3 research outputs found
Naturally Acquired Humoral Immunity against Malaria Parasites in Non-Human Primates from the Brazilian Amazon, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest.
Plasmodium - Plasmodium brasilianum - P. malariae -
P. malariae - P. falciparum - P. vivax - Plasmodium content: -
"Non-human primates (NHPs) have been shown to be infected by
parasites of the genus " - ", the etiological agent of malaria
in humans, creating potential risks of zoonotic transmission. "
- ", a parasite species similar to " - " of humans, have been
described in NHPs from Central and South America, including
Brazil. The merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1), besides being a
malaria vaccine candidate, is highly immunogenic. Due to such
properties, we tested this protein for the diagnosis of parasite
infection. We used recombinant proteins of " - " MSP1, as well
as of " - " and " - ", for the detection of antibodies anti-MSP1
of these parasite species, in the sera of NHPs collected in
different regions of Brazil. About 40% of the NHP sera were
confirmed as reactive to the proteins of one or more parasite
species. A relatively higher number of reactive sera was found
in animals from the Atlantic Forest than those from the Amazon
region, possibly reflecting the former more intense parasite
circulation among NHPs due to their proximity to humans at a
higher populational density. The presence of " - " positive NHPs
in the surveyed areas, being therefore potential parasite
reservoirs, needs to be considered in any malaria surveillance
program.
Species structure of sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) fauna in the Brazilian western Amazon
We surveyed areas of the state of Rondônia in western Amazon for phlebotomine, which are potential vectors of leishmaniasis. A total of 5,998 specimens were captured, resulting in the identification of 48 species within the Lutzomyia (99.98%) and Brumptomyia (0.02%) genera. The predominant species was Lutzomyia davisi, followed by Lutzomyia umbratilis, Lutzomyia llanosmartinsi, Lutzomyia c. carrerai, Lutzomyia dendrophyla, Lutzomyia nevesi and Lutzomyia whitmani. All sand flies identified as vectors for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil, i.e., Lu. davisi, Lu. umbratilis, Lu. c. carrerai and Lu. whitmani, were found in the surveyed areas