Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Diversity of a Forest-Fragment Mosaic in the Amazon Rain Forest

To study the impact of Amazonian forest fragmentation on the mosquito fauna, an inventory of Culicidae was conducted in the upland forest research areas of the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project located 60 km north of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. The culicid community was sampled monthly between February 2002 and May 2003. CDC light traps, flight interception traps, manual aspiration, and net sweeping were used to capture adult specimens along the edges and within forest fragments of different sizes (1, 10, and 100 ha), in second-growth areas surrounding the fragments and around camps. We collected 5,204 specimens, distributed in 18 genera and 160 species level taxa. A list of mosquito taxa is presented with 145 species found in the survey, including seven new records for Brazil, 16 new records for the state of Amazonas, along with the 15 morphotypes that probably represent undescribed species. No exotic species [Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse)] were found within the sampled areas. Several species collected are potential vectors of Plasmodium causing human malaria and of various arboviruses. The epidemiological and ecological implications of mosquito species found are discussed, and the results are compared with other mosquito inventories from the Amazon region.

Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Relationships Between Species of the Genus Culex (Diptera: Culicidae) From Brazil Inferred From the Cytochrome c Oxidase I Mitochondrial Gene

Species of the genus Culex Linnaeus have been incriminated as the main vectors of lymphatic filariases and are important vectors of arboviruses, including West Nile virus. Sequences corresponding to a fragment of 478 bp of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, which includes part of the barcode region, of 37 individuals of 17 species of genus Culex were generated to establish relationships among five subgenera, Culex, Phenacomyia, Melanoconion, Microculex, and Carrollia, and one species of the genus Lutzia that occurs in Brazil. Bayesian methods were employed for the phylogenetic analyses. Results of sequence comparisons showed that individuals identified as Culex dolosus, Culex mollis, and Culex imitator possess high intraspecific divergence (3.1, 2.3, and 3.5%, respectively) when using the Kimura two parameters model. These differences were associated either with distinct morphological characteristics of the male genitalia or larval and pupal stages, suggesting that these may represent species complexes. The Bayesian topology suggested that the genus and subgenus Culex are paraphyletic relative to Lutzia and Phenacomyia, respectively. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences may be a useful tool to both estimate phylogenetic relationships and identify morphologically similar species of the genus Culex.

Problems with accessibility to health services by persons with disabilities in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Purpose. To describe the occurrence of self-reported problems of accessibility to health services used by persons with disabilities in terms of social and health services variables. Methods. We performed a cross-sectional household survey designed to assess problems with accessibility to health services faced by persons with disabilities. We interviewed 333 persons in Sao Paulo city, in 2007. Variables related to the presence of accessibility problems, disabilities, gender, age, family head income, ethnicity, use of health services and others were analysed using frequencies, percentages, chi(2)-test, ANOVA and Poisson regression models. Results. 15.92% of the interviewed persons reported problems with accessibility to health services. Persons having multiple (prevalence ratios; PR = 2.91) or mobility disability (PR = 6.46) had more problems with accessibility than persons with hearing disability. Persons younger than 78 years old had more problems with accessibility; those who needed help to go to the health service (PR = 3.01) also. Conclusions. Persons with multiple or mobility disability, younger than 78 years, and those who needed help of others to go to the health service were more likely to have problems with accessibility to health services. This information could be one of the first steps to the management and/or planning of appropriate health services for persons with disabilities.

Indoor and outdoor atmospheric fungal spores in the So Paulo metropolitan area (Brazil): species and numeric concentrations

The aim of this study was to estimate the indoor and outdoor concentrations of fungal spores in the Metropolitan Area of Sao Paulo (MASP), collected at different sites in winter/spring and summer seasons. The techniques adopted included cultivation (samples collected with impactors) and microscopic enumeration (samples collected with impingers). The overall results showed total concentrations of fungal spores as high as 36,000 per cubic meter, with a large proportion of non culturable spores (around 91% of the total). Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. were the dominant species both indoors and outdoors, in all seasons tested, occurring in more than 30% of homes at very high concentrations of culturable airborne fungi [colony forming units(CFU) m(-3)]. There was no significant difference between indoor and outdoor concentrations. The total fungal spore concentration found in winter was 19% higher than that in summer. Heat and humidity were the main factors affecting fungal growth; however, a non-linear response to these factors was found. Thus, temperatures below 16A degrees C and above 25A degrees C caused a reduction in the concentration (CFU m(-3)) of airborne fungi, which fits with MASP climatalogy. The same pattern was observed for humidity, although not as clearly as with temperature given the usual high relative humidity (above 70%) in the study area. These results are relevant for public health interventions that aim to reduce respiratory morbidity among susceptible populations.

Resurrection of Two Species From Synonymy of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) strodei Root, and Characterization of a Distinct Morphological Form From the Strodei Complex (Diptera: Culicidae)

Anopheles albertoi Unti and Anopheles arthuri Unti are revived from the synonymy with Anopheles strodei Root, and a distinct morphological form (designated in this study as Anopheles CP Form) from the Strodei Complex of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) is characterized. The male genitalia of An. arthuri and An. albertoi are described and illustrated for the first time. An. strodei, An. arthuri, and An. albertoi were first distinguished based on scanning electron microphotos of the eggs, and then each egg type was associated with diagnostic characters of the male genitalia. Identification of Anopheles CP Form was based on morphological characters of the male genitalia, characterized and illustrated in this study. Molecular phylogenetic analysis was most clear when an outgroup was not included, in which case using the nuclear white gene, or the white gene in combination with the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, clearly separated these four taxa. When Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say and Anopheles stephensi Liston were included as an outgroup, combined white and COI data resolved An. strodei and An. albertoi, whereas An. arthuri was not well resolved. The single sequence of Anopheles CP Form was recovered well separated from other groups in all analyses.

Phylogenetic relationships among species of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) (Diptera, Culicidae) based on nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences

Phylogenetic relationships among 21 species of mosquitoes in subgenus Nyssorhynchus were inferred from the nuclear white and mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) genes. Bayestan phylogenetic methods found that none of the three Sections within Nyssorhynchus (Albimanus, Argyritarsis, Myzorhynchella) were supported in all analyses, although Myzorhynchella was found to be monophyletic at the combined genes Within the Albimanus Section the monophyly of the Stroder Subgroup was strongly supported and within the Myzorhynchella Section Anopheles anrunesi and An lutzu formed a strongly supported monophyletic group The epidemiologically significant Albitarsis Complex showed evidence of paraphyly (relative to An lanet-Myzorhynchella) and discordance across gene trees, and the previously synonomized species of An. dunhami and An goeldii were recovered as sister species Finally, there was evidence of complexes in several species, including An antunesi, An deaneorum, and An. strodei (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Physical disability, recent illnesses and health self-assessment in a population-based study in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Objectives. To investigate health self-assessment and to estimate the prevalence of chronic diseases and recent illnesses in people with and without physical disabilities (PD) in the state of Sao Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Study design. A Cross-sectional study comprising two population-based health surveys conducted in 2002 and 2003. Methods. A total of 8317 persons (165 with PD) were interviewed in the two studies. Variables concerning to health self-assessment; chronic disease and recent illness were compared in the people with and without PD. Negative binomial regression was used in the analysis. Results. Subjects with PD more often assessed their health as poor/very poor compared to non-disabled ones. They reported more illnesses in the 15 days prior to interview as well as more chronic diseases (skin conditions, anaemia, chronic kidney disease, stroke, depression/anxiety, migraine/headache, pulmonary diseases, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis/arthrosis/rheumatic conditions and heart disease). This higher disease prevalence can be either attributed to disability itself or be associated to gender, age and schooling. Conclusions. Subjects with PD had more recent illnesses and chronic diseases and poorer health self-assessment than non-disabled ones. Age, gender, schooling and disability have individual roles in disease development among disabled people.

Potential vectors and hosts of rickettsia spp: epidemiological studies in the Vale do Paraiba, state of Rio de Janeiro/Brazil

FAPESP

Studies on Anopheles (Kerteszia) homunculus Komp (Diptera: Culicidae)

The present findings suggest that Anopheles (Kerteszia) homunculus may comprise more than one species. The rDNA ITS2 sequence data corroborate the presence of An. homunculus l.s. in Mata Atlantica, southern Brazil, and suggest that specimens from Trinidad may belong to an unnamed morphologically similar species. There is a need for additional studies to establish the geographical distribution of An. homunculus l.s. in continental South America and in Trinidad, especially in southern Mata Atlantica, Brazil.

Neotype designation and redescription of adult male and immature stages of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) pictipennis (Philippi) (Diptera: Culicidae)

A neotype is designated for Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) pictipennis (Philippi) and morphological redescriptions are provided for the adult male, male genitalia, fourth-instar larva and pupa. All specimens, including the neotype were collected in Rio Mapocho, Santiago, Chile in 1945/1946, and were deposited in the Entomological Collection of Faculdade de Saude Publica, Universidade de Sao Paulo (FSP-USP), Brazil. The neotype was previously invalidly designated the allotype of An. pictipennis by Lane and Neghme (1946). Illustrations are provided for diagnostic characteristics of the male genitalia, and larval stage.

Health in Brazil 5 Violence and injuries in Brazil: the effect, progress made, and challenges ahead

Although there are signs of decline, homicides and traffic-related injuries and deaths in Brazil account for almost two-thirds of all deaths from external causes. In 2007, the homicide rate was 26.8 per 100 000 people and traffic-related mortality was 23.5 per 100 000. Domestic violence might not lead to as many deaths, but its share of violence-related morbidity is large. These are important public health problems that lead to enormous individual and collective costs. Young, black, and poor men are the main victims and perpetrators of community violence, whereas poor black women and children are the main victims of domestic violence. Regional differentials are also substantial. Besides the sociocultural determinants, much of the violence in Brazil has been associated with the misuse of alcohol and illicit drugs, and the wide availability of firearms. The high traffic-related morbidity and mortality in Brazil have been linked to the chosen model for the transport system that has given priority to roads and private-car use without offering adequate infrastructure. The system is often poorly equipped to deal with violations of traffic rules. In response to the major problems of violence and injuries, Brazil has greatly advanced in terms of legislation and action plans. The main challenge is to assess these advances to identify, extend, integrate, and continue the successful ones.

Spatial expansion and population structure of the neotropical malaria vector, Anopheles darlingi (Diptera: Culicidae)

Extensive population structuring is known to occur in Anopheles darlingi, the primary malaria vector of the Neotropics. We analysed the phylogeographic structure of the species using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I marker. Diversity is divided into six main population groups in South America: Colombia, central Amazonia, southern Brazil, south-eastern Brazil, and two groups in north-east Brazil. The ancestral distribution of the taxon is hypothesized to be central Amazonia, and there is evidence of expansion from this region during the late Pleistocene. The expansion was not a homogeneous front, however, with at least four subgroups being formed due to geographic barriers. As the species spread, populations became isolated from each other by the Amazon River and the coastal mountain ranges of south-eastern Brazil and the Andes. Analyses incorporating distances around these barriers suggest that the entire South American range of An. darlingi is at mutation-dispersal-drift equilibrium. Because the species is distributed throughout such a broad area, the limited dispersal across some landscape types promotes differentiation between otherwise proximate populations. Moreover, samples from the An. darlingi holotype location in Rio de Janeiro State are substantially derived from all other populations, implying that there may be additional genetic differences of epidemiological relevance. The results obtained contribute to our understanding of gene flow in this species and allow the formulation of human mosquito health protocols in light of the potential population differences in vector capacity or tolerance to control strategies. (C) 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 97, 854-866.

Population-Based Multicentric Survey of Hepatitis B Infection and Risk Factor Differences among Three Regions in Brazil

This multicentric population-based study in Brazil is the first national effort to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and risk factors in the capital cities of the Northeast. Central-West, and Federal Districts (2004-2005). Random multistage cluster sampling was used to select persons 13-69 years of age. Markers for HBV were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The HBV genotypes were determined by sequencing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Multivariate analyses and simple catalytic model were performed. Overall. 7,881 persons were inculded < 70% were not vaccinated. Positivity for HBsAg was less than 1% among non-vaccinated persons and genotypes A, D, and F co-circulated. The incidence of infection increased with age with similar force of infection in all regions. Males and persons having initiated sexual activity were associated with HBV infection in the two settings: healthcare jobs and prior hospitalization were risk factors in the Federal District. Our survey classified these regions as areas with HBV endemicity and highlighted the risk factors differences among the settings.

Insight into Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) (Diptera: Culicidae) Species from Brazil

Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) benarrochi s.l., Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) oswaldoi s.l., and Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) konderi s.l. collected in Acrelandia, state of Acre, Brazil, were identified based on morphological characters of the male genitalia, fourth-instar larvae, and pupae. Morphological variation was observed in the male genitalia of these species in comparison with specimens from other localities in Brazil. DNA sequence from the nuclear ribosomal second internal transcribed spacer of individuals identified as An. benarrochi s.l. by using male genitalia characteristics showed that the various morphological forms are conspecific but are distinct from An. benarrochi B from Colombia. Anopheles konderi s.l. and An. oswaldoi s.l. both misidentified as An. oswaldoi s.s. (Peryassu) throughout Brazil, may actually comprise at least two undescribed species. Diagnostic morphological characteristics of the male genitalia are provided to distinguish Anopheles benarrochi s.l., Anopheles oswaldoi s.l., and Anopheles konderi s.l. from morphologically similar species. Incrimination of An. oswaldoi s.s. in malaria transmission in Brazil needs further investigation because other undescribed species from Acre may have been confounded with this taxon.

Two new species of Culex subgenus Melanoconion (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Amazon forest

Two new mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae), Culex (Melanoconion) phyllados n. sp. and Culex (Melanoconion) brachiatus n. sp. from the state of Amazonas, Brazil, are here validated and described based on morphological features of the male genitalia. Both species are morphologically more similar to both Culex coppenamensis Bonne-Wepster & Bonne and Culex alinkios Sallum & Hutchings than to any other species of the Bastagarius Subgroup of the subgenus Melanoconion. Diagnostic characters for the identification of the adult male of both species are provided.