Indoor Dust as a Source of Virulent Strains of the Agents of Cryptococcosis in the Rio Negro Micro-Region of the Brazilian Amazon.

Cryptococcosis, a potentially fatal mycosis in humans, is acquired via exposure to exogenous environmental sources. This study aimed to investigate the frequency, genetic diversity, and virulence of cryptococcal strains isolated from indoor dust in the Rio Negro micro-region of the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 8.9% of the studied houses were positive, recovering nine Cryptococcus neoformans VNI and 16 C. gattii VGII isolates, revealing an endemic pattern in domestic microenvironments. The International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) consensus multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for the C. neoformans/C. gattii species complexes identified two sequence types (STs), ST93 and ST5, amongst C. neoformans isolates and six STs amongst C. gattii isolates, including the Vancouver Island Outbreak ST7 (VGIIa) and ST20 (VGIIb), the Australian ST5, and ST264, ST268 and ST445, being unique to the studied region. Virulence studies in the Galleria mellonella model showed that five C. gattii strains and one C. neoformans strain showed a similar pathogenic potential to the highly virulent Vancouver Island outbreak strain CDR265 (VGIIa). The findings of this study indicate that humans can be exposed to the agents of cryptococcosis via house dust, forming the basis for future studies to analyze the impact of early and continuous exposure to indoor dust on the development of subclinical or clinical infections

Physical activity levels during COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors in patients with Chagas disease

BackgroundA better understanding of the consequences of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on lifestyle of patients with Chagas disease (ChD) is of paramount importance to facilitate the implementation of intervention strategies tailored to this specific population.ObjectiveThe present study aimed to evaluate the level of physical activity (PA) in Chagas disease (ChD) patients during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its main associated factors.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study with 187 patients of both sexes, aged ≥18 years, followed in a national infectious disease center (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). The level of PA was determined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short version and expressed in terms of total volume of physical activity (PA) (MET-minutes per week). Individuals were classified as physically active following the 2020 World Health Organization PA guideline. The exposure variables were age, sex, race, marital status, schooling, income per capita, number of rooms per domicile, number of residents per domicile, body mass index, clinical form of ChD, COVID-19 antibodies, comorbidities, self-reported anxiety, self-reported depression, self-reported fear, and self-reported sadness. The association between the exposure variables with total PA (as a continuous variable) was determined using univariate and multivariate linear regression models.ResultsMean age was 61.1 ± 11.6 years. Most (62%) were women and self-declared their race as mixed (50.8%). The percentage of physically active individuals according to was 52%. The variables independently associated with total PA levels were non-white race (Exp β = 1.39; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.90), dyslipidemia (Exp β = 0.73; 95% CI 0.56 to 0.95) and self-reported depression during quarantine (Exp β = 0.71; 95% CI 0.52 to 0.96).ConclusionNon-white race was positively associated with total levels of PA, while dyslipidemia, and self-reported depression during quarantine were negatively associated with total levels of PA. The identification of associated factors can facilitate the development of tailored strategies to increase PA levels ChD patients

Doença de Chagas na Amazônia Brasileira: I. revisão

At least eighteen species of triatominae have been found in the Brazilian Amazon, nine of them naturally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi or "cruzi-like" trypanosomes and associated with numerous wild reservoirs. Despite the small number of human cases of Chagas' disease described to date in the Brazilian Amazon the risk that the disease will become endemic in this area is increasing for the following reasons: a) uncontrolled deforestation and colonization altering the ecological balance between reservoir hosts and wild vectors; b) the adaptation of reservoir hosts of T.cruzi and wild vectors to peripheral and intradomiciliary areas, as the sole feeding alternative; c) migration of infected human population from endemic areas, accompanied by domestic reservoir hosts (dogs and cats) or accidentally carrying in their baggage vectors already adapted to the domestic habitat. In short, risks that Chagas' disease will become endemic to the Amazon appear to be linked to the transposition of the wild cycle to the domestic cycle in that area or to transfer of the domestic cycle from endemic areas to the Amazon.Pelo menos dezoito espécies de triatomíneos foram encontradas na Amazônia brasileira, nove das quais infectadas com Trypanosoma cruzi ou semelhante ("cruzi-like"), associadas com numerosos reservatórios silvestres. A despeito do pequeno número de casos humanos da doença de Chagas descritos até agora na Amazônia brasileira, o risco que essa doença se torne endêmica é cada vez maior, pelas seguintes razões: a) desmatamentos e colonização descontrolados, alterando o balanço entre reservatórios e vetores; b) adaptação de reservatórios e vetores silvestres com T.cruzi ao peridomicílio, como única alternativa alimentar; c) migração de populações humanas infectadas com T.cruzi acompanhadas de reservatórios domésticos (cães e gatos) ou de vetores de suas regiões de origem na bagagem, já adaptados ao domicílio. Em resumo, o risco de que a doença de Chagas se torne endêmica na Amazônia brasileira está ligado à transposição do ciclo silvestre para o doméstico na própria área ou do ciclo doméstico já estabelecido em áreas endêmicas para a Amazônia

Morphological Aspects of Antennal Sensilla of the Rhodnius brethesi Matta, 1919 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) from the Negro River, Amazon Region of Brazil

Studies conducted in river Ererê located in the left margin of Negro River, municipality of Barcelos, state of Amazonas, have confirmed that Rhodnius brethesi has as its natural habitat the palm tree Leopoldinia piassaba. By scanning electron microscopy, sensillum type was studied on the antennae of R. brethesi. The specimens used come from the field and laboratory colony. No differences were observed between R. brethesi and other Triatominae studied. In the R. brethesi antennas, differences were observed only between the antennal segments and in the dorsal and ventral portions. Trichobothria sensilla show a difference with a lamellar base, suggesting that this conformation of the base of the sensilla is a synapomorphic feature of the genus. Another important observation is that, considering that R. brethesi is a specialist, infesting only one type of palm tree, trichoidea sensilla may be involved with plant-derived odorants. The knowledge of such functions could benefit the understanding of the likely biological role of these structures in chemical communication and also provide basic information for future studies of niche recognition, since this species of triatomine is only found in the L. piassaba palm

Eratyrus mucronatus Stål, 1859 and Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus (Champion, 1899) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae): first records in a riverside community of Rio Negro, Amazonas state, Brazil

The present work reports the first record of Eratyrus mucronatus Stål, 1859 and Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus (Champion, 1899) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in a riverside community of Rio Negro in the Brazilian Amazon. Health promotion activities were carried out with the population and agent to combat endemic diseases. The entomological findings reinforce the importance of community participation in the surveillance and control of triatomines. The use of knowledge dissemination actions on Chagas disease and vectors strengthened the entomological surveillance in the middle Rio Negro, Amazonas state

Morphobiological aspects of Rhodnius brethesi Matta, 1919 (Hemiptera:Reduviidae) from the Upper and Middle Negro River, Amazon region of Brazil. I - Scanning electron microscopy

Submitted by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2019-07-11T16:04:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 JacenirMallet_AngelaJunqueira_etal_IOC_2005.pdf: 2558915 bytes, checksum: ee37ec2d25c54c6dc85cd5580fc79a30 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2019-07-11T16:12:44Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 JacenirMallet_AngelaJunqueira_etal_IOC_2005.pdf: 2558915 bytes, checksum: ee37ec2d25c54c6dc85cd5580fc79a30 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2019-07-11T16:12:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JacenirMallet_AngelaJunqueira_etal_IOC_2005.pdf: 2558915 bytes, checksum: ee37ec2d25c54c6dc85cd5580fc79a30 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Departamento de Entomologia. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Departamento de Medicina Tropical. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Departamento de Medicina Tropical. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Departamento de Medicina Tropical. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Departamento de Entomologia. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.The occurrence of autochthonous cases of Chagas disease in the Amazon region of Brazil over recent decades has motivated an intensification of studies in this area. Different species of triatomines have been identified, and ten of these have be proven to be carriers of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi or “cruzi-like” parasites. Studies conducted in the municipalities of Santa Isabel do Rio Negro and Barcelos, located on the Upper and Middle of the Negro River, microregion of Negro River, state of Amazonas have confirmed not only that Rhodnius brethesi is present in the palm tree Leopoldinia piassaba, but also that this insect was recognized by palm fiber collectors. A morphological study of eyes, inter-ocular and inter-ocellar regions, antennae, buccula, labrum, rostrum, stridulatory sulcus and feet, including the apex of the tibia, spongy fossette and ctenidium was conducted by scanning electron microscopy. The buccula and the stridulatory sulcus presented notable differences in specimens of different genera and also of different species. These data make it possible to suggest that the details presented in these structures can be included as diagnostic characteristics to be used in new dichotomous keys, thereby contributing towards studies of taxonomy and systematics and furnishing backing for comparative analysis of specimens collected from different localities

Reflecti ons on the online learning of Biosafety based in the meaningful learning

Submitted by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2016-12-27T15:29:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 monica_santos_etal_IOC_2016.pdf: 879874 bytes, checksum: 67a1fdeb11d6acb196af89e8c0a75ec3 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2016-12-27T15:50:07Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 monica_santos_etal_IOC_2016.pdf: 879874 bytes, checksum: 67a1fdeb11d6acb196af89e8c0a75ec3 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-27T15:50:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 monica_santos_etal_IOC_2016.pdf: 879874 bytes, checksum: 67a1fdeb11d6acb196af89e8c0a75ec3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Programa Stricto sensu em Ensino em Biociências e Saúde (Doutorado). Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Comissão Interna de Biossegurança. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Comissão Interna de Biossegurança. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Instituto de Bioquímica Médica. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil

Morphobiological aspects of Rhodnius brethesi Matta, 1919 (Hemiptera:Reduviidae) from the Upper and Middle Negro River, Amazon region of Brazil. I - Scanning electron microscopy

The occurrence of autochthonous cases of Chagas disease in the Amazon region of Brazil over recent decades has motivated an intensification of studies in this area. Different species of triatomines have been identified, and ten of these have be proven to be carriers of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi or "cruzi-like" parasites. Studies conducted in the municipalities of Santa Isabel do Rio Negro and Barcelos, located on the Upper and Middle of the Negro River, microregion of Negro River, state of Amazonas have confirmed not only that Rhodnius brethesi is present in the palm tree Leopoldinia piassaba , but also that this insect was recognized by palm fiber collectors. A morphological study of eyes, inter-ocular and inter-ocellar regions, antennae, buccula, labrum, rostrum, stridulatory sulcus and feet, including the apex of the tibia, spongy fossette and ctenidium was conducted by scanning electron microscopy. The buccula and the stridulatory sulcus presented notable differences in specimens of different genera and also of different species. These data make it possible to suggest that the details presented in these structures can be included as diagnostic characteristics to be used in new dichotomous keys, thereby contributing towards studies of taxonomy and systematics and furnishing backing for comparative analysis of specimens collected from different localities