First report on the occurrence of Trypanosoma rangeli Tejera, 1920 in the state of Ceará, Brazil, in naturally infected triatomine Rhodnius nasutus Stal, 1859 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)

The aim of this work was to identify and report the occurrence of Trypanosoma rangeli and Trypanosoma cruzi in naturally infected Rhodnius nasutus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Triatomines feces, salivary glands, and hemolymph were collected for fresh examination, and specific detection of T. rangeli and T. cruzi DNA by polymerase chain reaction was carried out. The specific characterization of these two parasites showed the simultaneous presence of both parasites in two (7.7%) of the 26 positive insects. Our results provide further knowledge on the geographical distribution of T. rangeli in Brazil

Ecological aspects of Rhodnius nasutus St l, 1859 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) in palms of the Chapada do Araripe in Ceará, Brazil.

The aim of this work is to present aspects related to the ecology of Rhodnius nasutus Stål, 1859 in palms from Chapada do Araripe in Ceará, Brazil. The following five species of palms were investigated: babaçu (Attalea speciosa), buriti (Mauritia flexuosa), carnaúba (Copernicia prunifera), catolé (Syagrus oleracea) and macaúba-barriguda (Acrocomia intumescens). Fifth palms were dissected (10 specimens for each species). The overall infestation index was 86%, with a total of 521 triatomines collected. The Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, 1909 Index was 16.8% and two insects presented mixed infection with Trypanosoma rangeli Tejera, 1920. A precipitin test showed that R. nasutus from palms of Chapada do Araripe are associated with opossum and bird although other possible bloodmeals were observed. Our results showing a high index of infestation of the palms as well as T. cruzi infection, the association of R. nasutus with the most diverse species of palms and proximity of these palms to houses demonstrate the importance of this area for sylvatic T. cruzi transmission and suggest the need for epidemiological surveillance in the region of the Chapada do Araripe

First report on the occurrence of Trypanosoma rangeli Tejera, 1920 in the state of Ceará, Brazil, in naturally infected triatomine Rhodnius nasutus Stål, 1859 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)

Submitted by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2013-06-21T12:59:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 39 DIAS FBS.pdf: 125300 bytes, checksum: 372104899d268ec0b3afbe04e9d6f2fa (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2013-06-21T12:59:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 39 DIAS FBS.pdf: 125300 bytes, checksum: 372104899d268ec0b3afbe04e9d6f2fa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007CNPq, CPqRR-FiocruzFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Laboratório de Triatomíneos e Epidemiologia da Doença de Chagas. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Laboratório de Triatomíneos e Epidemiologia da Doença de Chagas. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Laboratório de Parasitologia Celular e Molecular. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilSecretaria do Estado da Saúde do Ceará. Fortaleza, CE, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Laboratório de Triatomíneos e Epidemiologia da Doença de Chagas. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilThe aim of this work was to identify and report the occurrence of Trypanosoma rangeli and Trypanosoma cruzi in naturally infected Rhodnius nasutus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Triatomines feces, salivary glands, and hemolymph were collected for fresh examination, and specific detection of T. rangeli and T. cruzi DNA by polymerase chain reaction was carried out. The specific characterization of these two parasites showed the simultaneous presence of both parasites in two (7.7%) of the 26 positive insects. Our results provide further knowledge on the geographical distribution of T. rangeli in Brazil

Evaluation of natural foci of Panstrongylus megistus in a forest fragment in Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Introduction: Panstrongylus megistus is commonly found in wild environments of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The aim of this study was to characterize the network of refuges used by triatomine in a forest fragment of Porto Alegre and to identify Trypanosoma cruzi infection, associated hosts and the epidemiological importance of both hosts and triatomines. Methods: Techniques including the spool-and-line method and active searching (transects) were used to identify natural foci. Results: The food source for each triatomine was determined using the precipitin test, and the infection of marsupials was determined by xenodiagnosis. A total of 33 adults (domestic environment) and 27 nymphs (wild environment) of P. megistus were found in addition to 43 Didelphis albiventris specimens. The infection rates of triatomine adults, triatomine nymphs and opossums with T. cruzi I were 64%, 73% and 69%, respectively. Birds, rodents and opossums were the main resources used by triatomine. Conclusions: This work presents the fi rst characterization of a natural focus of P. megistus in Rio Grande do Sul. The natural characteristics of this focus and its implication in the transmission of T. cruzi are discussed

Trypanosoma cruzi Discret Typing Units (TcII and TcVI) in samples of patients from two municipalities of the Jequitinhonha Valley, MG, Brazil, using two molecular typing strategies.

Background: Trypanosoma cruzi is classified into six discrete taxonomic units (DTUs). For this classification, different biological markers and classification criteria have been used. The objective was to identify the genetic profile of T. cruzi samples isolated from patients of two municipalities of Jequitinhonha Valley, MG, Brazil. Methods: Molecular characterization was performed using two different criteria for T. cruzi typing to characterize 63 T. cruzi samples isolated from chronic Chagas disease patients. The characterizations followed two distinct methodologies. Additionally, the RAPD technique was used to evaluate the existence of genetic intragroup variability. Results: The first methodology identified 89 % of the samples as TcII, but it was not possible to define the genetic identity of seven isolates. The results obtained with the second methodology corroborated the classification as TcII of the same samples and defined the classification of the other seven as TcVI. RAPD analysis showed lower intra-group variability in TcII. Conclusions: The results confirmed the preliminary data obtained in other municipalities of the Jequitinhonha Valley, showing a predominance of TcII, similar to that verified in northeast/south axis of Brazil and the first detection of TcVI in the study region. The second protocol was more simple and reliable to identify samples of hybrid character

Evaluation of Change in Canine Diagnosis Protocol Adopted by the Visceral Leishmaniasis Control Program in Brazil and a New Proposal for Diagnosis

Submitted by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2015-02-02T11:32:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_015.pdf: 485998 bytes, checksum: 07fc064a055d2534382c23cb7ecdf1ca (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2015-02-02T11:32:14Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_015.pdf: 485998 bytes, checksum: 07fc064a055d2534382c23cb7ecdf1ca (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2015-02-02T11:37:49Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_015.pdf: 485998 bytes, checksum: 07fc064a055d2534382c23cb7ecdf1ca (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-02T11:37:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_015.pdf: 485998 bytes, checksum: 07fc064a055d2534382c23cb7ecdf1ca (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Escola de Farmácia e Ciências Farmacêuticas. Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Faculdade de Medicina. Infectologia e Medicina Tropical. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil / Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Escola de Farmácia e Ciências Farmacêuticas. Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil / Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas. Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Imunopatologia. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Escola de Farmácia. Ciências Farmacêuticas. Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil / Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas. Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Imunopatologia. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Escola de Farmácia e Ciências Farmacêuticas. Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil / Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas. Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Imunopatologia. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Escola de Farmácia e Ciências Farmacêuticas. Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil / Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas. Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Imunopatologia. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Escola de Farmácia e Ciências Farmacêuticas. Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil / Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas. Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Imunopatologia. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Escola de Farmácia e Ciências Farmacêuticas. Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas. Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Imunopatologia. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil.Prefeitura de Belo Horizonte. Secretaria Municipal de Saúde. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Rene Rachou. Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Molecular. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil / Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Faculdade de Medicina. Infectologia e Medicina Tropical. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Parasitologia. Laboratório de Epidemiologia de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitarias. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Escola de Farmácia e Ciências Farmacêuticas. Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil / Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas. Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas. Laboratório de Imunopatologia. Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil / Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais. Salvador, BA, Brasil.The techniques used for diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in Brazil ELISA and IFAT have been extensively questioned because of the accuracy of these tests. A recent change in the diagnosis protocol excluded IFAT and included the Dual-Path Platform (DPP). We evaluated the prevalence and incidence rates of Leishmania spp. before and after the change in the protocol. In addition, based on our results, we propose a new alternative that is less expensive for the screening and confirmation of CVL. Plasma samples were obtained from a serobank from dogs evaluated in a cross-sectional study (1,226 dogs) and in a cohort study of susceptible animals (n = 447), followed for 26 months. Serology testing was performed using ELISA, IFAT, and DPP. The incidence and prevalence of CVL were determined by using the protocol of the Visceral Leishmaniasis Control and Surveillance Program until 2012 (ELISA and IFAT using filter paper) and the protocol used after 2012 (DPP and ELISA using plasma). The prevalence was 6.2% and the incidence was 2.8 per 1,000 dog-months for the protocol used until 2012. For the new diagnosis protocol for CVL resulted in an incidence of 5.4 per 1,000 dog-months and a prevalence of 8.1%. Our results showed that the prevalence and incidence of infection were far greater than suggested by the previously used protocol and that the magnitude of infection in endemic areas has been underestimated. As tests are performed sequentially and euthanasia of dogs is carried out when the serological results are positive in both tests, the sequence does not affect the number of animals to be eliminated by the Control Program. Then we suggest to municipalities with a large demand of exams to use ELISA for screening and DPP for confirmation, since this allows easier performance and reduced cost

Eye colour as a genetic marker for fertility and fecundity of Triatoma infestans (Klug, 1834) Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae.

Eye colour of Triatoma infestans is controlled at a single autosomal locus, with black-eye as the dominant gene and red-eye as the recessive. Inheritance of these characters follows a classical Mendelian system, enabling eye colour to be used as a marker for studies of mating frequency. We found no significant differences in oviposition rates and egg hatching rates irrespective of parental phenotypes. Different mating schedules between red-eye and black-eye parents showed that eye colour did not affect mating competence. Females mated with a single male or with different males together or in succession produced similar numbers of fertile eggs, with the eye colour of the offspring reflecting exposure to the different males. We conclude that although a single mating can provide sufficient sperm for the whole reproductive life of the female, multiple matings can result in balanced assortative sperm usage from the spermatheca