Establishment of a laboratory colony of Pressatia choti (Diptera: Psychodidae), a suspected vector of Leishmania braziliensis.

BACKGROUND: Pressatia choti is a common sand fly found in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, which is suspected to be involved in the transmission of Leishmania braziliensis. Herein, we aimed to establish a Pr. choti laboratory colony. METHODS: Wild-caught female sand flies were blood fed on hamsters and maintained under controlled conditions (temperature: 26 °C; relative humidity: 70%). RESULTS: Of the 301 collected female sandflies, 288 were identified as Pr. choti. The life cycle duration ranged from 31 to 56 days. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully established a Pr. choti colony, whose biological parameters were similar to those of other neotropical sand flies.

Validation of the Equidyn protocol for evaluation of dynamic balance in older adults through a smartphone application.

BACKGROUND: Different tasks and proxy measurements have been employed to evaluate dynamic balance in older individuals. However, due to inherent limitations, results from most evaluations could hardly be taken as valid measurements of dynamic balance. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is the Equidyn smartphone application-based protocol valid and sensitive for assessment of dynamic balance in older adults? METHODS: Dynamic balance was evaluated in 52 physically active individuals, age range 60-80 years (M = 69.36). The dynamic tasks were one-leg sway either in the mediolateral (ML) or anteroposterior (AP) direction while supported on the contralateral leg, and cyclic sit-to-stand with a narrow support base. These tasks were performed under standardized movement amplitude and rhythm. Outcomes were correlated with unipedal quiet standing. A smartphone was attached to the trunk backside, and a custom-made application (Equidyn) was employed to provide guidance throughout evaluation, timed beeps to pace the movements, and three-dimensional trunk acceleration measurement for balance evaluation. RESULTS: Our data showed (a) that both ML and AP leg sway tasks were sensitive to aging and to direction of leg sway movements; (b) referenced to quiet unipedal stance, moderate/strong correlations for the ML/AP leg sway tasks and moderate correlations for the sit-to-stand task; and (c) moderate/strong correlations between the ML and AP leg sway tasks, and moderate correlations between the sit-to-stand and the two unipedal dynamic tasks in the ML acceleration direction. SIGNIFICANCE: The current results support the conclusion that the Equidyn protocol is a sensitive and valid tool to evaluate dynamic balance in healthy older individuals. The protocol tasks standardized in amplitude and rhythm favor their reproducibility and trunk acceleration data interpretation. As the whole assessment is made through a smartphone application, this dynamic balance evaluation could be made in a low-cost simple way both in the laboratory and clinical settings.

Establishment of a laboratory colony of Pressatia choti (Diptera: Psychodidae), a suspected vector of Leishmania braziliensis

ABSTRACT Background: Pressatia choti is a common sand fly found in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, which is suspected to be involved in the transmission of Leishmania braziliensis. Herein, we aimed to establish a Pr. choti laboratory colony. Methods: Wild-caught female sand flies were blood fed on hamsters and maintained under controlled conditions (temperature: 26 °C; relative humidity: 70%). Results: Of the 301 collected female sandflies, 288 were identified as Pr. choti. The life cycle duration ranged from 31 to 56 days. Conclusions: We successfully established a Pr. choti colony, whose biological parameters were similar to those of other neotropical sand flies.

Internet-based identification of anxiety in university students using text and facial emotion analysis.

Background: Anxiety in university students can lead to poor academic performance and even dropout. The Adult Manifest Anxiety Scale (AMAS-C) is a validated measure designed to assess the level and nature of anxiety in college students. Objective: The aim of this study is to provide internet-based alternatives to the AMAS-C in the automated identification and prediction of anxiety in young university students. Two anxiety prediction methods, one based on facial emotion recognition and the other on text emotion recognition, are described and validated using the AMAS-C Test Anxiety, Lie and Total Anxiety scales as ground truth data. Methods: The first method analyses facial expressions, identifying the six basic emotions (anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise) and the neutral expression, while the students complete a technical skills test. The second method examines emotions in posts classified as positive, negative and neutral in the students' profile on the social network Facebook. Both approaches aim to predict the presence of anxiety. Results: Both methods achieved a high level of precision in predicting anxiety and proved to be effective in identifying anxiety disorders in relation to the AMAS-C validation tool. Text analysis-based prediction showed a slight advantage in terms of precision (86.84 %) in predicting anxiety compared to face analysis-based prediction (84.21 %). Conclusions: The applications developed can help educators, psychologists or relevant institutions to identify at an early stage those students who are likely to fail academically at university due to an anxiety disorder.

Diminished criminal responsibility: A multinational comparative review.

This article reviews the legal frameworks of diminished criminal responsibility in eighteen civil law jurisdictions across the globe-Brazil, Chile, China, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Turkey. Specifically, it reports the legal standards and main features of partial responsibility, associated penalty reductions, and potential dispositions following a partial responsibility finding. It also surveys empirical data on the prevalence of diminished responsibility as compared to criminal nonresponsibility. This article, which reflects contemporary penal codes and draws from both English and non-English sources, is the only known existing source to compile these partial responsibility standards or to delineate their precise sentencing consequences. It is also the only known source in English to describe Portugal's and Chile's treatment of diminished responsibility. Providing a comparative overview of graduated responsibility in nearly twenty countries invites global discussion on whether and how society should recognize partial responsibility, as well as the punitive and therapeutic consequences that should attend this finding.

Leishmania V. braziliensis infection in asymptomatic domestic animals within an endemic region in the Northeast of Brazil.

BACKGROUND: American cutaneous leishmaniasis is a commonly neglected, vector-borne tropical parasitic disease that is a major public health concern in Brazil. Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main species associated with the disease. Accurate diagnosis is based on epidemiological surveillance, clinical assessment, and laboratory testing. Leishmania (V.) braziliensis has been detected in several wild and synanthropic mammals. Their epidemiological role has not been entirely elucidated. This study aimed to assess potential L. braziliensis infections in asymptomatic domestic animals, by molecular and serological testing in endemic areas, in the metropolitan region of Recife. METHODS: Blood samples and conjunctival fluids were collected from 232 animals (canids, felids, equines, and caprines) for the detection of L. braziliensis using molecular tests (conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR and qPCR]). For immunological detection, blood samples from 115 dogs were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Real-time quantitative PCR showed positive results for blood and conjunctival samples in all investigated species. The results of the blood and conjunctival samples were 68.2% and 26.9% in Canis familiaris, 100% and 41.7% in Felis catus, 77.3% and 30.8% in Equus caballus/Equus asinus, and 50% and 33.3% in Capra hircus samples, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study adds valuable information to our understanding of the role of asymptomatic domestic animals, L. braziliensis life cycle, and American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Northeast Brazil.

Augmented Humanity: A Systematic Mapping Review.

Augmented humanity (AH) is a term that has been mentioned in several research papers. However, these papers differ in their definitions of AH. The number of publications dealing with the topic of AH is represented by a growing number of publications that increase over time, being high impact factor scientific contributions. However, this terminology is used without being formally defined. The aim of this paper is to carry out a systematic mapping review of the different existing definitions of AH and its possible application areas. Publications from 2009 to 2020 were searched in Scopus, IEEE and ACM databases, using search terms "augmented human", "human augmentation" and "human 2.0". Of the 16,914 initially obtained publications, a final number of 133 was finally selected. The mapping results show a growing focus on works based on AH, with computer vision being the index term with the highest number of published articles. Other index terms are wearable computing, augmented reality, human-robot interaction, smart devices and mixed reality. In the different domains where AH is present, there are works in computer science, engineering, robotics, automation and control systems and telecommunications. This review demonstrates that it is necessary to formalize the definition of AH and also the areas of work with greater openness to the use of such concept. This is why the following definition is proposed: "Augmented humanity is a human-computer integration technology that proposes to improve capacity and productivity by changing or increasing the normal ranges of human function through the restoration or extension of human physical, intellectual and social capabilities".

Leishmania V. braziliensis infection in asymptomatic domestic animals within an endemic region in the Northeast of Brazil

ABSTRACT Background: American cutaneous leishmaniasis is a commonly neglected, vector-borne tropical parasitic disease that is a major public health concern in Brazil. Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main species associated with the disease. Accurate diagnosis is based on epidemiological surveillance, clinical assessment, and laboratory testing. Leishmania (V.) braziliensis has been detected in several wild and synanthropic mammals. Their epidemiological role has not been entirely elucidated. This study aimed to assess potential L. braziliensis infections in asymptomatic domestic animals, by molecular and serological testing in endemic areas, in the metropolitan region of Recife. Methods: Blood samples and conjunctival fluids were collected from 232 animals (canids, felids, equines, and caprines) for the detection of L. braziliensis using molecular tests (conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR and qPCR]). For immunological detection, blood samples from 115 dogs were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Real-time quantitative PCR showed positive results for blood and conjunctival samples in all investigated species. The results of the blood and conjunctival samples were 68.2% and 26.9% in Canis familiaris, 100% and 41.7% in Felis catus, 77.3% and 30.8% in Equus caballus/Equus asinus, and 50% and 33.3% in Capra hircus samples, respectively. Conclusions: Results from this study adds valuable information to our understanding of the role of asymptomatic domestic animals, L. braziliensis life cycle, and American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Northeast Brazil.

Seasonal dynamics and rickettsial infection in free-living Amblyomma dubitatum in the Atlantic forest biome in north-eastern Brazil.

The genus Amblyomma is the most representative tick genus in Brazil and some species act as vectors of pathogenic organisms to animals and humans. Information on the seasonal dynamics of Amblyomma spp. as well as on rickettsial organisms infecting these ticks in some regions in Brazil is still fragmentary. Herein, we investigated the seasonal dynamics and rickettsial infections in Amblyomma dubitatum ticks collected in the Atlantic forest biome in north-eastern Brazil. Using carbon dioxide traps, ticks were collected monthly for two consecutive years. In total, 15,789 ticks were collected: 69 females (0.4%), 116 males (0.7%), 1,067 nymphs (6.8%), and 14,537 larvae (92.1%). All nymphs, females and males were identified as A. dubitatum, whereas larvae were identified as Amblyomma spp. Larvae were more frequent in summer (77% of the larvae collected), whereas nymphs were collected with similar frequency in summer (32.8%), autumn (30.0%) and spring (28.4%). Adults were more frequent in spring (47.6%). A total of 648 ticks (485 nymphs, 60 females, and 103 males) were tested by PCR for the gltA gene of Rickettsia spp. and 87 (13.4%; 95% CI: 10.9-16.3%) were positive. A consensus sequence (size, 350 bp) of 66 gltA gene sequences indicate that the organism detected herein is similar to Rickettsia tamurae, Rickettsia monacencis and Rickettsia sp. strain Pampulha. One of these positive samples was also positive for the ompA gene of spotted fever group rickettsiae, but attempts to sequence the amplicon were not successful. We also tested this sample by a PCR targeting the rickettsial htrA gene, but no amplification product could be detected. This study indicates that A. dubitatum may be a common tick in areas where capybaras are present in north-eastern Brazil, occurring during the whole year. It also suggests the circulation of a spotted fever group rickettsia in this A. dubitatum population, whose identity has yet to be determined.

A Mobile Serious Game About the Pandemic (COVID-19 - Did You Know?): Design and Evaluation Study.

BACKGROUND: No treatment for COVID-19 is yet available; therefore, providing access to information about SARS-CoV-2, the transmission route of the virus, and ways to prevent the spread of infection is a critical sanitary measure worldwide. Serious games have advantages in the dissemination of reliable information during the pandemic; they can provide qualified content while offering interactivity to the user, and they have great reach over the internet. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a serious game with the purpose of providing science-based information on the prevention of COVID-19 and personal care during the pandemic while assessing players' knowledge about COVID-19-related topics. METHODS: The study was conducted with the interdisciplinary collaboration of specialists in health sciences, computing, and design at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The health recommendations were grouped into six thematic blocks, presented in a quiz format. The software languages were based on the progressive web app development methodology with the Ionic framework, JavaScript, HTML5, cascading style sheets, and TypeScript (Angular). Open data reports of how users interact with the serious game were obtained using the Google Analytics application programming interface. The visual identity, logo, infographics, and icons were carefully developed by considering a selection of colors, typography, sounds, and images that are suitable for young audiences. Cards with cartoon characters were introduced at the end of each thematic topic to interact with the player, reinforcing their correct answers or alerting them to the need to learn more about the disease. The players' performance was assessed by the rate of incorrect and correct answers and analyzed by linear correlation coefficient over 7 weeks. The agile SCRUM development methodology enabled quick and daily interactions of developers through a webchat and sequential team meetings. RESULTS: The game "COVID-19-Did You Know?" was made available for free on a public university website on April 1, 2020. The game had been accessed 17,571 times as of September 2020. Dissemination actions such as reports on social media and television showed a temporal correspondence with the access number. The players' error rate in the topic "Mask" showed a negative trend (r=-.83; P=.01) over the weeks of follow-up. The other topics showed no significant trend over the weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The gamification strategy for health education content on the theme of COVID-19 reached a young audience, which is considered to be a priority in the strategy of orientation toward social distancing. Specific educational reinforcement measures were proposed and implemented based on the players' performance. The improvement in the users' performance on the topic about the use of masks may reflect an increase in information about or adherence to mask use over time.

Evaluation of different storage times and preservation methods on phlebotomine sand fly DNA concentration and purity.

BACKGROUND: Different methods have been used to preserve phlebotomine sand flies for research purposes, including for taxonomic studies and detection of Leishmania spp. Here, we evaluated the effect of various preservation methods at different storage times on phlebotomine sand fly DNA concentration and purity. METHODS: Field-collected phlebotomine sand flies were individually stored in 70% ethanol (G1) and 95% ethanol (G2) at room temperature, 70% ethanol (G3) and 95% ethanol (G4) at 8 °C or frozen dry (i.e. no preservation solution) at - 20 °C (G5). DNA concentration and purity were assessed at various storage times (T1, ≤ 12 h; T2, 3 months; T3, 6 months; T4, 9 months; and T5, 12 months). Fragments of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and cacophony (CAC) genes of phlebotomine sand flies were also amplified. RESULTS: Mean DNA concentration (P = 0.178) and 260/280 purity ratios (P = 0.584) did not vary significantly among various preservation methods and storage times. Within each group, DNA concentration varied in G1 (Kruskal-Wallis H-test, P = 0.009) for T3 vs T4 (Dunn's post-hoc, P < 0.05), and in G2 (Kruskal-Wallis H-test, P = 0.004) for T1 vs T2 and T1 vs T4 (Dunn's post-hoc, P < 0.05). For 260/280 purity ratios, the only statistically significant difference was found for G5 (Kruskal-Wallis H-test, P = 0.020) between T1 vs T4 (Dunn's post-hoc test, P < 0.05). The cox1 and CAC genes were successfully amplified, regardless of the preservation method and storage time; except in one sample from G2 at T1, for which the CAC gene failed to amplify. CONCLUSIONS: The preservation methods and storage times herein evaluated did not affect the concentration and purity of DNA samples obtained from field-collected phlebotomine sand flies, for up to 12 months. Furthermore, these preservation methods did not interfere with PCR amplification of CAC and cox1 genes, being suitable for molecular analyses under the conditions studied herein.

Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) Reduces the Survival Time of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae), the Main Vector of the Visceral Leishmaniasis Agent in the Americas.

Visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) is a major neglected tropical disease and Brazil is the responsible for most cases reported in the Americas. In this region, L. infantum is primarily transmitted by Lutzomyia longipalpis and Migonemyia migonei (França) (Diptera: Psychodidae) is considered a permissive vector. We evaluated the susceptibility of Lu. longipalpis and Mg. migonei to Beauveria bassiana and to Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) essential oil. A spore suspension of B. bassiana was prepared and sand flies divided into five groups: test 1 (107 spores/ml of B. bassiana with E. globulus essential oil at 4 mg/ml), test 2 (107 spores/ml of B. bassiana), test 3 (E. globulus essential oil at 4 mg/ml), positive control (cypermethrin 0.1%), and negative control (sterile distilled water). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed on specimens from each group. A 50% reduction was recorded in the survival time of Lu. longipalpis in test 1 and 2, where hyphal adhesion and cuticle damage were observed by SEM. No significant differences in the survival time of Mg. migonei were found, probable due to the high mortality rate observed in the negative control group, which may be a result of the greater sensitivity of this species to laboratory conditions. The results obtained herein suggest that B. bassiana may be a potential biological control agent against Lu. longipalpis, the main vector of L. infantum in the Americas.

Sandflies in an endemic area for Visceral Leishmaniasis in Northeastern Brazil / Flebotomíneos em uma área endêmica para Leishmaniose Visceral no Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract Phlebotomines of the genus Lutzomyia are important vector for species of Leishmania, the etiological agent of leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity of sandflies in an endemic area for Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL). Sampling was performed in four localities on the coast of the municipality of Goiana, state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. Specimens were collected monthly on three consecutive nights, from November 2017 to October 2018. CDC light traps were installed at a height of 1.5 m above the ground, in two ecotypes (i.e. tree and animal facility), both in peridomestic areas. A total of 5,205 sandflies were collected, among which the species Lutzomyia longipalpis (99.85%; 5,197/5,205) was the most common, followed by Lutzomyia evandroi (0.13%; 07/5,205) and Lutzomyia whitmani (0.02%; 01/5,205). Specimens of L. longipalpis were collected throughout the study period and most of them were found near to the animal facilities. The findings from this research indicate that vectors for Leishmania infantum are present in the study area throughout the year, along with occurrences of vectors relating to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL). Preventive vector control measures need to be implemented in Goiana to reduce the risk of infection for the human and animal populations.

Resumo Flebotomíneos do gênero Lutzomyia são importantes vetores de espécies de Leishmania, agente etiológico das leishmanioses. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a diversidade de flebotomíneos em área endêmica para Leishmaniose Visceral (LV). As coletas foram realizadas em quatro localidades do litoral do município de Goiana, Pernambuco, Nordeste do Brasil. Os espécimes foram coletados mensalmente em três noites consecutivas de novembro de 2017 a outubro de 2018. Foram instaladas armadilhas luminosas modelo CDC a uma altura de 1,5 m acima do solo em dois ecótopos (ex. árvore e instalações de animais), ambos em áreas peridomiciliares. Um total de 5.205 flebotomíneos foi coletado, sendo Lutzomyia longipalpis (99,85%; 5.197/5.205) a mais comum, seguida por Lutzomyia evandroi (0,13%; 07/5.205) e Lutzomyia whitmani (0,02%; 01/5.205). L. longipalpis foi coletada durante todo o período do estudo. A maioria dos espécimes foi detectada perto das instalações dos animais. Os achados deste estudo indicam a presença de vetores de Leishmania infantum na área avaliada ao longo do ano, bem como a ocorrência de vetores relacionados à Leishmaniose Cutânea (LC). Medidas preventivas de controle vetorial devem ser implementadas em Goiana para reduzir o risco de infecção à população humana e animal.

Sandflies in an endemic area for Visceral Leishmaniasis in Northeastern Brazil.

Phlebotomines of the genus Lutzomyia are important vector for species of Leishmania, the etiological agent of leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity of sandflies in an endemic area for Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL). Sampling was performed in four localities on the coast of the municipality of Goiana, state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. Specimens were collected monthly on three consecutive nights, from November 2017 to October 2018. CDC light traps were installed at a height of 1.5 m above the ground, in two ecotypes (i.e. tree and animal facility), both in peridomestic areas. A total of 5,205 sandflies were collected, among which the species Lutzomyia longipalpis (99.85%; 5,197/5,205) was the most common, followed by Lutzomyia evandroi (0.13%; 07/5,205) and Lutzomyia whitmani (0.02%; 01/5,205). Specimens of L. longipalpis were collected throughout the study period and most of them were found near to the animal facilities. The findings from this research indicate that vectors for Leishmania infantum are present in the study area throughout the year, along with occurrences of vectors relating to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL). Preventive vector control measures need to be implemented in Goiana to reduce the risk of infection for the human and animal populations.

Phenology of Amblyomma sculptum in a degraded area of Atlantic rainforest in north-eastern Brazil.

Amblyomma sculptum is the principal vector of Rickettsia rickettsii, the main agent of spotted fever rickettsiosis in Brazil. Little information is available regarding the population dynamics of this tick in some regions, including north-eastern Brazil, where cases of spotted fever rickettsioses are increasingly reported. Herein, we studied the phenology of A. sculptum in a rural area in north-eastern Brazil. Ticks were collected from the environment, using dry ice-baited traps, monthly for two consecutive years. In total, 1500 ticks were collected: 94 females (6.3%), 74 males (4.9%), 468 nymphs (31.2%), and 864 larvae (57.6%). All nymphs and females were identified as A. sculptum. Males were tentatively identified as A. sculptum and larvae as Amblyomma spp. Ticks were more numerous during spring and summer, followed by autumn and winter. Peaks of larvae and nymphs were recorded during summer and spring, respectively, whereas adults were more frequently collected in spring. A total of 380 ticks were tested by PCR for the gltA gene of Rickettsia spp., but none of them were positive. While our results revealed a seasonal pattern for A. sculptum in north-eastern Brazil that is distinct from the seasonal pattern in south-eastern Brazil, we caution that the observed pattern could have been biased by the relatively low number of ticks collected. Finally, the absence of Rickettsia-infected ticks does not rule out the possibility that rickettsial organisms are circulating in the study area and further long-term studies are warranted.

Home sweet home: sand flies find a refuge in remote indigenous villages in north-eastern Brazil, where leishmaniasis is endemic.

BACKGROUND: From 2012 to 2013, an outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania braziliensis was detected in indigenous villages located in a remote rural area of Pernambuco state, north-eastern Brazil. Considering that the principal activities of this indigenous community are farming and crop plantation, and also that the outbreak involved many children, we investigated the presence of sand fly vectors inside human houses and also the exposure of dogs to leishmanial parasites. Our general objective was to gather epidemiological data that could indicate the occurrence of a peri-domestic/domestic transmission cycle of L. braziliensis in these indigenous villages. METHODS: From March 2015 to March 2016, sand flies were collected using light traps in the indoor and immediate outdoor environments in the three indigenous villages that reported the most cutaneous leishmaniasis cases during the 2012-2013 outbreak. Moreover, samples obtained from 300 dogs living in the outbreak villages and two nearby villages were tested by a rapid immunochromatographic test and by a real-time PCR for detecting anti-Leishmania antibodies and Leishmania DNA, respectively. RESULTS: In total, 5640 sand flies belonging to 11 species were identified. Males (n = 3540) predominated over females (n = 2100). Migonemyia migonei (84.3%) was the most abundant species, followed by Evandromyia lenti (5.5%), Lutzomyia longipalpis (4.1%), Nyssomyia intermedia (1.6%) and Micropygomyia capixaba (1.4%), representing together ~97% of the sand flies collected. Nine out of the 11 species identified in this study were found indoors, including M. migonei, L. longipalpis and N. intermedia, which are proven vectors of Leishmania spp. Out of 300 dogs tested, 26 (8.7%) presented anti-Leishmania antibodies and six (2%) were Leishmania DNA-positive. The level of exposure in dogs living in the indigenous villages where the 2012-2013 outbreak of human CL was detected was almost 2-fold higher than in the two nearby villages (11.0 vs 6.2% for serology and 2.6 vs 1.4% for real-time PCR). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that different sand fly vectors may be adapted to human dwellings, thus increasing the risk of transmission in the indoor and immediate outdoor environments. The adaptation of sand flies to the indoor environment in the studied indigenous villages may be partly explained by the poor housing conditions and the proximity of the houses to crop plantations and forest fragments.

Sand fly population dynamics and cutaneous leishmaniasis among soldiers in an Atlantic forest remnant in northeastern Brazil.

Outbreaks of cutaneous leishmaniasis are relatively common among soldiers involved in nocturnal activities in tropical forests. We investigated the population dynamics of sand flies in a military training camp located in a remnant of Atlantic rainforest in northeastern Brazil, where outbreaks of cutaneous leishmaniasis have sporadically been described. From July 2012 to July 2014, light traps were monthly placed in 10 collection sites, being nine sites located near the forest edge and one near a sheep and goat stable. Light traps operated from 5:00 pm to 6:00 am, during four consecutive nights. Leishmania infection in sand flies was assessed using a fast real-time PCR assay. Cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis among soldiers were also investigated. In total, 24,606 sand flies belonging to 25 species were identified. Males (n = 12,683) predominated over females (n = 11,923). Sand flies were present during all months, being more numerous in March (n = 1,691) and April 2013 (n = 3,324). Lutzomyia choti (72.9%) was the most abundant species, followed by Lutzomyia longispina (13.8%), Lutzomyia complexa (5.3%), representing together >90% of the sand flies collected. Forty cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis were recorded among soldiers from January 2012 to December 2014. Leishmania isolates were obtained from eight patients and were all characterized as Leishmania braziliensis. Soldiers and anyone overnighting in Atlantic rainforest remnants should adopt preventative measures such as the use of repellents on bare skin or clothes and insecticide-treated tents.

Molecular detection of Leishmania in phlebotomine sand flies in a cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis endemic area in northeastern Brazil.

Several phlebotomine sand fly species have been regarded as putative or proven vectors of parasites of the genus Leishmania in Brazil, but data for the northeastern region remains incipient. In this study, a total of 600 phlebotomine sand flies were grouped in pools of 10 specimens each and tested by a Leishmania genus-specific PCR and by a PCR targeting Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. Fourteen out of 60 pools were positive by the genus-specific PCR, being five pools of L. migonei, seven of L. complexa, one of L. sordellii and one of L. naftalekatzi, which correspond to a minimal infection rate of 2.3% (14/600). Our results, associated with their known anthropophily and their abundance, suggest the participation of L. migonei and L. complexa as vectors of Leishmania in northeastern Brazil. Remarkably, this is the first time in this country that the detection of Leishmania DNA in L. sordellii and L. naftalekatzi has been reported, but future studies are necessary to better understand the significance of these findings.

Detection and quantification of Leishmania braziliensis in ectoparasites from dogs.

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is a disease caused by different species of Leishmania protozoa, Leishmania braziliensis being the main species found in Brazil. In this study, two rural areas in Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil, where ACL is endemic, were selected. Genomic DNA was extracted from canine ectoparasites (ticks, fleas, and lice) and tested using a conventional PCR and a quantitative real time PCR. A total of 117 ectoparasites were collected, being 50 (42.74%) of them positive for L. braziliensis (in at least one PCR protocol), with a mean parasite load of 14.14 fg/µL. Furthermore, 46 (92.00%) positive ectoparasites were collected from positive dogs and 4 (8.00%) from negative ones. This study reports the detection of L. braziliensis DNA in ectoparasites, but does not prove their vector competence. Certainly, experimental transmission studies are necessary to assess their role, if any, in the transmission of Leishmania parasites to dogs.