ABSTRACT Background: Tuberculosis represents a public health problem, with extrapulmonary disease occurring in 15% of incident cases annually. Early diagnosis is a challenge due to its paucibacillary nature. Recently, a molecular real-time semi-quantitative assay (GeneXpert Ultra) was developed to overcome limitations of the previous assay version (Xpert MTB/RF). Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the usefulness of the novel next-generation GeneXpert assay in extrapulmonary samples from different anatomic sites under routine diagnostic conditions at a university medical center. Methods: A total of 519 samples from patients with presumptive diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB were subjected to smear microscopy, culture, and molecular assay. Univariate analyses for demographic and microbiological characteristics were performed. The sensitivity, specificity, and Kappa index with a 95% confidence interval were determined. Results: Molecular assay was positive in 53 samples (10.2%), of which 38 (71.6%) belonged to the "low" and "trace" semi-quantitative categories. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 86.4% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 74.1-98.8) and 95.6% (95% CI: 93.7-97.6), respectively. Phenotypic drug susceptibility testing for rifampin was 100% concordant. Conclusions: Molecular assay showed significant results when compared to other standard tests, making it a useful tool that could lead in the improvement to a rapid diagnosis of extrapulmonary disease.

ABSTRACT In recent years, our knowledge of the Oriental fauna of Neriidae has improved with the studies of Telostylus Bigot, 1859 and Teloneria Aczél, 1954. However, the small genera (less than three species) have never been revised and their taxonomy remains obscure. Neriidae has 18 genera of which 10 occur exclusively in the Oriental and Australasian Regions, including four monotypic genera, of which one, Protonerius de Meijere, 1924, is only known from the female holotype of Protonerius guttipennis de Meijere, 1921 from Indonesia. We here describe a second species of the genus, Protonerius opacus sp. nov., based on a female specimen from Selangor, Malaysia, which differs from the type species of the genus by the patterns of infuscate spots on the wing and the coloring of pleuron and femora. Additionally, an identification key for the two species and an updated diagnosis of the genus are provided.

Abstract We present the first formal record of the twig-girdler Psyllotoxus griseocinctus Thomson, 1868 (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Onciderini) attacking the rose, Rosa sp. (Rosaceae) in Southern Brazil. We provide photographs of the damage P. griseocinctus causes to the plant, as well as morphological descriptions of the immature stages and molecular diagnostic tools to identify this species. Additionally, we provide a modelled map with the known and potential distribution of P. griseocinctus and new host records for three plant species: the common walnut tree, Juglans regia L. (Juglandaceae); the cambucá tree, Plinia edulis (Vell.) Sobral (Myrtaceae); and the cherry tree, Prunus cf. serrulata Lindl. (Rosaceae).

Resumo: Uma lista de sete espécies coletadas nos estados brasileiros do Ceará, Maranhão e Piauí é disponibilizada, baseada em material depositado na Coleção Zoológica do Maranhão (CZMA), Cerantichir peruana (Hennig, 1937), Glyphidops durus (Cresson, 1926), Glyphidops filosus (Fabricius, 1805), Glyphidops flavifrons (Bigot, 1886), Glyphidops vittatus (Cresson, 1912), Nerius pilifer Fabricius, 1805 e Nerius plurivittatus Bigot, 1886. Representantes de Neriidae são registrados e mapeados pela primeira vez nos estados do Ceará, Maranhão e Piauí, enquanto C. peruana, G. durus, G. flavifrons e G. vittatus representam novos registros para a Região Nordeste do Brasil. São apresentados uma chave para a identificação e diagnoses dos neríideos da Região Nordeste brasileira.

Abstract: Here, we provide a list of seven species collected in the Brazilian states of Ceará, Maranhão and Piauí, housed in the Coleção Zoológica do Maranhão (CZMA), Cerantichir peruana (Hennig, 1937), Glyphidops durus (Cresson, 1926), Glyphidops filosus (Fabricius, 1805), Glyphidops flavifrons (Bigot, 1886), Glyphidops vittatus (Cresson, 1912), Nerius pilifer Fabricius, 1805 and Nerius plurivittatus Bigot, 1886. Representatives of Neriidae are recorded and mapped for the first time in the states of Ceará, Maranhão and Piauí, while the species C. peruana, G. durus, G. flavifrons and G. vittatus represent new records for the Northeast Region of Brazil. A key for the identification and diagnoses of Northeastern Brazilian neriids are provided.

ABSTRACT The monotypic genus Loxozus Enderlein, 1922 is redescribed. After examining the holotypes of Tetanocera cornuta Walker, 1853 and Loxozus clavicornis Enderlein, 1922, we confirm that these species are synonyms and reiterate that the correct name of the nominal species is Loxozus cornutus (Walker, 1853). The male of L. cornutus is described for the first time and notes on the species’ sexual dimorphism and illustrations of the genitalia are provided, together with distribution data, including new records for Venezuela, Brazil and Peru.

RESUMO É apresentada uma checklist de espécies de Heleomyzidae, Neriidae e Oestridae do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Heleomyzidae, família representada no Brasil por 13 espécies, possui registro apenas de Neorhinotora aristalis (Fischer) para o Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. Duas espécies de Neriidae, Longina abdominalis Wiedemann e Nerius pilifer Fabricius, das 15 com registro de ocorrência para o Brasil, foram identificadas. A família Oestridae é representada no Estado por duas espécies distribuídas em dois gêneros: Dermatobia hominis (Linnaeus Jr.) e Cuterebra rufiventris Macquart.

ABSTRACT We provide a checklist of flies of the families Heleomyzidae, Neriidae, and Oestridae in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Heleomyzidae are represented in Brazil by 13 species, and only Neorhinotora aristalis (Fischer) is recorded to the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The two reported species of Neriidae, Longina abdominalis Wiedemann and Nerius pilifer Fabricius, are among the 15 species now known in Brazil. The Oestridae family is represented by two species distributed in two genera: Dermatobia hominis (Linnaeus Jr.) and Cuterebra rufiventris Macquart.

Se revisó el género Neotropical de "moscas del cactus" Cerantichir y se presenta nueva información sobre morfología y distribución. Se incluye una nueva diagnosis, redescripción y clave para la identificación de las dos especies actualmente conocidas, así como fotografías e ilustraciones.

The Neotropical "cactus fly" genus Cerantichir is revised. New information on morphology and distribution is provided. New diagnosis, redescriptions and a key to identification of the two currently known species, along with photographs and illustrations.

Resumen Objetivos: Evaluar diferentes tratamientos de preservación de especímenes Anopheles albimanus para conocer su utilidad para conservar la cantidad y calidad del ADN que permita su análisis en estudios moleculares posteriores. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio comparativo experimental con tres bloques de tratamientos de preservación: sílica gel, etanol y congelación; los dos últimos bloques se dividieron en dos niveles cada uno: etanol absoluto, etanol al 70% y congelación a -20°C, congelación a -80°C respectivamente. El bloque control estuvo conformado por especímenes frescos sin tratamiento de preservación. Se extrajo el ADN de cada espécimen, se cuantificó por espectrofotometría y se amplifico el espaciador interno transcrito 2 (ITS2) mediante PCR. Se realizó un análisis comparativo entre bloques de tratamiento usando la frecuencia de amplificación de ITS2. Resultados: Se obtuvo la amplificación de ITS2 de todos los especímenes sin preservación previa, del 60% de los preservados en sílica gel y del 20% de los preservados en congelación a -80°C y en etanol al 70%. Se halló diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p<0,05) entre las proporciones de amplificación observadas. No se obtuvo amplificación de los especímenes preservados en congelación a -20°C y no se observó una correlación por regresión logística (p>0,05) entre el índice DO260/DO280 y la concentración de ADN de los especímenes que presentaron amplificación de ITS2. Conclusiones: Los datos sugieren que la conservación en sílica gel o la congelación que se vayan a -80°C pueden ser las mejores condiciones para la preservación de especímenes Anopheles a utilizar en estudios moleculares posteriores.

Abstract Introduction: Various methodologies have been reported for long term specimen preservation, which protect the DNA from degradation allowing its posterior analysis in molecular studies. However, the effectiveness of the preservation methods may vary among insect groups; therefore, it is convenient to determine the preservation method to be used with a particular group before performing molecular studies with a large number of specimens. Objetives: An experimental comparative study was conducted to evaluate different preservation treatments for Anopheles albimanus, to know their utility in conserving the quantity and quality of DNA to be used in subsequent molecular studies. Methods: DNA was extracted from each specimen, it was then quantified by spectrophotometer and the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) was amplified by PCR. Results: ITS2 amplification was obtained in all specimens without previous preservation, in 60% of those preserved in sílica gel and in 20% of those preserved at -80°C and in 70% ethanol. A significant difference (p<0.05) was found between amplification proportions. Amplification was not obtained in specimens preserved frozen at -20°C and not correlation by logistic regression was observed between the DO260/DO280 index and DNA concentration of specimens presenting ITS2 amplification. Conclusions: The data suggest that keeping specimens in silica gel or frozen at -80°C may be the best conditions to preserve Anopheles specimens for subsequent molecular studies.