Label-free nanostructured biosensor for Schistosoma mansoni detection in complex biological fluids.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease with a worldwide prevalence. Neuroschistosomiasis is the most severe presentation of the disease and affects the central nervous system. In this work, Schistosoma mansoni detection was based on self-assembled layers of 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS) and electrosynthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).

Spatial risk analysis on occurrences and dispersal of in and endemic area for schistosomiasis.

Background & Objectives: : Schistosomiasis is a rural endemic disease that has been expanding to urban and coastal areas in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The aim of this study was to characterize the distribution of breeding sites of the causative vector, Biomphalaria straminea in an endemic municipality for schistosomiasis and to present the predictive models for occurrences and dispersal of this vector snail to new areas.

Methods: : A malacological survey was conducted during January to December 2015 in the municipality of São Lourenço da Mata, Pernambuco, Brazil to identify the breeding sites of Biomphalaria.

Impedimetric nanostructured genosensor for detection of schistosomiasis in cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease closely related to the low levels of social development and a serious public health problem. In this work, we performed an electrochemical detection of Schistosoma mansoni DNA with a self-assembled monolayer of mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA) immobilizing nanostructures composed of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and magnetite nanoparticles (FeO_NPs). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to monitor the hybridization process.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome in the neurological emergency department of a tertiary hospital.

Introduction: Cerebral toxoplasmosis is the most common cause of space occupying brain lesion in patients with HIV/AIDS in Brazil. In the post-HAART era, it is responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Materials And Methods: This study consists of a case series of 56 patients diagnosed with cerebral toxoplasmosis whose clinical features, brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid aspects were analyzed.

Nested polymerase chain reaction in cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosing spinal cord schistosomiasis: A promising method.

Introduction: Spinal cord schistosomiasis is a neglected, disabling neurological disease commonly identified in patients from northeast Brazil. The methods currently available for its diagnosis need improvement. PCR in feces and urine is a sensitive diagnostic tool for diagnosis of schistosomiasis, but its value in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is still unknown.