Full text
| |
| Author(s): |
Ronalda Silva de Araujo
Total Authors: 1
|
| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Press: | São Paulo. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP/CIR) |
| Defense date: | 2008-10-10 |
| Examining board members: |
Maria Helena Matte;
Maria Inês Zanoli Sato;
Rodrigo Martins Soares
|
| Advisor: | Maria Helena Matte |
| Abstract | |
The illnesses caused by emerging and opportunist pathogens are a great concern for Public Health professionals. Criptosporidiosis is a cosmopolitan disease, whose etiologic agent is the coccidian protozoan Cryptosporidium. This parasite has emerged as an important waterborne pathogen, responsible for outbreaks in different countries, and it is currently considered a problem for immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. The taxonomy of the genus, based on morphologic aspects, is of difficult accomplishment due to the small size of the oocysts, and also due to loss of its characteristics, mainly in environmental samples. This limitation has estimulated the application of molecular methods for species identification of these microorganisms. In this study, superficial water samples were submitted to nested-PCR to detect the presence of Cryptosporidium. A total of 30 water samples, from 10 points located in the state of São Paulo, were analyzed. Cryptosporidium was detected in 30% of the studied samples and genotyping allowed the identification of C. hominis, C. meleagridis and C. andersoni. Although the identification of Cryptosporidium in environmental samples is a complex task, molecular methods are essential for the species determination, helping to elucidate the epidemiology of this protozoan in our country. (AU) | |