVID-19 pandemic; inmate; wastewater-based epidemiological monitoring.
This study aimed to analyze the occurrence of Schistosoma mansoni in the State of Alagoas, Brazil, over space and time from 2012 to 2021. An ecological, quantitative, and spatiotemporal study was conducted using secondary data from the Schistosomiasis Control and Surveillance System (SISPCE/DATASUS). Data were aggregated by health regions (HR) and municipalities. During the study period, 1,466,100 examinations were performed, and 73,325 cases of schistosomiasis were diagnosed. Spatial analysis showed that 20 municipalities had moderate positivity rates (5.1 – 15.0%), and one municipality had a high positivity rate above 15.1%. Global Moran’s Index indicated significant positive spatial autocorrelation (I= 0.52308; p= 0.001). The Local Moran’s Index identified 16 municipalities with a high-high pattern, distributed across the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th HR. The space-time scan analysis revealed two significant risk clusters. The primary cluster comprised 50 municipalities, predominantly located in the 3rd, 4th, and 6th HR, showing a relative risk (RR) of 11.06 (p< 0.001). The proportion of infections classified as severe was below 1%. These findings highlight the persistence of high-risk areas for schistosomiasis in Alagoas, concentrated in specific health regions, and are aligned with WHO goals to eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health problem. KEY WORDS: Epidemiology; neglected diseases; public health; Schistosoma mansoni.
We identified the species of land snails found in products exported from other countries, which could represent a danger to crops, animals, and the general population of our country and the Central American region. Specimens were collected at four points at each site, in the dry season (January to March 2008) and in the rainy season (April to December 2008 and 2009), twice a week each month. Diversity indices were used to determine species richness in the Caribbean (Province of Colón) and Pacific (Province of Panama) cargo ports. In total, 2,481 individuals of terrestrial mollusks were found, confirming the presence of Allopeas gracile (Hutton, 1834) in 10 cargo areas with n= 1,566 (63.1%), most of them at Tocumen International Airport in the Pacific, Panama City, and with more activity in the rainy season. Praticolella mexicana was also reported for the first time in our country and is a terrestrial inhabitant of environments, frequently associated with open areas or important shrublands, for its role as an agricultural pest and as a potential vector of parasitic nematodes (such as Angiostrongylus) that affect humans and animals. In addition, more land snails were detected and collected in the loading areas of the ports in the rainy season. In the biodiversity indices, it was observed that there was no predominance of one species over the others. After this, it was concluded that the presence of these snails in our ports represents a critical challenge to bio-sanitary security in the region because it threatens food and agricultural security by producing economic losses and vulnerability of crops. The species found are invasive species, vectors of diseases that affect public health. It is necessary to have a lot of vigilance, which impacts the port biosecurity of the countries of the Central American region. KEY WORDS: Biosecurity; invasive species; Gastropoda; Public Health.
Snakebites represent a major public health problem, especially in tropical countries such as Brazil. This study analyzed the epidemiology of snakebites in the geographical microregion of Catalão, Goiás, from 2017 to 2023. This is a descriptive, quantitative, and retrospective analysis based on data collection from the Ministry of Health's Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). A total of 273 cases of snakebites were reported, 62.27% of which were bothropic. There was a greater incidence of males (81.32%) and those aged between 40 and 59 years (39.93%). It is noteworthy that 75% of the accidents were non-occupational. Approximately half of the cases were classified as mild (50.43%). The anatomical region of the foot and leg was the most affected. Most victims received medical care within 3 hours (89.07%), underwent serum therapy (89.22%) and were cured. The municipality of Três Ranchos had the highest incidence of cases (513.52/100.000 inhabitants), while Catalão had the highest annual average (17.4) and the highest percentage of occurrence (35.8%). The epidemiological study of snakebite accidents contributes to understanding the impact of this disease on the population and provides data for the development of health surveillance, awareness and prevention measures in the region.
