Anthropophilic Anopheles species composition and malaria in Tierradentro, Córdoba, Colombia

Malaria is still a primary health problem in Colombia. The locality of Tierradentro is situated in the municipality of Montelíbano, Córdoba, in the northwest of Colombia, and has one of the highest annual parasite index of malaria nationwide. However, the vectors involved in malaria transmission in this locality have not yet been identified. In this study, the local anthropophilic Anopheles composition and natural infectivity with Plasmodium were investigated. In August 2009, 927 female Anopheles mosquitoes were collected in eight localities using the human landing catch method and identified based on their morphology. Cryptic species were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism-internal transcribed spacer (ITS)2 molecular analysis. Eight species [Anopheles nuneztovari s.l. (92.8%), Anopheles darlingi (5.1%), Anopheles triannulatus s.l. (1.8%), Anopheles pseudopunctipennis s.l. (0.2%), Anopheles punctimacula s.l. (0.2%), Anopheles apicimacula (0.1%), Anopheles albimanus (0.1%) and Anopheles rangeli (0.1%)] were identified and species identity was confirmed by ITS2 sequencing. This is the first report of An. albimanus, An. rangeli and An. apicimacula in Tierradentro. Natural infectivity with Plasmodium was determined by ELISA. None of the mosquitoes was infectious for Plasmodium. An. nuneztovari s.l. was the predominant species and is considered the primary malaria vector; An. darlingi and An. triannulatus s.l. could serve as secondary vectors.

Morphology of the larvae, male genitalia and DNA sequences of Anopheles (Kerteszia) pholidotus (Diptera: Culicidae) from Colombia

Since 1984, Anopheles (Kerteszia) lepidotus has been considered a mosquito species that is involved in the transmission of malaria in Colombia, after having been incriminated as such with epidemiological evidence from a malaria outbreak in Cunday-Villarrica, Tolima. Subsequent morphological analyses of females captured in the same place and at the time of the outbreak showed that the species responsible for the transmission was not An. lepidotus, but rather Anopheles pholidotus. However, the associated morphological stages and DNA sequences of An. pholidotus from the foci of Cunday-Villarrica had not been analysed. Using samples that were caught recently from the outbreak region, the purpose of this study was to provide updated and additional information by analysing the morphology of female mosquitoes, the genitalia of male mosquitoes and fourth instar larvae of An. pholidotus, which was confirmed with DNA sequences of cytochrome oxidase I and rDNA internal transcribed spacer. A total of 1,596 adult females were collected in addition to 37 larval collections in bromeliads. Furthermore, 141 adult females, which were captured from the same area in the years 1981-1982, were analysed morphologically. Ninety-five DNA sequences were analysed for this study. Morphological and molecular analyses showed that the species present in this region corresponds to An. pholidotus. Given the absence of An. lepidotus, even in recent years, we consider that the species of mosquitoes that was previously incriminated as the malaria vector during the outbreak was indeed An. pholidotus, thus ending the controversy.

Anopheles species composition explains differences in Plasmodium transmission in La Guajira, northern Colombia

Malaria in La Guajira, the most northern state of Colombia, shows two different epidemiological patterns. Malaria is endemic in the municipality of Dibulla whereas in Riohacha it is characterised by sporadic outbreaks. This study aimed to establish whether differences in transmission patterns could be attributed to different vector species. The most abundant adult female species were Anopheles aquasalis, exclusive to Riohacha, and Anopheles darlingi, restricted to Dibulla. Anopheles mosquitoes were identified using morphology and the molecular markers internal transcribed spacer 2 and cytochrome c oxidase I. All specimens (n = 1,393) were tested by ELISA to determine natural infection rates with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. An. darlingi was positive for P. vivax 210, with an infection rate of 0.355% and an entomological inoculation rate of 15.87 infective bites/person/year. Anopheles albimanus larvae were the most common species in Riohacha, found in temporary swamps; in contrast, in Dibulla An. darlingi were detected mainly in permanent streams. Distinctive species composition and larval habitats in each municipality may explain the differences in Plasmodium transmission and suggest different local strategies should be used for vector control.

New scenarios of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission in the Orinoco region of Colombia

Rhodnius prolixus, a blood-sucking triatomine with domiciliary anthropophilic habits, is the main vector of Chagas disease. The current paradigm of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission in Columbia includes a sylvatic and domiciliary cycle co-existing with domestic and sylvatic populations of reservoirs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the population densities and relative abundance of triatomines and mammals that may be involved in the sylvatic cycle of Chagas disease to clarify the epidemiological scenario in an endemic area in the province of Casanare. Insect vectors on Attalea butyracea palms were captured using both manual searches and bait traps. The capture of mammals was performed using Sherman and Tomahawk traps. We report an infestation index of 88.5% in 148 palms and an index of T. cruzi natural infection of 60.2% in 269 dissected insects and 11.9% in 160 captured mammals. High population densities of triatomines were observed in the sylvatic environment and there was a high relative abundance of reservoirs in the area, suggesting a stable enzootic cycle. We found no evidence of insect domiciliation. Taken together, these observations suggest that eco-epidemiological factors shape the transmission dynamics of T. cruzi, creating diverse scenarios of disease transmission.

Retrospective distribution of Trypanosoma cruzi I genotypes in Colombia

Trypanosoma cruziis the aetiological agent of Chagas disease, which affects approximately eight million people in the Americas. This parasite exhibits genetic variability, with at least six discrete typing units broadly distributed in the American continent. T. cruziI (TcI) shows remarkable genetic diversity; a genotype linked to human infections and a domestic cycle of transmission have recently been identified, hence, this strain was named TcIDom. The aim of this work was to describe the spatiotemporal distribution of TcI subpopulations across humans, insect vectors and mammalian reservoirs in Colombia by means of molecular typing targeting the spliced leader intergenic region of mini-exon gene. We analysed 101 TcI isolates and observed a distribution of sylvatic TcI in 70% and TcIDom in 30%. In humans, the ratio was sylvatic TcI in 60% and TcIDom in 40%. In mammal reservoirs, the distribution corresponded to sylvatic TcI in 96% and TcIDom in 4%. Among insect vectors, sylvatic TcI was observed in 48% and TcIDom in 52%. In conclusion, the circulation of TcIDom is emerging in Colombia and this genotype is still adapting to the domestic cycle of transmission. The epidemiological and clinical implications of these findings are discussed herein.

The use of rapid dengue diagnostic tests in a routine clinical setting in a dengue-endemic area of Colombia

There is insufficient evidence of the usefulness of dengue diagnostic tests under routine conditions. We sought to analyse how physicians are using dengue diagnostics to inform research and development. Subjects attending 14 health institutions in an endemic area of Colombia with either a clinical diagnosis of dengue or for whom a dengue test was ordered were included in the study. Patterns of test-use are described herein. Factors associated with the ordering of dengue diagnostic tests were identified using contingency tables, nonparametric tests and logistic regression. A total of 778 subjects were diagnosed with dengue by the treating physician, of whom 386 (49.5%) were tested for dengue. Another 491 dengue tests were ordered in subjects whose primary diagnosis was not dengue. Severe dengue classification [odds ratio (OR) 2.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-4.5], emergency consultation (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.4-2.5) and month of the year (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.7-5.5) were independently associated with ordering of dengue tests. Dengue tests were used both to rule in and rule out diagnosis. The latter use is not justified by the sensitivity of current rapid dengue diagnostic tests. Ordering of dengue tests appear to depend on a combination of factors, including physician and institutional preferences, as well as other patient and epidemiological factors.

Molecular identification of Saint Louis encephalitis virus genotype IV in Colombia

Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) is a member of the Japanese-encephalitis virus serocomplex of the genus Flavivirus. SLEV is broadly distributed in the Americas and the Caribbean Islands, where it is usually transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Culex and primarily to birds and mammalian-hosts. Humans are occasionally infected by the virus and are dead-end hosts. SLEV causes encephalitis in temperate regions, while in tropical regions of the Americas, several human cases and a wide biological diversity of SLEV-strains have been reported. The phylogenetic analysis of the envelope (E) protein genes indicated eight-genotypes of SLEV with geographic overlap. The present paper describes the genotyping of two SLEV viruses detected in mosquito-pools collected in northern Colombia (department of Cordoba). We used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to amplify a fragment of theE-gene to confirm the virus identity and completeE-gene sequencing for phylogenetic analysis and genotyping of the two-SLEV viruses found circulating in Córdoba. This is the first report of SLEV genotype IV in Colombia (Córdoba) in mosquitoes from a region of human inhabitation, implicating the risk of human disease due to SLEV infection. Physicians should consider SLEV as a possible aetiology for undiagnosed febrile and neurologic syndromes among their patients who report exposure to mosquito-bites.

Malaria in gold-mining areas in Colombia

Gold-mining may play an important role in the maintenance of malaria worldwide. Gold-mining, mostly illegal, has significantly expanded in Colombia during the last decade in areas with limited health care and disease prevention. We report a descriptive study that was carried out to determine the malaria prevalence in gold-mining areas of Colombia, using data from the public health surveillance system (National Health Institute) during the period 2010-2013. Gold-mining was more prevalent in the departments of Antioquia, Córdoba, Bolívar, Chocó, Nariño, Cauca, and Valle, which contributed 89.3% (270,753 cases) of the national malaria incidence from 2010-2013 and 31.6% of malaria cases were from mining areas. Mining regions, such as El Bagre, Zaragoza, and Segovia, in Antioquia, Puerto Libertador and Montelíbano, in Córdoba, and Buenaventura, in Valle del Cauca, were the most endemic areas. The annual parasite index (API) correlated with gold production (R2 0.82, p < 0.0001); for every 100 kg of gold produced, the API increased by 0.54 cases per 1,000 inhabitants. Lack of malaria control activities, together with high migration and proliferation of mosquito breeding sites, contribute to malaria in gold-mining regions. Specific control activities must be introduced to control this significant source of malaria in Colombia.

Detection of all four dengue serotypes in Aedes aegypti female mosquitoes collected in a rural area in Colombia

The Aedes aegypti vector for dengue virus (DENV) has been reported in urban and periurban areas. The information about DENV circulation in mosquitoes in Colombian rural areas is limited, so we aimed to evaluate the presence of DENV in Ae. aegypti females caught in rural locations of two Colombian municipalities, Anapoima and La Mesa. Mosquitoes from 497 rural households in 44 different rural settlements were collected. Pools of about 20 Ae. aegypti females were processed for DENV serotype detection. DENV in mosquitoes was detected in 74% of the analysed settlements with a pool positivity rate of 62%. The estimated individual mosquito infection rate was 4.12% and the minimum infection rate was 33.3/1,000 mosquitoes. All four serotypes were detected; the most frequent being DENV-2 (50%) and DENV-1 (35%). Two-three serotypes were detected simultaneously in separate pools. This is the first report on the co-occurrence of natural DENV infection of mosquitoes in Colombian rural areas. The findings are important for understanding dengue transmission and planning control strategies. A potential latent virus reservoir in rural areas could spill over to urban areas during population movements. Detecting DENV in wild-caught adult mosquitoes should be included in the development of dengue epidemic forecasting models.

Financiamento de parques tecnológicos: um estudo comparativo de casos brasileiros, portugueses e espanhóis

O mercado globalizado e de competição intensiva, no qual países e empresas estão inseridos, demanda uma busca constante por inovação. Entre os habitats de estímulo à inovação com diversas iniciativas pelo mundo, e também no Brasil, estão os chamados parques tecnológicos. Um dos grandes desafios para a implantação e a operacionalização desses empreendimentos é a obtenção de recursos. Surge, então, a questão: quais os mecanismos de financiamento de que a organização gestora de um parque tecnológico dispõe para realizar as fases de planejamento, implantação e operacionalização dos elementos constitutivos e serviços oferecidos por esse tipo de empreendimento? O objetivo neste trabalho é levantar e comparar os mecanismos de financiamento utilizados nas etapas citadas dos empreendimentos: Tecnopuc, Polo de Informática de São Leopoldo e Sapiens Parque, instalados no Brasil; Biocant Park e Taguspark, instalados em Portugal; Parque Tecnológico de Cartuja 93, Parque Tecnológico de Andalucia, Parque Científico de Barcelona, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia e Parque Tecnológico de Álava, instalados na Espanha. O que se pode observar em todos os casos estudados é que, mesmo apresentando organizações gestoras, atores e estruturas diferenciadas, o financiamento das fases de implantação não se deu somente por meio de recursos públicos ou privados, mas também por meio de parcerias. Além disso, verificou-se que as diferenças encontradas nos modelos de financiamento podem ser atribuídas, principalmente, a cinco fatores: participantes da organização gestora; modelo jurídico da organização gestora; elementos constitutivos de propriedade da organização gestora; atração de infraestruturas tecnológicas e empresas âncoras; disponibilidade de fundos públicos de fomento ao desenvolvimento tecnológico e econômico.

Fatores de risco nas alianças em projetos de TI: estudo de casos no Banco Central do Brasil

Em resposta às crescentes mudanças e pressões da concorrência, número cada vez maior de empresas tem estabelecido alianças como forma de complementar seus recursos e assegurar suas vantagens competitivas. Embora essas alianças sejam uma boa opção estratégica para as empresas, existem evidências de grande taxa de fracasso. Muitos estudos têm analisado os fatores de sucesso das parcerias, mas poucos têm dado ênfase às dificuldades e à prevenção de riscos. O objetivo neste artigo consiste em apresentar os resultados de uma pesquisa em que se buscou identificar os fatores de risco que dificultam as alianças no caso de projetos de Tecnologia da Informação (TI). Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória, focada em cinco projetos estratégicos de TI do Banco Central do Brasil, desenvolvidos em parceria com outras instituições públicas e privadas, a maioria delas nacionais e uma estrangeira. Apesar de os projetos terem tido sucesso, foi possível identificar como principais fatores de risco: falta de planejamento da aliança, falta de negociação entre parceiros, falta de comprometimento dos parceiros e falta de apoio institucional. A pesquisa trouxe lições relevantes para o gerenciamento de projetos que podem beneficiar outras alianças em projetos de TI.

Empreendedorismo corporativo: estudo de casos múltiplos sobre as práticas promotoras em empresas atuantes no Brasil

Neste artigo, o objetivo foi identificar quais são as práticas de gestão empresarial de promoção, incentivo e apoio ao empreendedorismo corporativo utilizadas por empresas atuantes no Brasil. Para tanto, procurou-se compreender como essas práticas eram utilizadas e seus resultados em termos de promoção do empreendedorismo corporativo. Por empreendedorismo corporativo, entende-se a criação de produtos, serviços, processos e novos negócios, desde que ocorram dentro de empresas já consolidadas e sejam por elas explorados. Foram identificadas cinco empresas consolidadas atuantes no Brasil, em setores diferentes, que eram reconhecidamente empreendedoras. A metodologia de pesquisa de natureza qualitativa baseou-se na utilização do método do estudo de caso, especificamente de casos múltiplos. As principais práticas de gestão identificadas como responsáveis por criar as condições que resultaram na manifesta��ão de iniciativas de empreendedorismo corporativo nas empresas foram: recompensas, incentivo e reconhecimento; disponibilização de recursos; tolerância ao erro desde que resultante de esforços de busca da inovação e de desenvolvimento de novos negócios; apoio da alta administração; estruturação da empresa; e autonomia concedida aos empreendedores corporativos na condução do trabalho. Foi possível compreender que as práticas de gestão destinadas à promoção do empreendedorismo corporativo contribuíram positivamente para a manifesta��ão de ações empreendedoras entre os empregados da empresa. A existência dessas práticas, sob a ótica dos executivos entrevistados, contribuiu para criar as condições organizacionais e os estímulos necessários para que seus empregados pudessem conceber e implantar ações de empreendedorismo corporativo. Tais práticas foram valorizadas pelos empreendedores corporativos, porque sinalizaram para eles que as a��ões empreendedoras eram reconhecidas e render-lhes-iam resultados em termos de prestígio profissional, dentro ou fora da empresa, além de, em alguns casos, benefícios financeiros diretos. Esses achados confirmaram as teorias que fundamentaram esta pesquisa sobre a importância e a efetividade das práticas de promoção, incentivo e apoio ao empreendedorismo corporativo no contexto das empresas estudadas. Como novo achado, foi possível conhecer a ótica do empreendedor corporativo e como ele reconhece e age ante as práticas de promoção, incentivo e apoio ao empreendedorismo corporativo existentes na empresa. Essa ótica ainda não havia sido foco das teorias citadas e de outras existentes sobre esse fenômeno.

Gestão de periódicos científicos: estudo de casos em revistas da área de Administração

Na pesquisa relatada neste artigo, teve-se como objetivo analisar a gestão editorial de periódicos científicos da área de Administração no contexto brasileiro e propor uma tipologia de seus modelos de gestão. Adotou-se uma abordagem qualitativa e utilizou-se o método de estudo de casos múltiplos dos seguintes periódicos: RAE, RAC, RAUSP, O&S e BAR. Identificou-se que o modelo de gestão dos periódicos está fortemente vinculado a seu tipo de instituição mantenedora (associação científica, instituição de ensino superior [IES] pública, IES privada), a qual influencia nas questões financeiras, administrativas e científicas das revistas.