Pseudoparasitism by Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica; Hepaticola hepatica) in the Negro River, Brazilian Amazon.
We report the finding of eggs of Calodium spp. (syn. Capillaria spp.; Hepaticola spp.) in a fecal sample from an old woman living in a riverine community in the Negro River Basin and describe the associated epidemiological investigation. The case probably does not represent true parasitism; the eggs, which were compatible with the species Calodium hepaticum, were most likely ingested upon consumption of infected tapir (Tapirus terrestris) liver, subsequently passing through the gut and being eliminated. The evolution of these eggs to infective stages in the environment, given the poor sanitation background, could provide the risk of occurrence of hepatic disease in humans.
Carvalho-Costa
Filipe A
FA
Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. guaratiba@ioc.fiocruz.br
Silva
Adriano Gomes
AG
de Souza
Alberto H
AH
Moreira
Carlos J de C
CJ
de Souza
Daniela L
DL
Valverde
Joanna G
JG
Jaeger
Lauren H
LH
Martins
Patrícia P
PP
de Meneses
Viviane F
VF
Araújo
Adauto
A
Bóia
Márcio N
MN
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D002195:Capillaria; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology*; D045483:Rivers / Q000469:parasitology