Structural study of the salivary glands of Anocentor nitens (Acari: Ixodidae) during the feeding cycle.

The salivary glands of Anocentor nitens (Neumann,1897) occur in pairs and are located in the anterolateral region of the general cavity, with milky white color and approximately equal sizes. They consist of a secretory portion and an excretion duct. In some glandular acini, all the cells had a basophilic appearance they were stained by hematoxylin, whereas others presented cells with different staining affinities. In this work, we describe the variations observed in these glands during the feeding cycle of ticks [after feeding (0 h) and successively at 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 h]. The cells stained by hematoxylin were shown to be more reactive to Alcian blue, thus demonstrating the presence of acid glycosaminoglycans, whereas those stained using eosin presented weak or no reaction. A strong reaction was found by the use of the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) technique, thereby suggesting the presence of glycogen and/or glycoconjugates containing hexose, confirmed by using salivary amylase before PAS, with partial destaining of the slides. Continuing presence of residual staining in these cells suggests the presence of glycoconjugates containing hexose. Cells with nuclei of circular outline and few granules (of different sizes) were found in type II acini, 72 h after collection. Type I acini presented wide lumina and walls composed of larger numbers of cells of cubic to cylindrical shape. The pronounced degranulation shown in this study over the course of the feeding cycle was associated with the release of substances for oviposition.

Comparison between the analgesic effects of morphine and tramadol delivered epidurally in cats receiving a standardized noxious stimulation.

This study compared the analgesic effects of epidural tramadol versus morphine in six healthy cats. Under general anesthesia, each cat received an epidural injection of saline 0.22 ml/kg (control treatment, CT), tramadol 1mg/kg (tramadol treatment, TT), or morphine 0.1mg/kg (morphine treatment, MT). After cats had recovered from anesthesia a simple descriptive scale (SDS), visual analog scale (VAS) and physiological parameters (respiratory and heart rate) were used to assess analgesia level to a noxious stimulus (base of the tail skin fold clamping) at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12h post-epidural. Group TT had a higher SDS and VAS score when compared to MT at 8, 10 and 12h post-epidural. CT had higher SDS and VAS score at all time points when compared to TT and MT. In conclusion both morphine and tramadol provided analgesia in this model for the first 6h; with epidural morphine resulting in longer lasting analgesia when compared to tramadol.

Histology and ultrastructure of Aedes albopictus larval midgut infected with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis.

Histological and ultrastrucutural alterations in the midgut of Aedes albopictus larvae infected with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) were observed by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Two formulations of Bti were used: granulated and powder, with 0.2% active ingredient in 90 larvae of Ae. albopictus distributed in three containers containing 30 larvae each (one control group and two test groups). The midgut epithelium of the control group presented flattened and elongated cells with mace-shape with a narrow base. Midgut epithelium cells' surface was convex and had a large circular nucleus located in the median-apical portion of the cell. These cells also presented a basal lamina with a small accumulation of extracellular fibrous matrix, thus characterizing a basal membrane, with a muscle layer and a peritoneal membrane more externally. After Bti ingestion, the larvae stopped/slowed their natural movements down in 5 min. After 30 min approximately, the swimming movements stopped completely. Internally, the intestinal cells showed a disorganization of the basal processes, dilatation and fragmentation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, with intense cytoplasmic vacuolization. There were concentric dense laminas accumulated in the cytoplasm, and these residual membranous bodies were seen greatly increased in size after 60 min. Mitochondria, fragments of rough endoplasmic reticulum and other remainder organelles were surrounded and segregated from the cytoplasm by exocytosis. This article reports the histopathological alterations in the midgut of Ae. albopictus after infection with Bti and contributes to a better understanding of the mode of action of this bacterial strain used as bioinsecticide against mosquito larvae.

[Diversity of oviposition containers and buildings where Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti can be found]. / Diversidade de criadouros e tipos de imóveis freqüentados por Aedes albopictus e Aedes aegypti.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diversity of oviposition containers and buildings where females of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti can be found. METHODS: A study was carried out in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Southern Brazil, between 2002 and 2003. Larvae in different types of buildings were investigated, and immature forms found were then sent to the laboratory for identification. The larval frequency for both mosquitoes was estimated in the oviposition containers available. The Breteau index and the building infestation index were calculated and differences were tested using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The types of buildings that were positive for Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti were: dwellings (83.9%); churches, schools, clubs (6.8%); vacant land (6.4%); and businesses (2.8%). Of 9,153 larvae collected, 12.0% were Aedes albopictus and 88.0% were Aedes aegypti. Aedes albopictus were mostly found in drains (25.4%); cans, bottles, empty bottles (23.9%); and plant vases (16.2%). Aedes aegypti was much more frequently found than Aedes albopictus (chi(2)=145.067; p<0.001). Both species were significantly more frequent in artificial than in natural oviposition containers (chi(2)=31.46; p<0.001). The building infestation index and Breteau index for Aedes albopictus were 0.3% and 0.28% in 2002 and 0.4% and 0.5 in 2003, respectively. For Aedes aegypti, they were 1.0%, 1.16 in 2002 and 3.5% and 4.35 in 2003, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study assessed the frequencies of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti females in various types of oviposition containers and types of buildings. The abundant availability of artificial containers in dwellings, associated with the capacity of Ae. albopictus to be also found in natural oviposition containers, has greatly contributed for their gradual adaptation to human environment.

Diversidade de criadouros e tipos de imóveis freqüentados por Aedes albopictus e Aedes aegypti / Diversity of oviposition containers and buildings where Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti can be found

OBJETIVOS: Verificar a diversidade de criadouros e tipos de imóveis freqüentados por fêmeas de Aedes albopictus e Aedes aegypti. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi realizado nos anos de 2002 e 2003 no bairro de Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Realizou-se pesquisa larvária em diferentes tipos de imóveis. As larvas encontradas foram identificadas em laboratório. A freqüência de larvas dessas duas espécies foi computada nos diversos criadouros disponíveis. Foram calculados os índices de infestação predial e de Breteau, as diferenças foram testadas pelo qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: Os tipos de imóveis positivos para os aedinos foram: residências (83,9 por cento do total); igrejas, escolas, clubes (6,8 por cento); terrenos baldios (6,4 por cento); e comércios (2,8 por cento). Das 9.153 larvas, 12,0 por cento eram de Aedes albopictus e 88,0 por cento de Aedes aegypti. Para aquela espécie, os recipientes onde foram mais encontradas foram ralos (25,4 por cento), latas, garrafas, vasilhames (23,9 por cento) e vasos com plantas (16,2 por cento). Aedes aegypti mostrou-se mais freqüente nos criadouros que Aedes albopictus (chi2=145,067, p<0,001). Também ocorreu diferença significante na freqüência dessas espécies em criadouros artificiais do que em naturais (chi2=31,46; p<0,001). O índice de infestação predial e índice de Breteau para Aedes albopictus foram respectivamente em 2002 (0,3 por cento; 0,28), em 2003 (0,4 por cento; 0,5); para Aedes aegypti, em 2002 (1,0 por cento;1,16) e 2003 (3,5 por cento; 4,35). CONCLUSÕES: Verificou-se a freqüência das fêmeas de Aedes albopictus e Ae. aegypti em variados tipos de criadouros e tipos de imóveis para postura. A oferta abundante de recipientes artificiais inservíveis nas residências, associada à capacidade de Ae. albopictus de freqüentar também os criadouros naturais, contribui sobremaneira para sua adaptação gradativa ao meio antrópico.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diversity of oviposition containers and buildings where females of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti can be found. METHODS: A study was carried out in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Southern Brazil, between 2002 and 2003. Larvae in different types of buildings were investigated, and immature forms found were then sent to the laboratory for identification. The larval frequency for both mosquitoes was estimated in the oviposition containers available. The Breteau index and the building infestation index were calculated and differences were tested using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The types of buildings that were positive for Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti were: dwellings (83.9 percent); churches, schools, clubs (6.8 percent); vacant land (6.4 percent); and businesses (2.8 percent). Of 9,153 larvae collected, 12.0 percent were Aedes albopictus and 88.0 percent were Aedes aegypti. Aedes albopictus were mostly found in drains (25.4 percent); cans, bottles, empty bottles (23.9 percent); and plant vases (16.2 percent). Aedes aegypti was much more frequently found than Aedes albopictus (chi2=145.067; p<0.001). Both species were significantly more frequent in artificial than in natural oviposition containers (chi2=31.46; p<0.001). The building infestation index and Breteau index for Aedes albopictus were 0.3 percent and 0.28 percent in 2002 and 0.4 percent and 0.5 in 2003, respectively. For Aedes aegypti, they were 1.0 percent, 1.16 in 2002 and 3.5 percent and 4.35 in 2003, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study assessed the frequencies of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti females in various types of oviposition containers and types of buildings. The abundant availability of artificial containers in dwellings, associated with the capacity of Ae. albopictus to be also found in natural oviposition containers, has greatly contributed for their gradual adaptation to human environment.

Travassosascaris araujoi Sprent 1978: um novo hospedeiro / Travassosascaris araujoi Sprent 1978: a new host

Partindo-se de três exemplares de helmintos fêmeas colhidos de uma bothrops jararaca, capturada em abiente natural em Sao Joao de Nepomuceo, Minas Gerais e trazida para o Ofidário científico do laboratorio de Morofofisiología e Patogênia de Carrapatos (LMPC), e necropsiada apôs morte natural, procedeu-se identificaçao a nivel de gênero e espécie. Os helmintos foram colhidos vivos do intestino do ofidio durante o exame para identificaçao da causa mortis, e foram sacrificados por imersae em AFA aquecido sendo preservados em álcool glicerinado a temperatura ambiente. Para a identificaçao, os exemplares foram clarificados e montados em lâminas provisórias com ácido lático. Com base na descriçao de Sprent, 1978 concluiu-se pela identificaçao dos espécimes a Travassosascaris araujoi. Registra-se assim un movo hospedeiro para esta espécie

Parasitismo por balanorchis anastrophus no reticulo de bos taurus / Parasitism by balanorchis anastrophus in bovine reticulum

A trematode balanorchis anastrophus is described for the first time in the reticulum of bovino from Río Grande do Sul, Brazil

Ocorrência e prevalência da fasciola hépatica na regiao Dos Lagos, Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Ocurrence and prevalence of fasciola hépatica in Dos Lagos region at Rio de Janeiro State

De maio a novembro/94 foram escolhidas ao acasso 67 propriedades na regiao Dos Lagos, no Estado do Rio de Janeiro para estudar a ocorrência e a prevalência de fasciola hépatica em bovinos. Para tal objetivo, 20 por ciento do total de animais de cada propriedade foram examinados, através de técnica de tamises sucessivos. No final do experimento, registrou-se uma nova ocorrência de f. hépatica em bovinos nascidos e criados nesta regiao, calculando-se a prevalência de 6,0 por ciento