Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: ANA BEATRIZ GOMES MOURA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : ANA BEATRIZ GOMES MOURA
DATE: 31/07/2020
TIME: 09:30
LOCAL: Videoconferência (solicitar link pelo e-mail ppgcb.ufrn@gmail.com)
TITLE:

Study of Parasitoses, Risk Factors and Impacts on the Health and Development of Children

KEY WORDS:

Blastocystis hominis, Giardia lamblia, Toxoplasma gondii, Malnutrition, Childhood obesity.

PAGES: 54
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Parasitologia
SUBÁREA: Protozoologia de Parasitos
SPECIALTY: Protozoologia Parasitária Humana
SUMMARY:

The lack of basic sanitation services, associated with people's low levels of education, have been determining factors for the occurrence of infections by parasites transmitted through water and food. Children are a group that requires a lot of attention, in this context, because they are more susceptible to infections due to the immaturity of the immune system, because hygiene habits have not yet been developed the personnel, as well as not yet having a proper understanding of the mode of transmission and the respective measures to prevent these infections. In addition, parasites can determine important impacts on growth and development at this stage of life and even later. The objective of this work was to study the prevalence of infections caused by intestinal parasites, transmitted by water and food, and by T. gondii, associating them with risk factors and the impact on children's health and development. The study included children ranging in age from 11 months to 12 years and six months, from two schools located in the neighborhood of Bom Pastor and one in the district of Quintas, in the West Administrative Region of Natal. Biological samples (blood and feces) were collected from 96 children in these schools; the nutritional assessment was also carried out for the parameters weight x age and height x age, according to the anthropometric standard NCHS; and an epidemiological questionnaire was applied to those responsible. Fecal samples were analyzed using the spontaneous sedimentation technique, modified Willis technique, and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique, to investigate intestinal parasites. Blood samples, on the other hand, were used to perform the hematocrit technique and obtain the serum to perform the immunoenzymatic test (ELISA) aimed at checking anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. Of the 88 stool samples analyzed, eight species of enteroparasites were identified, with an overall prevalence of 52.2% (46/88). The most frequent unicellular intestinal parasites were Blastocystis hominis (28.4%), Giardia lamblia (13.6%), Entamoeba histolytica / E.dispar (12.5%). Two species of helminths were diagnosed: Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis, both with a frequency of 3.4%. Malnutrition showed a higher risk of infections by enteroparasites (9.7%) than obesity (2.7%). The seroreactivity for T. gondii was 11.5% (11/96). The avidity test for anti-T. gondii antibodies indicated that all cases were in the chronic phase of the infection. Students in these schools had previously received prophylactic anthelmintic treatment through public health agencies. However, children with positive results for A. lumbricoides were absent at the time of this treatment, due to social conflicts in their community. With respect to E. vermicularis, reinfection is very likely even after treatment, as its cycle is domestic. The treatment received by the community has its unquestionable value; but, the environmental unhealthiness is shown by infections by entero-protozoans and T. gondii, whose infection can occur through the ingestion of oocysts from cat feces. In both cases, infections occur especially by water.

BANKING MEMBERS:
Presidente - 2213126 - VALTER FERREIRA DE ANDRADE NETO
Interna - 1715271 - RENATA ANTONACI GAMA
Externa ao Programa - 338397 - ELINEI ARAUJO DE ALMEIDA
Externa ao Programa - 6349507 - MARIA DE FATIMA DE SOUZA