This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of Mansonella ozzardi infection and to estimate the parasitic infection rate (PIR) The filaria Mansonella ozzardi, one of the aetiological agents of mansonelliasis, is found on the American continent, as well as countries in the Caribbean. In South America, it has been reported in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, Argentina and Peru (Kozek et al. 1982). M. ozzardi is transmitted by Diptera insects of the families Ceratopogonidae in the Caribbean islands and Ceratopogonidae and Simuliidae in Central and South America (Shelley & Coscarón 2001).The pathogenicity of this filaria is not well defined. Several infected individuals show no symptoms; however, clinical manifestations that decrease the quality of life such as moderate fever, coldness in the legs, joint pains and headaches have been attributed to M. ozzardi infection (Batista et al. 1960b). Recently, the presence of ocular lesions has been reported as possibly associated with M. ozzardi infection (Branco et al. 1998, Cohen et al. 2008.The microfilaria M. ozzardi was detected in Brazil in the 1940s and 1950s (Deane 1949, Deane et al. 1954, Lacerda & Rachou 1956) and was described as a potentially extensive problem (Moraes 1958). Recently, some studies have shown that this filaria is still found with high prevalence (Medeiros et al. 2007(Medeiros et al. , 2008 and that simuliids are incriminated in the parasite's transmission in Brazil (Cerqueira 1959, Shelley & Shelley 1976, Shelley et al. 1980). Due to the absence of data and the importance of M. ozzardi for Amazonian populations, studies are still necessary to understand the geographical distribution of the cases, as well as the individual and cultural characteristics of the population in endemic areas that make them prone to infection. Indeed, eye lesions possibly associated with M. ozzardi have already been reported in the municipality of Pauini (Branco et al. 1998) and high prevalence rates were found in indigenous communities (Medeiros et al. 2007). Thus, our goal was to obtain data on human infection by M. ozzardi through comparison of prevalence rates between genders, as well as to examine the relationships between M. ozzardi infection and age and professional occupation. We also sought to identify the simuliid species involved in the transmission of M. ozzardi and to estimate the Parasitic Infection Rate (PIR) of the vectors. MATERIALs AND METHODsStudy area and population -This study was performed in the Purus and Pauini riverine communities in the municipality of Pauini (07º421'S 67º01'W), Amazonas (AM) (Fig. 1). The municipality of Pauini is located in southwest AM, about 900 km from Manaus. It has 17,092 inhabitants, with 6,970 in the urban zone and 10,122 in rural areas (IBGE 2000). The region is covered by native primary forest and presents long flood areas, accessible only by plane or boat. The rainy season is usually from November-March, with average annual temperatures between 24-26ºC, and a relative humidity bet...

No abstract

Introduction: Estimate the prevalence of Mansonella ozzardi infection and calculate the parasitic infection rate (PIR) in simuliid black flies in the municipality of Lábrea, State of Amazonas, Brazil. Methods: Prevalence was measured using the thick blood smear method collected from the fingers and was related to age, sex and occupation. Simuliidae were collected with a suction apparatus, then stained with hematoxylin and dissected to verify the PIR. Results:The average prevalence rate of M. ozzardi among the 694 individuals examined was 20.7%. Infection was higher in men (27.6%) than in women (14.3%) (p < 0.001) and occurred in most age groups, with the highest prevalence in the following age groups: 38-47 (40%), 48-57 (53.1%) and >58 (60.5%). The highest prevalence rates were observed in the retired (64%), followed by farm workers (47.1%). Infection by M. ozzardi was only identified in Cerqueirellum amazonicum (Simuliidae) with a PIR of 0.6%. Conclusions: This study showed a high prevalence of M. ozzardi in the riverine communities of Lábrea due to the lack of policies regarding the treatment of microfilaremic individuals in the region and an abundance of competent vectors for M. ozzardi. Keywords:Mansonelliasis. Mansonella ozzardi. Simuliidae. Municipality of Lábrea. Amazonas. RESUMOIntrodução: Estimar as prevalências de Mansonella ozzardi, e calcular a taxa de infecção parasitária nos simulídeos no município de Lábrea, Estado do Amazonas. Métodos: As prevalências foram obtidas através do método de gota espessa a partir do sangue coletado da polpa digital e foram relacionadas com a idade, sexo e ocupação. Os simulídeos foram coletados com capturador de sucção, posteriormente foram corados com hematoxilina e dissecados para se obter a taxa de infecção parasitária. Resultados: A prevalência de M. ozzardi entre as 694 pessoas examinadas foi de 20,7%. A infecção foi maior nos homens (27,6%) do que nas mulheres (14,3%) (p < 0,001) e ocorreu na maioria das faixas etárias com maiores prevalências nos indivíduos entre 38-47 (40%), 48-57 (53,1%) e >58 (60,5%) anos. As maiores prevalências foram observadas nos aposentados (64%) e agricultores (47,1%). Somente Cerqueirellum amazonicum (Simuliidae) foi encontrado infectado com M. ozzardi com uma taxa de infecção parasitária de 0,6%. Conclusões: Este trabalho mostra elevadas prevalências de M. ozzardi nas comunidades ribeirinhas de Lábrea devido à ausência de políticas de tratamento dos microfilarêmicos na região e a abundância de vetores competentes. Palavras-chaves:Mansonelose. Mansonella ozzardi. Simuliidae. Município de Lábrea. Amazonas.

The Mansonella ozzardi has a widespread distribution among the indigenous and riverine communities of Amazonas, Brazil. We estimated the prevalence of Mansonella ozzardi in indigenous communities of the Pauini municipality, Amazonas state, Brazil and the rate of parasitic infection in vectors. We collected thick blood smears from individuals from six Apurinã indigenous communities along the Purus River and its tributaries. Collections of simuliids were made and dissected, and the larval instars of M. ozzardi identified. The overall prevalence of M. ozzardi was 28.40%, with the highest incidence among males and agricultural workers. Among age groups, children 2-9 years of age had the lowest incidence, while individuals older than 58 exhibited the highest rates of infection. We found infected simuliids in three communities, with Parasitic Infection Rates (PIR) of 0.34-6.58%. The prevalence of M. ozzardi among the Apurinã people is high, possibly related to the diary activities of the riparian people, where a high abundance of the vectors exists. KEY WORDSMansonella ozzardi, Mansonelliasis, Simuliidae, Amazonas, Brazil. Estudos Epidemiológicos da

Este estudo teve o objetivo de estimar as prevalências de Mansonella ozzardi e calcular taxa de infecção parasitária nos simulídeos. O trabalho foi realizado em comunidades ribeirinhas do rio Purus, Boca do Acre, Amazonas, Brasil. As prevalências foram obtidas por meio do método de gota espessa de sangue obtido por porção digital. Os simulídeos coletados foram dissecados para estimar a taxa de infecção parasitária. A prevalência de M. ozzardi foi de 27,3% (282/77). Foram observadas maiores prevalências nos homens (31,97%) que nas mulheres (22,22%), nos agricultores (48%) e nos indivíduos entre: 38-47 (60%), 48-57 (66,66%) e 58-67 (75%). A microfilaremia foi maior nos indivíduos entre 58-67 anos (média = 58,41mf/40µL), sexo masculino (41,44mf/40µL) e nos agricultores (49,94mf/40µL). Somente o simulídeo Cerqueirellum amazonicum foi encontrado infectado com taxa de infecção parasitária de 0,98%.

É descrita uma nova espécie para o gênero Inaequalium (Coscarón & Wygodzinsky, 1984), Inaequaliumlundi sp.n. É proposto um novo grupo de espécies dentro de Inaequalium. Os imaturos de Inaequaliumlundi sp.n. foram coletados em cursos d'água em uma altitude de 2.800 m no complexo geológico denominado Pico da Neblina, Amazonas, Brasil.

The Yanomami are a group of South American Indians that live in the rainforest along the borderlands of Brazil and Venezuela. They depend on hunting, gardening and wild food for survival; crustaceans are a highly prized food item in their diet. Taxonomical and ethnozoological aspects of the Yanomami Indians of the Balawa-ú village, state of Amazonas, Brazil, related to the crustaceans are described. Information and specimens were obtained from August to December, 2003. Interviews were conducted with residents of the village and focused on questions about species exploited, indigenous names, modes of capture and use of the species. One shrimp species of the family Palaemonidae (Macrobrachium brasiliense) and two crab species of Trichodactylidae (Sylviocarcinus pictus, Valdivia serrata) as well as two of Pseudothelphusidae (Fredius fittkaui, F. platyacanthus) were recorded. The indigenous names applied to these species are: shuhu, for shrimp, oko and peimatherimi for each of the two pseudothelphusid crabs, and hesiki tôtôrema for both trichodactylid crabs. KEY WORDSEthnozoology, Yanomami Indians, Amazon region, freshwater decapod, indigenous name Crustáceos decápodos usados na alimentação pelos índios Yanomami da aldeia de Balawa-ú, Estado do Amazonas, Brasil. Balawa-ú, no RESUMO Os Yanomami são um grupo de índios que habitam a floresta tropical úmida ao longo da fronteira entre Brasil e Venezuela. Eles dependem da caça, da agricultura e da coleta de produtos da floresta para a sua sobrevivência, sendo os crustáceos um dos itens alimentares mais apreciados. São descritos aspectos taxonômicos e etnozoológicos dos índios Yanomami da aldeia de

A new species of the genus Cerqueirellum Py-Daniel, 1983 (Diptera: Simuliidae) is described. The adults are similar to the species C. oyapockense (Floch & Abonnenc, 1946) and C. roraimense (Nunes de Mello, 1974), of which the females are similar, and the males present discrete differences. The main differences of this new species to others of the genus Cerqueirellum are the integument of the larva recovered from stout spines and long cephalic trichomes in the pupa. Some females were infected with Mansonella ozzardii (Manson, 1897) (Nematoda, Onchocercidae) and probably transmit mansonelliasis in the Ituxi river, state of Amazonas, Brazil.KEY WORDS: Amazônia, Cerqueirellum, Mansonella ozzardi, Simuliidae, taxonomy.Uma nova espécie de Cerqueirellum Py-Daniel, 1983 (Diptera, Simuliidae) e provável novo vetor de mansonelose no rio Ituxi, Amazonas, Brasil RESUMO Uma nova espécie de pium do gênero Cerqueirellum Py-Daniel, 1983 (Diptera: Simuliidae) é descrito. Os adultos são similares às espécies C. oyapockense (Floch & Abonnenc, 1946) e C. roraimense (Nunes de Mello, 1974), cujas fêmeas são indistinguíveis e os machos apresentam discretas diferenças. As principais diferenças dessa nova espécie para as outras espécies do gênero Cerqueirellum são o tegumento da larva recoberto de fortes espinhos e os longos tricomas cefálicos nas pupas. Algumas fêmeas foram encontradas infectadas com Mansonella ozzardi (Manson, 1897) (Nematoda, Onchocercidae) e provavelmente estão transmitindo mansonelose no rio Ituxi, estado do Amazonas, Brasil.