American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is widely distributed in Latin America. In Brazil, the disease is regarded as an emerging infection and the prevalence of ACL is increasing as a result of the deforestation that occurs for the exploitation of natural resources, the expansion of agriculture and the construction of dams and hydroelectric projects. Within Brazil, ACL may present in a classic epidemiological pattern or as an epidemic surge associated with these activities (Lainson 1988, Rangel 1995, Rangel & Lainson 2003, MS 2006. In an attempt to analyze the spatial distribution of the disease within Brazil, the National Leishmaniases Program of the Health Ministry has been analyzing disease circuit of ACL by associating the occurrence of human cases with specific socio-environmental variables (MS 2006).Within this context, Amazonia has been identified as having an epidemiological circuit of rural and occupational variables that are associated with the destruction of forest. Within this region, the state of Acre has reported a large number of mucosal leishmaniasis cases. As reported by the Health Secretary of the state of Acre, the majority of patients were male (72%) and over 10

Introduction: This study describes the occurrence of triatomines, and their positivity for trypanosomatids, in a residential complex in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. Methods: Triatomines were collected through direct capture in a home environment. Positivity analysis for trypanosomatids was performed by PCR assays. Results: Collected insects consisted of 31 Rhodnius robustus, 4 Rhodnius montenegrensis, and 1 Panstrongylus geniculatus specimens. All were adults, with no presence of domiciliation, and with an infection rate of 30.6%. Conclusions: Future studies are recommended in other locations of Rio Branco in order to develop a georeference database of the occurrence of triatomines in urban areas.

The occurrence of T. sordida in Acre is of concern since it is among the most captured triatomines in peridomiciliary environments in Brazil, and carries a high potential for vector transmission.

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The occurrence of P. megistus in the Western Amazon evidences an epidemiological alert, since it is an important vector of T. cruzi.

The occurrence of R. neglectus is alarming because even though the species is wild, it can invade and colonize human dwellings and peridomiciles, thereby increasing Chagas disease transmission.

Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse, 1854) was reported in Brazil for the first time in 1986 and has shown marked expansion throughout the Brazilian territory. During a routine activity to control dengue fever conducted by the Division of Entomology of the Municipal Health Department in Rio Branco city, adults and immatures of Culicidae were collected in a peri-urban area. The identified Culicidae forms indicated that they belonged to the species Ae. albopictus . This is the first official record of the presence of Ae. albopictus in the Acre State, confirming its current presence in all Brazilian states.

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