Spotted Fever: Epidemiology and Vector-Rickettsia-Host Relationship in Rio de Janeiro State.

The eco-epidemiological scenario of spotted fever (SF), a tick-borne disease that affects humans and other animals in several countries around the world, was analyzed in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) State, Brazil. During the last 34 years, 990 SF cases were reported in RJ (the Brazilian state with the highest population density), including 116 cases confirmed by serology (RIFI) or PCR, among 42.39% of the municipalities with reported cases of SF. The epidemiologic dynamics of SF in RJ State are very heterogeneous in time and space, with outbreaks, high mortality rates and periods of epidemiological silence (no SF cases reported). Furthermore, it exhibited a changing epidemiological profile from being rural to becoming an urban disease. This study identified arthropods infected with Rickettsia felis, R. bellii and R. rickettsii, and found that the abundance of ectoparasites was associated with specific hosts. The R. rickettsii-vector-host relationship was most evident in species-specific parasitism. This suggests that the association between dogs, cattle, horses, capybaras and their main ectoparasites, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ctenocephalides felis, Rhipicephalus microplus, Dermacentor nitens, and Amblyomma dubitatum, respectively, has a key role in the dynamics of R. rickettsii transmission in enzootic cycles and the maintenance of carrier ectoparasites, thus facilitating the existence of endemic areas with the ability to produce epidemic outbreaks of SF in RJ. This study found confirmed human infections for only the R. rickettsii carrier Amblyomma sculptum, which reinforces the importance of this species as a vector of the pathogen in Brazil. This study can be adapted to different eco-epidemiological scenarios of spotted fever throughout the Americas.

Toxoplasmosis aguda en embarazadas asintomáticas de Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Acute toxoplasmosis among asymptomatic pregnant women in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Objetivos: Determinar la frecuencia de toxoplasmosis aguda en mujeres embarazadas en la ciudad de Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron 2 673 mujeres embarazadas, asintomáticas para toxoplasmosis, durante el 2007. Se determinó IgM anti T. gondii en suero mediante inmunofluorescencia indirecta como diagnóstico de sensibilidad y la confirmación de los casos positivos por medio de ELISA. Se determinó el coeficiente de prevalencia. Resultados: Once (0,41%) tenían anticuerpos IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii, con títulos iguales o mayores a 1:16. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de toxoplasmosis aguda en gestantes asintomáticas de la ciudad del Rio de Janeiro es baja, menor del promedio nacional de Brasil. (AU)

Objectives: To determine the frequency of acute toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: A total of 2673 asymptomatic pregnant women were included during 2007. IgM anti T. gondii was detected by indirect immunofluorescence, positive samples were confirmed by ELISA. Results: 11 (0,41%) pregnant women were IgM positive with titers of at least 1:16. Conclusions: Prevalence of acute toxoplasmosis among asymptomatic pregnant women in the city of Rio de Janeiro is low, lower that the overall prevalence in Brazil. (AU)

Rotavirosis en niños de la región de la Baixada Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Rotavirosis in children from Baixada Fluminense region, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

La infección por rotavirus es la principal causa de diarrea aguda en el mundo. Se estima que esta infección es responsable de aproximadamente 138 millones de casos de diarrea aguda y de 44 mil muertes al año en niños con edad menor de cinco años. Objetivos: Determinar la frecuencia de rotavirosis en niños con gastroenteritis atendidos en los servicios de salud de la región de la Baixada Fluminense. Material y métodos: Entre enero de 2009 y abril de 2010 se colectaron muestras fecales de 1067 niños menores de cinco años afectados de gastroenteritis. Se utilizó la técnica de reacción inmunocromatográfica para detectar antígenos de rotavirus (Rotavirus Tira Látex Test Bioeasy). Resultados: El 21,3% de los niños examinados tuvieron antígenos de rotavirus en las muestras fecales. No se encontró diferencias entre niños y niñas. Conclusiones: La incidencia de rotavirosis en la región de la Baixada Fluminense se encuentra en un nivel medio en comparación con poblaciones semejantes en países de Latinoamérica. (AU)

Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of acute diarrhea worldwide. It is estimated that this infection is responsible for approximately 138 million cases of acute diarrhea and 44 000 deaths per year in children less than five years of age. Objectives: To determine the frequency of rotavirus infection in children with gastroenteritis treated in health services in the Baixada Fluminense region. Methods: Between January 2009 and April 2010, 1067 fecal samples from children under five years of age with gastroenteritis were collected. We used the immune chromatographic technique to detect rotavirus antigens (Rotavirus Latex Test Strip Bioeasy). Results: 21.3 % of children tested had rotavirus antigen in stool samples. No differences were found between boys and girls. Conclusions: The incidence of rotavirus in the Baixada Fluminense region is at an average level compared to similar populations in Latin America. (AU)

Ectoparasites (Insecta and Acari) associated with bats in southeastern Brazil.

The result of a survey of ectoparasites infesting bats in southeastern Brazil is presented. Of 181 bats belonging to 16 species, 10 (34.1%) were infested by streblid flies (Streblidae), nine (33.5%) by spinturnicid mites (Spinturnicidae), and five (8.3%) by macronyssid mites (Macronyssidae). One species of the families Trombiculidae and Myobiidae was found. A total of 195 streblids, 178 spinturnicids, and 76 macronyssids was collected. Paratrichobius longicrus was the most abundant bat fly species (50 specimens). The spinturnicid mite Periglischrus iheringi was the most abundant ectoparasite species (159 specimens) and was recorded on three different bat species; Radfordiella desmodi was the most numerous macronyssid (69 specimens).

Siphonaptera of small rodents and marsupials in the Pedra Branca State Park, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In an region of Atlantic Rainforest corresponding to the geopolitical area of the Pedra Branca State Park, Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, 160 small mammals were captured, of which 64 rodents and 96 marsupials from October 2005 to October 2007. There were collected in these hosts six flea species from three families (Ctenophthalmidae, Rhopalopsyllidae and Pulicidae), totalizing 162 specimens. Adoratopsylla (Tritopsylla) intermedia intermedia was the most common species found, followed by Polygenis (Polygenis) occidentalis occidentalis. Philander frenatus and Micoureus paraguayanus were reported as new hosts to Adoratopsylla (Tritopsylla) intermedia intermedia and P. o. occidentalis was reported for the first time in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Siphonaptera of small rodents and marsupials in the Pedra Branca State Park, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Sifonápteros de pequenos roedores e marsupiais do Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

In an region of Atlantic Rainforest corresponding to the geopolitical area of the Pedra Branca State Park, Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, 160 small mammals were captured, of which 64 rodents and 96 marsupials from October 2005 to October 2007. There were collected in these hosts six flea species from three families (Ctenophthalmidae, Rhopalopsyllidae and Pulicidae), totalizing 162 specimens. Adoratopsylla (Tritopsylla) intermedia intermedia was the most common species found, followed by Polygenis (Polygenis) occidentalis occidentalis. Philander frenatus and Micoureus paraguayanus were reported as new hosts to Adoratopsylla (Tritopsylla) intermedia intermedia and P. o. occidentalis was reported for the first time in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Na Mata Atlântica área correspondente ao espaço geopolítico do Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, entre outubro de 2005 e outubro de 2007, 160 pequenos mamíferos foram capturados, sendo 64 pequenos roedores e 96 marsupiais. Nestes hospedeiros, foram coletadas seis espécies de pulgas relacionadas a três famílias (Ctenophthalmidae, Rhopalopsyllidae e Pulicidae), totalizando 162 espécimes. Adoratopsylla (Tritopsylla) intermedia intermedia foi a espécie mais freqüente, seguida por Polygenis (Polygenis) occidentalis occidentalis. Novos hospedeiros foram registrados, Philander frenatus e Micoureus paraguayanus para Adoratopsylla (Tritopsylla) intermedia intermedia, bem como a ocorrência de algumas espécies de Siphonaptera encontrados em novo espaço geopolítico, P. o. occidentalis e no município do Rio de Janeiro.

Siphonaptera of small rodents and marsupials in the Pedra Branca State Park, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Sifonápteros de pequenos roedores e marsupiais do Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca,Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

In an region of Atlantic Rainforest corresponding to the geopolitical area of the Pedra Branca State Park, Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, 160 small mammals were captured, of which 64 rodents and 96 marsupials from October 2005 to October 2007. There were collected in these hosts six flea species from three families (Ctenophthalmidae, Rhopalopsyllidae and Pulicidae), totalizing 162 specimens. Adoratopsylla (Tritopsylla) intermedia intermedia was the most common species found, followed by Polygenis (Polygenis) occidentalis occidentalis. Philander frenatus and Micoureus paraguayanus were reported as new hosts to Adoratopsylla (Tritopsylla) intermedia intermedia and P. o. occidentalis wasreported for the first time in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Na Mata Atlântica área correspondente ao espaço geopolítico do Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, entre outubro de 2005 e outubro de 2007, 160 pequenos mamíferos foram capturados, sendo 64 pequenos roedores e 96 marsupiais. Nestes hospedeiros, foram coletadas seis espécies de pulgas relacionadas a três famílias (Ctenophthalmidae, Rhopalopsyllidae e Pulicidae), totalizando 162 espécimes. Adoratopsylla (Tritopsylla) intermédia intermedia foi a espécie mais freqüente, seguida por Polygenis (Polygenis) occidentalis occidentalis. Novos hospedeiros foram registrados, Philander frenatus e Micoureus paraguayanus para Adoratopsylla (Tritopsylla) intermedia intermedia, bem como a ocorrência de algumas espécies de Siphonaptera encontrados em novo espaço geopolítico, P. o. occidentalis e no município do Rio de Janeiro.

Caamembecaia gratiosus n. gen., n. sp. (Acari: Trombiculidae), from Trinomys gratiosus (Gunter) (Rodentia: Echimydae), of Atlantic forest in southeastern Brazil.

From June 1999 to May 2001, small mammals were captured in three areas of the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil and examined for ectoparasites. Analysis of ectoparasites revealed the presence of a new chigger genus and species, Caamembecaia gratiosus, from Trinomys gratiosus. This is the first record of a chigger from T. gratiosus.

Caamembecaia gratiosus n. gen., n. sp. (Acari: Trombiculidae), from Trinomys gratiosus (Gunter) (Rodentia: Echimydae), of Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil

From June 1999 to May 2001, small mammals were captured in three areas of the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil and examined for ectoparasites. Analysis of ectoparasites revealed the presence of a new chigger genus and species, Caamembecaia gratiosus, from Trinomys gratiosus. This is the first record of a chigger from T. gratiosus.

Malófagos ( Phthiraptera ) recolhidos de aves silvestres no Zoológico de São Paulo, SP, Brasil / Chewing lice ( Phthiraptera ) from wild birds in the São Paulo Zoo, State of São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Vinte e oito espécies de malófagos foram recolhidas de aves silvestres no acervo do Zoológico de São Paulo durante o ano de 2003. Vinte e três foram identificadas ao nível de espécie e cinco ao nível genérico. Os relatos de novas espécies no Brasil e novas associações parasitárias para a literatura são discutidos.

Ocorrência de Dentocarpus silvai silvai Dusbabek & Cruz, 1966 (Acari: Chirodiscidae) em duas espécies de molossídeos (Mammalia: Chiroptera) no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Occurence of Dentocarpus silvai silvai, Dusbabek & Cruz, 1966 (Acari: Chirodiscidae) on two molossids (Mammalia: Chiroptera) species in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil - In 2001 mites from three bats were collected, Molossus ater at Silva Jardim municipality and from Molossus molossus at Rio de Janeiro municipality, both in the Rio de Janeiro state. The mites where identified as Dentocarpus silvai silvai (Acari: Chirodiscidae), this being the first report of this mite species in Brazil.

Malófagos (Heptapsogastridae) de Tinamiformes (aves) encontrados em um novo hospedeiro [Crypturellus obsoletus (Temminck, 1815)] em Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Tinamous lice found on a new host [Crypturellus obsoletus (Temminck, 1815)] in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This paper reports the encounter of five lice species on a specimen of tinamou in Petrópolis city, Rio de Janeiro state. These only two of them, Strongylocotes complantus and Kelloggia ribeiroi, had been previously told in this host species. The others species (Megapeostus petersi; Heptapsogaster mandibularis; Discocorpus microgenitalis) were reported at first time on this bird species.

Níveis de enzootia por ectoparasitos em amostras de rolinha [Columbina talpacoti (Temminck, 1810)] no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Enzootic level of the external parasites on samples of Columbina talpacoti (Temminck, 1810) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

O primeiro inquérito sobre a fauna de ectoparasitos em rolinha (Columbina talpacoti) é feito no Brasil. As espécies de ectoparasitos encontrados foram: Microlynchia pussila (Speiser, 1902) (Diptera); Columbicola passerinae (Wilson, 1941) and Physconelloides eurysema (Carriker, 1903) (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera); Hohorstiella passerinae Hill & Tull, 1978 (Phthiraptera: Amblycera) and Byersalges talpacoti (Cerny, 1972), Diplaegidia columbigallinae (Cerny, 1972), Nanolichus sp. and Pterophagus lomatus Gaud & Barré, 1992 (Acari: Acaridida), sendo B. talpacoti a espécie de maior prevalência.

Bradypophila garbei EM radypus variegatus no Río de Janeiro / Bradypophila garbein in bradypus variegatus at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

De quarenta examplares de ectoparasitos colhidos de uma preguica (Bradypus variegatus) cativa na Fundacao Rio-Zoo, procedeu-se a identificacao do material. Os ectoparasitos semelhantes a pequena mariposa, removidos de entre a pelagem e crostas da pele, foram trabalhados entre dezembro/93 e outubro/94. Procedeu-se a investigacao bibliográfica com base na literatura do Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro e do Laboratório de Morfofisiologia e Patogenia de Carrapatos-Sanidade Animal (LMPC/SA) do Departamento de Parasitologia Animal do Instituto de Biologia da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (DPA/IB/UFRRJ). Para a análise das característic desses lepidópteros foi necessário o processamento para a descamacao das asas, que permitisse a identificacao a nivel de genero e espécie. A metodologia utilizada para tanto foi desenvolvida especificamente para este Colecao Entomológica do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz sob o número PIR-001. Todo este estudo enquadra-se no projeto interinstitucional envolvendo a Fundacao Jardim Zoológico do Rio de Janeiro e a Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, representada pelo LMPC-SA/DPA/IB

Descriçao morfologica do estadio de larva de carrapato (acari: ixodidae): amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844 / Morphological description of tick larval stage (acri: ixodidae): amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844

A partir de teleóginas identificadas como A. amblyomma rotundatum removida de Boa contrictor (jibóia) da Fundaçao Rio-Zoo, foram obtidas posturas que deram origem as neolarvas em condiçoes de laboratório. Objetivou-se identificar de forma rápida e segura as neolarvas desta espécie de carrapato. As neolarvas foram sacrificadas com água quente (ù70§C) ainda em jejum, 24 horas após a eclosao a preservadas em etanol 70§C GL. Foram processadas segundo técnica de rotina no laboratório de morfofisiologia e patogênia de carrapatos (LMPC-UFRRJ-IB-DPA) para preparaçao em montagem definitiva entre lâmina e lamínula. Cem larvas foram analisadas morfologicamente através de microscopia óptica, quanto a presença ou nao de mancha ocular;: forma do gnatossoma, do escudo e o idiossoma; espinho caxais, órgao de Haller, número de fileira de dentes no hipostômio, estructuras sensoriais e dentículos e número de dentículos por fileira na no hipostômio; quetotaxia dos palpos, do idiossoma e das patas. Também foram analisados com auxílio de estereomicroscópio, a coloraçao da neolarva e o padrao. Esses caracteres e atributos morfológicos, contribuiram na diagnose de larva dessa espécie

Identificaçao da dose letal mínima por irradiaçao gama para toxoplasma gondii / Identification of a minimun lethal dose of gamma irradiation for toxoplasma gondii

The use of nuclear power through radiation for the destruction of microorganisms which cause food decay, infections and toxicosis, is specially for peacefull purposes. Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoa responsible for illness in humans and animals. One of the most common ways of transmission is through raw or poorly cooked meat. There is little information on the resistance of T. gondii to radiation. The objective of this research is to determine the Minimun Lethal Dose (MLD) of gamma radiation for these microorganisms. Suspensions of T. gondii containing approximately one million taquizoites/ml were irradiated with doses between 0.01 up to 0.15 HGy (kiloGray) and inoculated to mice. The surviving T gondii were re-irradiated with 0.01 up to 0.16 HGy. The irradiated protozoa were totally destroyed with 0.15 HGy dose (MLD). Taquizoites issued from live protozoa of 0.14 KGy, also were completely destroyed with dose of 0.15 KGy. No increase in resistance was observed regarding the non irradiated protozoa