Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Ethiopia.

Phlebotomine sandflies have a long history of association with humans, which makes them the only proven natural vectors of Leishmania species, the parasitic protozoans that cause leishmaniases in humans and animals. In Ethiopia, the three forms of leishmaniases, viz., visceral, dermal and mucocutaneous are endemic in different parts of the country. Since the first report of phlebotomine sandflies in Ethiopia in 1936, the distribution of different species and their role in the transmission of leishmaniases have been extensively studied. The objective of this review was to summarize the patchy information and give an updated list of phlebotomine sandfly species in Ethiopia and their known geographical distribution in the country. Peer-reviewed literature search was conducted using online databases. All articles published which focus on distribution and medical importance of Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia species of Ethiopia starting from 1936 up to 2022 were reviewed. Until July 2022, 65 phlebotomine sandfly species have been reported, belonging to the genus Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia. The genus Phlebotomus in Ethiopia is represented by six subgenera such as Adlerius, Anaphlebotomus, Larroussius, Paraphlebotomus Phlebotomus and Synphlebotomus, whereas the genus Sergentomyia is represented by six subgenera, namely Grassomyia, Parrotomyia, Parvidens, Rondanomyia, Sergentomyia, and Sintonius.

Descrição da anatomia do sistema reprodutor masculino de Lonomia ssp. (Lepidoptera Saturniidae)

The genus Lonomia (Saturniidae, Hemileucinae) has been highlighted by the severity of accidents related to the contact of its caterpillars with humans recorded in Brazil. However, despite the medical importance, there are still few studies on bioecology, taxonomy, description and especially morphological aspects of the reproductive system of this group. In the present study we proposed to describe the anatomy of the male reproductive organ of Lonomia spp. comparing virgin and mated males. The reproductive system of both types of males were dissected, photographed and analyzed for the anatomical description. From the results obtained, it was possible to describe in an unprecedented way the basic morpho-anatomy of the reproductive system of males of Lonomia spp. and demonstrate important anatomical changes compared to other sibling groups. The males of Lonomia spp. have spherical testicles. The mated males have translucent testes, while those of virgin males have a yellowish color. Males apparently have only one vas deferens connected to the testes, only one seminal vesicle and the simple ejaculatory duct is yellowish (virgin males) or whitish (coupulated males). Additional studies focusing on histological analysis of the testes should be performed in order to verify if there is a correlation between the translucency of the reproductive system and the absence of sperm. An open point is whether the males of Lonomia spp. produce sperm throughout their adult life or just the amount needed for copulation, and whether the seminal vesicle stores sperm material.

O gênero Lonomia (Saturniidae, Hemileucinae) tem se destacado pela gravidade dos acidentes referentes ao contato de suas lagartas com humanos registrados no Brasil. Entretanto, apesar da importância médica, ainda são escassos os trabalhos sobre bioecologia, taxonomia, descrição e principalmente aspectos morfológicos do aparelho reprodutor deste grupo. No presente estudo propusemos descrever a anatomia do órgão reprodutor masculino de Lonomia spp. comparando machos virgens e copulados. O sistema reprodutor de ambos os tipos de machos foram dissecados, fotografados e analisados para a realização da descrição anatômica. A partir dos resultados obtidos, foi possível descrever de forma inédita a morfo-anatomia básica do sistema reprodutor dos machos de Lonomia spp. e demonstrar modificações anatômicas importantes em comparação a outros grupos-irmãos. Os machos de Lonomia spp. apresentam testículos de formato esférico. Os machos copulados apresentam testículos de coloração translúcida, enquanto os dos machos virgens possuem coloração amarelada. Os machos aparentemente possuem apenas um vaso deferente ligado aos testículos, apenas uma vesícula seminal e o ducto ejaculatório simples apresenta uma coloração amarelada (machos virgens) ou esbranquiçada (machos copulados). Estudos adicionais com foco em análises histológicas dos testículos devem ser realizados a fim de verificar se há correlação entre a translucidez do sistema reprodutor e a ausência de espermatozoides. Um ponto ainda em aberto é se os machos de Lonomia spp. produzem espermatozoides durante toda sua vida adulta ou apenas a quantidade necessária para uma cópula, e se a vesícula seminal armazena material espermático.

Metodologia de criação de Lonomia sp. (Walker, 1855) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) em laboratório

One of the Lepidoptera species of greatest medical interest in Brazil is Lonomia obliqua, due to its toxin that can cause hemorrhages, intense fibrinolytic action, kidney failure that can lead to coma and even death. In this context, given the severity of accidents caused by contact with Lonomia spp. Instituto Butantan has been producing antilonomic serum since 1994. This process, so far, depends on the receipt of specimens via Brazilian health surveillance departments and/or notification from civil society. Furthermore, there are few studies on bioecology, taxonomy, description and morphological and ecological aspects of this group. Studies which can be made possible from the establishment of colonies in vivariums with controlled laboratory conditions. However, despite their medical importance, effective methodologies for breeding these caterpillars in the laboratory have not yet been developed. Therefore, the present study aimed to establish complete consecutive generations of Lonomia sp. under laboratory conditions; describe the complete development of the genus Lonomia sp.; and to develop initial tests related to the standardization of creation of this genus under laboratory conditions. For that, caterpillars from the region of Campo Limpo Paulista - SP, Cotia - SP, Tremembé - SP and Sobradinho - DF were used. The specimens were reared under controlled temperature, humidity and photoperiod conditions and distributed equitably between replicates, reared in dry and wet conditions for later comparison. It can be seen that moisture is a crucial factor for the development of the egg and pupal stage and that during the larval stage, offering fresh leaves, clean and free from the effect of flowering and/or insecticides is also important. Furthermore, during the larval and adult stages, some behaviors never reported for Lonomia spp. In all, three complete generations were obtained (Parental - from the larval stage, F1 and F2 complete and F3 to the adult stage with apparently infertile eggs). Thus, it can be concluded that for the first time this number of live and complete generations of Lonomia spp. created under controlled laboratory conditions, a fact never reported in the literature. It can also be seen that the use of a BOD type greenhouse was crucial to obtain this result. However, further studies and tests must be carried out in order to improve what has already been discovered.

Uma das espécies de Lepidoptera de maior interesse médico no Brasil é a Lonomia obliqua, por conta de sua toxina que pode causar hemorragia, intensa ação fibrinolítica, falência dos rins podendo levar ao coma e até a óbito. Neste contexto, dada a gravidade dos acidentes pelo contato com lagartas de Lonomia spp. o Instituto Butantan desde 1994 vem produzindo o soro antilonômico. Este processo, até o momento depende do recebimento de espécimes via departamentos de vigilância em saúde brasileiras e/ou notificação da sociedade civil. Ademais, poucos são os estudos sobre bioecologia, taxonomia, descrição e aspectos morfológicos e ecológicos deste grupo. Estudos os quais podem ser viabilizados a partir do estabelecimento de colônias em biotérios sob condições laboratoriais controladas. Contudo, apesar da sua importância médica, até o momento não foram desenvolvidas metodologias eficazes para a criação destas lagartas em laboratório. Portanto, o presente estudo teve como objetivos estabelecer gerações consecutivas completas de Lonomia sp. em condições laboratoriais; descrever o desenvolvimento completo gênero Lonomia sp.; e desenvolver testes iniciais relacionados à padronização de criação deste gênero em condições laboratoriais. Para tanto, lagartas provenientes da região de Campo Limpo Paulista - SP, Cotia - SP, Tremembé - SP e Sobradinho - DF, foram utilizados. Os espécimes foram mantidos e criados em condições de temperatura, umidade e fotoperíodo controlados e distribuídos de forma equitativa entre réplicas, criadas em condições secas e úmidas para posterior comparação. Pode-se perceber que a umidade é fator crucial para o desenvolvimento da fase de ovo e pupa e que durante a fase larval, o oferecimento de folhas frescas, higienizadas e livres de efeito de floração e/ou inseticidas também são importantes. Ademais, durante a fase larval e adulta pode-se observar alguns comportamentos jamais relatados para Lonomia spp. Ao todo, obteve-se três gerações completas (Parental - a partir da fase larval, F1 e F2 completas e F3 até a fase adulta com ovos aparentemente inférteis). Com isso, pode-se concluir que pela primeira vez foi atingida esta quantidade de gerações vivas e completas de Lonomia spp. criadas sob condições controladas em laboratório, fato jamais relatado na literatura. Pode-se perceber também que o uso de uma estufa do tipo BOD foi crucial para a obtenção deste resultado. Contudo, novos estudos e testes devem ser realizados a fim de aprimorar o que já foi observado.

Movement behaviour of two social urticating caterpillars in opposite hemispheres.

BACKGROUND: Investigating movement ecology of organisms has economic, societal, and conservation benefits. Larval movement of insects for example, plays many significant ecological roles, and with the expansion of the human population and development, encounters and conflicts with insects have increased. Urticating caterpillars are a health concern to people and animals, especially when they disperse in a gregarious and synchronised manner in areas frequented by humans. Ochrogaster lunifer and Thaumetopoea pityocampa from the southern and northern hemispheres respectively, are two geographically-isolated species of moth with similar gregarious urticating caterpillars that can outbreak causing defoliation and medical issues. METHODS: Each year from March to May, O. lunifer and T. pityocampa caterpillars leave their nesting sites and form head-to-tail processions on the ground in search of pupation sites. This pre-pupation procession behaviour and its associated risk of human contact with O. lunifer and T. pityocampa caterpillars were studied and compared in Australia and Italy, respectively. The distance, duration, orientation and response to visible light of the pre-pupation processions were studied in both species to determine general patterns. RESULTS: In the morning, O. lunifer and T. pityocampa processions travelled on average 40 and 16 m per day from the nest in 153 and 223 min respectively, in search for potential pupation sites. Ochrogaster lunifer pre-pupation processions travelled generally to the north or south when leaving the nest, as was their final orientation to the bivouac/pupation site. Whereas T. pityocampa processions had no preference in orientation. Ochrogaster lunifer and T. pityocampa pre-pupation processions travelled towards the darker and the lighter areas of the environment, respectively. During our observations, 27% of O. lunifer and 44% of T. pityocampa processions had contact with humans driving, cycling or walking. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of human contact is surprising and alarming, because of the serious health implications they cause to humans and animals. The processionary dispersal on the ground risks further spread of urticating hairs that can be easily detached, and particular during inadvertent contact. Our limited sample size of T. pityocampa processions may benefit from more observations to make conclusive remarks on their pre-pupation behaviour. Understanding the movement behaviour of O. lunifer and T. pityocampa pre-pupation processions around populated areas is crucial for predicting exposure risk and application of management strategies.

Neuroborreliosis in patients hospitalised for Lyme borreliosis in the Czech Republic in 2003 - 2013.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyse and evaluate a cohort of Lyme borreliosis (LB) patients with neuroborreliosis (LNB) hospitalised in the Czech Republic in 2003-2013. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data analysed in this study were obtained from the National Register of Hospitalised Patients, which is a nationwide population register maintained at the Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic. Data collection from all departments of bed care establishments are regularly processed every year. Registration of basic hospitalisation diagnoses is performed in accordance with the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). The study cohort consisted of 23,631 patients with clinically and laboratory confirmed LB hospitalised between 2003 and 2013. RESULTS: Nervous system involvement, i. e. LNB (ICD-10 codes G00-G99) was recorded in 27.1% (6,392) of LB patients. Hospital admissions for LB exhibited a slight downward trend with year-on-year fluctuations over the study period. In contrast, LNB showed an upward trend with slight year-on-year fluctuations (345-779 cases) (p = 0.003). Overall, 6,392 persons, 3,220 males and 3,172 females, were diagnosed with LNB over the 11-year study period. Some patients presented with multiple concomitant neurological symptoms. Overall, 6,392 hospitalised patients were diagnosed with 8,168 diseases of the nervous system. The most common diagnoses were facial nerve disorders (21.1%), meningitis (18.3%), polyneuropathies (13.6%), encephalitis, myelitis, and encephalomyelitis (11.3%), and nerve root and plexus disorders (4.9%). The average age of male and female patients hospitalised with LNB was 44.4 and 44.7 years, respectively. It varied significantly between the ICD-10 code groups (p < 0.001) from 38.0 to 63.0 years. The relative incidence of LB by five-year age group showed the first peak at the age of 5-9, followed by a considerable drop at the age of 20-24 and then by another higher peak at the age of 55-59 (the hospitalisation rate ratio comparing the peaks in the adults and children was 1.78). For LNB, the second peak shifted to the age of 65 to 74 years and was similar to the peak in children age groups (hospitalisation rate ratio of 0.95). The distribution of hospital admissions for LNB by month of admission showed the highest numbers of admissions in July and September and the lowest numbers of admissions in December and April. The length of hospital stay was significantly higher (mean of 12.4 days and median of 13 days) in LNB patients (p < 0.001) than in other LB patients (mean of 10.3 days and median of 10 days). CONCLUSION: The basic prerequisite for reliable diagnosis of LNB is a multidisciplinary collaboration of highly experienced neurologists, infection disease specialists, and microbiologists. The cohort of 6,392 patients hospitalised for LNB was analysed by gender, length of hospital stay, and month of hospital admission. The study found LNB cases to occur in all age groups. LNB diagnosis performed in accordance with the ICD-10 enables valid comparison between neurological outcomes of LB patients at both the national and international levels.

Loxosceles chapadensis (Araneae: Sicariidae) a new recluse spider species of the gaucho group from Brazil

A new species of the medically important recluse spider genus Loxosceles Heinecken & Lowe 1832 is described from the State of Bahia, Brazil. The species occurs between rocks and crevices, as well as in and around man-made structures. The new species belongs to the gaucho group, as evidenced by the spermathecal shape and color pattern. The presence of a long male palpal tibia is unusual in the gaucho group; thus, the inclusion of the new species in this group is discussed.