Artificial feeding of Ornithodoros rostratus using a silicone membrane system.

The in vitro feeding of ticks facilitates the conduction of studies involving the intrinsic vector-pathogen relationship, susceptibility tests, and resistance to acaricides, in addition to mimicking the use of experimental hosts. The objective of this study was to establish an in vitro feeding system using silicone membranes to supply various diets to the species Ornithodoros rostratus. Each experimental group included 130 first-instar O. rostratus nymphs. The groups were divided according to the diet provided: citrated rabbit blood, citrated bovine blood, bovine blood with antibiotics, and defibrinated bovine blood. The control group was fed directly on rabbits. Ticks were weighed before and after the feeding and monitored individually according to their biological parameters. The results of the experiment demonstrated that the proposed system was efficient in terms of fixation stimulus and satisfactory in terms of tick engorgement, which would allow the maintenance of O. rostratus colonies by using artificial feeding through silicone membranes. All diets provided were efficient for the maintenance of colonies, but the ticks that received citrated rabbit blood displayed similar biological parameters to those observed under in vivo feeding conditions.

Isospora spp. (Eimeriidae) from green-winged saltators Saltator similis d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837 (Thraupidae) from captivity near the Conservation Unit of the Itatiaia National Park in Southeastern Brazil.

The present study identifies three Isospora spp. recorded from faecal samples of green-winged saltators Saltator similis d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye kept in captivity in the surroundings of the Itatiaia National Park, which is a Conservation Unit with a high degree of vulnerability located in the Serra da Mantiqueira on the border of the States of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. Isospora saltatori Berto, Balthazar, Flausino & Lopes, 2008, Isospora trincaferri Berto, Balthazar, Flausino & Lopes, 2008 and Isospora similisi Coelho, Berto, Neves, Oliveira, Flausino & Lopes, 2013 were compatible in all characteristic features with their respective original descriptions, despite some divergences that are discussed in this study. In addition to the preliminary morphological identification, this study provided a preliminary genotypic identification of these three Isospora spp. via sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene, which was suitable for the genotypic differentiation of these three coccidians, but was inconclusive in the phylogenetic analysis. Finally, this study discusses the environmental risks of these coccidians in captivity of green-winged saltators in the surroundings of the Itatiaia National Park.

Experimental infection of Rickettsia parkeri in the Rhipicephalus microplus tick.

This study aimed to evaluate, by means of artificial feeding, the interaction between a pathogenic rickettsia and the hard tick R. microplus. We used partially engorged females fed on calves free of Rickettsia spp. Group 1 (G1), containing 20 ticks, was fed bovine blood only. Group 2 (G2), containing 20 ticks, was fed blood containing uninfected VERO cells, and group 3 (G3), containing 40 ticks, was fed blood containing VERO cells infected with Rickettsia parkeri. Biological parameters of the non-parasitic phase and a possible bacterial transmission to the tick eggs and to guinea pigs were evaluated. At the end of oviposition, all G3 females were PCR-positive for genes specific for the genus Rickettsia. Although no guinea pigs were infected, the experimental infection of R. microplus by R. parkeri caused a deleterious effect on the oviposition and provided the first report of transovarian transmission of rickettsia in this tick.

Using plastic tips in artificial feeding of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Acari: Ixodidae) females.

This study evaluated the influence of the initial weight, feeding period and temperature on weight gain and biological parameters of the non-parasitic phase of partially engorged Rhipicephalus sanguineus females that were artificially fed using plastic tips as feeding devices. The device did not alter the oviposition of the females or any other parameters evaluated. Furthermore, it was observed that the temperature of the feeding the group did not affect the weight gain and biology of ticks. This device has great potential for the development of studies on bioagent transmission because it provides higher intake of blood by ixodid ticks.

Using plastic tips in artificial feeding of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Acari: Ixodidae) females / Uso de ponteiras plásticas na alimentação artificial de fêmeas de Rhipicephalus sanguineus

Abstract This study evaluated the influence of the initial weight, feeding period and temperature on weight gain and biological parameters of the non-parasitic phase of partially engorged Rhipicephalus sanguineus females that were artificially fed using plastic tips as feeding devices. The device did not alter the oviposition of the females or any other parameters evaluated. Furthermore, it was observed that the temperature of the feeding the group did not affect the weight gain and biology of ticks. This device has great potential for the development of studies on bioagent transmission because it provides higher intake of blood by ixodid ticks.

Resumo Este estudo avaliou a influência do peso inicial, período de alimentação e temperatura no ganho de peso e parâmetros biológicos da fase não parasitária, de fêmeas parcialmente ingurgitadas de Rhipicephalus sanguineus alimentadas artificialmente utilizando ponteiras plásticas como dispositivo de alimentação. O dispositivo não alterou a oviposição das fêmeas ou quaisquer outros parâmetros avaliados. Além disso, observou-se que a temperatura de alimentação do grupo não afetou o ganho de peso e a biologia dos carrapatos. Este dispositivo tem um grande potencial para o desenvolvimento de estudos sobre a transmissão de bioagentes, uma vez que proporciona maior ingestão de sangue por carrapatos ixodídeos.

Use of plastic tips in artificial feeding of Dermacentor (Anocentor) nitens females Neumann, 1897 (Acari: Ixodidae).

The establishment of laboratory colonies of ticks is often hampered by their lack of adaptation to alternative hosts. The aim of this study was to artificially feed partially engorged Dermacentor (Anocentor) nitens females through plastic tips, and to identify what are the optimal conditions of application of this technique to get as much as possible close to the natural conditions. The technique of artificial feeding through plastic tips allowed the engorgement of D. nitens ticks to a final weight within the normal range for the species.

Identificação e análise de rotulagem das marcas de mel comercializadas na cidade do Rio de Janeiro / Identification and analysis of honey labeling commercialized in Rio de Janeiro city

Com vistas a identificar as marcas dos méis comercializados e suas características de rotulagem no comércio varejista dacidade do Rio de Janeiro, foram realizadas 48 visitas em diferentes estabelecimentos. Identificaram-se 37 marcas de méisregularmente registradas e a análise da rotulagem permitiu observar inadequações (56,8%) relativas à falta de informaçõesobrigatórias tais como: informação nutricional (8,1%), data da embalagem (13,5%), prazo de validade (2,7%), lote (27,0%) emodo de conservação (5,4%). Todas as marcas encontradas apresentaram as informações obrigatórias: conteúdo líquido,identificação da marca e da firma produtora, assim como a identificação do registro no órgão competente. Os dados obtidosneste estudo, ainda que não alarmantes, sugerem o estabelecimento de programas que permitam a adoção de açõescoercitivas típicas de fiscalização de alimentos com vistas a garantir alimentos saudáveis e de menor risco na mesa dosconsumidores, conforme prevê a legislação sanitária

The objective was to identify the marks of the commercialized honeys and labeling characteristics of retailing commerce in Riode Janeiro city. It was performance 48 visits in different establishments. It was identified 37 marks of regularly registered honeysand the labeling analysis allowed observing inadequacies (56.8%) relative to the lack of obligator information such as: nutritionalinformation (8.1%), packing date (13.5%), shelf-live period (2.7%), lot (27.0%) and way of conservation (5.4%). All the joinedmarks had presented the obligator information: liquid content, identification of the mark and the producing firm, as well as theidentification of the register in the competent agency. The data gotten in this study, despite not alarming, suggest the establishmentof programs that allow the adoption of typical coercitive actions of fiscalization of foods with sights to guarantee healthful foodsand lesser risk to the consumers, as foresee the legislation