Sulphonates' mixtures and emulsions obtained from technical cashew nut shell liquid and cardanol for control of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Aedes aegypti is the main mosquito vector of dengue, zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever diseases. The low effectiveness of vector control options is mainly related to the increased insect's resistance and to the toxicity of products used for non-target organisms. The development of new environmentally friendly and safer products is imperative. Technical cashew nut shell liquid (tCNSL), mostly composed by cardanol (C), is an abundant by-product of the cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) production chain, available at low cost, and with proven larvicidal activity. However, chemical modifications in both tCNSL and cardanol were required to increase their water solubilities. Our objectives were to synthesise and characterise sustainable, low-cost and easy-to-use multiple function products based on tCNSL, cardanol, and the sulphonates obtained from both; and to evaluate all these products efficacy as surfactants, larvicidal, and antimicrobial agents. None of the sulphonates presented antimicrobial and larvicidal activities. tCNSL and cardanol were successfully emulsified with sodium technical cashew nut shell liquid sulphonate (NatCNSLS, complex mixture of surfactants). The emulsions obtained presented larvicidal activity due to the presence of tCNSL and cardanol in their composition. Our results showed that the tCNSL+NatCNSLS mixture emulsion was an effective larvicide and surfactant multiple function product, with high availability and easy-to-use, which can facilitate its large-scale use in different environments. Graphical abstract.

PCR sensitivity of peripheral blood of dogs co-infected with Leishmania spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in endemic area of Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral blood of 400 dogs infected with Leishmania and Ehrlichia were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and clinical signs were characterized. METHODS: PCR and parasitological tests were conducted. RESULTS: PCR was positive for Leishmania in 84.75%, and parasitological tests showed that 63.25% and 31.75% were positive for Leishmania and Ehrlichia, respectively. All animals showed more than three clinical signs. PCR results were negative for Leishmania in 15.25% of the samples. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional PCR of peripheral blood can be used for diagnosing canine visceral leishmaniasis in combination with other techniques, especially in uncertain cases that need species identification.

PCR sensitivity of peripheral blood of dogs co-infected with Leishmania spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in endemic area of Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION Peripheral blood of 400 dogs infected with Leishmania and Ehrlichia were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and clinical signs were characterized. METHODS PCR and parasitological tests were conducted. RESULTS PCR was positive for Leishmania in 84.75%, and parasitological tests showed that 63.25% and 31.75% were positive for Leishmania and Ehrlichia, respectively. All animals showed more than three clinical signs. PCR results were negative for Leishmania in 15.25% of the samples. CONCLUSIONS Conventional PCR of peripheral blood can be used for diagnosing canine visceral leishmaniasis in combination with other techniques, especially in uncertain cases that need species identification.

The mixture of cashew nut shell liquid and castor oil results in an efficient larvicide against Aedes aegypti that does not alter embryo-fetal development, reproductive performance or DNA integrity.

Dengue fever, chikungunya fever and Zika virus are epidemics in Brazil that are transmitted by mosquitoes, such as Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus. The liquid from shells of cashew nuts is attractive for its important biological and therapeutic activities, which include toxicity to mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. The present study evaluated the effects of a mixture of surfactants from natural cashew nutshell liquid and castor oil (named TaLCC-20) on the mortality of larvae and on the reproductive performance, embryonic and fetal development and genetic stability of Swiss mice. A total of 400 Ae. aegypti larvae (third larval stage) were treated with TaLCC-20 concentrations of 0.05 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L, or 5 mg/L (ppm). Twenty pregnant female mice were also orally administered TaLCC-20 at doses of 5 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg body weight (b.w.), and 10 animals were given only drinking water at 0.1 mL/10 g b.w. (orally). The results of a larvicide test demonstrated that 5 mg/mL TaLCC-20 killed 100% of larvae within three hours, which is comparable to the gold standard indicated by the Ministry of Health. Overall, these results show that TaLCC-20 is an efficient larvicide that does not induce genetic damage. In addition, changes in reproductive performance and embryo-fetal development appear positive, and the formulation is cost effective. Therefore, TaLCC-20 is an important product in the exploration of natural larvicides and can assist in fighting mosquitos as vectors for dengue fever, chikungunya fever and Zika virus, which are emerging/re-emerging and require proper management to ensure minimal harm to the human population. Therefore, TaLCC-20 can be considered a key alternative to commercial products, which are effective yet toxigenic.

Evaluation of toxic effects with transition metal ions, EDTA, SBTI and acrylic polymers on Aedes aegypti (L., 1762) (Culicidae) and Artemia salina (Artemidae)

This work aimed to evaluate the toxicity of some insecticides compounds on Aedes aegypti and Artemia salina larvae. Bioassays were carried out to evaluate the toxic effect after of 24 and 72 h using the compounds or associations. The LC10, LC50 and LC90 values were obtained and utilized for toxicity comparations. For Ae. aegypti, LC50 were 32.65 mg L-1 in 24 h for Na2[EDTA-Cu(II)] and total mortality in 72 h for SAP-Na2[EDTA-Cu(II)].

Evaluation of toxic effects with transition metal ions, EDTA, SBTI and acrylic polymers on Aedes aegypti (L., 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) and Artemia salina (artemidae)

This work aimed to evaluate the toxicity of some insecticides compounds on Aedes aegypti and Artemia salina larvae. Bioassays were carried out to evaluate the toxic effect after of 24 and 72 h using the compounds or associations. The LC10, LC50 and LC90 values were obtained and utilized for toxicity comparations. For Ae. aegypti, LC50 were 32.65 mg L-1 in 24 h for Na2[EDTA-Cu(II)] and total mortality in 72 h for SAP-Na2[EDTA-Cu(II)].

Aedes aegypti é inseto de grande interesse na Saúde Pública por transmitir o vírus da Dengue, Febre Amarela e Febre Hemorrágica da Dengue. No controle do mosquito utilizam-se inseticidas organoclorados, organofosforados, carbamatos e piretróides que guiam à seleção de insetos resistentes. A combinação de íons metálicos de transição, EDTA, STI e SAP são propostos como estratégia efetiva e persistente para o controle de larvas de Ae. aegypti através de danos ao sistema digestório por radicais livres. A toxicidade dos compostos foi avaliada para Ae. aegypti e A. salina (organismo não alvo). Os bioensaios foram conduzidos para avaliar o efeito tóxico dos compostos e associações após 24 e 72 horas. As CL10, CL50 e CL90 foram obtidas para comparações de toxicidade. Para Ae. aegypti a CL50 foi 32,65 mg L-1 em 24 horas para Na2[EDTA-Cu(II)] e mortalidade total a 62,5 mg.L-1para quelato em polímero acrílico de liberação lenta SAP-Na2[EDTA-Cu(II)] em até 72 horas.

Eficiência de produtos vegetais no controle da lagarta-do-cartucho-do-milho Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) / Efficience of extracts of plantas in control of fall armyworm in corn Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a eficiência de produtos vegetais no controle de Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E.Smith, 1797) na cultura do milho. Os experimentos foram instalados, nos anos de 2002 e 2004, com a pulverização dos produtos vegetais em cinco tratamentos, e quatro repetições. No ano de 2002, os produtos testados foram: Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (extrato aquoso 2 por cento), e óleo a 1 por cento; Melia azedarach L. (extrato aquoso 2 por cento); Quassia amara L. (extrato aquoso 2 por cento); óleo de nim, Azadirachta indica 1 e 2 por cento. No ano de 2004, os produtos testados foram: A. indica (extrato aquoso 5 por cento), e óleo a 2 por cento, M. azedarach (extrato aquoso 5 por cento), Trichilia pallida Sw. (extrato aquoso 5 por cento). As avaliações, porcentagem de infestação da lagarta-do-cartucho por parcela, foram efetuadas aos três, sete e dez dias após a pulverização dos extratos. Conclui-se que extratos aquosos das plantas A. indica 2 por cento, T.pallida 5 por cento, Q. amara 2 por cento e M. azedarach 2 por cento e 5 por cento e óleo de A. indica 1 por cento e 2 por cento com adição de tenso ativo não iônico, não possuem eficiência necessária como único método de controle da largarta-do-cartucho S. frugiperda em condições de campo. Os produtos começam a afetar o desenvolvimento da lagarta após alguns dias da ingestão das folhas pulverizadas, observado na avaliação efetuada aos sete dias após a aplicação dos extratos.

The objective of this work was to study the efficiency of vegetable pesticides in the control of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E.Smith, 1797) in corn culture. The experiments were installed, in the years of 2002 and 2004, with the spraying of the vegetable products in five treatments, and four repetitions. In the year of 2002 the tested products were: Azadirachta indica A. Juss (aqueous extract 2 percent), and oil at 1 percent; Melia azedarach L. (aqueous extract 2 percent); Quassia amara L. (aqueous extract 2 percent); nim oil, Azadirachta indica 1 and 2 percent. In the year of 2004 the tested products were: A. indica (aqueous extract 5 percent), and oil at 2 percent, M. azedarach (aqueous extract 5 percent), Trichilia pallida Sw. (aqueous extract 5 percent). The evaluations like percentage of infestation of the fall armyworm per plot, were made three, seven and ten days after the extracts application respectively. It was possible to verify that aqueous extracts of the plants A. indica 2 percent, T. pallida 5 percent, Q. amara 2 percent and M. azedarach 2 percent and 5 percent and A. indica oil 1 percent and 2 percent with addition of non ionic active tense, don't possess necessary efficiency as the only control method of the fall armyworm S. frugiperda in field conditions. The products begin to affect the development of fall armyworms some days after the ingestion of the powdered leaves, observed in the seven days after the extracts application.