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The ground-dwelling invertebrate fauna from an urban park in Belém, Amazonian Brazil, with particular reference to the subfamily Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae), were characterized. Sampling was performed from March 2022 to May 2023, with 10 emergence traps installed in 2 microhabitats, 5 in each 1: "M1," which included surrounding (up to 1.5â m) trees with tabular roots, and "M2," which included no trees with tabular roots. Invertebrates trapped in adhesive papers were assessed on 2 occasions/cycles (D21/D42). During 10 sampling cycles (10 traps/cycleâ =â 100 samples), 6,490 invertebrates were captured (M1, nâ =â 4,203; M2, nâ =â 2,287) and classified into 5 classes and 21 orders, with Diptera (nâ =â 2,309; 35.6%) being the most abundant. Twenty-nine specimens of the following phlebotomine species were captured: Nyssomyia antunesi (M1, nâ =â 10; M2, nâ =â 3), Trichophoromyia ubiquitalis (M1, nâ =â 6; M2, nâ =â 1), Th. brachipyga (M1, nâ =â 0; M2, nâ =â 2), Bichromomyia flaviscutellata (M1, nâ =â 2; M2, nâ =â 1) and 4 unidentified specimens (M1, nâ =â 2; M2, nâ =â 2). The male/female ratio was 1.08. Fractional vegetation cover was compared, and the physiochemical characteristics of the soil were compared between the microhabitats. Only temperature showed significant differences. A weak positive correlation was found between phlebotomines and other dipterans and between temperature and the amount of organic matter in the soil. Both sampled microhabitats were shown to be suitable for the development and maintenance of different invertebrates, mainly dipterans. The composition of ground-emerging phlebotomine species was similar to that previously surveyed with light traps, including species associated with the transmission of Leishmania spp.
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The present work assessed the experimental susceptibility of Nyssomyia antunesi and Lutzomyia longipalpis to Leishmania (Viannia) lainsoni and L. (V.) lindenbergi. A L. (Leishmania) chagasi-Lu. longipalpis combination was used as a susceptible control. Wild-caught Ny. antunesi and laboratory-bred Lu. longipalpis were membrane-fed on blood with a 5 × 106/mL log-phase promastigote culture suspension and dissected on days 2 and 8 post-blood meal (pbm) for analysis focused on the assessment of parasitoses, as well as placement and promastigote morphotyping. Survival curves were constructed. In all combinations, promastigotes were observed on day 8 pbm. For both Leishmania species, in Lu. longipalpis, the presence of parasites was observed up to the stomodeal valve, while in Ny. antunesi, the presence of parasites was observed up to the cardia. There were no significant differences in parasitosis between L. (V.) lainsoni and L. (V.) lindenbergi in either Ny. antunesi or Lu. longipalpis. Six morphological promastigote forms were distinguished in Giemsa-stained gut smears. The survival curves of all combinations decreased and were affected differently by several Lu. longipalpis-parasite combinations, as well with Lu. longipalpis-uninfected blood. These findings stress Lu. longipalpis as experimentally susceptible to Leishmania spp. and suggest the putative susceptibility of Ny. antunesi to L. (V.) lainsoni and L. (V.) lindenbergi.
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Quilombo remnant communities are areas officially recognized by the Brazilian government as historical communities founded by formerly enslaved individuals. These communities are mostly located in the endemic areas of malaria in the Brazilian Amazon. We retrospectively described the prevalence of malaria among individuals living in 32 recognized quilombo remnant communities in the Baiao and Oriximina municipalities located in the Para State. The number of malaria cases and the Annual Parasitic Incidence (API) recorded by the Brazilian malaria surveillance system (SIVEP-Malaria) from January 2005 to December 2020 were analyzed. We found that all communities registered at least one case over the 16-year period, the most frequent parasitic species being Plasmodium vivax (76.1%). During this period, 0.44% (4,470/1,008,714) of the malaria cases registered in Para State were reported in these quilombo remnant communities, with frequencies of 10.9% (856/7,859) in Baiao municipality and 39.1% (3,614/9,238) in Oriximina municipality, showing that individuals living in these rural communities are exposed to malaria. These data indicate that effective surveillance requires improved measures to identify malaria transmission among vulnerable populations living in quilombo remnant communities in the Brazilian Amazon.
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Malária Vivax , Populações Vulneráveis , Humanos , Brasil/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Estudos Retrospectivos , Prevalência , Malária Vivax/epidemiologia , Incidência , Feminino , Masculino , Adulto , População Rural , Adolescente , Malária/epidemiologia , Malária/transmissão , Adulto Jovem , Criança , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Malária Falciparum/epidemiologia , Pré-EscolarRESUMO
Vector control is one of the principal strategies used for reducing malaria transmission. Long-lasting insecticidal bed nets (LLINs) are a key tool used to protect populations at risk of malaria, since they provide both physical and chemical barriers to prevent human-vector contact. This study aimed to assess the physical durability and insecticidal efficacy of LLINs distributed in Cruzeiro do Sul (CZS), Brazil, after 4 years of use. A total of 3000 LLINs (PermaNet 2.0) were distributed in high malaria risk areas of CZS in 2007. After 4 years of use, 27 'rectangular' LLINs and 28 'conical' LLINs were randomly selected for analysis. The evaluation of physical integrity was based on counting the number of holes and measuring their size and location on the nets. Insecticidal efficacy was evaluated by cone bioassays, and the amount of residual insecticide remaining on the surface of the LLINs was estimated using a colorimetric method. After 4 years of use, physical damage was highly prevalent on the rectangular LLINs, with a total of 473 holes detected across the 27 nets. The upper portion of the side panels sustained the greatest damage in rectangular LLINs. The overall mosquito mortality by cone bioassay was < 80% in 25/27 rectangular LLINs, with panel A (at the end of the rectangular bednet) presenting the highest mortality (54%). The overall mean insecticide concentration was 0.5 µg/sample, with the bednet roof containing the highest average concentration (0.61 µg/sample). On the conical LLINs, 547 holes were detected, with the bottom areas sustaining the greatest damage. The cone bioassay mortality was < 80% in 26/28 of the conical LLINs. The mean insecticide concentration was 0.3 µg/sample. After 4 years of use, the insecticidal efficacy of the LLINs was diminished to below acceptable thresholds.
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Mosquiteiros Tratados com Inseticida , Inseticidas , Malária , Animais , Humanos , Inseticidas/farmacologia , Brasil , Controle de Mosquitos/métodos , Mosquitos Vetores , Malária/prevenção & controleRESUMO
ABSTRACT Quilombo remnant communities are areas officially recognized by the Brazilian government as historical communities founded by formerly enslaved individuals. These communities are mostly located in the endemic areas of malaria in the Brazilian Amazon. We retrospectively described the prevalence of malaria among individuals living in 32 recognized quilombo remnant communities in the Baiao and Oriximina municipalities located in the Para State. The number of malaria cases and the Annual Parasitic Incidence (API) recorded by the Brazilian malaria surveillance system (SIVEP-Malaria) from January 2005 to December 2020 were analyzed. We found that all communities registered at least one case over the 16-year period, the most frequent parasitic species being Plasmodium vivax (76.1%). During this period, 0.44% (4,470/1,008,714) of the malaria cases registered in Para State were reported in these quilombo remnant communities, with frequencies of 10.9% (856/7,859) in Baiao municipality and 39.1% (3,614/9,238) in Oriximina municipality, showing that individuals living in these rural communities are exposed to malaria. These data indicate that effective surveillance requires improved measures to identify malaria transmission among vulnerable populations living in quilombo remnant communities in the Brazilian Amazon.
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BACKGROUND: In malaria infection, apoptosis acts as an important immunomodulatory mechanism that leads to the elimination of parasitized cells, thus reducing the parasite density and controlling immune cell populations. Here, it was investigated the association of INDEL variants in apoptotic genes-rs10562972 (FAS), rs4197 (FADD), rs3834129 and rs59308963 (CASP8), rs61079693 (CASP9), rs4647655 (CASP3), rs11269260 (BCL-2), and rs17880560 (TP53)-and the influence of genetic ancestry with susceptibility to malaria and parasite density in an admixed population from the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS: Total DNA was extracted from 126 malaria patients and 101 uninfected individuals for investigation of genetic ancestries and genotypic distribution of apoptosis-related variants by Multiplex PCR. Association analyses consisted of multivariate logistic regressions, considering the following comparisons: (i) DEL/DEL genotype vs. INS/DEL + INS/INS; and (ii) INS/INS vs. INS/DEL + DEL/DEL. RESULTS: Individuals infected by Plasmodium falciparum had significantly higher African ancestry proportions in comparison to uninfected controls, Plasmodium vivax, and mixed infections. The INS/INS genotype of rs3834129 (CASP8) seemed to increase the risk for P. falciparum infection (P = 0.038; OR = 1.867; 95% CI 0.736-3.725), while the DEL/DEL genotype presented a significant protective effect against infection by P. falciparum (P = 0.049; OR = 0.446; 95% CI 0.185-0.944) and mixed infection (P = 0.026; OR = 0.545; 95% CI 0.281-0.996), and was associated with lower parasite density in P. falciparum malaria (P = 0.009; OR = 0.383; 95% CI 0.113-1.295). Additionally, the INS/INS genotype of rs10562972 (FAS) was more frequent among individuals infected with P. vivax compared to P. falciparum (P = 0.036; OR = 2.493; 95% CI 1.104-4.551), and the DEL/DEL genotype of rs17880560 (TP53) was significantly more present in patients with mono-infection by P. vivax than in individuals with mixed infection (P = 0.029; OR = 0.667; 95% CI 0.211-1.669). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, variants in apoptosis genes are associated with malaria susceptibility and parasite density, indicating the role of apoptosis-related genetic profiles in immune responses against malaria infection.
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Coinfecção , Malária Falciparum , Malária Vivax , Parasitos , Humanos , Animais , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Brasil , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Apoptose/genética , Malária Vivax/genética , Malária Falciparum/genética , Plasmodium vivax/genética , Plasmodium falciparum/genéticaRESUMO
This study aimed to perform morphological and molecular analyses of parasites isolated from the blood of malaria-infected individuals during an outbreak in the Microregion of Cametá, State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon. A total of 260 positive samples were identified by microscopy as Plasmodium vivax; however, in three samples, forms considered unusual for the species were found and defined as morphological atypia of P. vivax. Single P. vivax infection was confirmed by qPCR in all samples. Among 256 genotyped samples, the VK247 genotype alone was identified in 255 samples, and the VK210 genotype was found in only one. The study showed that this malaria outbreak was caused by the etiological agent P. vivax, and for the first time, morphological atypia was described in isolates circulating in Brazil. Likewise, for the first time, the VK247 genotype was detected predominantly in single infections in an area of the State of Pará, which may suggest a greater circulation of the genotype in the region.
Title: Atypie morphologique et profil moléculaire de Plasmodium vivax : résultats issus d'une épidémie en Amazonie brésilienne. Abstract: Cette étude visait à effectuer des analyses morphologiques et moléculaires de parasites isolés du sang d'individus infectés par le paludisme lors d'une épidémie dans la microrégion de Cametá, État du Pará, Amazonie brésilienne. Au total, 260 échantillons positifs ont été identifiés par microscopie comme Plasmodium vivax mais dans trois échantillons, des formes considérées comme inhabituelles pour l'espèce ont été trouvées et définies comme des atypies morphologiques de P. vivax. Une infection simple à P. vivax a été confirmée par qPCR dans tous les échantillons. Sur 256 échantillons génotypés, le génotype VK247 seul a été identifié dans 255 échantillons, et le génotype VK210 a été trouvé dans un seul échantillon. L'étude a montré que cette épidémie de paludisme était causée par l'agent étiologique P. vivax et, pour la première fois, une atypie morphologique a été décrite dans des isolats circulant au Brésil. De même, pour la première fois, le génotype VK247 a été détecté principalement dans des infections uniques dans une zone de l'État de Pará, ce qui peut suggérer une plus grande circulation du génotype dans la région.
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Malária Vivax , Malária , Humanos , Plasmodium vivax , Brasil/epidemiologia , Proteínas de Protozoários/genética , Malária Vivax/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aims of the present study were to evaluate and compare the efficacy of blood-feeding in phlebotomines through industrially processed membranes from the small intestine of pigs (used for the production of commercial sausages) and the skin of euthanized chicks. METHODS: Laboratory-bred Lutzomyia longipalpis and different field-caught phlebotomine species were subjected to the artificial feeding systems under similar conditions. Paired tests were performed using the control (skin from euthanized chicks) and test membranes (pig small intestine). The feeding rates were compared by paired t-test, and Pearson correlation was used to examine the relationship between the thickness of the membranes and feeding rate. RESULTS: The feeding rate was greater with the test membrane than with the control membrane for L. longipalpis (t-test, t = -3.3860, P = 0.0054) but not for the most frequent field-caught species, Nyssomyia antunesi (t-test, t = 0.7746, P = 0.4535). The average thicknesses of the control and test membranes were 184 ± 83 µm and 34 ± 12 µm, respectively (Mann-Whitney U-test, U = 0.00, Z = 2.8823, P = 0.0039); however, there was no correlation between feeding rate and membrane thickness. A moderate positive correlation was observed between the number of phlebotomines that fed and the total number of phlebotomines in the cage for each type of membrane and for each species. CONCLUSIONS: The test membrane is a viable alternative for the artificial blood-feeding of phlebotomines, and is thus a potential substitute for the skin of animals that are euthanized for this purpose. Feeding rate was independent of membrane thickness.
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Substitutos Sanguíneos , Psychodidae , Animais , Suínos , Insetos Vetores , Apoio Nutricional , BrasilRESUMO
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113357.].
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Plasmodium malariae infections are often asymptomatic and long-lasting. Mixed infections are often underdetected in areas where P. malariae, P. vivax, and P. falciparum are coendemic. In this study, we described the occurrence of these species circulating as single or mixed infections in Pará state, Brazil, in the Amazon region, with the purpose of clarifying the impact of misidentification of parasite species based only on morphological description using thick blood smear. By using real-time polymerase chain reaction based on the amplification of the mitochondrial DNA, we detected a prevalence of 46% (58/126) mixed infections with 33.3% P. malariae/P. vivax which were read as P. vivax monoinfections by microscopy detection. Our findings confirmed the high circulation of P. malariae in a malaria endemic area in the Brazilian Amazon region.
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Coinfecção/diagnóstico , Coinfecção/epidemiologia , Malária/diagnóstico , Malária/epidemiologia , Plasmodium falciparum/isolamento & purificação , Plasmodium malariae/isolamento & purificação , Plasmodium vivax/isolamento & purificação , Brasil/epidemiologia , Doenças Endêmicas , Humanos , PrevalênciaRESUMO
Toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which is found worldwide, can affect human and animal health in different ways. This study aimed to estimate the infection prevalence in humans and to determine risk factors related to urban and rural areas in a municipality in the Brazilian Amazon where an outbreak had been registered. Blood samples for serological analysis were obtained, and interviews were performed to fill out an epidemiological questionnaire. A total of 1140 individuals were included, of which 70.6% (804/1140; 95% CI: 67.9-73.2%) were positive for IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies. In rural areas, the prevalence was 62.6% (95% CI: 58.9-66.3%), while in urban areas, it was 81.9% (95% CI: 78.4-85.4%). The risk of becoming infected in urban areas was 2.7 times higher (95% CI = 2.0-3.6%) than that in rural areas. When comparing the prevalence in the age group from 1 to 10 years in both areas, the rate was 28.6% (42/147; 95% CI: 21.3-35.9%) for rural areas and 69.4% (61/88; CI 95%: 59.7-79.0%) for urban areas. Therefore, it is concluded that parasite exposure starts in the first years of life in urban areas and that disordered urban area expansion may cause an increase in exposure to the different strains of T. gondii present in the Amazon.
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Toxoplasma , Toxoplasmose , Animais , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários , Brasil/epidemiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estudos Transversais , Humanos , Lactente , Prevalência , Fatores de Risco , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Toxoplasmose/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Malaria is a human parasitic disease distributed in many tropical countries and caused by various Plasmodium species. Plasmodium vivax has the largest geographical distribution of the Plasmodium species and is predominant in the Americas, including Brazil. Only a small number of P. vivax vaccine formulations have successfully reached clinical trials relative to their P. falciparum counterparts. One of the candidate antigens for a blood-stage P. vivax vaccine is apical membrane antigen 1 (PvAMA-1). Due to the worldwide distribution of Plasmodium parasites, a high degree of variability has been detected in this antigen sequence, representing a considerable challenge to the development of a universal vaccine against malaria. In this study, we evaluated how PvAMA-1 polymorphisms influence vaccine-derived immune responses in P. vivax malaria. To this end, we expressed 9 recombinant protein representatives of different PvAMA-1 allelic variants in the yeast Pichia pastoris: Belem, Chesson I, Sal-1, Indonesia XIX, SK0814, TC103, PNG_05_ESP, PNG_62_MU, and PNG_68_MAS. After protein expression and purification, we evaluated the breadth of the immune responses derived from malaria-exposed individuals from the Amazon region. From 611 serum samples of malaria-exposed individuals, 53.68% of them reacted against the PvAMA-1 Belem through ELISA. Positive samples were further tested against recombinant proteins representing the other PvAMA-1 allelic variants. Whereas Sal-1, Chesson I and SK0814 variants were highly recognized by tested serum samples, Indonesia XIX, TC103, PNG_05_ESP, PNG_62_MU, and PNG_68_MAS were only slightly recognized. Moreover, polyclonal sera derived from C57BL/6 mice immunized with the PvAMA-1 Belem protein predominantly recognized Belem, Sal-1, Chesson I, SK0814, and Indonesia XIX through ELISA. Last, ELISA-based competition assays demonstrated that a previous interaction between anti-Belem polyclonal serum and Sal-1, Chesson I, SK0814, or Indonesia XIX proteins could further inhibit antibody binding to the Belem variant. Our human and mouse data suggest the presence of common epitopes or cross-reactivity between Belem, Sal-1, Chesson I, and SK0814 variants. Although the PvAMA-1 Belem variant induces strain-transcendent antibodies, PvAMA-1 variants from Thailand and Papua New Guinea may need to be included in a universal vaccine formulation to achieve protection against P. vivax malaria.
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Imunoglobulina G , Plasmodium vivax , Animais , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários , Antígenos de Protozoários/genética , Brasil , Epitopos , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Plasmodium vivax/genética , Proteínas de Protozoários/genética , Saccharomycetales , TailândiaRESUMO
Histidine-rich proteins 2 and 3 gene (pfhrp2 and pfhrp3) deletions affect the efficacy of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) based on the histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2), compromising the correct identification of the Plasmodium falciparum species. Therefore, molecular surveillance is necessary for the investigation of the actual prevalence of this phenomenon and the extent of the disappearance of these genes in these areas and other South American countries, thus guiding national malaria control programs on the appropriate use of RDTs. This study aimed to evaluate the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletion in P. falciparum in endemic areas of the Brazilian Amazon. Aliquots of DNA from the biorepository of the Laboratory of Basic Research in Malaria, Evandro Chagas Institute, with a positive diagnosis for P. falciparum infection as determined by microscopy and molecular assays, were included. Monoinfection was confirmed by nested-polymerase chain reaction assay, and DNA quality was assessed by amplification of the merozoite surface protein-2 gene (msp2). The pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes were amplified using primers for the region between exons 1 and 2 and for all extension of exon 2. Aliquots of DNA from 192 P. falciparum isolates were included in the study, with 68.7% (132/192) from the municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul (Acre) and 31.3% (60/192) from Manaus (Amazonas). Of this total, 82.8% (159/192) of the samples were considered of good quality. In the state of Acre, 71.7% (71/99) showed pfhrp2 gene deletion and 94.9% (94/99) showed pfhrp3 gene deletion, while in the state of Amazonas, 100.0% (60/60) of the samples showed pfhrp2 gene deletion and 98.3% (59/60) showed pfhrp3 gene deletion. Moreover, 79.8% (127/159) of isolates displayed gene deletion. Our findings confirm the presence of a parasite population with high frequencies of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in the Brazilian Amazon region. This suggests reconsidering the use of HRP2-based RDTs in the Acre and Amazonas states and calls attention to the importance of molecular surveillance and mapping of pfhrp2/pfhrp3 deletions in this area and in other locations in the Amazon region to guarantee appropriate patient care, control and ultimately contribute to achieving P. falciparum malaria elimination.
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Plasmodium falciparum/genética , Proteínas/genética , Proteínas de Protozoários , Antígenos de Protozoários/genética , Brasil/epidemiologia , Testes Diagnósticos de Rotina , Deleção de Genes , Humanos , Malária Falciparum , Proteínas de Protozoários/genéticaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cerebral malaria is the most severe form of infection with Plasmodium falciparum characterized by a highly inflammatory response. This systematic review aimed to investigate the association between TNF-α levels and cerebral malaria. METHODS: This review followed the Preferred Reporting of Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was performed at PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, OpenGrey and Google Scholar. We have included studies of P. falciparum-infected humans with or without cerebral malaria and TNF-α dosage level. All studies were evaluated using a risk of bias tool and the GRADE approach. RESULTS: Our results have identified 2338 studies, and 8 articles were eligible according to this systematic review inclusion criteria. Among the eight articles, five have evaluated TNF- α plasma dosage, while two have evaluated at the blood and one at the brain (post-Morten). Among them, only five studies showed higher TNF-α levels in the cerebral malaria group compared to the severe malaria group. Methodological problems were identified regarding sample size, randomization and blindness, but no risk of bias was detected. CONCLUSION: Although the results suggested that that TNF-α level is associated with cerebral malaria, the evidence is inconsistent and imprecise. More observational studies evaluating the average TNF-alpha are needed.
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Malária Cerebral/epidemiologia , Malária Falciparum/epidemiologia , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/sangue , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Malária Cerebral/sangue , Malária Falciparum/sangue , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Plasmodium falciparum , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Plasmodium vivax remains an important cause of malaria in South America and Asia, and analyses of the antibody immune response are being used to identify biomarker of parasite exposure. The IgG antibody naturally acquired predominantly occurs against targets on blood-stage parasites, including C-terminal of the merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1-19). Epidemiological and immunological evidence has been showed that antibodies to malaria parasite antigens are lost in the absence of ongoing exposure. We describe the IgG antibody response in individuals living in an unstable malaria transmission area in Pará state, Amazon region, Brazil, where an epidemic of P. vivax malaria was recorded and monitored over time. As indicated by epidemiological data, the number of P. vivax-caused malaria cases decreased by approximately 90% after three years and the prevalence of IgG positive to PvMSP1-19 decreased significantly over time, in 2010 (93.4%), 2012 (78.3%), and 2013 (85.1%). Acquisition and decay of the IgG antibody against P. vivax MSP1-19 showed variability among individuals living in areas with recent circulating parasites, where the malaria epidemic was being monitored until transmission had been completely controlled. We also found that previous malaria episodes were associated with an increased in the IgG positivity . Our results showed epidemiological, spatial, temporal and individual variability. The understanding on dynamics of antibodies may have implications for the design of serosurveillance tools for monitoring parasite circulation, especially in a context with spatial and temporal changes in P. vivax malaria transmission.
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Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Antígenos de Protozoários/imunologia , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Malária Vivax/imunologia , Proteína 1 de Superfície de Merozoito/imunologia , Plasmodium vivax/imunologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/imunologia , Brasil/epidemiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Malária Vivax/transmissão , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and to identify the risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in pregnant individuals living in the Ponta de Pedras municipality, Marajó Archipelago, State of Pará, where an outbreak of toxoplasmosis occurred in 2013. From 2014 to March 2017, a cross-sectional study was conducted, including 555 pregnant individuals aged 13- to 42-years-old. Serological tests (enzyme immunoassays) were performed, and socioenvironmental and behavioral information were obtained through the application of a questionnaire. A prevalence of 68.3% was detected, and older age, having contact with soil and living in an urban area were the risk factors associated with seropositivity. The study confirmed the high prevalence of infection among pregnant individuals in the region. The association of the infection with the variables of residential area and contact with soil indicates that there was environmental contamination by T. gondii oocysts in the municipality.
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In urban ecotourism parks, the life cycle of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) agents can remain established, where phlebotomines may comprise potential risks for visitors. The present study aimed to survey the phlebotomine fauna of a forest park 'Bosque Rodriques Alves-Jardim Botânico da Amazônia' (BRAJBA), in the urban area of Belém, Brazil. The park was monthly surveyed in 2018 using CDC light traps placed in ground and canopy strata. Leishmania spp. isolated from dissected females were characterized by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Fluctuations in specimen capture were correlated with rainfall. Nyssomyia antunesi (Coutinho, 1939) was predominant for all surveyed ecotopes and capture methods in both areas. Females of Ny. antunesi resting on tree bases were observed attempting to bite researchers during early morning. One Bichromomyia flaviscutellata (Mangabeira, 1942) and one Trichophoromyia brachipyga (Mangabeira, 1942) were found naturally infected by flagellates. Only the strain from Th. brachipyga was isolated and characterized as Leishmania (Viannia) lainsoni Silveira, Shaw, Braga and Ishikawa, 1987. Monthly fluctuations of the three most abundant species, Ny. antunesi, Trichophoromyia ubiquitalis (Mangabeira, 1942) and Th. brachypiga, had statistically significant negative correlations with rainfall. The present study provided further information to better understand ACL ecology in the Belém urban area, where the urban parks surveyed appeared to offer potential risk of contracting the disease, thus requiring environmental management. These observations highlighted the need for including Ny. antunesi, Bi. flaviscutellata, Th. ubiquitalis, and Th. brachypiga in the priority list for continuous entomological surveillance.
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Leishmania/isolamento & purificação , Leishmaniose Cutânea/transmissão , Psychodidae/fisiologia , Animais , Brasil , Cidades , Insetos Vetores/parasitologia , Insetos Vetores/fisiologia , Parques Recreativos , Psychodidae/parasitologia , Especificidade da EspécieRESUMO
The Nuneztovari Complex of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) comprises four species: An. nuneztovari Gabaldon, An. goeldii Rozeboom Gabaldon, An. dunhami Causey and An. nuneztovari species A. This study aimed to identify morphologically the species of the Nuneztovari Complex that occur in the area of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam. The morphological identification of adult males and male genitalia (aedeagus and ventral claspette) was performed. A statistical analysis of the difference in aedeagal leaflet length was done using the Mann-Whitney test. Of the 38 male genitalia of specimens of the Nuneztovari Complex examined, 33 were identified as An. goeldii/An. nuneztovari A and five as An. nuneztovari s.s. A statistically significant difference in aedeagal leaflet length was detected between the species: the mean length was 1.23 µm for An. goeldii/An. nuneztovari A and 9.18 µm for An. nuneztovari s.s. This is the first record of An. nuneztovari s.s.in areas of environmental modification in the Brazilian Amazon. This study provides a measurement tool that can identify and differentiate species of the complex in the region, which can be applied to the other species of the complex as well to other anopheline species; thus, fostering the acquisition of information about the role of each species in malaria transmission.
Assuntos
Anopheles , Malária , Animais , Brasil , Genitália Masculina , MasculinoRESUMO
In the border region between Brazil and French Guiana, American cutaneous leishmaniasis is a worrisome public health issue, and entomological studies are required there to better identify classical and putative emerging transmission patterns. The present study aimed to detect and characterize Leishmania DNA in the phlebotomine population of Oiapoque (Amapá State, Brazil). Phlebotomines were captured in anthropized and wild environments in the outskirts of Oiapoque municipality, using CDC light traps installed in vertical (ground/canopy level) and horizontal (peridomicile/extradomicile/forest-edge/forest) strata. Captured specimens were identified according to their morphology. Females were processed for Leishmania DNA detection and characterization using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction targeting kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and the phlebotomine cacophony gene. The kDNA positive samples were characterized by cloning and sequencing the Leishmania 234 bp-hsp70 gene. Among the 3957 phlebotomine specimens captured, 26 pooled female samples were positive for Leishmania (Viannia) spp. DNA. Sequencing analysis allowed species-specific identification of L. (V.) braziliensis DNA in Trichophoromyia ininii, Bichromomyia flaviscutellata, Nyssomyia umbratilis, and Evandromyia infraspinosa, and L. (V.) guyanensis DNA in Ny. umbratilis. A pooled sample of Ny. umbratilis was positive for both L. (V.) braziliensis and L. (V.) guyanensis DNA. The present study provided additional information regarding ACL ecology in Oiapoque, highlighting the presence of L. (V.) braziliensis DNA in different phlebotomine species. The epidemiological implications of these findings and the determinant incrimination of L. (V.) braziliensis as proven vectors in that region must be clarified. In this regard, studies on Leishmania spp. infection and suggestive anthropophilic behavior of associated phlebotomines need to be prioritized in entomological surveillance.
Assuntos
DNA de Cinetoplasto/análise , Leishmania/genética , Psychodidae/parasitologia , Animais , Brasil , Ecologia , Feminino , Florestas , Guiana Francesa , Geografia , Insetos Vetores , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Análise de Sequência de DNARESUMO
Plasmodium vivax sporozoites are differenced by circumsporozoite protein. Studies on the circulation of P. vivax VK210 and P. vivax VK247 in anopheline mosquitoes are important to verify the adaptability of these parasites on mosquitoes in different locations and periods. This study aimed to describe and compare the distribution of these genotypes in anopheline mosquitoes from four states of the Brazilian Amazon. Epidemiological databases about CSP infections on mosquitoes from Pará (2000-2015), Amapá (2000-2010), Roraima (2000-2003 and 2009-2011) and Acre States (2012-2015) were used for analysis. A total of 895 specimens were found infected mainly by P. vivax VK210. We showed that the distribution of P. vivax VK247 changed over time in the main malaria vectors on the Brazilian Amazon. We note that A. darlingi was abundant in certain localities while A. albitarsis s.l. in anothers, which highlights the importance of entomological studies for the control of human malaria.