Estudio histopatológico y ultraestructural de la infección de Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota) sobre Rhodnius prolixus (Triatominae) / Histopathological and ultraestructural study of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota) infection on Rhodnius prolixus (Triatominae)

Se realizó un estudio para indagar aspectos histopatológicos y ultraestructurales de la interacción entre un aislamiento nativo (LF14) del hongo entomopatógeno Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota, Hypocreales) y ninfas de quinto estadio y adultos de Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae). En los primeros estadios de la infección se observaron las conidias adheridas al exoesqueleto y en el momento de su penetración del tubo germinal. Después de la penetración vía tegumento y traqueolas del hemocele, las hifas invadieron virtualmente todos los tejidos y órganos, con el subsiguiente fallecimiento del insecto. En el último estadio del proceso infeccioso, se detectó la infección masiva del hifomiceto penetrando todo el cuerpo de adentro hacia aberturas del tegumento, para finalmente esporular, observándose numerosos conidios desprendidos de los conidióforos. La Microscopía Electrónica de Transmisión (MET) reveló una invasión masiva de hifas y micelios fúngicos en todo el hemocele, con hemocitos fagocitando, encapsulando y melanizando al hongo. Durante la penetración tisular y tegumentaria de las hifas, se observan áreas electrotransparentes que sugieren actividad enzimática.

A histopathological and ultrastructural study was used to describe the mode of interaction between a native isolate (LF14) of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota, Hypocreales) and nymphs/adults of Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae). Conidia germinate on the surface of triatomine bugs and immediately begin penetration of the cuticle and spiracles by germinal tube. Once invade the haemocele, the fungus multiplies extensively whole insect tissues and organs, leading to triatomine death. When insect cadaver is in mummification stage, outgrowths of fungal hyphae occur first and most extensively in the intersegmental regions of triatomines, emerging at the surface, where they initiate sporulation process. Electron Transmission Microscopy (ETM) studies revealed abundant growth of fungal hypahe and micelar into haemocele, with haemocytic infiltration during fagocitation, encapsulation and melanization process of fungal structures. Areas of low electron-density were frequently observed, suggesting the secretion of enzymes by hyphae to weaken and penetrating cuticle and tissues.

Direct methods for detecting picorna-like virus from dead and alive Triatomine insects

In this work we report four different destructive and non-destructive methods for detecting picorna-like virus particles in triatomines. The methods are based on direct observation under transmission electron microscope and they consist of four ways to prepare samples of presumable infected material. The samples are prepared processing dead or alive insect parts, or even dry or fresh insect feces. The methods can be used as analytical or preparative techniques, for quantifying virus infection and checking virus integrity as well. In this work the four methods are applied in order to detect Triatoma virus (TrV) particles in T. infestans colonies.

Trypanosoma cruzi strains: behavior after passage into authoctonous or foreign species of treatomine (biological and biochemical patterns)

Foi estudada a influencia da passagem de cepas do T. cruzi de Sao Felipe - BA (19 SF, 21 SF e 22 SF), Tipo II, Zimodema 2, no vetor autoctone (P. megistus) e em vetores nao autoctones (T. infestans e R. prolixus). Para cada cepa, camundongos suicos de 10 a 12 g foram inoculados com I - formas sanguicolas (controles); II - metaciclicos do P. megistus; III - metaciclicos de T. infestans; IV - metaciclicos do R. prolixus. O inoculo para cada grupo foi de 10 a quarta potencia tripomastigotas. A obtencao dos metaciclicos foi feita 60 a 120 dias apos infeccao dos triatomineos...