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1.
Microorganisms ; 12(2)2024 Feb 16.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38399797

RESUMO

Bacterial growth and behavior have been studied in microgravity in the past, but little focus has been directed to cell size despite its impact on a myriad of processes, including biofilm formation, which is impactful regarding crew health. To interrogate this characteristic, supernatant aliquots of P. aeruginosa cultured on different materials and media on board the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Space Biofilms Project were analyzed. For that experiment, P. aeruginosa was grown in microgravity-with matching Earth controls-in modified artificial urine medium (mAUMg-high Pi) or LB Lennox supplemented with KNO3, and its formation of biofilms on six different materials was assessed. After one, two, and three days of incubation, the ISS crew terminated subsets of the experiment by fixation in paraformaldehyde, and aliquots of the supernatant were used for the planktonic cell size study presented here. The measurements were obtained post-flight through the use of phase contrast microscopy under oil immersion, a Moticam 10+ digital camera, and the FIJI image analysis program. Statistical comparisons were conducted to identify which treatments caused significant differences in cell dimensions using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests. There were statistically significant differences as a function of material present in the culture in both LBK and mAUMg-high Pi. Along with this, the data were also grouped by gravitational condition, media, and days of incubation. Comparison of planktonic cells cultured in microgravity showed reduced cell length (from 4% to 10% depending on the material) and diameter (from 1% to 10% depending on the material) with respect to their matching Earth controls, with the caveat that the cultures may have been at different points in their growth curve at a given time. In conclusion, smaller cells were observed on the cultures grown in microgravity, and cell size changed as a function of incubation time and the material upon which the culture grew. We describe these changes here and possible implications for human space travel in terms of crew health and potential applications.

2.
BMC Public Health ; 23(1): 1834, 2023 09 21.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37730592

RESUMO

Community engagement strategies provide tools for sustainable vector-borne disease control. A previous cluster randomized control trial engaged nine intervention communities in seven participatory activities to promote management of the domestic and peri-domestic environment to reduce risk factors for vector-borne Chagas disease. This study aims to assess the adoption of this innovative community-based strategy, which included chickens' management, indoor cleaning practices, and domestic rodent infestation control, using concepts from the Diffusion of Innovations Theory. We used questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to understand perceptions of knowledge gained, intervention adoption level, innovation attributes, and limiting or facilitating factors for adoption. The analysis process focused on five innovation attributes proposed by the Diffusion of Innovations Theory: relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability. Rodent management was highly adopted by participants, as it had a relative advantage regarding the use of poison and was compatible with local practices. The higher complexity was reduced by offering several types of trapping systems and having practical workshops allowed trialability. Observability was limited because the traps were indoors, but information and traps were shared with neighbors. Chicken management was not as widely adopted due to the higher complexity of the method, and lower compatibility with local practices. Using the concepts proposed by the Diffusion of Innovations Theory helped us to identify the enablers and constraints in the implementation of the Chagas vector control strategy. Based on this experience, community engagement and intersectoral collaboration improve the acceptance and adoption of novel and integrated strategies to improve the prevention and control of neglected diseases.


Assuntos
Galinhas , Colaboração Intersetorial , Animais , Humanos , Conhecimento , Doenças Negligenciadas , Fatores de Risco
3.
J Vis Exp ; (181)2022 03 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35311819

RESUMO

RNA interference has been a heavily utilized tool for reverse genetic analysis for two decades. In adult mosquitoes, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) administration has been accomplished primarily via injection, which requires significant time and is not suitable for field applications. To overcome these limitations, here we present a more efficient method for robust activation of RNAi by oral delivery of dsRNA to adult Anopheles gambiae. Long dsRNAs were produced in Escherichia coli strain HT115 (DE3), and a concentrated suspension of heat-killed dsRNA-containing bacteria in 10% sucrose was offered on cotton balls ad-libitum to adult mosquitoes. Cotton balls were replaced every 2 days for the duration of the treatment. Use of this method to target doublesex (a gene involved in sex differentiation) or fork head (which encodes a salivary gland transcription factor) resulted in reduced target gene expression and/or protein immunofluorescence signal, as measured by quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) or fluorescence confocal microscopy, respectively. Defects in salivary gland morphology were also observed. This highly flexible, user-friendly, low-cost, time-efficient method of dsRNA delivery could be broadly applicable to target genes important for insect vector physiology and beyond.


Assuntos
Anopheles , Animais , Anopheles/genética , Escherichia coli/genética , Mosquitos Vetores/genética , Interferência de RNA , RNA de Cadeia Dupla/genética
4.
PLOS Glob Public Health ; 2(8): e0000918, 2022.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36962801

RESUMO

Despite successes on the Sustainable Development Goals for access to improved water sources and sanitation, many low and middle-income countries (LMICs) continue to struggle with high rates of diarrheal disease. In Guatemala, 98% of water sources are estimated to have E. coli contamination. This project moves toward a novel low-cost approach to bridge the gap between the microbiologic identification of E. coli and the vast impact that this pathogen has on human health within marginalized communities using co-designed community-based tools, low-cost technology, and AI. An agile co-design process was followed with water quality stakeholders, community staff, and local graphic design artists to develop a community water quality education mobile app. A series of alpha- and beta-testers completed interactive demonstration, feedback, and in-depth interview sessions. A microbiology lab in Guatemala developed and piloted field protocols with lay community workers to collect and process water samples. A preliminary artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm was developed to detect the presence of E. coli in images generated from community-derived water samples. The mobile app emerged as a pictorial and audio-driven community-facing tool. The field protocol for water sampling and testing was successfully implemented by lay community workers. Feedback from the community workers indicated both desire and ability to conduct the water sampling and testing protocol under field conditions. However, images derived from the low-cost $2 microscope in field conditions were not of a suitable quality for AI object detection of E. coli, and additional low-cost technologies are being considered. The preliminary AI object detection algorithm from lab-derived images performed at 94% accuracy in identifying E. coli in comparison to the Chromocult gold-standard.

5.
Methods Mol Biol ; 2360: 279-294, 2022.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34495521

RESUMO

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful mechanism that can be exploited not only for physiology research but also for designing insect pest management approaches. Some insects cause harm by vectoring diseases dangerous to humans, livestock, or plants or by damaging crops. For at least a decade now, different insect control strategies that induce RNAi by delivering double stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting essential genes have been proposed. Here, we focus on nontransgenic RNAi-based approaches that use oral delivery of dsRNA through feeding of inactivated bacteria to produce RNAi in disease vectors and in a crop pest. This potential pest management method could be easily adapted to target different genes or similar organisms.


Assuntos
Escherichia coli , Animais , Escherichia coli/genética , Humanos , Controle de Insetos , Insetos/genética , Interferência de RNA , RNA de Cadeia Dupla/genética
6.
Parasit Vectors ; 12(1): 170, 2019 Apr 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30992032

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Mosquito-borne diseases affect millions worldwide, with malaria alone killing over 400 thousand people per year and affecting hundreds of millions. To date, the best strategy to prevent the disease remains insecticide-based mosquito control. However, insecticide resistance as well as economic and social factors reduce the effectiveness of the current methodologies. Alternative control technologies are in development, including genetic control such as the sterile insect technique (SIT). The SIT is a pivotal tool in integrated agricultural pest management and could be used to improve malaria vector control. To apply the SIT and most other newer technologies against disease transmitting mosquitoes, it is essential that releases are composed of males with minimal female contamination. The removal of females is an essential requirement because released females can themselves contribute towards nuisance biting and disease transmission. Thus, females need to be eliminated from the cohorts prior to release. Manual separation of Anopheles gambiae pupae or adult mosquitoes based on morphology is time consuming, is not feasible on a large scale and has limited the implementation of the SIT technique. The doublesex (dsx) gene is one of the effector switches of sex determination in the process of sex differentiation in insects. Both males and females have specific splicing variants that are expressed across the different life stages. Using RNA interference (RNAi) to reduce expression of the female specific (dsxF) variant of this gene has proven to have detrimental effects to the females in other mosquito species, such as Aedes aegypti. We tested oral RNAi on dsx (AgdsxF) in An. gambiae. METHODS: We studied the expression pattern of the dsx gene in the An. gambiae G3 strain. We knocked down AgdsxF expression in larvae through oral delivery of double stranded RNA (dsRNA) produced by bacteria and observed its effects in adults. RESULTS: Our results show that feeding of AgdsxF dsRNA can effectively reduce (> 66%) the mRNA of female dsx transcript and that there is a concomitant reduction in the number of female larvae that achieve adulthood. Control groups produced 52% (± 3.9% SE) of adult males and 48% (± 4.0% SE) females, while AgdsxF dsRNA treated groups had 72.1% (± 4.0% SE) males vs 27.8% females (± 3.3% SE). In addition, the female adults produce fewer progeny, 37.1% (± 8.2% SE) less than the controls. The knockdown was sex-specific and had no impact on total numbers of viable male adults, in the male dsx transcripts or male fitness parameters such as longevity or body size. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that RNAi could be used to improve novel mosquito control strategies that require efficient sex separation and male-only release of An. gambiae by targeting sex determination genes such as AgdsxF. The advantages of using RNAi in a controlled setting for mosquito rearing are numerous, as the dose and time of exposure are controlled, and the possibility of off-target effects and the waste of female production would be significantly reduced.


Assuntos
Aedes/genética , Proteínas de Insetos/genética , Controle de Mosquitos/métodos , Interferência de RNA , Diferenciação Sexual/genética , Administração Oral , Aedes/fisiologia , Animais , Regulação para Baixo , Comportamento Alimentar , Feminino , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Técnicas de Silenciamento de Genes , Genes de Insetos , Larva , Masculino , RNA de Cadeia Dupla/farmacologia
7.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis ; 12(11): e0006896, 2018 11.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30399143

RESUMO

INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of Latin Americans, has been effectively controlled in Guatemala after multiple rounds of indoor residual insecticide spraying (IRS). However, a few foci remain with persistent Triatoma dimidiata infestation. One such area is the municipality of Comapa, Department of Jutiapa, in the southeastern region of Guatemala, where control interventions appear less effective. We carried out three cross sectional entomological and serological surveys in Comapa to evaluate a decade of vector control activities. Baseline serological (1999) and entomological (2001-2) surveys were followed by three rounds of insecticide applications (2003-2005) and intermittent focal spraying of infested houses, until approximately 2012. Household inspections to determine entomological indices and construction materials were conducted in 2001, 2007 and 2011. Seroprevalence surveys were conducted in school-age children in 1999, 2007 and 2015, and in women of child bearing age (15-44 years) only in 2015. After multiple rounds of indoor residual sprayings (IRS), the infestation index decreased significantly from 39% (2001-2) to 27% (2011). Household construction materials alone predicted <10% of infested houses. Chagas seroprevalence in Comapa declined in school-aged children by 10-fold, from 10% (1999) to 1% (2015). However, seroprevalence in women of child bearing age remains >10%. CONCLUSION: After a decade of vector control activities in Comapa, there is evidence of significantly reduced transmission. However, the continued risk for vector-borne and congenital transmission pose a threat to the 2022 Chagas disease elimination goal. Systematic integrated vector control and improved Chagas disease screening and treatment programs for congenital and vector-borne disease are needed to reach the elimination goal in regions with persistent vector infestation.


Assuntos
Doença de Chagas/prevenção & controle , Controle de Insetos/métodos , Insetos Vetores/fisiologia , Triatoma/fisiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Animais , Doença de Chagas/epidemiologia , Doença de Chagas/transmissão , Doença de Chagas/virologia , Feminino , Guatemala/epidemiologia , Humanos , Insetos Vetores/efeitos dos fármacos , Insetos Vetores/virologia , Inseticidas/farmacologia , Masculino , Triatoma/efeitos dos fármacos , Triatoma/virologia , Adulto Jovem
8.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis ; 11(9): e0005783, 2017 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28892479

RESUMO

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease that continues to affect populations living in extreme poverty in Latin America. After successful vector control programs, congenital transmission remains as a challenge to disease elimination. We used the PRECEDE-PROCEED planning model to develop strategies for neonatal screening of congenital Chagas disease in rural communities of Guatemala. These communities have persistent high triatomine infestations and low access to healthcare. We used mixed methods with multiple stakeholders to identify and address maternal-infant health behaviors through semi-structured interviews, participatory group meetings, archival reviews and a cross-sectional survey in high risk communities. From December 2015 to April 2016, we jointly developed a strategy to illustratively advertise newborn screening at the Health Center. The strategy included socioculturally appropriate promotional and educational material, in collaboration with midwives, nurses and nongovernmental organizations. By March 2016, eight of 228 (3.9%) pregnant women had been diagnosed with T. cruzi at the Health Center. Up to this date, no neonatal screening had been performed. By August 2016, seven of eight newborns born to Chagas seropositive women had been parasitologically screened at the Health Center, according to international standards. Thus, we implemented a successful community-based neonatal screening strategy to promote congenital Chagas disease healthcare in a rural setting. The success of the health promotion strategies developed will depend on local access to maternal-infant services, integration with detection of other congenital diseases and reliance on community participation in problem and solution definition.


Assuntos
Doença de Chagas/congênito , Doença de Chagas/epidemiologia , Erradicação de Doenças , Transmissão Vertical de Doenças Infecciosas/prevenção & controle , Triagem Neonatal , Doença de Chagas/prevenção & controle , Doença de Chagas/transmissão , Estudos Transversais , Guatemala/epidemiologia , Administração de Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Entrevistas como Assunto , População Rural
9.
Acta Trop ; 151: 80-7, 2015 Nov.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26215126

RESUMO

Parasites transmitted by insects must adapt to their vectors and reservoirs. Chagas disease, an American zoonosis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is transmitted by several species of triatomines. In Central America, Triatoma dimidiata is a widely dispersed vector found in sylvatic and domestic habitats, with distinct populations across the endemic region of Guatemala. Our aim was to test the strength of association between vector and parasite genetic divergence in domestic environments. Microsatellite (MS) loci were used to characterize parasites isolated from T. dimidiata (n=112) collected in domestic environments. Moderate genetic differentiation was observed between parasites north and south of the Motagua Valley, an ancient biogeographic barrier (FST 0.138, p=0.009). Slightly reduced genotypic diversity and increased heterozygosity in the north (Allelic richness (Ar)=1.00-6.05, FIS -0.03) compared to the south (Ar=1.47-6.30, FIS 0.022) suggest either a selective or demographic process during parasite dispersal. Based on parasite genotypes and geographic distribution, 15 vector specimens and their parasite isolates were selected for mitochondrial co-diversification analysis. Genetic variability and phylogenetic congruence were determined with mitochondrial DNA sequences (10 parasite maxicircle gene fragments and triatomine ND4+CYT b). A Mantel test as well as phylogenetic, network and principal coordinates analyses supported at least three T. dimidiata haplogroups separated by geographic distance across the Motagua Valley. Maxicircle sequences showed low T. cruzi genetic variability (π nucleotide diversity 0.00098) with no evidence of co-diversification with the vector, having multiple host switches across the valley. Sylvatic Didelphis marsupialis captured across the Motagua Valley were found to be infected with T. cruzi strains sharing MS genotypes with parasites isolated from domiciliated triatomines. The current parasite distribution in domestic environments can be explained by multiple parasite-host switches between vector populations and selection or bottleneck processes across the Motagua Valley, with a possible role for didelphids in domestic transmission.


Assuntos
Doença de Chagas/parasitologia , Doença de Chagas/transmissão , Insetos Vetores/parasitologia , Triatoma/genética , Triatoma/parasitologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/genética , Trypanosoma cruzi/parasitologia , Animais , Animais Domésticos/parasitologia , América Central , DNA Mitocondrial/genética , Guatemala , Interações Hospedeiro-Parasita , Humanos , Filogenia
10.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis ; 9(2): e0003358, 2015 Feb.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25675102

RESUMO

Technologies based on RNA interference may be used for insect control. Sustainable strategies are needed to control vectors of Chagas disease such as Rhodnius prolixus. The insect microbiota can be modified to deliver molecules to the gut. Here, Escherichia coli HT115(DE3) expressing dsRNA for the Rhodnius heme-binding protein (RHBP) and for catalase (CAT) were fed to nymphs and adult triatomine stages. RHBP is an egg protein and CAT is an antioxidant enzyme expressed in all tissues by all developmental stages. The RNA interference effect was systemic and temporal. Concentrations of E. coli HT115(DE3) above 3.35 × 10(7) CFU/mL produced a significant RHBP and CAT gene knockdown in nymphs and adults. RHBP expression in the fat body was reduced by 99% three days after feeding, returning to normal levels 10 days after feeding. CAT expression was reduced by 99% and 96% in the ovary and the posterior midgut, respectively, five days after ingestion. Mortality rates increased by 24-30% in first instars fed RHBP and CAT bacteria. Molting rates were reduced by 100% in first instars and 80% in third instars fed bacteria producing RHBP or CAT dsRNA. Oviposition was reduced by 43% (RHBP) and 84% (CAT). Embryogenesis was arrested in 16% (RHBP) and 20% (CAT) of laid eggs. Feeding females 105 CFU/mL of the natural symbiont, Rhodococcus rhodnii, transformed to express RHBP-specific hairpin RNA reduced RHBP expression by 89% and reduced oviposition. Modifying the insect microbiota to induce systemic RNAi in R. prolixus may result in a paratransgenic strategy for sustainable vector control.


Assuntos
Doença de Chagas/prevenção & controle , Microbioma Gastrointestinal/genética , Trato Gastrointestinal/microbiologia , Controle de Insetos/métodos , Insetos Vetores/microbiologia , Interferência de RNA , Rhodnius/microbiologia , Animais , Proteínas de Transporte/genética , Catalase/genética , Escherichia coli/genética , Feminino , Técnicas de Silenciamento de Genes , Vetores Genéticos , Heme/metabolismo , Proteínas Ligantes de Grupo Heme , Hemeproteínas/genética , RNA de Cadeia Dupla , RNA Interferente Pequeno/genética , Trypanosoma cruzi/patogenicidade
11.
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg ; 109(2): 159-67, 2015 Feb.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25604767

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Integrated vector management strategies depend on local eco-bio-social conditions, community participation, political will and inter-sectorial partnership. Previously identified risk factors for persistent Triatoma dimidiata infestation include the presence of rodents and chickens, tiled roofs, dirt floors, partial wall plastering and dog density. METHODS: A community-based intervention was developed and implemented based on cyclical stakeholder and situational analyses. Intervention implementation and evaluation combined participatory action research and cluster randomized pre-test post-test experimental designs. The intervention included modified insecticide application, education regarding Chagas disease and risk factors, and participatory rodent control. RESULTS: At final evaluation there was no significant difference in post-test triatomine infestation between intervention and control, keeping pre-test rodent and triatomine infestations constant. Knowledge levels regarding Chagas disease and prevention practices including rodent control, chicken management and health service access increased significantly only in intervention communities. The odds of nymph infection and rat infestation were 8.3 and 1.9-fold higher in control compared to intervention communities, respectively. CONCLUSION: Vector control measures without reservoir control are insufficient to reduce transmission risk in areas with persistent triatomine infestation. This integrated vector management program can complement house improvement initiatives by prioritizing households with risk factors such as tiled roofs. Requirement for active participation and multi-sectorial coordination poses implementation challenges.


Assuntos
Doença de Chagas/prevenção & controle , Galinhas/parasitologia , Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Doenças das Aves Domésticas/parasitologia , Triatoma/parasitologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/patogenicidade , Animais , Doença de Chagas/transmissão , Participação da Comunidade , Doenças do Cão/transmissão , Cães , Exposição Ambiental/efeitos adversos , Exposição Ambiental/prevenção & controle , Guatemala/epidemiologia , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Habitação/normas , Humanos , Controle de Insetos , Inseticidas , Doenças das Aves Domésticas/transmissão , Ratos , Fatores de Risco , Trypanosoma cruzi/isolamento & purificação
12.
PLoS One ; 9(8): e104599, 2014.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25170955

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease transmission by Triatoma dimidiata persists in Guatemala and elsewhere in Central America under undefined ecological, biological and social (eco-bio-social) conditions. METHODOLOGY: Eco-bio-social risk factors associated with persistent domiciliary infestation were identified by a cross-sectional survey and qualitative participatory methods. Quantitative and qualitative data were generated regarding Trypanosoma cruzi reservoirs and triatomine hosts. Blood meal analysis and infection of insects, dogs and rodents were determined. Based on these data, multimodel inference was used to identify risk factors for domestic infestation with the greatest relative importance (>0.75). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Blood meal analysis showed that 64% of 36 bugs fed on chickens, 50% on humans, 17% on dogs; 24% of 34 bugs fed on Rattus rattus and 21% on Mus musculus. Seroprevalence among 80 dogs was 37%. Eight (17%) of 46 M. musculus and three (43%) of seven R. rattus from households with infected triatomines were infected with T. cruzi Distinct Typing Unit I. Results from interviews and participatory meetings indicated that vector control personnel and some householders perceived chickens roosting and laying eggs in the house as bug infestation risk factors. House construction practices were seen as a risk factor for bug and rodent infestation, with rodents being perceived as a pest by study participants. Multimodel inference showed that house infestation risk factors of high relative importance are dog density, mouse presence, interior wall plaster condition, dirt floor, tile roofing and coffee tree presence. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Persistent house infestation is closely related to eco-bio-social factors that maintain productive T. dimidiata habitats associated with dogs, chickens and rodents. Triatomine, dog and rodent infections indicate active T. cruzi transmission. Integrated vector control methods should include actions that consider the role of peridomestic animals in transmission and community members level of knowledge, attitudes and practices associated with the disease and transmission process.


Assuntos
Doença de Chagas/transmissão , Insetos Vetores/parasitologia , Triatoma/parasitologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Doença de Chagas/diagnóstico , Doença de Chagas/epidemiologia , Doença de Chagas/veterinária , Galinhas , Cães , Exposição Ambiental/efeitos adversos , Feminino , Guatemala/epidemiologia , Habitação , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Ratos , Fatores de Risco , Fatores Socioeconômicos
13.
Parasit Vectors ; 6: 268, 2013 Sep 18.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24330978

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Anopheles albimanus is a key malaria vector in the northern neotropics. Current vector control measures in the region are based on mass distributions of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and focal indoor residual spraying (IRS) with pyrethroids. Resistance to pyrethroid insecticides can be mediated by increased esterase and/or multi-function oxidase activity and/or mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene. The aim of this work was to characterize the homologous kdr region of the voltage-gated sodium channel gene in An. albimanus and to conduct a preliminary retrospective analysis of field samples collected in the 1990's, coinciding with a time of intense pyrethroid application related to agricultural and public health insect control in the region. METHODS: Degenerate primers were designed to amplify the homologous kdr region in a pyrethroid-susceptible laboratory strain (Sanarate) of An. albimanus. Subsequently, a more specific primer pair was used to amplify and sequence the region that contains the 1014 codon associated with pyrethroid resistance in other Anopheles spp. (L1014F, L1014S or L1014C). RESULTS: Direct sequencing of the PCR products confirmed the presence of the susceptible kdr allele in the Sanarate strain (L1014) and the presence of homozygous-resistant kdr alleles in field-collected individuals from Mexico (L1014F), Nicaragua (L1014C) and Costa Rica (L1014C). CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, the kdr region in An. albimanus is described. Furthermore, molecular evidence suggests the presence of kdr-type resistance in field-collected An. albimanus in Mesoamerica in the 1990s. Further research is needed to conclusively determine an association between the genotypes and resistant phenotypes, and to what extent they may compromise current vector control efforts.


Assuntos
Anopheles/efeitos dos fármacos , Anopheles/genética , Resistência a Inseticidas/genética , Inseticidas/farmacologia , Malária/transmissão , Alelos , Animais , Regulação Enzimológica da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Mosquiteiros Tratados com Inseticida , América Latina/epidemiologia , Mutação , Canais de Sódio Disparados por Voltagem/genética , Canais de Sódio Disparados por Voltagem/metabolismo
14.
PLoS One ; 8(8): e70974, 2013.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23940678

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Triatoma dimidiata is among the main vectors of Chagas disease in Latin America. However, and despite important advances, there is no consensus about the taxonomic status of phenotypically divergent T. dimidiata populations, which in most recent papers are regarded as subspecies. METHODOLOGY AND FINDINGS: A total of 126 cyt b sequences (621 bp long) were produced for specimens from across the species range. Forty-seven selected specimens representing the main cyt b clades observed (after a preliminary phylogenetic analysis) were also sequenced for an ND4 fragment (554 bp long) and concatenated with their respective cyt b sequences to produce a combined data set totalling 1175 bp/individual. Bayesian and Maximum-Likelihood phylogenetic analyses of both data sets (cyt b, and cyt b+ND4) disclosed four strongly divergent (all pairwise Kimura 2-parameter distances >0.08), monophyletic groups: Group I occurs from Southern Mexico through Central America into Colombia, with Ecuadorian specimens resembling Nicaraguan material; Group II includes samples from Western-Southwestern Mexico; Group III comprises specimens from the Yucatán peninsula; and Group IV consists of sylvatic samples from Belize. The closely-related, yet formally recognized species T. hegneri from the island of Cozumel falls within the divergence range of the T. dimidiata populations studied. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that Groups I-IV, as well as T. hegneri, should be regarded as separate species. In the Petén of Guatemala, representatives of Groups I, II, and III occur in sympatry; the absence of haplotypes with intermediate genetic distances, as shown by multimodal mismatch distribution plots, clearly indicates that reproductive barriers actively promote within-group cohesion. Some sylvatic specimens from Belize belong to a different species - likely the basal lineage of the T. dimidiata complex, originated ~8.25 Mya. The evidence presented here strongly supports the proposition that T. dimidiata is a complex of five cryptic species (Groups I-IV plus T. hegneri) that play different roles as vectors of Chagas disease in the region.


Assuntos
Insetos Vetores/genética , Triatoma/genética , Animais , Teorema de Bayes , Doença de Chagas/transmissão , Citocromos b/genética , DNA Mitocondrial/genética , Evolução Molecular , Especiação Genética , Guatemala , Haplótipos , Humanos , Proteínas de Insetos/genética , Insetos Vetores/parasitologia , Modelos Genéticos , Tipagem de Sequências Multilocus , NADH Desidrogenase/genética , Filogenia , Filogeografia , Análise de Componente Principal , Triatoma/classificação , Triatoma/parasitologia , Trypanosoma cruzi
15.
Parasit Vectors ; 5: 226, 2012 Oct 10.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23050833

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, is currently recognized as a complex of six lineages or Discrete Typing Units (DTU): TcI-TcVI. Recent studies have identified a divergent group within TcI - TcI(DOM). TcI(DOM). is associated with a significant proportion of human TcI infections in South America, largely absent from local wild mammals and vectors, yet closely related to sylvatic strains in North/Central America. Our aim was to examine hypotheses describing the origin of the TcI(DOM) genotype. We propose two possible scenarios: an emergence of TcI(DOM) in northern South America as a sister group of North American strain progenitors and dispersal among domestic transmission cycles, or an origin in North America, prior to dispersal back into South American domestic cycles. To provide further insight we undertook high resolution nuclear and mitochondrial genotyping of multiple Central American strains (from areas of México and Guatemala) and included them in an analysis with other published data. FINDINGS: Mitochondrial sequence and nuclear microsatellite data revealed a cline in genetic diversity across isolates grouped into three populations: South America, North/Central America and TcI(DOM). As such, greatest diversity was observed in South America (A(r) = 4.851, π = 0.00712) and lowest in TcI(DOM) (Ar = 1.813, π = 0.00071). Nuclear genetic clustering (genetic distance based) analyses suggest that TcI(DOM) is nested within the North/Central American clade. CONCLUSIONS: Declining genetic diversity across the populations, and corresponding hierarchical clustering suggest that emergence of this important human genotype most likely occurred in North/Central America before moving southwards. These data are consistent with early patterns of human dispersal into South America.


Assuntos
Variação Genética , Filogenia , Trypanosoma cruzi/classificação , Trypanosoma cruzi/genética , Animais , América Central , Análise por Conglomerados , DNA de Protozoário/química , DNA de Protozoário/genética , Genótipo , Humanos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , América do Norte , Análise de Sequência de DNA , América do Sul , Trypanosoma cruzi/isolamento & purificação
16.
Am J Trop Med Hyg ; 80(2): 239-41, 2009 Feb.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19190220

RESUMO

The agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, is phylogenetically divided into two lineages, T. cruzi I (TCI) and II (TCII). TCI is found in sylvatic and domestic habitats across South America. Despite a high prevalence of TCII in domestic habitats in South America, it has been rarely found in domestic habitats in Central America and Mexico. This may be caused by limitations in detection tests previously used. A modified hemi-nested polymerase chain reaction assay was developed to improve detection of TCI and TCII mini-exon genes. This method detected TCI and II concurrently in 84% of 44 cultured isolates from Triatoma dimidiata specimens collected inside homes across the disease-endemic area in Guatemala.


Assuntos
Evolução Molecular , Habitação , Insetos Vetores/parasitologia , Triatoma/parasitologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/genética , Trypanosoma cruzi/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Doença de Chagas/parasitologia , Doença de Chagas/transmissão , Éxons/genética , Guatemala , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/métodos , Trypanosoma cruzi/classificação
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