Mass trapping with MosquiTRAPs does not reduce Aedes aegypti abundance

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Aedes aegypti mass trapping using the sticky trap MosquiTRAP (MQT) by performing a cluster randomised controlled trial in Manaus, state of Amazonas, Brazil. After an initial questionnaire and baseline monitoring of adult Ae. aegypti abundance with BG-Sentinel (BGS) traps in six clusters, three clusters were randomly assigned to the intervention arm where each participating household received three MQTs for mass trapping during 17 months. The remaining three clusters (control arm) did not receive traps. The effect of mass trapping on adult Ae. aegypti abundance was monitored fortnightly with BGS traps. During the last two months of the study, a serological survey was conducted. After the study, a second questionnaire was applied in the intervention arm. Entomological monitoring indicated that MQT mass trapping did not reduce adult Ae. aegypti abundance. The serological survey indicated that recent dengue infections were equally frequent in the intervention and the control arm. Most participants responded positively to questions concerning user satisfaction. According to the results, there is no evidence that mass trapping with MQTs can be used as a part of dengue control programs. The use of this sticky trap is only recommendable for dengue vector monitoring.

Temporal abundance of Aedes aegypti in Manaus, Brazil, measured by two trap types for adult mosquitoes

A longitudinal study was conducted in Manaus, Brazil, to monitor changes of adult Aedes aegypti (L.) abundance. The objectives were to compare mosquito collections of two trap types, to characterise temporal changes of the mosquito population, to investigate the influence of meteorological variables on mosquito collections and to analyse the association between mosquito collections and dengue incidence. Mosquito monitoring was performed fortnightly using MosquiTRAPs (MQT) and BG-Sentinel (BGS) traps between December 2008-June 2010. The two traps revealed opposing temporal infestation patterns, with highest mosquito collections of MQTs during the dry season and highest collections of BGS during the rainy seasons. Several meteorological variables were significant predictors of mosquito collections in the BGS. The best predictor was the relative humidity, lagged two weeks (in a positive relationship). For MQT, only the number of rainy days in the previous week was significant (in a negative relationship). The correlation between monthly dengue incidence and mosquito abundance in BGS and MQT was moderately positive and negative, respectively. Catches of BGS traps reflected better the dynamic of dengue incidence. The findings help to understand the effects of meteorological variables on mosquito infestation indices of two different traps for adult dengue vectors in Manaus.

Identification of dengue viruses in naturally infected Aedes aegypti females captured with BioGents (BG)-Sentinel traps in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

Introduction In Manaus, the first autochthonous cases of dengue fever were registered in 1998. Since then, dengue cases were diagnosed by the isolation of viruses 1, 2, 3, and 4. Methods One hundred eighty-seven mosquitoes were collected with BioGents (BG)-Sentinel traps in 15 urban residential areas in the Northern Zone of Manaus and processed by molecular tests. Results Infections with dengue viruses 1, 2, 3, and 4 and a case of co-infection with dengue viruses 2 and 3 were identified. Conclusions These findings corroborate the detection of dengue in clinical samples and reinforce the need for epidemiological surveillance by the Health authorities. .

Prova organoléptica com carnes bubalinas e bovinas de animais criados nas pastagens de várzeas da amazônia central

Owing to the dominance of the beef market, traditional consumer habits and the often inferior quality of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) meat offered, the meat of this species is still rejected in many countries, like it is the case of Brazil, or at least considered as low-grade meat. In order to find out whether or not there is a distinct rejection of water buffalo meat on account of criteria such as taste, flavour, tenderness, texture, juiciness, colour of fat, colour of meat and general acceptability, an organoleptic test was organized in the city of Manaus-AM, Brazil. Traditionally barbecued (churrasco) Brazilian-style cuts of water buffalo meat and beef were compared. The result showed that both types of meat have a comparable quality and that the still existing prejudices in respect of water buffalo meat are unfounded.

Devido ao domínio do mercado e do consumo pela came bovina, aos hábitos de consumo tradicionais e à qualidade inferior da oferta de carne bubalina (Bubalus bubalis), esta ainda é rejeitada ou pelo menos é considerada de qualidade inferior em muitos países, assim como também no Brasil. Para verificar se há uma clara rejeição a carne bubalina devido a de critérios tais como sabor, aroma, maciez, textura, suculência, cor da gordura, cor da carne e aceitação geral, foi realizada uma prova organoléptica na cidade de Manaus-AM, Brasil. Em um churrasco tradicional foram comparados cortes habituais de carne bubalina e bovina. Os resultados mostraram que ambos os tipos de carne tinham uma qualidade semelhante e que são infundados os preconceitos existentes a respeito da carne bubalina.