INTRODUÇÃO: Estimar as prevalências de Mansonella ozzardi, e calcular a taxa de infecção parasitária nos simulídeos no município de Lábrea, Estado do Amazonas. MÉTODOS: As prevalências foram obtidas através do método de gota espessa a partir do sangue coletado da polpa digital e foram relacionadas com a idade, sexo e ocupação. Os simulídeos foram coletados com capturador de sucção, posteriormente foram corados com hematoxilina e dissecados para se obter a taxa de infecção parasitária. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de M. ozzardi entre as 694 pessoas examinadas foi de 20,7%. A infecção foi maior nos homens (27,6%) do que nas mulheres (14,3%) (p < 0,001) e ocorreu na maioria das faixas etárias com maiores prevalências nos indivíduos entre 38-47 (40%), 48-57 (53,1%) e >58 (60,5%) anos. As maiores prevalências foram observadas nos aposentados (64%) e agricultores (47,1%). Somente Cerqueirellum amazonicum (Simuliidae) foi encontrado infectado com M. ozzardi com uma taxa de infecção parasitária de 0,6%. CONCLUSÕES: Este trabalho mostra elevadas prevalências de M. ozzardi nas comunidades ribeirinhas de Lábrea devido à ausência de políticas de tratamento dos microfilarêmicos na região e a abundância de vetores competentes.

INTRODUCTION: Estimate the prevalence of Mansonella ozzardi infection and calculate the parasitic infection rate (PIR) in simuliid black flies in the municipality of Lábrea, State of Amazonas, Brazil. METHODS: Prevalence was measured using the thick blood smear method collected from the fingers and was related to age, sex and occupation. Simuliidae were collected with a suction apparatus, then stained with hematoxylin and dissected to verify the PIR. RESULTS: The average prevalence rate of M. ozzardi among the 694 individuals examined was 20.7%. Infection was higher in men (27.6%) than in women (14.3%) (p < 0.001) and occurred in most age groups, with the highest prevalence in the following age groups: 38-47 (40%), 48-57 (53.1%) and >58 (60.5%). The highest prevalence rates were observed in the retired (64%), followed by farm workers (47.1%). Infection by M. ozzardi was only identified in Cerqueirellum amazonicum (Simuliidae) with a PIR of 0.6%. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a high prevalence of M. ozzardi in the riverine communities of Lábrea due to the lack of policies regarding the treatment of microfilaremic individuals in the region and an abundance of competent vectors for M. ozzardi.

The Simuliidae fauna from the Santa Catarina state, Brazil, was documented, based primarily on specimens deposited in the collections of the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Brazil and the La Plata Museum, Argentina. The results of our survey are organized by mesoregion and by municipality. Of the 51 municipalities where black flies were recorded, 46 represented new unpublished locality records. A total of 29 species belonging to two genera and eight subgenera were found, among which five are new records for the Santa Catarina state. The species recorded are (new records are marked with a *): Lutzsimulium hirticosta, Simuliium (Chirostilbia) acarayense, S. (Chirostilbia) distinctum, S. (Chirostilbia) empascae, S. (Chirostilbia) pertinax, S. (Chirostilbia) riograndense, S. (Chirostilbia) subpallidum, S. (Ectemnaspis) dinellii, S. (Ectemnaspis) lutzianum, S. (Ectemnaspis) perflavum, S. (Hemicnetha) rubrithorax, S. (Inaequalium) botulibranchium, S. (Inaequalium) clavibranchium, S. (Inaequalium) inaequale, S. (Inaequalium) itaunense, S. (Inaequalium) nogueirai, S. (Inaequalium) subclavibranchium, S. (Inaequalium) subnigrum, S. (Inaequalium) travassosi, S. (Notolepria) paraguayense*, S. (Psaroniocompsa) anamariae*, S. (Psaroniocompsa) angrense, S. (Psaroniocompsa) auripellitum, S. (Psaroniocompsa) auristriatum*, S. (Psaroniocompsa) incrustatum, S. (Psaroniocompsa) jujuyense, S. (Psaroniocompsa) limbatum*, S. (Psaroniocompsa) minuanum*, and S. (Thyrsopelma) orbitale.

A new species of the Culicoides reticulatus species group, Culicoides kuripako Felippe-Bauer, is described and illustrated based on females and male specimens from the states of Amazonas and Pará, Brazil. The new species is compared with its similar sympatric congener, Culicoides paucienfuscatus Barbosa.

In this study, anticoagulant activity was detected in salivary gland homogenates (SGHs) of Thyrsopelma guianense (Diptera: Simuliidae). The SGH yielded 1.07 μg ± 0.03 (n = 15) of total soluble protein per pair of glands. In addition, following SDS-PAGE (12.5% gel) and silver nitrate staining, 12 polypeptides with molecular weights ranging from 14-69 kDa were detected in all physiological ages analyzed (12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h following emergence). Coagulation bioassays showed that the SGHs had activities that interacted at all levels of coagulation (the intrinsic, extrinsic and common pathways), by extending the plasma recalcification time, prothrombin time, thrombin time. This is the first report on the activity of salivary gland proteins from the main vector of onchocerciasis in Brazil. We also suggest detailed studies on the morphology and function of the salivary glands in order to understand the role of these proteins in host/vector interactions.

A new species of the Culicoides (Hoffmania) hylas species group, Culicoides baniwa Felippe-Bauer is described and illustrated based on a female specimen from the state of Amazonas, Brazil. A systematic key, wing photographs, diagramme of the legs pattern, table with numerical characters of females and a synopsis of the 11 species of the C. hylas group are presented. This paper further presents a new record of Culicoides pseudoheliconiae Felippe-Bauer out of the previously defined geographic distribution of the hylas species group, in the province of Misiones, Argentina.

Este estudo teve o objetivo de estimar as prevalências de Mansonella ozzardi e calcular taxa de infecção parasitária nos simulídeos. O trabalho foi realizado em comunidades ribeirinhas do rio Purus, Boca do Acre, Amazonas, Brasil. As prevalências foram obtidas por meio do método de gota espessa de sangue obtido por porção digital. Os simulídeos coletados foram dissecados para estimar a taxa de infecção parasitária. A prevalência de M. ozzardi foi de 27,3% (282/77). Foram observadas maiores prevalências nos homens (31,97%) que nas mulheres (22,22%), nos agricultores (48%) e nos indivíduos entre: 38-47 (60%), 48-57 (66,66%) e 58-67 (75%). A microfilaremia foi maior nos indivíduos entre 58-67 anos (média = 58,41mf/40µL), sexo masculino (41,44mf/40µL) e nos agricultores (49,94mf/40µL). Somente o simulídeo Cerqueirellum amazonicum foi encontrado infectado com taxa de infecção parasitária de 0,98%.

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Mansonella ozzardi and calculate the parasitic infection rate in simuliid blackflies. The research was conducted in communities on the Purus River, Boca do Acre municipality, Amazonas State, Brazil. Prevalence was measured using the thick smear method. Captured blackflies were dissected to verify the parasitic infection rate. M. ozzardi prevalence was 27.30% (77/282). The study showed higher prevalence in men (31.97%) than women (22.22%), farmers (48.99%), and individuals in the 38-47 (60.00%), 48-57 (66.66%), and 58-67-year age brackets (75.00%). Microfilaremia was higher in individuals 58 to 67 years of age (average= 58.41mf/40µl), men (41.44mf/40µl), and farmers (49.94mf/40µl). Only the simuliid Cerqueirellum amazonicum was found infected with a parasitic infection rate of 0.98%.

Este estudo teve o objetivo de estimar as prevalências de Mansonella ozzardi e calcular taxa de infecção parasitária nos simulídeos. O trabalho foi realizado em comunidades ribeirinhas do rio Purus, Boca do Acre, Amazonas, Brasil. As prevalências foram obtidas por meio do método de gota espessa de sangue obtido por porção digital. Os simulídeos coletados foram dissecados para estimar a taxa de infecção parasitária. A prevalência de M. ozzardi foi de 27,3% (282/77). Foram observadas maiores prevalências nos homens (31,97%) que nas mulheres (22,22%), nos agricultores (48%) e nos indivíduos entre: 38-47 (60%), 48-57 (66,66%) e 58-67 (75%). A microfilaremia foi maior nos indivíduos entre 58-67 anos (média = 58,41mf/40µL), sexo masculino (41,44mf/40µL) e nos agricultores (49,94mf/40µL). Somente o simulídeo Cerqueirellum amazonicum foi encontrado infectado com taxa de infecção parasitária de 0,98%.

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Mansonella ozzardi and calculate the parasitic infection rate in simuliid blackflies. The research was conducted in communities on the Purus River, Boca do Acre municipality, Amazonas State, Brazil. Prevalence was measured using the thick smear method. Captured blackflies were dissected to verify the parasitic infection rate. M. ozzardi prevalence was 27.30% (77/282). The study showed higher prevalence in men (31.97%) than women (22.22%), farmers (48.99%), and individuals in the 38-47 (60.00%), 48-57 (66.66%), and 58-67-year age brackets (75.00%). Microfilaremia was higher in individuals 58 to 67 years of age (average= 58.41mf/40µl), men (41.44mf/40µl), and farmers (49.94mf/40µl). Only the simuliid Cerqueirellum amazonicum was found infected with a parasitic infection rate of 0.98%.

This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of Mansonella ozzardi infection and to estimate the parasitic infection rate (PIR) in simuliid black flies in the municipality of Pauini, Amazonas, Brazil. We used thick blood films to examine 921 individuals in 35 riverine communities along the Pauini and Purus Rivers. Simuliids were caught in several communities. Flies were identified, stained with haematoxylin and dissected. Overall, 44 (24.86%) of 177 riverines were infected in communities on the Pauini River and 183 (24.19%) of 744 on the Purus. The prevalence was higher in men (31.81% and 29.82%) than in women (17.98% and 19.18%) and occurred in most age groups. The prevalence increased sharply in the 28-37 (50% and 42.68%) age group and increased in the older age classes. The highest prevalence was in farmers (44% and 52.17%, respectively) in the Pauini and Purus Rivers. Only Cerqueirellum amazonicum (Simuliidae) transmits M. ozzardi in this municipality, and we found a PIR of 0-8.43% and infectivity rate of 0-3.61%. These results confirm that rates of M. ozzardi infection are high in Pauini and suggest that its prevalence may be far greater than has been previously reported due to the absence of a program for treating the population.

OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a percepção e a compreensão de conceitos e terminologia da segurança e insegurança alimentar, especialmente os que compõem a Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar, no contexto da realidade sócio-cultural indígena. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados recursos de pesquisa qualitativa para a abordagem das comunidades indígenas Cacau, Flexeira e Mamori, situadas na bacia hidrográfica do Médio Juruá, nos municípios de Envira e Eirunepé (AM), baseando-se em metodologia já previamente utilizada no Brasil e adaptada ao presente contexto, em uma reunião com especialistas da área. Em seguida foram organizados grupos focais, com 18 participantes das três comunidades indígenas. RESULTADOS: A fome apareceu como situação vivenciada por muitos dos participantes dos grupos focais das três comunidades estudadas. Os conceitos e as terminologias como segurança alimentar, fome e comida boa foram bem compreendidos, no entanto, comida variada, comida suficiente e estratégia para evitar problemas com comida foram conceitos não compreendidos por eles. A rotina de vida desses povos baseia-se nas relações familiares que permitem trocas, diferindo de outros grupos focais da área urbana e rural, conduzidos como parte da validação da Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar, nos quais a dificuldade de acesso aos alimentos era conseqüência da falta de recursos financeiros. CONCLUSÃO: São necessários novos e aprofundados estudos, qualitativos e quantitativos, para o desenvolvimento de um instrumento de mensuração de insegurança alimentar que reflita a realidade desses povos, ao mesmo tempo em que busquem fornecer resultados comparáveis com aqueles de outros povos indígenas e mesmo os obtidos pela Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar em outras populações. Será necessário um instrumento que contemple a questão da troca, o aspecto coletivo, a importância e o uso do ambiente nas experiências de segurança ou insegurança alimentar. Sugere-se ainda que, para estudos quantitativos, o questionário deva ser mais resumido e simples.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the perception and comprehension of concepts and terminology related to food security and insecurity, especially those that comprise the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, in the context of indigenous socio-cultural reality. METHODS: Qualitative research techniques were used in Cacau, Flexeira and Mamori indigenous communities located in the Médio Juruá watershed, in the municipalities of Envira and Eirunepé (AM). The methods were based on a methodology used previously in Brazil and adapted to the present context in a meeting of specialists familiar with these indigenous communities. Next, focus groups were organized in each one of the three communities, with a total of 18 participants. RESULTS: Hunger appeared as a phenomenon experienced frequently by the participants. Many of the concepts and terms, such as "food security", "hunger", and "good food", were well-understood, but others, such as "varied food", "sufficient food" "strategies to avoid problems with food" were not. Everyday life depends on family relations that allow exchanges, which differs from studies conducted previously in urban and rural areas, where difficulties related to access to food were due to lack of financial resources. The subject of trading, or exchanges, appeared often during the focus groups, as well as a collective aspect of the experience of food security that had not emerged previously in focus groups conducted as part of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale validation. CONCLUSION: More in-depth qualitative and quantitative studies are needed to develop a food security measurement instrument that reflects the reality of these indigenous communities while, at the same time, provides results that are comparable to other indigenous communities as well as to results obtained using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale in other populations. To apprehend the situation of food security in these grups is necessary an instrument that takes into consideration the question of trading/exchange, the collective aspect, and the importance of the environment in their experiences related to food security and insecurity. It is recommended that, if questionnaires are to be used, that they should be kept as short and simple as possible.

The objective of this paper was to describe the current status of Mansonella ozzardi prevalence among the inhabitants of 12 communities along the Ituxi river, in Lábrea municipality, state of Amazonas. The prevalence of M. ozzardi was determined using thick blood smears obtained by digital punctures. M. ozzardi was found in 30.23% of the samples collected (39/129), with similar prevalence between genders (males: 30.30%; females: 30.16%); the highest prevalence was found in homemakers (45.45%) followed by farmers (38.77%). Among age groups, males and females older than 48 exhibited the highest rates. These results show a significative increase in the prevalence when compared to a epidemiological study made 26 years ago in the same area as well as a different epidemiological profile (gender and occupation) in relation to other areas in Amazonas.

Polinários de duas espécies de Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae), possivelmente de Tassadia cf. martiana Decne. e T. cf. obovata Decne., foram observados pela primeira vez presos ao aparelho bucal de simulídeos [Cerqueirellum amazonicum (Goeldi), C. argentiscutum (Shelley & Luna Dias), C. oyapockense (Floch & Abonnenc) e Cerqueirellum sp.]. A frequência e distribuição dos insetos observados com polinários sugerem que esse tipo de evento não é casual. Os simulídeos devem buscar néctar nas flores de Asclepiadoideae, sendo capazes de remover seus polinários. Essa descoberta demonstra que os simulídeos não carregam apenas parasitas patogênicos, mas também polinários, e assim podem representar um grupo de polinizadores de espécies de Asclepiadoideae com flores pequenas.

The presence of pollinaria of two species of Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae), possibly Tassadia cf. martiana Decne. and T. cf. obovata Decne., attached to the mouth parts of simulid black flies [Cerqueirellum amazonicum (Goeldi), C. argentiscutum (Shelley & Luna Dias), C. oyapockense (Floch & Abonnenc), and Cerqueirellum sp.] are reported for the first time. The frequency and distribution of simulids recorded with pollinaria suggest that removal of pollinaria by these flies is not casual. Simulids probably use nectar in flowers of Asclepiadoideae as source of sugar, being able to remove their pollinaria. This finding demonstrates that simulids are not only vector of pathogenic parasites, but also carry pollinaria, and thus may represent a group of pollinators for species of Asclepiadoideae with small flowers.

A utilização de extratos de plantas pode ser uma alternativa para o controle de pragas. Dentre as plantas com atividade inseticida, destacam-se a erva-de-rato (Palicourea marcgravii) e o subproduto (manipueira) da produção de farinha de mandioca (Manihot esculenta), plantas comuns na região Amazônica. Esse trabalho teve, como principal objetivo, investigar o potencial inseticida da manipueira e do extrato de erva-de-rato sobre Toxoptera citricida (pulgão-preto do citros). Os extratos liofilizados de manipueira e de erva-de-rato foram pulverizados sobre plantas de citros contendo pulgões em cinco concentrações (10mg/ml, 20mg/ml, 30mg/ml, 40mg/ml e 50mg/ml). Todas as concentrações analisadas causaram mortalidade dos pulgões superior a 50%, sendo que a maior concentração causou a mortalidade de todos os insetos. O potencial destes extratos demonstrado no experimento coloca os mesmos como uma alternativa ao uso de inseticidas sintéticos no controle do pulgão-preto dos citros.

The utilization of plant extracts might be an alternative for the control of crop pests. Between the plants with insecticide potential, stands-out: Erva-de-rato (Palicourea marcgravii) and the Cassava, a byproduct of the manipueira (Manihot esculenta),common plants in the amazon region. That work had as main objective , to investigate the insecticide potential of Manihot esculenta (manipueira of cassava) and Palicourea marcgravii (erva-de-rato) on Toxoptera citricida (brown citrus aphid), in experimental conditions. The freeze dryed Manipueira and and Erva-de-rato extracts, were sprayed on citrus plants infected by brown citros aphid. In laboratory, extracts of these two plants were obtained in five concentrations (10mg/ml, 20mg/ml, 30mg/ml, 40mg/ml and 50mg/ml). All the analyzed concentrations (10 to 50mg/ml) caused mortality on T. citricida of above 50%, and the higher concentration of 50mg/ml caused the mortality of all the insects (n = 100%) in application processes contact. The potential of these extracts, as demonstrated in the tests, confirms that they can be an insecticide alternative, for the control of the brown citrus aphid.

As fêmeas de piuns ou borrachudos da família Simuliidae são hematófagas e vetoras de diversos patógenos, destacando-se os vermes filarióides Mansonella ozzardi e Onchocerca volvulus. Dentre os grupos supra-específicos que são vetores de mansonelose e oncocercose na América do Sul, destaca-se o gênero Cerqueirellum. Os gêneros Coscaroniellum e Shelleyellum são filogeneticamente muito próximos a Cerqueirellum. Não existia concordância quanto à validade de Cerqueirellum e Coscaroniellum como clados supra-específicos, sendo ambos os gêneros incluídos, por uma escola taxonômica, como grupos de espécies em Psaroniocompsa. Neste trabalho é feita uma análise filogenética baseada em caracteres morfológicos dos três gêneros.. Os gêneros Cerqueirellum, Coscaroniellum e Shelleyellum. apresentaram-se como entidades basais válidas, consistentes e monofiléticas.

Females of simuliid black flies are haematophagous insects and vectors of several pathogenic agents of human diseases such as the filarial worms Mansonella ozzardi and Onchocerca volvulus. The genus Cerqueirellum is one of the most important groups of vectors of mansonellosis and onchocerciasis diseases in South America, and the genera Coscaroniellum and Shelleyellum are phylogenetically close to Cerqueirellum. There is not yet an agreement among authors about the generic classification of the species which compose these three genera, being all lumped by some taxonomists within Psaroniocompsa. A cladistic analysis of all species of Coscaroniellum, Cerqueirellum, and Shelleyellum, based on 41 morphological characters were done. Species closely related to Cerqueirellum were included in the analysis. The genera Cerqueirellum, Coscaroniellum and Shelleyellum were demonstrated as consistent basal entities and well-defined monophyletic clades.

Esse trabalho tem como objetivos estimar a prevalência de Mansonella ozzardi em comunidades indígenas do município de Pauini, Amazonas, Brasil e estimar a Taxa de Infecção Parasitária nos vetores. Foram examinados indígenas da etnia Apurinã, pelo método de gota espessa, em seis comunidades localizadas as margens e afluentes do rio Purus. A prevalência geral para M. ozzardi foi de 28,40%, com maior incidência para o sexo masculino e nos indivíduos com atividade no campo (agricultores). Em relação à faixa etária, as menores prevalências foram obtidas nos indivíduos mais jovens (2-9 anos), enquanto as maiores nos indivíduos acima de 58 anos. Foram encontrados simulídeos parasitados em três comunidades, com uma Taxa de Infecção Parasitária que variou de 0,34 a 6,58%. A prevalência de M. ozzardi entre os Apurinã é elevada, possivelmente relacionada às suas atividades diárias as margens dos rios, onde existe uma grande abundância dos vetores.

The Mansonella ozzardi has a widespread distribution among the indigenous and riverine communities of Amazonas, Brazil. We estimated the prevalence of Mansonella ozzardi in indigenous communities of the Pauini municipality, Amazonas state, Brazil and the rate of parasitic infection in vectors. We collected thick blood smears from individuals from six Apurinã indigenous communities along the Purus River and its tributaries. Collections of simuliids were made and dissected, and the larval instars of M. ozzardi identified. The overall prevalence of M. ozzardi was 28.40%, with the highest incidence among males and agricultural workers. Among age groups, children 2-9 years of age had the lowest incidence, while individuals older than 58 exhibited the highest rates of infection. We found infected simuliids in three communities, with Parasitic Infection Rates (PIR) of 0.34-6.58%. The prevalence of M. ozzardi among the Apurinã people is high, possibly related to the diary activities of the riparian people, where a high abundance of the vectors exists.

É descrita uma nova espécie para o gênero Inaequalium (Coscarón & Wygodzinsky, 1984), Inaequaliumlundi sp.n. É proposto um novo grupo de espécies dentro de Inaequalium. Os imaturos de Inaequaliumlundi sp.n. foram coletados em cursos d'água em uma altitude de 2.800 m no complexo geológico denominado Pico da Neblina, Amazonas, Brasil.

A new species is described for the genus Inaequalium (Coscarón & Wygodzinsky, 1984), Inaequaliumlundi sp.n. A new group of species is proposed inside of Inaequalium. The immature of Inaequaliumlundi sp.n. were collected in running waters located in 2.800 meters of altitude, in the geological complex of the "Pico da Neblina", Amazon state, Brazil.