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Biomedical subjects

M V Fuentes

Publications and source records attributed to M V Fuentes.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Human and animal fascioliasis in Mazandaran province, northern Iran.

The fascioliasis situation in humans and livestock of Iranian Mazandaran is analysed for the first time. Coprological studies showed 7.3% and 25.4% global prevalences in sheep and cattle, respectively. Studies in slaughterhouses indicate that sheep and cattle may be the main reservoir species, buffaloes may play local roles in the transmission, and goats and horses probably only participate sporadically. Morphometric studies by computer image analysis showed that forms intermediate between Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica appear in addition to both species. A total of 107 infected humans were diagnosed during the 1999-2002 period, which suggests that fascioliasis may be widespread. The absence of differences in human fascioliasis among gender and age groups differs from other human endemic areas. Both human and animal infections show marked differences between western and eastern Mazandaran. Traditions in herbal condiments for human consumption, methods of animal husbandry and annual rainfall may explain the higher prevalences in western Mazandaran.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The helminth community of the wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus, in the Sierra Espuna, Murcia, Spain.

The helminth community of the wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus, in the Sierra Espuna was characterized after a complete analysis of its helminth community component and infracommunity structure relative to host age, sex and year of capture. The helminth community comprised 13 species: one trematode, four cestodes and eight nematodes. The cestode Pseudocatenotaenia matovi and the nematode Syphacia frederici were the most prevalent and abundant helminth species, respectively. Sixty four percent of mice analysed presented helminths with a direct cycle and 42% presented helminths with an indirect cycle. The helminth community presents a low diversity with infracommunities usually made up of only one or two helminth species. Host age and year of capture seem to play a major role in determining species richness and helminth diversity, but not in determining the abundance of helminths. Host sex does not seem to affect the infection rate nor the diversity. Further studies on more samples of wood mice and other small mammal species in this regional park are needed to explore any possible interactions between helminth communities in the host populations.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

A global network for the control of snail-borne disease using satellite surveillance and geographic information systems.

At a team residency sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation in Bellagio, Italy, 10-14 April 2000 an organizational plan was conceived to create a global network of collaborating health workers and earth scientists dedicated to the development of computer-based models that can be used for improved control programs for schistosomiasis and other snail-borne diseases of medical and veterinary importance. The models will be assembled using GIS methods, global climate model data, sensor data from earth observing satellites, disease prevalence data, the distribution and abundance of snail hosts, and digital maps of key environmental factors that affect development and propagation of snail-borne disease agents. A work plan was developed for research collaboration and data sharing, recruitment of new contributing researchers, and means of access of other medical scientists and national control program managers to GIS models that may be used for more effective control of snail-borne disease. Agreement was reached on the use of compatible GIS formats, software, methods and data resources, including the definition of a 'minimum medical database' to enable seamless incorporation of results from each regional GIS project into a global model. The collaboration plan calls for linking a 'central resource group' at the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, Louisiana State University and the Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory with regional GIS networks to be initiated in Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, Latin America and Southern Asia. An Internet site, www.gnosisGIS.org, (GIS Network On Snail-borne Infections with special reference to Schistosomiasis), has been initiated to allow interaction of team members as a 'virtual research group'. When completed, the site will point users to a toolbox of common resources resident on computers at member organizations, provide assistance on routine use of GIS health maps in selected national disease control programs and provide a forum for development of GIS models to predict the health impacts of water development projects and climate variation.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Validation of a mapping and prediction model for human fasciolosis transmission in Andean very high altitude endemic areas using remote sensing data.

The present paper aims to validate the usefulness of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) obtained by satellite remote sensing for the development of local maps of risk and for prediction of human fasciolosis in the Northern Bolivian Altiplano. The endemic area, which is located at very high altitudes (3800-4100 m) between Lake Titicaca and the valley of the city of La Paz, presents the highest prevalences and intensities of fasciolosis known in humans. NDVI images of 1.1 km resolution from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensor on board the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) series of environmental satellites appear to provide adequate information for a study area such as that of the Northern Bolivian Altiplano. The predictive value of the remotely sensed map based on NDVI data appears to be better than that from forecast indices based only on climatic data. A close correspondence was observed between real ranges of human fasciolosis prevalence at 13 localities of known prevalence rates and the predicted ranges of fasciolosis prevalence using NDVI maps. However, results based on NDVI map data predicted zones as risk areas where, in fact, field studies have demonstrated the absence of lymnaeid populations during snail surveys, corroborated by the absence of the parasite in humans and livestock. NDVI data maps represent a useful data component in long-term efforts to develop a comprehensive geographical information system control program model that accurately fits real epidemiological and transmission situations of human fasciolosis in high altitude endemic areas in Andean countries.

Altitude↗
PubMed2000

Morphology of Bertiella studeri (Blanchard, 1891) sensu Stunkard (1940) (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) of human origin and a proposal of criteria for the specific diagnosis of bertiellosis.

Human material of an African specimen of Bertiella studeri (Blanchard, 1891), a typical intestinal cestode of monkeys, is described. Mature, postmature and gravid proglottides, and eggs, previously inadequately figured, are illustrated and photographed. The description of the species agrees with that provided by Stunkard (1940). A comparative study with other descriptions of the species is made in an attempt to clarify previous findings. The morphological differences reported in various earlier descriptions of the species suggest that B. studeri should be regarded as a "B. studeri species complex" Improvements are required in the descriptions of new future findings in order to clarify the specific diagnosis of human bertiellosis. Evidence suggests that a generalised diagnosis exclusively based on egg size and geographical distribution is insufficient to differentiate B. studeiri and Bertiella mucronata (Meyner, 1895), or additional species may be affecting humans.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The Asian Taenia and the possibility of cysticercosis.

In certain Asian countries, a third form of human Taenia, also known as the Asian Taenia, has been discovered. This Asian Taenia seems to be an intermediate between Taenia solium and T. saginata since in morphological terms it is similar to T. saginata, yet biologically, as it uses the same intermediate host (pigs), it is more akin to T. solium. Taenia solium causes human cysticercosis, while T. saginata does not. It is not known whether the Asian taeniid is able to develop to the larval stage in humans or not. The arguments proposed by those authors who consider it unlikely that the Asian Taenia causes human cysticercosis are: (a) its molecular similarities with T. saginata; (b) the absence of cases of human cysticercosis in populations where the Asian adult is highly prevalent; and (c) the unsupporting results derived from an experimental infestation study. These three arguments are debated, although bearing in mind that at present there is still no clear scientific data to support that human cysticercosis can be caused by the Asian Taenia.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Analysis of climatic data and forecast indices for human fascioliasis at very high altitude.

Human infection with Fasciola hepatica has recently been recognized as an important health problem worldwide, and particularly at very high altitudes in South America. The highest prevalences and intensities of human fascioliasis known are those of the northern Bolivian Altiplano, where infected Lymnaea truncatula occur at altitudes of 3800-4100 m. In the present study, the climatic data for this area of the Altiplano, which differ markedly from those of endemic areas in the lowlands, were analysed. There is no marked seasonality in temperature but there are large variations in temperature within a daily, 24-h period. Rainfall is seasonal, with a long dry season, coinciding with the lowest minimum temperatures, and a long wet season. The rate of evapotranspiration is very high, and temporary water bodies dry out very quickly. Solar radiation at ground level is intense, not only because of the altitude but also because of the lack of trees and shrubs. Two climatic indices for forecasting fascioliasis, Mt and Wb-bs, were calculated. Modifications in these forecast indices are proposed, to reflect the environment at high altitude and low latitude. Estimates, based on climadiagrammes, of the durations of the wet and dry seasons were greatly effected by the inclusion of an aridity-index modification. The usefulness of the modified indices was examined using prevalence data for human and cattle fascioliasis collected in the neighbourhoods of the stations providing the meteorological data. Values for both indices indicated that conditions were optimum for transmission between December and March. The results were statistically significant for the modified Wb-bs index when the data for a meteorological station in which no lymnaeids were found were excluded. The modified Mt index did not appear sufficiently accurate to be useful. The values for the modified Wb-bs index permitted the study areas to be designated low-, moderate- or high-risk areas for the transmission of fascioliasis to man and domestic animals.

Altitude↗
PubMed1997

Human Bertiella studeri in Spain, probably of African origin.

A mature tapeworm and gravid proglottids of Bertiella studeri were reported from the stools of a 33-year-old pregnant Spanish woman. The patient had spent the six months preceding this discovery in Kenya. The evidence suggests a case of parasitism imported to Spain from the African continent. The patient presented no symptoms related to the parasite and the discovery in stools of a number of active, white structures led her to collect them. A morphologic and morphometric description of the material obtained is presented. Mebendazole failed to remove the parasite but niclosamide was effective.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations in railroad car painters.

The purpose of this study was to determine if exposure to paints and solvents contributes to chromosomal alterations in occupationally exposed individuals. A total of 25 male railroad and underground railroad car painters were studied. This group had a mean age of 32.7 y and a mean exposure time of 5.2 y. The results were compared with those obtained for 25 healthy (unexposed) males. The scoring of structural chromosome aberrations clearly revealed an increase in the number of all types of aberrations considered in the population of painters. This suggests that exposure to a combination of chemicals may increase genotoxicity in industrial workers.

Adult↗