Joaquim Eduardo de Alencar

Epidemiological studies on American leishmaniasis in Ceará State, Brazil. Molecular characterization of the Leishmania isolates

Two methods of molecular characterization, using monoclonal antibodies and enzyme electrophoresis, were employed in the identification of 36 stocks of Leishmania isolated from human and canine cases of American visceral (AVL) and cutaneous (ACL) leishmaniases in the northern part of Ceará State, Brazil. Molecular homogeneous strains of Leishmania donovani (chagasi) isolated from both human and canine hosts were detected in 14 municipalities. Two more parasite species, L. braziliensis braziliensis and L. mexicana amazonensis, were also detected in the state. The implication of these results with respect to both the clinical and epidemiological data are discussed.

House invasion by secondary triatomine species in Mambaí, Goiás-Brazil

Forattini et a f i 3 4 have extensive documentatíon o f the invasion o f the peridomicile by Triatoma sórdida and Panstrongylus megistus after control of house dwelling Triatoma infestans in São Paulo State, Brazil. In the past houses in the municipality of Mambaí, Goiás-Brazil were colonised mainly by P. megistus5 but by 1973 this species had been dislocated from domiciliation by T. infestans6 7. In the 1970s T. sórdida was found in chicken houses but rarely in the house and if so only in small numbers. Other potential house colonisers such as P. megistus, Rhodnius neglectus and Triatoma psedomaculata existed in sylvatic hab ita tsll. They had never been encountered in the peridomicile apart from two P. megistus adults caught on the wing in houses at night. Since the attack phase o f the control programme of the Ministry of Health (SU CA M ) in 1980 this situation has changed and the data are shown in the Table. The situation regarding T. infestans and T. sórdida will be discussed in a separate communication.

Epidemiologia da doença de Chagas no Ceará IX - estudo de vetores numa área endêmica (Morada Nova)

Os autores apresentaram informacoes sobre 6.556 triatomineos capturados na area pela SUCAM, de 1964 a 1974, os quais apresentavam T. cruzi em 4,7%. O estudo atual revelou 1.290 exemplares em 69 localidades trabalhadas, 63,8% com triatomineos, das quais 52,3% apresentavam triatomineos infectados, o que significa 33,3% da area. Foram pesquisados ecotopos artificiais distante ate 200 metros das casas. Dos 37 ecotopos naturais pesquisados, 73,6% eram habitados por morcegos, 23,7% por preas e 5,2% por punares, especies que apresentam variaveis taxas de infeccao por T. cruzi. O T. brasiliensis corresponde a 65,5% dos triatomineos capturados e 942% dos triatomineos infectados sao desta especie, considerada a principal transmissora de Doenca de Chagas na regiao. Em ecotopos naturais e a unica especie encontrada (10 vezes em 55, os triatomineos estavam infectados). Dentro das habitacoes a especie e menos abundante e menos infectada (2,7%). A segunda especie e o T. pseudomaculata, (34,3%) considerada sem importância na transmissao da Doenca de Chagas; a terceira especie e o P. megistus, da qual foram capturados apenas 2 exemplares (0,2%).

Hycanthone e oxamniquine no tratamento de crianças portadoras de S. mansoni

The authors present their experience in the treatment of children infected with S. mansoni using Hycanthone (2.3 to 2.7 mg/kg body weight) and Oxamniquine capsules (11.4 to 20.0 mg/kg body weight); a control group was given placebo. Hycanthone cured 100% of the 36 children given the drug; Oxamniquine capsules cured 80% of the 36 children treated and a cure rate of 92% was achieved with a second oxamniquine treatment course. Side-effects were most frequently observed with Hycanthone; no significant tiver test function alterations were detected with both drugs. The authors suggest the use of oxamniquine syrup for the treatment of children in order to obtain better results with more adequate dosages according to the body weight.

Epidemiologia da doença de Chagas no Ceará XIII - persistência da transmissão em área desinsetizada

The county of Morada Nova (State of Ceara, Brasil) wassprayed with BHCfrom 1972 to 1974, but during 1975, in the same zones, we have observed that the transmission of T. cruzi has continued in natural and artificial foci (domestic and peridomestic). In these ecctopes were captured triatomines that have sucked man, dog and chicken, showing ur that there is a relation between the cycles. But we have observed that the bugs of the region are less anthropophilic, so leading to small rates of infection (2,4%).

Estudos sobre epidemiologia da doença de Chagas no Ceará VII - suscetibilidade de Triatomíneos a diversas cepas locais de Trypanosoma cruzi

Five strains of Trypanosoma cruzi: were studied 2 of region non endemic for Chagas disease (isolated from marsupiais) and 3 of endemic region (from man, marsupial and dog). The susceptibility of the triatomines was tested in the Vinstar. The blood meal of Triatoma brasiliensis and Rhodnius prolixus was 0,09 g; Triatoma infestans and Pnastrongylus megistus have sucked 0,13 g. The third specie of bugs became highly infected with ali the strains of T. cruzi tested; the second and third were the less infected and the fourth has showed intermediate rates. The strains most infective are those of marsupials and the less infective is originated from dog.