Bionomics, reproductive traits and assessment of forensic relevance of Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae).

Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) is a colonizer of cadavers in the Neotropical Region. Nevertheless, data on development for the P. (P.) chrysostoma (e.g., instar duration) and behavioral strategies used by the species for locating and colonizing a corpse are scant. We aimed to explore bionomic and reproductive aspects of the flesh fly P. (P.) chrysostoma, and in this article we: (a) provide quantitative data on the life cycle of P. (P.) chrysostoma; (b) present bionomic measurements (length and weight) of larvae and pupae; (c) describe intrauterine egg and larvae development; and (d) analyze the ovo/larviposition behavior by gravid females. Females showed ovaries with discernible eggs and larvae between 8 and 10 days (x̅ = 23.3 eggs/female). This study reports the first observation of egg deposition, an atypical behavior for the species. The average development time for immature stages was 22.24 h and 21.36 h for 1st and 2nd respectively, and 3rd showed an average development time of 80.47 h. Pupa had the longest duration (x̅ = 295.69 h). A direct increase was observed in weight (P < 0.05) and length (P < 0.05) throughout time. The average survival time of males and females is approximately 30 days. This study expands the knowledge on P. (P.) chrysostoma, such as facultative ovoviviparity under laboratory conditions and the life cycle, which may benefit future studies for accuracy in entomology-based estimation of minimum post-mortem interval (min PMI).

The repellency effect of icaridin nanostructural solution applied on cotton knitting fabric against Lutzomyia longipalpis.

The use of repellents is considered an alternative against biting insects, including Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae), the main vector of the protozoan Leishmania infantum, visceral leishmaniasis's (VL) etiologic agent in the Americas. This study aimed to evaluate the repellent efficacy of icaridin nanostructured solution applied on cotton knitting fabric against L. longipalpis. Arm-in-cage tests were performed in eight volunteers at different concentrations (5%, 10%, 25%, and 50%), using L. longipalpis (n = 30). The bioassay was performed in 1, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 h after impregnation and one test after washing the fabrics with icaridin. The total repellency rate (%R) > 95% was used as a reference to define a minimum effective concentration (MEC). The results revealed that the insects' landing mean decreased significantly in different icaridin concentrations, compared with the control tests (p < 0.05) and the 25% and 50% concentrations compared to lower concentration (5%) (p < 0.05). The higher concentrations (25% and 50%) provided longer complete protection times (CPTs) with 120 and 144 h of protection, respectively and the %R of 100% for 72 and 96 h after impregnation, respectively. The 25% was the MEC (%R Total = 98.18%). Our results indicate, for the first time, that icaridin nanostructured solution applied on cotton knitting fabric proved to be an efficient repellent against L. longipalpis with the presence of repellent action even after washing. The concentration of 25% showed better efficiency and may become an efficient method for L. longipalpis biting control.

Insecticidal efficacy of fluralaner (Bravecto®) against Triatoma brasiliensis, a major vector of Trypanosoma cruzi in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Triatomines are responsible for the vector transmission of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease. Triatoma brasiliensis is the main vector of the parasite in Brazil, and dogs are an important reservoir of the parasite. The aim of this study was to evaluate the insecticidal effect of fluralaner (Bravecto®) on T. brasiliensis after a blood meal in treated dogs. METHODS: Healthy mongrel dogs (n = 8) were recruited from the Zoonoses Control Center (ZCC) in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and randomized into two groups, a fluralaner (Bravecto®)-treated group (n = 4) and a control group (n = 4). Colony-reared third-, fourth- and fifth-instar nymphs of T. brasiliensis nymphs (n = 10) were allowed to feed on dogs from both groups for 30-40 min, once monthly, for up to 12 months. Bug mortality was observed up to 5 days after each blood meal. RESULTS: Mortality in triatomines which had a blood meal on fluralaner (Bravecto®)-treated dogs was 100% for up to 7 months after treatment, with mortality decreasing to 66.4% after 8 months, 57% after 9 months, 35% after 10 months, 10% after 11 months and 0% after 12 months. The mortality of triatomines that fed on non-treated control dogs was always ≤ 2.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that fluralaner (Bravecto®) treatment of dogs induces long-term mortality of T. brasiliensis after the blood meal. This is a potential approach to be used to control vector transmission of T. cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, especially in endemic areas.

Aspectos epidemiológicos da Leishmaniose Visceral Humana no estado do Piauí, Brasil (2007-2017) / Epidemiological aspects of Human Visceral Leishmaniasis in the state of Piauí, Brazil (2007- 2017) / Aspectos epidemiológicos de la Leishmaniasis Visceral Humana en el estado do Piauí, Brasil (2007-2017)

Justificativa e Objetivos: A leishmaniose visceral apresenta considerável expansão em centros urbanos no Piauí, e a sua ocorrência é marcada por sucessivos registros de surtos. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os casos notificados de Leishmaniose Visceral Humana no Piauí, entre os anos de 2007 e 2017. Métodos: Os dados sobre os números de casos e variáveis, como a distribuição no tempo, no espaço e algumas características das pessoas atingidas, óbitos e diagnóstico, foram através do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINANDatasus). Resultados: Foram notificados 2.447 casos, com 2.265 casos autóctones (92,56%), e o diagnóstico laboratorial conclusivo foi realizado em 86,6% dos casos. O ano de 2014 foi o ano com maior registro (283 casos) e maior coeficiente de letalidade anual de 14,1%. Ao todo, 183 municípios (81,7%) apresentaram casos positivos em residentes. Na capital, Teresina, ocorreu o maior número de casos em residentes (734 casos, 30%) e foi o município que mais notificou em todo o estado (1.859 casos, 75,97%). Os mais acometidos foram indivíduos do sexo masculino (66,30%) e faixa etária menor que 10 anos (43,44%). Em relação à escolaridade, a classificação "não se aplica" foi mais prevalente (39,84%), assim como a raça/cor parda (88,27%) e a zona residencial urbana (67,63%). Conclusão: A realização destas análises fornece informações sobre a situação epidemiológica da leishmaniose visceral no Piauí em uma série histórica de 2007 a 2017, como a distribuição espacial dos casos, municípios com maiores incidências, a dificuldade de acesso ao diagnóstico, grupos sociais mais acometidos e óbitos, podendo auxiliar no direcionamento das ações para o controle da doença no estado.(AU)

Background and Objectives: Visceral leishmaniasis presents considerable expansion in urban centers in the state of Piauí and its occurrence is marked by successive records of outbreaks. To analyze the reported cases of Human Visceral Leishmaniasis in Piauí, between 2007 and 2017. Methods: The data about the number of cases and variables such as distribution in time, space and some characteristics of the affected people, deaths and diagnosis were obtained from Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN-Datasus) Results: 2,447 cases were reported, of which 2,265 autochthonous cases (92.56%). The conclusive diagnosis was made in 86.6% of the cases. The year with the highest record (283 cases) was 2014, also the annual lethality rate was 14.1%. Positive cases were registered in residents of 183 municipalities (81.7%). The capital Teresina presents the highest number of cases in residents (734.30%) and notification (1,859, 75.97%). Males (66.30%) were the most affected and individuals under 10 years old (43.44%). Regarding education, the classification "does not apply" (39.84%) was the most prevalent, as well as brown race/color (88.27%) and the urban residential area (67.63%). Conclusion: Epidemiological assay provides knowledge about the real epidemiological situation in the state of Piauí, such as profile characterization, frequency of cases occurrence, assisting in actions for control and eradication of the disease in the state.(AU)

Justificación y Objetivos: La Leishmaniasis visceral presenta una expansión considerable en los centros urbanos de Piauí, y su aparición está marcada por sucesivos registros de brotes. Analizar los casos reportados de Leishmaniasis Visceral Humana en Piauí, entre los años 2007 a 2017. Métodos: Datos sobre el número de casos y variables como distribución en tiempo, espacio y algunas características de las personas afectadas, defunciones y diagnóstico fueron obtenido mediante el Sistema de Información de Enfermedades Notificables (SINAN-Datasus). Resultados: Fueron notificados 2.447 casos, con 2.265 casos autóctonos (92,56%). El diagnóstico de laboratorio concluyente se realizó en el 86,6% de los casos. 2014 fue el año con el récord más alto (283 casos) y la tasa de letalidad anual del 14,1%. 183 municipios (81,7%) presentó casos positivos en residentes. La capital Teresina tuvo el mayor número de casos en residentes (734 casos, 30%) y fue el municipio que más reportó en todo el estado (1.859 casos, 75,97%). Los más afectados pertenecían al sexo masculino (66,30%) y los menores de 10 años (43,44%). En cuanto a la educación, la clasificación "no aplica" fue más prevalente (39,84%) y la zona residencial urbana (67,63%). Conclusión: La realización de estos análisis aporta conocimiento sobre la situación epidemiológica en Piauí en una serie histórica de 2007 a 2017, como la caracterización de los casos, las fallas en los registros y la frecuencia de ocurrencia de los casos, ayudando a orientar las acciones para el control en el estado.(AU)

Fluralaner (Bravecto®) induces long-term mortality of Lutzomyia longipalpis after a blood meal in treated dogs.

BACKGROUND: Leishmania infantum is the etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the New World, where the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis and domestic dogs are considered the main vector and host reservoirs, respectively. Systemic insecticides have been studied as an alternative to control vector-borne diseases, including VL. Fluralaner, an isoxazoline class compound, is a systemic insecticide used in dogs, with proven efficiency against different species of phlebotomine sand flies. However, to date no studies have demonstrated the efficacy of fluralaner on Lu. longipalpis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the insecticidal effect of fluralaner (Bravecto®) on the sand fly Lu. longipalpis after blood meal in treated dogs. METHODS: Healthy mongrel dogs (n = 8) were recruited from the Zoonoses Control Center in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and randomized into two groups: fluralaner treated (n = 4) and non-treated control (n = 4). Colony-reared female specimens of Lu. longipalpis (n = 20) were allowed to feed on all dogs for 40 min before treatment (for fluralaner-treated dogs), at day 1 after treatment and then monthly until 1 year post-treatment. RESULTS: In the treatment group, there was 100% mortality of Lu. longipalpis for up to 5 months after treatment initiation, decreasing to 72.5% at 6 months post-treatment initiation. The efficacy of fluralaner ranged from 100% at day 1 (P = 0.0002) to 68% ( P = 0.0015) at 6 months, decreasing to 1.4% at 1 year post-treatment. Sand fly mortality carried out blood meal in non-treated control dogs remained constant at ≤ 15%. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results suggest that fluralaner may be used as a control strategy for VL in dogs in VL endemic areas.