"Chagas Express XXI": A new ArtScience social technology for health and science education-A case study in Brazilian endemic areas of Chagas disease with an active search of chronic cases.

BACKGROUND: Chagas Disease (CD) affects 6-7 million people worldwide and is related to poverty-promoting conditions. Chronic asymptomatic cases are mostly invisible to health systems. Aiming (1) to translate CD discoveries into education/information practices to raise alertness and empowerment of affected people; and (2) to perform an active search of CD cases, articulating intersectoral actions to improve the access of infected people to the local health service for the treatment of CD; our research group developed and tested under field conditions as innovative social technology: an itinerant education interdisciplinary setting named "Chagas Express XXI" (CE21). METHODOLOGY: CE21 was created as an "imaginary train" with ~40 ArtScience workshops, games, laboratory activities and conversation circles. An entry/exit plus six activity modules combined associations of affected people, microscopic observations, One Health education, and wellness activities. CE21 was conceived as a social technology, since all the processes were co-created with CD patients and inter-sector local partners. Descriptive statistics showed quantitative data collected throughout the expeditions (CD knowledge, serological results). Qualitative data accessed the public perceptions about the education activities. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: CE21 was exhibited in local educational institutions (schools, universities) in four cities, engaging 2,117 people that evaluated the 41 activities carried out. Citizens and health professionals enjoyed acquisition of information related to blood, parasites, vectors, reservoirs, environmental changes, and social determinants of CD. Further, local legacies of 600 participants volunteer for health promotion groups and CD associations, local empowerment groups to fight for better health conditions, and 05 mural paintings. We observed that 81% of the participants ignored the possibility of treating CD while 52% of the participants requested a blood test for CD showing seropositivity in 20% of them. CONCLUSIONS: CE21 is a social technology potentially useful for health and science education and active search of asymptomatic CD chronic cases. Moreover, this technology may be adapted to understand and to cooperate in other potentially epidemic situations, especially NTDs related.

Morphology of the Eggs of Ornithocoris pallidus (Hemiptera, Cimicidae, Haematosiphoninae).

Morphology of cimicid eggs are scarce, and this is the first record for the genus Ornithocoris Pinto, 1927 (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This genus comprises two species: Ornithocoris toledoi Pinto, 1927 (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) and Ornithocoris pallidus (Usinger, 1959). The eggs of O. pallidus are ellipsoid, and an evident 'lateral flattening', which may give clear asymmetry from the longitudinal axis. The exochorion of the body of the egg and operculum of O. pallidus present spherical or polygonal structures in relief, and pseudomicropyles on the border of the operculum, both differing from Cimex lectularius. The internal face of the operculum is smooth and the border also presented three layers. It was not possible to observe micropyles in the egg of O. pallidus. Bed bugs have a great psychological impact on people, and some people can develop a more or less severe allergic reaction against the bite. Successful control of bed bugs needs serious organization. Studies on egg morphology will add more information to assist in taxonomy studies of O. pallidus and can serve as a basis for control studies because eggs are resistant to insecticides.

Development of conventional and real-time multiplex PCR-based assays for estimation of natural infection rates and Trypanosoma cruzi load in triatomine vectors.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease is a complex anthropozoonosis with distinct domestic and sylvatic mammal species acting as potential reservoirs. The diversity of vector species and their habitats are among the factors that hinder the control of the disease. Control programs periodically monitor the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in insect bugs through microscopical observation of diluted feces. However, microscopy presents limited sensitivity in samples with low parasite numbers, difficulties in examining all evolutionary stages of the insect and may in turn be limited to differentiate T. cruzi from other morphologically similar trypanosomatids. Here, we report two highly sensitive and accurate methodologies to infer T. cruzi infection rates and to quantify parasite load in the gut of field-collected triatomines. METHODS: Triatomines were manually collected in the period 2011-2012 and 2014-2015, in domestic, peridomestic or sylvatic habitats in rural areas of 26 municipalities, encompassing three distinct Brazilian biomes: Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Rainforest. Following morphological and taxonomical identification, the search for flagellated protozoa was performed by optical microscopy. A conventional PCR targeting T. cruzi kDNA and a TaqMan qPCR directed to the parasite nuclear satellite DNA (SAT) were developed, both in multiplex, with the triatomine 12S subunit ribosomal RNA gene, used as internal amplification control. Both methods were used for detection (kDNA-PCR) and parasite load quantification (SAT-DNA-qPCR), to investigate T. cruzi infection in captured triatomines. RESULTS: The combined methods were assayed on a panel of 205 field-collected triatomine samples. Diagnostic analysis revealed 21% positivity for the kDNA-PCR, whereas microscopic examination enabled identification of T. cruzi in only 7.0% of the PCR-positive samples. Negative PCR results were confirmed by the absence of T. cruzi flagellates using microscopy. Caatinga biome yielded the highest T. cruzi infection rate (60%), followed by the Atlantic Rainforest and Cerrado with 7.1 and 6.1%, respectively. In addition, a wide range distribution of parasite load, varying from 8.05 × 10-2 to 6.31 × 1010 was observed with a median of 2.29 × 103 T. cruzi/intestine units. When parasite load was analyzed by triatomine species, a significantly higher median was found for Panstrongylus lutzi in comparison with Triatoma brasiliensis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate highly sensitive PCR-based methodologies to monitor T. cruzi infection in triatomines. In addition, the qPCR assay offers the possibility of further evaluation parasite load, as a promising biomarker of the vectorial capacity of triatomines in Chagas disease endemic areas.

Correlation between populations of Rhodnius and presence of palm trees as risk factors for the emergence of Chagas disease in Amazon region, Brazil.

Among the states that comprise the legally defined Amazon region of Brazil, Pará has presented the highest occurrences of acute cases of Chagas disease over the last two decades. These cases have been attributed to consumption of fruits from native palm trees. In surveys in rural and wild areas of the municipality of Oriximiná, Pará, triatomine fauna, their main ecotopes and the infection rate due to Trypanosoma cruzi were identified using active and passive search methods: manual capture and Noireau traps, respectively. A total of 582 ecotopes were surveyed using 1496 Noireau traps. Out of 442 specimens collected, 289 were identified as Rhodnius robustus and 153 as Rhodnius pictipes. The infection rate caused by T. cruzi was 17.4%. The food sources of the triatomines were found to be birds, hemolymph, horses, and rodents. The association between R. robustus and inajá palm trees (Attalea marita), which are abundant in rural areas, was confirmed. On the other hand, R. pictipes is found in several palm tree species, such as inajá (A. marita), mucajá (Acrocomia aculeata), murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru) and patauá (Oenocarpus bataua), and in bromeliads in wild areas. These occurrences of triatomine species in regions with or without T. cruzi infection, in the vicinity of the main settlement of the municipality, suggest that there is a need for entomological and epidemiological surveillance in this region.

Flight dispersal of the Chagas disease vectors Triatoma brasiliensis and Triatoma pseudomaculata in northeastern Brazil.

The present paper reports for the first time the capture of wild Triatoma brasiliensis and Triatoma pseudomaculata by means of light traps in Brazil. We tested commercially available lighting devices powered by batteries to attract the bugs to a white piece of cloth in the field. Two main findings showed to be significant: first, the results presented here show that light traps can be used for sampling these species in wild environments; second, they reveal that house colonization by triatomines may also happen as a consequence of the arrival of flying sylvatic bugs guided by artificial light sources. In addition, we discuss the effect of some environmental and biological factors on triatomine flight activity modulation.

Some considerations about the ecology of Triatominae

As informações sobre a ecologia de Triatominae silvestres são ainda incompletas, sobretudo porque as espécies mais importantes, alvos dos programas de controle, são exclusivamente domésticas. Registros de espécies silvestres invadindo as habitações humanas devem ser investigados para ampliação do conhecimento de sua ecologia no ambiente natural, de modo que se possa compreender melhor o processo de domiciliação e se criar novas estratégias para vigilância.

Some considerations about the ecology of Triatominae.

Observations on the ecology of silvatic Triatominae are still fragmentary, principally because target species in control process are almost exclusively domestic. Report of silvatic species invading human dwellings must lead research to be focused on their original ecology, in order to assist in understanding their process of domestication and devising strategies for surveillance.

Observações sobre padrões alimentares de mosquitos (Diptera: Culicidae) no Pantanal Mato-Grossense / Observations on feeding patterns among mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Pantanal, MT, Brazil

O hábito alimentar dos culicídeos foi estudado através da técnica de precipitina. As coletas foram realizadas no km 52 da rodovia Transpantaneira (MT-060), a 65km da sede do município de Poconé (MT). Bimestralmente, de dezembro de 2002 a dezembro de 2003, foram realizadas capturas em armadilha Shannon e CDC automática à base de CO2 das 15:00h às 21:00h. Foram utilizados os seguintes anti-soros: ave, roedor, humano, cavalo, boi, capivara e sapo. Das 2.134 fêmeas capturadas, 1.946 (92,2 por cento) foram coletadas em armadilha de Shannon e 188 (8,8 por cento) em armadilha CDC. Desse total, 276 fêmeas (13,0 por cento) estavam ingurgitadas e próprias para o teste de precipitina, sendo 235 (85,1 por cento) coletadas em armadilha de Shannon e 41 (14,9 por cento) em CDC. Verificou-se que 84,2 por cento dos espécimes analisados reagiram para uma fonte alimentar e 15,8 por cento para duas fontes. As espécies Mansonia titillans (Walker), Culex nigripalpus (Theobald), Aedeomyia squamipennis (Theobald) e Psorophora albigenu (Peryassu) foram as mais freqüentes e reagiram para todos os anti-soros. Os anofelinos Anopheles albitarsis (Lynch-Arribalzaga), An. matogrossensis (Lutz & Neiva) e An. triannulatus (Neiva & Pinto), com poucos espécimes, reagiram para cinco anti-soros. As demais espécies apresentaram positividade que variou de três a seis anti-soros. As estimativas do índice alimentar (feeding index) revelaram resultados positivos para oito espécies de culicídeos, destas cinco apresentaram preferência marcante para o hospedeiro capivara.

The feeding habits of culicids were studied by means of the precipitin technique. The collections were made the Trans-Pantanal highway (MT-060- km 52), at 65 km from the main settlement of the municipality of Poconé, MT, every other month, from December 2002 to December 2003. Trapping was performed using Shannon traps and CDC automatic CO2-based traps from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The following antisera were utilized: bird, rodent, human, horse, cattle, capybara and toad. Of the 2,134 females captured, 1,946 (92,2 percent) were collected in Shannon traps and 188 (8,8 percent) in CDC traps. Among these totals, 276 females (13,0 percent) were engorged and suitable for the precipitin test, of which 235 (85,1 percent) were collected in Shannon traps and 41 (14,9 percent) in CDC traps. It was found that 84.2 percent of the specimens analyzed reacted to one food source and 15.8 percent to two sources. Mansonia titillans (Walker), Culex nigripalpus (Theobald), Aedeomyia squamipennis (Lynch-Arribalzaga) and Psorophora albigenu (Peryassu) were the most frequently found species, and reacted to all the antisera. On the other hand, few specimens of the anophelines, Anopheles albitarsis (Lynch-Arribalzaga), An. matogrossensis (Lutz & Neiva) and An. triannulatus (Neiva & Pinto), reacted to five antisera. The other species were positive to three up to six antisera. The estimate of the feeding index revealed positive results for eight species, of these five they presented outstanding preference for the host capybara.

Descrição de Brontostoma doughertyae sp. nov. e estudo morfológico comparativo com B. rubrum (Amyot & Serville, 1843) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae) / Description of Brontostoma doughertyae n. sp. and a comparative morphological study with B. rubrum (Amyot & Serville, 1843) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae)

Brontostoma doughertyae sp. nov. (Hemiptera-Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae), proveniente dos Estados do Espírito Santo e Bahia, Brasil, é descrita com base em exemplares machos. Apresenta-se uma análise comparativa entre as estruturas fálicas de Brontostoma rubrum (Amyot & Serville, 1843) e B. doughertyae sp. nov.. Observou-se que três estruturas se destacam como diagnósticos: o processo do gonoporo (PrG); o suporte do falosoma (SPh) e o falosoma (Ph). Uma chave para as espécies brasileiras de Brontostoma é apresentada.

Scanning electron microscopy study of the egg of Haemagogus (Haemagogus) capricornii Lutz, 1904 (Diptera: Culicidae).

Morphological details are provided for the dorsal and ventral surfaces of both extremities and the micropylar area of eggs of Haemagogus (Haemagogus) capricornii Lutz, captured in the Biological Reserve of Tinguá, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The eggs were observed by scanning electron microscopy with a morphometrical analysis of the main structures. The outer chorionic cells on the ventral surface were extremely regular, such as those observed in Hg. equinus and Hg. janthinomys. The tubercles present differences in form, size, and distribution. Filaments to attach to the substrate were observed in this species.

Trapping Triatominae in silvatic habitats.

Large-scale trials of a trapping system designed to collect silvatic Triatominae are reported. Live-baited adhesive traps were tested in various ecosystems and different triatomine habitats (arboreal and terrestrial). The trials were always successful, with a rate of positive habitats generally over 20% and reaching 48.4% for palm trees of the Amazon basin. Eleven species of Triatominae belonging to the three genera of public health importance (Triatoma, Rhodnius and Panstrongylus) were captured. This trapping system provides an effective way to detect the presence of triatomines in terrestrial and arboreal silvatic habitats and represents a promising tool for ecological studies. Various lines of research are contemplated to improve the performance of this trapping system.

Trapping Triatominae in silvatic habitats

Large-scale trials of a trapping system designed to collect silvatic Triatominae are reported. Live-baited adhesive traps were tested in various ecosystems and different triatomine habitats (arboreal and terrestrial). The trials were always successful, with a rate of positive habitats generally over 20 percent and reaching 48.4 percent for palm trees of the Amazon basin. Eleven species of Triatominae belonging to the three genera of public health importance (Triatoma, Rhodnius and Panstrongylus) were captured. This trapping system provides an effective way to detect the presence of triatomines in terrestrial and arboreal silvatic habitats and represents a promising tool for ecological studies. Various lines of research are contemplated to improve the performance of this trapping system

Ecologia de mosquitos em áreas do Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina. II - Freqüência mensal e fatores climáticos / Ecology of mosquitoes in areas of the National Park of

OBJETIVO: Estabelecer a influência exercida pelos fatores climáticos na freqüência mensal da fauna de mosquitos em áreas do Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina, Vale do Paraíba, SP. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas capturas mensais por meio de isca humana, em três diferentes períodos do dia, durante 24 meses consecutivos (janeiro de 1991 a dezembro de 1992). RESULTADOS: Foram capturados 11.808 espécimes adultos pertencentes a 28 espécies. Anopheles cruzii, Runchomyia reversa e Ru. frontosa foram as espécies mais presentes em todos os meses do ano; An. cruzii ocorreu preferencialmente de outubro a fevereiro; Ru. reversa e Ru. frontosa, em setembro; An. lutzi, Chagasia fajardoi, Coquillettidia chrysonotum, Aedes serratus, Trichoprosopon simile, Wyeomyia theobaldi, Ru. humboldti e Ru. theobaldi, pertencentes ao segundo grupo de espécies mais abundantes, ocorreram preferencialmente nos meses mais quentes, úmidos e chuvosos. A temperatura e as precipitaçöes pluviométricas influenciaram positivamente na incidência da maioria das espécies. CONCLUSOES: A cobertura vegetal de Mata Atlântica bem preservada, as precipitaçöes pluviométricas e a temperatura foram determinantes para a incidência da fauna de mosquitos no parque. Os meses mais chuvosos, úmidos e quentes contribuíram para o aumento da diversidade e da densidade. O período de setembro a março foi o mais favorável. Cerca de 70 por cento das espécies chegaram a desaparecer no período de abril a agosto, os meses mais frios e secos do ano

Ecologia de mosquitos (Diptera: Culicidae) em áreas do Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina, Brasil. I - Distribuiçäo por habitat / Ecology of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in areas of Serra da Bocaina National Park, Brazil. I - Habitat distribution

Objetivo: Estabelecer a influência exercida por três diferentes biótipos em áreas do Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina (PNSB) sobre a fauna local de mosquitos. Métodos: Foram realizadas capturas mensais em ambiente silvestre e domiciliar, em isca humana, durante três diferentes períodos do dia, pelo período de 24 meses consecutivos, de janeiro de 1991 a dezembro de 1992. Resultados: Foram capturados 11.808 espécimes adultos, pertencentes a 28 espécies. Ru. reversa e An. cruzii foram predominantes, respectivamente 52,5 por cento e 17,9 por cento do total de mosquitos. Ru. reversa representou 59,4 por cento do total de espécimes no ambiente de mata fechada, seguida por Ru. frontosa com 10,5 por cento e An. cruzii com 9,9 por cento. No ambiente formado por campos de altitude e matas de galeria, o An. cruzii predominou com 48,1 por cento, seguido por Ru. reversa com 28,1 por cento. No ambiente modificado pelo homem, o An. cruzii predominou com 73,7 por cento dos espécimes. Coquillettidia chrysonotum foi a única que apresentou preferencialmente nesse biótipo: 14,9 por cento no intra, 19,4 por cento no peri e 65,7 no extradomicílio. An cruzii e Ru. reversa foram constantes em todos os ambientes ao longo do ano. Conclusöes: Com exceçäo de Cq. chrysonotum, com preferência pelo ambiente modificado pelo homem, os mosquitos apresentam hábitos assinantrópicos no PNSB. An. cruzii, embora assinantrópico, se aproxima e adentra o domicílio para realizar a hematofagia. A presença do Ae. serratus no extra e peridomicílio reforça a importância epidemiológica como vetora potencial de arboviroses. Os sebethini apresentaram-se exclusivamente silvestres