Contaminação com possíveis nematoda parasitos nas areias das praias urbanas de Maceió-Alagoas

Abstract

The enteroparasitosis are diseases that represent a major problem on a global scale and reflect an immense nuisance to the single health, since they can cause from severe discomfort to death for several animal specimens. These diseases are more frequent in areas with insufficient sanitation and poor environmental conditions, since it can favor the proliferation and maintenance of various pathogens in the environment, endangering the health of the animal and the human being. The present study aimed to analyze and catalog the parasites found in the sands of two beaches in the city of Maceió, in the state of Alagoas (Brazil). The chosen beaches, Pajuçara and Ponta Verde, are part of the tourist route of this city. Sand samples were collected from nine different points on each beach at three depths: (1) surface, (2) 10cm, and (3) 20cm. The samples were processed using the Hoffimann, Pons and Janer method, stained with lugol, and read under a microscope. A total of 54 samples were analyzed, being 37% () positive for the intestinal parasites of the genus Ancylostoma and Strongyloides, with 13% () positive at Pajuçara beach and 24% () at Ponta Verde beach. This result may indicate the contamination of the sands by infected domiciliary, semi-domiciliary, and stray animals that move freely; the contaminated feces of these animals associated with the lack of human supervision allows the excrements to remain in contact with the soil for an indefinite period of time, bringing risk of infection to humans and other animals. Therefore, it is necessary that prophylactic measures about the transmission of enteroparasitoses be implemented, as well as the habit of good hygiene practices, to decrease the risk of infection.