It is estimated that 250 million people worldwide are affected by schistosomiasis. Disease transmission is related to the poor sanitation and hygiene habits that affect residents of impoverished regions in tropical and subtropical countries. The main species responsible for causing disease in humans are Schistosoma Mansoni, S. japonicum, and S. haematobium, each with different geographic distributions. Praziquantel is the drug predominantly used to treat this disease, which offers low effectiveness against immature and juvenile parasite forms. In addition, reports of drug resistance prompt the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Natural products represent an important source of new compounds, especially those obtained from plant sources. This review compiles data from several in vitro and in vivo studies evaluating various compounds and essential oils derived from plants with cercaricidal and molluscicidal activities against both juvenile and adult forms of the parasite. Finally, this review provides an important discussion on recent advances in molecular and computational tools deemed fundamental for more rapid and effective screening of new compounds, allowing for the optimization of time and resources.

1.0 Nucleic acid-based therapeutics represent an innovative approach in the field of medicine holding immense potential for treating various genetic diseases and conditions, as well as revolutioniz...

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) constitute a group of diseases that generally develop in tropical or subtropical climatic conditions and are related to poverty. Within the spectrum of NTDs, diseases caused by protozoa such as malaria, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis exhibit elevated mortality rates, thereby constituting a substantial public health concern. Beyond their protozoan etiology, these NTDs share other similarities, such as the challenge of control and the lack of affordable, safe, and effective drugs. In view of the above, the need to explore novel diagnostic predictors and therapeutic targets for the treatment of these parasitic diseases is evident. In this context, galectins are attractive because they are a set of lectins bound to β-galactosides that play key roles in a variety of cellular processes, including host-parasite interaction such as adhesion and entry of parasites into the host cells, and participate in antiparasitic immunity in either a stimulatory or inhibitory manner, especially the galectins-1, -2, -3, and -9. These functions bestow upon galectins significant therapeutic prospects in the context of managing and diagnosing NTDs. Thus, the present review aims to elucidate the potential role of galectins in the diagnosis and treatment of malaria, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease.

This study was conducted using data from the SCAALA (Social Change Asthma and Allergy in Latin America) cohort in Brazil from 2005 to 2013. We examined the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxocariasis, a parasitic infection leading to conditions such as visceral larva migrans, utilizing an indirect ELISA with T. canis antigens, alongside with data from questionnaires, eosinophil counts, sIgE to aeroallergens, IL-10 levels, and Skin Prick Test results; the research provided insights into the disease’s dynamics. The prevalence of anti-Toxocara spp. IgG increased from 48% to 53% over the studied period, with a 25% increase in new cases in 2013. The significant risk factors included age and pet exposure, while higher maternal education and living on paved streets were found to offer protection. The study uncovered a complex interaction between Toxocara spp. infection and the immune system, indicating that the infection could both trigger inflammation and modulate skin reactions. Based on these findings, the study proposed a roadmap for controlling toxocariasis, which includes strategies such as enhancing public education about the disease and preventive measures, improving environmental sanitation, strengthening veterinary control measures like pet deworming, increasing access to healthcare and screening, and implementing community-based interventions to address the identified risk factors. These measures aim to reduce the prevalence of toxocariasis and its impact on public health by addressing environmental and socioeconomic risk factors, providing a pathway to significantly reduce the burden of this parasitic infection.

In regions where sanitary conditions are poor, prophylactic administration of antiparasitic drugs is common and affects the prevalence of intestinal parasites, in spite of the environmental maintenance of their life cycle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of parasitic infections, patient lifestyles, health conditions and environmental sources of contamination. One hundred seventy two children and adolescents, 5 to 15 years of age of both sexes were analyzed. Data were obtained through epidemiological questionnaires, parasitological examinations using Paratest®, IgG testing for Entamoeba histolytica, and analysis of sources of contamination in living areas. The study detected a prevalence of 45.9% (79/172) parasitic infections, of which 62.0% (49/79) Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar complex; 46.8% (37/79) Entamoeba coli; 27.8% (22/79) Giardia intestinalis; 12.7% (10/79) Endolimax nana; 10.1% (8/79) Hymenolepis nana; 8.9% (7/79) Ascaris lumbricoides and 2.5% (2/79) Trichuris trichiura. Out of the 49 samples positive for Entamoeba histolytica complex, there was only one case of antibodies to E. histolytica. The children’s life habits demonstrated inadequate food hygiene practices. These insufficient sanitary parameters revealed a general lack of information in face of an alarming situation regarding sewage and other sources of environmental contamination in 20% of the areas. The high prevalence of protozoan infections despite chemoprophylaxis, with environmental sources of contamination/risk, inadequate health conditions and the general apathy of the population suggest the ineffectiveness of current preventive practices. Thus, it is advisable that control actions include protozoa as therapeutic targets and, above all, health education as a routine practice to prevent the long-term continuance of this vicious cycle. KEY WORDS: Parasitic infections; chemoprophylaxis; environmental sources.