Distribution of commensal rodents insome shops of three districts in Malakand region, Pakistan / Distribuição de roedores comensais em algumas lojas de três distritos na região de Malakand, Paquistão

Using wire mesh live traps distribution pattern of the Rattus rattus and Mus musculus in different shops of three districts of Malakand region, Pakistan were recorded from September 2014 to October 2015. Over all 103 rodents (Rattus rattus 86 and Mus musculus 17) were caught during in 0.04 trap success (2448 trap nights). Regression of daily captures on cumulative captures revealed an estimate of 103 rodents from all the sampled structures with an average of 3.55 rodents per shop. R. rattus; 83.4% of captures were numerically dominant in almost all types of shops sampled, and were significantly different than Mus musculus; 16.5% of captures. Both species were found together in some shops while they were mostly trapped from the separate shops. Male rodents outnumbered the females.

Usando o padrão de distribuição de armadilhas vivas de malha de arame do Rattus rattus e Mus musculus em diferentes lojas de três distritos da região de Malakand, o Paquistão foi registrado de setembro de 2014 a outubro de 2015. No total, 103 roedores (Rattus rattus 86 e Mus musculus 17) foram pegos durante em 0,04 armadilha de sucesso (2448 noites de armadilha). A regressão das capturas diárias em capturas cumulativas revelou uma estimativa de 103 roedores de todas as estruturas amostradas, com uma média de 3,55 roedores por loja. R. rattus; 83,4% das capturas foram numericamente dominantes em quase todos os tipos de lojas da amostra e foram significativamente diferentes do Mus musculus; 16,5% das capturas. Ambas as espécies foram encontradas juntas em algumas lojas, enquanto estavam na maior parte presas em lojas separadas. Os roedores machos eram mais numerosos do que as fêmeas.

[Strategy of transmission interruption of schistosomiasis and its effects in Runzhou District, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the strategy of transmission interruption of schistosomiasis in Runzhou District, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province. METHODS: The comprehensive prevention and control strategy was carried out in RunzhouDistrict, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province. The strategy was relied mainly on the Oncomelania hupensis snail control, extended chemotherapy of schistosomiasis in residents and the health education. The infection rate of schistosomiasis in residents, area with snails, area with snails controlled, and the rates of awareness and correct behavior of schistosomiasis were as evaluation indexes. RESULTS: The area with snails controlled was 7 091.50 hm2 in Runzhou District, Zhenjiang City from 2001 to 2016. The area with snails reduced year by year from 2001 to 2016. There was a negative correlation between the coverage intensity of snail control and the area with snails (r = -0.874, P = 0). There were 1 703 serum positive and 199 fecal positive people of schistosomiasis in the permanent residents from 2001 to 2016. These serum and fecal positive people of schistosomiasis were all treated with praziquantel. The serum positive rate of schistosomiasis in the permanent residents dropped to below 1.0% after 2005. The fecal positive patients were not found in 2004 and later. Totally 189 639 people received the questionnaire survey for the knowledge of schistosomiasis control from 2001 to 2016. The rates of awareness and correct behavior of schistosomiasis were raised in the residents year by year. The goal of the transmission interruption of schistosomiasis came to true in Runzhou District, Zhenjiang City in 2016. CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive prevention and control strategy including mainly the snail control, extended chemotherapy of schistosomiasis and health education could achieve the goal of transmission interruption of schistosomiasis in the areas of marshland along the Yangtze River.

Occupation and Thyroid Cancer: A Population-Based, Case-Control Study in Connecticut.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to explore the associations between various occupations and thyroid cancer risk. METHODS: A population-based, case-control study involving 462 histologically confirmed incident cases and 498 controls was conducted in Connecticut in 2010 to 2011. RESULTS: A significantly increased risk of thyroid cancer, particularly papillary microcarcinoma, was observed for those working as the health care practitioners and technical workers, health diagnosing and treating practitioners, and registered nurses. Those working in building and grounds cleaning, maintenance occupations, pest control, retail sales, and customer service also had increased risk for papillary thyroid cancer. Subjects who worked as cooks, janitors, cleaners, and customer service representatives were at an increased risk of papillary thyroid cancer with tumor size more than 1 cm. CONCLUSION: Certain occupations were associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer, with some tumor size and subtype specificity.

Associations between self-reported pest treatments and pesticide concentrations in carpet dust.

BACKGROUND: Recent meta-analyses demonstrate an association between self-reported residential pesticide use and childhood leukemia risk. Self-reports may suffer from recall bias and provide information only on broad pesticide categories. We compared parental self-reported home and garden pest treatments to pesticides measured in carpet dust. METHODS: Parents of 277 children with leukemia and 306 controls in Northern and Central California (2001-2007) were asked about insect and weed treatments during the previous year. Carpet dust samples were analyzed for 47 pesticides. We present results for the 7 insecticides (carbaryl, propoxur, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, permethrin), 5 herbicides (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid [2,4-D], chlorthal, dicamba, mecoprop, simazine), and 1 synergist (piperonyl butoxide) that were present in home and garden products during the study period and were detected in ≥25% of carpet dust samples. We constructed linear regression models for the relative change in pesticide concentrations associated with self-reported treatment of pest types in cases and controls separately and combined, adjusting for demographics, housing characteristics, and nearby agricultural pesticide applications. RESULTS: Several self-reported treatments were associated with pesticide concentrations in dust. For example, households with flea/tick treatments had 2.3 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.4, 3.7) times higher permethrin concentrations than households not reporting this treatment. Households reporting treatment for ants/cockroaches had 2.5 (95% CI: 1.5, 4.2) times higher cypermethrin levels than households not reporting this treatment. Weed treatment by a household member was associated with 1.9 (1.4, 2.6), 2.2 (1.6, 3.1), and 2.8 (2.1, 3.7) times higher dust concentrations of dicamba, mecoprop, and 2,4-D, respectively. Weed treatments by professional applicators were null/inversely associated with herbicide concentrations in dust. Associations were generally similar between cases and controls and were consistent with pesticide active ingredients in these products during the study time period. CONCLUSIONS: Consistency between self-reported pest treatments, concentrations in dust, and pesticides in products lends credibility to the exposure assessment methods and suggests that differential recall by case-control status is minimal.

Avaliação das ações de controle da Leishmaniose Visceral na cidade de Teresina, Estado do Piauí, Brasil - 2006 a 2008 / Evaluation of control of visceral leishmaniasis in Teresina, Piauí State, Brazil - 2006 to 2008

Embora as ações de vigilância e controle da leishmaniose visceral (LV) preconizadas pelo Ministério da Saúde venham sendo realizadas nas mais variadas áreas endêmicas do país, seus resultados não tem sido satisfatórios. Para conter a expansão da doença, tendo em vista o seu aumento em centros urbanos, a estratégia de controle de leishmaniose visceral utilizada no Brasil atualmente merece reavaliação. Neste estudo, foram analisados os dados das ações do Programa de Controle da Leishmaniose Visceral (PLC) desenvolvidas no período de 2006 a 2008 em 38 dos 113 bairros que compõe o município de Teresina, no Estado do Piauí. As ações do PCL (borrifação domiciliar com inseticidas e eliminação de cães sororreagentes) foram avaliadas trimestralmente, sendo a variável dependente o número de casos de L ocorridos um ano após a execução das ações. Foram incluídas nas análises o ano após a execução das ações. Foram incluídas nas análises o ano de implementação destas ações e variáveis sócio-econômicas. A regressão de Poison foi realizada para verificar o grau de associação entre a ocorrência do agravo em relação às diferentes combinações de medidas de controle implementas pelo PCL sob intensidades de prevalência canina maiores ou menores que 10%. Após a regressão multivariada, constatou-se que, quando não se estratifica pelo nível de prevelência de infecção canina, os resultados apontam para uma não efetividade das ações de controle...

Integrated pest management: theoretical insights from a threshold policy

An Integrated Pest Management is formulated as a threshold policy. It is shown that when this strategy is applied to a food web consisting of generalist, specialist predators and endemic and pest prey, the dynamics can be stable and useful from the pest control point of view, despite the dynamical complexities inherent to the application of biocontrol only. In addition, pesticide toxicity depends rather on the species intrinsic parameters than on the chemical agent concentration.

Review of issues concerning the use of reproductive inhibitors, with particular emphasis on resolving human-wildlife conflicts in North America.

This manuscript provides an overview of past wildlife contraception efforts and discusses the current state of research. Two fertility control agents, an avian reproductive inhibitor containing the active ingredient nicarbazin and an immunocontraceptive vaccine, have received regulatory approval with the Environmental Protection Agency and are commercially available in the USA. OvoControl G Contraceptive Bait for Canada Geese and Ovo Control for pigeons are delivered as oral baits. An injectable immunocontraceptive vaccine (GonaCon Immunocontraceptive Vaccine) was registered with the Environmental Protection Agency for use in female white-tailed deer in September 2009. An injectable product (GonaCon Immunocontraceptive Vaccine) is registered for use in female white-tailed deer. Both products are labeled for use in urban/suburban areas where these species are overabundant. Several other compounds are currently being tested for use in wildlife in the USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand that could have promise in the future. The development and use of reproductive inhibitors for resolving human-wildlife conflicts will depend on a number of factors, including meeting the requirements of regulatory agencies for use in the environment and on the biological and economical feasibility of their use. Use will also be dependent on health and safety issues and on public acceptance of the techniques.

Investigação da ocorrência de infestação por Cimidae (Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha) na região metropolitana de São Paulo, no período de 2004 a 2009 / Investigation of occurrence of infestation by Cimicidae (Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha) in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, in the period 2004-2009

Os percevejos de cama são insetos hematófagos pertencentes à família Cimicidae e à ordem Hemiptera. Algumas das espécies desse grupo despertam interesse em Saúde Pública por apresentarem comportamento antropofílico. Atualmente verifica-se uma reemergência das infestações de percevejos de cama em diversas localidades do mundo, principalmente em grandes cidades, já que estas constituem ambientes propícios para sua instalação e proliferação, pois recebem ou abrigam grande número de indivíduos que atuam como fontes de alimentação. Objetivos: Descrever a atual situação das infestações por insetos da família Cimicidae na região Metropolitana de São Paulo, no período de 2004 a 2009. Métodos: estudo descritivo baseado em registros de ocorrência de cimicídeos fornecidos por empresas privadas de controle de pragas e por órgãos públicos de vigilância, pesquisa e controle sediados na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo. Identificação de espécies de cimicídeos recebidas no Laboratório de Entomologia em Saúde Pública da Faculdade de Saúde Pública, em decorrência de coletas realizadas na região estudada. Resultados: Foram recebidos 369 registros de ocorrência de cimicídeos, sendo 325 provenientes do município de São Paulo e o restante dos municípios vizinhos à capital. As residências somaram 181 registros ou 68,04 por cento dos casos, enquanto as infestações ocorridas em estabelecimentos comerciais e/ou de serviço foram responsáveis por 85 registros (31,95 por cento). Cimex lectularius foi a espécie predominante, sendo responsável por 262 registros (92,25 por cento), enquanto Cimex hemipterus foi apontado em apenas um registro (0,35 por cento). Os registros do município de São Paulo mostraram uma correlação positiva significativa entre padrões socioeconômicos mais elevados e alto número de ocorrências registradas. Um total de 354 espécimes coletados na região metropolitana de São Paulo foi recebido pelo laboratório entre abril de 2008 e dezembro de 2009...

The bed bugs are hematophagous insects belonging to the family Cimicidae and to the order Hemiptera. Some of the species of this group draw attention in Public Health because they have anthropophilic behavior. We observe the resurgence of bed bug infestations in many different places all over the world, especially in big cities, once they are very propense environment for its installation and proliferation due to the fact that there are many individuals living there. Aims: The aim of this research is to describe the real situation of infestations by Cimicidae insects in the metropolitan region of São Paulo from 2004 to 2009. Methodology: this is a descriptive study based on the registries of occurrences provided by private companies specialized in pest control and public departments of control and research in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. Identification of the Cimicidae insects received, resulting from collections in the region. Results: Were received 369 registries of bed bug occurrences in the period, 325 of those belonging to the city of São Paulo. Registries of infestations in houses were 181, corresponding to 68,04per cent of the cases. Registries of infestations in business organizations were 85, corresponding to 31,95per cent. Cimex lectularius was the predominant species with 262 registries, corresponding to 92,25per cent. Cimex hemipterus was mencioned only once (0,35per cent). Registries in São Paulo show a very positive correlation between high social and economical standards and a high number of registries of occurrences. LESP received 354 samples collected in RMSP from April 2008 to December 2009, all of them identified as C. lectularius. Conclusion: It was evident that there are very regular bed bug infestations in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. Registries are concentrated in the high social and economical standards regions of the city of São Paulo. Social and behavior patterns influence the notifications...

Cancer incidence and mortality in a historical cohort of Australian pest control workers.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the rates of mortality and incident cancer in a historical cohort of pest control operators. METHODS: A retrospective cohort was assembled from former state government occupational health surveillance programmes. This cohort was linked to the Australian national registries of cancer and mortality and the results were compared with the general Australian population rates. RESULTS: 125 deaths and 89 incident cancers were found during the periods of observation (mortality 1983-2004 and cancer 1983-2002). Overall cancer incidence and mortality rates were not found to be significantly different from the general population. Among the specific causes of death, suicide (standardised mortality ratio; SMR 1.78; 95% CI 1.12 to 2.83) and unintentional falls (SMR 4.57; 95% CI 1.72 to 12.19) were significantly in excess, although the latter was based on only 4 deaths. Melanoma was the only specific incident cancer found significantly in excess (standardised incidence ratio 1.56; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.37). CONCLUSIONS: Pest control workers have overall mortality and cancer rates similar to the general population. Excess rates of incident melanoma and intentional self-poisoning mortality are of concern and warrant further investigation. Follow-up of this cohort as its members age, will provide more insight into these possible associations.

Determinants of cockroach and mouse exposure and associations with asthma in families and elderly individuals living in New York City public housing.

BACKGROUND: Asthma prevalence is high in the inner city, and morbidity has been associated with cockroach and mouse allergens. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the relationships among pests, allergens, pesticides, and asthma in New York City public housing. METHODS: In 324 apartments, dust samples collected from beds and kitchens were analyzed for cockroach (Bla g 2) and mouse (mouse urinary protein [MUP]) allergens, pest populations were monitored, and residents were interviewed about home characteristics and asthma symptoms. RESULTS: Cockroaches were found in 77% of the apartments, and evidence of mice was found in 13%. Allergens and pesticide use were associated with pest infestation, and 15% of residents reported using illegal pesticides. The percentage of apartments with high allergen levels varied significantly by building (Bla g 2: P = .002; MUP: P = .03), as did the percentage of apartments with cockroaches (P = .002) and daily mouse sightings (P = .02). Thirty-seven percent of the apartments had at least 1 resident with physician-diagnosed asthma. In family buildings, apartments with high Bla g 2 levels had 1.7 times greater odds of having an asthmatic resident (95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.3). In senior citizen buildings, apartments with high MUP levels had 6.6 times greater odds of having an asthmatic resident (95% confidence interval, 1.4-31.7), controlling for smoking and other potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Previous studies have identified home characteristics associated with the presence of cockroaches and mice, but the present findings suggest that building-level characteristics can affect high pest exposure. Furthermore, the high asthma prevalence in residents and the use of illegal pesticides highlight the need for safe and effective building-wide pest control strategies.

Asthma-related health status determinants of environmental control practices for inner-city preschool children.

BACKGROUND: Asthma guidelines recommend environmental control practices (ECPs) to improve asthma health. In the inner city, where asthma morbidity is high, it is not known whether children's health status affects the use of ECPs. OBJECTIVE: To investigate health status determinants of ECPs in the homes of children with asthma. METHODS: Caregivers of children aged 2 to 6 years with (n = 150) and without (n = 150) asthma completed a survey about ECPs. Atopic status was determined by means of skin prick testing. RESULTS: Most ECPs were similarly practiced, regardless of whether the child had asthma. Only pet avoidance was more common in children with asthma (30% vs 19%). Asthma severity and recent acute health care visits for asthma were not associated with ECP use. Most ECPs were not linked to allergen sensitization (eg, mite and mouse), although cockroach-sensitized children were more likely to have cockroach control than nonsensitized individuals (65% vs 45%). Caregivers of asthmatic children with rhinitis were more likely than those without rhinitis to report ECPs, including pet avoidance (44% vs 15%), smoking avoidance (78% vs 53%), cockroach control (65% vs 42%), mouse control (78% vs 42%), air-conditioning (45% vs 24%), and allergyproof covers (7% vs 0%). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of asthma, asthma severity, and allergen sensitization seem to have little relationship to ECP use in the homes of inner-city children. Rhinitis was consistently linked to ECPs, which suggests that caregivers may make changes in the home environment for upper airway but not lower airway symptoms.

Mecanismos de dispersão de Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) em pomares de citros / Dispersal mechanisms of Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) in citrus groves

O conhecimento da dispersão de pragas é de grande importância para a compreensão da dinâmica da resistência a pesticidas. Desta forma, o principal objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar a capacidade de dispersão de Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) em condições de laboratório, casa de vegetação e pomares de citros. Estudos de dispersão por caminhamento em condições de casa de vegetação numa superfície constituída de areia fina mostraram que esse mecanismo de dispersão é relativamente limitado. Com a liberação de 6.000 ácaros em um determinado ponto, aproximadamente 3 por cento atingiram distâncias de 40 a 50 cm. As distâncias percorridas pelo ácaro foram inferiores a 1 cm.dia-1. Em condições de laboratório, verificou-se que ventos de 23 km.h-1 não foram capazes de incitar o processo de dispersão de ácaros da superfície de frutos. Velocidades de 30 e 40 km.h-1 foram capazes de incitar a dispersão de menos de 1 por cento da população de ácaros presentes nos frutos. Trabalhos de dispersão em condições de campo mediante a utilização de armadilhas adesivas também comprovaram que a dispersão de B. phoenicis é limitada quando comparada à de outras espécies de ácaros que ocorrem nos pomares de citros. Nesse experimento, de um total de 2.420 e 661 ácaros coletados em cada um de dois talhões de citros na região de Descalvado, SP, 0,4 e 11,8 por cento dos ácaros pertenciam à família Tenuipalpidae. A limitada dispersão de B. phoenicis exige muito cuidado na implementação de estratégias de manejo da resistência a acaricidas.

The knowledge of pest dispersal is crucial for understanding the dynamics of resistance to pesticides. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to study the dispersal of Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) under laboratory, greenhouse and citrus groves conditions. Dispersal studies of B. phoenicis on sandy surface conducted under greenhouse conditions showed that dispersal capacity by crawling is relatively limited. After the release of 6,000 mites in one point, approximately 3 percent reached distances of 40 to 50 cm from the release point. This mite moved less than 1 cm.day-1. Wind speed of 23 km.h-1 was not enough to trigger mite dispersal from the surface of citrus fruits under laboratory conditions. Wind speeds of 30 and 40 km.h-1 were capable to trigger the dispersal of less than 1 percent of mites on fruits. Mite dispersal studies with the use of sticky traps under field conditions also showed that B. phoenicis dispersal is limited when compared to other mite species from citrus groves. In this experiment, from a total of 2,420 and 661 mites collected from each of two citrus fields in Descalvado, region, State of São Paulo, Brazil, 0.4 and 11.8 percent of the mites belonged to the family Tenuipalpidae. The limited dispersal of B. phoenicis requires considerable attention in the establishment of acaricide resistance management strategies.

[Preliminary evaluation of the incidence and control of insects--pest control in Polish hospitals]. / Wstepna ocena wystepowania i zwalczania owadów--szkodników sanitarnych w szpitalach w Polsce.

The evaluation of the infestation and methods of insect disease vectors control in 748 hospitals in Poland in the period of 1990 to 1995 were done. The insect species, places of their occurrence and control agents were analysed. Blattella germanica L. occurred most frequently (71% hospitals). Blatta orientalis and Monomorium pharaonis were found in 40% and 17% hospitals respectively. Kitchens, laundries and baths were most infested. Sometimes insects were found also in central sterilization units and operating theaters. Controls of insects in hospitals were performed one to four times a year mostly by spraying with residual formulation. The control agents contained pyrethroids (mostly permethrin, but also deltamethrin and cypermethrin) and carbamates (bendiocarb, propoxur). Baits with hydramethylnon, boric acid, methoprene and chlorpyrifos were used not very often. The authors suggest reduction in using the spraying agents. The baits are recommended because they delay the development of the resistance to pesticides in controlling insect populations and are safer.

An evaluation of four types of freshwater model ecosystem for assessing the hazard of pesticides.

Experimental results are reported on four types of freshwater model ecosystem after administration of a single dose of chlorpyrifos. The fate, and primary and secondary effects of chlorpyrifos were compared between the model ecosystems, and were evaluated in the light of the predictive value of the current ecotoxicological hazard assessment procedure for pesticides. 'Slootbox', a fate model used in the ecotoxicological risk assessment of pesticides in the Netherlands, overestimated chlorpyrifos concentrations. The primary effects of chlorpyrifos can be predicted accurately on the basis of single species laboratory toxicity data. The population effects observed in the microecosystems, microcosms, and mesocosms were consistent between all experiments and with the single species tests. Community metabolism, as a functional endpoint, was less sensitive than the structural parameters measured. Secondary effects, both for structural and functional endpoints, varied between the micro- and mesocosm experiments. At the present 'state of the art' in ecotoxicology, no a priori prediction of secondary effects in natural ecosystems will generally be possible. 0.1 times the lowest acute L(E)C50 for chlorpyrifos, as measured in the current ecotoxicological hazard assessment procedure, matched the NOECmesocosm for a single dose of chlorpyrifos. Recovery of populations affected by insecticide stress was found to depend on factors such as life cycle characteristics and ecological infrastructure, in addition to the toxicant concentration. The onset of (potential) recovery is likely to start at an approximate concentration of the EC10(48 h).

Cancer and noncancer risk to women in agriculture and pest control: the Agricultural Health Study.

The Agricultural Health Study is a collaborative effort involving the National Cancer Institute, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. A goal of this investigation is to establish a large cohort of men and women that can be followed prospectively for 10 years or more to evaluate the role of agricultural exposures in the development of cancer, neurologic disease, reproductive difficulties, childhood developmental problems, and other chronic diseases. The study also will provide an opportunity to assess the role that diet, cooking methods, and other lifestyle factors have on the cause of cancer and other diseases. The cohort will be composed of approximately 112,000 adult study subjects, including 42,000 women, making this one of the largest cohorts of women ever assembled for an epidemiologic investigation of environmental and occupational exposures. Children of farm families also will be enrolled. The study will be conducted in Iowa and North Carolina. Enrollment will begin in December 1993 and continue for 3 years.

Family pesticide use in the home, garden, orchard, and yard.

This study examined family use of pesticides in the home, garden, orchard, and yard. Data were collected from 238 families in Missouri during telephone interviews from June 1989 to March 1990. Nearly all families (97.8%) used pesticides at least one time per year and two thirds used pesticides more than five times per year. More than 80% used pesticides during pregnancy and 70% used pesticides during the first 6 months of a child's life. The most common setting for family pesticide use was in the home, where 80% of families used pesticides at least once per year. This was followed by herbicide use to control yard weeds (57% of families) and insecticide use to control fleas and ticks on pets (50% of families). A substantial number of families also used pesticides in the garden or orchard (33%). Flea collars were the most popular pest control product (50% of families). Carbaryl or Sevin was also popular, with 28.2% of families reporting use. No-pest-strips (dichlorvos) and Kwell shampoo (lindane) were used by almost 10% of participating families. Examination of study data revealed that families limited exposure to pesticides for the mother during pregnancy and for children during the first 6 months of life. Families failed to recognize and reduce pervasive exposures associated with no-pest-strips and flea collars.