Cystic hydatid disease (CHD) is caused by infection with Echinococcus granulosus metacestodes and affects humans and livestock. Proteins secreted or excreted by protoscoleces, pre-adult worms found in the metacestode, are thought to play fundamental roles in the host–parasite relationship. In this work, we performed an LC–MS/MS proteomic analysis of the excretory–secretory products obtained from the first 48h of an in vitro culture of the protoscoleces. We identified 32 proteins, including 18 that were never detected previously in metacestode proteomic studies. Among the novel identified excretory–secretory products are antigenic proteins, such as EG19 and P-29 and a calpain protease. We also identified other important protoscolex excretory–secretory products, such as thioredoxin peroxidase and 14-3-3 proteins, which are potentially involved in evasion mechanisms adopted by parasites to establish infection. Several intracellular proteins were found in the excretory–secretory products, revealing a set of identified proteins not previously thought to be exposed at the host–parasite interface. Additionally, immunological analyses established the antigenic profiles of the newly identified excretory–secretory products and revealed, for the first time, the in vitro secretion of the B antigen by protoscoleces. Considering that the excretory–secretory products obtained in vitro might reflect the products released and exposed to the host in vivo, our results provide valuable information on parasite survival strategies in adverse host environments and on the molecular mechanisms underpinning CHD immunopathology.

Este estudio, del tipo investigacion domiciliaria, tiene como objetivo comparar las condiciones de salud de las personas mayores con diabetes mellitus de acuerdo a las variables sexo y area de edad. Participaron del estudio 417 ancianos, entrevistado en su casa, en el periodo comprendido entre diciembre de 2005 a febrero de 2006. Los datos fueron analizados a traves de frecuencia simple y del teste qui-cuadrado (p < 0,05). La mayoria de los ancianos tenian un 60 a 70 anos (50,1%), es la mujer (71,2%) e hicieron uso de medicamentos (96,1%). Los principales problemas de salud fueron la hipertension (75,5%), los problemas de vision (73,6%) y la columna (56,4%). Las mujeres consideran la salud mala o muy mala y refieren el costo de medicamentos como un problema para su compra, en comparacion con los hombres, diferencia estadisticamente significativa. Como ascendio a la edad, encontro mayor proporcion de ancianos que utilizan los equipos, problemas de columna y que utilizan diureticos.

This study, a household survey, aimed to compare the health conditions of elderly people with diabetes mellitus according to gender and age variables. Study participants were 417 elderly people, interviewed in their homes from December, 2005 to February, 2006. The data was analyzed through simple frequency and chi-squared tests (p < 0.05). The majority were from 60 to 70 years old (50.1%), women (71.2%), and used medication (96.1%). Major health problems were shown to be hypertension (75.5%), vision problems (73.6%), and spinal cord (56.4%). Women considered self-perceptions of health bad or very bad and referred to costs as a problem for acquiring medicines, when compared to men. This difference proved to be statistically significant. With increasing age groups, higher proportions of elderly people were found to use devices, have spinal cord problems, and use diuretics. RESUMEN: Este estudio, del tipo investigación domiciliaria, tiene como objetivo comparar las condiciones de salud de las personas mayores con diabetes mellitus de acuerdo a las variables sexo y área de edad. Participaron del estudio 417 ancianos, entrevistado en su casa, en el período comprendido entre diciembre de 2005 a febrero de 2006. Los datos fueron analizados a través de frecuencia simple y del teste qui-cuadrado (p < 0,05). La mayoría de los ancianos tenían un 60 a 70 años (50,1%), es la mujer (71,2%) e hicieron uso de medicamentos (96,1%). Los principales problemas de salud fueron la hipertensión (75,5%), los problemas de visión (73,6%) y la columna (56,4%). Las mujeres consideran la salud mala o muy mala y refieren el costo de medicamentos como un problema para su compra, en comparación con los hombres, diferencia estadísticamente significativa. Como ascendió a la edad, encontró mayor proporción de ancianos que utilizan los equipos, problemas de columna y que utilizan diuréticos. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Diabetes mellitus. Idoso. Nível de saúde. Enfermagem geriátrica. Envelhecimento.