Phylogeny of Anopheles darlingi (Diptera:Culicidae) based on the antimicrobial peptide genes cecropin and defensin.

Cecropins and defensins are the main classes of antimicrobial peptides in the mosquito innate immune system, acting against bacteria, fungi and protozoa. There is a knowledge gap concerning these peptide genes in anopheline mosquitoes from the Brazilian Amazon. Thus, this work aimed to describe molecular techniques for detecting the genes encoding the antimicrobial peptides cecropin A (CecA) and defensin in Anopheles darlingi mosquitoes and to perform molecular phylogeny of the sequenced genes using the maximum likelihood method and Bayesian inference with other species from different geographic areas. Our results show, for the first time, a molecular biology method for detecting CecA and defensin in Anopheles darlingi that allows for the use of these molecular markers for phylogenetic analysis in anopheline species, separating the species into single and monophyletic clades.

Morphological identification of species of the Nuneztovari Complex of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) from an area affected by a Brazilian hydroelectric plant.

The Nuneztovari Complex of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) comprises four species: An. nuneztovari Gabaldon, An. goeldii Rozeboom Gabaldon, An. dunhami Causey and An. nuneztovari species A. This study aimed to identify morphologically the species of the Nuneztovari Complex that occur in the area of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam. The morphological identification of adult males and male genitalia (aedeagus and ventral claspette) was performed. A statistical analysis of the difference in aedeagal leaflet length was done using the Mann-Whitney test. Of the 38 male genitalia of specimens of the Nuneztovari Complex examined, 33 were identified as An. goeldii/An. nuneztovari A and five as An. nuneztovari s.s. A statistically significant difference in aedeagal leaflet length was detected between the species: the mean length was 1.23 µm for An. goeldii/An. nuneztovari A and 9.18 µm for An. nuneztovari s.s. This is the first record of An. nuneztovari s.s.in areas of environmental modification in the Brazilian Amazon. This study provides a measurement tool that can identify and differentiate species of the complex in the region, which can be applied to the other species of the complex as well to other anopheline species; thus, fostering the acquisition of information about the role of each species in malaria transmission.

VK210 and VK247 genotypes of Plasmodium vivax in anopheline mosquitoes from Brazilian Amazon.

Plasmodium vivax sporozoites are differenced by circumsporozoite protein. Studies on the circulation of P. vivax VK210 and P. vivax VK247 in anopheline mosquitoes are important to verify the adaptability of these parasites on mosquitoes in different locations and periods. This study aimed to describe and compare the distribution of these genotypes in anopheline mosquitoes from four states of the Brazilian Amazon. Epidemiological databases about CSP infections on mosquitoes from Pará (2000-2015), Amapá (2000-2010), Roraima (2000-2003 and 2009-2011) and Acre States (2012-2015) were used for analysis. A total of 895 specimens were found infected mainly by P. vivax VK210. We showed that the distribution of P. vivax VK247 changed over time in the main malaria vectors on the Brazilian Amazon. We note that A. darlingi was abundant in certain localities while A. albitarsis s.l. in anothers, which highlights the importance of entomological studies for the control of human malaria.

Anopheles darlingi and Anopheles marajoara (Diptera: Culicidae) susceptibility to pyrethroids in an endemic area of the Brazilian Amazon.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of Anopheles darlingi Root (1926) and Anopheles marajoara Galvão & Damasceno (1942) to pyrethroids used by the National Malaria Control Program in Brazil. METHODS: Mosquitoes from Amapá, Brazilian Amazon, were assessed for resistance to cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and alpha-cypermethrin. Insecticide-impregnated bottles were used as suggested by the CDC/Atlanta. RESULTS: Diagnostic dose for Anopheles darlingi was 12.5µg/bottle during 30 min of exposure. Concentrations for Anopheles marajoara were 20µg/bottle of cypermethrin and deltamethrin and 12.5µg/bottle of alpha-cypermethrin. CONCLUSIONS: No resistance was recorded for Anopheles darlingi , but Anopheles marajoara requires attention.

Risco de transmissão de malária humana em área de implantação de projeto de prospecção mineral, município de Juruti, Estado do Pará / Human malaria transmission risk in an implementation area of mineral prospection, Juruti Municipality, Para State, Brazil

Este estudo objetivou avaliar o risco de transmissão de malária humana em áreas de influência do projeto Juruti no período 2006 a 2008. Um total de 976 mosquitos anofelinos foram capturados por atração humana protegida, identificados e processados para determinação de infectividade pelo teste de imunoensaio (ELISA) e, parte deles (10por cento) para taxa de paridade. Para o inquérito hemoscópico, foram feitas duas coletas (setembro/2007 na comunidade Capiranga e invasão Nova Vitória e março/2008 somente na última) utilizando-se o método da gota expressa (GE). Foram identificadas oito espécies de mosquitos anofelinos, com predomínio da espécie An. albitarsis s.l (76,8por cento) cuja taxa de paridade foi de 9,6por cento. A taxa de infecção foi zero para os primeiros dois anos de estudo e de 0,5por cento em 2008, quando um exemplar de An. albitarsis s.l coletado na comunidade de Santa Maria foi positivo para P. vivax-VK247. O índice de picada homem/hora (IPHH) variou de 0,1 a 8,1. Todas as 148 amostras de sangue foram negativas pela GE. Concluiu-se, portanto, que o risco de transmissão de malária na área estudada é baixo, apesar da presença de mosquitos vetores. Contudo, faz-se necessária vigilância permanente por causa, principalmente, do intenso fluxo migratório gerado pelo projeto.

Fauna anofélica da cidade de Belém, Pará, Brasil: dados atuais e retrospectivos / Anophelines in Belém, Pará, Brazil: current and retrospective data

Relato de coletas de anofelinos realizadas em Belém, Pará, Brasil, de 1995 a 2004, comparando os dados obtidos com os de levantamentos anteriores, feitos a partir da década de 1930. Nesses, vinte espécies haviam sido identificadas: Anopheles albitarsis s.l., An. aquasalis, An. argyritarsis, An. braziliensis, An. darlingi, An. eiseni, An. evansae, An. galvaoi, An. intermedius, An. kompi, An. mediopunctatus, An. nimbus, An. nuneztovari, An. oswaldoi, An. peryassui, An. punctimacula, An. shannoni, An. strodei, An. thomasi e An. triannulatus. Sete (An. argyritarsis, An. eiseni, An. galvaoi, An. kompi, An. nimbus, An. punctimacula e An. thomasi) não são agora registradas. A permanência de tantas outras espécies provavelmente decorre da preservação de áreas de mata no âmbito urbano. Duas delas são consideradas de importância vetorial (An. darlingi e An. aquasalis). Esta última continua sendo a de maior densidade nas coletas (46,26 por cento dos adultos e 99,21 por cento das larvas) e é a única registrada em todos os distritos administrativos. Existe, portanto, risco potencial de transmissão de malária em todo o município.

[Anophelines in Belém, Pará, Brazil: current and retrospective data]. / Fauna anofélica da cidade de Belém, Pará, Brasil: dados atuais e retrospectivos.

We present the results of anopheline captures in Belém, Pará, Brazil, from 1995-2004, and a comparison with captures from 1930-1999. In the earlier period, 20 species were identified: Anopheles albitarsis s.l., An. aquasalis, An. argyritarsis, An. braziliensis, An. darlingi, An. eiseni, An. evansae, An. galvaoi, An. intermedius, An. kompi, An. mediopunctatus, An. nimbus, An. nuneztovari, An. oswaldoi, An. peryassui, An. punctimacula, An. shannoni, An. strodei, An. thomasi, and An. triannulatus. Seven of these species were not found in 1995-2004 (An. argyritarsis, An. eiseni, An. galvaoi, An. kompi, An. nimbus, An. punctimacula, and An. thomasi). The persistence of so many species is probably due to the local preservation of forest areas. Two species are of vectorial importance (An. darlingi and An. aquasalis). An. aquasalis is still the most abundant species (46.26% of adults, 99.21% of larvae) and the only one detected in all capture sites. There is thus a potential risk of malaria transmission in the entire municipality of Belém.

[Entomological survey and infectivity during malaria outbreak in the Anajás municipality, Pará State]. / Inquérito entomológico e infectividade durante epidemia de malária no município de Anajás, Estado do Pará.

An entomological survey was conducted in the urban area of Anajás municipality, Para State, in order to verify the risk of malaria transmission. Although the density of Anopheles species was low, the anopheline infectivity rate of 6% demonstrated there is a high risk of infection by the malaria parasites.

Inquérito entomológico e infectividade durante epidemia de malária no município de Anajás, Estado do Pará / Entomological survey and infectivity during malaria outbreak in the Anajás municipality, Pará State

Inquérito entomológico transversal foi conduzido na área urbana no Município de Anajás/PA, para verificar o risco de transmissão malárica. Embora a densidade de Anopheles tenha sido baixa, a taxa de infectividade de 6 por cento e o encontro de espécimes positivos em todos os bairros indicam alto risco de contrair a doença.