Molecular detection of Leishmania spp in Lutzomyia longipalpis in the city of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Leishmaniasis is an important chronic zoonosis caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania spp. The major vectors of this protozoosis are sand flies, and Lutzomyia longipalpis is considered the main species implicated in the transmission of American Visceral Leishmaniasis in Brazil. The presence of the parasite's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in ectoparasites such as ticks and fleas has prompted speculations about the existence of new vectors in the cycle of leishmaniasis. The aim of this paper is to report the molecular detection of Leishmania spp. in a horse fly of the species Tabanus importunus which parasitized an oligosymptomatic dog infected with Leishmania spp. Molecular amplification of the protozoan's DNA in the head, thoracic region and abdomen of the tabanid tested positive for Leishmania complex. This is the first report of the presence of DNA from Leishmaniaspp. in dipterous insects of the species T. importunus.

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Detection of multiple circulating Leishmania species in Lutzomyia longipalpis in the city of Governador Valadares, southeastern Brazil

10.1101/445379 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mariana Santos Cardoso ◽

Gabrielle Ariadine Bento ◽

Laila Viana de Almeida ◽

Joseane Camilla de Castro ◽

João Luís Reis Cunha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Infection Rate ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Domestic Dogs ◽

Effective Control ◽

Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽

Insect Vector ◽

Sand Flies ◽

The City

AbstractBackgroundLeishmaniasis encompasses a group of diverse clinical diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. This disease is a major public health problem in the New World affecting people exposed in endemic regions. The city of Governador Valadares (Minas Gerais/Brazil) is a re-emerging area for visceral leishmaniasis, with 191 human cases reported from 2008 to 2017 and a lethality rate of 14.7%. The transmission of the parasite occurs intensely in this region with up to 22% of domestic dogs with positive serology for the visceral form. Lu. longipalpis is one of the most abundant sand fly species in this area. Despite this scenario, so far there is no information regarding the circulating Leishmania species in the insect vector Lutzomyia longipalpis in this focus.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe collected 616 female Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies between January and September 2015 in the Vila Parque Ibituruna neighborhood (Governador Valadares/MG), which is located on a transitional area between the sylvatic and urban environments with residences built near a preserved area. After DNA extraction of individual sand flies, the natural Leishmania infections in Lu. longipalpis were detected by end-point PCR, using primers derived from kDNA sequences, specific for L. (Leishmania) or L. (Viannia) subgenus. The sensitivity of these PCR reactions was 0.1 pg of DNA for each Leishmania subgenus and the total infection rate of 16.2% (100 positive specimens). Species-specific PCR detected the presence of multiple Leishmania species in infected Lu. longipalpis specimens in Governador Valadares, including L. amazonensis (n=3), L. infantum (n=28), L. (Viannia) spp. (n=20), coinfections with L. infantum and L. (Viannia) spp. (n=5), and L. (Leishmania) spp (n=44).ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that multiple Leishmania species circulate in Lu. longipalpis in Governador Valadares and reveal a potential increasing risk of transmission of the different circulating parasite species. This information is a key factor for planning surveillance and effective control strategies against leishmaniasis in this endemic focus.Author summaryLeishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease transmitted to mammals by the bite of sand flies infected with parasites of the Leishmania genus. This disease affects millions of people in various regions of the world, including Brazil. The municipality of Governador Valadares (Minas Gerais/Brazil) is a re-emergent focus of intense transmission of leishmaniasis, with a high number of human cases and a high prevalence of infected domestic dogs. To develop better leishmaniasis control strategies for the region, we performed a surveillance study of Lu. longipalpis, the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil, and identified circulating species of Leishmania in this insect vector. We estimate that the natural infection rate of Lu. longipalpis for these parasites was of 16.2% in the study area. We also detected the presence of multiple circulating Leishmania species (L. amazonensis, L. infantum and Viannia subgenus) in Lu. longipalpis in Governador Valadares city, including 5 sand flies coinfected with L. infantum and L. (Viannia). Thus, our results reinforce the need for a rigid and systematic control of the sand flies monitoring in this area, due to the potential risk of transmission of different species of the Leishmania parasites.

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An Integrated Approach Using Spatial Analysis to Study the Risk Factors for Leishmaniasis in Area of Recent Transmission

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/621854 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Júlia Alves Menezes ◽

Eduardo de Castro Ferreira ◽

José Dilermando Andrade-Filho ◽

Alessandra Mara de Sousa ◽

Mayron Henrique Gomes Morais ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Analysis ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Leishmania Braziliensis ◽

Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽

Recent Transmission ◽

Current Transmission ◽

Canine Infection ◽

The City

Some epidemiological aspects of leishmaniasis in the municipality of Formiga, Brazil, an important touristic site, were evaluated. Those included phlebotomine sand fly vectors, canine infection, and geoprocessing analysis for determining critical transmission areas. Sand flies (224 insects) belonging to ten different species were captured. The most captured species includedLutzomyia longipalpis(35.3%),Lutzomyia cortelezzii(33.5%), andLutzomyia whitmani(18.3%). A significant correlation between sand fly densities and climatic conditions was detected. Serological diagnosis (DPP and ELISA) was performed in 570 dogs indicating a prevalence of 5.8%. After sequencing the main species circulating in the area wereLeishmania infantumandLeishmania braziliensis. Spatial analysis demonstrated that vegetation and hydrography may be related to sand fly distribution and infected dogs. The municipality of Formiga has proven leishmaniasis vectors and infected dogs indicating the circulation of the parasite in the city. Correlation of those data with environmental and human cases has identified the critical areas for control interventions (south, northeast, and northwest). In conclusion, there is current transmission of visceral and canine human cases and the city is on the risk for the appearance of cutaneous cases.

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Incidence of congenital hypothyroidism in the city of Uberaba/Minas Gerais and etiological evaluation of the affected subjects

Arquivos Brasileiros de Endocrinologia & Metabologia ◽

10.1590/s0004-27302012000500005 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 56 (5) ◽

pp. 305-312 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Heloísa Marcelina da Cunha Palhares ◽

Lilian Carla Silva ◽

Luciene Mayumi Sato ◽

Beatriz Hallal Jorge Lara ◽

Sybele de Souza Castro Miranzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Congenital Hypothyroidism ◽

Screening Program ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

The State ◽

Thyroid Dysgenesis ◽

Outpatient Unit ◽

Transient Hypothyroidism ◽

Molecular Studies ◽

Definition Of ◽

The City

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and etiology of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in Uberaba, MG. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From 2001 to 2010, by reviewing patient files from a public reference outpatient unit. The screening program covered 88% of live-born children. RESULTS: CH was diagnosed in 16 children, representing an incidence of 1:2,017 live-born children screened. The etiological evaluation was done in 15 children and revealed seven cases of thyroid dysgenesis, seven of dyshormonogenesis, and one case of transient hypothyroidism. One child moved away from the state before etiological investigation was carried out. CONCLUSION: We concluded that both the incidence of CH and of dyshormonogenesis as the main causes of CH were increased in the investigated region, but molecular studies are necessary for a better definition of etiology.

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Montreal Battery of Evaluation of Amusia: Validity evidence and norms for adolescents in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Dementia & Neuropsychologia ◽

10.1590/s1980-57642012dn06040008 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 244-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Marília Nunes-Silva ◽

Vitor Geraldi Haase

Keyword(s):

Single Case ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Dimensional Structure ◽

Short Version ◽

Validity Evidence ◽

Musical Ability ◽

Musical Skills ◽

Belo Horizonte ◽

Almost All ◽

The City

ABSTRACT The Montreal Battery of Evaluation of Amusia (MBEA) is a battery of tests that assesses six music processing components: scale, contour, interval, rhythm, metric, and music memory. The present study sought to verify the psychometric characteristics of the MBEA in a sample of 150 adolescents aged 14-18 years in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and to develop specific norms for this population. We used statistical procedures that explored the dimensional structure of the MBEA and its items, evaluating their adequacy from empirical data, verifying their reliability, and providing evidence of validity. The results for the difficult levels for each test indicated a trend toward higher scores, corroborating previous studies. From the analysis of the criterion groups, almost all of the items were considered discriminatory. The global score of the MBEA was shown to be valid and reliable (r K-R20=0.896) for assessing the musical ability of normal teenagers. Based on the analysis of the items, we proposed a short version of the MBEA. Further studies with larger samples and amusic individuals are necessary to provide evidence of the validity of the MBEA in the Brazilian milieu. The present study brings to the Brazilian context a tool for diagnosing deficits in musical skills and will serve as a basis for comparisons with single case studies and studies of populations with specific neuropsychological syndromes.

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Association of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) population density with climate variables in Montes Claros, an area of American visceral leishmaniasis transmission in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz ◽

10.1590/s0074-02762009000800020 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 104 (8) ◽

pp. 1191-1193 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Érika Monteiro Michalsky ◽

Consuelo Latorre Fortes-Dias ◽

João Carlos França-Silva ◽

Marilia Fonseca Rocha ◽

Ricardo Andrade Barata ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Population Density ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

The State ◽

Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽

Climate Variables

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The effect of age on the frequency of adverse reactions caused by antimony in the treatment of American tegumentary leishmaniasis in Governador Valadares, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical ◽

10.1590/s0037-86822012000500011 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 45 (5) ◽

pp. 597-600 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Doracy Silva Diniz ◽

Alexandre Sylvio Vieira Costa ◽

Patrícia Maria Fonseca Escalda

Keyword(s):

Adverse Effect ◽

Detection Rate ◽

Endemic Area ◽

Adverse Reactions ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Tegumentary Leishmaniasis ◽

American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis ◽

Clinical Healing ◽

The City ◽

Effect Of Age

INTRODUCTION: Governador Valadares is an endemic area of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL). The detection rate was 15.36 per 100,000 habitants from 2001 to 2006 (Miranda, 2008). This study aimed to analyze the effects of age on the frequency of adverse reactions caused by antimony in the treatment of ATL in the City of Governador Valadares, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, during 2009. METHODS: Data were collected from the forms of the Information System for Notifiable Diseases, and from charts, questionnaires, and home visits to patients. RESULTS: The study included 40 patients, 26 (65%) of whom were males. Individuals over the age of 50 had a 66% higher rate of adverse effects than subjects who were 50 years old or less (CI 95%, 1.14-2.41). The average age of individuals who reported some type of adverse effect was 44.11 years (SD = 20.14), while the average age of the group that did not report any adverse effect was of 25.46 years (SD = 18.37; p < 0.01). Clinical healing was 67.5%, and 10% of patients discontinued the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of ATL, the age of patients should be considered, because most adverse reactions occur in individuals over 50 years of age. For this reason, the drug should be used with restriction in these cases.

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Flebotomíneos (Diptera: Psychodidae) de um foco de leishmaniose tegumentar no Estado de Minas Gerais

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical ◽

10.1590/s0037-86822007000100009 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 49-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Edelberto Santos Dias ◽

João Carlos França-Silva ◽

Jaime Costa da Silva ◽

Érika Michalsky Monteiro ◽

Kenia Maria de Paula ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Minas Gerais ◽

Lutzomyia Longipalpis

Na localidade do Brejo do Mutambal, situado no município de Varzelândia (MG), área endêmica para leishmaniose tegumentar, foram realizadas capturas mensais sistemáticas utilizando-se armadilhas luminosas do tipo CDC durante o período de janeiro a dezembro de 2000. Foram capturadas 19 espécies de flebotomíneos, totalizando 6.756 exemplares. Lutzomyia intermedia (5,1%), L. migonei (0,4%) e L. whitmani (0,1%), relacionadas com a transmissão de leishmaniose tegumentar, foram capturadas em número reduzido. Lutzomyia longipalpis foi a espécie predominante (34,8%), sugerindo também um risco de transmissão da leishmaniose visceral. A proporção de insetos capturados no peridomícilio foi de 91,7% enquanto no intradomicílio foi de 8,3%. A interferência de fatores climáticos (temperatura, umidade relativa do ar e pluviosidade) sobre a dinâmica populacional de flebotomíneos foi avaliada.

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Leishmaniose visceral: estudo de flebotomíneos e infecção canina em Montes Claros, Minas Gerais

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical ◽

10.1590/s0037-86822005000200004 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 147-152 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Érika Michalsky Monteiro ◽

João Carlos França da Silva ◽

Roberto Teodoro da Costa ◽

Daniela Camargos Costa ◽

Ricardo Andrade Barata ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Minas Gerais ◽

Lutzomyia Longipalpis

A leishmaniose visceral no Brasil estava inicialmente associada a áreas rurais, mas devido às diversas alterações no ambiente como, desmatamentos, urbanização e intenso processo migratório, ocorreu a expansão das áreas endêmicas, levando à urbanização da doença, principalmente nas regiões Sudeste e Centro Oeste do país. No município de Montes Claros, situado ao norte de Minas Gerais, foi feito um estudo para verificação da situação da LV. No ano de 2002 foi realizado inquérito sorológico canino e no período de setembro de 2002 a agosto de 2003 foi feito levantamento entomológico, utilizando armadilhas luminosas de CDC. A prevalência da LV canina apresentou taxa média de infecção em torno de 5%. A fauna de flebotomíneos estimada foi de 16 espécies, totalizando 1043 exemplares. Lutzomyia longipalpis foi a espécie predominante com 74%, o que sugere a sua participação na transmissão de LV em Montes Claros.

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Capture of Triatoma arthurneivai (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) using a new luminous trap in Southeast Brazil

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical ◽

10.1590/s0037-86822011000600023 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 44 (6) ◽

pp. 774-776 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

João Victor Leite Dias ◽

Bethânia Alves de Avelar ◽

Hildebrando Cirqueira Júnior ◽

Liléia Diotaiuti ◽

Herton Helder Rocha Pires

Keyword(s):

Minas Gerais ◽

Mountain Range ◽

Low Density ◽

Trap Design ◽

Southeast Brazil ◽

Triatomine Bugs ◽

In The Wild ◽

The City

INTRODUCTION: Triatomine bug captures in the wild are laborious and time-consuming. Some traps may assist in this task. We report a new trap design and the capture of a specimen of a triatomine rarely found. METHODS: Two luminous traps were installed in the city of Diamantina, State of Minas Gerais, and surveyed weekly for a year. RESULTS: A Triatoma arthurneivai female and other triatomine bugs were caught. CONCLUSIONS: A new trap design may be used in triatomine bugs field captures, mainly in low density areas. We assume the center of endemism of Triatoma arthurneivai is the Espinhaço Mountain range.

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