Caso autóctono de rickettsiosis por Rickettsia parkeri en la Selva Paranaense, Misiones, Argentina / Autochthonous Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis in the Paranaense Forest, Misiones, Argentina

Resumen Se informa un caso autóctono de rickettsiosis por Rickettsia parkeri, ocurrido en junio del 2018 en la zona selvática del Parque Provincial Urugua-í, Misiones, Argentina, región sin registros previos de esta enfermedad en humanos. Se describen los aspectos epidemiológicos, ecológicos, clínicos y de laboratorio necesarios para el diagnóstico oportuno y el tratamiento adecuado. Se resalta el hecho de considerar a las rickettsiosis como diagnóstico diferencial ante un paciente con síndrome febril agudo exantemático; el antecedente epidemiológico de exposición al vector característico de la región, garrapatas del género Amblyomma, es un elemento fundamental.

Abstract We report an autochthonous case of Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis occurred in June 2018 in a forested area of the Urugua-í Provincial Park, Misiones, Argentina. No previous records of this disease in humans have been previously reported in this region. The epidemiological, ecological, clinical, and laboratory features required for a proper diagnosis and adequate treatment are described here. The fact of considering rickettsiosis as a differential diagnosis in a patient with exanthematic acute febrile syndrome is highlighted, being the epidemiological history of exposure to the vector (ticks of the genus Amblyomma) an essential element.

Environmental suitability for Lutzomyia longipalpis in a subtropical city with a recently established visceral leishmaniasis transmission cycle, Argentina

BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an endemic disease in northeastern Argentina including the Corrientes province, where the presence of the vector and canine cases of VL were recently confirmed in December 2008. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to assess the modelling of micro- and macro-habitat variables to evaluate the urban environmental suitability for the spatial distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis presence and abundance in an urban scenario. METHODS Sampling of 45 sites distributed throughout Corrientes city (Argentina) was carried out using REDILA-BL minilight traps in December 2013. The sampled specimens were identified according to methods described by Galati (2003). The analysis of variables derived from the processing of satellite images (macro-habitat variables) and from the entomological sampling and surveys (micro-habitat variables) was performed using the statistical software R. Three generalised linear models were constructed composed of micro- and macro-habitat variables to explain the spatial distribution of the abundance of Lu. longipalpis and one composed of micro-habitat variables to explain the occurrence of the vector. FINDINGS A total of 609 phlebotominae belonging to five species were collected, of which 56% were Lu. longipalpis. In addition, the presence of Nyssomyia neivai and Migonemya migonei, which are vectors of tegumentary leishmaniasis, were also documented and represented 34.81% and 6.74% of the collections, respectively. The explanatory variable normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) described the abundance distribution, whereas the presence of farmyard animals was important for explaining both the abundance and the occurrence of the vector. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The results contribute to the identification of variables that can be used to establish priority areas for entomological surveillance and provide an efficient transfer tool for the control and prevention of vector-borne diseases.

Ticks infesting humans in northern Misiones, Argentina

This work presents records of ticks infesting humans in northern Misiones Province, Argentina. Also, notes on potential transmission of tick-borne pathogens are included. A total of 282 ticks attached to researchers were collected and identified by their morphological characters. Eight tick species were found: Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma incisum, Amblyomma ovale, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Rhipicephalus microplus. Some of these species as A. dubitatum, A. ovale and R. sanguineus have been found infected with spotted fever group rickettsiae pathogenic to humans in Brazil and Argentina. The potential role as vectors of humans pathogens of the ticks found attached to humans in this study is discussed.

En este trabajo se presentan registros de garrapatas que infestan seres humanos en el norte de la provincia de Misiones, Argentina. Además, se incluyen notas sobre la posible transmisión de patógenos por garrapatas. Se colectó un total de 282 garrapatas adheridas a investigadores, las cuales fueron identificadas por sus caracteres morfológicos. Se encontraron ocho especies de garrapatas: Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma incisum, Amblyomma ovale, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Rhipicephalus sanguineus y Rhipicephalus microplus. Algunas de estas especies como A. dubitatum, A. ovale y R. sanguineus han sido halladas infectadas con rickettsias del grupo de las fiebres manchadas patógenas para los seres humanos en Brasil y Argentina. Se discute el papel potencial de las garrapatas encontradas infestando humanos en este estudio como vectores de patógenos de seres humanos.