Colonization of Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera:Reduvidae:Triatominae) in an urban area and its association with Didelphis marsupialis in the metropolitan region of São Paulo

INTRODUCTION:

This communication reports the colonization of Panstrongylus megistus in an urban area of the municipality of Taboão da Serra in the metropolitan region of São Paulo.

METHODS:

After receiving a notification from the population, entomological research comprising active search, collection, identification, and examination of triatomines was conducted. Wild animals were captured and examined.

RESULTS:

A colony of triatomines was found to be associated with dogs in the backyard of the property.

CONCLUSIONS:

The colonization of P. megistus shows the potential for their occupation of artificial ecotopes, which may pose a risk to the human population.

First report of colonization by Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, Brazil

We report the first known occurrence of Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, Brazil. In 2018, adult specimens were sent by residents to the competent authorities and, in the inspection of the property, a large focus associated with a marsupial nest was found. This finding reinforces the importance of the species in the state of São Paulo, serves as an alert for epidemiological surveillance and extends the species colonization area in the state of São Paulo.

Colonization by Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in an urban park in the city of São Paulo

INTRODUCTION:

This communication reports on the occurrence of colonization by Panstrongylus megistus in an urban park in the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil.

METHODS:

Entomological research includes active search for vectors based on notifications by the population and identification and examination of insects.

RESULTS:

A colony of triatomines was found to be associated with enclosed birds.

CONCLUSIONS:

The occurrence of P. megistus has already been reported in the city of São Paulo; however, reports of colonization by this species provide evidence of its potential for the occupation of artificial ecotopes, which may pose a risk to the human population.

Occurrences of triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and first reports of Panstrongylus geniculatus in urban environments in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil

This note reports on occurrences of triatomine species in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, registered between 1988 and 2017. Records of triatomines captured in Sao Paulo are based on specimens received spontaneously from Health Surveillance Centers, Health Centers and Zoonosis Control Centers in the city as well as from citizens. Species were identified morphologically at the Public Health Entomology Laboratory, Faculty of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, where the triatomines, which are vectors of Chagas disease, were tested for Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The first reported occurrence of triatomine bugs in urban Sao Paulo was in 1988. The specimen, which was captured in Jardim Sao Luiz district, was from the genus Panstrongylus and was registered as Panstrongylus sp. but was not sexed. Since this first recorded occurrence, the following species have been found in the city: Panstrongylus geniculatus (2 occurrences), P. megistus (15 occurrences), Triatoma infestans (1 occurrence) and T. sordida (3 occurrences). In this paper, the importance of reporting occurrences of triatomine bugs in the city of Sao Paulo, one of the largest metropolis in the world, is discussed with an emphasis on P. megistus. The occurrences discussed here indicate the importance of entomological surveillance for these vectors even in urban centers although the possibility of vector transmission of Chagas disease in these centers is very low.

Echinostomes in Felid Coprolites from Brazil

The first record of Echinostoma (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) in coprolites was from a mummified human body in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The finding raised questions on this parasite's incidence in prehistoric populations and the natural hosts of each species in remote times. Echinostomes occur worldwide and, despite the wide range of hosts, there is no record of Echinostomatidae in felines in Brazil. This study reports the finding of Echinostomatidae eggs in felid coprolites in the Furna do Estrago Archaeological Site, located in Pernambuco State in the Brazilian semiarid. Despite the possibility of false parasitism, the finding expands the distribution of this Digenea in remote times and raises the hypothesis of other cases of echinostomiasis in pre-Colombian populations.

Aetiology of acute diarrhoea in hospitalized children in Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil

Enteropathogens were investigated in 406 children aged 0-3 years with diarrhoea attending the Salles Neto Municipal Hospital. Enteric bacterial pathogens were isolated from 49 per cent of the children. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) (20.9 per cent), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) (16.5 per cent), rotavirus (11.6 per cent), and Campylobacter (9.9 per cent) were the most common agents. Among clinical features, vomiting and fever were significantly associated with Rotavirus isolation (50.0 per cent), respiratory infection with Adenovirus (14.3 per cent), bloody diarrhoea with Campylobacter (12.5 per cent), and dehydration with EPEC (71.6 per cent).

Nematode larvae in fossilized animal coprolites from lower and middle Pleistocene sites, central Italy

Nematode larvae were found in mineralized animal coprolites collected in lower and middle Pleistocene sites, central Italy. Coprolites collected in 4 paleontological sites dated from 1.5 million years to 30,000 years ago were identified as of Hyaenidae (Mammalia, Carnivora). Checklists available for present-day Hyaenidae did not permit identification of the larvae found. This is one of the most ancient parasite findings in coprolites.