Financiamento de pesquisas sobre dengue no Brasil, 2004-2020 / Funding for research on dengue in Brazil, 2004-2020

RESUMO A dengue representa um importante problema de saúde pública no Brasil devido às constantes epidemias causadas pela doença no País. Este estudo objetivou analisar o financiamento de pesquisas sobre dengue pelo Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia do Ministério da Saúde e parceiros no período de 2004 a 2020. Analisou-se a tendência do financiamento por regressão linear generalizada do tipo Prais-Winster e sua distribuição entre as regiões e Unidades Federadas brasileiras, modalidades de contratação das pesquisas, instituições beneficiadas e temas estudados. Entre 2004 e 2020, financiaram-se 232 pesquisas (R$ 164,03 milhões), realizadas, em sua maioria, em instituições da região Sudeste (77,55%), abordando especialmente a temática controle vetorial (37,93%). A tendência de financiamento foi estacionária nos anos estudados. As chamadas estaduais foram a principal forma de modalidade de contratação das pesquisas (65,95%). Houve diferença estatisticamente significante na distribuição do valor financiado entre as modalidades de contratação, bem como no número de pesquisas financiadas e valor financiado entre as regiões brasileiras. Esses achados demonstram a importância de monitorar o financiamento de pesquisas sobre dengue no Brasil e de implementar estratégias de avaliação das pesquisas financiadas, para subsidiar e aprimorar a política de enfrentamento da doença e de seu vetor.

ABSTRACT Dengue represents an important public health problem in Brazil, due to the constant epidemics caused by the disease in the country. This study aimed to analyze the funding of research on dengue by the Department of Science and Technology of the Ministry of Health of Brazil and partners between 2004 to 2020. Was analyzed the trend of the funding by generalized linear regression using Prais-Winster and its distribution between Brazilian regions and Federated Units, research contracting modalities, benefited institutions, and studied themes. Between 2004 and 2020, 232 research studies were funded (R$ 164.03 million), carried out mostly in institutions in the Southeast Region (77.55%), addressing especially the vector control theme (37.93%). The funding trend was stationary in the years studied. The state calls were the main form of contracting modality for the research (65.95%). There was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of the loan amount between the contracting modalities, and in the number of researches funded and loan amount among Brazilian regions. These findings demonstrate the importance of monitoring the research funding on dengue in Brazil and of implementing strategies to evaluate the research funded, to support and improve the policy to combat the disease and its vector.

Phenotypic and genetic variation of Triatoma costalimai (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Abstract INTRODUCTION: We aimed to study intraspecific variation in Triatoma costalimai, a potential vector of Chagas disease present in Brazil and Bolivia. METHODS: We analyzed phenotypic (connexivum color patterns, wing morphometrics) and genetic variation (16S mtDNA) of three Brazilian T. costalimai populations. We compared 16S sequences with those of putative Bolivian T. costalimai and its sister species, T. jatai. RESULTS: Brazilian populations had different connexivum color patterns and forewing shapes. A 16S mtDNA haplotype network showed a clear separation of Brazilian T. costalimai from both T. jatai and Bolivian T. costalimai. CONCLUSIONS: We report considerable variability in T. costalimai populations.

Susceptibility of Aedes aegypti populations to pyriproxyfen in the Federal District of Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: In Brasilia, pyriproxyfen (PPF; 0.01 mg/L) has been used for the larval control of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes since 2016. Information on the susceptibility of Ae. aegypti to PPF, and the development of resistance in populations from the Federal District of Brazil (FD) is limited. It is essential to monitor the susceptibility of Ae. aegypti to insecticides in order to improve vector control strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of Ae. aegypti populations from five areas of Brasilia to PPF. METHODS: We performed dose-response tests to estimate the emergence inhibition and resistance ratio of each field population, including the Rockefeller reference population. We also analyzed egg positivity, and the density and mortality of larvae and pupae. RESULTS: Populations from Vila Planalto (RR50=1.7), Regiment Guards Cavalry (RR50=2.5), and Sub-secretary of Justice Complex (RR50=3.7) presented high susceptibility to PPF, while the RR values of populations from Lago Norte (RR50=7.7) and Varjão (RR50=5.9) were moderately high, suggesting the emergence of insipient resistance to PPF in Brasilia. At 30 ng/mL, the highest larvae mortality rate was 2.7% for the population from Lago Norte, while that of pupae was 92.1% for Varjão and Vila Planalto. CONCLUSIONS: The five populations of Ae. aegypti from the FD are susceptible to PPF and there is a need to monitor the susceptibility of Ae. aegypti in new areas of the FD.

Synanthropic triatomines as potential vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in Central Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease surveillance requires current knowledge on synanthropic triatomines. We analyzed the occurrence and Trypanosoma cruzi infection rates of triatomine bugs in central Brazil, during 2012-2014. METHODS: Triatomines were collected inside or around houses, and T. cruzi infection was determined by optical microscopy and conventional/quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Of the 2706 triatomines collected, Triatoma sordida was the most frequent species in Goiás State, whereas Panstrongylus megistus predominated in the Federal District. Parasites identified were T. cruzi, T. rangeli, and Blastocrithidia sp. CONCLUSIONS: P. megistus and T. sordida sustained the risk of T. cruzi transmission to humans in central Brazil.

The role of gallery forests in maintaining Phlebotominae populations: potential Leishmania spp. vectors in the Brazilian savanna

BACKGROUND Knowledge on synanthropic phlebotomines and their natural infection by Leishmania is necessary for the identification of potential areas for leishmaniasis occurrence. OBJECTIVE To analyse the occurrence of Phlebotominae in gallery forests and household units (HUs) in the city of Palmas and to determine the rate of natural infection by trypanosomatids. METHODS Gallery forests and adjacent household areas were sampled on July (dry season) and November (rainy season) in 2014. The total sampling effort was 960 HP light traps and eight Shannon traps. Trypanosomatids were detected in Phlebotominae females through the amplification of the SSU rDNA region, and the positive samples were used in ITS1-PCR. Trypanosomatid species were identified using sequencing. FINDINGS A total of 1,527 sand flies representing 30 species were captured in which 949 (28 spp.) and 578 (22 spp.) were registered in July and November, respectively. In July, more specimens were captured in the gallery forests than in the HUs, and Nyssomyia whitmani was particularly frequent. In November, most of the specimens were found in the HUs, and again, Ny. whitmani was the predominant species. Lutzomyia longipalpis was commonly found in domestic areas, while Bichromomyia flaviscutellata was most frequent in gallery forests. Molecular analysis of 154 pools of females (752 specimens) identified Leishmania amazonensis, L. infantum, and Crithidia fasciculata in Ny. whitmani, as well as L. amazonensis in Lu. longipalpis, Trypanosoma sp. and L. amazonensis in Pintomyia christenseni, and L. amazonensis in both Psathyromyia hermanlenti and Evandromyia walkeri. MAIN CONCLUSIONS These results show the importance of gallery forests in maintaining Phlebotominae populations in the dry month, as well as their frequent occurrence in household units in the rainy month. This is the first study to identify Leishmania, Trypanosoma, and Crithidia species in Phlebotominae collected in Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil.

Bloodsucking insects in rural áreas adjacent to the Corumbá IV hydroelectric dam reservoir, Santo Antônio do Descoberto, Goiás, Brazil

Eutrophic reservoirs of hydroelectric dams may favor the proliferation of macrophytes andbloodsucking insects. Currently, macrophyte overgrowth has been observed in some stretches ofthe Corumbá IV hydroelectric dam (CIV) reservoir. The occurrence of bloodsucking insects wasanalyzed in rural areas adjacent to the CIV reservoir. In two periods (March and July/August) tenhouses in the area with increased macrophyte proliferation (AG) and ten others in the area with lowmacrophyte proliferation (AP) were selected and sampled. Additionally, 100 macrophytes fromeach area were analyzed. A total of 35,788 insects were captured in light traps and 28 percent of thembelonged to families of bloodsucking insects, especially Culicidae. The occurrence of culicids wasdifferent between the AG and AP areas (p<0.05). Mosquitoes were more frequent and abundant inthe AG area. The larval survey showed that 100 percent of the houses visited had potential for mosquitobreeding. Overall, 302 mosquito larvae were collected among macrophytes, mainly in the AG area.It is concluded that there is a higher frequency of mosquitoes in areas with increased macrophyteproliferation, but the CIV reservoir is not the only breeding source of mosquitoes in the studied areas.

Reservatórios de usinas hidrelétricas, quando eutrofizados, podem favorecer a proliferação demacrófitas e insetos hematófagos. Nos últimos anos, tem sido observado um crescimento excessivode macrófitas em alguns trechos do reservatório da hidrelétrica Corumbá IV (CIV). O estudoobjetivou analisar a ocorrência de insetos hematófagos em áreas rurais adjacentes ao reservatório daCIV. Foram selecionadas dez casas em área com grande proliferação de macrófitas (AG) e outras dezem área com baixa proliferação de macrófitas (AP), que foram amostradas em dois períodos (marçoe julho/agosto). Adicionalmente, analisaram-se 100 macrófitas em cada área. Foram capturados35.788 insetos nas armadilhas luminosas e 28 por cento deles pertenciam a famílias de insetos hematófagos,especialmente Culicidae. A ocorrência de culicídeos foi diferente entre as áreas AG e AP (p<0,05),uma vez que estes foram mais frequentes e abundantes na área AG. A pesquisa larvária mostrou que100 por cento das casas visitadas apresentaram potenciais criadouros de mosquitos. No total, 302 larvas demosquitos foram coletadas nas macrófitas, sobretudo na área AG. Pode-se concluir que há maiorfrequência de culicídeos nas áreas com maior proliferação de macrófitas, porém o reservatório CIVnão é o único criadouro de mosquitos nas áreas estudadas.

Infecção natural de Haemagogus janthinomys e Haemagogus leucocelaenus pelo vírus da febre amarela no Distrito Federal, Brasil, 2007-2008 / Haemagogus janthinomys and Haemagogus leucocelaenus naturally infected with yellow fever virus in Federal District, Brazil, 2007-2008

Objetivo: investigar a infectividade natural de Haemagogus janthinomys e Haemagogus leucocelaenus pelo vírus da febre amarela em áreas com notificação de casos humanos e epizootia em primatas não humanos no Distrito Federal (DF), Brasil. Métodos:realizaram-se capturas de Culicidae utilizando capturador de Castro e puçá, no período de dezembro de 2007 a fevereiro de 2008; a identificação taxonômica e o isolamento viral foram realizados no Instituto Evandro Chagas/ Ministério da Saúde; a inoculação em camundongo e o teste de imunofluorescência indireta foram realizados para identificar o agente viral. Resultados: amostras deHg. janthinomys e Hg. leucocelaenus procedentes da Região Administrativa de São Sebastião/DF apresentaram positividade para o vírus amarílico. Conclusão: a confirmação de infectividade natural por Hg. janthinomys e Hg. leucocelaenus sugere que as áreas pesquisadas são receptivas e vulneráveis ao vírus da febre amarela, tornando imprescindível aprimorar as estratégias de sua vigilância epidemiológica no Distrito Federal.

Objective: to investigate the natural infectivity of Haemagogus janthinomys and Haemagogus leucocelaenus for yellow fever virus in areas with reported human cases and epizootics in non-human primates, in the Federal District (DF), Brazil. Methods: Culicidae specimens were captured using hand net and oral aspirator, in the period since December 2007 to February 2008; taxonomic identification and virus research were performed at the Evandro Chagas Institute/ Ministry of Health; mouse inoculation and indirect immunofluorescence tests were performed to isolate the viral agent. Results: pools of Hg. janthinomys and Hg. leucocelaenus proceeding from the Administrative Region of São Sebastião/ DF were positive for yellow fever virus. Conclusion: confirmation of natural infectivity by Hg. janthinomys and Hg. leucocelaenus suggests that the area surveyed is receptive and vulnerable to yellow fever virus; therefore, it is essential to improve the strategies for epidemiological surveillance of yellow fever in the Federal District.

Monitoramento da suscetibilidade de populações de Triatoma sordida Stål, 1859 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) ao inseticida deltametrina, na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil / Monitoring the susceptibility of Triatoma sordida Stål, 1859 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to deltamethrin insecticide, in Central-Western Brazil

INTRODUÇÃO: Populações de Triatoma sordida Stål, 1859 foram investigadas quanto à suscetibilidade à deltametrina. MÉTODOS: Análise por meio de bioensaios por aplicação tópica em 11 populações de T. sordida procedentes dos Estados de Goiás, Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul. RESULTADOS: As estimativas de DL50 e RR50 demonstraram elevados níveis de suscetibilidade (DL50 < 1 e RR50 < 2). Entretanto, as análises do coeficiente angular da curva dose resposta revelaram que as populações de triatomíneos dos municípios de Firminópolis/GO, Posse/GO, Poxoréu/MT, Douradina/MS e Aparecida do Taboado/MS apresentam maiores probabilidades de evolução de resistência, portanto, mais propícias a tolerar o tratamento com deltametrina. CONCLUSÕES: Detectaram-se pequenas alterações de suscetibilidade e baixos níveis de resistência, porém as alterações temporais de suscetibilidade deverão ser continuamente monitoradas, a fim de nortear adequadamente as ações de controle dos vetores da DC.

INTRODUCTION: Triatoma sordida Stål, 1859 populations were investigated for susceptibility to deltamethrin. METHODS: This study aimed to analyze the resistance of 11 populations of insects from the States of Goiás, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul by topical application bioassays. RESULTS: The estimated LD50 and RR50 showed high levels of susceptibility (LD50 < 1 and RR50 < 2). However, analysis of the slope of the dose response curve showed that the populations of insects in the towns of Firminópolis/GO, Posse/GO, Poxoréu/MT, Douradina/MS and Aparecida do Taboado/MS present great probability of evolving resistance and, thus, are more likely to tolerate treatment with deltamethrin. CONCLUSIONS: Small changes in susceptibility and low levels of resistance were detected, but the temporal changes of susceptibility should be continuously monitored to adequately guide the actions of vector-control of DC.

Caracterização de resistência a inseticidas em populações da subfamilia Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), vetores de Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, 1909 / Characterization of insecticide resistance in populations of Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, 1909

A doença de Chagas (DC) ainda é considerada um importante problema de Saúde Pública em vários países da America Latina. Nessas áreas, pelo menos 12 a 14 milhões de pessoas estão infectadas por Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, 1909 e cerca de 28 milhões encontram-se expostas ao risco de contaminação. Sem vacina e tratamento, o controle da transmissão da DC depende do combate aos insetos vetores com inseticidas residuais. Atualmente, há registros de focos de populações de Triatoma infestans Klug, 1834 resistentes a deltametrina, - cipermetrina e -ciflutrina, no norte da Argentina e sul da Bolívia. No Brasil, populações de T. sordida Stål, 1859 já foram detectadas com resistência inicial a deltametrina, nos municípios de Bocaiúva e Coração de Jesus, Estado de Minas Gerais. Objetivos Analisar os níveis de resistência de Panstrongylus megistus Burmeister, 1835; T. brasiliensis Neiva, 1911 e T. sordida ao inseticida deltametrina. Descrever a interação desse composto na cutícula dorsal de ninfas de 1º estádio. Padronizar bioensaios de campo para estudo de resistência em populações de triatomíneos. Métodos Nesta tese foram feitos bioensaios dose resposta com colônias de referência, comparando-as com populações de campo procedentes de onze estados endêmicos do Brasil. Complementarmente, a Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) foi utilizada para estudar a cutícula das ninfas de 1º estádio tratadas com diferentes concentrações de deltametrina. Os bioensaios de campo foram realizados utilizando substratos de barro, tijolo e madeira. Os resultados obtidos dos bioensaios dose resposta foram estimados pela análise de Probitos. As diferenças entre as populações foram estabelecidas por Análise de Variância (ANOVA) e teste de Tukey. Resultados O nível de resistência a deltametrina de 38 populações de triatomíneos foi avaliado no biênio 2008-2009. Detectou-se pela primeira vez baixo nível de resistência para a população de P. megistus...

Introduction Chagas disease (CD) is still considered an important public health problem in several Latin American countries. In these areas, at least 12 to 14 million people are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, 1909 and approximately 28 million are at risk of contamination. Without vaccines and efficient treatment, control of CD relies mostly on vector-control with residual spraying of insecticides. Currently, there are records of outbreaks of resistant populations of Triatoma infestans Klug, 1834 to deltamethrin, -cypermethrin and -cyfluthrin in northern Argentina and southern Bolivia. In Brazil, populations of Triatoma sordida Stål, 1859 has been detected with initial resistance to deltamethrin in the municipalities of Bocaiúva and Coração de Jesus in the State of Minas Gerais. Objectives - Analyze the levels of resistance of Panstrongylus megistus Burmeister, 1835; Triatoma brasiliensis Neiva, 1911 and T. sordida to deltamethrin. Describing the interaction of this compound in the dorsal cuticle of nymphs of the 1st stage. Standardize field bioassays for study of resistance in triatomine populations. Methods - In this thesis, dose-response bioassays were made with reference colony, comparing them with field populations originating from eleven endemic states of Brazil. In addition, the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to study the cuticle of first instar nymphs treated with different concentrations of deltamethrin. Field bioassays were conducted using substrates of mud, brick and wood. The results of dose response bioassays were estimated by Probit analysis. Differences between populations were established by ANOVA and Tukey test. Results The level resitance to deltamethrin of 38 triatomines populations were evaluated in the biennium 2008-2009. It was detected for the first time, low-level resistance to the population of P. megistus, 10 municipality of Serranópolis Iguaçu/PR. However, due to the wide geographical distribution...

Ocorrência de Psammolestes coreodes Bergroth, 1911 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul / Occurrence of Psammolestes coreodes Bergroth, 1911 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae), in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul

Neste trabalho, relata-se a ocorrência de Psammolestes coreodes Bergroth, 1911 pela primeira vez no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. Em 2006, um espécime foi capturado em um ambiente peridomiciliar do município de Miranda, incluindo o Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, na distribuição geográfica dessa espécie.

This paper describes the occurrence of Psammolestes coreodes Bergroth, 1911, for the first time in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. In 2006, a specimen was caught in a peridomestic environment in the municipality of Miranda, thereby including Mato Grosso do Sul within the geographical distribution of this species.

Levantamento da fauna de Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) em ambiente domiciliar e infecção natural por Trypanosomatidae no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul / Survey of Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) fauna in domestic environments and natural infection by Trypanosomatidae in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul

Entre 2000 a 2004, foi realizado levantamento da fauna de Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) e exame de infecção natural por Trypanosomatidae, no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. Um total de 13.671 espécimes foram capturados. Na análise faunística das espécies capturadas, Triatoma sordida foi caracterizada como muito abundante, muito freqüente, constante e dominante. Os índices de infecção natural para Trypanosoma cruzi apresentaram os valores de 3,2 por cento para Panstrongylus geniculatus, 0,6 por cento para Rhodnius neglectus e 0,1 por cento para Triatoma sordida, apesar do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul apresentar-se livre da transmissão vetorial endêmica.

Between 2000 and 2004, a survey of Triatominae fauna (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and examination of natural infection caused by Trypanosomatidae in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, was conducted. A total of 13,671 specimens were collected. Through fauna analysis on the insects that were caught, Triatoma sordida was characterized as very abundant, very frequent, constant and dominant. The rates of natural infection with Trypanosoma cruzi were 3.2 percent for Panstrongylus geniculatus, 0.6 percent for Rhodnius neglectus and 0.1 percent for Triatoma sordida. Nevertheless, the State of Mato Grosso do Sul is free from endemic vector transmission.

A study of the scutellum in eight Chagas disease vector species from genus Triatoma (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) using optical and scanning electron microscopy

The aim of this study was to analyze the external morphology of the scutellum through optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in male specimens of Triatoma costalimai, T. delpontei, T. eratyrusiformis, T. matogrossensis, T. infestans melanosoma, T. sherlocki, T. tibiamaculata, and T. vandae. A total of 30 photographs of the scutellum were made. Magnification varied from 50X to 750X. Regarding depth and forms of the central depression, the heart-shaped form was predominant, with some exceptions, so that this shape appears to be a common characteristic for species of genus Triatoma Laporte, 1832. In T. eratyrusiformis, a kind of sensillum with important taxonomic value was observed. The different sizes and shapes of the designs found on the posterior process of the scutellum were also of important taxonomic interest. The study of the scutellum based on SEM showed valuable characteristics, allowing the use of this structure to aid the diagnosis of triatomine species. Thus, more specimens in subsequent studies and analyses of morphometric parameters should contribute to agreement on phylogenetic aspects in this genus. A Key to eight species of Triatoma based on male scutellar morphology is presented.

Estudo de ovos de quatro espécies do gênero Meccus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae), vetores da doença de Chagas / Morphologic, morphometrical, and histological aspects of the eggs of four species of the genera Meccus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)

The objective of this work was to analyze the morphological, morphometrical, and histological characteristics of eggs of four triatomine bugs species still not studied, in order to understand phylogenetic aspects and to facilitate parameters used in taxonomy, with the purpose of a specific and generic characterization of these vectors in public health. The eggs of each species had come from the collections of the Laboratory of Triatomine bugs and Culicid mosquitoes of the Faculdade de Saúde Pública - USP (Faculty of Public Health/USP). The morphologic studies were carried out through optic microscopy (OM) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The eggs were measured with the help of the digital paquimeter Starrett® 727. In relation to histological measures, Microtome Leica RM 2145® was used. Similarities were evidenced in the exocorial architecture of the eggs when they were studied by OM and SEM. This similarity among the eggs suggests a recent speciation, probably derived from common ancestry, representing a monophyletic group. Some structures were also detected by the histological cuts. The study has contributed to the magnification and recognition in generic and specific terms of the Triatominae subfamily. These new data will be able to subsidize a better understanding to determine roles for each vector species and to facilitate parameters to be used in taxonomy.

Estudo de ovos de dez espécies da subfamília Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) / Study of eggs of ten species of the subfamily Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)

Objetivo. Analisar as características morfológicas, morfométricas e histológicas de ovos de dez espécies de triatomíneos ainda näo estudadas, visando melhor compreender aspectos filogenéticos e facilitar parâmetros usados em taxonomia, com a finalidade de uma caracterizaçäo específica e genérica desses vetores de Trypanosoma cruzi. Métodos. A investigaçäo constou de pesquisa bibliográfica, seguida de pesquisa morfológica, morfométrica e histológica de ovos de espécies provenientes do acervo do Laboratório de Triatomíneos e Culicídeos da Faculdade de Saúde Pública - USP, do Insetário do Serviço Especial de Saúde de Araraquara / SESA e do insetário de triatomíneos do Laboratório Nacional e Internacional de Referência em taxonomia de triatomíneos da FIOCRUZ/RJ. Os estudos morfológicos foram realizados por meio de Microscopia Optica e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura; as análises estatísticas foram estabelecidas por Análise de Variância e teste de Tukey. Na histologia utilizou-se micrótomo Leica RM 2145®. Resultados. Das dez espécies estudadas, foi possível visualizar diferenças morfológicas significantes em seis delas. No entanto, em quatro espécies houve grandes semelhanças que näo oferecem condiçöes para distinçäo das mesmas. A análise estatística revelou diferenças significantes (p<0,001, pelo teste F) entre as médias de comprimento e largura. Algumas estruturas também foram detectadas pelos cortes histológicos. Conclusöes. O estudo contribuiu para a ampliaçäo do reconhecimento genérico e específico da subfamília Triatominae. As características identificadas no exocório das cascas dos ovos podem auxiliar na separaçäo de espécies próximas. Esses novos parâmetros poderäo subsidiar a elaboraçäo de futuras chaves dicotômicas, auxiliando na determinaçäo de cada espécie vetora, e ampliando o conceito específico.