Prevalencia y factores asociados con la filariosis por Mansonella ozzardi en 2 comunidades periurbanas de Iquitos, 2009 / Prevalence of filariasis by Mansonella ozzardi and associated factors among 2 suburban communities of Iquitos, 2009

Introducción: Tres casos de infección por Mansonella ozzardi (M. ozzardi) en muestras de malaria que provenían de 2 comunidades periurbanas de Iquitos (Perú) dieron la sospecha de transmisión local. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la prevalencia y factores asociados con la filariosis por M. ozzardi en estas comunidades. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en las comunidades de Laguna Azul y La Unión en Iquitos. A todos los pobladores se les tomó una gota gruesa para la detección de M. ozzardi y se les realizó una encuesta epidemiológica. Se realizó colecta de larvas y mosquitos para identificación de potenciales vectores. Se calcularon los OR ajustados (ORa) usando regresión logística múltiple. Resultados: Se evaluaron a 433 personas; 58% fueron mujeres; la mediana de edad fue de 20 años; 58,2% fueron migrantes, 3,7% pescadores y 12,9% habían viajado por las cuencas del Alto anay. La prevalencia de M. ozzardi fue de 1,4% (6/433) y el más joven de los casos tuvo 31 años; se encontró asociación con ser pescador (ORa: 8,7; IC 95: 1,1-76,0) y con haber realizado viajes por la cuenca del Alto Nanay (ORa: 11,2; IC 95: 1,2-112,5). No se evidenció densidad significativa de vectores simúlidos o culicoides. Conclusión: Las comunidades estudiadas tuvieron una baja prevalencia de M. ozzardi y por la edad de los casos y los factores asociados encontrados se sospecha infección foránea a la zona de estudio, en especial en la cuenca del Alto Nanay.

Introduction: Three cases of M. ozzardi infection from 2 suburban communities in Iquitos, Peru, led to a suspicion of local transmission. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of filariasis by M. ozzardi and its associated factors among these communities. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was performed, as well as an epidemiological survey and a thick smear blood test. Larvae and mosquitoes were collected. The adjusted OR (aOR) using multiple logistic regression was calculated. Results: A total of 433 participants were enrolled; 58% were women. The prevalence of M. ozzardi was 1.4% and the associated factors included being a fisherman (aOR: 8.7; 95%CI: 1.1-76.0) and being on the Alto Nanay river (aOR: 11.2; 95%CI: 1.2-112.5). No significant evidence of simulidos or culicoides was found. Conclusion: The low prevalence of M. ozzardi found suggests a foreign infection, probably derived from the Alto Nanay river.

[Genetic variability of Aedes aegypti determined by mitochondrial gene ND4 analysis in eleven endemic areas for dengue in Peru]. / Variabilidad genética del Aedes aegypti determinada mediante el análisis del gen mitocondrial ND4 en once áreas endémicas para dengue en el Perú

In order to establish the genetic variability of Aedes aegypti determined by the analysis of the MT-ND4 gene, in eleven endemic regions for dengue in Peru, 51 samples of Ae. Aegypti were tested. The genetic variability was determined through the amplification and sequencing of a fragment of 336 base-pairs of MT ND4, the analysis of intra-specific phylogeny was conducted with the Network Ver. 4.6.10 program; and the phylogenetic analysis, with the Neighbor Joining distance method. The presence of five haplotypes of Ae. Aegypti grouped in two lineages was identified: the first one includes haplotypes 1, 3 and 5, and the second one comprises haplotypes 2 and 4. The geographic distribution of each of the haplotypes found is also shown. It is concluded that this variability is caused by the active migration of this vector and the human activity-mediated passive migration.

Variabilidad genética del Aedes aegypti determinada mediante el análisis del gen mitocondrial Nd4 en once áreas endémicas para dengue en el Perú / Genetic variability of Aedes Aegypti determined by mitochondrial gene ND4 analysis in eleven endemic areas for dengue in Peru

Con el objetivo de establecer la variabilidad genética de Aedes aegypti determinada por el análisis del gen mitocondrial ND4, se analizaron 51 especímenes de Ae. aegypti en once regiones endémicas para dengue en el Perú. La variabilidad genética se determinó mediante la amplificación y secuenciación de un fragmento de 336 pares de bases del gen mitocondrial ND4. El análisis de filogenia intraespecífica se realizó con el programa Network Ver. 4.6.10; y el análisis filogenético, con el método de distancia Neighbor Joining. Se identificó la presencia de cinco haplotipos de Ae. aegypti agrupados en dos linajes: el primero agrupa a los haplotipos 1, 3 y 5 y el segundo agrupa los haplotipos 2 y 4, se muestra además la distribución geográfica de cada uno de los haplotipos encontrados. Se concluye que esta variabilidad se debe tanto a la migración activa de este vector como a la migración pasiva mediada por la actividad humana.

In order to establish the genetic variability of Aedes aegypti determined by the analysis of the MT-ND4 gene, in eleven endemic regions for dengue in Peru, 51 samples of Ae. Aegypti were tested. The genetic variability was determined through the amplification and sequencing of a fragment of 336 base-pairs of MT ND4, the analysis of intra-specific phylogeny was conducted with the Network Ver. 4.6.10 program; and the phylogenetic analysis, with the Neighbor Joining distance method. The presence of five haplotypes of Ae. Aegypti grouped in two lineages was identified: the first one includes haplotypes 1, 3 and 5, and the second one comprises haplotypes 2 and 4. The geographic distribution of each of the haplotypes found is also shown. It is concluded that this variability is caused by the active migration of this vector and the human activity-mediated passive migration.

Eficacia y residualidad de dos insecticidas piretroides contra Triatoma infestans en tres tipos de viviendas: evaluación de campo en Arequipa, Perú / Efficacy and residual efect of two pyrethroid insecticides against Triatoma infestans in thre types of houses: field evaluation in Arequipa, Peru

Objetivos. Comparar la eficacia residual de dos insecticidas en el control vectorial del Triatoma infestans sobre tres tipos de vivienda en dos localidades de Arequipa, Perú. Material y métodos. Ensayo de campo, se utilizaron formulaciones de polvo mojado de deltametrina y lambdacihalotrina sobre diferentes sustratos (concreto, ladrillo y sillar) a dosis de 25 y 30 mg/m2 respectivamente. Se usó 1445 ninfas V de Triatoma infestans en los bioensayos, donde se expuso por 48 horas a los triatominos en la pared rociada y se los observó durante 14 días para evaluar mortalidad. Se realizó la exposición en cada tipo de superficie por insecticida a 24 horas, 30 y 90 días postratamiento. Resultados. A las 24 h la lambdacihalotrina fue más eficaz que la deltametrina en ladrillo y sillar (p < 0,01). A los 30 días la deltametrina tuvo mejor efecto residual en ladrillo y sillar (p < 0,01) y a los 90 días fue superior que la lambdacihalotrina en concreto (73 vs 35%, p < 0,001), ladrillo (62 vs 23%, p < 0,001) y sillar (63 vs 27%, p < 0,001). La reducción de la mortalidad en deltametrina se hizo evidente al tercer mes, siendo similar a las 24h y en el primer mes (p > 0,05). La lambdacihalotrina redujo su eficaciaen 23% mensual desde la primera evaluación (p < 0,001, r2: 0,95). Conclusiones. La lambdacihalotrina es eficaz en los primeros días postratamiento pero su residualidad es pobre, a diferencia de la deltametrina. Estos resultados deben ser tomados en cuenta para calcular los tiempos de aplicación de cada insecticida en el control vectorial de la enfermedad de Chagas según el tipo de material de construcción.

Objetives. To compare the residual efficacy of two insecticides for the vector control of Triatoma infestans on three type of housing in two localities from Arequipa, Peru. Material and methods. Field assay, were used wet powder formulations of deltamethrin and lambdacyhalothrin on different substrates (concrete, brick and sillar [white local volcanic rock]) at doses of 25 and 30 mg/m2 respectively. 1445 Triatoma infestans V nymphs were used in bioassays, where they were exposed for 48 hours on the sprayed wall and were observed for 14 days to assess mortality. The exhibition was held in each type of surface and insecticide for 24 hours, 30 and 90 days after treatment. Results. At 24 h the lambdacyhalothrin was more effective than deltamethrin in brick and sillar (p < 0.01). For the 30 days deltamethrin had better residual effect in brick and sillar (p < 0.01) and 90 days was higher than the lambdacihalothrin in concrete (73 vs 35%, p < 0.001), brick (62 vs 23%, p < 0.001) and sillar (63 vs 27%, p < 0.001). The reduction in mortality in deltamethrin was evident to the third month, were similar to the 24h and the first month (p > 0.05). Lambdacyhalothrin reduced its effectiveness at 23% per month since the first evaluation (p < 0.001, r2: 0.95). Conclusions. Lambdacyhalothrin is effective in the first days after its residual effect is poor but, unlike deltamethrin. These results should be taken into account to calculate the time of spraying of each pesticide on vector control of Chagas disease by type of construction material.

Characterization of spotted fever group rickettsiae in flea and tick specimens from northern Peru.

Evidence of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae was obtained from flea pools and individual ticks collected at three sites in northwestern Peru within the focus of an outbreak of febrile disease in humans attributed, in part, to SFG rickettsia infections. Molecular identification of the etiologic agents from these samples was determined after partial sequencing of the 17-kDa common antigen gene (htrA) as well as pairwise nucleotide sequence homology with one or more of the following genes: gltA, ompA, and ompB. Amplification and sequencing of portions of the htrA and ompA genes in pooled samples (2 of 59) taken from fleas identified the pathogen Rickettsia felis. Four tick samples yielded molecular evidence of SFG rickettsiae. Fragments of the ompA (540-bp) and ompB (2,484-bp) genes were amplified from a single Amblyomma maculatum tick (tick 124) and an Ixodes boliviensis tick (tick 163). The phylogenetic relationships between the rickettsiae in these samples and other rickettsiae were determined after comparison of their ompB sequences by the neighbor-joining method. The dendrograms generated showed that the isolates exhibited close homology (97%) to R. aeschlimannii and R. rhipicephali. Significant bootstrap values supported clustering adjacent to this nodule of the SFG rickettsiae. While the agents identified in the flea and tick samples have not been linked to human cases in the area, these results demonstrate for the first time that at least two SFG rickettsia agents were circulating in northern Peru at the time of the outbreak. Furthermore, molecular analysis of sequences derived from the two separate species of hard ticks identified a possibly novel member of the SFG rickettsiae.

Epidemiology of Andean cutaneous leishmaniasis: incrimination of Lutzomyia ayacuchensis (Diptera: psychodidae) as a vector of Leishmania in geographically isolated, upland valleys of Peru.

The southernmost limit of the distribution of endemic Andean cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), commonly known as Uta, is localized in the western Andean valleys of Ayacucho, Peru. This area is completely isolated from other regions endemic for this disease. Identification of the insect vector for Andean CL was carried out by combining entomologic and parasitologic approaches. Two Lutzomyia species were captured: Lutzomyia ayacuchensis and Lu. noguchii. The former species was considered responsible for transmission of Leishmania because 1) there was a coincidence in space and time between the presence of this insect and the distribution of Andean CL, 2) it was shown to be highly anthropophilic, 3) Leishmania parasites of the subgenus Viannia were detected by a specific polymerase chain reaction assay, 4) promastigotes isolated from this insect were shown by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and molecular karyotyping to belong to the same deme of Leishmania (Viannia) peruviana as the one circulating in humans living in the study area, and 5) the complete cycle of L. (V.) peruviana was observed in experimental infections of Lu. ayacuchensis. Parasite and vector homogeneity found in Ayacucho contrasted with the heterogeneity reported for other areas endemic for Andean CL. The potential influence of ecologic determinants on this geographically isolated area is discussed.

Evidence of rickettsial and leptospira infections in Andean northern Peru.

Between May and October 2002, a cluster of acute febrile illnesses occurred in the subtropical Andean foothills of Peru. Serologic evidence in villages where disease had been documented showed that the prevalence of IgM antibody to Leptospira ranged from 6% to 52%, that of IgM antibody to spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsia ranged from 10% to 19%, and that of IgM antibody to Coxiella burnetii from 1% to 15%. Measurement of IgG antibodies for SFG rickettsiae suggested that this disease was endemic. In contrast, IgG antibodies against C. burnetii were largely absent. In humans, microagglutination tests identified pathogenic variants of Leptospira. The presence of an SFG rickettsial infection was confirmed in four febrile patients following polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the conserved 17-kD common antigen gene (htrA). Collectively, these analyses indicated that Rickettsia sp., C. burnetii, and Leptospira sp. were circulating in the region during the time of disease outbreak and implicate the involvement of an as yet undetermined SFG rickettsia in northwestern Peru.

Description of Warileya lumbrerasi n. sp. (Diptera: psychodidae) from Peru

Warileya lumbrerasi n.sp. is described from the northern Peruvian Andes. This species was collected inside houses and is the seventh species described within the genus Warileya Hertig, 1948.