A morphological protocol and guide-list on uterine cervix cytology associated to Papillomavirus infection

The present study was designed to further assess the validity of the cytological description of morphological lesions said to be related to Papillomavirus (HPV) infections in senior women. The casuistic comprised 196 cervical smears from a group of women with no clinical or morphological evidence of neoplasia, collected simultaneously with samples submitted to detection of HPV DNA by PCR in a previous study. Three experienced cytologists studied each slide in two different conditions, with an interval of 20 months between them. The first approach was performed under routine laboratory standards, whereas the second was guided by a list of 16 well-defined parameters indicative of HPV-related cytological lesions. When suspicious cases of HPV-related alterations were grouped with positive cases, they showed on average: sensitivity of 25.5%, specificity of 84.4% and positive predictive value (PPV) of 26.8%. When suspicious cases were grouped with negative cases, sensitivity decreased, whereas specificity and PPV increased, as expected. In the second reading, which followed a "guide-list", a decrease in sensitivity was observed, contrasting with a sharp increase of positive predictive value. Among the 16 cytomorphological criteria tested, "koilocytosis", "mild koilocytosis" and "condylomatous parabasal cells" yielded the best predictive value for HPV DNA detection by PCR. In conclusion, despite the low sensitivity, cytopathologic assessment of cervico-vaginal smears leads to a highly specific diagnosis of HPV infection in menopausal women, with PPV of 91.0% when directed by a guide-list of well-defined morphologic criteria.

Updated list of bat species positive for rabies in Brazil

This paper presents an updated list of bat species positive for rabies in Brazil. It was developed based on database research via the internet, of international and national literature and annals of the most important technical and scientific meetings related to rabies and chiroptera in Brazil from 1996 to 2009. The new list of rabies positive bats consists of 41 species, belonging to 25 genera and three families: Phyllostomidae 43.9%, Vespertilionidae 29.3% and Molossidae 26.8%. In addition, questions were raised regarding the lack of data, including sex, age, circumstances and location of bat capture and incomplete and outdated species identification. Results of genetic and antigenic studies performed on Brazilian rabies positive bats were shown.

List of species in the genus Lutzomyia, França, 1924 (Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) from the State of Mato Grosso

This work had the objective of listing the sand fly species that occur in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Data relating to entomological surveys conducted between 1996 and 2004 were obtained from the National Health Foundation and the State Health Department, and this was supplemented with information from research carried out in the state and from the specialized literature. There were records of 106 sand fly species belonging to the genus Lutzomyia. This is a rich and diversified fauna, with some species restricted to forested areas and others recorded throughout the state, independent of the vegetation type, and in areas modified by human action, with predominance of Lutzomyia whitmani.

A list of mosquito species of the Brazilian State of Pernambuco, including the first report of Haemagogus janthinomys (Diptera: Culicidae), yellow fever vector and 14 other species (Diptera: Culicidae)

INTRODUCTION: Besides mosquito species adapted to urban environments (Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), only 15 species of Anopheles had been recorded in the State of Pernambuco. METHODS: Human-landing mosquitoes were collected in Dois Irmãos Park, in Recife. RESULTS: The first report for the state of Haemagogus janthinomys, an important vector of yellow fever virus, and 14 other species, including Trichoprosopon lampropus, a first reported for Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: The mosquito fauna in the area is diversified and has potential medical and veterinary importance.

Amazonian Foliicolous Fungi III. A preliminary list of Ascomycotina, mostly Dothideales, sensu lato

This paper records 65 leaf-inhabiting sac fungi collected in Amazonas and Roraima during 1977-78 as part of Projeto Flora Amazônica. Lembosia miconiae (Ryan) Farr is a new combination.

A CHECK-LIST ON THE INVASIVE SPECIES OF FORESTRY PLANTATIONS IN LOWER AMAZON, NW.

The work conelete of a survey of the mvaewe plants which appeared during the first six months of seedling stage in foreet plantations of second and third rotation, in the Jari area, Brazil. The resulting list showed two types of invasives: (1) true weeds - those cosmopolitan species that are typical of disturbed habitats; and (2) pioneer species - those which were probably remnants from the original natural vegetation of the studied area.

List of type-specimens of Isoptera (Insecta) in the collection of the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, State of Pará, Brazil

The collection of the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (MPEG), in the city of Belém, State of Pará, Brazil, has 65 samples of type-specimens of Isoptera, representing 26 species (21 holotypes and 5 paratypes) of 18 genera. This paper lists the number of specimens of each caste in each type series, type localities with geographical coordinates, collectors, and dates of collection.

Updated List and identification key of 219 tree species of white sand forests of the Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve, Loreto, Peru

White sand forests, although low in nutrients, are characterized not only by several endemic species of plants but also by several monodominant species. In general, plants in this forest have noticeably thin stems. The aim of this work was to elaborate a parallel dichotomous key for the identification of Angiosperm tree species occurring on white sand forests at the Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve, Loreto, Peru. We compiled a list of species from several publications in order to have the most comprehensive list of species that occur on white sand forest. We found 219 species of Angiosperm, the more abundant species were Pachira brevipes (26.27%), Caraipa utilis (17.90%), Dicymbe uaiparuensis (13.27%), Dendropanax umbellatus (3.28%), Sloanea spathulata (2.52%), Ternstroemia klugiana (2.30%), Haploclathra cordata (2.28%), Parkia igneiflora (1.20%), Emmotum floribundum (1.06%), Ravenia biramosa (1.04%) among others. Most species of white sand forests can be distinguished using characteristics of stems, branches and leaves. This key is very useful for the development of floristic inventories and related projects on white sand forests from Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve.

Spirura delicata sp. n. (Spiruridae, Spirurinae) from Leontocebus mystax (Callithrichidae) and a check list of other Nematodes of some brazilian primates

Spirura delicata sp. n. from Leontocebus mystax (Six) is proposed and compared to S. guianensis (Ortlepp, 1924) Chitwood, 1938, S. michiganensis Sandground, 1935 and S. nayarani Mirza & Basir, 1938. Their differentiation is based mainly on the size and shape of spicules. Identification of nematode samples recovered from primates along 60 years and presently deposited in the Oswaldo Cruz Helmintological Collection is provided herein through a check list. Some of them are reported in new hsots and/or geographical regions.

A programme for computer aided identification of Phlebotomine sandflies of the Americas (CIPA): presentation and check-list of American species

The CIPA programme is a collaborative project including two entomologists from France and seven South and Central America countries. Its objective is the development of an expert system for computer aided identification of phlebotomine sandflies from the Americas. It also includes the formation of data bases for bibliographic, taxonomic and biogeographic data. Participant consensus on taxonomic prerequisites, standardization in bibliographic data collections and selection of descriptive variables for the final programme has been established through continous communication among participants and annual meetings. The adopted check-list of American sandflies presented here includes 386 specific taxa, ordered into genera and 28 sub-genera or species groups.

Annotated list of the Phlebotominae (Diptera) of Suriname

Phlebotomine sandflies were collected between 1952 and 1984 at 30 localities in the tropical rainforest and savanna regions of Suriname. Thirty-nine species were identified in the collections (2 Brumptomyia, 37 lutzomyia), including two known vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis, Lutzomyia flaviscutellata and L. umbratilis. Nineteen of the species are new records for Suriname. In the rainforest region, the commonest phlebotomines were L. squatniventris maripaensis (79.8%), L. umbratilis (8.4%) and L. flaviscutellata (6.3%) in human bait catches, L. umbratilis (26.2%), L. infraspinosa (23.9%) and L. trichopyga (8.3%) in CDC light traps and L. umbratilis (84.3%), L. whitmani (6.8%) and L. shannoni (4.3%) in collections from tree trunks. The mean incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis from 1979-1985 was 4.9 per 1000 inhabitants for the rainforest region and 0.66 per 1000 for Surinameas a whole.

Black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) of French Guiana: cytotaxonomy and a preliminary list of species

The objectives of the present study were to broaden the survey of simuliid species in French Guiana and to cytologically analyze the species in the Simulium perflavum species group. Twelve species of Simulium were collected from which S. goeldii, S. quadrifidum, S. trombetense, S. near incrustatum, S. metallicum (s.l.) sp1, S. metallicum (s.l.) sp2 and S. ochraceum (s.l.) are reported for the first time for this region. The only species collected in the S. perflavum group was S. rorotaense; 34 larvae of this species were cytologically analyzed, all of which had the standard sequence. S. metallicum (s.l.), S. ochraceum (s.l.), S. guianense (s.l.) and S. oyapockense (s.l.) are involved with transmission of onchocerciasis in Central and South America, however, in French Guiana these species were not found biting humans during the sampling period. With the few collections made during this study, we increase the number of simulid species known in French Guiana from 6 to 13. It is clear that more simuliid species can be expected to be found when more sampling is done, including collections in other ecoregions in French Guiana.

Five new species of Culicoides Latreille described from Colombia, yielding a new species list and country records (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

The following five new species of Culicoides from Colombia are described, illustrated and placed to subgenus or species group: Culicoides antioquiensis, Culicoides gabrieli, Culicoides inermis, Culicoides micayensis and Culicoides nigrifemur. C. gabrieli is also known from Peru. When possible, their position in previously published keys is indicated and their features discussed in light of the most recent revisions. A list of 180 Culicoides species known (114) or suspected of being in Colombia (66) is given in a Table. Of these, 12 including the new species are recorded from Colombia for the first time.

Getting ready for malaria elimination: a check list of critical issues to consider

In recent years, a renewed interest in malaria elimination and eradication has emerged and seems to be rooting in the minds of the scientific community, public health specialists, funding bodies, policy makers and politicians. Malaria eradication will certainly benefit from improved and innovative tools; notwithstanding novel knowledge in fields ranging from basic science to mathematical modelling and health systems research. However, the elimination of malaria also encompasses a broad range of essential aspects that countries and other actors need to consider when thinking of embarking on such an adventure, including the implementation of innovative strategies, the ability to incorporate the most up-to-date evidence into policy, the integration of malaria into the broader health agenda, the strengthening of surveillance and health systems, capacity building, funding, advocacy and, very importantly, research. While in some cases this enthusiasm is clearly justified, some countries are still a long way from realistically advancing towards elimination. This paper attempts to provide guidance on all the necessary issues that should be considered when initiating a malaria elimination program.