Carvalho-Costa, F. A.;Silva, A. G.;de Souza, A. H.;Moreira, C. J. D.;de Souza, D. L.;Valverde, J. G.;Jaeger, L. H.;Martins, P. P.;de Meneses, V. F.;Araujo, A.;Boia, M. N.
Pseudoparasitism by Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica; Hepaticola hepatica) in the Negro River, Brazilian Amazon
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
2009
Journal Article
103
10
1071-1073
0035-9203
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. (c) 2009 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.