Cassius Schnell Palhano Silva

Bio: Cassius Schnell Palhano Silva is an academic researcher from Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. The author has contributed to research in topics: Toxoplasmosis & Hepatosplenomegaly. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 6 publications receiving 109 citations.

Animal helminths in human archaeological remains: a review of zoonoses in the past

Abstract: The authors present a review of records of intestinal parasitic helminths from animals in human archaeological remains, reported since the emergence of paleopathological studies. The objective was to relate paleoparasitological findings to geographic, biotic, and abiotic factors from the environment in which the prehistoric populations lived, and understand some aspects related to the process of human dispersion and biological and cultural evolution. Modification of eating habits and the incorporation of new cultural practices are analyzed from the perspective of zoonoses from prehistory to the present day, especially in Brazilian indigenous populations. Three tables identifying the helminths, their natural hosts, dates, and sites of archaeological findings complete this review. In conclusion, various zoonoses known today have occurred since antiquity, and these data, combined with studies on the emergence and reemergence of diseases, could make possible to compose scenarios for the future.

Frequência de lesões sugestivas de toxoplasmose ocular em uma população rural do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Abstract: To determine the prevalence of ocular toxoplasmosis among the general population of the district of Santa Rita de Cassia, Barra Mansa, State of Rio de Janeiro, a cross-sectional study on 1,071 individuals was performed. These subjects underwent serological tests (anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM) and physical and ophthalmological examinations. The diagnosis of presumed ocular toxoplasmosis was based on clinical and serological criteria and the appearance of the retinochoroidal lesion. The lesions were classified into three morphological types: 1. Limits marked with a halo of hyperpigmentation and an area of central chorioretinal atrophy; 2. Hypopigmented halo and hyperpigmented central area; and 3. Hyperpigmented or hypopigmented. The prevalence of healed lesions compatible with ocular toxoplasmosis was 3.8% among the general population and 5.8% among individuals who were seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii (65.9% of the individuals evaluated). Type-1 lesions (41.5%), female sex (68.3%), peripheral lesions (58.5%) and lesions smaller than three disc diameters predominated.

Postnatal acquired toxoplasmosis patients in an infectious diseases reference center

Abstract: Infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, toxoplasmosis, is one of the most frequent zoonoses in the world; it normally affects both genders equally. Humans are one of several possible intermediate hosts, and the disease is oligosymptomatic in most cases. Vertical transmission is an important cause of fetal malformation and sequels in newborns. Approximately 10% of postnatal cases present multiple manifestations, ranging from low fever and mild lymphadenopathy to severe encephalitis. In moderate cases, lesions such as retinochoroiditis may emerge during acute infection or even years later. We analyzed 313 cases of toxoplasmosis from 1992 to 2004, including 261 acute cases. Most patients were women (68.1%), and 39% of these were pregnant. Among acute infection cases, 64.8% presented symptomatic disease; the most frequent manifestations were lymphadenomegaly (59.8%), fever (27.2%), headache (10.7%), asthenia (10%), weight loss (8.4%), myalgia (8%), retinochoroiditis (3.4%) and hepatosplenomegaly (1.5%). Although ocular lesions by T. gondii are well documented as a possible consequence of postnatal infection, two patients developed retinochoroiditis only two years after primary infection. This demonstrates the need for toxoplasmosis case surveillance, even long after acute manifestations.

O gerencialismo utilitarista na produção acadêmica em saúde coletiva: a importância de ensaios críticos

Abstract: 1.Antes de tudo, consideramos que a critica nao necessariamente esta obrigada a veicular uma postu-ra “propositiva” – ate porque, em muitas circunstân-cias, esta pode tender a uma perspectiva instrumen-tal capaz de incidir em um certo reformismo, que nao altera o processo problematico em sua estrutura, apenas o ajusta. Isso faz lembrar, mesmo parcialmen -te, a maxima que reduz as margens de vislumbrar avancos politicos substantivos por ser a politica “a arte do possivel”...Parece haver uma assuncao de que nao temos alternativas maiores diante da atual realidade acade-mica que produz injuncoes aparentemente inesca-paveis que definem e assumem uma inexorabilidade quanto a mudancas maiores, que escapem a pers-pectiva utilitarista dominante. Inspirados em Zizek

El gerencialismo utilitario en la investigación académica en salud colectiva: la importancia de los ensayos críticos

Abstract: 1.Antes de tudo, consideramos que a critica nao necessariamente esta obrigada a veicular uma postu-ra “propositiva” – ate porque, em muitas circunstân-cias, esta pode tender a uma perspectiva instrumen-tal capaz de incidir em um certo reformismo, que nao altera o processo problematico em sua estrutura, apenas o ajusta. Isso faz lembrar, mesmo parcialmen -te, a maxima que reduz as margens de vislumbrar avancos politicos substantivos por ser a politica “a arte do possivel”...Parece haver uma assuncao de que nao temos alternativas maiores diante da atual realidade acade-mica que produz injuncoes aparentemente inesca-paveis que definem e assumem uma inexorabilidade quanto a mudancas maiores, que escapem a pers-pectiva utilitarista dominante. Inspirados em Zizek

Toxoplasmosis in humans and animals in Brazil: high prevalence, high burden of disease, and epidemiology.

Abstract: SUMMARY Infections by the protozoan parasiteToxoplasma gondiiarewidely prevalent in humans and animals in Brazil The burden of clinical toxoplasmosis in humans is considered to be very high The high prevalence and encouragement of the Brazilian Governmentprovidesauniqueopportunityforinternationalgroupstostudytheepidemiologyandcontroloftoxoplasmosis in Brazil Many early papers on toxoplasmosis in Brazil were published in Portuguese and often not available to scientists in English-speaking countries In the present paper we review prevalence, clinical spectrum, molecular epidemiology, and control of T gondii in humans and animals in Brazil This knowledge should be useful to biologists, public health workers, veterinarians, and physicians Brazil has a very high rate of T gondii infection in humans Up to 50% of elementary school children and 50–80% of women of child-bearing age have antibodies to T gondii The risks for uninfected women to acquire toxoplasmosis during pregnancy and fetal transmission are high because the environment is highly contaminated with oocysts The burden of toxoplasmosis in congenitally infected children is also very high From limited data on screening of infants for T gondii IgM at birth, 5–23 children are born infected per 10000 live births in Brazil Based on an estimate of 1 infected child per 1000 births, 2649 children with congenital toxoplasmosis are likely to be born annually in Brazil Most of these infected children are likely to develop symptoms or signs of clinical toxoplasmosis Among the congenitally infected childrenwhoseclinicaldataaredescribedinthisreview,severaldiedsoonafterbirth,35%hadneurologicaldiseaseincluding hydrocephalus, microcephaly and mental retardation, 80% had ocular lesions, and in one report 40% of children had hearing loss The severity of clinical toxoplasmosis in Brazilian children may be associated with the genetic characteristics of T gondii isolates prevailing in animals and humans in Brazil

Importance of Nonenteric Protozoan Infections in Immunocompromised People

Abstract: There are many neglected nonenteric protozoa able to cause serious morbidity and mortality in humans, particularly in the developing world. Diseases caused by certain protozoa are often more severe in the presence of HIV. While information regarding neglected tropical diseases caused by trypanosomatids and Plasmodium is abundant, these protozoa are often not a first consideration in Western countries where they are not endemic. As such, diagnostics may not be available in these regions. Due to global travel and immigration, this has become an increasing problem. Inversely, in certain parts of the world (particularly sub-Saharan Africa), the HIV problem is so severe that diseases like microsporidiosis and toxoplasmosis are common. In Western countries, due to the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), these diseases are infrequently encountered. While free-living amoebae are rarely encountered in a clinical setting, when infections do occur, they are often fatal. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential to the survival of patients infected with these organisms. This paper reviews information on the diagnosis and treatment of nonenteric protozoal diseases in immunocompromised people, with a focus on patients infected with HIV. The nonenteric microsporidia, some trypanosomatids, Toxoplasma spp., Neospora spp., some free-living amoebae, Plasmodium spp., and Babesia spp. are discussed.

Capillaria hepatica in man—an overview of hepatic capillariosis and spurious infections

Abstract: Capillaria hepatica (syn. for Calodium hepaticum) is a zoonotic nematode parasitizing in the livers of rodents as main hosts and in numerous other mammals including humans. It is the causative agent of the rare conditions of hepatic capillariosis and spurious C. hepatica infections in humans. In this review, 163 reported cases of infestations with this parasite (72 reports of hepatic capillariosis, 13 serologically confirmed infestations and 78 observations of spurious infections) are summarized with an overview on the distribution, symptoms, pathology, diagnosis, serology and therapy of this rare human pathogen.