Resumen Introducción. La creciente resistencia bacteriana a los antibióticos representa una amenaza mundial de salud pública. Las excreciones y secreciones larvarias derivadas de moscas necrófagas de la familia Calliphoridae podrían configurar una fuente promisoria para contrarrestar sus efectos. Objetivo. Comparar la actividad antimicrobiana de las excreciones y secreciones larvarias nativas, y de las mayores y menores de 10 kDa de Calliphora vicina y Sarconesiopsis magellanica (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Materiales y métodos. El bioensayo se hizo a partir de la técnica de turbidimetría y en el caso de las excreciones y secreciones menores de 10 kDa se determinó la concentración inhibitoria mínima (CIM). Resultados. Las excreciones y secreciones nativas y las menores de 10 kDa de C. vicina y S. magellanica, evidenciaron una potente actividad antibacteriana contra tres cepas de Staphylococcus aureus y cuatro bacterias Gram negativas, siendo las menores de 10 kDa más efectivas que las nativas en las dos especies de moscas evaluadas. Además, las menores de 10 kDa presentaron la misma efectividad, aunque en las pruebas de CIM se observó que las de S. magellanica fueron más potentes en todas las bacterias evaluadas, excepto contra la cepa de S. aureus ATCC 25923. Las mayores de 10 kDa no inhibieron el crecimiento bacteriano. Conclusión. Los resultados validaron, en general, que estas sustancias son fuente importante para el aislamiento y la caracterización de agentes antimicrobianos.

Abstract Introduction: The growing resistance to antibiotics worldwide represents a global threat to public health. The larval excretions and secretions derived from necrophagous flies from the Calliphoridae family could represent a promising source for counteracting their effects. Objective: To compare the antimicrobial activity of Calliphora vicina and Sarconesiopsis magellanica (Diptera: Calliphoridae) native excretions and secretions and those weighing more than 10 kDa and less. Materials and methods: We used the turbidimetry technique for the bioassay; we determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for excretions and secretions weighing less than 10 kDa. Results: Calliphora vicina and S. magellanica native excretions and secretions and those weighing less than 10 kDa exhibited potent antibacterial activity against three Staphylococcus aureus strains and four Gram-negative bacteria; those weighing less than 10 kDa were more effective than the native ones in the two species of flies evaluated here. Furthermore, excretions and secretions weighing less than 10 kDa had the same effectiveness, except in the MIC trials where S. magellanica excretions and secretions weighing less than 10 kDa were more potent against all the bacteria evaluated, except for S. aureus ATCC 25923. Excretions and secretions weighing more than 10 kDa did not inhibit bacterial growth. Conclusions: These results potentially validate these substances as an important source for isolating and characterizing antimicrobial agents.

BACKGROUND The inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to the accelerated growth of resistance to antibiotics. The search for new therapeutic strategies (i.e., antimicrobial peptides-AMPs) has thus become a pressing need. OBJECTIVE Characterising and evaluating Sarconesiopsis magellanica larval fat body-derived AMPs. METHODS Fat body extracts were analysed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC); mass spectrometry was used for characterising the primary structure of the AMPs so found. ProtParam (Expasy) was used for analysing the AMPs’ physico-chemical properties. Synthetic AMPs’ antibacterial activity was evaluated. FINDINGS Four new AMPs were obtained and called sarconesin III, IV, V and VI. Sarconesin III had an α-helix structure and sarconesins IV, V and VI had linear formations. Oligomer prediction highlighted peptide-peptide interactions, suggesting that sarconesins III, V and VI could form self-aggregations when in contact with the microbial membrane. AMPs synthesised from their native molecules’ sequences had potent activity against Gram-positive bacteria and, to a lesser extent, against Gram-negative and drug-resistant bacteria. Sarconesin VI was the most efficient AMP. None of the four synthetic AMPs had a cytotoxic effect. MAIN CONCLUSIONS S. magellanica larval fat body-derived antimicrobial peptides are an important source of AMPs and could be used in different antimicrobial therapies and overcoming bacterial resistance.

BACKGROUND Lutzomyia longipalpis-derived cell line (Lulo) has been suggested as a model for studies of interaction between sandflies and Leishmania. OBJECTIVES Here, we present data of proteomic and gene expression analyses of Lulo cell related to interactions with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. METHODS Lulo cell protein extracts were analysed through a combination of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry and resulting spots were further investigated in silico to identify proteins using Mascot search and, afterwards, resulting sequences were applied for analysis with VectorBase. RESULTS Sixty-four spots were identified showing similarities to other proteins registered in the databases and could be classified according to their biological function, such as ion-binding proteins (23%), proteases (14%), cytoskeletal proteins (11%) and interactive membrane proteins (9.5%). Effects of interaction with L. (V.) braziliensis with the expression of three genes (enolase, tubulin and vacuolar transport protein) were observed after an eight-hour timeframe and compared to culture without parasites, and demonstrated the impact of parasite interaction with the expression of the following genes: LLOJ000219 (1.69-fold), LLOJ000326 (1.43-fold) and LLOJ006663 (2.41-fold). CONCLUSIONS This set of results adds relevant information regarding the usefulness of the Lulo cell line for studies with Leishmania parasites that indicate variations of protein expression.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Insect cell cultures play an essential role in understanding arboviral replication. However, the replicative efficiency of some of these viruses such as dengue (DENV), yellow fever (YFV), and chikungunya (CHIKV) in a new cellular substrate (Lulo) and in the other two recognized cell lines has not been comparatively assessed. METHODS: Vero, C6/36, and Lulo cell lines were infected with DENV, YFV, and CHIKV. The viral progeny was quantified through plaque assays and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, while for DENV2, the findings were confirmed by immunofluorescence antibody assay. RESULTS: The higher DENV2 titer (from multiplicity of infection 0.001) was obtained on day four post-infection in C6/36 and on day six in Vero cells, while the Lulo cell line was almost impossible to infect under the same conditions. However, C6/36 showed the highest values of viral RNA production compared to Vero cells, while the quantification of the viral RNA in Lulo cells showed high levels of viral genomes, which had no correlation to the infectious viral particles. CONCLUSIONS: C6/36 was the most efficient cell line in the alpha and flavivirus production, followed by Vero cells. Thus, Lulo cells may be a useful substrate to study the mechanisms by which cells evade viral replication.

Objetivo: Evaluar, en condiciones in vitro , la actividad antibacterial de los extractos de cuerpos grasos y de la hemolinfa de larvas de tercer estadio de Sarconesiopsis magellanica , la cual se comparó con los efectos obtenidos de las mismas sustancias derivadas de Lucilia sericata . S. magellanica (Diptera: Calliphoridae) es una mosca de importancia principalmente forense, utilizada en la determinación del intervalo post mortem . Por sus hábitos necrófagos, es considerada un modelo potencialmente útil en terapia larval. Material y métodos: Se extrajeron los cuerpos grasos de las larvas mediante la técnica de disección corporal y la hemolinfa se obtuvo mediante decapitación y centrifugación de los especímenes larvales. Las bacterias evaluadas fueron Staphylococcus aureus y Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Los métodos utilizados para evaluar la actividad antibacterial fueron difusión en agar y unidades formadoras de colonias (UFC/ml). Resultados: Después de la correspondiente incubación, los resultados generales mostraron que la actividad antibacterial de la hemolinfa y de los cuerpos grasos, tanto de L. sericata como de S. magellanica , fueron efectivos contra S. aureus y P. aeruginosa sin diferencias significativas entre las especies de moscas, aunque con algunas diferencias entre las cepas bacterianas. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que estas sustancias podrían tener un efecto similar en el tratamiento de heridas infectadas contra los microorganismos evaluados.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of fat body and hemolymph extracts from Sarconesiopsis magellanica (Diptera: Calliphoridae) third-instar larvae, compared to the effect obtained using the same extracts but derived from Lucilia sericata . S. magellanica blowflies are considered important in forensic sciences due to their usefulness in determining the post mortem interval. This blowfly could be useful in larval therapy due to its necrophagous habits. Materials and methods: Fat body from larvae was removed by dissection, and hemolymph via decapitation and centrifugation of larval specimens. The antibacterial effect was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using two methods: agar diffusion and colony forming units (CFU/mL). Results: Hemolymph and fat body extracts derived from both L. sericata and S. magellanica were effective against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa , with no significant differences between blowfly species, although with some differences between the bacterial strains. Conclusions: The results obtained suggest that S. magellanica and L. sericata fat body and hemolymph extracts might have a similar antimicrobial activity against these microorganisms when used to treat infected wounds.

El objetivo principal del presente trabajo fue obtener cultivos celulares primarios derivados de tejido embrionario de Sarconesiopsis magellanica (Diptera: Calliphoridae), mosca importante por sus aplicaciones en el establecimiento del intervalo post-mortem. Se evaluaron siete medios de cultivo (Grace, Grace/L15, MM, VP12, MM/VP12, Eagle y Schneider), suplementados con 20% de suero fetal bovino. Se observó adhesión, crecimiento y proliferación celular en los medios L15, Schneider y Grace/L15, lográndose mejores resultados en los dos últimos. La obtención de la monocapa confluente, se presentó en un tiempo promedio de doce días, después de realizados los explantes. El patrón de crecimiento de los cultivos primarios mostró la presencia de vesículas con células adheridas a sus paredes, las cuales, ayudaron a la formación de la monocapa confluente. La morfología celular predominante en la monocapa correspondió a formas fibroblastoides y, en menor proporción, a epitelioides, mostrando las primeras una apariencia similar a células nerviosas. Adicionalmente, se registraron en los primeros días de los cultivos primarios, especialmente, en algunos conglomerados de células, movimientos contráctiles semejantes a los realizados por células musculares. Estos cultivos celulares primarios derivados de S. mangellanica representan, potencialmente, sustratos adecuados para realizar ensayos posteriores de susceptibilidad a infección con arbovirus y parásitos.

The present work was aimed at obtaining and characterizing cell cultures from Sarconesiopsis magellanica embryonic tissue (Diptera: Calliphoridae). This fly is important by its applications in the establishment of post-mortem interval. This study evaluated seven culture medium (Grace, Grace/L15, MM, VP12, MM/VP12, Eagle and Schneider), supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum. The adhesion, cell growth and proliferation were observed in L15 medium, Schneider and Grace/L15, achieving better results in the last two. The confluent monolayer was present in an average of twelve days after that the explants were made. The growth pattern of the primary cultures showed the presence of vesicles with cells adhering to its walls, which helped to form a confluent monolayer. The predominant cell morphology in monolayer correspond to fibroblastoid a lesser extent to epithelioid, showing the first similar to nerve cells. Additionally, there was in the early days of primary cultures, especially in some clusters of cells, contractile movement, similar to those made by muscle cells. These primary cell cultures derived from S. magellanica represent potentially suitable substrates for further testing of susceptibility to infection with arboviruses and parasites.

Insect cell cultures are an important biotechnological tool for basic and applied studies. The objective of this work was to establish and characterise a new cell line from Culex quinquefasciatus embryonic tissues. Embryonated eggs were taken as a source of tissue to make explants that were seeded in L-15, Grace's, Grace's/L-15, MM/VP12, Schneider's and DMEM culture media with a pH range from 6.7-6.9 and incubated at 28ºC. The morphological, cytogenetic, biochemical and molecular characteristics of the cell cultures were examined by observing the cell shapes, obtaining the karyotypes, using a cellulose-acetate electrophoretic system and performing random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction analysis, respectively. The Grace's/L-15 medium provided the optimal nutritional conditions for cell adhesion and proliferation. Approximately 40-60 days following the explant procedure, a confluent monolayer was formed. Cellular morphology in the primary cultures and the subcultures was heterogeneous, but in the monolayer the epithelioid morphology type predominated. A karyotype with a diploid number of six chromosomes (2n = 6) was observed. Isoenzymatic and molecular patterns of the mosquito cell cultures matched those obtained from the immature and adult forms of the same species. Eighteen subcultures were generated. These cell cultures potentially constitute a useful tool for use in biomedical applications.

Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) es una mosca necrófaga de importancia médica y forense, utilizada en terapia larval y su desarrollo biológico es usado para establecer el intervalo postmortem. Para criar esta especie, generalmente, se recurre a tejidos animales que al descomponerse producen malos olores y contaminación. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las características del ciclo biológico de L. sericata empleando cuatro dietas diferentes a base de hígado de res (H), leche en polvo (LP), pescado (P) e hígado en polvo (HP). El estudio, se inició a partir de huevos tomados de una colonia de L. sericata, previamente establecida, bajo condiciones de laboratorio (24-27°C, 60% HR, fotoperiodo 12 horas luz). La dieta con la que se obtuvo la mayor duración en el ciclo de vida de L. sericata, desde huevo hasta pupa, fue LP y el menor tiempo de desarrollo de la especie, se estableció en la dieta HP. Por otro lado, la menor longevidad de las moscas, se consiguió en la dieta H; sin embargo, en este sustrato alimenticio, los insectos alcanzaron un tamaño mayor. De manera general, se registró un porcentaje mayor de hembras en las dietas LP y P. Potencialmente, las tres dietas sintéticas evaluadas presentaron características de sustratos alimenticios, óptimos para la cría de la mosca, en condiciones de laboratorio.

Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a necrophagous fly of medical and forensic importance used in larval therapy, being its biological development important to establish the post postmortem interval. Animal tissues are generally employed to breed this specie, but these substrates, while decomposing produce bad odors and contamination. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of the life cycle of L. sericata using four different diets: beef liver (H), milk powder (LP), fish (P) and liver powder (HP). This study started from eggs taken from a colony of L. sericata previously established under laboratory conditions (24-27°C, 60% RH, photoperiod 12 hours light). The highest duration in the life cycle from egg to pupa was obtained on the diet LP, and the shortest developmental time was established on the diet HP. On the other hand the shortest longevity of adult flies was attained on the diet H. However, in this food substrate the flies were larger than on the others diets. In general, a higher percentage of females was registered with diets LP and P. Potentially, the three synthetic diets evaluated, revealed characteristics of optimal substrates for the breeding of the flies under laboratory conditions.

The objective of this work was to establish, under experimental laboratory conditions, a colony of Lucilia sericata, Bogotá-Colombia strain, to build life tables and evaluate two artifcial diets. This blowfy is frequently used in postmortem interval studies and in injury treatment. The parental adult insects collected in Bogotá were maintained in cages at 22°C±1 average temperature, 60%±5 relative humidity and 12 h photoperiodicity. The blowfies were fed on two artifcial diets that were evaluated over seven continuous generations. Reproductive and population parameters were assessed. The life cycle of the species was expressed in the number of days of the different stages: egg = 0.8±0.1, larvae I = 1.1±0.02, larvae II = 1.94±0.16, larvae III = 3.5±0.54, pupae = 6.55±0.47, male adult = 28.7±0.83 and female adult = 33.5±1.0. Total survival from egg stage to adult stage was 91.2% for diet 1, while for diet 2 this parameter was 40.5%. The lifetime reproductive output was 184.51±11.2 eggs per female. The population parameters, as well as the reproductive output of the blowfies that were assessed, showed relatively high values, giving evidence of the continuous increase of the strain over the different generations and making possible its maintenance as a stable colony that has lasted for more than two years.

El propósito principal de la investigación aquí presentada fue obtener cultivos celulares primarios derivados de Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Esta mosca necrófaga es utilizada para determinar el intervalo post-mortem y en terapia larval. A partir de huevos embrionados, se realizaron explantes en diversos medios de cultivo (Grace, Schneider, MM/VP12, DMEM, Grace/L-15 y L-15), suplementados con 20% de suero fetal bovino. La esterilización del material biológico se efectuó mediante la aplicación de soluciones de formaldehido e hipoclorito de sodio. El crecimiento celular se inicio en los medios L-15, MM/VP12, Grace/L-15 y Schneider, en un tiempo promedio de 10 días después de efectuadas las siembras de tejidos embrionarios, mediante la proliferación de grupos de colonias dispersas en la superficies de los frascos de cultivo y a partir de las terminaciones de los fragmentos larvales. La evolución del crecimiento celular hasta la formación de la monocapa semiconfluente fue relativamente rápida, se alcanzo a las tres semanas post-explantes. La morfología de las células en los cultivos fue heterogénea, se destacaron formas epitelioides, similares a nerviosas, gigantes e irregulares. La comparación de las características de crecimiento de los cultivos celulares de L. sericata con los obtenidos de otras especies de dípteros mostro mayor favorabilidad en la evolución, en razón a que las células se adaptaron mejor a las condiciones fisico-quimicas de varios medios de cultivo. Este es el primer informe de cultivos celulares de una mosca de la familia Calliphoridae.

The main purpose of this study was to obtain primary cell cultures derived from Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Necrophagous this fly is used for determination of post-mortem interval and larval therapy. Since explants embryonated eggs were performed in various culture media (Grace Schneider, MM/VP12, DMEM, Grace/L-15 and L-15), supplemented with 20% fetal serum. Sterilization of the biological material was carried out by immersing it in formaldehyde and sodium hypochlorite solutions. The cell growth was initiated in the L-15, MM/VP12, and Schneider Grace/L-15 in an average time of 10 days after completion of planting by the proliferation of groups of colonies scattered on the surface of the boxes crops and also from the endings of larval fragments. The evolution of cell growth to the formation of monolayer semi-confluent was relatively fast, reaching at 3 weeks post-explant. Cellular morphology in cultured cells was heterogeneous, especially epithelioid forms, similar to nerve, giant and irregular. Comparison of the growth characteristics of these cell cultures with those obtained from other species of flies was more favorable in the evolution of those obtained from L. sericata, on the grounds that the cells are better adapted to the physical-chemical conditions of several culture media. This is the first report of a cell culture-fly family Calliphoridae.

Introducción. Durante las últimas dos décadas, la terapia larval ha resurgido como una alternativa confiable y segura para la cura de úlceras cutáneas que no responden a los tratamientos convencionales. Objetivo. Evaluar el uso de las larvas de Lucilia sericata en el tratamiento de heridas infectadas con Pseudomonas aeruginosa en un modelo animal. Materiales y métodos. Se tomaron 12 conejos, los cuales fueron divididos al azar en 3 grupos homogéneos: al primero se le aplicó terapia larval, el segundo se trató con terapia antibiótica y el tercero fue establecido como control. A cada uno de los animales se les realizó una herida, luego se inoculó en ésta una suspensión de P. aeruginosa y, finalmente, al registrarse el desarrollo de la infección, se procedió, en los dos primeros grupos, a los tratamientos correspondientes. Para la evaluación macroscópica de las heridas, se tuvo en cuenta la presencia de edema y exudado, mal olor, inflamación alrededor de la herida y apariencia del tejido de granulación. Al proceso de cicatrización se le hizo seguimiento a través de una técnica dermohistológica. Resultados. Se registraron claras diferencias entre el grupo de animales tratados con terapia larval vs. el grupo tratado con terapia convencional de antibióticos, estableciéndose un periodo de 10 días para alcanzar la cicatrización en el grupo de terapia larval mientras que en el segundo grupo el proceso se cumplió en 20 días. Conclusiones. S e demostró la eficacia de las larvas de L. sericata en el tratamiento de heridas infectadas con P. aeruginosa.

Introduction. During the last two decades the larval therapy has reemerged as a safe and reliable alternative for the healing of cutaneous ulcers that do not respond to the conventional treatments. Objective. To evaluate the use of the larvae of Lucilia sericata as a treatment for infected wounds with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an animal model. Materials and methods. Twelve rabbits were randomly distributed in 3 groups: the first group was treated with larval therapy; the second was treated with antibiotics therapy and to the third no treatment was applied, therefore was established as a control group. To each animal a wound was artificially induced, and then a suspension of P. aeruginosa was inoculated into the lesion. Finally, every rabbit was evaluated until the infection development was recognized and treatment was set up for the first two groups according with the protocols mentioned above. Macroscopic evaluation of the wounds was based on the presence of edema, exudates, bad odor, inflammation around the wound and the presence of granulation tissue. The healing process was evaluated by monitoring histological changes in the dermal tissue. Results. Differences in the time required for wound healing were observed between the first group treated with larval therapy (10 days) and the second group treated with conventional antibiotics therapy (20 days). Conclusion. The L. sericata larva is and efficient tool as a therapy for infected wounds with P. aeruginosa.

En el presente trabajo se evaluó la actividad tóxica de extractos de Eupatorium microphyllum L.F. sobre larvas de IV estadio del mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linneaus), bajo condiciones de laboratorio. Se utilizaron extractos acuosos en concentraciones del 500 mg L-1, 1.500 mg L - 1 y 2.500 mg L-1 y acetónicos en concentraciones de 10 mg L-1, 20 mg L-1, 30 mg L-1, 40 mg L-1 y 50 mg L-1. Los bioensayos se realizaron por triplicado, cada uno con 20 larvas, expuestas durante 24 horas a 150 mL de solución. En todos los ensayos biológicos se emplearon grupos control. En la evaluación de los extractos acetónicos, se empleó un control negativo para evitar que la mortalidad de las larvas ocurriera a causa del solvente. Los extractos acuosos mostraron acción moderadamente baja en la mortalidad de larvas, menor del 20%. Por el contrario, la acción de los extractos acetónicos se observó a 10 y 20 mg L-1, con 15% de mortalidad, mientras que a 30 y 40 mg L-1 se registraron 22 al 38% de mortalidad, en tanto que a 50 mg L-1 la mortalidad fue del 95,4% con resultados estadísticos altamente significativos. Las concentraciones de los extractos acetónicos mostraron ser las más eficientes para el control de los mosquitos seleccionados. Ambos tipos de extractos mostraron efecto tóxico en larvas de A. aegypti ; sin embargo, se observó mayor efecto en los extractos acetónicos en relación con los extractos acuosos de E. microphyllum, lo cual constituye una alternativa viable en la búsqueda de nuevos larvicidas a partir de compuestos naturales.

In the present work the toxic activity of extracts of Eupatorium microphyllum L.F. was evaluated on 4 th instar larvae of the mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linneaus), under laboratory conditions. Aqueous extracts were utilized in concentrations of 500 mg L-1, 1,500 mg L-1 and 2,500 mg L-1 and acetone in concentrations of 10 mg L-1, 20 mg L-1, 30 mg L-1, 40 mg L-1 and 50 mg L-1. The bioassays were carried out for triplicate each one with 20 larvae, exposed for 24 hours to 150 mL of solution. In all the bioassays were employed control groups. In the evaluation of the acetone extracts, a negative control was employed to avoid that the mortality of the larvae to occur on account of the solvent. The Aqueous extracts showed low moderate action in the mortality of larvae, less than 20%. On the contrary, the action of the acetone extracts was observed to 10 and 20 mg L-1 with 15% of mortality, while to 30 and 40 mg L-1 were registered 22 to 38% of mortality. However, to 50 mg L-1 the mortality was of 95.4% with highly significant statistical results. The concentrations of the acetone extracts showed to be the most efficient for the control of the mosquitoes selected. Both types of extracts showed toxic effect in larvae of A. aegypti, nevertheless, greater effect in the acetone extracts was observed relating to the aqueous extracts of E. microphyllum, which constitutes a viable alternative in the search of new larvicides from composed natural.

Los cultivos celulares de mosquitos son frecuentemente utilizados para el aislamiento, identificación y caracterización de arbovirus. Para el estudio de los virus dengue (VDEN) y virus de fiebre amarilla (VFA) se emplean, principalmente, la línea celular C6/36 de Aedes albopictus y la línea celular AP61, obtenida de Aedes pseudoscutellaris. La línea celular de A. aegypti AEGY28, previamente obtenida a partir de tejidos embrionarios del vector, se utilizó en el presente trabajo para evaluar la susceptibilidad a la infección por VDEN y VFA. Para ello, los cultivos celulares se ensayaron a diferente multiplicidad de infección con los aislados clínicos de virus dengue tipo 2 (COL789, MOI: 1 y 5) y VFA (V341, MOI 0,02). Posteriormente se realizó la detección de antígenos virales por la técnica de inmunocitoquímica y su cuantificación por la técnica de CellELISA fluorométrica. Se usaron como controles positivos de infección, tanto células C6/36 como células VERO. Inesperadamente, no se observó inmunoreactividad en las células de A. aegypti infectadas con ambos tipos de virus en ninguno de los MOI o tiempos estudiados. Tampoco se evidenció antígeno por la técnica fluorométrica ni fue posible detectar RNA viral por RTPCR a partir de células infectadas. Por lo tanto, se puede concluir que la línea celular de A. aegypti no es susceptible a la infección por VDEN ni por VFA. Ello podría estar relacionado con características propias de la membrana celular o de la maquinaria enzimática necesaria para la replicación viral

Mosquito cell derived cultures are useful tools for arbovirus isolation, identification or characterization. For studying dengue (DENV) and yellow fever viruses (YFV) Aedes albopictus C6/36 or Aedes pseudoscutellaris AP61 cell lines, are normally used. The Aedes aegypti AEGY28 cell line was obtained from embryonic tissues and characterized previously by one of us. In order to evaluate its susceptibility to two Flavivirus, AEGY28 cells were inoculated with different multiplicity of infection (MOI) with type 2 DENV (COL789, MOI: 1 and 5) and YFV clinical isolates (V341, MOI 0,02) then processed at different times post infection (p.i.). Immunostaining and fluorometric cellELISA were carried out to identify and quantify viral antigens. C6/36 and Vero cells were used as positive controls. Unexpectedly, immunoreactivity was not found in inoculated AEGY28 cells, even in higher MOI or late times p.i., therefore antigen quantification using fluorometric cellELISA were not plausible. Reverse transcriptase PCR with specific primers did not detect viral RNA in AEGY28 inoculated cells. We can conclude that Aedes aegypti AEGY28 cell line is not susceptible to dengue and yellow fever Flavivirus, a finding possibly related with the lacking of specific molecules at the plasma membrane or absence of cell machinery necessary for viral replication

In man, differential diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli infections represents a serious problem, not only because both parasites present similar geographical distribution, the same hosts and sometimes the same insect vector, but also because they have common antigen determinants. In this work IgM and IgG humoral responses to T. cruzi syntethic peptides in mice infected with T. cruzi and with T. rangeli were analysed. In a immunoradiometric assay (IRMA ) 6 syntethic peptides were used, denominated as clones 1, 2, SAPA, 13, 30 and 36. The results showed that sera from infected mice with T. rangeli recognized all peptides derived from T. cruzi proteins, at IgM as well as IgG level. Reactivity with peptide SAPA is discussed as previous work indicated that SAPA is not codified in the T. rangeli genome. Our results support the suggestion that crossed reactions are due to the fact that both parasites present common antigens

Existen eventos desconocidos o pobremente comprendidos en las interacciones Leishmania-célula hospedera que ameritan estudios en nuevos modelos in vitro. El propósito del presente trabajo fue evaluar, teniendo en cuenta variables de temperatura, concentración de CO2 y cambios morfométricos de las células, la interacción de Leishmania chagasi con una línea celular (Lulo), previamente establecida, derivada de tejidos embrionarios de Lutzomyia longipalpisi . La línea celular J774 se utilizó como control positivo de la infección. La cepa MH/CO/84/CI-044B de L. chagasi se usó para los ensayos de infección. Los parásitos se adicionaron a las células adheridas, tanto de Lulo como de J774, en una proporción de 5:1, la incubación se efectuó a 28°C y 37°C, en ausencia y presencia de CO2. Se realizó un estudio morfométrico de las células antes y después de la infección. Las características ultraestructurales, tanto del parásito como de las células, se analizaron por microscopía electrónica. El mayor porcentaje de infección en las células Lulo a 28°C se registró el día seis post-infección (26,8%), mientras que a la temperatura de 37°C, sin atmósfera de CO2, el máximo valor (30,4%) se obtuvo el día nueve. Los análisis morfométricos mostraron un aumento significativo en el tamaño de las células infectadas de Lulo a 28°C y de J774 a 37°C con y sin atmósfera de CO2respectivamente.

There are unknown or poorly understood events in the Leishmania-host cell interactions that merit studies in new in vitro models. The aim of the present work was to evaluate Leishmania chagasi interaction with a cell line (Lulo) previously established and derived from Lutzomyia longipalpisi embryonic tissues, bearing different temperatures and CO2 concentrations in mind and morphometric changes of the cells. The J774 cell line was used as positive control of the infection. The L. chagasi MH/CO/84/CL-044B strain was used for infection assays. The parasites were added to adherent cells in 5:1 ratio, incubated at 28°C and 37°C with the presence or absence of CO2. A morphometric study of cells was carried out, before and after infection. Both parasite and cell ultrastructure characteristics were analyzed by electron microscope. The greatest percentage of infection in the Lulo cells at 28°C was registered at 28°C (26,8%) on day six, while at 37°C, in CO2 absence, the maximum percentage (30,4%) was obtained the ninth day. Morphometric analysis showed a significant increase in the size of Lulo cells infected at 28°C and J774 cells at 37°C with the presence and absence of CO2 respectively.