Natural infection in anopheline species and its implications for autochthonous malaria in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: A descriptive study was carried out in an area of the Atlantic Forest with autochthonous malaria in the Parelheiros subdistrict on the periphery of the municipality of São Paulo to identify anopheline fauna and anophelines naturally infected with Plasmodium as well as to discuss their role in this peculiar epidemiological context. METHODS: Entomological captures were made from May 2009 to April 2011 using Shannon traps and automatic CDC traps in four areas chosen for their different patterns of human presence and incidences of malaria (anthropic zone 1, anthropic zone 2, transition zone and sylvatic zone). Natural Plasmodium infection was detected by nested PCR based on amplification of the 18S rRNA gene. RESULTS: In total, 6,073 anophelines were collected from May 2009 to April 2011, and six species were identified in the four zones. Anopheles cruzii was the predominant species in the three environments but was more abundant in the sylvatic zone. Anopheles (Kerteszia) cruzii specimens from the anthropic and sylvatic zones were positive for P. vivax and P. malariae. An. (Ker.) bellator, An. (Nys.) triannulatus, An. (Nys.) strodei, An. (Nys.) lutzi and An. (Ano) maculipes were found in small numbers. Of these, An. (Nys.) triannulatus and An. (Nys.) lutzi, which were collected in the anthropic zone, were naturally infected with P. vivax while An. (Nys.) triannulatus from the anthropic zones and An. (Nys.) strodei from the transition zone were positive for P. malariae. CONCLUSION: These results confirm that Anopheles (Kerteszia) cruzii plays an important role as a major Plasmodium vector. However, the finding of other naturally infected species may indicate that secondary vectors are also involved in the transmission of malaria in the study areas. These findings can be expected to help in the implementation of new measures to control autochthonous malaria in areas of the Atlantic Forest.

[Association between dengue incidence and climatic factors]. / Associação entre incidência de dengue e variáveis climáticas.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the occurrence of autochthonous dengue cases according to sex, age, suspected infection site and its relation with climatic variables. METHODS: Autochthonous dengue cases reported in São Sebastião, Southern Brazil, from 2001 to 2002 and confirmed in laboratory were studied. Larval density was verified by three indexes: building, recipients and Breteau. The relationship between rainfall, temperature and number of cases was analyzed through Spearman's correlation using time lag. RESULTS: The annual incidence coefficients for 2001 and 2002 were 80.3 and 211.1 per 10,000 inhabitants, respectively. Most dengue cases (n=1,091; 65%) were reported in the district's central area. Females (n=969; 60%) and the age groups 20 to 29 and 30 to 39 years old of both sexes were mostly affected. Significant associations were not observed between climatic variables and the number of dengue cases in the first month; however, this association became evident in the second month throughout the fourth month. CONCLUSIONS: The association between the number of dengue cases and abiotic factors identified the time lag in which rain and temperature favored the occurrence of new cases. These aspects, associated to tourist vulnerability in the coastal area, promoted conditions for dengue occurrence. The urbanization without sanitary infrastructure possibly affected mosquito density and dengue incidence. Such factors may have contributed to mosquito dispersion and dissemination of different dengue serotypes.

Associação entre incidência de dengue e variáveis climáticas / Association between dengue incidence and climatic factors

OBJETIVO: Descrever a ocorrência de casos de dengue autóctone segundo sexo, faixa etária e local provável de infecção e sua relação com variáveis climatológicas. MÉTODOS: Os registros de casos autóctones em São Sebastião, SP, de 2001 a 2002, e confirmados laboratorialmente foram estudados. A densidade larval foi verificada pelos índices de predial, recipientes e Breteau. A relação entre dados de pluviosidade, temperatura e número de casos foi analisada pela correlação de Spearman utilizando-se o conceito time-lag. RESULTADOS: Os coeficientes de incidência anuais para 2001 e 2002 foram de 80,31 e 211,1 por 10.000 habitantes, respectivamente. A maioria dos casos de dengue (n=1.091; 65 por cento) foi registrada na área central do município. O sexo feminino foi o mais acometido (n=969; 60 por cento) e ambos os sexos nas faixas etárias entre 20 e 29 e 30 e 39 anos. Não foi observada correlação entre variáveis climatológicas e número de casos do mesmo mês, entretanto, esta associação ocorre a partir do segundo mês estendendo-se até o quarto mês. CONCLUSÕES: A associação entre o número de casos de dengue e fatores abióticos identificou o intervalo de tempo em que a chuva e a temperatura contribuíram na geração de novos casos. Tais aspectos, associados à vulnerabilidade turística da região litorânea, propiciaram condições para ocorrência da doença. A urbanização sem a devida estrutura de saneamento possivelmente influenciou na densidade de mosquitos e na incidência de dengue. Esses fatores podem ter contribuído para a dispersão do mosquito e disseminação dos vários sorotipos da doença.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the occurrence of autochthonous dengue cases according to sex, age, suspected infection site and its relation with climatic variables. METHODS: Autochthonous dengue cases reported in São Sebastião, Southern Brazil, from 2001 to 2002 and confirmed in laboratory were studied. Larval density was verified by three indexes: building, recipients and Breteau. The relationship between rainfall, temperature and number of cases was analyzed through Spearman's correlation using time lag. RESULTS: The annual incidence coefficients for 2001 and 2002 were 80.3 and 211.1 per 10,000 inhabitants, respectively. Most dengue cases (n=1,091; 65 percent) were reported in the district's central area. Females (n=969; 60 percent) and the age groups 20 to 29 and 30 to 39 years old of both sexes were mostly affected. Significant associations were not observed between climatic variables and the number of dengue cases in the first month; however, this association became evident in the second month throughout the fourth month. CONCLUSIONS: The association between the number of dengue cases and abiotic factors identified the time lag in which rain and temperature favored the occurrence of new cases. These aspects, associated to tourist vulnerability in the coastal area, promoted conditions for dengue occurrence. The urbanization without sanitary infrastructure possibly affected mosquito density and dengue incidence. Such factors may have contributed to mosquito dispersion and dissemination of different dengue serotypes.

Whole-pulmonary low-dose radiation therapy in agnogenic myeloid metaplasia with diffuse lung involvement.

Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia is a hematologic disorder accompanied by extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) affecting various organs. Lung involvement however is rare. We present the case of a 76-year-old woman with myelofibrosis, recurrent pleural effusions, pulmonary hypertension, and serious right cardiac failure. An open lung biopsy confirmed pulmonary EMH. She underwent low-dose (200 cGy) whole-lung radiotherapy in 4 fractions of 50 cGy each. Her clinical and hemodynamic parameters improved. We conclude that low-dose whole-lung radiation may be efficacious for the palliative treatment of pulmonary EMH.