HIV/AIDS epidemic in the State of Amazonas: characteristics and trends from 2001 to 2012

A scoping review was conducted to describe the epidemiological characteristics of the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic in the State of Amazonas, Brazil, from 2001 to 2012, and temporary patterns were estimated from surveillance data. The results suggest that in its third decade, the Amazon HIV/AIDS epidemic is far from being stabilized and displays rising AIDS incidence and mortality rates and late diagnoses. The data suggest that AIDS cases are hitting mostly young adults and have recently shifted toward men, both homosexual and heterosexual. AIDS cases among the indigenous people have remained stable and low. However, the epidemic has disseminated to the interior of the state, which adds difficulties to its control, given the geographical isolation, logistical barriers, and culturally and ethnically diverse population. Antiretroviral (ARV) therapy has been decentralized, but peripheral ARV services are still insufficient and too distant from people who need them. Recently, the expansion of point-of-care (POC) rapid HIV testing has been contributing to overcoming logistical barriers. Other new POC devices, such as the PIMA CD4 analyzer, will bring the laboratory to the patient. AIDS uniquely coexists with other tropical infections, sharing their epidemiological profiles. The increased demand for HIV/AIDS care services can only be satisfied through increased decentralization to peripheral health units, which can also naturally integrate care with other tropical infections and can promote a shift from vertical to integrated programming. Future challenges involve building surveillance data on HIV case notification and covering the spectrum of engagement in care, including adherence to treatment and follow-up loss.

Molecular markers for genetic diversity, gene flow and genetic population structure of freshwater mussel species / Marcadores moleculares para estudo da diversidade genética, fluxo génico e estrutura genética de populações de espécies de mexilhões de água doce

Freshwater mussel species are in global decline. Anthropogenic changes of river channels and the decrease of autochthonous fish population, the natural hosts of mussels larval stages (glochidia), are the main causes. Therefore, the conservation of mussel species depends not only on habitat conservation, but also on the availability of the fish host. In Portugal, information concerning most of the mussel species is remarkably scarce. One of the most known species, Unio pictorum is also in decline however, in the basins of the rivers Tua and Sabor (Northeast of Portugal), there is some indication of relatively large populations. The aforementioned rivers can be extremely important for this species conservation not only in Portugal, but also in the remaining Iberian Peninsula. Thus, it is important to obtain data concerning Unio pictorum bioecology (distribution, habitat requirements, population structure, genetic variability, reproductive cycle and recruitment rates), as well as the genetic variability and structure of the population. Concomitantly, information concerning fish population structure, the importance of the different fish species as “glochidia” hosts and their appropriate density to allow effective mussel recruitment, will also be assessed. The achieved data is crucial to obtain information to develop effective management measures in order to promote the conservation of this bivalve species, the conservation of autochthonous fish populations, and consequently the integrity of the river habitats.

As espécies de mexilhões de água doce estão em declínio global. Mudanças antropogénicas do canal dos rios e diminuição das populações de peixes autóctones, os hospedeiros naturais do mexilhão nos estágios larvais (glochidia), são as principais causas. Portanto, a conservação de espécies de mexilhão depende não só da conservação dos habitats, mas também da disponibilidade do hospedeiro peixe. Em Portugal, a informação relativa à maioria das espécies de mexilhão é extremamente escassa. Uma das espécies mais conhecidas, Unio pictorum também está em declínio, no entanto, nas bacias dos rios Tua e Sabor (Nordeste de Portugal), existe indicação de populações relativamente grandes. Os rios acima mencionados podem ser extremamente importantes para a conservação das espécies, não só em Portugal, mas também na restante Península Ibérica. Assim, é importante obter dados relativos à bioecologia do Unio pictorum (distribuição, requisitos de habitat, estrutura populacional, variabilidade genética, ciclo reprodutivo e as taxas de recrutamento), bem como a variabilidade e estrutura genética da população. Concomitantemente, informações sobre a estrutura da população de peixes, a importância das diferentes espécies de peixes como hospedeiros e sua densidade adequada para permitir o recrutamento eficaz do mexilhão, também será avaliada. Os resultados obtidos serão cruciais para obter informações que permitam o desenvolvimento de medidas de gestão eficazes, a fim de promover a conservação destas espécies de bivalves, a conservação das populações de peixes autóctones e, consequentemente, a integridade dos habitats fluviais.

Variación genética y flujo de genes entre poblaciones de Crocodylus acutus (Crocodylia: Crocodylidae) en tres ríos del Pacífico Central, Costa Rica

The crocodylid Crocodylus acutus is found in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica only in small populations, and the species is protected by law. RAPD was used to analyze 70 DNA samples of Crocodylus acutus from the rivers Jesus Maria, Tarcoles and Tusubres in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica in order to estimate genetic diversity, differentiation among populations, gene flow and genetic distance between them. Genetic diversity was low in the three rivers, H = 0.2201 in the Jesus Maria river, 0.2358 in the Tarcoles river and 0.2589 in the Tusubres river. Among the three populations there is a metapopulational dynamic (GST = 0.0367), mainly between the populations of the Jesus Maria and Tarcoles rivers. The value of gene flow (Nm = 13.1361) and the number of individuals reported for each river in 2004 suggests that the population of the Tarcoles river is the source and those from Jesus Maria and Tusubres are the drains. There was a direct relationship between the genetic distance and the geographical distance (z =1.1449, r =0.9731, p< 0.0010). A conservation strategy for these crocodiles must consider the existence of the metapopulation between the three rivers and the importance of studying the genetics of the American Crocodile in the rest of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, as well as over the entire distribution range of this species. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (3): 1471-1480. Epub 2008 September 30.

Se utilizó la técnica de ADN Polimórfico Amplificado al Azar (RAPD) para analizar muestras de ADN de 70 individuos de C. acutus provenientes de los ríos Jesús María, Tárcoles y Tusubres en el Pacífico Central de Costa Rica para estimar la diversidad genética, la diferenciación entre poblaciones, el flujo genético y la distancia genética. La diversidad genética fue baja en los tres ríos H = 0.2201 en el río Jesús María, 0.2358 en el río Tárcoles y 0.2589 en el río Tusubres. La diversidad genética para el total de los individuos también fue baja, H = 0.2452. Entre las tres poblaciones hay una dinámica metapoblacional (G ST = 0.0367) principalmente en las poblaciones de los ríos Jesús María y Tárcoles. El valor de flujo genético (Nm = 13.1361) y el número de individuos registrado para cada río por Porras (2004) sugieren que la población del río Tárcoles está cumpliendo el papel de fuente y las de Jesús María y Tusubres constituyen los sumideros. Hubo relación directa entre la distancia genética y la distancia geográfica (z = 1.1449, r = 0.9731, p< 0.0010). Estos resultados indican la necesidad de diseñar una estrategia para la conservación de estos cocodrilos que considere la existencia de la metapoblación entre los tres ríos y también es importante realizar un estudio genético en el resto de la costa Pacífica del Costa Rica y en todo el ámbito de distribución de esta especie.

Fine scale gene flow and individual movements among subpopulations of Centrolene prosoblepon (Anura: Centrolenidae)

Dispersal capabilities determine and maintain local gene flow, and this has implications for population persistence and/or recolonization following environmental perturbations (natural or anthropogenic), disease outbreaks, or other demographic collapses. To predict recolonization and understand dispersal capacity in a stream-breeding frog, we examined individual movement patterns and gene flow among four subpopulations of the Neotropical glassfrog, Centrolene prosoblepon, at a mid-elevation cloud forest site at El Copé, Panama. We measured male movement directly during a two year mark-recapture study, and indirectly with gene flow estimates from mitochondrial DNA sequences (mtDNA). Individuals of this species showed strong site fidelity: over two years, male frogs in all four headwater streams moved very little (mean = 2.33 m; mode = 0 m). Nine individuals changed streams within one or two years, moving 675-1,108 m. For those males moving more than 10 m, movement was biased upstream (p < 0.001). Using mtDNA ND1 gene sequences, we quantified gene flow within and among headwater streams at two spatial scales: among headwater streams within two adjacent watersheds (2.5 km2) and among streams within a longitudinal gradient covering 5.0 km2. We found high gene flow among headwater streams (phi(ST) = 0.007, p = 0.325) but gene flow was more limited across greater distances (phi(CT) = 0.322, p = 0.065), even within the same drainage network. Lowland populations of C. prosoblepon potentially act as an important source of colonists for upland populations in this watershed.

La capacidad de dispersión determina y mantiene el flujo genético local, y esto tiene implicaciones para la persistencia poblacional y/o la recolonización que sigue a perturbaciones ambientales. Examinamos patrones individuales de movimiento y flujo genético entre subpoblaciones de Centrolene prosoblepon (Anura: Centrolenidae) en un sitio de elevación media en El Copé, Panamá. Medimos directamente el movimiento de los machos durante un estudio de marcado-recaptura, e indirectamente con estimaciones de flujo genético a partir de secuencias de ADN mitocondrial (mtDNA). Los individuos mostraron fuerte fidelidad a su lugar: por más de dos años, las ranas macho de los cuatro arroyos al inicio del río se movieron muy poco (promedio = 2.33 m; moda = 0 m). Nueve individuos cambiaron de corriente de agua en uno o dos años, moviéndose 675-1 108 m. Usando la secuencia genética ND1 del ADN mitocondrial, medimos el flujo genético en dos escalas espaciales: entre arroyos que originan el río (2.5 km2) y entre arroyos con un gradiente longitudinal en 5.0 km2. Encontramos un flujo genético alto entre los arroyos al inicio del río (f = 0.007, p = 0.325 y otro más limitado en distancias mayores (f = 0.322, p = 0.065).