Effect of nanoformulation Azadirachta indica on some factors associated with the vectorial capacity and competence of Anopheles aquasalis experimentally infected with Plasmodium vivax.

Malaria remains a highly prevalent infectious disease worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Effectively controlling of mosquitoes transmitting of Plasmodium spp. is crucial in to control this disease. A promising strategy involves utilizing plant-derived products, such as the Neem tree (Azadirachta indica), known for its secondary metabolites with biological activity against various insect groups of agricultural and public health importance. This study investigated the effects of a nanoformulation prototype Neem on factors linked to the vector competence of Anopheles aquasalis, a malaria vector in Latin America. Different concentrations of the nanoformulation were supplied through sugar solution and blood feeding, assessing impacts on longevity, fecundity, fertility, and transgenerational survival from larvae to adults. Additionally, the effects of the Neem nanoformulation and NeemAZAL® formulation on the sporogonic cycle of P. vivax were evaluated. Overall, significant impacts were observed at 100 ppm and 1,000 ppm concentrations on adult survival patterns and on survival of the F1 generation. A trend of reduced oviposition and hatching rates was also noted in nanoformulation-consuming groups, with fertility and fecundity declining proportionally to the concentration. Additionally, a significant decrease in the infection rate and intensity of P. vivax was observed in the 1,000 ppm group, with a mean of 3 oocysts per female compared to the control's 27 oocysts per female. In the commercial formulation, the highest tested concentration of 3 ppm yielded 5.36 oocysts per female. Concerning sporozoite numbers, there was a reduction of 52 % and 87 % at the highest concentrations compared to the control group. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the A. indica nanoformulation is a potential as a tool for malaria control through reduction in the vector longevity and reproductive capacity, possibly leading to decreased vector population densities. Moreover, the nanoformulation interfered with the sporogonic development of P. vivax. However, further basic research on Neem formulations, their effects, and mechanisms of action is imperative to gain a more specific perspective for safe field implementation.

Definition of the main vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis: Ecology and mapping in endemic area of Northeast Brazil.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in Pernambuco. Aiming to determine the vector species of cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic area of the Northeast region of Brazil, this study aimed to use the spatial mapping of human cases of CL and correlate with ecological studies of the vectors in the municipality of Timbaúba, Pernambuco, Brazil. Individuals infected with CL were recruited through active search in their homes and clinically and serologically diagnosed during the period from 2018 to 2019. Sandflies were captured with CDC-type light traps in peridomiciliary environments and these were identified at the species level. Females were separated for DNA extraction and subsequent analysis by PCR. The points of collection of phlebotomes and the residences of individuals with lesions were marked with GPS. During the study period, 60 cases of CL were diagnosed. A higher concentration of CL cases was observed in proximity to Atlantic forest remnants confirmed by heat map. A total of 3744 sandflies was captured and five distinct species were identified, with the predominance of Nyssomyia whitmani. From the females separated for the identification of Leishmania braziliensis DNA, a rate of 0.68% of infected sandflies was obtained. It was concluded that cutaneous leishmaniasis continues to be a rural feature of the area. And from this study, it is concluded that Ny. whitmani is the carrier species of CL in the municipality of Timbaúba, Pernambuco. This is due to abundance in catching, specialization of species and PCR positivity for Leishmania braziliensis.

Cladistic analysis of the Neotropical genera Cerqueirellum Py-Daniel, 1983, Coscaroniellum Py-Daniel, 1983 and Shelleyellum Py-Daniel & Pessoa, 2005 (Diptera: Simuliidae) / Análise cladística dos gêneros neotropicais Cerqueirellum Py-Daniel, 1983, Coscaroniellum Py-Daniel, 1983 e Shelleyellum Py-Daniel & Pessoa, 2005 (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Females of simuliid black flies are haematophagous insects and vectors of several pathogenic agents of human diseases such as the filarial worms Mansonella ozzardi and Onchocerca volvulus. The genus Cerqueirellum is one of the most important groups of vectors of mansonellosis and onchocerciasis diseases in South America, and the genera Coscaroniellum and Shelleyellum are phylogenetically close to Cerqueirellum. There is not yet an agreement among authors about the generic classification of the species which compose these three genera, being all lumped by some taxonomists within Psaroniocompsa. A cladistic analysis of all species of Coscaroniellum, Cerqueirellum, and Shelleyellum, based on 41 morphological characters were done. Species closely related to Cerqueirellum were included in the analysis. The genera Cerqueirellum, Coscaroniellum and Shelleyellum were demonstrated as consistent basal entities and well-defined monophyletic clades.

As fêmeas de piuns ou borrachudos da família Simuliidae são hematófagas e vetoras de diversos patógenos, destacando-se os vermes filarióides Mansonella ozzardi e Onchocerca volvulus. Dentre os grupos supra-específicos que são vetores de mansonelose e oncocercose na América do Sul, destaca-se o gênero Cerqueirellum. Os gêneros Coscaroniellum e Shelleyellum são filogeneticamente muito próximos a Cerqueirellum. Não existia concordância quanto à validade de Cerqueirellum e Coscaroniellum como clados supra-específicos, sendo ambos os gêneros incluídos, por uma escola taxonômica, como grupos de espécies em Psaroniocompsa. Neste trabalho é feita uma análise filogenética baseada em caracteres morfológicos dos três gêneros.. Os gêneros Cerqueirellum, Coscaroniellum e Shelleyellum. apresentaram-se como entidades basais válidas, consistentes e monofiléticas.