ABSTRACT
For a long time, haematophagy was considered an obligate condition for triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to complete their life cycle. Today, the ability to use haemolymphagy is suggested to represent an important survival strategy for some species, especially those in genus Belminus. As Eratyrus mucronatus and Triatoma boliviana are found with cockroaches in the Blaberinae subfamily in Bolivia, their developmental cycle from egg to adult under a “cockroach diet” was studied. The results suggested that having only cockroach haemolymph as a food source compromised development cycle completion in both species. Compared to a “mouse diet”, the cockroach diet increased: (i) the mortality at each nymphal instar; (ii) the number of feedings needed to molt; (iii) the volume of the maximum food intake; and (iv) the time needed to molt. In conclusion, haemolymph could effectively support survival in the field in both species. Nevertheless, under laboratory conditions, the use of haemolymphagy as a survival strategy in the first developmental stages of these species was not supported, as their mortality was very high. Finally, when Triatoma infestans, Rhodnius stali and Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus species were reared on a cockroach diet under similar conditions, all died rather than feeding on cockroaches. These results are discussed in the context of the ecology of each species.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Female , Rats , Diet , Feeding Behavior/physiology , Hemolymph , Insect Vectors/growth & development , Triatominae/growth & development , Cockroaches , Insect Vectors/physiology , Laboratories , Life Cycle Stages/physiology , Triatominae/physiologyABSTRACT
Se realizó una evaluación in vivo de la eficacia de la cloroquina para el tratamiento de la malaria por Plasmodium vivax, en elsitio centinela de Palmar Chico, Municipio de Yacuiba, Provincia Gran Chaco, Departamento de Tarija al Sur de Bolivia. Fueronincluidos en el estudio 61 pacientes entre 5 y 59 años de edad que presentaban monoinfección por P. vivax. Todos los pacientesrecibieron una dosis total de cloroquina de 25 mg/Kg en 3 días (10mg/Kg el primer día; 7,5 mg/Kg el segundo y tercer días).De acuerdo al protocolo estandarizado de la OPS/OMS, todos los pacientes fueron seguidos por 28 días (controles clínicos yparasitológicos). Se completó el seguimiento de 60 pacientes, ninguno de los pacientes tuvo recurrencias de la parasitemia opresentó manifestaciones clínicas después del tercer día de tratamiento. Este estudio mostró 100% de sensibilidad de P. vivaxa la cloroquina, lo que justifica su permanencia en la política de medicamentos antimaláricos como la droga más adecuada parael tratamiento de las infecciones por P. vivax en el Sur de Bolivia.
We carried out an evaluation in vivoof the chloroquine efficacy for the treatment of malaria by Plasmodium vivax, in the sentinelsite of Palmar Chico, Municipality of Yacuiba, Province Gran Chaco, Department of Tarija to the South of Bolivia. Sixty one patientsaged between 5 and 59 years that presented monoinfection by P. vivaxwere included in the study. All patient received undersupervision a total dose of chloroquine 25mg/kg over three days (10mg/kg on the first day; 7.5 mg/kg on the second and thirddays). According the standardized protocol of the PAHO/WHO, all patients were followed-up for 28 days (clinical and parasitologicalcontrols). Sixty patients completed the follow-up, none of the patients had recurrences of parasitemia or presented clinicalmanifestations after third day of treatment. This study showed 100% of sensibility from P. vivax to chloroquine, what justifies theirpermanency in the antimalarial drug policy as the most adequate drug for the treatment of the P. vivax infections in the South of Bolivia.
Subject(s)
Humans , Child , Adolescent , Young Adult , Middle Aged , Chloroquine/therapeutic use , Malaria, Vivax/therapy , Plasmodium vivax/parasitology , Antimalarials/therapeutic use , Bolivia , Protozoan Infections/parasitology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
La malaria es un importante problema de saluden el mundo y es la principal causa de enfermedad ymuerte en muchas zonas tropicales y subtropicales, principalmente en África subsahariana donde las infecciones por Plasmodium falciparum son las másfrecuentes, situación particularmente importante, porque esta especie puede provocar malariagrave e incluso la muerte. Según la OrganizaciónMundial de la Salud se presentan entre 350 a 500millones de casos por año, la gran mayoría enÁfrica subsahariana, donde se registran el 60...