[Sandflies (Diptera, Psychodidae) from the transmission area for American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the town of Itupeva, the southeastern region of São Paulo state, Brazil]

The present study was effected aiming the verification of the seasonal, spatial and hourly of the phlebotominic species found in the county of Itupeva. Captures were performed fortnightly and 864 sand flies were collected between april/94 and march/95. 81.3% of the captured specimens belonged to 4 species: L. migonei (32.4%), L. whitmani (26.0%), L. intermedia (12.0%) e L. fischeri (10.9%). Such species showed larger densities during the cold and dry season of the year (from april to september/94) and were more active between the second and the fifth hour after twilight. L. migonei predominated almost in all the investigated surroundings being followed by L. whitmani and L. longipalpis in the domestic environments. In conclusion it is thought that in conjunction with L. intermedia, a suspect vector in the State of São Paulo, L. migonei and L. whitmani may have an important role in the transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the area under study.

[Spotted fever in the municipality of Pedreira, PS, Brazil. Serologic survey]

Cases of Brasilian spotted fever (BSF) have been occurred since 1985, in the rural area of Pedreira town, situated 160 km away from the city of São Paulo (longitude 46 degrees 54'07", latitude 22 degrees 44'21"). Aiming at evaluating the prevalence of Brasilian spotted fever in this endemic area, single-serum samples were collected from 473 healthy persons, amongst city-dwellers and the local china industry workers. The obtained samples were tested by indirect immunofluorescence (IFA), in order to determine the antibodies titer for the group of Brasilian spotted fever. Twenty-five (5.3%) were considered positive (titer 3 1:64) and thirty-one (6.5%) were taken as "borderline" (titer 1:32). The results show a serologically positivity rate similar to other areas, known as endemic ones within the country.

[American tegumentary leishmaniasis in the northeastern state of São Paulo-Brazil]

An outbreak of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) occurring in the Northeast region of São Paulo state in 1992 is described. After the notification of the 12 human cases, a skin test survey of the local population was carried out in a rural area of the Itupeva municipality. The survey consisted of 144 interviews and 100 clinical examinations using the Montenegro skin test (MST). A prevalence of 34% positive MST was encountered. The predominant species of sandflies captured both in domestic and nearby areas of secondary vegetation were L. intermedia, L. whitmani and L. migonei. The presence of L. longipalpis in the nearby area of secondary vegetation was also registered.

[Congenital malaria in the county of Leme, SP]

Congenital malaria associated to Plasmodium vivax in a newborn baby (14 days old) is reported. The mother lived in a malaria-prone area, and came up to the county of Leme, São Paulo state, 40 days before baby's birth. Congenital malaria was classified through precocious symptoms, absence of malaria in the county and no history of blood transfusion or parenteral intervention of any sort. The case arises interest because of the necessity of malaria diagnoses suspicion on febrile newborns in non endemic areas, since the mother have lived or stayed in a malarious region.