Infestação por Aedes aegypti estimada por armadilha de oviposição em Salvador, Bahia

OBJECTIVE: To assess infestation levels of Aedes aegypti using the oviposition trap (ovitrap) method and to compare these results with data obtained with the use of indices traditionally applied in public programs aimed at fighting this vector. METHODS: Nine sentinel areas in Northeastern, Brazil, were assessed and infestation levels were measured for a nine-month period. Egg density and container indices were estimated and compared with previous results found using the house index and Breteau index. RESULTS: The results indicated that the area studied was infested with this vector during the entire study period and that the infestation was widespread in all areas. Different results were found with the different indices studied. There were areas in which the house index and the Breteau index were negative or close to zero, whereas the container index for the same area was 11% and the egg density index was 8.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The container and egg density indices allow better assessment of infestation rates in a city than the conventionally used indices (house index and Breteau index). At lower operational costs and easier standardization, these indices can be applied as a measurement tool for assessing infestation rates during entomological surveillance in programs to fight Aedes aegypti.OBJETIVO: Estimar os índices de infestação do Aedes aegypti, utilizando ovitrampa com atrativo e comparar esse método com os tradicionalmente utilizados nos programas oficiais de combate ao vetor. MÉTODOS: Foram analisadas nove áreas sentinelas de Salvador, Estado da Bahia, durante nove meses. Foram calculados os índices de densidade de ovos e positividade de ovitrampa, e levantamento dos índices de infestação predial e de Breteau para comparação. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que o município apresentou infestação pelo vetor durante todo o período de estudo em todas as áreas sentinelas. Os índices nem sempre apresentaram resultados de infestação semelhantes. Em algumas áreas os índices de infestação predial e de Breteau foram negativos ou próximos de zero, enquanto que o índice de positividade de ovitrampa apresentou valor de 11% e o índice de densidade de ovos 8,3%. CONCLUSÕES: O índice de positividade de ovitrampa e o índice de densidade de ovos permitem avaliar melhor o quadro de infestação de uma cidade com custo operacional bastante reduzido e com maior facilidade de padronização do que os índices tradicionais (infestação predial e de Breteau). Recomenda-se, assim, sua utilização nas fases de levantamento de índices e de vigilância entomológica desenvolvidas pelo programa de combate ao Aedes aegypti

Anthropophilic activity of Aedes aegypti and of Aedes albopictus in area under control and surveillance

OBJECTIVE: To describe the hematophagous activity of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in an area under control and surveillance. METHODS: The study was conducted during 18 months, from April, 1993 to October, 1994, in Cosmópolis, São Paulo state, Brazil. Human baits were used to collect mosquitoes. The number of females captured is presented monthly by area of the city and local in the household. The rainfall was measured and indices are presented without model adjustment. RESULTS: The presence of females of both species was observed in 83% (Ae albopictus) and 61% (Ae. aegypti) of the period studied. The months of January, February and March presented the highest rates of activity for females of both species, with Ae. albopictus being more frequently captured than Ae. aegypti. Both species were captured in central and peripheral areas of the city, during the day from 9 to 12 am and from 4 to 7 pm. By a Poisson regression, it was observed that Ae. albopictus females were more frequently captured in the peri-housed area, in an independent way considering the area of the city. CONCLUSIONS: It has been identified difference on the hematophagous activity only for Ae. albopictus, being of importance the outside area of the house.OBJETIVO: Descrever a atividade de hematofagia de Aedes aegypti e Aedes albopictus em área submetida ao controle e à vigilância entomológica. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi realizado de abril de 1993 a setembro de 1994, na cidade de Cosmópolis, Estado de São Paulo. Utilizou-se isca humana para coleta dos exemplares. Calculou-se o número médio mensal de fêmeas capturadas por domicílio segundo as áreas central e periférica do município e os locais intra e peridomiciliar. Apresenta-se o índice pluviométrico mensal sem ajuste de modelo. RESULTADOS: Observou-se a presença de fêmeas das espécies em 83% (Ae. albopictus) e 61% (Ae. aegypti) do período estudado. Os meses de janeiro, fevereiro e março apresentaram maior atividade de fêmeas para as duas espécies, com maior presença de Ae. albopictus do que de Ae. aegypti. Os exemplares foram capturados na área central e periférica da cidade, nos períodos matutino, das 9:00 às 12:00 e crepuscular vespertino, das 16:00 às 19:00. Com utilização de modelo de regressão de Poisson, observou-se que fêmeas de Ae. albopictus foram mais capturadas no peridomicílio, independente se área central ou periférica. CONCLUSÕES: Foi detectada diferença no perfil de atividade da hematofagia somente para o Ae. albopictus, sendo de relevância o peridomicílio

Vitamin A supplementation for breastfeeding mothers (Protocol)

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of vitamin A supplementation, alone or in combination with other micronutrients (e.g. iron, folic acid, vitamin E), in mothers during the postpartum period, on maternal and infant health. Specific objectives are to compare the effects of vitamin A supplementation (alone or in combination with other micronutrients) with placebo or no supplementation on: 1. the duration and occurrence of maternal morbidity (xerophthalmia, infection) or illness symptoms (night blindness, fever, nausea, vomiting); 2. the duration and occurrence of neonatal or infant morbidity (respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, measles) or illness symptoms (fever, nausea, vomiting); 3. maternal serum retinol concentration; 4. infant serum retinol concentration; 5. breast milk retinol concentration; and 6. maternal satisfaction

REPRODUCIBILITY OF ALKALINE ANTIGENS OF Leishmania major-LIKE AND Leishmania (V.) braziliensis EVALUATED BY IgG-ELISA. COMPARISON OF ANTIGENS ADDED OF A PROTEIN INHIBITOR (PMSF) OR NOT

This paper deals with the analysis of 10 batches of L.major-like and L.(V.) braziliensis antigens added or not of a proteases inhibitor evaluated by means of an IgG-ELISA on three consecutive days using positive standard sera from patients with diagnosis of American Leishmaniasis previously tested for the presence of IgG antibodies by means of ELISA. The statistical analysis showed that for L. (V.) braziliensis the PMSF-containing antigen did not show any difference among batches or days of testing; the L.(V.) braziliensis antigen without PMSF showed statistical significance for differences among batches and a two-way ANOVA showed significant differences between antigens. L.major-like antigen prepared with or without PMSF showed differences among batches; all 3 days of testing displayed differences for the PMSF antigen but only for days 1 and 2 for the antigen without inhibitor. A two-way ANOVA showed differences among batches of the antigens but not for antigens with and without the protein inhibitor. According to the statistical analysis the L.major-like antigen added or not of PMSF has shown that it is the choice antigen for mucocutaneous leishmaniasis serology

Infestation of Aedes aegypti estimated by oviposition traps in Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To assess infestation levels of Aedes aegypti using the oviposition trap (ovitrap) method and to compare these results with data obtained with the use of indices traditionally applied in public programs aimed at fighting this vector. METHODS: Nine sentinel areas in Northeastern, Brazil, were assessed and infestation levels were measured for a nine-month period. Egg density and container indices were estimated and compared with previous results found using the house index and Breteau index. RESULTS: The results indicated that the area studied was infested with this vector during the entire study period and that the infestation was widespread in all areas. Different results were found with the different indices studied. There were areas in which the house index and the Breteau index were negative or close to zero, whereas the container index for the same area was 11% and the egg density index was 8.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The container and egg density indices allow better assessment of infestation rates in a city than the conventionally used indices (house index and Breteau index). At lower operational costs and easier standardization, these indices can be applied as a measurement tool for assessing infestation rates during entomological surveillance in programs to fight Aedes aegypti

Gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and gestational weight gain as risk factors for increased fat mass in Brazilian newborns.

BackgroundGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy. It may predispose offspring to increased fat mass (FM) and the development of obesity, however few data from Latin America exist.ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of GDM on newborn FM in mother-newborn pairs recruited from a public maternity care center in São Paulo, Brazil.MethodsData were collected cross-sectionally in 2013-2014 from 72 mothers diagnosed with GDM, and 211 mothers with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Newborn FM was evaluated by air-displacement plethysmography (PEA POD), and relevant demographic and obstetric data were collected from hospital records. Associations between maternal GDM status and newborn FM were investigated by multiple linear regression analysis, with adjustment for maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, type of delivery, sex of the child, and gestational age.ResultsFM was greater in GDM versus NGT newborns in a bivariable model (Median (IQR), GDM: 0.35 (0.3) kg vs. NGT: 0.27 (0.2) kg, p = 0.02), however GDM status was not a significant predictor of FM with adjustment for other variables. Rather, pre-pregnancy BMI (coefficient (β) 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66, 2.27), gestational weight gain (β 1.32; 95% CI 0.49, 2.15), and male sex (β -17.8; 95% CI -27.2, -8.29) predicted newborn FM. Analyzing GDM and NGT groups separately, pre-pregnancy BMI (β 6.75; 95% CI 2.36, 11.1) and gestational weight gain (β 5.64; 95% CI 1.16, 10.1) predicted FM in the GDM group, while male sex alone predicted FM in the NGT group (β -12.3; 95% CI -18.3, -6.34).ConclusionsCombined model results suggest that in our cohort, pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain are more important risk factors for increased neonatal FM than GDM. However, group-specific model results suggest that GDM status may contribute to variation in the relationship between maternal/offspring factors and FM. Our use of a binary GDM variable in the combined model may have precluded clearer results on this point. Prospective cohort studies including data on maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, GWG, and glycemic profile are needed to better understand associations among these variables and their relative influence on offspring FM