Chagas Disease Vectors of Alagoas, Brazil: First Report of Panstrongylus geniculatus (Latreille, 1811) (Hemiptera, Triatominae) in the Brazilian State and Update of the Dichotomous Key Based on Cytogenetic Data.

Panstrongylus geniculatus is the most widely distributed species of Panstrongylus in Brazil and merits attention from vector control programs due to its potential for domiciliation. Specimens infected with Trypanosoma cruzi have already been reported in both peridomiciliary and domiciliary environments. Building on these findings, we report, for the first time, the presence of P. geniculatus in the state of Alagoas and provide an updated dichotomous key (based on cytogenetic data) for species in Alagoas. Panstrongylus geniculatus has been identified in Boca da Mata, Joaquim Gomes, and Novo Lino. In light of the recent notification of Rhodnius domesticus and this record of P. geniculatus, we present an updated identification key enabling the differentiation of all species in Alagoas. Emphasis is placed on the importance of correctly identifying triatomine species because it is crucial for the development of effective control measures, thereby aiding in the mitigation of Chagas disease.

Genome analysis of dengue type-1 virus isolated between 1990 and 2001 in Brazil reveals a remarkable conservation of the structural proteins but amino acid differences in the non-structural proteins.

We have investigated the genetic diversity of dengue type-1 (DEN-1) virus in Brazil. The full nucleotide sequences of three DEN-1 virus isolated from DEN fever (DF) and DEN hemorrhagic fever patients in northeastern Brazil in 1997 (BR/97) and one from a DF patient in the south of Brazil in 2001 (BR/01) were compared to that of the reference strain BR/90 obtained in the city of Rio de Janeiro in 1990. Sequence analysis showed that the structural proteins were remarkably conserved between all isolates. A total of 27 amino acid changes occurred throughout the non-structural proteins. Among them, nine amino acid substitutions were specific of BR/97 and BR/01 isolates, indicating that in situ evolution of these strains had occurred. Within the BR/97 and BR/01 samples, some amino acid substitutions have been previously identified in DEN-1 virus strains sequenced so far, suggesting that recombination events might have occurred.