[Visceral leishmaniasis in Argentina. Cases notification and distribution of vectors (2006-2012)]. / Leishmaniasis visceral en la Argentina. Notificación y situación vectorial (2006-2012).

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a notifiable disease in Argentina. Every new case diagnosed must be reported to the National Health Surveillance System. In the period 2006-2012, a total of 103 cases have been notified in four provinces: Entre Rios, Santa Fe, Misiones and Santiago del Estero. Misiones has the largest amount of cases: a total of 80, detected in 15 towns from May 2006 to July 2012. The highest incidence is observed in children (less than 15 years of age). In 2004 the vector Lutzomyia longipalpis was detected for the first time in Formosa Province. Cases of human and canine VL, as well as the presence of the canine vector were reported in 2006 in the province of Misiones, and in 2008-2009 in the province of Corrientes. In Santiago del Estero cases of human and canine VL (2008) were possibly associated with secondary vectors. In 2010 Lu longipalpis was found in Entre Rios, showing its dispersal to the south. Between January and April 2011 a systematic search of the VL vector was carried out in 13 towns, in Entre Ríos, Santa Fe and Santiago del Estero Provinces (275 traps/night). The colonization of the vector Lu longipalpis was proved in Chajarí town (Entre Rios), but not in Santiago del Estero Province, where Migonemyia migonei appears as a putative LV vector.

Morphological and molecular analyses confirm the presence of the newly described bat species Molossus melini in the Espinal ecoregion from Argentina.

Until now, Molossus melini was known only from its type locality, in the south of Santa Fe province, Argentina. Specimens of this species were collected in 2021 from a roost in a Fraxinus tree of the urban woodland of Paraná city, Entre Ríos province, Argentina. Bat identification was made by comparing external and cranial characters and measurements with those reported in the bibliography and corroborated by a phylogenetic analysis based on the cytochrome b gene. Also, multivariate morphometric analyses showed that cranial measurements, but not external ones, are informative enough to discriminate M. melini from the other Molossus species in Argentina (M. currentium, M. fluminensis, and M. molossus). This new record extends the distribution of M. melini from the south of Santa Fe province by 230 km to the northeast and represents the first record of the species in the Espinal ecoregion. Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13364-023-00679-1.

[Distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the Argentine Mesopotamia, 2010]. / Distribución de Lutzomyia Longipalpis en la Mesopotamia Argentina, 2010.

The first case of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Argentina was reported in 2006 in Posadas, Misiones. During the summer 2008-2009 Lutzomyia longipalpis, the VL vector, and canine VL cases were already spread along the province of Corrientes. In order to know the distribution of VL risk, systematic captures of the vector were performed between February and March 2010, in 18 areas of the provinces of Entre Ríos and Corrientes, and the city of Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, with a total of 313 traps/night. We confirmed the presence of Lu. longipalpis, for the first time in Chajarí (Entre Ríos), Alvear, La Cruz, Curuzú Cuatiá and Bella Vista (Corrientes), and Puerto Iguazú (Misiones). In Santo Tome and Monte Caseros (Corrientes), where the vector had been previously reported, traps with more samples were obtained with 830 and 126 Lu. Longipalpis trap/site/night respectively. These results show that the vector of urban VL continues spreading in the Argentine territory. Simultaneously, the spread of the parasite and the resulting human VL cases are associated with the dispersion of reservoirs, infected dogs, with or without clinical symptoms or signs, due to human transit.

General biochemical and immunological characterization of the venom from the scorpion Tityus trivittatus of Argentina.

Tityus trivittatus is the Argentinean scorpion reported to cause the majority of human fatalities in the country, however no systematic studies have been conducted with the venom of this species. This communication describes a general biochemical and immunological characterization of the venom obtained from T. trivittatus scorpions collected in the city of Buenos Aires and various provinces of Argentina: Catamarca, Cordoba, Entre Rios, La Rioja, Santa Fe and Santiago del Estero. These are places where human accidents were reported to occur due to this scorpion. For comparative purposes two types of samples were assayed: whole soluble venom obtained by electrical stimulation and supernatant from homogenized venomous glands. Two strains of mice (NIH and CF-1) were used for LD(50) determinations by two distinct routes of administration (intravenously and intraperitoneally). Important variations were found that goes from 0.5 to 12 mg/kg mouse body weight. Samples of soluble venom were always more potent than Telson homogenates. More complex pattern was observed in homogenates compared to soluble venom, as expected. This was supported by gel electrophoretic analysis and high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separations. Additionally, the HPLC profile was enriched in proteins resolved at similar elution times as other known toxins from scorpion venoms studied. Immune enzymatic assays were also conducted comparatively, using four different anti-venoms commercially available for treatment of scorpion stings (Argentinean antidote from INPB, two anti-venoms from Butantan Institute of Brazil and Alacramyn from the Mexican Bioclon Institute). Cross-reactivities were observed and are reported among the various venoms and anti-venoms used. Lung, heart, liver and pancreas pathological modifications were observed on tissues of intoxicated mice. It seems that there are important variations on the venom compositions of the various samples studied and reported here, depending on the geographical area where the scorpions were captured. The results reported here are important for the clinical outcome of human accidents.

Leishmaniasis visceral en la Argentina: Notificación y situación vectorial (2006-2012) / Visceral leishmaniasis in Argentina: Cases notification and distribution of vectors (2006-2012)

La leishmaniasis visceral (LV) en la Argentina se notifica obligatoriamente a través del Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia de la Salud (SNVS). El análisis de la notificación muestra un total de 103 casos distribuidos en cuatro provincias, siendo Misiones la de mayor casuística con un total de 80 casos en 15 localidades, desde mayo 2006 hasta julio de 2012. Los niños de 0 a 15 años de edad son el grupo con mayor incidencia. En el año 2004 fue registrado por primera vez el riesgo de LV urbana endémica en la provincia de Formosa tras el hallazgo del vector Lutzomyia longipalpis. En el año 2006 la provincia de Misiones registra casos de LV humana, LV canina, y la provincia de Corrientes en el verano 2008-2009. En Santiago del Estero los casos de LV humana y LV canina en el año 2008 estuvieron asociados posiblemente a vectores secundarios. En el año 2010 Lu. longipalpis fue hallado en Chajarí, Entre Ríos, mostrando su dispersión hacia el sur. Por ello, para conocer la distribución del riesgo, entre enero y abril del 2011 se realizó búsqueda sistemática del vector de LV en 13 localidades de las provincias de Entre Ríos, Santa Fe y Santiago del Estero, totalizando 275 trampas/noche. Se comprobó la colonización de Lu. longipalpis, en la localidad de Chajarí. En Santiago del Estero no se encontró Lu. longipalpis por lo que Migonemyia migonei sigue incriminada como vector putativo de LV en esta región.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a notifiable disease in Argentina. Every new case diagnosed must be reported to the National Health Surveillance System. In the period 2006-2012, a total of 103 cases have been notified in four provinces: Entre Rios, Santa Fe, Misiones and Santiago del Estero. Misiones has the largest amount of cases: a total of 80, detected in 15 towns from May 2006 to July 2012. The highest incidence is observed in children (less than 15 years of age). In 2004 the vector Lutzomyia longipalpis was detected for the first time in Formosa Province. Cases of human and canine VL, as well as the presence of the canine vector were reported in 2006 in the province of Misiones, and in 2008-2009 in the province of Corrientes. In Santiago del Estero cases of human and canine VL (2008) were possibly associated with secondary vectors. In 2010 Lu longipalpis was found in Entre Rios, showing its dispersal to the south. Between January and April 2011 a systematic search of the VL vector was carried out in 13 towns, in Entre Ríos, Santa Fe and Santiago del Estero Provinces (275 traps/night). The colonization of the vector Lu longipalpis was proved in Chajarí town (Entre Rios), but not in Santiago del Estero Province, where Migonemyia migonei appears as a putative LV vector.

Distribución de Lutzomyia longipalpis en la Mesopotamia Argentina, 2010 / Distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the Argentine Mesopotamia, 2010

El primer caso autóctono de leishmaniasis visceral (LV) en la Argentina se notificó en el año 2006 en Posadas, Misiones, y en el verano 2008-2009 se comprobó la dispersión del vector de LV, Lutzomyia longipalpis y casos de LV canina en la provincia de Corrientes. Para conocer la distribución del riesgo, entre febrero y marzo del 2010 se realizó la búsqueda sistemática del vector de LV en 18 localidades de las provincias de Entre Ríos, Corrientes y en la ciudad de Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, totalizando 313 trampas/noche. Se comprobó la presencia de Lu. longipalpis, por primera vez, en las localidades de Chajarí (Entre Ríos), Alvear, La Cruz, Curuzú Cuatiá y Bella Vista (Corrientes), y en Puerto Iguazú (Misiones). En Santo Tomé y Monte Caseros (Corrientes) se volvió a registrar la presencia del vector, y se obtuvieron las trampas con más ejemplares, 830 y 126 Lu. longipalpis trampa/sitio/noche respectivamente. Los resultados muestran que el vector de la LV urbana, continúa dispersándose en el territorio argentino. Simultáneamente, la propagación del parásito, y los consecuentes casos de LV humana se asocian al aumento de reservorios, perros infectados con o sin clínica, debidos al tránsito humano.

The first case of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Argentina was reported in 2006 in Posadas, Misiones. During the summer 2008-2009 Lutzomyia longipalpis, the VL vector, and canine VL cases were already spread along the province of Corrientes. In order to know the distribution of VL risk, systematic captures of the vector were performed between February and March 2010, in 18 areas of the provinces of Entre Ríos and Corrientes, and the city of Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, with a total of 313 traps/night. We confirmed the presence of Lu. longipalpis, for the first time in Chajarí (Entre Ríos), Alvear, La Cruz, Curuzú Cuatiá and Bella Vista (Corrientes), and Puerto Iguazú (Misiones). In Santo Tome and Monte Caseros (Corrientes), where the vector had been previously reported, traps with more samples were obtained with 830 and 126 Lu. Longipalpis trap/site/night respectively. These results show that the vector of urban VL continues spreading in the Argentine territory. Simultaneously, the spread of the parasite and the resulting human VL cases are associated with the dispersion of reservoirs, infected dogs, with or without clinical symptoms or signs, due to human transit.