Synanthropic triatomines (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil: geographical distribution and natural Trypanosoma infection rates between 2006 and 2007.

INTRODUCTION: The present study shows a descriptive analysis of triatomine occurrence and its natural Trypanosoma infection rates in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, between 2006 and 2007. METHODS: Entomological data for the species, such as specimens captured in both intra and peridomiciles and natural infection index, were obtained via domiciliary capture in 147 municipalities from 11 Regional Managements of Health. The database was obtained from a sample of insects (100% infected and 20% non-infected) sent to the Central Laboratory of Pernambuco. RESULTS: A total of 18,029 triatomines were analyzed from 138 municipalities of the state. Triatoma pseudomaculata (35%), Triatoma brasiliensis (34%), and Panstrongylus lutzi (25%) were the most captured species. These species also showed a widespread geographical distribution in the state. Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma petrocchiae, Triatoma melanocephala, Triatoma sordida, Rhodnius nasutus, Rhodnius neglectus, and Triatoma infestans showed more limited geographical distribution and lower relative abundance. The parasitological research showed that 8.8% of the triatomines were naturally infected with flagellates morphologically similar to Trypanosoma cruzi and 91.3% of them were captured inside houses in 113 municipalities. P. lutzi showed the highest rates of natural infection. CONCLUSIONS: After the control of T. infestans, synanthropic species, such as T. brasiliensis, T. pseudomaculata, and P. lutzi, maintain the risk of T. cruzi transmission to humans in the state of Pernambuco. These species are widely distributed, and infected specimens have been found inside houses. Thus, an enhanced surveillance and vector control of Chagas disease is recommended in Pernambuco.

Synanthropic triatomines (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil: geographical distribution and natural Trypanosoma infection rates between 2006 and 2007 / Triatomíneos sinantrópicos (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) no estado de Pernambuco, Brasil: distribuição geográfica e índices de infecção natural por Trypanosoma entre 2006 e 2007

INTRODUCTION: The present study shows a descriptive analysis of triatomine occurrence and its natural Trypanosoma infection rates in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, between 2006 and 2007. METHODS: Entomological data for the species, such as specimens captured in both intra and peridomiciles and natural infection index, were obtained via domiciliary capture in 147 municipalities from 11 Regional Managements of Health. The database was obtained from a sample of insects (100 percent infected and 20 percent non-infected) sent to the Central Laboratory of Pernambuco. RESULTS: A total of 18,029 triatomines were analyzed from 138 municipalities of the state. Triatoma pseudomaculata (35 percent), Triatoma brasiliensis (34 percent), and Panstrongylus lutzi (25 percent) were the most captured species. These species also showed a widespread geographical distribution in the state. Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma petrocchiae, Triatoma melanocephala, Triatoma sordida, Rhodnius nasutus, Rhodnius neglectus, and Triatoma infestans showed more limited geographical distribution and lower relative abundance. The parasitological research showed that 8.8 percent of the triatomines were naturally infected with flagellates morphologically similar to Trypanosoma cruzi and 91.3 percent of them were captured inside houses in 113 municipalities. P. lutzi showed the highest rates of natural infection. CONCLUSIONS: After the control of T. infestans, synanthropic species, such as T. brasiliensis, T. pseudomaculata, and P. lutzi, maintain the risk of T. cruzi transmission to humans in the state of Pernambuco. These species are widely distributed, and infected specimens have been found inside houses. Thus, an enhanced surveillance and vector control of Chagas disease is recommended in Pernambuco.

INTRODUÇÃO: O presente estudo apresenta uma análise descritiva da ocorrência de triatomíneos e seus índices de infecção natural por Trypanosoma no Estado de Pernambuco, entre 2006 e 2007. MÉTODOS: Dados entomológicos para as espécies de triatomíneos, tais como espécimes capturados no intra e peridomicílio, e índice de infecção natural foram obtidos por meio da captura domiciliar em 147 municípios das 11 Gerências Regionais de Saúde. A pequisa foi baseada em uma amostra de insetos (100 por cento dos infectados e 20 por cento dos não infectados) enviados para o Laboratório Central de Pernambuco. RESULTADOS: No total, 18.029 triatomíneos foram analisados provenientes de 138 municípios. Triatoma pseudomaculata (35 por cento), Triatoma brasiliensis (34 por cento) e Panstrongylus lutzi (25 por cento) foram as espécies mais capturadas. Estas espécies também apresentaram ampla distribuição geográfica no estado. Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma petrocchiae, Triatoma melanocephala, Triatoma sordida, Rhodnius nasutus, Rhodnius neglectus e Triatoma infestans apresentaram distribuição geográfica mais restrita e menores valores de abundância relativa. A pesquisa parasitológica mostrou que 8,8 por cento dos triatomíneos estavam infectados por flagelados morfologicamente similares a Trypanosoma cruzi e 91,3 por cento deles foram capturados no interior das habitações em 113 municípios. P. lutzi apresentou as maiores taxas de infecção natural. CONCLUSÕES: Após o controle do T. infestans, as espécies sinantrópicas T. brasiliensis, T. pseudomaculata e P. lutzi mantêm o risco de transmissão do T. cruzi ao homem no Estado de Pernambuco. Estas espécies são amplamente distribuídas e espécimes infectados foram encontrados dentro das casas. Assim, nossos resultados recomendam reforçar a vigilância e controle vetorial da doença de Chagas em Pernambuco.

APOE-epsilon4 polymorphism and cognitive deficit among the elderly population of Fernando de Noronha.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphism of the gene for apolipoprotein E (APOE) is an important risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease. The epsilon4 allele of the APOE gene has been linked with a number of neuropsychiatric illnesses, and also with stress and depression among geriatric populations. OBJECTIVE: To identify APOE-epsilon4 polymorphism and correlate this with cognitive deficit among the elderly population of the island of Fernando de Noronha. METHOD: Neuropsychiatric tests (mini-mental state examination, verbal fluency test and clock drawing test) were applied to 52 elderly people without Alzheimer's disease. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood and genotyping of APOE was done by the PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: 87% of the elderly population (mean age 69.6+/-7.0) had cognitive deficit. CONCLUSION: The observed frequency of the epsilon4 allele was 10%, but the correlation between the presence of epsilon4 and cognitive deficit in this population was not statistically significant.

APOEepsilon-4 polymorphism and cognitive deficit among the elderly population of Fernando de Noronha / Polimorfismo de APOEépsilon-4 e déficit cognitivo na população idosa de Fernando de Noronha

BACKGROUND: Polymorphism of the gene for apolipoprotein E (APOE) is an important risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease. The ε4 allele of the APOE gene has been linked with a number of neuropsychiatric illnesses, and also with stress and depression among geriatric populations. OBJECTIVE: To identify APOE-ε4 polymorphism and correlate this with cognitive deficit among the elderly population of the island of Fernando de Noronha. METHOD: Neuropsychiatric tests (mini-mental state examination, verbal fluency test and clock drawing test) were applied to 52 elderly people without Alzheimer's disease. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood and genotyping of APOE was done by the PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: 87 percent of the elderly population (mean age 69.6±7.0) had cognitive deficit. CONCLUSION: The observed frequency of the ε4 allele was 10 percent, but the correlation between the presence of ε4 and cognitive deficit in this population was not statistically significant.

INTRODUÇÃO: Polimorfismos no gene da apoliproteína E (APOE) são importantes fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento da doença de Alzheimer (DA). O alelo ε4 do gene APOE tem sido relacionado com declínio cognitivo e algumas doenças neuropsiquiátricas, primariamente a doença de Alzheimer. OBJETIVO: Identificar os polimorfismos de APOE-ε4 e relacionar com deficit cognitivo na população idosa da ilha de Fernando de Noronha. MÉTODO: Foram aplicados testes neuropsiquiátricos (mini exame do estado mental, teste de fluência verbal e teste do relógio) em 52 idosos sem DA. O DNA foi isolado do sangue periférico e a genotipagem de APOE foi realizada por PCR-RFLP. RESULTADOS: 87 por cento da população idosa com idade média de 69.6±7.0 apresentou déficit cognitivo. Foi observada uma freqüência de 10 por cento do alelo ε4. CONCLUSÃO: Não foi encontrada significância estatística quando relacionada a presença deste alelo e déficit cognitivo nos idosos avaliados.