Geographic distribution of phlebotomine sandfly species (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Central-West Brazil

This study updates the geographic distributions of phlebotomine species in Central-West Brazil and analyses the climatic factors associated with their occurrence. The data were obtained from the entomology services of the state departments of health in Central-West Brazil, scientific collections and a literature review of articles from 1962-2014. Ecological niche models were produced for sandfly species with more than 20 occurrences using the Maxent algorithm and eight climate variables. In all, 2,803 phlebotomine records for 127 species were analysed. Nyssomyia whitmani, Evandromyia lenti and Lutzomyia longipalpis were the species with the greatest number of records and were present in all the biomes in Central-West Brazil. The models, which were produced for 34 species, indicated that the Cerrado areas in the central and western regions of Central-West Brazil were climatically more suitable to sandflies. The variables with the greatest influence on the models were the temperature in the coldest months and the temperature seasonality. The results show that phlebotomine species in Central-West Brazil have different geographical distribution patterns and that climate conditions in essentially the entire region favour the occurrence of at least one Leishmania vector species, highlighting the need to maintain or intensify vector control and surveillance strategies.

Geographic distribution of phlebotomine sandfly species (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Central-West Brazil.

This study updates the geographic distributions of phlebotomine species in Central-West Brazil and analyses the climatic factors associated with their occurrence. The data were obtained from the entomology services of the state departments of health in Central-West Brazil, scientific collections and a literature review of articles from 1962-2014. Ecological niche models were produced for sandfly species with more than 20 occurrences using the Maxent algorithm and eight climate variables. In all, 2,803 phlebotomine records for 127 species were analysed. Nyssomyia whitmani, Evandromyia lenti and Lutzomyia longipalpis were the species with the greatest number of records and were present in all the biomes in Central-West Brazil. The models, which were produced for 34 species, indicated that the Cerrado areas in the central and western regions of Central-West Brazil were climatically more suitable to sandflies. The variables with the greatest influence on the models were the temperature in the coldest months and the temperature seasonality. The results show that phlebotomine species in Central-West Brazil have different geographical distribution patterns and that climate conditions in essentially the entire region favour the occurrence of at least one Leishmania vector species, highlighting the need to maintain or intensify vector control and surveillance strategies.

Is alexithymia associated with specific mental disorders?

BACKGROUND: Alexithymia is characterized by restrictions in the perception, differentiation and regulation of affects. It is considered to be an important vulnerability factor for the development of mental disorders. Little is known, however, of whether alexithymia is associated with specific mental disorders. SAMPLING AND METHODS: Data from 1,461 patients of an outpatient clinic for psychosomatic medicine with various mental disorders (depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, somatoform disorders, eating disorders, and psychological and behavioral factors of physical illness) were collected between January 2007 and October 2009. The 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was administered to study alexithymia. The diagnoses were made following ICD-10 guidelines. RESULTS: In our sample, the total prevalence of alexithymia (TAS-20 ≥ 61) was 21.36%. The percentage of alexithymic patients was significantly increased in the group of patients with depressive disorders (26.9%) as compared to other diagnostic groups. Using TAS-20 as a continuous measure, multiple hierarchical regression analyses revealed that higher TAS-20 total scores were significantly associated with depressive and anxiety disorders. However, after controlling for the level of depression, the association of anxiety disorders with alexithymia was no longer significant. With regard to TAS-20 subscales, 'difficulty describing feelings' (subscale 2) was also significantly related to depressive disorders. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, the prevalence of alexithymia is relatively high in patients with mental disorders. The increased prevalence of highly alexithymic subjects suggests that alexithymia is associated with a higher vulnerability to mental illness. The prevalence of alexithymia was especially increased for depressive disorders. Thus, further evidence supporting the concept of 'alexithymic depression' was provided. From a therapeutic perspective, treatments should be developed that take the specific needs of highly alexithymic patients into account.

[Alexithymia and specific relationship patterns in a clinical sample]. / Alexithymie und spezifische Beziehungsmuster in einer klinischen Stichprobe.

OBJECTIVES: Alexithymia is characterized by deficits in perceiving, differentiating and regulating affects, both one's own affects and those of others. It is often related to interpersonal problems which are a major reason for seeking psychotherapy. This study assesses the relationship between alexithymia, specific relationship patterns and interpersonal problems in a clinical inpatient sample. METHODS: We evaluated alexithymia (Toronto-Alexithymia-Scale-26: TAS-26), relationship patterns (Relationship Patterns Questionnaire-II; RPQ-II) and interpersonal problems (Inventory of Interpersonal Problems: IIP) in 152 patients with various mental disorders upon admission to an inpatient clinic for psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy. RESULTS: Alexithymia (TAS-20) was significantly negatively associated with self-assertion (RPQII) and significantly positively associated with overall interpersonal problems (IIP-total score). Specifically, the interpersonal style associated with alexithymia was characterized by cold, socially avoidant, nonassertive and exploitable behavior (IIP-subscales). CONCLUSIONS: Alexithymia in patients with mental disorders is linked to specific relationship patterns and interpersonal problems at the beginning of an inpatient psychotherapy. Because interpersonal problems, and especially the therapeutic alliance, are strong predictors of outcome in individual psychotherapy, specific attention should be paid to this relationship in the treatment of alexithymic patients.

[No association between catechol-O-methyltransferase val158met polymorphism and alexithymia]. / Keine Assoziation zwischen Alexithymie und dem Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Val158Met-Polymorphismus.

OBJECTIVES: Reduced concentrations of dopamine in prefrontal brain structures may play a role in alexithymia. Dopamine degradation in the orbitofrontal cortex is regulated by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and a functional single nucleotide polymorphism of the COMT gene, Val158Met, has been related to psychiatric illness. This study examines the association between the COMT Val158Met gene polymorphism, and alexithymia. METHODS: 120 healthy students and 120 patients with mental disorders were genotyped for the COMT Val158Met polymorphism. Additionally, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was administered. RESULTS: COMT genotype did not show a significant correlation with the TAS-20 in either group. CONCLUSIONS: COMT Val158Met polymorphism alone does not seem to be a major factor in alexithymia in healthy students. This is true even if patients with mental disorders covering a broader range of alexithymia are included. Thus, other genes, possibly interacting with cultural, environmental, and developmental factors, may be implicated.