Genetic diversity and Kdr mutations of natural Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) populations of Brazil

ABSTRACT Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti is an important vector of dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya and Zika virus. It is well known that resistance monitoring and genetic diversity data help designing the vector control programs. This study aimed to evaluate resistance to pyrethroids (PYs) through the frequency of kdr mutations Val1016IIe and F1534C, and the genetic variation of the mitochondrial gene ND4 in six natural populations of A. aegypti from Paraná - Brazil. Adults were obtained from eggs collected from Alvorada do Sul, Marilena, Maringá, Nova Londrina, Paranavaí and São Carlos do Ivaí. From these adults, 345 were used to identify the 1016 and 1534 sites, and 120 were used to perform the ND4 gene analysis. The studied populations from Paraná showed PYs resistance, low gene flow and genetic diversity. Additionally, a relationship was observed among the haplotypes of populations from the Amazon and Southeastern Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and North America.

Susceptibility of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans irritans (Diptera: Muscidae), to insecticides in Brazil / Suscetibilidade da mosca-dos-chifres, Haematobia irritans irritans (Diptera: Muscidae), a inseticidas no Brasil

Since horn fly populations became established throughout Brazil, complaints regarding control failure have increased around the country. A broad survey to evaluate the susceptibility of horn flies to both organophosphate (OP) and pyrethroid insecticides was conducted from October 2000 to April 2003. Bioassays using filter papers impregnated with cypermethrin, permethrin or diazinon were conducted on 154 horn fly populations in 14 states and 78 municipalities. Resistance to cypermethrin, the active ingredient present in most insecticide products for horn fly control in Brazil, was detected in 98.46% of the populations, with resistance ratios (RR) ranging from 2.5 to 719.9. Resistance to permethrin (RRs < 6.3) was found in 96.67% of the populations, despite its lack of use. In general, pyrethroid resistance was detected in 97.18% of the horn fly populations, with frequencies greater than 87% in all regions of the country. The status of susceptibility of horn fly populations in Brazil to insecticides can be characterized by high susceptibility to OPs and widespread resistance to pyrethroids, potentially compromising the efficacy of pyrethroid products in most cases. Although some partial results have previously been presented, a general picture of horn fly susceptibility in Brazil is presented here for the first time.

Desde a dispersão da mosca-dos-chifres, no Brasil, queixas sobre seu controle aumentaram em todo o país. Um amplo levantamento objetivando avaliar a suscetibilidade da mosca a inseticidas organofosforados (OF) e piretróides foi realizado de outubro de 2000 a abril de 2003. Bioensaios com papéis de filtro impregnados com cipermetrina, permetrina ou diazinon foram conduzidos em 154 populações da mosca-dos-chifres de 14 Estados e 78 municípios. Resistência à cipermetrina, ingrediente ativo presente na maioria dos produtos para controle da mosca-dos-chifres no Brasil, foi detectada em 98,46% das populações, com fatores de resistência (FR) variando de 2,5 a 719,9. Resistência à permetrina (FR < 6,3) foi encontrada em 96,67% das populações testadas, apesar da falta de uso de produtos contendo este princípio ativo. Em geral, resistência a piretróides foi detectada em 97,18% das populações, com frequências acima de 87% em todas as regiões do país. A situação da suscetibilidade da mosca-dos-chifres a inseticidas, no Brasil, pode ser caracterizada por uma elevada suscetibilidade aos organofosforados e ocorrência generalizada de resistência aos piretróides, potencialmente comprometendo a eficácia desses produtos na maioria dos casos. Embora resultados parciais tenham sido apresentados anteriormente, um quadro geral da suscetibilidade da mosca-dos-chifres no Brasil é apresentado pela primeira vez.

Susceptibility of Triatoma infestans to deltamethrin in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Strategies for controlling Chagas disease are based on spraying infested houses with pyrethroid insecticides. However, the intense use of these insecticides has promoted resistance of Triatoma infestans and, in Argentina, Bolivia and Southern Brazil, low levels of resistance have been reported. Due to the persistence of T. infestans in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), we evaluated the occurrence of deltamethrin resistance in four strains from different municipalities in comparison to two susceptible strains from Brazil and one resistant strain from Bolivia. The results indicated the absence of resistance in T. infestans from RS.

Insecticide susceptibility of horn flies, Haematobia irritans (Diptera: Muscidae), in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil / Suscetibilidade da mosca-dos-chifres, Haematobia irritans (Diptera: Muscidae), a inseticidas no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil

Horn fly susceptibility to insecticides was evaluated in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from October 2000 to September 2002. Insecticide bioassays (n=57) were conducted in 38 ranches from 14 municipalities throughout the state. Horn flies from wild populations were collected on cattle and exposed to filter papers impregnated with cypermethrin, permethrin, or diazinon and mortality was assessed after two hours. Resistance to cypermethrin was detected in all populations, with resistance ratios (RR) ranging from 27.6 to 91.3-fold. Permethrin bioassays provided apparently low levels of resistance (RR<5), however, resistant flies were found in 96.9 percent of the populations based on diagnostic concentrations. From both pyrethroid bioassays, resistance was detected in 97.4 percent of the populations. On the other hand, a high susceptibility to diazinon (RR < 1.1) was detected in all populations. Pyrethroid products, most cypermethrin (92.3 percent) and deltamethrin (66.7 percent), were used in all ranches controlling horn flies (97.5 percent). Insecticide treatments, usually incorrectly applied, were routinely delivered by manual backpack sprayers in most ranches (84.5 percent). This profile of insecticide use helps to explain the widespread resistance of horn flies to pyrethroids in the state as well as their high susceptibility to the organophosphate. Inadequate control practices contribute to aggravate the resistance problem and its consequences.

A suscetibilidade da mosca-dos-chifres a inseticidas foi avaliada no estado de Mato Grosso do Sul de outubro/2000 a setembro/2002 com a realização dos ensaios biológicos (n=57) em 38 propriedades, de 14 municípios. Moscas coletadas em bovinos foram expostas a papéis de filtro impregnados com cipermetrina, permetrina, ou diazinon, registrando-se a mortalidade após duas horas. Resistência à cipermetrina foi detectada em todas as populações, com fatores de resistência (FR) entre 27,6 e 91,3. Ensaios biológicos com permetrina resultaram em níveis de resistência aparentemente baixos (FR<5), entretanto, o uso de concentrações diagnósticas evidenciaram a ocorrência de moscas resistentes em 96,9 por cento das populações. Considerando ambos os bioensaios com piretróides, 97,4 por cento das populações apresentaram resistência. De outro modo, todas as populações demonstraram elevada suscetibilidade ao diazinon (FR < 1.1). Todas as propriedades onde o controle da mosca-dos-chifres era realizado (97,5 por cento) utilizavam produtos piretróides, principalmente à base de cipermetrina (92,3 por cento) e deltametrina (66,7 por cento). Tratamentos inseticidas utilizando bombas costais manuais eram realizados em 84,5 por cento das propriedades, geralmente de forma inadequada. O perfil de uso de inseticidas nas propriedades contribui para explicar a ampla ocorrência de resistência da mosca-dos-chifres aos piretróides, assim como a elevada suscetibilidade aos organofosforados, no Estado. Práticas inadequadas de controle contribuem para agravar o problema da resistência e suas conseqüências.

Microplate assay of elevated esterase activity in individual pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes.

Involvement of esterase-mediated hydrolysis as a mechanism of pyrethroidresistance in three species of mosquitoes, viz., Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles Stephensi was investigated by microplate assay of β-esterases in individual larva and adult female and male mosquitoes. Assuming an absorbance value of 0·4 and above at 555 nm as the threshold level of elevated esterase activity which confers resistance, frequency distributions of such individual test mosquitoes were constructed in resistant and susceptible populations. The results indicate the involvement of ester hydrolysis of Pyrethroids as a predominant mechanism of pyrethroid-resistance in the larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus but not in Aedes aegypti. However, a marginal role of esterases is indicated in the larvae of Anopheles stephensi.