RESUMO
Invasive insect pests are alien or exotic organisms. These are introduced species to an environment outside their original or native habitat and have an immense power of dispersal and adaptation. Invasive species are responsible for reducing or minimizing the productivity of the crops and thereby creating huge economic losses. Due to the small size and the ability to be attached to the host plants, the invasive whitefly species have been introduced to several countries through movement of different plants during trade. Eight such species have invaded and been reported from India. But only three such species – Spiralling whitefly (Aleurodicus dispersus Russell), Rugose spiralling whitefly (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin) and Bondar's nesting whitefly (Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi) – have been reported from West Bengal, till date. Moreover, as per available literature, there is no report of the other invasive species from West Bengal. Based on the present study, the existence of three invasive whitefly species – Solanum whitefly, Aleurothrixus trachoides (Back), Palm infesting whitefly, Aleurotrachelus atratus Hempel and Woolly whitefly, Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) – is reported for the first time from West Bengal. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase sub unit I (COI) gene sequencing was done for molecular characterization of these species to confirm their identity. Regarding host plant preference, woolly whitefly and solanum whitefly showed clear affinity towards guava and chilli, respectively, whereas palm infesting whitefly preferred coconut. This report is going to be the first ever document of invasion by the above-mentioned three exotic whitefly species from West Bengal.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown in India caused disruptions in cancer treatment due to the restriction on movement of patients. We aimed to maintain continuity in cancer treatment during the lockdown through teleconsultations. We tried to reach out to our patients using telephonic consultations by establishing a Teleconsult Centre facility run by a team of doctors and patient navigators. METHODS We telephonically contacted all patients who had outpatient appointments from 23 March to 30 April 2020 at our centre through the Teleconsult Centre to understand their current circumstances, feasibility of follow-up, local resources and offered best possible alternatives to continue cancer treatment, if required. RESULTS Of the 2686 patients scheduled for follow-up during this period, we could contact 1783 patients in 9 working days. Through teleconsultations, we could defer follow-ups of 1034 patients (57.99%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 55.6%–60.3%), thus reducing the need for patients to travel to the hospital. Change in systemic therapy was made in 75 patients (4.2%, 95% CI 3.3%–5.2%) as per the requirements and available resources. Symptoms suggestive of disease progression were picked up in 12 patients (0.67%, 95% CI 0.35%–1.17%), who were advised to meet local physicians. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that the majority of patients on follow-up can be managed with teleconsultation in times of crisis. Teleconsultation has the potential of being one of the standard methods of patient follow-up even during periods of normalcy.