Identification of Plasmodium spp. in Neotropical primates of Maranhense Amazon in Northeast Brazil

In the Brazilian Amazon region, malaria caused by Plasmodium malariae is considered to be a zoonosis because of cross-transfer of the parasite between humans and Neotropical primates. To contribute information on this issue, we investigated occurrences of natural infection with Plasmodium sp. among Neotropical primates in the Maranhense Amazon(Amazon region of the state of Maranhão), in the northeastern region of Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 161 Neotropical primates of six species that were caught in an environmental reserve (Sítio Aguahy) and from captive primates (CETAS-Wildlife Screening Center, municipality of São Luís), in Maranhão. Plasmodium sp. was diagnosed based on light microscopy, PCR, qPCR and LAMP for amplification of the 18S rRNA gene. Serum samples were also assayed by means of indirect immunofluorescence for IgG antibodies against P. malariae/P. brasilianum, P. falciparum and P. berghei. Parasites were detected through light microscopy on five slides from captive primates (four Sapajus spp. and one Callithrix jacchus). In the molecular tests, 34.16% (55/161) and 29.81% (48/161) of the animals sampled were positive in the qPCR and PCR assays, respectively. In the PCR, 47/48 animals were positive for P. malariae/P. brasilianum; of these, eight were free-living primates and 39 from CETAS, São Luís. One sample showed a band in the genus-specific reaction, but not in the second PCR reaction. Anti-P. malariae/P. brasilianum IgG antibodies were detected in four serum samples from Sapajus spp. in captivity. In this study, circulation of P. malariae/P. brasilianum in Neotropical primates was confirmed, with low levels of parasitemia and low levels of antibodies. The importance of these animals as reservoirs of human malaria in the region studied is still unknown. This scenario has an impact on controland elimination of malaria in this region...

Molecular identification of Plasmodium spp. and blood meal sources of anophelines in environmental reserves on São Luís Island, state of Maranhão, Brazil

Considering the diversity of feeding habits that females of some species of anophelines present, it is important to understand which vertebrates are part of blood food sources and how important is the role of each in the ecoepidemiology of malaria. There are many vector species for Plasmodium spp. in the State of Maranhão, Brazil. In São Luís Island, Anopheles aquasalis is the main vector for human malaria; this species is abundant in areas with primates that are positive for Plasmodium. Anopheles aquasalis has natural exophilic and zoophilic feeding behavior, butin cases of high density and absence of animals, presents quite varied behavior, and feeds on human blood. In this context, the objective of the present study was to identify Plasmodium spp. and the blood meal sources of anophelines in two environmental reserves on São Luís Island, state of Maranhão, using molecular methods...

Anti-malarial, anti-trypanosomal, and anti-leishmanialactivities of jacaranone isolated from Pentacalia desiderabilis(Vell.) Cuatrec. (Asteraceae)

Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and malaria affectthe poorest population around the world, with an elevatedmortality and morbidity. In addition, the therapeutic alternativesare usually toxic or ineffective drugs especially thoseagainst the trypanosomatids. In the course of selection of newanti-protozoal compounds from Brazilian flora, the CH2Cl2phase from MeOH extract obtained from the leaves ofPentacalia desiderabilis (Vell.) Cuatrec. (Asteraceae)showed in vitro anti-leishmanial, anti-malarial, and antitrypanosomalactivities. The chromatographic fractionationof the CH2Cl2 phase led to the isolation of thebioactive compound, which was characterized as jacaranone[methyl (1-hydroxy-4-oxo-2,5-cyclohexandienyl)acetate], by spectroscopic methods. This compoundshowed activity against promastigotes of Leishmania (L.)chagasi, Leishmania (V.) braziliensis, and Leishmania(L.). amazonensis showing an IC50 of 17.22, 12.93, and11.86 μg/mL, respectively. Jacaranone was also tested invitro against the Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes andPlasmodium falciparum chloroquine-resistant parasites(K1 strain) showing an IC50 of 13 and 7.82 μg/mL,respectively, and was 3.5-fold more effective than benznidazolein anti-Trypanosoma cruzi assay. However, despiteof the potential against promatigotes forms, this compoundwas not effective against amastigotes of L. (L.) chagasiand T. cruzi. The cytotoxicity study using Kidney Rhesusmonkey cells, demonstrated that jacaranone showedselectivity against P. falciparum (21.75 μg/mL) and aselectivity index of 3. The obtained results suggested thatjacaranone, as other similar secondary metabolites orsynthetic analogs, might be useful tolls for drug designfor in vivo studies against protozoan diseases...

Malaria Transmission Associated with Airplane Travel.

Plasmodium falciparum malaria was diagnosed in 3 patients in Sã o Paulo during a 5 day period between August 31, and September 4, 1996, at a time and place where malaria transmission does not occur. After investigation of the 3 cases it was determined that the infections were acquired as a result of an international airplane flight from Lebanon to São Paulo on August 16, which included a 30 minute stop-over in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Africa. During the epidemiological evaluation, it was found that each of the 3 patients had been seated in the first class cabin. Entomological investigation at the airport revealed the presence of 4 specimens of Anopheles gambiae in airplanes (3 in the first class cabin and 1 in the luggage compartment) used on this route. The species of mosquito identified is predominant in Africa. Two of the patients were seriously ill, but all recovered after treatment with either mefloquine (1 patient) or artesunate (2 patients). A survey of other passengers on the same flight or on similar Aights did not reveal any other eases of malaria. Malaria was not considered during initial evaluation by the attending physicians at the three different hospitals where the patients were admitted. These cases reveal the existence of vector borne disease transmission during airplane travel, and emphasize the importance of obtaining a travel history during the evaluation of an ill patient. In addition, the cases reinforce the need for vigilance in the control of vectors of disease around seaports, airports and hospitals.

Analise da frequencia de recaidas de malaria por Plasmodium vivax em regiao nao endemica (Sao Paulo, Brazil) / Frequency of malaria relapse due to Plasmodium vivax in a non endemic region (Säo Paulo, Brazil)

Em virtude da existencia de poucas informacoes, devidamente registradas, sobre frequencia e epocas de recaidas de malaria por Plasmodium vivax, contraida no Brasil, foi analisada casuistica observada em regiao nao endemica e constituida por pacientes corretamente tratados. O indice de recaidas documentadas em Sao Paulo, foi alto (24,5 por cento), com desenvolvimento precoce na maioria das oportunidades, ou seja, em tempo inferior a tres meses.