A malacological survey in the Manso Power Plant, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil: new records of freshwater snails, including transmitters of schistosomiasis and exotic species

Introduction Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease of public health concern in Brazil, and the construction of hydroelectric dams, in addition to increasing permanent human settlement and tourism, has created conditions suitable for the establishment of mollusks that can transmit schistosomiasis. Such areas require a number of actions to prevent the establishment of schistosomiasis. This paper reports on a freshwater malacological survey carried out in the geographical area of the Manso Power Plant. Methods Mollusks were collected in 18 municipalities in the State of Mato Grosso between February 2002 and February 2004 (qualitative study) and from April 2009 to February 2011 (quantitative study). Results Thirty-one species of mollusks were collected, including newly recorded species (Antillorbis nordestensis and Burnupia ingae). In addition, the geographic distributions of known species, including Biomphalaria straminea, a snail vector of Schistosoma mansoni, were expanded. A total of 4,507 specimens were collected in the APM Manso reservoir (Usina Hidrelétrica de Aproveitamento Múltiplo de Manso) during the quantitative study, and Biomphalaria amazonica was found in six of the 10 localities analyzed. The Afroasiatic species Melanoides tuberculata, introduced after February 2009, was the dominant species (relative abundance 94.96%). Conclusions The study area is epidemiologically important due to the occurrence of B. straminea and B. amazonica, which are vectors of schistosomiasis, and M. tuberculata, a snail host of Centrocestus formosanus, which is responsible for centrocestiasis transmission. Observations of M. tuberculata and the exotic freshwater clams Corbicula fluminea and Corbicula largillierti raise concerns about biodiversity.

High visceral leishmaniasis mortality rate in Barra Mansa, a new area of visceral leishmaniasis transmission in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Introduction Nine cases of visceral leishmaniasis occurred recently in Barra Mansa, State of Rio de Janeiro, with a high mortality rate. Methods We reviewed the medical records of the patients. Results Eight were male; 7 were adults. Patients who died progressed to death quickly and presented with aggravating factors: systemic steroid therapy before diagnosis, bleeding, severe liver involvement, infection, and/or refusal to receive transfusion. Conclusions We warn clinicians to be aware of the emergence of visceral leishmaniasis in new areas and to keep in mind the possibility of atypical clinical pictures and aggravating factors, so timely diagnosis can be made and prompt and adequate treatment can be initiated.

Report of new cases of Trypanosoma caninum in Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Trypanosoma caninum is a protozoan species recently described in dogs, whose occurrence has been reported in areas of overlap with visceral leishmaniasis. METHODS: Trypanosoma sp. were isolated from nine dogs and characterized by molecular methods. RESULTS: PCR and sequencing confirmed the presence of T. caninum in all dogs, revealing two new areas of transmission: Barra Mansa and São João do Piauí. CONCLUSIONS: The nine new cases described, when added to those already published, account for 62 cases of natural infection by T. caninum and show the geographical spread of this species to new areas, where other trypanosomatids circulate.

New cases of Chagas disease in a rural area of Northeast Brazilian

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease is considered one of the 17 most neglected tropical diseases in the World, with the most common form of vector transmission. METHODS: This structured cross-sectional study was conducted through an epidemiological survey in the Tobias Barreto municipality of Sergipe. RESULTS: Of the 255 participants, 1 (0.4%) participant was positive for human Chagas disease. Approximately 30.2% of the participants found the triatomine bugs in their houses and outbuildings. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of a case indicated transmission, which was also evidenced by the presence of triatomines and poor housing conditions.

Four new species of Wing Rolling Neodawnaria (Homoptera : Derbidae) from the Amazon Basin

Four new species of Neidawnaria are described, and compared with other members of the genus. Keys and geographical distribution are given for all nem species and the wings of two other species are illustrated.

A new species of Abarema Pittier (Mimosaceae ingeae) from Amazonian Brazil.

Abarema piresii Barneby & Grimes is described from the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Pará. The species is illustrated an tis relationships are discussed. Two kindred species are incidentally transferred from Pithecellobium to Abarema as A. curvicarpa (Irwin) and A. moniliformis (Ducke) Barneby & Grimes.

A new species of Hibiscus from the Amazon basin.

A new species, Hibiscus amazonicus, is described from the Amazon Basin. Characters distinguishing the new species from its nearest relatives presented.

New taxa of Erythroxylum (Erythroxylaceae) from the Amazon basin.

Three new species of Erythroxylumfrom Amazoniaare described: Enythroxylum nelson-rosaePlowman, E. schunkeiPlowman and E. tucuruiendePlowman. An emended des-cription is given for E; ligustrinum DC., previously know from a single collection from French Guiana: its is here cited from Brazil for the first time. A new variety, E. ligustrinum var. carajasensePlowman, is also described. A provisional list of all Erythroxylum species occurring in Amazonia and peripheral areas is appended.

New taxa of south american ficus(moraceae)

Ten new taxa are described: Ficus aripuanensis C.C. Berg & F. Kooy, F. blephariohylla Vásquez Avila, F. cremersiiC.C. Berg, F. insipida Willd. ssp. scabra C.C. Berg, F. jacobii Vázquez Avila, F. laurentana Vázquez Avila, F. leiophylla C.C. Berg, F. piresiana Vázquz Avila & Berg, F. roraimensis C.C. Berg, F. vittataVázquez Avila.

A new species of Pithecellobiutn (MIMOSACEAE INGEAE) from Brazilian Amazonia

Phithecellobium prancei, related to T. simabifolium Benth. and P. spruceanum Benth., is described and figured from specimens collected on white sand savannas along rio Aracá in northern Amazonas, Brazil. Its relationships within sect. Samanea ser. Coriaceae Benth., a group due for generic segregation from Pithecellobium sens. lat., are discussed.

Three new spkcies of Caraipa (GUTTIFERAE)

Supplementing my monognaph of Caraipa (in Me. New York Bot. Gard., 29:82-130. 1978) three species are described as new.

TWO UNUSUAL NEW GENERA OF PARAMPHISTOMIDAE (TREMATODA, DIGENEA) FROM FRESHWATER FISH OF THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON

Two new genera and species of Paramphistomidae (Tremadota, Digenea) are described from freshwater fish of the Brazilian Amazon. Anavilhanatrema robustagen. et sp. nov. is characterized as having a cylindrical body with an anterior expansion, small suckers, a small cirrus sac, large lobate testes, a lobate ovary, long ceca and extensive vitellaria. Pacudistoma turgidagen. et sp. nov., on the other hand, is distinguished by having a stout, cylindrical body, a large oral sucker with internal diverticula, a large genital sucker, smaller lobate testes, a spherical ovary, long ceca and relatively extensive vitellaria. Both species appear to be host specific with A. robustafound in Pristobrycon striolatus(STEINDACHNER) while P. turgidaoccurus in Hyleus pacu(SCHOMBURCK).

A NEW SPECIES OF Rhacodiaptomus Kiefer, 1936, FROM THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON (CRUSTACEA:COPEPODA: CALANOIDA)

A new species of Calanoid copepod, Rhacodiaptomus besti,is described from material collected in the Igarapé São Pedro, Rio Jamari, State of Rondônia, and Lago Amanã, Rio Japurá, State of Amazonas, in Western Amazonia. A detailed morphological analysis of the species was undertaken in order to provide a basis for future studies on inter and intrageneric relationships.

A new genus of Holothyrina: Neothyridae (Arachnida, Anactinotrichida) from the Manaus area, Amazonas state, Brazil

A new genus of Neothyridae, type species Diplothyrus schubarti sp. n., is described from the leaf litter of a primary forest in the Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. The two pairs of lateral excretory orifices instead of a single one in the type genus Neothyrus of the family Neothyridae, are diagnostic. A protonymph of Neothyrus ana Lehtinen, 1981, is also described as the first known nymphal stage of this family.