Evaluation of Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) for malaria control in an endemic area in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Most cases of malaria in Brazil are concentrated in the Amazon region. One of the vector control alternatives recommended by the WHO is the long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN). This tool is used in the nine federal states of the Brazilian Legal Amazon, where LLINs are essential for reducing vector density and disease transmission as they prevent contact between the mosquito and the individual. The objective of this study was to evaluate the residuality and use of LLIN insecticides in different health regions in a city located in the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS: A total of 17,027 LLINs were installed in the third, fifth and ninth health regions of the municipality of Porto Velho, Rondonia State, Brazil. The LLINs were of two types: Olyset (permethrin), for around the bed, and Interceptor (alphacypermethrin), for around hammocks. The residuality of 172 LLINs was evaluated using cone bioassays to verify the mortality rate of the mosquito Nyssorhynchus darlingi, over a period of 2 years. Structured questionnaires on the acceptance and use of LLINs were distributed to the participating population (n = 391), covering a total sample of 1147 mosquito nets. The mortality rate was evaluated both in terms of days after LLIN installation and the type of insecticide used. Statistical analyses were based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi-square and were performed using the SPSS statistical program. RESULTS: For the Ny. darlingi mosquito, Interceptor-type LLINs showed residual efficacy, with mortality rates ≥ 80% during the 2-year study period, as determined by the WHO. In contrast, Olyset-type LLINs were associated with a reduction in mortality rates, with 76% and 45% mortality rates in the last two assessments, which occurred during the last 6 months of the study period. Based on the structured questionnaires, the acceptance rate, i.e. percentage of individuals accepting the permanence of the 1147 LLINs sampled, in the three health regions of Porto Velho was 93.8% (of 1076 LLINs). CONCLUSION: The alphacypermethrin-impregnated LLIN was more effective than the LLIN impregnated with permethrin. The results indicate that the correct use of mosquito nets-and consequently the protection of the population-needs to be supported by health promotion actions. These initiatives are considered to be essential for the success of this vector control strategy. New studies that consider the monitoring of the placement of mosquito nets are necessary to provide effective support in the correct use of this methodology.

Economic analysis of bovine brucellosis control in the Rondônia state, Brazil.

Bovine brucellosis, mainly caused by Brucella abortus, is a worldwide distribution anthropozoonosis that causes great economic losses. In 2001, Brazil launched the National Program for the Control and Eradication of Brucellosis and Tuberculosis (PNCEBT). Contemporaneously, a great effort to characterize the epidemiology of the disease in Brazilian states was started. In the state of Rondônia, a first epidemiological study was carried out in 2004, revealing a prevalence of 35.2% of infected herds and 6.22% of seropositive females. In 2014, after a successful heifer vaccination program with strain 19 (S19), a second study detected a reduction in the prevalence of infected herds to 12.3% and of seropositive females to 1.9%. The present study aimed to quantify and compare the costs and benefits related to the control of bovine brucellosis in the state through an accounting analysis. Vaccinating heifers and performing serological tests to move animals were computed as private costs. The expenditures of the state official veterinary service for brucellosis control were considered public cost. The considered benefits of lowering prevalence were decreased cow replacement, decreased abortions, decreased perinatal and cow mortality, and increased milk production. Considering private and public costs, the net present value (NPV) was estimated at US$ 18.3 million, the internal rate of return (IRR) was calculated at 23%, and the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was 1.7. When considering only the private costs, the NPV was US$34.9 million, the IRR was 49%, and the BCR was 3.0, meaning that the bovine producer had a return of 3 for each unit of currency invested. The results showed that the bovine brucellosis control measures implemented in the state of Rondônia, which had as its main strategy the vaccination of heifers with S19, produced highly advantageous economic results. The state should continue with its vaccination program, stimulating the use of the RB51 vaccine in addition to S19, to achieve further reductions in prevalence at low cost.

Amazonian Invertebrates in the Traditional diet of the Paiter Suruí in Southeastern Brazil.

The Paiter Suruí people in the southwestern Brazilian Amazon have a complex food system that includes insects and crustaceans. We designed our study to systematize data about the invertebrates they incorporate into their traditional diet. After conducting a review of the literature, we verified and expanded the data through semi-structured interviews with Paiter Suruí volunteers, and traced trends in their consumption of invertebrates. We identified 61 invertebrates, including 58 insects of the orders Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, and three crustaceans. While beetle larvae remain a popular choice, consumption of other insects and crustaceans seems to have diminished over time.

Screening for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Close Contacts of Individuals With Confirmed Infection: Performance and Operational Considerations.

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care and decentralized testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critical to inform public health responses. Performance evaluations in priority use cases such as contact tracing can highlight trade-offs in test selection and testing strategies. METHODS: A prospective diagnostic accuracy study was conducted among close contacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Brazil. Two anterior nares swabs (ANS), a nasopharyngeal swab (NPS), and saliva were collected at all visits. Vaccination history and symptoms were assessed. Household contacts were followed longitudinally. Three rapid antigen tests and 1 molecular method were evaluated for usability and performance against reference reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on nasopharyngeal swab specimens. RESULTS: Fifty index cases and 214 contacts (64 household) were enrolled. Sixty-five contacts were RT-PCR positive during ≥1 visit. Vaccination did not influence viral load. Gamma variants were most prevalent; Delta variants emerged increasingly during implementation. The overall sensitivity of evaluated tests ranged from 33% to 76%. Performance was higher among symptomatic cases and those with cycle threshold (Ct) values <34 and lower among oligosymptomatic or asymptomatic cases. Assuming a 24-hour time to results for RT-PCR, the cumulative sensitivity of an anterior nares swab rapid antigen test was >70% and almost 90% after 4 days. CONCLUSIONS: The near-immediate time to results for antigen tests significantly offsets lower analytical sensitivity in settings where RT-PCR results are delayed or unavailable.

Opportunistic predation of the Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris) on alates subterranean termites (Coptotermes testaceus) in southwestern Brazilian Amazon / Depredación oportunista del halcón caminero (Rupornis magnirostris) sobre termitas subterráneas aladas (Coptotermes testaceus) en el suroeste de la Amazonía brasileña

Abstract We report the opportunistic predation of Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris - Accipitridae) on subterranean termite (Coptotermes testaceus - Rhinotermitidae). This predatory behaviour was observed during an avifauna survey in the municipality of Candeias do Jamari, Rondônia, Brazil, in the southwestern Brazilian Amazon. There was a great abundance of C. testaceus alates because of heavy rainfall. This is the season when C. testaceus colonies produce alates in large numbers to found new colonies. The Roadside Hawk stayed on its perch and captured winged termites with little energy expenditure. The bird in question appeared to take advantage of the termite mating flight to feed opportunistically on the abundant alates. Although feeding on insects by R. magnirostris is well known, this is the first documentation of feeding on termite alates.

Resumen Informamos de la depredación oportunista de Coptotermes testaceus (Rhinotermitidae) por Rupornis magnirostris (Accipitridae). Este comportamiento depredador fue observado durante un estudio de la avifauna en el municipio de Candeias do Jamari, Rondônia, Brasil, en el suroeste de la Amazonia brasileña. Había una gran abundancia de formas aladas de C. testaceus debido a las fuertes lluvias. Es el momento en que las colonias de C. testaceus producen formas aladas en gran número para fundar nuevas colonias. El aguilucho permaneció en su percha y capturó termitas aladas con poco gasto de energía. El ave en cuestión parecía aprovechar el vuelo de apareamiento de las termitas para alimentarse de forma oportunista de las abundantes termitas aladas durante los vuelos de apareamiento. Aunque la alimentación de insectos por parte de R. magnirostris es bien conocida, ésta es la primera documentación de alimentación de termitas aladas.

Temporal trends in the epidemiology of inflammatory bowel diseases in the public healthcare system in Brazil: A large population-based study.

Background: Population-based data on epidemiology of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) in Brazil are scarce. This study aims to define temporal trends of incidence and prevalence rates of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in Brazil. Methods: All IBD patients from the public healthcare national system were included from January 2012 to December 2020. Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using log-linear regression for incidence and binomial regression for prevalence. Moran's I autocorrelation index was used to analyse clustering of cities by level of prevalence. Findings: A total of 212,026 IBD patients were included. Incidence of IBD rose from 9.4 in 2012 to 9.6 per 100,000 in 2020 (AAPC=0.8%; 95% CI -0.37, 1.99); for UC, incidence increased from 5.7 to 6.9 per 100,000 (AAPC=3.0%; 95% CI 1.51, 4.58) and for CD incidence decreased from 3.7 to 2.7 per 100,000 (AAPC=-3.2%; 95% CI -4.45, -2.02). Prevalence of IBD increased from 30.0 in 2012 to 100.1 per 100,000 in 2020 (AAPC=14.8%; CI 14.78-14.95); for UC, from 15.7 to 56.5 per 100,000 (AAPC=16.0%; CI 15.94, 16.17); for CD from 12.6 to 33.7 per 100,000 (AAPC=12.1% CI 11.95, 12.02). A south-north gradient was observed in 2020 prevalence rates of IBD [I=0.40 (p<0.0001)], CD [I=0.22 (p<0.0001)] and UC [I=0.42 (p<0.0001)]. Interpretation: Incidence of CD is decreasing whereas of UC is increasing, leading to stabilization in the incidence of IBD from 2012 to 2020 in Brazil. Prevalence of IBD has been climbing with 0.1% of Brazilians living with IBD in 2020. Funding: None.

A Flute, Musical Bows and Bamboo Clarinets that "Speak" in the Amazon Rainforest; Speech and Music in the Gavião Language of Rondônia.

The Gavião, a native Amazonian group in Rondônia, Brazil, use three different traditional musical instruments that they identify as "speaking" ones and that are characterized by a very tight music-lyric relation through similar pitch patterns: a flute (called kotiráp), a pair of mouth bows (iridináp), and three large bamboo clarinets (totoráp), played by three different players, each one playing a single-note clarinet. They show in different ways the relation of acoustic iconicity which exists between the words of the songs' lyrics and the music played on such instruments to "sing" the songs. Linguistic analysis makes it possible to understand the phonetic and phonological nature of the iconicity. The sung speech form, being intermediate between the spoken and the instrumental forms, is useful for both learning and explaining the musical notes. In a language with distinctive tone and length, such as Gavião of Rondônia, the first question about speech that is played by musical instruments is the relation between the melodies and the supersegmental phonology of the corresponding words in sung speech and in modal spoken speech. It is influenced by the phonological possibilities of the spoken form and by the musical possibilities of the instrumental form. The description and analysis of Gavião instrumental speech and song practices are found to be a noteworthy contribution to the typology of instrumental language surrogates associated with a tone language, one that calls for a reexamination of hypotheses about which aspects of the phonological/phonetic structure can be transposed in instrumental speech and how this can be done. The role of this kind of instrumental sung speech is artistic and also practical as it contributes to maintain the oral heritage. Such practice represents a little-studied and threatened cultural heritage of the traditional substratum of the cultures of Amazonia.

Occurrence of Leishmania infection in the immediate geographic region of Ji-Paraná, Rondônia State, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the epidemiology of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the immediate region of Ji-Paraná, Rondônia State. METHODS: Samples and epidemiological data were collected from 105 patients. RESULTS: Leishmania infection was observed in 58 (55.2%) patients, and Leishmania braziliensis was present in 82.9% of the 41 sequenced samples. Infected patients were predominantly male (93.1%). Leishmania infection was twice as prevalent among rural inhabitants versus urban inhabitants. Lesions were more frequent in the upper limbs (arms/hands, 41.82%). CONCLUSIONS: The present data corroborate the zoonotic profile of cutaneous leishmaniasis; this information could help to improve surveillance and control strategies.

The spread of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil: the first canine cases described in Ji-Paraná, Rondônia, Brazil / A disseminação da leishmaniose visceral no Brasil: os primeiros casos caninos descritos em Ji-Paraná, Rondônia, Brasil

Abstract Leishmaniases are zoonotic diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. The disease has two clinical manifestations described in humans: visceral (VL) and cutaneous (CL) leishmaniasis. In Brazil, there has been an expansion of human VL. The participation of the dog as a reservoir of Leishmania infantum, the agent of VL, is important for the epidemiology of the disease since canine cases generally precede human cases. The present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Leishmania spp. infection in dogs in the municipality of Ji-Paraná by PCR assays using blood samples. Leishmania DNA was detected in two of the 105 studied dogs. The PCR products were sequenced and confirmed that the two samples (1.90%) correspond to L. infantum. The dogs had allochthonous history. Therefore, the positive results found here should serve as a warning to public health agencies. This is because Ji-Paraná is the third municipality to register cases of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) in Rondônia state. Thus, reinforcing the importance of expanding studies on the epidemiology and surveillance of VL in the region.

Resumo As leishmanioses são doenças causadas por protozoários do gênero Leishmania. A doença apresenta duas manifestações clínicas: leishmaniose visceral (LV) e cutânea (LC). No Brasil, a LV está em expansão. A participação do cão como reservatório é importante para a epidemiologia da doença, pois os casos caninos geralmente precedem os humanos. O presente estudo avaliou a ocorrência de LV em cães (LVC) do município de Ji-Paraná por meio de ensaios de PCR, utilizando-se amostras de sangue. O DNA de Leishmania foi detectado em dois dos 105 cães estudados. Os produtos da PCR foram sequenciados e confirmaram que duas amostras (1,90%) eram Leishmania infantum. Os cães tinham histórico alóctone. Os resultados positivos encontrados servem de alerta aos órgãos públicos de saúde. Isso porque Ji-Paraná é o terceiro município a registrar casos de LVC no estado de Rondônia. Dessa forma, reforça-se a importância da ampliação dos estudos sobre a epidemiologia e vigilância da LV na região.

New Records of Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) From the Western Brazilian Amazon and the Description of the Female of Pintomyia fiocruzi.

An entomological survey was conducted in several localities of Rondônia State, and new records were obtained for seven sand fly species: Evandromyia apurinan Shimabukuro, Figueira & Silva, 2013, Evandromyia carmelinoi (Ryan, Fraiha, Lainson & Shaw, 1986), Micropygomyia echinatopharynx Andrade-Filho, Galati, Andrade & Falcão, 2004, Nyssomyia urbinattii Galati & Galvis, 2012, Pintomyia duckei Oliveira, Alencar & Freitas, 2018, Psathyromyia pradobarrientosi (Le Pont, Matias, Martinez & Dujardin, 2004), and Sciopemyia vattierae (Le Pont & Desjeux, 1992). Herein, we also describe the female of Pintomyia fiocruzi Pereira Júnior, Pessoa, Marivalva & Medeiros, 2019. The female has spermathecae with a detached apical ring similar to the spermathecae of Pintomyia serrana (Damasceno & Arouck, 1949), Pintomyia odax (Fairchild & Hertig, 1961), Pintomyia ottolinai (Ortiz & Scorza, 1963), and Pintomyia robusta (Galati, Cáceres & Le Pont, 1995). Here, we provide characters to separate Pi. fiocruzi from Pi. serrana and Pi. odax. Pintomyia ottolinai has a trans-Andean distribution and Pi. robusta has not been found in Brazil and in our studies, we associated the females found in this study with Pi. fiocruzi males found at the same collection sites. Our findings highlight the importance of entomological fauna surveys and demonstrate the need for taxonomists to study species diversity in Rondônia. This study increases the number of sand fly species recorded in Rondônia to 143.

Mortalidade por causas externas no estado de Rondônia: análise de série temporal de 1999 a 2015 / Mortality due to external causes in the state of Rondônia: time series analysis from 1999 to 2015 / Mortalidad por causas externas en el Estado de Rondônia: análisis de serie temporal de 1999 a 2015

Objetivo: descrever a mortalidade por causas externas no Estado de Rondônia no período de 1999 e 2015. Método: estudo de série temporal utilizando dados da Declaração de Óbito disponibilizados pela Agência de Vigilância em Saúde do Estado de Rondônia. Para a análise de tendência realizou-se regressão linear utilizando o pacote estatístico Stata®11. Resultados: foram registrados no Estado de Rondônia 111.651 óbitos sendo 22,2% classificados como causas externas. O coeficiente médio de óbitos por esta causa no período foi 89,7 por 100.000 habitantes e desvio padrão de 6,5. A regressão linear apresentou um aumento anual nos óbitos por acidentes de trânsito de 2,1%, os óbitos por agressões tiveram um decréscimo anual de 1,98%, suicídios e outras causas externas permaneceram estacionárias. Conclusão: os resultados evidenciaram a necessidade de fortalecimento das ações preventivas entre homens jovens e políticas públicas para redução de acidentes de trânsito no estado de Rondônia

Objective: the objective was to describe the mortality from external causes in the State of Rondônia in the period of 1999 and 2015. Method: a time series study using data from the Death Certificates provided by the Health Surveillance Agency of the State of Rondônia. Linear regression was used for the trend analysis using the statistical package Stata®11. Results: 111,651 deaths were recorded in the State of Rondônia, 22.2% of which were classified as external causes. The mean number of deaths due to this cause in the period was 89.7 per 100,000 inhabitants and the standard deviation was 6.5. The linear regression showed an annual increase in deaths due to traffic accidents of 2.1%, deaths due to aggressions had an annual decrease of 1.98%, suicides and other external causes remained stationary. Conclusion: the results evidenced the need to strengthen preventive actions among young men and public policies to reduce accidents in the state of Rondônia

Objetivo: el objetive fue describir la mortalidad por causas externas en el Estado de Rondônia en el período de 1999 y 2015. Método: estudio de serie temporal utilizando datos de la Declaración de Óbito disponibilizados por la Agencia de Vigilancia en Salud del Estado de Rondônia. Para el análisis de tendencia se realizó regresión lineal utilizando el paquete estadístico Stata®11. Resultados: se registraron en el Estado de Rondônia 111.651 óbitos siendo 22,2% clasificados como causas externas. El coeficiente medio de muertes por esta causa en el período fue 89,7 por 100.000 habitantes y desviación estándar de 6,5. La regresión lineal presentó un aumento anual en las muertes por accidentes de tránsito del 2,1%, las muertes por agresiones tuvieron un descenso anual del 1,98% y los suicídios y otras causas externas permanecieron estacionarias. Conslusión: los resultados evidenciaron la necesidad de fortalecimiento de las acciones preventivas entre hombres jóvenes y políticas públicas para reducción de accidentes en el estado de Rondônia

Antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation in children with Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) in Brazilian Amazon.

INTRODUCTION: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli is an important causative agent of diarrhea in both developed and developing countries. METHODOLOGY: We assessed the antibiotic resistance profile and the ability of 71 Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) isolates from children in the age group 6 years, or younger, to form biofilm. These children were hospitalized in Cosme and Damião Children Hospital in Porto Velho, Western Brazilian Amazon, between 2010 and 2012, with clinical symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. RESULTS: The highest frequency of atypical EPEC (aEPEC) isolates reached 83.1% (59/71). Most EPEC isolates presented Localized Adherence Like (LAL) pattern in HEp-2 cells (57.7% - 41/71). Biofilm production was observed in 33.8% (24/71) of EPEC isolates, and it means statistically significant association with shf gene (p = 0.0254). The highest antimicrobial resistance rates and a large number of multiresistant isolates 67.6% (48/71), regarded cefuroxime (CXM), ampicillin (AMP), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT) and tetracycline (TET), respectively, mainly in typical EPEC (tEPEC). Furthermore, 96% (68/71) of EPEC isolates in the present study were resistant to at least one antibiotic, whereas only 3 isolates were sensitive to all the tested drugs. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, there was increased aEPEC identification. EPEC isolates showed high resistance rate; most strains showed multiresistance; thus, they work as warning about the continuous need of surveillance towards antimicrobial use. Besides, the ability of forming biofilm was evidenced by the EPEC isolates. This outcome is worrisome, since it is a natural resistance mechanism of bacteria.

Diversity, natural infection and blood meal sources of phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera, Psychodidae) in the western Brazilian Amazon

BACKGROUND The state of Rondônia (RO) is a hot spot for human cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Many sandfly species in RO are putative vectors of leishmaniasis. OBJECTIVES This study examines the diversity patterns and the presence of Leishmania DNA and blood meal sources of sandflies in RO. METHODS A sandfly survey was performed between 2016 and 2018 in 10 municipalities categorised into three different environment types: (i) Conservation Unit (CUN) - comprised of preserved ombrophilous forests; (ii) Forest Edge (FE) - small forest fragments; and (iii) Peridomicile (PE) - areas around dwellings. FINDINGS A total of 73 species were identified from 9,535 sandflies. The most abundant species were Psychodopygus davisi (1,741 individuals), Nyssomyia antunesi (1,397), Trichophoromyia auraensis (1,295) and Trichophoromyia ubiquitalis (1,043). Diversity was the highest in CUN, followed by the FE and PE environments. One pool of Ps. davisi tested positive for Leishmania braziliensis, reinforcing the possibility that Ps. davisi acts as a vector. The cytochrome b (cytb) sequences were used to identify three blood meal sources: Bos taurus, Homo sapiens and Tamandua tetradactyla. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated that sandflies can switch between blood meal sources in differing environments. This study enhances the knowledge of the vector life cycle in RO and provides information relevant to leishmaniasis surveillance.

Anemia hemolítica em bovinos de corte em sistema de criação extensiva em Mato Grosso e Rondônia / Hemolytic anemia in beef cattle in extensive system farming in Mato Grosso and Rondônia

Casos de anemia hemolítica em bovinos de corte em sistema de criação extensiva em Mato Grosso e Rondônia são acompanhados desde 2008. Os animais acometidos apresentam fraqueza, mucosas pálidas ou ictéricas, urina enegrecida, depressão e anorexia. Esse quadro muitas vezes evolui para morte, principalmente quando os animais são movimentados. Durante esse período aproximadamente 429 bovinos morreram em diferentes surtos eem alguns casos a mortalidade chegou a 50%. Foi realizada investigação para as principais causas infecciosas como leptospirose, babesiose, tripanossomíase, anaplasmose e hemoglobinúria bacilar, bem como para as possíveis causas toxicas relatadas como etiologia de anemia hemolítica em bovinos por meio de exames hematológicos, bioquímica sanguínea, moleculares e histopatológicos. Não se observou nas propriedades acometidas, nenhuma das plantas já descritas no Brasil como causadora de anemia hemolítica em animais de interesse pecuário no momento das investigações dos surtos. Apesar da etiologia desses casos ainda não ser conhecida, as evidências epidemiológicas, clínicas e patológicas da doença sugerem que a mesma seja causada por uma planta tóxica de ação hemolítica, presente nas propriedades acometidas, mas que ainda não foi confirmada experimentalmente.(AU)

Cases of hemolytic anemia in beef cattle in na extensive breeding system in Mato Grosso and Rondônia have been monitored since 2008. The affected animals presented weakness, pale or icteric mucosas, blackened urine, prostration and anorexia. The outcome of these cases often is death, principally if the animals are forced to walk. Approximately 429 cattle died in these outbreaks andin some of these, mortality rates ranged from 0.26 to 50%. Research was carried out on the main infectious causes such as leptospirosis, babesiosis, trypanosomiasis, anaplasmosis and bacillary hemoglobinuria, as well as the possible toxic causes reported as etiology of hemolytic anemia in cattle through hematology, blood biochemistry, molecular and histopathological examinations. Any plant ready described in Brazil as cause of hemolytic anemia in animals from livestock interest was observed in thosefarms. Although the etiology of these cases is not yet known, clinical and pathological evidences of the disease suggested that it is caused by a toxic plant of hemolytic action, present in the affected properties, but not yet confirmed experimentally.(AU)

Evaluating seroprevalence to circumsporozoite protein to estimate exposure to three species of Plasmodium in the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Brazil has seen a great decline in malaria and the country is moving towards elimination. However, for eventual elimination, the control program needs efficient tools in order to monitor malaria exposure and transmission. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether seroprevalence to the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is a good tool for monitoring the exposure to and/or evaluating the burden and distribution of Plasmodium species in the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in a rural area of Porto Velho, Rondônia state. Parasite infection was detected by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction. Antibodies to the sporozoite CSP repeats of Plasmodium vivax, P. falciparum, and P. malariae (PvCS, PfCS, and PmCS) were detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 and DQB1 genes were typed using Luminex® xMAP® technology. RESULTS: The prevalence of immunoglobulin G against P. vivax CSP peptide (62%) was higher than P. falciparum (49%) and P. malariae (46%) CSP peptide. Most of the studied individuals had antibodies to at least one of the three peptides (72%), 34% had antibodies to all three peptides and 28% were non-responders. Although the majority of the population was not infected at the time of the survey, 74.3% of parasite-negative individuals had antibodies to at least one of the CSPs. Importantly, among individuals carrying the haplotypes DRB1*04~DQB1*03, there was a significantly higher frequency of PfCS responders, and DRB1*16~DQB1*03 haplotype for PvCS and PfCS responders. In contrast, HLA-DRB1*01 and HLA-DQB1*05 allelic groups were associated with a lack of antibodies to P. vivax and P. falciparum CSP repeats, and the haplotype DRB1*01~DQB1*05 was also associated with non-responders, including non-responders to P. malariae. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that in low transmission settings, naturally acquired antibody responses against the CSP repeats of P. vivax, P. falciparum, and P. malariae in a single cross-sectional study may not represent a valuable marker for monitoring recent malaria exposure, especially in an area with a high prevalence of P. vivax. Furthermore, HLA class II molecules play an important role in antibody response and require further study with a larger sample size. It will be of interest to consider HLA analysis when using serosurveillance to monitor malaria exposure among genetically diverse populations.

Evaluating seroprevalence to circumsporozoite protein to estimate exposure to three species of Plasmodium in the Brazilian Amazon

BACKGROUND: Brazil has seen a great decline in malaria and the country is moving towards elimination. However, for eventual elimination, the control program needs efficient tools in order to monitor malaria exposure and transmission. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether seroprevalence to the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is a good tool for monitoring the exposure to and/or evaluating the burden and distribution of Plasmodium species in the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in a rural area of Porto Velho, Rondônia state. Parasite infection was detected by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction. Antibodies to the sporozoite CSP repeats of Plasmodium vivax, P. falciparum, and P. malariae (PvCS, PfCS, and PmCS) were detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 and DQB1 genes were typed using Luminex® xMAP® technology. RESULTS: The prevalence of immunoglobulin G against P. vivax CSP peptide (62%) was higher than P. falciparum (49%) and P. malariae (46%) CSP peptide. Most of the studied individuals had antibodies to at least one of the three peptides (72%), 34% had antibodies to all three peptides and 28% were non-responders. Although the majority of the population was not infected at the time of the survey, 74.3% of parasite-negative individuals had antibodies to at least one of the CSPs. Importantly, among individuals carrying the haplotypes DRB1*04~DQB1*03, there was a significantly higher frequency of PfCS responders, and DRB1*16~DQB1*03 haplotype for PvCS and PfCS responders. In contrast, HLA-DRB1*01 and HLA-DQB1*05 allelic groups were associated with a lack of antibodies to P. vivax and P. falciparum CSP repeats, and the haplotype DRB1*01~DQB1*05 was also associated with non-responders, including non-responders to P. malariae. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that in low transmission settings, naturally acquired antibody responses against the CSP repeats of P. vivax, P. falciparum, and P. malariae in a single cross-sectional study may not represent a valuable marker for monitoring recent malaria exposure, especially in an area with a high prevalence of P. vivax. Furthermore, HLA class II molecules play an important role in antibody response and require further study with a larger sample size. It will be of interest to consider HLA analysis when using serosurveillance to monitor malaria exposure among genetically diverse populations

Filling gaps in the distribution of the white-winged vampire bat, Diaemus youngii (Phyllostomidae, Desmodontinae): new records for southern Amazonia / Preenchendo lacunas na distribuição do morcego-vampiro de asas brancas, Diaemus youngii (Phyllostomidae, Desmodontinae): novos registros para o sul da Amazônia

Bats of the subfamily Desmodontinae are the only hematophagous mammals, represented by three species. Among them, Diaemus youngii has the fewest records in Brazil, being poorly known demographically and ecologically. We report the first record of D. youngii for Mato Grosso state, in central-western Brazil, and provide additional records for the states of Rondônia and Tocantins, in northern Brazil, extending the known distribution of D. youngii in the southern Amazon region.

Os morcegos da subfamília Desmodontinae compreendem as únicas três espécies de mamíferos hematófagos. Entre elas, Diaemus youngii é a espécie com menor número de registros no Brasil, sendo pouco conhecida demográfica e ecologicamente. Nós relatamos o primeiro registro de D. youngii para o estado do Mato Grosso, no centro-oeste do Brasil, e fornecemos registros adicionais para os estados de Rondônia e Tocantins, no norte do Brasil. Os registros ampliam a distribuição conhecida de D. youngii no sul da região amazônica.

Range extension of Diclidurus scutatus (Chiroptera, Emballonuridae) to southwestern Amazonia / Extensão da distribuição de Diclidurus scutatus (Chiroptera, Emballonuridae) para o sudoeste da Amazônia

ABSTRACT Diclidurus scutatus is an aerial insectivore bat endemic of South America and considered rare throughout its distribution range. We present the first record of this species in Rondônia State, northern Brazil, expanding its distribution more than 1000 km into southwestern Amazonia. Including this record, D. scutatus is known for 20 localities from eight countries (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela), and two biomes-Amazonia and Atlantic Forest.

RESUMO Diclidurus scutatus é um morcego insetívoro aéreo, endêmico da América do Sul e considerado raro em toda sua área de distribuição. Apresentamos o primeiro registro dessa espécie para o estado de Rondônia, norte do Brasil, expandindo sua distribuição em mais de 1000 quilômetros para o sudoeste da Amazônia. Incluindo o presente registro, D. scutatus é conhecido para 20 localidades em oito países (Brasil, Colômbia, Equador, Guiana Francesa, Guiana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela) e dois biomas-Amazônia e Mata Atlântica.

A new species of Scinax from the Purus-Madeira interfluve, Brazilian Amazonia (Anura, Hylidae).

A new tree frog species of the genus Scinax from the interfluve between the Purus and Madeira rivers, Brazilian Amazonia, is described and illustrated. The new species is diagnosed by medium body size, snout truncate in dorsal view, ulnar and tarsal tubercles absent, nuptial pads poorly developed, skin on dorsum shagreen, dorsum light brown with dark brown spots and markings, white groin with black spots, anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs black, and iris bright orange. The advertisement call consists of a single short note, with 16-18 pulses and dominant frequency at 1572-1594 Hz. Tadpoles are characterized by body ovoid in dorsal view and triangular in lateral view, tail higher than body, oral disc located anteroventrally and laterally emarginated, dorsum of body uniformly grey-brown with dark brown eye-snout stripe in preservative, fins translucent with small to large irregular diffuse dark brown spots.

New species records of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) for the state of Rondônia in Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Culicoides biting midges are small insects that are proven vectors of pathogens that cause disease in animals and humans. There are 1,368 species of Culicoides in the world, including 149 species in Brazil and 122 species in the Brazilian Amazon Basin. This study documents specimens that were collected between 2013 and 2015 in the municipalities of Alvorada d'Oeste, Buritis, Cacoal, Costa Marques, Espigão d'Oeste, Guajará-Mirim, Pimenta Bueno, Porto Velho and São Francisco Guaporé. Collections were performed using HP light traps in forest, pasture and peridomicilie environments. NEW INFORMATION: Species newly recorded in Rondônia State include Culicoides carpenteri Wirth & Blanton, 1953; C. dasyophrus Macfie, 1940; C. eublepharus Macfie, 1948; C. galindoi Wirth & Blanton, 1953; C. heliconiae Fox & Hoffman, 1944; and C. ignacioi Forattini, 1957. This is the first record in Brazil of C. darlingtonae Wirth & Blanton, 1971.