Early detection and persistent positivity of anti-Leishmania antibodies using a recombinant protein-based ELISA in naturally infected dogs in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania infantum, for which dogs constitute the main urban parasite reservoir. Control measures and the treatment of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) are essential to reduce VL cases. Early and accurate detection of L. infantum-infected dogs is crucial to the success of VL control. To improve the serological detection of L. infantum-exposed dogs, we evaluated the early diagnosis capacity of a recombinant protein (rLci5) in an immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect naturally infected dogs. Additionally, we evaluated the persistence of the positive results obtained by rLci5 ELISA in comparison to other conventional diagnostic test methods. METHODS: Serum samples obtained from 48 L. infantum-infected dogs involved in a cohort study were evaluated using different diagnostic methods (qPCR, EIE-LVC, DPP-LVC and splenic culture). The results were compared to rLci5 ELISA to determine its capacity to diagnose L. infantum infection at earlier infection time points. The persistence of positive diagnostic test results was also compared for each dog evaluated. RESULTS: rLci5 ELISA presented higher rates of positive results at early time points compared to the other diagnostic tests employed in the cohort study, as early as 24 months prior to detection by other tests. rLci5 ELISA positivity was 52.1% (25/48) at baseline, while qPCR was 35.4% (17/48), DPP-LVC 27.1% (13/48), EIE-LVC 22.9% (11/48) and culture only 4.2% (2/48). In at least one of the time points of the 24-month cohort study, rLci5 ELISA was positive in 100% (48/48) of the dogs, versus 83% (40/48) for qPCR, 75% (36/48) for DPP-LVC, 65% (31/48) for EIE-LVC and 31% (15/48) for culture. Investigating clinical signs in association with diagnostic test positivity, rLci5 ELISA successfully detected CVL in 62.9% (95/151) of the clinical evaluations with a score of 0-3, 64.3% (45/70) with scores between 4 and 7, and 73.7% (14/19) with scores > 7, providing higher rates of positivity than all other methods evaluated. Moreover, rLci5 ELISA presented the greatest persistence with respect to test positivity: 45.8% of the dogs evaluated. CONCLUSION: Four diagnostic tests were compared to rLci5 ELISA, which presented earlier infection diagnosis and a greater persistence of positive test results. Accordingly, the use of the rLci5 ELISA can improve CVL diagnostic performance by detecting infected dogs sooner than other testing methods, with enhanced persistence of positive results over the course of the infection.

A new species of Neoparaphytoseius (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) from Brazil, with a review of the genus.

Neoparaphytoseius Chant McMurtry is a genus in the family Phytoseiidae, subfamily Amblyseiinae. The genus includes only two known species from Brazil and Peru, and the third is described here. Neoparaphytoseius caatinga n. sp. is described from the Caatinga biome of Alagoas State, where it was found on Croton blanchetianus Baill (Euphorbiaceae). The new species is compared with the closely related species, Neoparaphytoseius charapa Jiménez, McMurtry Moraes, and N. sooretamus (El-Banhawy). An identification key for the species of this genus is provided, based on the examination of the type specimens.

Integrative taxonomy of Abacarus mites (Eriophyidae) associated with hybrid sugarcane plants, including description of a new species.

Phytophagous mites belonging to the Eriophyoidea are extremely diverse and highly host-specific. Their accurate morphological identification is hampered by their reduced size and simplified bodies and by the existence of cryptic species complexes. Previous studies have demonstrated the urgency of applying multisource methods to accurate taxonomic identification of eriophyoid mites, especially species belonging to the genus Abacarus. This genus comprises 65 species, of which 37 are associated with grasses and four with sugarcane Saccharum (Poaceae). Recently, Abacarus specimens very similar to Abacarus sacchari were collected from the sugarcane crop in Brazil; however, their taxonomic placement was uncertain. In this study, we used an integrative approach to determine whether A. aff. sacchari specimens belong to A. sacchari or constitute a cryptic species. Morphological data were combined with molecular phylogeny based on the nucleotide sequences of three markers, one mitochondrial (COI) and two nuclear (D2 region of 28S and ITS). Morphological differences were observed between A. aff. sacchari, A. sacchari and A. doctus. The phylogenetic relationships among these three taxa and the genetic distances separating them revealed an interspecific divergence. The results of the morphological and molecular methods were congruent and supported the existence of a new species: Abacarus neosacchari n. sp. Duarte and Navia, herein described. This species belongs to the Abacarus cryptic species complex associated with sugarcane in the Americas. The results of this study, presenting the occurrence of multiple Abacarus species associated with sugarcane, contribute to the knowledge on plants and mites diversity by adding up one more clue highlighting that plant hybridization can be an important mechanism contributing to the speciation of plant-feeding arthropods.

Performance of recombinant chimeric proteins in the serological diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Dogs are considered sentinels in areas of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission risk to humans. ELISA is generally the method of choice for diagnosing T. cruzi exposure in dogs, but its performance substantially depends on the antigenic matrix employed. In previous studies, our group has developed four chimeric antigens (IBMP-8.1, 8.2, 8.3, and 8.4) and evaluated their potential for diagnosing T. cruzi exposure in humans. For human sera, these chimeric antigens presented superior diagnostic performances as compared to commercial tests available in Brazil, Spain, and Argentina. Therefore, in this study we have evaluated the potential of these antigenic proteins for detection of anti-T. cruzi IgG antibodies in dog sera. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The IBMP-ELISA assays were optimized by checkerboard titration. Subsequently, the diagnostic potential was validated through analysis of ROC curves and the performance of the tests was determined using double entry tables. Cross-reactivity was also evaluated for babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, dirofilariosis, anaplasmosis, and visceral leishmaniasis. Best performance was shown by IBMP-8.3 and IBMP-8.4, although all four antigens demonstrated a high diagnostic performance with 46 positive and 149 negative samples tested. IBMP-8.3 demonstrated 100% sensitivity, followed by IBMP-8.4 (96.7-100%), IBMP-8.2 (73.3-87.5%), and IBMP-8.1 (50-100%). The highest specificities were achieved with IBMP-8.2 (100%) and IBMP-8.4 (100%), followed by IBMP-8.3 (96.7-97.5%) and IBMP 8.1 (89.1-100%). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The use of chimeric antigenic matrices in immunoassays for anti-T. cruzi IgG antibody detection in sera of infected dogs was shown to be a promising tool for veterinary diagnosis and epidemiological studies. The chimeric antigens used in this work allowed also to overcome the common hurdles related to serodiagnosis of T. cruzi infection, especially regarding variation of efficiency parameters according to different strains and cross-reactivity with other infectious diseases.

Two new species of Afrodacarellus (Acari: Mesostigmata: Rhodacaridae) from Brazil and a key to the world species of the genus.

Within a project to determine the edaphic predatory mites from the Brazilian Alagoas state, two new species of Afrodacarellus Hurlbutt (Rhodacaridae) were found, namely Afrodacarellus alagoensis Santos & Castilho n. sp. and Afrodacarellus xucurukariri Santos & Castilho n. sp.. These are here described based on the morphology of adult females. A key for the separation of females of the 31 recognisable world species of Afrodacarellus is provided, including the newly described species.

Viscosupplementation in patients with severe osteoarthritis of the knee: six month follow-up of a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To analyze the early outcomes of viscosupplementation in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis. METHOD: A randomized, double-blind clinical trial of 143 knees divided into three groups: Group 1 - intra-articular injection of triamcinolone; Group 2 - hylan GF20; and Group 3 - triamcinolone + hylan GF20. Outcomes were evaluated using Lysholm and KSS scores before treatment and after one, three and six months. RESULTS: Within-group comparisons revealed improvements in Lysholm scores in all groups in the one month evaluation relative to pre-treatment levels (p < 0.01). This improvement was maintained in the third month after treatment (p > 0.05). Scores at six months were significantly lower than those observed in the previous follow-up assessments (p < 0.05), but still higher than pre-treatment levels (p < 0.05). KSS scores also improved after one month relative to pre-treatment levels (p < 0.01). This improvement was still present at three and six months after treatment in the corticosteroid group (p > 0.05). Patients treated with hylan GF20 showed lower scores in the last evaluation relative to month one (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the treatment groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Viscosupplementation increased functional scores in patients with severe osteoarthritis of the knee, especially within three months of injection. However, it was not superior to the use of triamcinolone.

Seroepidemiology of leptospirosis among febrile patients in a rapidly growing suburban slum and a flood-vulnerable rural district in Mozambique, 2012-2014: Implications for the management of fever.

OBJECTIVE: Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonoses in the world and is caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. In Mozambique, the disease is largely ignored and its epidemiology is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of leptospirosis in febrile patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed between July 2012 and September 2015 among febrile patients. A total of 373 paired serum samples were drawn from febrile patients; 208 were from Caia District Hospital (rural setting) in Sofala Province and 165 were from Polana Caniço General Hospital (suburban setting) in Maputo City. Samples were initially screened using an in-house ELISA for IgM and IgG antibodies. Double positive samples were confirmed using a microagglutination test (MAT). RESULTS: Of the 373 febrile patients, five (1.3%) had acute leptospirosis (MAT ≥400) and 38 (10.2%) had a presumptive infection (IgM-positive/MAT <400). While most of the patients with a presumptive infection lived in the rural setting (84.2%, 32/38), the majority of patients with acute infections (60%, 3/5) and with negative results (60.3%, 199/330) lived in the suburban setting (p=0.000). Contact with rodents was significantly higher in patient with acute leptospirosis (100%, 5/5) than in those with a presumptive infection (39.5%, 15/38) or negative results (41.8%, 138/330) (p=0.031). Four out of the five patients (80%) with acute leptospirosis were treated with antimalarial drugs although malaria results were negative. The prevailing serogroup, according to MAT results, was Australis (40%; 4/10), followed by Icterohaemorrhagiae (30%, 3/10). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that leptospirosis is prevalent among Mozambicans, and most cases are misdiagnosed as malaria.

Catalogue of the family Ologamasidae Ryke (Acari: Mesostigmata).

Mites of the family Ologamasidae are very conspicuous and abundant in soil and litter, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. Little is known of their biology and behaviour, but they appear to be generalist predators. The family is placed in the Rhodacaroidea, but its status and composition have been very unstable. The existing classification and identification keys are obsolete and difficult to use. We present a historical review of the literature on the classification of the Ologamasidae, with revised diagnoses for the family and its included genera, and a new key to genera. We also present a complete catalogue of the species, with details of their nomenclature and bibliography, and a summary of the locality and habitat data for the types for each species.        The family includes a total of 467 species arranged in 44 genera. The largest genera are Gamasiphis Berlese (74 species), Gamasellus Berlese (70 species) and Geogamasus Lee (33 species). These three genera together include more than 35% of the valid species in the family. Seven of the genera are monotypic. We list a further 29 species that appear to belong to the family Ologamasidae, but which cannot be confidently assigned to a genus on the basis of the available information. We also list 74 species that have been placed in the Ologamasidae at some time, but which are now placed in other families, especially the Veigaiidae, Digamasellidae, Parasitidae, and Eviphididae.        New combinations are proposed for 15 species. The genus Pachymasiphis is described as new, because this name was not made available correctly when it was first proposed.

Performance Assessment of Four Chimeric Trypanosoma cruzi Antigens Based on Antigen-Antibody Detection for Diagnosis of Chronic Chagas Disease.

The performance of serologic tests in chronic Chagas disease diagnosis largely depends on the type and quality of the antigen preparations that are used for detection of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies. Whole-cell T. cruzi extracts or recombinant proteins have shown variation in the performance and cross-reactivity. Synthetic chimeric proteins comprising fragments of repetitive amino acids of several different proteins have been shown to improve assay performances to detect Chagasic infections. Here, we describe the production of four chimeric T. cruzi proteins and the assessment of their performance for diagnostic purposes. Circular Dichroism spectra indicated the absence of well-defined secondary structures, while polydispersity evaluated by Dynamic Light Scattering revealed only minor aggregates in 50 mM carbonate-bicarbonate (pH 9.6), demonstrating that it is an appropriate buffering system for sensitizing microplates. Serum samples from T. cruzi-infected and non-infected individuals were used to assess the performance of these antigens for detecting antibodies against T. cruzi, using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a liquid bead array platform. Performance parameters (AUC, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and J index) showed high diagnostic accuracy for all chimeric proteins for detection of specific anti-T. cruzi antibodies and differentiated seropositive individuals from those who were seronegative. Our data suggest that these four chimeric proteins are eligible for phase II studies.

Two new species of Ologamasus (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ologamasidae) from Brazil with a key to the world species of the genus.

Ologamasus lucasi n. sp. and Ologamasus delaliberai n. sp. are described from adults collected from litter and soil in the State of Alagoas, northeastern of Brazil. A key for the separation of females of the 20 recognisable world species of Ologamasus is provided.

Tratamento de fratura complexa de mandíbula por abordagem transcervical: relato de caso / Mandible complex fracture treatment through transcervical approach: case report

A fratura de mandíbula está entre as mais frequentes fraturas dos ossos da face, com um aumento significativo de casos nos últimos anos. A deficiência no exame físico e o tratamento inadequado podem levar à deformidade estética ou funcional permanente. O tratamento dessas injúrias visa efetuar uma redução anatômica e fixação dos fragmentos ósseos com o objetivo de restaurar a função e forma, reduzindo as complicações. Como opções de tratamento, incluem-se o conservador e as técnicas abertas para a redução e a fixação. O método aberto para fraturas complexas de mandíbula com múltiplos fragmentos ósseos pode ser por abordagens intraoral ou extraoral. O presente artigo relata o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, 52 anos de idade vítima de agressão física que compareceu ao serviço de urgência de Cirurgia e Traumatologia Bucomaxilofacial apresentando trauma em face. Após o exame clínico e tomográfico, teve-se como diagnóstico a fratura múltipla de mandíbula, sendo o tratamento cirúrgico adotado com abordagem transcervical, abrangendo as regiões submandibulares bilateralmente e submentoniana com simplificação dos fragmentos com placas do sistema 2.0mm e fixação com placa do sistema 2.4mm, do tipo locking. O paciente segue em acompanhamento pós-operatório de seis meses sem queixas estéticas e funcionais... (AU)

The mandible fracture is among the most common of the bones of the face, with a significant increase in cases in recent years. Deficiency in physical examination and inadequate treatment can lead to aestheticor permanent functional deformity. The treatment of these injuries aims to make an anatomic reduction and fixation of bone fragments in order to restore form and function, reducing complications. The treatment options include conservative and open techniques for reduction and fixation. The open method for complex fractures of the jaw with multiple bone fragments can be through intra-oral or extra-oral approaches. This article reports a case of a male patient, 52 years old, physical aggression victim, who attended the urgency department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgerywith trauma in the face. After clinical and CT examination had up to diagnosis of multiple jaw fractures, and surgical treatment with transcervical approach covering bilateral submandibulars and submental regions with simplification of the fragments with 2.0mm system plates and fixation with2.4mm system plates, locking type. The patient follows in postoperative follow-up of six months without aesthetic and functional complaints... (AU)

Mites associated with sugarcane crop and with native trees from adjacent Atlantic forest fragment in Brazil.

In some Brazilian regions the Atlantic forest biome is currently restrict to fragments occurring amid monocultures, as sugarcane crops in the Northeast region. Important influence of forest remnants over mite fauna of permanent crops have been showed, however it has been poorly explored on annual crops. The first step for understanding ecological relationship in an agricultural systems is known its composition. The objective of this study was to investigate the plant-inhabiting mite fauna associated with sugarcane crop (Saccharum officinarum L.) (Poaceae) and caboatã (Cupania oblongifolia Mart.) (Sapindaceae) trees in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. Sugarcane stalks and sugarcane and caboatã apical, middle and basal leaves were sampled. A total of 2565 mites were collected from sugarcane and classified into seven families of Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata orders, with most individuals belonging to the Eriophyidae, Tetranychidae and Tarsonemidae families. Among predatory mites, the Phytoseiidae were the most common. A total of 1878 mites were found on C. oblongifolia and classified into 13 families of Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata orders. The most abundant phytophagous mite family on caboatã was also Eriophyidae. In contrast to sugarcane, Ascidae was the most common predatory mite family observed in caboatã. No phytophagous species were common to both sugarcane and C. oblongifolia. However two predatory mites were shared between host plants. Although mites associated with only one native species in the forest fragment were evaluated in this study, our preliminary results suggest Atlantic forest native vegetation can present an important role in the sugarcane agricultural system as a source of natural enemies.

Two new species of Rykellus (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ologamasidae) from Brazil and a key to the world species of the genus.

Rykellus anibali n. sp. and Rykellus mineiroi n. sp. are described from adult females and males collected from litter and soil in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. A key for the identification of females of the eight recognisable world species of Rykellus is provided.

Multi-antigen print immunoassay (MAPIA)-based evaluation of novel recombinant Leishmania infantum antigens for the serodiagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis.

BACKGROUND: Domestic dogs are the principal reservoir hosts of Leishmania infantum in regions where visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic. Although serologic methods are frequently used for the screening of infected dogs, antibody-based tests require further assessment, due to lack of sensitivity and specificity. In this study, we employed a multi-antigen printing immunoassay (MAPIA) to compare the antibody responses to novel recombinant proteins of L. infantum with the potential for the detection of canine VL. FINDINGS: MAPIA strips were prepared employing 12 recombinant proteins. Antibody reactivity to these antigens was compared using a panel of sera collected from clinically asymptomatic (n = 16) and symptomatic (n = 41) culture-positive animals. Our findings showed that the canine immune response to antigen differs between dogs and depends on infection status. Using this screening assay, when five out of the 12 antigens were combined, an overall 81% detection rate of L. infantum-infected dogs was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that MAPIA is an effective screening tool to rapidly select multiple antigens of diagnostic utility to be used in a more sensitive point of care diagnostic test such as the Dual-Path Platform (DPP) multiplex test for the rapid detection of infected dogs.

A dinâmica cultural contemporâneae a revalorização da vida / The contemporary cultural dynamics and theupgrading of life

Este trabalho tem por objeto analisar a dinâmica cultural contemporânea, profundamente marcada pela relação espaço-temporal, bem como pelas novas articulações entre fluxos identitários e tecnologia. Parte-se do pressuposto de que a temporalidade em que vivemos apresenta uma volatilidade entre as mercadorias, bem como evidencia novas formas de sociabilidade que redefinem a vida dos indivíduos, independente de suas respectivas faixas etárias. No contexto atual de globalização em que fronteiras cada vez menos nítidas se apresentam, no que diz respeito à demarcação de limites físicos e territoriais estanques, podemos estabelecer que a dinâmica da cultura ganha outros conceitos e articulações que vão além das tradições, bem como dos pertencimentos. Neste cenário, o artigo pretende elaborar a crítica ao modelo econômico que fundamenta um ideário de progresso (crescimento), mas não dá conta das inúmeras outras emergências que surgem em outros campos de reflexão como ecológico, cultural, informacional.(AU)

This work has the purpose to analyze the contemporary cultural dynamics, deeply marked by the relation between space and time, as well as by new connections between identity flows and technology. Believing that the temporality in which we live has volatility between the commodities as well as highlights new forms of sociability that redefine the individual’s lives, unattached to their respective ages. In the current context of globalization, where lass defined borders presents themselves, in relation to physical and territorial demarcation, we can establish that the dynamics of culture gains other concepts and articulations that go beyond the traditions as well as belongings. In this scenario, this paper aims to develop a critique of the economic model that bases an ideology of progress (growth), but does not deal with many other emergencies that arise in other fields of reflection as ecological, cultural, and informational.(AU)

A dinâmica cultural contemporâneae a revalorização da vida / The contemporary cultural dynamics and theupgrading of life

Este trabalho tem por objeto analisar a dinâmica cultural contemporânea, profundamente marcada pela relação espaço-temporal, bem como pelas novas articulações entre fluxos identitários e tecnologia. Parte-se do pressuposto de que a temporalidade em que vivemos apresenta uma volatilidade entre as mercadorias, bem como evidencia novas formas de sociabilidade que redefinem a vida dos indivíduos, independente de suas respectivas faixas etárias. No contexto atual de globalização em que fronteiras cada vez menos nítidas se apresentam, no que diz respeito à demarcação de limites físicos e territoriais estanques, podemos estabelecer que a dinâmica da cultura ganha outros conceitos e articulações que vão além das tradições, bem como dos pertencimentos. Neste cenário, o artigo pretende elaborar a crítica ao modelo econômico que fundamenta um ideário de progresso (crescimento), mas não dá conta das inúmeras outras emergências que surgem em outros campos de reflexão como ecológico, cultural, informacional.

This work has the purpose to analyze the contemporary cultural dynamics, deeply marked by the relation between space and time, as well as by new connections between identity flows and technology. Believing that the temporality in which we live has volatility between the commodities as well as highlights new forms of sociability that redefine the individual’s lives, unattached to their respective ages. In the current context of globalization, where lass defined borders presents themselves, in relation to physical and territorial demarcation, we can establish that the dynamics of culture gains other concepts and articulations that go beyond the traditions as well as belongings. In this scenario, this paper aims to develop a critique of the economic model that bases an ideology of progress (growth), but does not deal with many other emergencies that arise in other fields of reflection as ecological, cultural, and informational.

A new species of Hydrogamasellus (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ologamasidae) from Brazil, with a key to the world species of the genus.

Hydrogamasellus alagoensis n. sp. is described based on the morphology of adult females and males collected from litter in the State of Alagoas, Brazil. Six new combinations are proposed, namely A cugamasus avium (Karg, 1976) n. comb., Ologamasus lanceolatus (Karg, 1976) n. comb., Ologamasus microcrinis (Karg, 1979) n. comb., Ologamasus testudinis (Karg, 1976) n. comb., Rykellus longopilus (Karg, 1976) n. comb. and Rykellus ubatubaensis (Hirschmann, 1966) n. comb., and a key for the separation of females of the eighteen recognizable world Hydrogamasellus species is provided.

Evolução de 45 anos de siliconoma de mama: relato de caso / Breast implant with industrialized liquid silicone and the evolution of siliconoma for 45 years: case report

Siliconoma é o termo utilizado para caracterizar uma reação semelhante a um corpo estranho no organismo humano causada pelo uso do silicone.

Siliconoma is the term used to describe a similar reaction to a foreign body in the human body caused by the use of silicone.

[Life cycle of Proprioseiopsis cannaensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on different types of food]. / Ciclo de vida de Proprioseiopsis cannaensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) com diferentes tipos de alimentos.

Several annual and perennial crops are severely attacked by mites from the family Eriophyidae, Tenuipalpidae and Tetranychidae. A suitable alternative commonly used in several countries for the control of these pest mites involve the use of predatory mites in the family Phytoseiidae. The phytoseiid fauna in the Brazilian natural vegetation is very rich, but nothing is known about the biology of most of these species, as it is the case with Proprioseiopsis cannaensis (Muma). The objective of this study was to determine biological parameters of P. cannaensis fed on pest mite species such as Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) (Eriophyidae), Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) (Tenuipalpidae) and Tetranychus urticae Koch (Tetranychidae). To enable a comparison for different food sources, one of the treatments consisted of pollen from Typha angustifolia L. The study was conducted in the laboratory at 25+/-1 masculineC, 80+/-10% RH and Photophase of 12 h. Proprioseiopsis cannaensis did not complete the development when it was fed on P. oleivora. Its fecundity was very low with all other food sources (maximum of 3.3 eggs/female with pollen of T. angustifolia). The values of r m for P. cannaensis were -0.05, -0.09 and 0.002 when fed on B. phoenicis, T. urticae and pollen respectively. The unsatisfactory results from the four types of food sources do not permit us to conclude that P. cannaensis utilizes mites from the family Eriophyidae, Tenuipalpidae, Tetranychidae or pollen from different plant species as principal sources of food in nature.

Ciclo de vida de Proprioseiopsis cannaensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) com diferentes tipos de alimentos / Life cycle of Proprioseiopsis cannaensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on different types of food

Several annual and perennial crops are severely attacked by mites from the family Eriophyidae, Tenuipalpidae and Tetranychidae. A suitable alternative commonly used in several countries for the control of these pest mites involve the use of predatory mites in the family Phytoseiidae. The phytoseiid fauna in the Brazilian natural vegetation is very rich, but nothing is known about the biology of most of these species, as it is the case with Proprioseiopsis cannaensis (Muma). The objective of this study was to determine biological parameters of P. cannaensis fed on pest mite species such as Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) (Eriophyidae), Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) (Tenuipalpidae) and Tetranychus urticae Koch (Tetranychidae). To enable a comparison for different food sources, one of the treatments consisted of pollen from Typha angustifolia L. The study was conducted in the laboratory at 25 ± 1ºC, 80 ± 10 percent RH and Photophase of 12h. Proprioseiopsis cannaensis did not complete the development when it was fed on P. oleivora. Its fecundity was very low with all other food sources (maximum of 3.3 eggs/female with pollen of T. angustifolia). The values of r m for P. cannaensis were -0.05, -0.09 and 0.002 when fed on B. phoenicis, T. urticae and pollen respectively. The unsatisfactory results from the four types of food sources do not permit us to conclude that P. cannaensis utilizes mites from the family Eriophyidae, Tenuipalpidae, Tetranychidae or pollen from different plant species as principal sources of food in nature.