Amblyomma yucumense n. sp (Acari: Ixodidae), a parasite of wild mammals in Southern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Chlorophyll fluorescence in guanandi tree (calophyllum brasiliense) after herbicide application

Chlorophyll fluorescence is currently used as a rapid diagnostic and nondestructive method to detect and quantify damage on the photosynthetic apparatus of leaves on weeds, crops and ornamental/coniferous trees in response to both environmental stress and herbicides. This study aimed to evaluate chlorophyll fluorescence in guanandi plants (Calophyllum brasiliense) after application of different postemergence herbicides. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design, with six treatments (control, bentazon, sulfentrazone, isoxaflutole, atrazine and glyphosate) and five replications. The herbicide treatments were applied with a stationary sprayer, and electron transport rate (ETR) was subsequently analyzed with OS5p Multi-Mode Chlorophyll Fluorometer. In the monitored period, guanandi plants subjected to atrazine showed higher sensitivity to chlorophyll fluorescence than the other treatments. Although bentazon is a photosystem II inhibitor, it showed no major changes in electron transport for the studied species and in the monitored period. In summary, ETR is a good parameter to evaluate the effect of some herbicides on Calophyllum brasiliense plants.

Morphology of the first larval stage of Macrobrachium brasiliense (Heller, 1868) (Caridea: Palaemonidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Hypersensitivity induced in dogs by nymphal extract of Amblyomma cajennense ticks (Acari:Ixodidae)

In general, hosts develop resistance to ticks after repeated infestations; nevertheless, several studies on naturally occurring host-tick interactions were unable to detect resistance of hosts to ticks even after repeated infestations. The purpose of this investigation was to study the type of cutaneous hypersensitivity to unfed nymphal extract of A. cajennense in dogs, which, unlike guinea pigs, do not develop resistance. A first, but no second, peak in skin reaction was observed, suggesting that cellular immunity is an important mechanism of resistance to ticks. This may partially explain why guinea pigs, but not dogs, develop resistance against ticks.

Development of resistance to nymphs of Amblyomma cajennense ticks (Acari : Ixodidae) in dogs

Ticks have long been regarded as constraints to humans and domestic animals, but hosts often develop resistance to ticks after repeated infestations. The purpose of this investigation was to study the possible acquisition of immunity in domestic dogs to nymphs of A. cajennense by determining the tick alimentary performance after successive controlled infestations. Mean engorged weight of nymphs was not significantly different among the three infestations; molting rate from nymph to adult ticks, and the percentage of nymph recovery were also very close in all infestations. These results are similar to those obtained in studies of the dog-adult Rhipicephalus sanguineus interface. It is concluded that domestic dogs do not develop resistance against nymphs of A. cajennense ticks.

A importância da atenção farmacêutica após a verificação da qualidade microbiológica de medicamentos contendo paracetamol encontrados em algumas residências de Américo Brasiliense - SP

It is known that a high microbial count can compromise the stability of medicines, thus reducing their therapeutic efficacy. This work tried to demonstrate that the microbial contamination can be directly related to the inadequate handling of the medicines stored in homes, making it possible to draw strategies to reduce the possible risks of medical therapy offering correct information and advising. The objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of the medicines containing paracetamol found in the residences of Américo Brasiliense-SP, using the microbial analysis of non-sterile method described in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia (1988). The medicine samples (30 samples) were obtained directly from the interviewed local residents, who had received new medicine bottles of the same product. An analysis of viable microorganisms (bacteria and fungus) was carried out to identify pathogens found in the collected samples. Although 90% of the analyzed samples have shown some microbial contamination, the results indicated the absence of pathogenic microorganisms, and the total count of viable microorganisms was below the maximum value for non-sterile (104 UFC/g or mL). It was also verified that the local residents stored the medicines in appropriate places, according to the orientations received when they bought the medicines in pharmacies and drugstores, showing the importance of information for the correct use and conservation of pharmaceuticals.

Desenvolvimento inicial de um reflorestamento de guanandi (Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess. Calophyllaceae) em sistema de plantio sombreado e a pleno sol

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Morfologia e desenvolvimento do sistema reprodutor masculino de carrapatos do gênero Amblyomma (Acari, Ixodidae): uma análise comparativa

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Borrelia lonestari Infection after a Bite by an Amblyomma americanum Tick

Erythematous rashes that are suggestive of early Lyme disease have been associated with the bite of Amblyomma americanum ticks, particularly in the southern United States. However, Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, has not been cultured from skin biopsy specimens from these patients, and diagnostic serum antibodies usually have not been found. Borrelia lonestari sp nov, an uncultured spirochete, has been detected in A. americanum ticks by DNA amplification techniques, but its role in human illness is unknown. We observed erythema migrans in a patient with an attached A. americanum tick. DNA amplification of the flagellin gene flaB produced B. lonestari sequences from the skin of the patient that were identical to those found in the attached tick. B. lonestari is a probable cause of erythema migrans in humans.

Morfologia e desenvolvimento do sistema reprodutor masculino de carrapatos do gênero Amblyomma (Acari, Ixodidae): uma análise comparativa

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Parasitism by Ixodiphagus Wasps (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Amblyomma Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Three Regions of Brazil

Hymenopteran parasitoids have been shown to be of potential value in tick biocontrol. Tick parasitoids has been reported only once in Brazil, over 95 yr ago when Ixodiphagus hookeri (Howard) was reported parasitizing Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) nymphs in Rio de Janeiro. Herein, we report the occurrence of Ixodiphagus spp. in ticks from three different regions of Brazil. In the state of Maranhao, in northeastern Brazil, parasitoids were detected in R. sanguineus nymphs on three occasions, during August 2009 and September 2010 (dry season), and January 2011 (rainy season). All parasitoids found in northeastern Brazil were identified as I. hookeri. In the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (westDcentral Brazil), one Amblyomma sp. engorged nymph was shown to be parasitized by I. hookeri. In the state of Rondonia (northern Brazil), one Amblyomma sp. engorged nymph was parasitized by Ixodiphagus texanus (Howard). Because Ixodiphagus spp. are present in ecologically distinct and geographically distant areas of Brazil, they are of potential use for biocontrol in the country.

Experimental infection of the tick Amblyomma cajennense, Cayenne tick, with Rickettsia rickettsii, the agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever

In the laboratory, Amblyomma cajennense (Acari: Ixodidae) (Fabricius) larvae, nymphs and adults were exposed to Rickettsia rickettsii by feeding on needle-inoculated animals, and thereafter reared on uninfected guinea pigs or rabbits. Regardless of the tick stage that acquired the infection, subsequent tick stages were shown to be infected (confirming transstadial and transovarial transmissions) and were able to transmit R. rickettsii to uninfected animals, as demonstrated by serological and molecular analyses. However, the larval, nymphal and adult stages of A. cajennense were shown to be partially refractory to R. rickettsii infection, as in all cases, only part of the ticks became infected by this agent, after being exposed to rickettsemic animals. In addition, less than 50% of the infected engorged females transmitted rickettsiae transovarially, and when they did so, only part of the offspring became infected, indicating that vertical transmission alone is not enough to maintain R. rickettsii in A. cajennense for multiple generations. Finally, the R. rickettsii-infected tick groups had lower reproductive performance than the uninfected control group. Our results indicate that A. cajennense have a low efficiency to maintain R. rickettsii for successive generations, as R. rickettsii-infection rates should decline drastically throughout the successive tick generations.

Redescription of the larva of Amblyomma oblongoguttatum Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) by light and scanning electron microscopy

The larval stage of Amblyomma oblongoguttatum Koch is redescribed using optical and scanning electron microscopy. Unfed larvae were obtained from a colony of A. oblongoguttatum originated from engorged females collected on domestic pigs from Monte Negro municipally (10 degrees 29'S, 63 degrees 32'W), State of Rondonia, Western Amazon, Brazil. Several characters are presented including the chaetotaxy of the idiosoma, palpi and Haller's organ, as well as morphological features of the idiosoma, gnathosoma and legs. In addition, the porotaxy (topographical and numerical patterns of integumentary structures) were presented by using a new nomenclature recently proposed. The chaetotaxy of the larvae of A. oblongoguttatum, in general, is similar to other Neotropical Amblyomma species. Three types of integumentary structures were observed on the idiosoma: lyrifissures, small glands, and large wax glands. Topographic and numerical patterns of the integumentary structures consisted of 5 pairs of large wax glands (1 dorsal/4 ventral), 24 pairs of lyrifissures (11 dorsal/13 ventral), and 49 pairs of small glands (28 dorsal/21 ventral). These topographic and numerical patterns found for A. oblongoguttatum show only minor differences when compared with patterns of other Amblyomma larvae, however, a few key features can be used for identification of these species.

Rickettsia bellii in ticks Amblyomma varium Koch, 1844, from birds in Peru

Amazonian birds were caught and examined for the presence of ectoparasites in the Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve near Iquitos, Peru, from 13 to 16 August 2011. A total of 40 birds representing 16 species were examined. Two birds (5%) were infested with 2 larvae of Amblyomma varium Koch, 1844, and one nymph of A. calcaratum Neumann, 1899. The 2 larvae of A. varium were infected with Rickettsia bellii. This is the first report of R. bellii in A. varium and also the first record of this rickettsia in Peru. In addition, an immature A. calcaratum is reported from Peru for the first time. (c) 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

A surrogate life cycle of Amblyomma ovale Koch, 1844

As ticks spend most of their time off-host, the environment is a major selective force of these parasites. In fact, human impact on landscapes has favored a minority of tick species which became well-known pests. However, this is an ongoing process and novel pests may arise. We herein report a surrogate life cycle of a neotropical tick species. Amblyomma ovate, and which may be related to an increased risk of human rickettsiosis. Under natural conditions, adults of this tick species feed on carnivores and exhibit non-nidicolous ambush behavior, whereas larvae and nymphs feed on small rodents and birds. In an anthropized spot within an Atlantic rainforest reserve of Brazil, an A. ovate population exhibited a nidicolous behavior with all 3 tick stages feeding on the dog. This dog's infestation was outstandingly high, and it displayed the highest anti-Rickettsia titers and harbored Rickettsia-infected ticks. (c) 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.