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Peruch M, Buffon M, Jakovski Z, Spiliopoulou C, Addobbati R, Franzin M, Magni PA, D’Errico S. Comparative Toxicological Analyses of Traditional Matrices and Blow Fly Larvae in Four Cases of Highly Decomposed Human Cadavers. INSECTS 2024; 15:500. [PMID: 39057233 PMCID: PMC11277152 DOI: 10.3390/insects15070500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
In forensic investigation, determining the time and cause of death becomes challenging, especially in cases where the remains are found in advanced decomposition, rendering traditional toxicological samples unavailable or unreliable. Entomotoxicology, an emerging methodology within forensic science, leverages insect specimens collected from cadavers as alternative toxicological samples. Several laboratory and field research studies have highlighted the efficacy in detecting various drugs, toxins, and elements absorbed by insects feeding on cadaveric tissues, even at low concentrations. However, correlation studies between drug concentrations in conventional matrices and insects remain controversial due to unknown factors influencing drug metabolism and larval feeding activity. This paper presents four real cases in which human cadavers were discovered in advanced stages of decomposition, and toxicological analyses were performed on both insect samples and available matrices. The results presented complement the scant literature currently available on the application of entomotoxicology in real cases, providing insights into the correlation between larvae and human specimen results. Furthermore, guidelines to collect and preserve entomological evidence at the crime scene and during the autopsy for use in entomotoxicological analyses are provided. This advancement holds promise in aiding forensic investigations, particularly in cases where traditional methods cannot be applied or require supporting data for further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Peruch
- Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Maria Buffon
- Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Zlatko Jakovski
- Medical Faculty, Institute for Forensic Medicine, Criminology and Medical deontology, University of St. Cyril and Methodius, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia;
| | - Chara Spiliopoulou
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
| | - Riccardo Addobbati
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy; (R.A.); (M.F.)
| | - Martina Franzin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy; (R.A.); (M.F.)
| | - Paola A. Magni
- School of Medical, Molecular & Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Stefano D’Errico
- Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.P.); (M.B.)
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Buratti E, Mietti G, Cippitelli M, Cerioni A, Froldi R, Cingolani M, Scendoni R. Detection of Three Opioids (Morphine, Codeine and Methadone) and Their Metabolites (6-Monoacetylmorphine and 2-Ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine) in Larvae of Lucilia sericata Species by UHPLC-TF-MS and Validation. Molecules 2023; 28:4649. [PMID: 37375203 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Insects on corpses could be a useful tool for the detection of exogenous substances such as drugs of abuse. The identification of exogenous substances in carrion insects is critical for proper estimation of the postmortem interval. It also provides information about the deceased person that may prove useful for forensic purposes. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Fourier transform mass spectrometry is a highly sensitive analytical technique that can identify substances even at very low concentrations, such as in the case of searching for exogenous substances in larvae. In this paper, a method is proposed for the identification of morphine, codeine, methadone, 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) and 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP) in the larvae of Lucilia sericata, a common carrion fly widely distributed in temperate areas of the world. The larvae, which were reared on a pig meat substrate, were killed once they reached their third stage by immersion in hot water at 80 °C and aliquoted into 400 mg samples. The samples were fortified with 5 ng of morphine, methadone and codeine. After solid-phase extraction, the samples were processed with a liquid chromatograph coupled to a Fourier transform mass spectrometer. This qualitative method has been validated and tested on larvae from a real case. The results lead to the correct identification of morphine, codeine, methadone and their metabolites. This method could prove useful in cases where toxicological analysis must be conducted on highly decomposed human remains, where biological matrices are very limited. Furthermore, it could help the forensic pathologist to better estimate the time of death, as the growth cycle of carrion insects can undergo changes if exogenous substances are taken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Buratti
- Forensic Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | - Gianmario Mietti
- Forensic Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | - Marta Cippitelli
- Forensic Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | - Alice Cerioni
- Forensic Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | - Rino Froldi
- Forensic Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | - Mariano Cingolani
- Forensic Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | - Roberto Scendoni
- Forensic Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
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Farina P, Bedini S, Conti B. Multiple Functions of Malpighian Tubules in Insects: A Review. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13111001. [PMID: 36354824 PMCID: PMC9697091 DOI: 10.3390/insects13111001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The Malpighian Tubules (MTs) are the main excretory organs in most insects. They play a key role in the production of primary urine and osmoregulation, selectively reabsorbing water, ions, and solutes. Besides these functions conserved in most insects, MTs can serve some specialized tasks at different stages of some species' development. The specialized functions include the synthesis of mucopolysaccharides and proteins for the building of foam nests, mucofibrils for the construction of dwelling tubes, adhesive secretions to help the locomotion, and brochosomes for protection as well as the usage of inorganic salts to harden the puparia, eggs chorion, and pupal cells' closing lids. MTs are also the organs responsible for the astonishing bioluminescence of some Diptera glowworms and can go through some drastic histological changes to produce a silk-like fiber utilized to spin cocoons. The specialized functions are associated with modifications of cells within the entire tubules, in specific segments, or, more rarely, modified secretory cells scattered along the MTs. In this review, we attempted to summarize the observations and experiments made over more than a century concerning the non-excretive functions of insects' MTs, underlying the need for new investigations supported by the current, advanced technologies available to validate outdated theories and clarify some dubious aspects.
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Zanetti NI, Costantino A, Lazzarini N, Ferrero AA, Centeno ND. Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) development under fluoxetine effect using two drug administration models. J Forensic Sci 2020; 66:245-254. [PMID: 33034905 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, commonly used for the treatment of a variety of psychopathological conditions. As such, fluoxetine may be expected to appear in clinical and forensic cases. Dermestes maculatus De Geer (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) has been recognized as a relevant component of the insect fauna associated with decomposing human and animal remains. Experiments were conducted to study the effect of fluoxetine on developing D. maculatus using two-drug administration models: a non-living animal model (pork muscle) and a living one (Sus scrofa L. pigs). We assessed the duration of immature stages and total life cycle, as well as morphological parameters (body length, cephalic width, and weight). The effect of fluoxetine was studied at an overdose concentration: In the non-living animal model the drug was mixed with macerated pork muscle (2000 mg/kg) and in the living animal model, pigs were given the drug orally (833 mg/kg). A control was used for each model. Daily observations were performed from the beginning to the end of the experiments. GC-MS was used for drug detection and quantification. There were no statistically significant differences in the duration of immature stages, life cycle, larval mortality, morphological parameters, or sex ratio, between treatment and control, regardless of the drug administration model. Given that fluoxetine had no detectable effect on the development of D. maculatus, detection of this drug in forensic situations would not compromise the accuracy of PMI estimations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia I Zanetti
- Laboratorio de Invertebrados II, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas y Biomédicas del Sur (CONICET-UNS), Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Andrea Costantino
- Instituto de Química del Sur, Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Natalia Lazzarini
- Instituto de Química del Sur, Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Adriana A Ferrero
- Laboratorio de Invertebrados II, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas y Biomédicas del Sur (CONICET-UNS), Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Néstor D Centeno
- Laboratorio de Entomología Aplicada y Forense, Departamento de Ciencia y Técnica, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Bernal, Argentina
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Wang S, Zhang C, Chen W, Ren L, Ling J, Shang Y, Guo Y. Effects of Methamphetamine on the Development and Its Determination in Aldrichina grahami (Diptera: Calliphoridae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 57:691-696. [PMID: 31819957 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Age determination of necrophagous flies serves as an important tool for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation in forensic investigations. Drugs or toxins in cadavers may alter the developmental time of larvae, and lead to deviation in PMI estimation. Methamphetamine (MA), as one of the most abused psychostimulant drugs in Asia and North America, is often involved in forensic entomotoxicological cases. This study investigated the effects of MA (0, 45, 90, and 180 ng/mg) on the developmental rate, morphology, and survival of Aldrichina grahami (Aldrich, 1930). The results showed that 1) the developmental time to reach the pupal instar was statistically slower for the larvae reared on rabbit mince containing MA than for the control; 2) the mean length of the larvae exposed to MA concentrations was longer than those of the control; 3) the mean weight of the pupae exposed to the highest concentration of MA was significantly lighter than those of the control; 4) the GC-MS method can detect the content of MA in A. grahami immatures and empty puparia (EP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiwen Wang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Changquan Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lipin Ren
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiang Ling
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanjie Shang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yadong Guo
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Chophi R, Sharma S, Sharma S, Singh R. Forensic entomotoxicology: Current concepts, trends and challenges. J Forensic Leg Med 2019; 67:28-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2019.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Magni PA, Pazzi M, Vincenti M, Converso V, Dadour IR. Development and Validation of a Method for the Detection of α- and β-Endosulfan (Organochlorine Insecticide) in Calliphora vomitoria (Diptera: Calliphoridae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 55:51-58. [PMID: 29029268 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Entomotoxicology studies employ analytical methods and instrumentation to detect chemical substances in carrion insects feeding from the decomposing tissues. The identification of such chemicals may determine the cause of death and may be used for the estimation of the minimum time since death. To date, the main focus of entomotoxicological studies has been the detection of drugs, whereas little information concerns the effects of pesticides on blowflies. Pesticides are generally freely available and more affordable than drugs but they can also be a home hazard and an accessible candidate poison at a crime scene. A QuEChERS extraction method followed by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was developed for the detection of α- and β-endosulfan (organochlorine insecticide and acaricide) in Calliphora vomitoria L. (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and validated. Furthermore, the effects of endosulfan on the morphology, development time and survival of the immature blowflies were investigated. Larvae were reared on liver substrates homogeneously spiked with aliquots of endosulfan corresponding to the concentrations found in body tissues of humans and animals involved in endosulfan poisoning. Results demonstrated that the combination of QuEChERS extraction and GC-MS provide an adequate methods to detect both α- and β-endosulfan in blowfly immatures. Furthermore, the presence of α- and β-endosulfan in the food source 1) prevented C. vomitoria immatures reaching the pupal instar and, therefore, the adult instar at high concentrations, 2) did not affect the developmental time of blowflies at low concentrations 3) affected the size of immatures only at high concentrations, resulting in significantly smaller larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola A Magni
- Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Marco Pazzi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Vincenti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Valerio Converso
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Ian R Dadour
- Program in Forensic Anthropology, Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
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da Silva EIT, Wilhelmi B, Villet MH. Forensic entomotoxicology revisited-towards professional standardisation of study designs. Int J Legal Med 2017; 131:1399-1412. [PMID: 28567525 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-017-1603-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Forensic entomotoxicology is the use of insects as evidence of whether a toxicant is present in an environment such as a corpse, river or landscape. The earliest overtly forensic study was published in 1977, and since then, at least 63 papers have been published, most of them focused on the detection of toxicants in insects or on effects of toxicants on diverse insect indicator taxa. A comprehensive review of the published literature revealed various inconsistencies between studies that could be addressed by introducing standard protocols for such studies. These protocols could include selecting widespread and common model organisms (such as Lucilia sericata, Calliphora vicina, Chrysomya megacephala and Dermestes maculatus) and model toxicants (e.g. morphine and amitriptyline) to build up comparative databases; developing a standard matrix for use as a feeding substrate; setting guidelines for statistically adequate sample sizes; and deploying more sophisticated analytical methods from the general field of toxicology. Future studies should then be aimed at refining standardised protocols to improve experimental results, and make these results more comparable between studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica I T da Silva
- Southern African Forensic Entomology Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa.
| | - Brendan Wilhelmi
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa
| | - Martin H Villet
- Southern African Forensic Entomology Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa.
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Zanetti NI, Ferrero AA, Centeno ND. Determination of fluoxetine in Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) by a spectrophotometric method. Sci Justice 2016; 56:464-467. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 07/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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AbouZied EM. Postmortem Attraction of Sarcosaprophagous Diptera to Tramadol-Treated Rats and Morphometric Aspects of the Developed Larvae. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 45:326-332. [PMID: 26931613 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-016-0375-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The presence of some specific drugs in animal tissues may affect the time of minimal postmortem intervals estimated during forensic entomological investigations. To test the effects of a specific drug on decomposition, a field study was conducted at Fayoum University campus, Egypt, from March to May 2013, using tramadol, a synthetic analgesic opioid used to treat moderate to severe pain in humans. Albino rats were used as the animal model during this study. The duration of the fresh stage of tramadol treated rat (Ttr) carcasses was significantly shorter (2.4 ± 0.27 days) compared to tramadol free rat (Tfr) carcasses (6.4 ± 0.49 days). The dry carcass stage of Ttr lasted longer (10.3 ± 0.99 days) as compared to (7.4 ± 0.18 days) the Tfr carcass. The decomposition process of the (Ttr) carcass was not significantly faster (24.9 ± 1.58 days) as compared to (Tfr) carcasses (29.5 ± 1.69). Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), and Musca domestica L. were less attracted to Ttr carcass-baited traps than traps with Tfr carcasses. However, females of Sarcophaga spp. showed a greater attraction to Ttr carcasses. Females of another sarcophagid fly, Wohlfahrtia spp. exhibited similar attraction tendencies to both types of trap baits. Larvae of S. argyrostoma (Robineau-Desvoidy) collected from Ttr carcasses developed to a significantly longer total body length (10.4 ± 0.04 mm) as compared to the average length of the larvae collected from Tfr carcasses (8.9 ± 0.34 mm). During days 9-13 after rat death, the relative lengths of larvae from Ttr carcasses were not significantly different from Tfr carcasses. Larvae fed on Ttr carcasses pupated 2 days later than the control larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M AbouZied
- Dept of Zoology, Fac of Science, Fayoum Univ, P.O Box: 63514, Tawfik El-Hakeem, Al Fayoum, Egypt.
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Magni PA, Pazzi M, Vincenti M, Alladio E, Brandimarte M, Dadour IR. Development and validation of a GC–MS method for nicotine detection in Calliphora vomitoria (L.) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Forensic Sci Int 2016; 261:53-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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12
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Ferraz ACP, Dallavecchia DL, Silva DC, Silva-Filho RG, Aguiar VM. Post-embriononic development of Chrysomya putoria(Diptera: Calliphoridae) on a diet containing ampicillin in different concentrations. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2016; 88:105-16. [PMID: 26959318 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201620140440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we evaluate the effects of different concentrations of the antibiotic ampicillin on the growth and development of Chrysomya putoria. Third-generation, first instar larvae (L1) reared on 60 grams of homogenate+agar 65% were treated with ampicillin sodium. The experiment consisted of four replicates (40 larvae/replicate) of each antibiotic concentration tested (T1: 466µg/mL ; T2: 81.33 mg/mL and T3: 166.66mg/mL) and a T4: control. The body mass of the mature larvae, after they abandoned the diet, were recorded in batches of five. The variation between the mean body mass of larvae and the duration of larval and pupal stages, and overall duration of the development, viability and normal rates were analyzed by ANOVA. There were no significant differences between the four treatments in the following parameters: body mass of larvae that discontinued the diet as well as the duration of larval, pupal, and total development. The sex ratios found in the four treatments did not differ from those expected. Normality rates were 100% for all treatments. There were no significant differences between treatments for larval and overall viability, but pupal viability differed significantly between T1 and the control, T1 and T2, and between the control and T3. The antibiotic did not appear to significantly alter the development of C. putoria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana C P Ferraz
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Daniele L Dallavecchia
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Débora C Silva
- Departamento de Estudos Básicos e Instrumentais, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brasil
| | - Renato G Silva-Filho
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Valéria M Aguiar
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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Leitch O, Papanicolaou A, Lennard C, Kirkbride KP, Anderson A. Chemosensory genes identified in the antennal transcriptome of the blowfly Calliphora stygia. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:255. [PMID: 25880816 PMCID: PMC4392625 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1466-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blowflies have relevance in areas of forensic science, agriculture, and medicine, primarily due to the ability of their larvae to develop on flesh. While it is widely accepted that blowflies rely heavily on olfaction for identifying and locating hosts, there is limited research regarding the underlying molecular mechanisms. Using next generation sequencing (Illumina), this research examined the antennal transcriptome of Calliphora stygia (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) to identify members of the major chemosensory gene families necessary for olfaction. RESULTS Representative proteins from all chemosensory gene families essential in insect olfaction were identified in the antennae of the blowfly C. stygia, including 50 odorant receptors, 22 ionotropic receptors, 21 gustatory receptors, 28 odorant binding proteins, 4 chemosensory proteins, and 3 sensory neuron membrane proteins. A total of 97 candidate cytochrome P450s and 39 esterases, some of which may act as odorant degrading enzymes, were also identified. Importantly, co-receptors necessary for the proper function of ligand-binding receptors were identified. Putative orthologues for the conserved antennal ionotropic receptors and candidate gustatory receptors for carbon dioxide detection were also amongst the identified proteins. CONCLUSIONS This research provides a comprehensive novel resource that will be fundamental for future studies regarding blowfly olfaction. Such information presents potential benefits to the forensic, pest control, and medical areas, and could assist in the understanding of insecticide resistance and targeted control through cross-species comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Leitch
- National Centre for Forensic Studies, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia. .,CSIRO Division of Ecosystem Sciences and Food Futures Flagship, Canberra, Australia.
| | - Alexie Papanicolaou
- CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, Canberra, Australia. .,Current Address: Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney, Richmond, Australia.
| | - Chris Lennard
- National Centre for Forensic Studies, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia. .,Current Address: School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, Australia.
| | - K Paul Kirkbride
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia.
| | - Alisha Anderson
- CSIRO Division of Ecosystem Sciences and Food Futures Flagship, Canberra, Australia.
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14
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Effects of methamphetamine and its primary human metabolite, p-hydroxymethamphetamine, on the development of the Australian blowfly Calliphora stygia. Forensic Sci Int 2014; 241:102-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Revised: 04/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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15
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Development of a GC–MS method for methamphetamine detection in Calliphora vomitoria L. (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Forensic Sci Int 2014; 241:96-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Revised: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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16
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Advances in the use of acidic potassium permanganate as a chemiluminescence reagent: A review. Anal Chim Acta 2014; 807:9-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2013.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Revised: 11/02/2013] [Accepted: 11/08/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Souza CM, Lima CGP, Alves MJ, Arrais-Silva WW, Giorgio S, Linhares AX, Thyssen PJ. Standardization of histological procedures for the detection of toxic substances by immunohistochemistry in Dipteran larvae of forensic importance. J Forensic Sci 2013; 58:1015-21. [PMID: 23682832 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2011] [Revised: 03/06/2012] [Accepted: 06/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique is an alternative toxicological analysis to detect drugs in insects of forensic importance, but it requires thorough histological procedures. In this study, we tested different fixatives--phosphate-buffered paraformaldehyde 4% (PP), Carnoy's fluid (CF), Kahle's solution (KS), ethanol in different concentrations, and ethanol associated to PP and CF, time of fixation and histological processes for dipteran larvae's tissue, aiming to develop a sample preparation protocol for IHC application. A suitable fixation was achieved using PP for 12 and 24 h, CF for 3 h, 70% ethanol for 19 days, and 70% ethanol/CF for 2 h/3 h. Postfixation using negative pressure, two immersions in xylene for 30 min each, and one in xylene plus paraffin for 45 min increased tissue preservation. An immunohistochemical test for cocaine detection was performed using monoclonal benzoylecgonine antibody from mouse, peroxidase-conjugated anti-mouse IgG and visualized by 3,3'-diaminobenzidine method showed these histological procedures didn't compromise antigenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina M Souza
- Department of Animal Biology, IB, UNICAMP, Distrito de Barão Geraldo, Campinas, São Paulo, CEP 13083-970, Brazil
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Gosselin M, Wille SMR, Fernandez MDMR, Di Fazio V, Samyn N, De Boeck G, Bourel B. Entomotoxicology, experimental set-up and interpretation for forensic toxicologists. Forensic Sci Int 2011; 208:1-9. [PMID: 21237593 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2010] [Revised: 12/09/2010] [Accepted: 12/19/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Forensic entomotoxicology studies the usefulness of insects as alternative toxicological samples. Use of insects as alternative matrix for drug detection is well documented and recommended when conventional matrices such as blood, urine or internal organs are no longer available. However, several limitations of entomotoxicology have been highlighted, especially concerning interpretation of the drug concentrations in insects on human forensic cases. In addition, the lack of knowledge in pharmacokinetic of drugs in insects, large variability of experimental set-up and toxicological analysis compromise the utility of this science. This review focuses on the current knowledge of factors influencing drug detection in insects. Reasons for the current limitations, but also recommendations for future research are discussed and proposed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Gosselin
- Laboratory of Toxicology, National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology, Brussels, Belgium.
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