[Registration of the occurrence of Aedes albopictus in an urban zone in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil]. / Registro da ocorrência de Aedes albopictus em área urbana do município de Manaus, Amazonas.

Information is available regarding the presence of Aedes albopictus in several municipalities of the State of Amazonas. Specimens of this mosquito species have now, for the first time, been collected from an urban area of the municipality of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.

Trypanosoma cruzi strain TcI is associated with chronic Chagas disease in the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease in the Amazon region is considered an emerging anthropozoonosis with a predominance of the discrete typing units (DTUs) TcI and TcIV. These DTUs are responsible for cases of acute disease associated with oral transmission. Chronic disease cases have been detected through serological surveys. However, the mode of transmission could not be determined, or any association of chronic disease with a specific T. cruzi DTU's. The aim of this study was to characterize Trypanosoma cruzi in patients with chronic Chagas disease in the State of Amazonas, Brazil. METHODS: Blood culture and xenodiagnosis were performed in 36 patients with positive serology for Chagas disease who participated in a serological survey performed in urban and rural areas of Manaus, Amazonas. DNA samples were extracted from the feces of triatomines used for xenodiagnosis, and the nontranscribed spacer of the mini-exon gene and the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) were amplified by PCR and sequenced. RESULTS: Blood culture and xenodiagnosis were negative in 100% of samples; however, molecular techniques revealed that in 13 out of 36 (36%) fecal samples from xenodiagnosis, T. cruzi was characterized as the DTU TcI, and different haplotypes were identified within the same DTU. CONCLUSION: The DTU TcI, which is mainly associated with acute cases of Chagas disease in the Amazon region, is also responsible for chronic infection in patients from a region in the State of Amazonas.

Coleopterofauna visitante de Theobroma grandiflorum Schum. (Sterculiaceae) de uma plantação nos arredores de Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil1

The cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum, Sterculiaceae) is a native Amazonian fruit tree that about its entomological informations had been demonstrated the highest insects diversity princi-pallyColeoptera. During in a period of 12 consecutive months, manual collections were realized using insecticide and flight interception traps in a private plantation of cupuassu in Manaus and 1.212 individuals of Coleoptera visitors of Theobroma grandiflorum were collected Some plants aspects phenologies were done. The most great abundance was registered in plants exposed to the sun, in plants with flowers and without fruits, and plants localized in level and steep areas. Seasonal differences were also considered, finding a greater frequency of samples in the months corresponding to the less rainy period (from June to November). The quantity of samples collected (and the families of Coleoptera) was correlated with the period of collection, the morning hours presenting a greater sample quantity. From the Coleoptera found visiting the cupuassu plants, 32 families were collected and identified, the most abundant of which were Chrysomelidae 25.17%, Curculionidae 18.08%, Staphylinidae 17,57%, Coccinellidae 12.46%. The species Homophoeta aequinoctialis, Exora obsoleta, Spaethiella coccinea (Chrysomelidae). Colobothea hirtipes, Clorida curta,Compsibidion maronicum, Heterachthes pelonioides (Cereambycidae) and Marshallius multisignatus (Curculionidae), were identified. The samples of Desmobaris and Heilipus were found on leaves spronts and flowers of the plants being considered pest of young cupuassu plants, (Phytotribus), however their relation with the plant is not know yet. The Spaethiella coccinea (Chrysomelidae, Hispinae) was observed and collected feeding on leaves of the cupuassu plant.

O cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum Schumman), é uma planta frutífera nativa da Amazônia, com uma diversificação na entomofauna encontrada, registrando-se maior abundância na ordem Coleoptera. Em uma plantação nos arredores da cidade de Manaus usando-se métodos de coletas, manuais, com aplicação de inseticida (método de queda) e armadilhas de interceptação de vôo foram coletados durante 12 meses consecutivos, 1.212 exemplares de Coleoptera. Alguns aspectos em relação a fenologia e localização das plantas foram abordados. A maior abundância foi registrada em plantas localizadas em áreas de relevo plano expostas ao sol, com flores e sem frutos. Encontrou-se maior frequência nos meses correspondentes ao período menos chuvoso (de junho a novembro), registrando-se maior quantidade de exemplares no horário matutino. Foram identificadas 32 famílias e as mais abundantes foram Chrysomelidae 25,17%, Curculionidae 18,08%, (incluindo Scolytinae e Platypodinae), Slaphylinidae 17,57% e Coccinellidae 12,46%. Foram identificados indivíduos dos gêneros Palaminus (Staphylinidae), Phenrica, Asphaera, Colaspis, Homophoeta, Heilipus (Chrysomelidae), Desmobaris, Phitotribus, Comptocerus (Curculionidae) e das espécies Homophoeta aequinoctialis, Exora obsoleta, Spaethiella coccinea (Chrysomelidae), Colobothea hirtipes, Clorida curta, Compsibidion maronicum, Heíerachthes pelonioides (Cerambycidae) e Marshallius multisignatus (Curculionidae). Os indivíduos de Spaethiella coccinea foram observados alimentando-se das folhas, Desmobaris e Heilipus foram encontrados alimentando-se dos brotos das folhas e das flores sendo considerados pragas para mudas das plantas. A relação dos indivíduos do gênero Phitotribus com a planta ainda não é conhecida.

Occurrence of Spaethiella coccinea Boheman (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Hispinae) on Theobroma grandiflorum [Willdenow ex Sprengel] Schumman, (sterculiaceae), in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

A preliminary study on the ocurrence of Spathiella coccinea Boh. (Coleoptera) on Theobroma grandiflorum (cupuassu), native Amazonian fruit plant, are reported. S. coccinea is known to feed on leaves of many species of palm, and has been found in Elaeis guineensis (Palmaceae) leaves. From September 1994 to February 1996 observations were made on the behavior and seasonal aspects of S. coccinea and larvae, pupae and adults found on the leaves of cupuassu were hand collected. The highest number of insects was found in the rainy season February 1995.

A ocorrência de Spathiella coccinea Boh. em plantas de Theobroma grandiflorum Schum. (cupuaçuzeiro), fruteira nativa da região Amazônica é aqui registrada. S. coccinea é conhecida como um Coleoptera que se alimenta de folhas de palmeiras de diversas espécies tendo sido encontrado na região de Tefé, alimentando-se de folhas de dendezeiros Elaeis guineensis. Durante dezoito meses foram feitas observações sobre o comportamento sazonal desses besouros, coletando-se manualmente larvas, pupas e adultos sobre e sob as folhas de cupuaçuzeiros. Encontrou-se o maior número desses indivíduos nos meses correspondentes ao período mais chuvoso.