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- Toxic cyanobacteria blooms in Portuguese freshwaters – a summarized overviewPublication . Paulino, Sérgio; Faria, Natália; Valério, Elisabete; Pereira, Paulo; Tavares, AntónioToxic cyanobacteria are common in Portuguese freshwaters and are a cause of concern, given that exposure to subacute levels of cyanobacterial toxins through drinking and recreational water might have deleterious effects on human health. Since 1996 several laboratories have been involved in the screening of cyanotoxins in different freshwater bodies, some on regularly basis and others more sporadically. Here we summarized the main data obtained by our laboratory during the last years, in order to give a simplified overview of the quality and diversity of our freshwater resources in terms of cyanobacteria occurrence.
- A comparative description of the health status, the health determinants and health services use among the migrant population in Portugal. Data from the 4th national health interview survey (2004/2005)Publication . Dias, Carlos Matias; Paixão, Eleonora; Branco, Maria JoãoBackground: The 4th National Health Interview Survey (NHIS4) a general multipurpose survey of a probabilistic multi-stage sample of family households promoted by the Ministry of Health, conducted (2005/2006) by the National Institute of Health in partnership with the National Statistics Institute and the General Directorate of Health. Objective: Compare immigrants, returned emigrants and Portuguese residents on health status, health determinants, health services use. Methods: Data analysis from NHIS4. Age-standardized and gender stratified prevalences. Results: Data of 41 193 persons in family households in Portugal among which 1694 born outside Portugal and 3894 returned Portuguese-born emigrants were studied. A ‘good or very good’ perceived health status and quality of life was more frequent among immigrants. Smoking was more frequent among immigrants (men 27.7%; women 16.4%). Daily drinking high alcohol content drinks during the previous week was more frequent among returned Portuguese male emigrants (6.6%), than among immigrant (5.4%) or Portuguese never migrant men (5.1%). The National Health Service was mentioned by more than 80% of persons in all three populations both as ‘provider of health care’ and ‘more frequently used provider of health care’. Not using health care was more frequent among immigrant men (2.7%). No medical consultation during the previous 3 months was more frequent among immigrants (men 53.8%; women 46%). Four or more medical consultations during the same period was less frequent among immigrants (men 3.9%; women 6.4%). On average a lower proportion of immigrants reported a waiting time of more than 14 days for the last medical appointment. A ‘good or very good’ quality for the last medical appointment was more frequent in immigrants (89.8%) than Portuguese never migrants = 81.2%; returned Portuguese emigrants = 78.3%. Dental care use the previous year was higher in immigrant women (50.5%). Use of at least one contraceptive method was lower among immigrants (84.5%) than Portuguese never migrants (85.8%). Conclusions: Evidence of a healthy immigrant effect; no evidence of lower health care accessibility by immigrants and returned Portuguese emigrants have specific characteristics.
- Epidemiological and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in urban pigeons from the area of Lisbon (Portugal)Publication . Waap, Helga; Vilares, Anabela; Rebelo, Eugénia; Gomes, Salomé; Ângelo, HelenaCircumstantial evidence suggests that birds may be a good indicator of soil contamination, since they feed from the ground. Therefore a study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in urban pigeons (Columba livia) from different areas of the city of Lisbon and to genetically characterize T. gondii strains isolated from infected animals, in order to assess circulating genotypes. Sera from 695 pigeons captured at 33 different localities of the city of Lisbon were assayed by the direct agglutination test (DAT) showing a 4.6% prevalence. One third of flocks sampled revealed to be infected with T. gondii, with prevalence ranging between 5% and 62.5%. T. gondii DNA could be characterized directly from brain tissue from 12 of 23 seropositive pigeons. Microsatellite typing revealed that 9 strains belonged to type II, 2 were type III and one was type I. No recombinant or atypical genotypes were found. Attempts to recover viable T. gondii strains through bioassay in mice resulted in the isolation of 9 strains.
- Detection of Planktothrix rubescens (Cyanobacteria) associated with microcystin production in a freshwater reservoirPublication . Paulino, Sérgio; Valério, Elisabete; Faria, Natália; Fastner, Jutta; Welker, Martin; Tenreiro, Rogério; Pereira, PauloSo far, the presence of microcystins in Portuguese freshwater resources has always been attributed to the bloom-forming cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa. In 2005, however, microcystins were detected at the Beliche reservoir (Algarve, South Portugal), following the development of a bloom dominated by Planktothrix rubescens. The identity of the causative organism was confirmed by combining both morphological and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Its ability to produce microcystins was confirmed by HPLC and MALDI-TOF MS. Unlike M. aeruginosa that usually accumulates near the water surface, P. rubescens found at the Beliche reservoir accumulated only at deep water levels. Being invisible from the surface, the occurrence of toxic P. rubescens in freshwater resources requires special attention when designing site inspection and sampling procedures for the correct risk assessment and management of cyanobacterial blooms in the field.