Tungíase em uma área de aglomerado subnormal de Natal-RN: prevalência e fatores associados / Tungiasis in underprivileged communities in Natal, state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil: prevalence and associated factors

Objetivo: estimar a prevalência de tungíase e identificar os fatores associados em uma área de aglomerado subnormal de Natal-RN. Metodologia: estudo populacional, transversal conduzido de novembro de 2008 a maio de 2009. Dados foram coletados através de questionários socioambiental, clínico-epidemiológico e clínico-veterinário. Todos os 310 indivíduos residentes foram examinados. Resultados: a prevalência foi 23,2 por cento (IC95 por cento: 18,6-28,3). Fatores independentemente associados foram: sexo masculino (OR=2,9; IC95 por cento: 1,2-7,0), analfabetismo/baixa escolaridade (OR=4,1; IC95 por cento: 1,7-9,6)) e uso de calçados variando de OR=13,7; IC95 por cento: 4,3-43,9 a OR=48,8; IC95 poe cento: 10,5-227,9. Conclusão: na população estudada, a tungíase estava fortemente associada à baixa escolaridade e inadequado uso de calçados.

Objective. to estimate the prevalence and to identify the associated factors of tungiasis in a shanty town in the capital city of Natal, State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Methodology: the population study was conducted from November 2008 to May 2009, when data were collected using socioenvironmental, epidemiological and veterinary questionnaires. A total of 310 residents were examined. Results: the prevalence was 23.2 per cent (95 per cent CI 18.6 - 28.3). Factors independently associated were: male (OR 95 per cent CI 2.9, 1.2 - 7.0), illiteracy/poor education (OR 95 per cent CI 4.1, 1.7 - 9.6) and footwear – OR 95 per cent ranged from 13.7 (4.3 - 43.9) to 48.8 (10.5 - 227.9). Conclusion: in that population, tungiasis was strongly associated with low education and inadequate use of footwear.

Scanning electron microscopy studies of sensilla and other structures of the head of Polygenis (Polygenis) tripus (Siphonapera: Rhopalopsyllidae).

The external morphology of the head and appendages of adult Polygenis (Polygenis) tripus [Jordan, K., 1933. Descriptions of Siphonaptera. Nov. Zool. 39, 66-69] (Siphonaptera: Rhopalopsyllidae) was described based on scanning electron microscopy. Chaetal, trichoid and basiconic sensilla were encountered and their positions noted, comparisons being made between male and female specimens. Those of the basiconic type were particularly abundant on the frontal and occipital regions of the head and were surrounded by several pores, indicating the considerable sensory importance of these areas. Frontal tubercle was observed as a projection emerging from a depression in the frontal head region. The antennae of males were more developed, presenting greater number of sensilla on the scape and about 370 spatulate setae on the internal surface of the clava. Three large chemoreceptors, digitate sensilla ca. 11-13 microm were observed on the lateral surface of the antennal clava of both sexes between antennomeres 4-7. Females present a characteristic distribution of basiconic sensilla on the dorsal margin and median external surface of the clava. Trichoid sensilla were observed on all segments of the maxilary palps while basiconic sensilla were only recognized on the distal three segments.