Molecular investigation, genotypic characterization and geoprocessing of pathogenic parasites in environmental and human samples in Bauru city-SP

• Grant number: 18/01411-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: July 01, 2018
• End date: February 29, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Virgínia Bodelão Richini Pereira
• Grantee: Natássia Carolina Esposito Rosa
• Host Institution: Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections are a public health problems related to lack of sanitation in developing countries. The most common etiological agents found in streams and food contaminated with human or animal fecal material are Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Cyclospora spp., Toxoplasma gondii and some types of helminths such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Ancilostomideos. Water and food contaminated with enteroparasites serve as transmission vehicle by improper handling of handlers or by rivers and streams with untreated sewage, common in many countries such as Brazil. Beyond contaminated the environment, untreated water can be used to irrigate food and by community on the edge of water courses. National laws were instituted to regulate water and sewage treatment but the non-attendance by the municipalities has caused cases of infectious population. The objective of this work is to evaluate the occurrence of important parasites of public health in vegetables and irrigation water in Bauru city, São Paulo, as well as in human samples, to genetically characterize the isolates found and perform geoprocessing to analyze the parasites in the environment. Samples will be collected and analyzed microscopically, concentrated to DNA extraction of parasites and subsequent molecular techniques will be made of Polymerase Chain Reaction (conventional PCR and real time PCR). For the investigation of the parasites will be used several specific primers to amplify a region of the genetic material unique to the protozoan or helminth. For observation of the amplified samples in the PCRs will be performed agarose gel electrophoresis and curves analysis in software for real. Positive samples will be subjected to genetic sequencing, statistical and phylogenetic analysis. For the geoprocessing of the data and mapping of possible susceptible areas, the Geographic Information System (GIS) will be used. (AU)