Evaluating and strengthening the health system of CuraÒ«ao to improve its performance for future outbreaks of vector-borne diseases.

BACKGROUND: Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika pose a significant challenge to health systems in countries they affect, especially countries with less developed healthcare systems. Therefore, countries are encouraged to work towards more resilient health systems. This qualitative study aims to examine the performance of the health system of the Dutch Caribbean island of CuraÒ«ao regarding the prevention and control of VBDs in the last decade by using the WHO health system building blocks. METHODS: From November 2018 to December 2020, a multi-method qualitative study was performed in Curaçao, applying content analysis of documents (n = 50), five focus group discussions (n = 30), interviews with experts (n = 11) and 15 observation sessions. The study was designed based on the WHO framework: health system building blocks. Two cycles of inductive and deductive coding were employed, and Nvivo software was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: This study's data highlighted the challenges (e.g. insufficient oversight, coordination, leadership skills, structure and communication) that the departments of the health system of CuraÒ«ao faced during the last three epidemics of VBDs (2010-2020). Furthermore, low levels of collaboration between governmental and non-governmental organisations (e.g. semi-governmental and private laboratories) and insufficient capacity building to improve skills (e.g. entomological, surveillance skills) were also observed. Lastly, we observed how bottlenecks in one building block negatively influenced other building blocks (e.g. inadequate leadership/governance obstructed the workforce's performance). CONCLUSIONS: This study uncovers potential organisational bottlenecks that have affected the performance of the health system of CuraÒ«ao negatively. We recommend starting with the reinforcement of oversight of the integrated vector management programme to ensure the development, implementation and evaluation of related legislation, policies and interventions. Also, we recommend evaluating and reforming the existing administrative and organisational structure of the health system by considering the cultural style, challenges and barriers of the current health system. More efforts are needed to improve the documentation of agreements, recruitment and evaluation of the workforce's performance. Based on our findings, we conceptualised actions to strengthen the health system's building blocks to improve its performance for future outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Impact of involving the community in entomological surveillance of Triatoma infestans (Klug, 1834) (Hemiptera, Triatominae) vectorial control.

BACKGROUND: Vectorial transmission is the principal path of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease. In Argentina, Triatoma infestans is the principal vector; therefore, vector control is the main strategy for the prevention of this illness. The Provincial Program of Chagas La Rioja (PPCHLR) carries out entomological evaluation of domiciliary units (DUs) and spraying of those where T. infestans is found. The lack of government funds has led to low visitation frequency by the PPCHLR, especially in areas with a low infestation rate, which are not prioritized. Therefore, seeking possible alternatives to complement control activities is necessary. Involving householders in entomological evaluation could be a control alternative. The major objective was to determine the cost of entomological evaluation with and without community participation. METHODS: For entomological evaluation without community participation, PPCHLR data collected in February 2017 over 359 DUs of the Castro Barros Department (CBD) were used. For entomological evaluation with community participation, 434 DUs of the same department were selected in November 2017. Each householder was trained in collecting insects, which were kept in labeled plastic bags, recovered after 2 weeks, and analyzed in the laboratory for the presence of T. cruzi. Using householders' collection data, a spatial scan statistic was used to detect clusters of different T. infestans infestations. Entomological evaluation costs with and without community participation related to the numbers of DUs visited, DUs evaluated, and DUs sprayed were calculated and compared between methodologies. In addition, the number of DUs evaluated of the DUs visited was compared. RESULTS: According to the results, the triatomines did not show evidence of T. cruzi infection. Spatial analysis detected heterogeneity of T. infestans infestation in the area. Costs related to the DUs visited, evaluated, and sprayed were lower with community participation (p < 0.05). In addition, more DUs were evaluated in relation to those visited and a greater surface area was covered with community participation. CONCLUSION: Participation of the community in the infestation survey is an efficient complement to vertical control, allowing the spraying to be focused on infested houses and thus reducing the PPCHLR's costs and intervention times.

The risk of oral transmission in an area of a Chagas disease outbreak in the Brazilian northeast evaluated through entomological, socioeconomic and schooling indicators.

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease strongly associated with low socioeconomic status, affecting nearly 8 million people - mainly Latin Americans. The current infection risk is based on acute case reports, most of which are typically associated with oral transmissions. In the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil, serious outbreaks of this transmission type have surged in the last years. One of those occurred in 2016 in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Rural residents of four municipalities surrounding Marcelino Vieira ingested sugar cane juice - which was probably ground with Trypanosoma cruzi-infected insects. Eighteen cases of Chagas disease were confirmed serologically, with two deaths reported. Socioeconomic information, schooling of residents and the structure of peridomestic and domestic environments in the rural area of Marcelino Vieira, along with entomological indicators, were investigated to understand better the factors related to the outbreaks in this region. We found triatomines (mainly Triatoma brasiliensis) in 35% (24/67) of domiciliary units and all rocky outcrops inspected (n = 7). Overall, 25% (91/357) of examined T. brasiliensis were infected by T. cruzi in artificial ecotopes, with almost the same prevalence in the sylvatic environment (22%; 35/154). Among all ecotopes investigated, wood/tile/brick piles were the ones linked to high insect infestations and triatomine T. cruzi infection prevalence. Ninety-five percent of people interviewed recognized the triatomines and knew the classic route of transmission of disease - triatomine bite-dependent. However, only 7.5% admitted knowledge that Chagas disease can also be acquired orally - which poses a risk this transmission route currently recognized. Here, we highlight the physical proximity between humans and triatomine populations with high T. cruzi infection prevalence as an additional risk factor to oral/vector contaminations. In sum, residents have low income, low level of education, and/or a willful disregard for the routes of Chagas disease transmission (specifically oral transmission), a combination of factors that may have favored the Chagas disease outbreak. We here provide recommendations to avoid further outbreaks.

Avaliação externa da qualidade da identificação entomológica de triatomíneos realizada na Rede de Laboratórios Públicos em Pernambuco, 2017 / Evaluación externa de la calidad en la identificación entomológica de triatominos realizada en la red de laboratorios públicos en Pernambuco, Brasil, 2017 / External quality assessment of entomological identification of triatomines carried out in the Pernambuco Public Health Laboratory network, Brazil, 2017

Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade da identificação de triatomíneos na rede de laboratórios do estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Métodos: Os nove laboratórios participantes receberam material de apoio com as chaves dicotômicas e um painel composto por sete insetos triatomíneos conhecidos no estado, para identificação da situação do espécime no recebimento (estrutura completa ou danificada), espécie e sexo. Resultados: Nove laboratórios de 12 aderiram ao estudo. A proporção de acerto para identificação do sexo foi de 56/63, e para espécie, 45/63, não apresentando relação direta com a ocorrência de danos nas estruturas morfológicas durante o transporte dos insetos. Para Panstrongylus megistus, houve acerto em todos os espécimes (9/9), enquanto para espécies do gênero Rhodnius a proporção foi menor (3/9). Conclusão: Apesar do bom desempenho na identificação entomológica, as fragilidades observadas poderão orientar ações para melhoria na rede de laboratórios e serão essenciais para os programas de controle vetorial da doença de Chagas.

Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de la identificación de triatominos en la red de laboratorios del estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Métodos: Los nueve laboratorios participantes recibieron material de apoyo con claves dicotómicas y un panel conformado por siete insectos triatominos conocidas en el estado, para identificar la situación del espécimen al recibirlo (estructura completa o dañada), especie y sexo. Resultados: La adherencia al laboratorio fue del 9/12. La proporción de aciertos para la identificación del sexo fue del 56/63, y para las especies 45/63, no mostraron relación directa con la ocurrencia de daños en las estructuras morfológicas durante el transporte de insectos. Solo Panstrongylus megistus logró el 9/9 de precisión, mientras que para las especies del género Rhodnius fue el más pequeño (3/9). Conclusión: A pesar del buen desempeño en identificación entomológica, la evaluación indicó debilidades que permitirán implementar acciones correctivas para mejorar la red de laboratorios, esenciales para los programas de control vectorial de la enfermedad de Chagas.

Objective: To assess the quality of triatomine identification in the laboratory network of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Methods: The participating laboratories received support material with dichotomous keys and a panel made up of seven triatomine insects known in the Pernambuco, in order to identify specimen status on receipt (intact or damaged structure), as well as species and sex. Results: Nine out of 12 laboratories took part of the study. The proportion of correct answers was 56/63 for sex identification, and 45/63, for species. The answers did not present a direct relationship with occurrence of damage to morphological structures during insect transportation. Panstrongylus megistus identification was correct for all specimens (9/9 laboratories), while correct identification of species of the Rhodnius genus was the lowest (3/9 laboratories). Conclusion: Despite the good performance in entomological identification, the weaknesses observed may guide improvements in the laboratory network and will be essential for Chagas disease vector control programs.

A Simple, Inexpensive Method for Mark-Recapture of Ixodid Ticks.

Mark-recapture techniques have been widely used and specialized to study organisms throughout the field of biology. To mark-recapture ticks (Ixodida), we have created a simple method to mark ticks using nail polish applied with an insect pin secured in a pencil that allows for a variety of questions to be answered. For measuring tick control efficacy, estimating population estimates, or measuring movement of ticks, this inexpensive mark-recapture method has been easily applied in the field and in the lab to provide useful data to answer a variety of questions about ticks.

[Integrative microbial-zoological assessment of the postmortem period in forensic medical examination]. / Integrativnaya mikrobno-zoologicheskaya otsenka posmertnogo perioda dlya tselei sudebno-meditsinskoi ekspertizy.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: Is a complex microbial-zoological characterization of the post-mortal period and ways of its determination during forensic examination. The heterotrophic component of the microflora of the corpse and its bed were studied using standard methods of microbiological research and PCR analysis, necrophilic insects - entomological method, and damages from some vertebrate animals - traditional methods of their analysis. We studied 125 corpses of humans, pigs, chickens, mice and some other representatives of mammal class weighing from 100 g to 100 kg at different times of decomposition. We isolated and studied more than 1000 isolates of microorganisms, more than 32 000 insects and more than 100 damages caused by rodents, dogs, cats and birds. We determined the main trends in microbial decomposition of dead bodies. The general characteristics of the corpse decomposition by insects are given and anatomical-topographical and morphological features of the corpse damage by some vertebrates are established. Significant The heterotrophic component of the microflora of the corpse and its bed were studied using standard methods of microbiological research and PCR analysis, necrophilic insects - entomological method, and damages from some vertebrate animals - traditional methods of their analysis. We studied 125 corpses of humans, pigs, chickens, mice and some other representatives of mammal class weighing from 100 g to 100 kg at different times of decomposition. We isolated and studied more than 1000 isolates of microorganisms, more than 32 000 insects and more than 100 damages caused by rodents, dogs, cats and birds. We determined the main trends in microbial decomposition of dead bodies. The general characteristics of the corpse decomposition by insects are given and anatomical-topographical and morphological features of the corpse damage by some vertebrates are established. Significant microbial and zoological characteristics of the post-mortem period have been identified, and ways of its establishment have been determined and confirmed by practical testing during forensic examination. A set of practical recommendations has been developed for forensic experts on the collection of necrophilous insects during the examination of the corpse at the scene and the tactics of the examination with the involvement of entomologists. The results obtained prove that there is a close correlation between the impact of vertebrate scavengers, necrophilic insects and the enzymatic activity of a specific community of heterotrophic microorganisms on the corpse.

An overview of games for entomological literacy in support of sustainable development.

Insects have a significant role towards achieving sustainable development, but the decline of insect knowledge outreach efforts is dampening their impact. Revisiting the perspective and approach to entomological literacy is required to respond to the evolving human needs for sustainable living in light of the decline of insect biomass and biodiversity, and entomology. This is also an opportunity to reflect on the interests about insects in the age of video games. Using games for learning and education can be a viable strategy to advance entomological literacy and support the sustainable development goals by potentially lowering the barriers to accessibility, inclusion and participation. The dearth of research into games for entomological literacy presents opportunities for researchers to explore this domain further.

An assessment of adult mosquito collection techniques for studying species abundance and diversity in Maferinyah, Guinea.

BACKGROUND: Several mosquito collection methods are routinely used in vector control programmes. However, they target different behaviours causing bias in estimation of species diversity and abundance. Given the paucity of mosquito trap data in West Africa, we compared the performance of five trap-lure combinations and Human Landing Catches (HLCs) in Guinea. METHODS: CDC light traps (LT), BG sentinel 2 traps (BG2T), gravid traps (GT) and Stealth traps (ST) were compared in a 5 × 5 Latin Square design in three villages in Guinea between June and July 2018. The ST, a portable trap which performs similarly to a LT but incorporates LEDs and incandescent light, was included since it has not been widely tested. BG2T were used with BG and MB5 lures instead of CO2 to test the efficacy of these attractants. HLCs were performed for 5 nights, but not as part of the Latin Square. A Generalised Linear Mixed Model was applied to compare the effect of the traps, sites and collection times on mosquito abundance. Species identification was confirmed using PCR-based analysis and Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: A total of 10,610 mosquitoes were captured across five traps. ST collected significantly more mosquitoes (7096) than the rest of the traps, but resulted in a higher number of damaged specimens. ST and BG2T collected the highest numbers of Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, respectively. HLCs captured predominantly An. coluzzii (41%) and hybrids of An. gambiae and An. coluzzii (36%) in contrast to the five traps, which captured predominantly An. melas (83%). The rural site (Senguelen) presented the highest abundance of mosquitoes and overall diversity in comparison with Fandie (semi-rural) and Maferinyah Centre I (semi-urban). Our results confirm the presence of four species for the first time in Guinea. CONCLUSIONS: ST collected the highest number of mosquitoes suggesting this trap may play an important role for mosquito surveillance in Guinea and similar sites in West Africa. We recommend the incorporation of molecular tools in entomological studies since they have helped to identify 25 mosquito species in this area.

Quantifying geographic accessibility to improve efficiency of entomological monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Vector-borne diseases are important causes of mortality and morbidity in humans and livestock, particularly for poorer communities and countries in the tropics. Large-scale programs against these diseases, for example malaria, dengue and African trypanosomiasis, include vector control, and assessing the impact of this intervention requires frequent and extensive monitoring of disease vector abundance. Such monitoring can be expensive, especially in the later stages of a successful program where numbers of vectors and cases are low. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We developed a system that allows the identification of monitoring sites where pre-intervention densities of vectors are predicted to be high, and travel cost to sites is low, highlighting the most efficient locations for longitudinal monitoring. Using remotely sensed imagery and an image classification algorithm, we mapped landscape resistance associated with on- and off-road travel for every gridded location (3m and 0.5m grid cells) within Koboko district, Uganda. We combine the accessibility surface with pre-existing estimates of tsetse abundance and propose a stratified sampling approach to determine the most efficient locations for longitudinal data collection. Our modelled predictions were validated against empirical measurements of travel-time and existing maps of road networks. We applied this approach in northern Uganda where a large-scale vector control program is being implemented to control human African trypanosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by trypanosomes transmitted by tsetse flies. Our accessibility surfaces indicate a high performance when compared to empirical data, with remote sensing identifying a further ~70% of roads than existing networks. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: By integrating such estimates with predictions of tsetse abundance, we propose a methodology to determine the optimal placement of sentinel monitoring sites for evaluating control programme efficacy, moving from a nuanced, ad-hoc approach incorporating intuition, knowledge of vector ecology and local knowledge of geographic accessibility, to a reproducible, quantifiable one.

Entomological Assessment of the Status and Risk of Mosquito-borne Arboviral Transmission in Ghana.

Entomological surveillance is one of the tools used in monitoring and controlling vector-borne diseases. However, the use of entomological surveillance for arboviral infection vector control is often dependent on finding infected individuals. Although this method may suffice in highly endemic areas, it is not as effective in controlling the spread of diseases in low endemic and non-endemic areas. In this study, we examined the efficiency of using entomological markers to assess the status and risk of arbovirus infection in Ghana, which is considered a non-endemic country, by combining mosquito surveillance with virus isolation and detection. This study reports the presence of cryptic species of mosquitoes in Ghana, demonstrating the need to combine morphological identification and molecular techniques in mosquito surveillance. Furthermore, although no medically important viruses were detected, the importance of insect-specific viruses in understanding virus evolution and arbovirus transmission is discussed. This study reports the first mutualistic relationship between dengue virus and the double-stranded RNA Aedes aegypti totivirus. Finally, this study discusses the complexity of the virome of Aedes and Culex mosquitoes and its implication for arbovirus transmission.

Assessment of color response and activity rhythms of the invasive black planthopper Ricania speculum (Walker, 1851) using sticky traps.

To be effective, management strategies of invasive alien species cannot ignore their spatiotemporal behavior particularly those exerting serious damages to human activities. The black planthopper Ricania speculum is an Asian insect that has been reported as an alien invasive species in Italy, where it threatens local plant diversity, including important crops. In our work, we analyzed the activity rhythms of this species through circular statistics and the efficiency of chromotropic traps to capture adult individuals. Captures were carried out in central Italy, where the black planthopper is showing a remarkable range expansion, after its first discovery in 2009. We observed that the species was mainly crepuscular, with a high intersexual activity overlap. Activity rhythms changed between July-August and September-October, with changing heliophany, but peaked at sunset and were the lowest in the second half of the night and early morning. The insects were mostly caught by green traps, particularly in September, which is the period of egg-laying inside the leaves; conversely, orange ones were avoided, and yellow ones captured proportionally to their local availability. Strategies for controlling this species should consider concentrating trapping effort during the activity peak, using green sticky traps to enhance the capture success of each trap, with the lowest impact over non-target species.

Citizen science and smartphone e-entomology enables low-cost upscaling of mosquito surveillance.

Mosquito surveillance remains a cornerstone of pest and disease control operations globally but is strongly limited in scale by resources. The use of citizen science to upscale scientific data collection is commonplace, and mosquito surveillance programs have begun to make use of citizen scientists in several countries, particularly for exotic species detection. Here we report on a proof of concept trial in southern Australia for a citizen science mosquito surveillance program characterised by fixed point trapping with BG GAT devices and remote mosquito identification through emailed images, which we term 'e-entomology'. In a study with 126 participants, we detected mosquito seasonality with peak abundance in mid-summer (1.78 mosquitoes per trap per day), weather correlations (positive correlation with maximum temperature, r = 0.41) and a diversity of species (15 of 22 known species in the region) in a metropolitan setting. Whilst we demonstrated that the costs of a citizen science program is only about 20% of a comparable professional surveillance program, the mosquito community sampled by citizen scientists was biased towards container-inhabiting species, particularly Aedes notoscriptus. This is the first time fixed-point mosquito trapping has been combined with citizen science e-entomology to deliver comprehensive surveillance of urban mosquitoes.

A comparative assessment of adult mosquito trapping methods to estimate spatial patterns of abundance and community composition in southern Africa.

BACKGROUND: Assessing adult mosquito populations is an important component of disease surveillance programs and ecosystem health assessments. Inference from adult trapping datasets involves comparing populations across space and time, but comparisons based on different trapping methods may be biased if traps have different efficiencies or sample different subsets of the mosquito community. METHODS: We compared four widely-used trapping methods for adult mosquito data collection in Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa: Centers for Disease Control miniature light trap (CDC), Biogents Sentinel trap (BG), Biogents gravid Aedes trap (GAT) and a net trap. We quantified how trap choice and sampling effort influence inferences on the regional distribution of mosquito abundance, richness and community composition. RESULTS: The CDC and net traps together collected 96% (47% and 49% individually) of the 955 female mosquitoes sampled and 100% (85% and 78% individually) of the 40 species or species complexes identified. The CDC and net trap also identified similar regional patterns of community composition. However, inference on the regional patterns of abundance differed between these traps because mosquito abundance in the net trap was influenced by variation in weather conditions. The BG and GAT traps collected significantly fewer mosquitoes, limiting regional comparisons of abundance and community composition. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first systematic assessment of trapping methods in natural savanna ecosystems in southern Africa. We recommend the CDC trap or the net trap for future monitoring and surveillance programs.

A combined experimental-computational approach for spatial protection efficacy assessment of controlled release devices against mosquitoes (Anopheles).

This work describes the use of entomological studies combined with in silico models (computer simulations derived from numerical models) to assess the efficacy of a novel device for controlled release of spatial repellents. Controlled Release Devices (CRDs) were tested with different concentrations of metofluthrin and tested against An. quadrimaculatus mosquitoes using arm-in cage, semi-field, and outdoor studies. Arm-in-cage trials showed an approximate mean values for mosquito knockdown of 40% and mosquito bite reduction of 80% for the optimal metofluthrin formulation for a 15-minute trial. Semi-field outdoor studies showed a mean mortality of a 50% for 24 hour trial and 75% for a 48 hour trial for optimal concentrations. Outdoors studies showed an approximate mean mortality rate of 50% for a 24 hour trial for optimal concentrations. Numerical simulations based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) were performed in order to obtain spatial concentration profiles for 24 hour and 48 hour periods. Experimental results were correlated with simulation results in order to obtain a functional model that linked mosquito mortality with the estimated spatial concentration for a given period of time. Such correlation provides a powerful insight in predicting the effectiveness of the CRDs as a vector-control tool. While CRDs represent an alternative to current spatial repellent delivery methods, such as coils, candles, electric repellents, and passive emanators based on impregnated strips, the presented method can be applied to any spatial vector control treatment by correlating entomological endpoints, i.e. mortality, with in-silico simulations to predict overall efficacy. The presented work therefore presents a new methodology for improving design, development and deployment of vector-control tools to reduce transmission of vector-borne diseases, including malaria and dengue.

A new cost-effective and fast direct PCR protocol for insects based on PBS buffer.

Insect DNA barcoding is a species identification technique used in biodiversity assessment and ecological studies. However, DNA extraction can result in the loss of up to 70% of DNA. Recent research has reported that direct PCR can overcome this issue. However, the success rates could still be improved, and tissues used for direct PCR could not be reused for further genetic studies. Here, we developed a direct PCR workflow that incorporates a 2-min sample preparation in PBS-buffer step for fast and effective universal insect species identification. The developed protocol achieved 100% success rates for amplification in six orders: Mantodea, Phasmatodea, Neuroptera, Odonata, Blattodea and Orthoptera. High and moderate success rates were obtained for five other species: Lepidoptera (97.3%), Coleoptera (93.8%), Diptera (90.5%), Hemiptera (81.8%) and Hymenoptera (75.0%). High-quality sequencing data were also obtained from these amplifiable products, allowing confidence in species identification. The method was sensitive down to 1/4th of a 1-mm fragment of leg or body and its success rates with oven-dried, ethanol-preserved, food, bat guano and museum specimens were 100%, 98.6%, 90.0%, 84.0% and 30.0%, respectively. In addition, the pre-PCR solution (PBS with insect tissues) could be used for further DNA extraction if needed. The workflow will be beneficial in the fields of insect taxonomy and ecological studies due to its low cost, simplicity and applicability to highly degraded specimens.

Assessment of the Suna trap for sampling mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.

BACKGROUND: Entomological monitoring is important for public health because it provides data on the distribution, abundance and host-seeking behaviour of disease vectors. Various methods for sampling mosquitoes exist, most of which are biased towards, or specifically target, certain portions of a mosquito population. This study assessed the Suna trap, an odour-baited trap for sampling host-seeking mosquitoes both indoors and outdoors. METHODS: Two separate field experiments were conducted in villages in southern Malawi. The efficiency of the Suna trap in sampling mosquitoes was compared to that of the human landing catch (HLC) indoors and outdoors and the Centers for Disease, Control and Prevention Light Trap (CDC-LT) indoors. Potential competition between two Suna traps during simultaneous use of the traps indoors and outdoors was assessed by comparing mosquito catch sizes across three treatments: one trap indoors only; one trap outdoors only; and one trap indoors and one trap outdoors used simultaneously at the same house. RESULTS: The efficiency of the Suna trap in sampling female anophelines was similar to that of HLC indoors (P = 0.271) and HLC outdoors (P = 0.125), but lower than that of CDC-LT indoors (P = 0.001). Anopheline catch sizes in the Suna trap used alone indoors were similar to indoor Suna trap catch sizes when another Suna trap was simultaneously present outdoors (P = 0.891). Similarly, catch sizes of female anophelines with the Suna trap outdoors were similar to those that were caught outdoors when another Suna trap was simultaneously present indoors (P = 0.731). CONCLUSIONS: The efficiency of the Suna trap in sampling mosquitoes was equivalent to that of the HLC. Whereas the CDC-LT was more efficient in collecting female anophelines indoors, the use of this trap outdoors is limited given the requirement of setting it next to an occupied bed net. As demonstrated in this research, outdoor collections are also essential because they provide data on the relative contribution of outdoor biting to malaria transmission. Therefore, the Suna trap could serve as an alternative to the HLC and the CDC-LT, because it does not require the use of humans as natural baits, allows standardised sampling conditions across sampling points, and can be used outdoors. Furthermore, using two Suna traps simultaneously indoors and outdoors does not interfere with the sampling efficiency of either trap, which would save a considerable amount of time, energy, and resources compared to setting the traps indoors and then outdoors in two consecutive nights.

Expedited assessment of terrestrial arthropod diversity by coupling Malaise traps with DNA barcoding 1.

Monitoring changes in terrestrial arthropod communities over space and time requires a dramatic increase in the speed and accuracy of processing samples that cannot be achieved with morphological approaches. The combination of DNA barcoding and Malaise traps allows expedited, comprehensive inventories of species abundance whose cost will rapidly decline as high-throughput sequencing technologies advance. Aside from detailing protocols from specimen sorting to data release, this paper describes their use in a survey of arthropod diversity in a national park that examined 21 194 specimens representing 2255 species. These protocols can support arthropod monitoring programs at regional, national, and continental scales.

Assessment of Entomological Remains from Soil Samples Collected from a Pig (Sus scrofa domestica) Carcass Decomposition Site after 13 Years.

OBJECTIVE: Carrion insects inhabiting the soil play an important role in forensic investigations because they may help to solve both active and cold cases. The aim of this study was to examine the entomofauna of forensic importance in soil samples removed after 13 years from a pig carrion decomposition site. METHODS: Soil samples were collected from an old carrion decomposition study site in Bâla, the Ankara Province. Four holes, approximately 40 cm deep and 35 cm width were excavated at the study site. The samples were collected and placed in ventilated cups. Each cup was labeled mentioning the excavation location, time, date, and name of the collector. Insects and their remains found in the soil were collected by sweeping the soil from the specimens using a brush. The insects were morphologically identified. RESULTS: A total of 635 specimens of Calliphoridae, Dermestidae, Cleridae, Staphylinidae, Histeridae, and Formicidae were identified. Flies such as Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedmann, 1819), and beetles such as Dermestes frischii (Kugelan, 1792), Necrobia rufipes (De Geer, 1775), and Creophilus maxillosus (Linnaeus, 1758), were identified as the species. CONCLUSION: Our results show that soil samples still harbor entomological specimens after 13 years. This study, to the best of our knowledge, was the first of its kind in Turkey. Forensically, important insects and their remains may be identified in the soil long time after the corpse is buried. Consequently, cold cases may be solved using insects.

Conocimientos, prácticas y aspectos entomológicos del dengue en Medellín, Colombia: un estudio comparativo entre barrios con alta y baja incidencia / Knowledge, practices and entomological aspects of dengue in Medellín, Colombia: A comparative study of neighborhoods with high and low incidence

Introducción. El dengue, transmitido principalmente por Aedes aegypti, es una enfermedad viral de gran importancia en salud pública. Colombia es un país endemoepidémico para el dengue y, en ciudades como Medellín, hay barrios con alta y baja incidencia. Las diferencias en cuanto a los conocimientos, las prácticas y los aspectos entomológicos podrían estar determinando la dinámica de la enfermedad en los barrios. Objetivo. Determinar los conocimientos y prácticas en torno al dengue de los habitantes de barrios con alta y baja incidencia y explorar los aspectos entomológicos relacionados con la presencia del vector. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal y se compararon dos barrios con alta incidencia y dos con baja incidencia durante el trienio de 2013 a 2015. Se seleccionó una muestra aleatoria de 100 viviendas por barrio para evaluar los conocimientos, las prácticas y los aspectos entomológicos. Se hicieron el análisis descriptivo, el bivariado y el multivariado (regresión logística). Resultados. En los barrios con alta incidencia, los participantes se caracterizaron por no haber realizado estudios o haber cursado únicamente primaria (odds ratio, OR=1,69; IC95%=1,09-2,63), así como por pertenecer al régimen subsidiado del sistema de seguridad social en salud o no estar afiliado (OR=2,16; IC95% 1,41-3,32) y, además, presentaron un mayor conocimiento del vector (OR=1,53; IC95% 1,00-2,35). En cuanto a las prácticas, la posibilidad de encontrar viviendas en donde se almacenaba el agua fue mayor (OR=1,69; IC95% 1,11-2,57) y, en lo relacionado con los aspectos entomológicos, se encontraron más viviendas con mosquitos adultos (OR=2,13; IC95% 1,29-3,50). Conclusiones. En este estudio se encontraron diferencias importantes entre los barrios en cuanto a los conocimientos, las prácticas y la presencia de estados adultos del vector, lo cual contribuye a explicar la epidemiología del dengue en estos lugares.

Introduction: Dengue, mainly transmitted by Aedes aegypti, is a very important viral disease in terms of public health. Colombia is an endemoepidemic country for dengue and, in cities like Medellín, there are neighborhoods with high and low incidence. The disease dynamics in the neighborhoods might be determined by differences in the knowledge, practices and entomological aspects of the vector among the communities. Objective: To identify the knowledge and practices of residents of neighborhoods with high and low incidence of dengue, and to explore the entomological aspects related to the presence of the vector. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study comparing two neighborhoods with high incidence and two with low incidence during the triennium of 2013-2015. A random sample of 100 houses per neighborhood was selected in order to evaluate the knowledge, practices and entomological aspects related to dengue. In addition, descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses (logistic regression) were performed. Results: In neighborhoods with high incidence, participants had not attended school or had only a primary school level of education (OR=1.69; 95% CI: 1.09-2.63). Additionally, they did not have health coverage or belonged to the subsidized regime (OR=2.16; 95% CI: 1.41-3.32). In contrast, they had a greater knowledge of the vector (OR=1.53; 95% CI: 1.00-2.35). In terms of practices, there was a greater chance of finding houses where water was stored (OR=1.69; 95% CI: 1.11-2.57) and regarding the entomological aspects, more houses with adult mosquitoes were found (OR=2.13 95% CI: 1.29-3.50). Conclusions: We found important differences among the neighborhoods regarding knowledge, practices, and the presence of adult stages of the vector, which helps to explain the epidemiology of dengue in these sites.

An assessment of mosquito collection techniques for xenomonitoring of anopheline-transmitted Lymphatic Filariasis in Ghana.

Monitoring vectors is relevant to ascertain transmission of lymphatic filariasis (LF). This may require the best sampling method that can capture high numbers of specific species to give indication of transmission. Gravid anophelines are good indicators for assessing transmission due to close contact with humans through blood meals. This study compared the efficiency of an Anopheles gravid trap (AGT) with other mosquito collection methods including the box and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention gravid, light, exit and BioGent-sentinel traps, indoor resting collection (IRC) and pyrethrum spray catches across two endemic regions of Ghana. The AGT showed high trapping efficiency by collecting the highest mean number of anophelines per night in the Western (4.6) and Northern (7.3) regions compared with the outdoor collection methods. Additionally, IRC was similarly efficient in the Northern region (8.9) where vectors exhibit a high degree of endophily. AGT also showed good trapping potential for collecting Anopheles melas which is usually difficult to catch with existing methods. Screening of mosquitoes for infection showed a 0.80-3.01% Wuchereria bancrofti and 2.15-3.27% Plasmodium spp. in Anopheles gambiae. The AGT has shown to be appropriate for surveying Anopheles populations and can be useful for xenomonitoring for both LF and malaria.