Sterilization potential of Ascaris lumbricoides eggs in the presence of different disinfectant agents

Abstract

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections represent a public health problem, being responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality. Ascaris lumbricoides is one of the main parasites prevalent in the community. The A. lumbricoides infection method is oral fecal cicle, in this sense, it is necessary to expand effective methods to prevent the ingestion of eggs, such as sanitation, cleansing habits or even effective methods for the sterilization of eggs. Objective: Evaluate different agents of antisepsis action, with the purpose of find which ones are more efficient in larval mortality inside eggs. Methodology: The parasites were provided by the Federal University of Minas Gerais, which were sectioned, in this way, the recovered eggs were kept in culture bottles. After 40 days the embryonated eggs were purified and separated in culture bottles, and in each bottle had one different disinfectant products were added, in different concentrations and action time. As control, egg aliquots were maintained by adding distilled water. Using a microscope, it was observed the viability of the larvae inside. To determine the viability of the larvae, distilled water at 40 °C was added, then allowing the visualization of mobility inside the eggs. Results: It was observed that, fifteen disinfectant agents tested, only four showed efficacy, at intervals of 24 and 48 hours after exposure to the disinfectant and when undiluted. Conclusion: The data obtained in this study will contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of this disease, as well as contributing to the development of more effective hygiene programs for the control of this parasitosis.