No abstract

The mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) is the primary vector of dengue in the Americas. The use of chemical insecticides is recommended during outbreaks of dengue in order to reduce the number of adult mosquitoes; however, because Ae. aegypti is highly synanthropic, the use of insecticides in densely populated areas is a dangerous practice. Leptolegnia chapmanii Seymour (Straminipila: Peronosporomycetes) is an entomopathogenic microorganism that has demonstrated marked pathogenicity toward the larvae of a number of mosquito species, with little or no effect on non-target insects. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the sublethal effects of L. chapmanii on fecundity, number of gonotrophic cycles, fertility, and relationship between wing length and fecundity in Ae. aegypti females. Ae. aegypti females that survived infection with L. chapmanii laid fewer eggs, had a smaller number of gonotrophic cycles, had shorter wings, and were less fertile than controls. This is the first study on the sublethal effects experienced by specimens of Ae. aegypti that survived infection with zoospores of L. chapmanii. Although field studies should be carried out, the results obtained in this study are encouraging because the high and rapid larval mortality caused by L. chapmanii coupled with the reduction of reproductive capacity in Ae. aegypti females seem to cause a significant reduction in the number of adults in the mid and long term, thereby reducing the health risks associated with Ae. aegypti.

As a grave is an anomalous environment and differs from its surroundings, criminal investigators employ different techniques for locating, recovering, and analyzing clandestine graves. In this study were identified the fungi found in the soil under corpses in decomposition with an aim at relating the copresence of human remains and different fungal species. Were isolated the fungi in three ways: soil washing, serial dilutions, and moist chamber growth. Dichotomomyces cejpii, Talaromyces trachyspermus, Talaromyces flavus, and Talaromyces sp. were the representative species found--with those belonging to the ammonia group, whose fungi are the first in the succession of cadaver decomposition directly in the ground. The mycobiota found at the present study area clearly differs to mycobiota identified in control sample and from previously described species for other areas of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Further forensic examples of this type are needed to develop fully the detailed use of mycology as a forensic tool.

In a survey for parasites and pathogens of Aedes aegypti conducted in La Plata, Argentina, an aseptate gregarine was found parasitizing larvae, pupae and adults of this mosquito species. This gregarine species was identified as Ascogregarina culicis based on the morphology and size of gamonts, gametocysts and oocysts. It is the first record of gregarine infections in culicids from Argentina.

Leptolegnia chapmanii is an aquatic fungus that has demonstrated marked pathogenicity towards the larvae of a number of mosquito species with little or no effect on non-target insects. The aim of this work was to determine the best culture medium for colony growth, and production and infectivity of zoospores among different isolates of L. chapmanii. No significant differences (P >0.01) were observed for the media FORT (agar) , PYG, YPSS, and PYG SF in terms of colony diameter of the different isolates evaluated. In these culture media, all L. chapmanii isolates had the highest growth (45 mm 2 ) after 7 days. The nine isolates tested produced the greatest number of zoospores in FORT (agar) medium 3 (1×10 6 zoospores/ml). Medium YPSS exhibited significant differences (P <0.0001) compared to other culture media with respect to maintenance of virulence and infectivity of the isolates, producing 100% larval mortality after 48 h of inoculation. Thus, for the cultivation and maintenance of L. chapmanii isolates, the medium of choice among those tested is FORT (agar) , as it is both inexpensive to prepare and ensures optimal colony development, extremely high zoospore production, and excellent maintenance of fungal infectivity.