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This study aimed to analyze the performance of the Schistosomiasis Epidemiological Surveillance System in Sergipe, Brazil. This study used a mixed methodology, with a quantitative approach and the application of semi-structured interviews, directed to professionals of Health Surveillance and Primary Care in seven regional health departments headquarters in Sergipe, as well as information obtained in Sistema de Informação do Programa de Controle da Esquistossomose (SISPCE), Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM) and Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN). Interviews were applied from March to October 2018 and secondary data obtained in the information systems corresponded to the period between 2013 and 2018, when structure and process indicators were compared with result indicators. The main critical point was the lack of implementation of the Schistosomiasis Control Program (PCE) in the entire endemic area, lack of interaction between Epidemiological Surveillance and Primary Care, deficiencies in the management and execution of field actions. Failures in the implantation in the PCE, in the structure and process of the Surveillance System, in addition to the need for greater integration between the professionals of the Epidemiological Surveillance and other health sectors, negatively influence the results of the PCE, and may have similar causes and results in the others endemics of the state. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el desempeño del Sistema de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de la Esquistosomiasis en el estado de Sergipe. Para ello, se utilizó una metodología mixta, con un enfoque cuantitativo, con la aplicación de entrevistas semiestructuradas, dirigidas a profesionales de Vigilancia en Salud y Atención Primaria (AB) en las sedes de los siete departamentos regionales de salud del estado. De esta manera, se obtuvo información a través del Sistema de Información del Programa de Control de Esquistosomiasis (SISPCE), Sistema de Información de Mortalidad (SIM) y Sistema de Información de Enfermedades Notificables (SINAN). Las entrevistas fueron aplicadas entre los meses de marzo a octubre 2018 y los datos secundarios, obtenidos a partir de estos sistemas de información, corresponden al período de 2013 y 2018 cuando la comparación de los indicadores de estructura y de proceso con los indicadores de resultados se llevó a cabo. Se encontró que los principales puntos críticos: la ausencia de actividades PCE en varios municipios de un área endémica; falta de interacción entre Vigilancia Epidemiológica (VE) y Atención Primaria; y las deficiencias en la gestión y ejecución de acciones de campo. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o desempenho do Sistema de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Esquistossomose em Sergipe, Brasil. Foi utilizada metodologia mista, com abordagem quantitativa e aplicação de entrevistas semiestruturadas, direcionadas aos profissionais da Vigilância em Saúde e Atenção Básica de sete regionais de saúde sediadas em Sergipe, bem como informações obtidas no Sistema de Informação do Programa de Controle da Esquistossomose (SISPCE), Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM) e Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN). As entrevistas foram aplicadas de março a outubro de 2018 e os dados secundários obtidos nos sistemas de informação corresponderam ao período de 2013 a 2018, quando foram comparados indicadores de estrutura e processo com indicadores de resultado. Foi demonstrado como ponto crítico principal, a ausência de implantação do Programa de Controle da Esquistossomose (PCE) na totalidade da área endêmica, falta de interação entre Vigilância Epidemiológica e Atenção Básica, deficiências na gestão e execução de ações de campo. Falhas na implantação no PCE, na estrutura e no processo do Sistema de Vigilância, além da necessidade de uma maior integração entre os profissionais da Vigilância Epidemiológica e demais setores da saúde, influenciam negativamente nos resultados do PCE, podendo ter causas e resultados semelhantes nas demais endemias do estado.

Objetivo. Estimar a Capacidade Vetorial de Anopheles albitarsis e An. (Kerteszia) com a finalidade de conhecer a receptividade do Vale do Ribeira, Estado de São Paulo, com relação à malária, tanto no ambiente natural, quanto no alterado para fins agrícolas. Para tanto, propõem-se determinar a variação da taxa de picadas/homem/dia, a taxa de sobrevivência diária e a duração do ciclo gonotrófico de ambos os grupos. Material e métodos. Os estudos foram realizados em laboratório e no campo, em duas áreas do Vale do Ribeira, uma representada por fazenda com plantação de arroz irrigado e outra contígua à Mata Atlântica de encosta. Os dados referentes à taxa de picadas/homem/dia foram obtidos em colaboração com o Projeto Temático Fapesp 95/0381-4. Foram referentes às capturas de mosquitos com aspirador manual, de maio de 1996 a junho de 2000 para An. albitarsis e maio de 1996 a setembro de 1997 para Kerteszia. A taxa de sobrevivência diária foi estimada através de regressão linear dos dados obtidos a partir da técnica de marcação-soltura-recaptura e através do estudo da idade fisiológica. A duração do ciclo gonotrófico no campo foi estudada pela dissecção dos ovaríolos de fêmeas soltas ingurgitadas e em laboratório pelo fornecimento de alimentação para as fêmeas e observação individual até a oviposição. O comprimento do ciclo extrínseco do parasita foi determinado pelo método de Oganov-Rayevsky. Resultados. A taxa de picadas/homem/dia/ variou 0 a 628,5 para An. albitarsis e de 17,5 a 320,83 para Kerteszia no período estudado. A taxa de sobrevivência diária de An. albitarsis foi 0,61 e a de Kerteszia 0,45. A duração do ciclo gonotrófico de An. albitarsis foi de 2,5 dias no campo e de 4 dias em laboratório; a de Kerteszia foi de 3,5 dias em laboratório e não pôde ser determinada no campo. A Capacidade Vetorial foi igual a zero nos meses frios para ambos os grupos; nos meses quentes apresentou picos em janeiro, fevereiro e março com valor máximo de 0,803 em fevereiro de 1998 para An. albitarsis. Para Kerteszia o valor máximo encontrado foi de 0,081 em janeiro de 1997. Discussão. O modelo da Capacidade Vetorial indicou pequena possibilidade da ocorrência de malária endêmica no Vale do Ribeira veiculada por An. albitarsis. Os valores observados para os meses quentes apontam a possibilidade dessa espécie participar secundária ou esporadicamente como vetora. Tais observações mostraram-se coerentes com o histórico da transmissão malárica atribuída a essa espécie. Já os valores fornecidos pelo modelo para An. (Kerteszia) vão de encontro às informações sobre a transmissão na região. Os baixos valores obtidos para a Capacidade Vetorial desse subgênero foram atribuídos principalmente à taxa de sobrevivência encontrada. As dificuldades na análise dos dados e os resultados por ela fornecidos sugerem que provavelmente existam características desse grupo que não se encontram contempladas no modelo apresentado. Objective. Estimating the Vectorial Capacity of An. albitarsis and An. (Kerteszia) in order to establish the receptivity of the Ribeira Valley, São Paulo State, in relation to malaria, in natural environments as well as in environments modified by agricultural use. In order to this, we propose to determine the bites/man/day rate variation, the daily survival rate and the gonotrophic cycle duration for both groups. Material and Methods. The studies were carried out under laboratory and field conditions in two areas at the Ribeira Valley, one being a farm area with irrigated rice culture and the other one bordering on the Atlantic Forest. Data relating to the bites/man/day rate were obtained collaborating with the Thematic Project FAPESP 95/0381-4, using manual aspirator, during May/1996 until June/2000 for An. albitarsis and from May/1996 to September/1997 for An. (Kerteszia). The daily survival rate was estimated by linear regression of data obtained with the mark-release-recapture technique and physiological age study. The gonotrophic cycle duration in the field was studied by ovarioles dissection of released engorged females and in laboratory contidions by feeding females and observing them individually until oviposition. The parasite extrinsic cycle duration was determined using Oganov-Rayevsky method. Results. The bites/man/day rate ranged from zero to 628.5 for An. albitarsis and from 17.5 to 320.83 for An. (Kerteszia). The daily survival rate for An. albitarsis was 0.61 and for An. (Kerteszia) 0.45. The gonotrophic cycle duration for An. Albitarsis was 2.5 days in field and 4 days in laboratory conditions; for An. (Kerteszia) this was 3.5 days under laboratory conditions but could not be determined in field. The Vectorial Capacity was zero for both groups during cold months and in the hot ones showed peaks in January, February and March with a maximum value of 0.803 in February/1998 for An. albitarsis. For An. (Kerteszia) the maximum value was 0.081 in January/1997. Discussion. The Vectorial Capacity model demonstrated low possibility of endemic malaria occurence in the Ribeira Valley that could be attibuted to An. albitarsis. The obtained values for hot months showed the possibility of this species to participate secondary or sporadically as a vector. Such observations showed consistency with the history of malaria transmission attributed to this species. However, the given values by the model for An. (Kerteszia) contradict the actual malaria transmission in the region. The low values obtained for Vectorial Capacity of this subgenus were explained mainly by the daily survival rate. The difficulties in data analysis and its results suggest that there are features of this group which were not included in the presented model.

Zika, dengue, and chikungunya are vector-borne diseases of pronounced concern transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti Linn. (Diptera: Culicidae). The most important method to avoid outbreaks is to control mosquito spreading by the employment of insecticides and larvicides. Failure to control mosquito dispersal is mostly accounted to Ae. aegypti resistance to currently available larvicides and insecticides, encouraging the development of novel pesticides. In addition, the excessive use of larvicides poses serious threats to human health and the environment. Evaluation of natural products as larvicides in an attempt to overcome this situation is often found in the literature because products originated from nature are considered less toxic to non-target species and more eco-friendly. (-)-Borneol is a bicyclic monoterpene present in essential oils with moderate larvicidal activity. On account of these facts, it was of our interest to synthesize (-)-borneol ester derivatives aiming to study its structure-activity relationships against Ae. aegypti larvae. With the goal to estimate toxicity to a non-target species, evaluation of the lethal concentration 50% (LC50) on Artemia sp. (Artemiidae) and calculation of selectivity towards Ae. aegypti were carried out. The most potent derivative, (-)-Bornyl chloroacetate, exhibited the highest suitability index, demonstrating lower environmental toxicity than other borneol ester derivatives. A parabolic relationship between (-)-borneol esters larvicidal activity and partition coefficient (Log P) was achieved and a correlation equation obtained, validating the importance of lipophilicity to the larvicidal activity of these compounds.

Clay-polymer composites represent the possibility to stabilize, protect volatile and easily oxidized compounds such as essential oils. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop an eco-friendly formulation based on bentonite/PVP nanocomposites to incorporate Syzygium aromaticum essential oil (SAEO) in for controlling Aedes aegypti larvae. The bentonite/PVP nanocomposites were prepared with different ratios 1:2, 1:1, 2:1 in both absence (INano) or presence of SAEO (NanoSAEO), and evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Finally, larvicidal activity was performed. XRD indicated an intercalated structure because of the displacement of reflections at low angle range and an increase in INano interlayer space (d). After SAEO incorporation, the interlayer space (d) did not changed, therefore suggesting that SAEO may be associated to the nanocomposite-intercalated layers. SAXS also demonstrated the composite intercalated structure that in presence of SAEO induced a reflection displacement and change in the curve profile suggesting a structure transition to accommodate SAEO. This structure transition after SAEO incorporation was enough to shift the nanocomposite endothermic peak to lower temperatures (Tpeak = 68 °C) in DSC analysis. NanoSAEO demonstrated a LC50 of 27.34 ppm, while eugenol and SAEO presented 48.19 ppm and 40.74 ppm, respectively. Furthermore, SAEO incorporated in the nanocomposite was not harmful to non-target organisms, being not toxic up to 1000 ppm. Thus, bentonite/PVP nanocomposites containing SAEO is a promising formulation for controlling Aedes aegypti larvae.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the larvicidal activity of Mentha x villosa essential oil (MVEO) and its major constituent, rotundifolone, against larvae of Aedes aegypti. Additionally, a set of 15 analogues of the rotundifolone were evaluated to identify the molecular characteristics which contribute to the larvicidal effect. The results from the present study showed that the MVEO exhibited outstanding toxic effects against Ae. aegypti larvae (LC50=45.0ppm). Rotundifolone exhibited reasonable larvicidal activity (LC50=62.5ppm). With respect to comparative study of rotundifolone and its analogues, all tested compounds were less potent than rotundifolone, except (-)-limonene. In general, replacement of C-C double bonds by epoxides groups decreases the larvicidal potency. The presence of α,β-unsaturated carbonyls contributes to the larvicidal toxicity. The addition of hydroxyl groups in the chemical structure resulted in less potent compounds. Furthermore, the enantioselectivity seems to play an important role for the larvicidal toxicity.

The present study aimed to analyze the dynamics of containers used as breeding sites by Aedes aegypti (L.) in the city of Aracaju, SE, one of the Northeast Brazilian states. A total of three entomological surveys were performed during different precipitation levels. Breeding sites were categorized according to their function into storage, disposable containers, and reusable containers. "Mean number of pupae" and "frequency of each type of breeding site" were the criteria considered to identify key breeding sites. House index and Breteau index were calculated in each survey. A total of 3,647 water reservoirs were found, of which 220 were breeding sites, where 22,880 immature forms were identified. There were no differences in the mean number of larvae of several types of breeding sites and in the number of larvae among surveys. Larval indices showed a reduction in the second visit, but with no effect on adult occurrence when the number of pupae was considered. Key breeding sites resulted from containers used for water storage. The area studied showed conditions favorable to a new epidemic of dengue fever.

A melhor forma de evitar novas epidemias de dengue é controlar o vetor, o mosquito Aedes aegypti. Assim, este estudo objetivou identificar e analisar a distribuição espacial dos imóveis-chave para Ae. aegypti em Aracaju, Sergipe, Brasil. Para isso, três levantamentos entomológicos foram realizados em períodos antes, durante e após a epidemia de dengue e em diferentes condições de precipitação: fim do período chuvoso, início da estação chuvosa e estiagem. Para identificar os imóveis-chave, foram consideradas as variáveis: positividade em mais de um levantamento e presença de pupas; e para verificar a distribuição espacial e dispersão dos mosquitos, foi realizada análise de padrões pontuais, por meio do estimador de densidade de kernel e buffer. Constatou-se que os imóveis-chave são responsáveis pela manutenção da infestação na localidade independente das condições ambientais e do período epidêmico e são focos geradores de mosquitos que podem se dispersar para áreas vizinhas ao bairro. Dessa forma, as ações de controle vetorial, para serem mais efetivas, devem ser direcionadas para esses imóveis. Currently the best way to avoid new dengue epidemics is to control the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. This study thus aimed to identify and analyze the spatial distribution of "key premises" for Ae. aegypti in Aracaju, Sergipe State, Brazil. Three entomological surveys were performed prior to, during, and after the dengue epidemic and in different conditions of precipitation: the end of the rainy season, beginning of the rainy season, and the dry season. Key premises were identified by positivity in more than one survey and presence of pupae. Spatial distribution and dispersal of mosquitoes used analysis of point patterns, with the kernel and buffer density estimator. Key premises were responsible for maintaining infestation of the area, independently of environmental conditions and the period in the epidemic, serving as foci generating mosquitoes that can spread to areas adjacent to the neighborhood. Thus, in order to be more effective, vector control measures should target these properties. La mejor forma de evitar nuevas epidemias de dengue es controlar el vector, el mosquito Aedes aegypti. Por ello, este estudio tuvo por objetivo identificar y analizar la distribución espacial de los recipientes-clave para Ae. aegypti en Aracaju, Sergipe, Brasil. Con este fin, tres estudios entomológicos se realizaron en períodos anteriores, durante y después de la epidemia de dengue y en diferentes condiciones de precipitación pluvial: fin del período lluvioso, inicio de la estación de lluvias y período seco. Para identificar los recipientes-clave, se consideraron las variables: positividad en más de un estudio y presencia de crisálidas; y para verificar la distribución espacial y la dispersión de los mosquitos, se realizó un análisis de padrones puntuales, por medio del estimador de densidad de kernel y buffer. Se constató que los recipientes-clave son responsables del mantenimiento de la infestación en la localidad, independientemente de las condiciones ambientales y del período epidémico, además, son focos generadores de mosquitos que pueden dispersarse hacia áreas vecinas del barrio. De esta forma, las acciones de control vectorial, para ser más efectivas, deben estar dirigidas hacia esos inmuebles.

In the search for larvicidal compounds against Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae), a collection of monoterpenes were selected and evaluated. R- and S-limonene exhibited the highest larvicidal potency (LC(50)=27 and 30 ppm, respectively), followed by γ-terpinene (LC(50)=56 ppm) and RS-carvone (LC(50)=118 ppm). Structural characteristics which may contribute to the understanding of the larvicidal activity of monoterpenes were empirically identified. The presence of heteroatoms in the basic hydrocarbon structure decreases larvicidal potency. Conjugated and exo double bonds appear to increase larvicidal potency. Replacement of double bonds by more reactive epoxides decreases the larvicidal potency. The presence of hydroxyls in the cyclic structure resulted in decreased potency, probably due to increased polarity indicanting that lipophilicity seems to play an important role in increasing the larvicidal potency in this set of compounds.

OBJETIVO: Descrever a composição, características ecológicas e comportamentais e infectividade das espécies de anofelinos em reservas indígenas da região Amazônica. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi conduzido no ano de 2002 em aldeias das reservas indígenas Nhamundá-Mapuera e Cuminapanema no estado do Pará. Foram realizadas três coletas de duas semanas em cada reserva, com capturas de adultos e de imaturos. Anofelinos adultos foram capturados com capturador de Castro por atração humana nos ambientes intra e peridomiciliares, no período das 18h às 21h e das 18 às 06h e avaliados para verificação da paridade e infectividade para plasmódios por dissecção e ELISA. As coleções hídricas próximas às aldeias foram pesquisadas utilizando conchas de 500 ml, sendo 20 conchadas a cada 10 m, cobrindo-se a extensão máxima de 200 m de perímetro do criadouro. RESULTADOS: Foram capturadas 8.668 fêmeas somando-se as coletas das duas reservas. Anopheles darlingi foi a espécie predominante, com maior freqüência no peridomicílio. Na reserva Mapuera, a atividade hematofágica concentrou-se entre as 20h e 24h e, em Cuminapanema, manteve-se elevada até as 24h, diminuindo após esse horário e voltando a elevar-se no início da manhã. Das 6.350 fêmeas de An. darlingi examinadas, 18 estavam infectadas por Plasmodium vivax VK 247, VK 210, P. falciparum e P. malariae. Outras 1.450 fêmeas de outras espécies foram examinadas, mas nenhuma foi encontrada infectada. An. nuneztovari e Chagasia bonnae foram as espécies mais freqüentes nos criadouros das aldeias Mapuera e Cuminapanema, respectivamente. Imaturos de An. darlingi não foram localizados em Mapuera e foram capturados em apenas uma das coletas da reserva Cuminapanema. CONCLUSÕES: As populações de An. darlingi das duas reservas apresentaram comportamento exofílico e intensa atividade noturna. A ocorrência de imaturos foi pouco freqüente e a densidade larvária foi baixa. As características comportamentais dos vetores não se mostraram favoráveis às atividades usuais de controle vetorial. OBJECTIVE: To describe the composition, ecological and behavioral characteristics and infectivity of Anopheles species in indigenous reserves of the Amazon region. METHODS: The study was performed in villages of the Nhamundá-Mapuera and Cuminapanema indigenous reserves, in the state of Pará, Northern Brazil, in 2002. A total of three two-week collections were conducted in each reserve, with the capture of adult and immature forms. Adult Anopheles specimens were captured using a Castro sucking tube with human landing trap in indoor and outdoor environments, from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm and from 6.00 pm to 6.00 am, and subsequently assessed to verify parity and infectivity by plasmodiums using dissection and ELISA. Water collections near the villages were surveyed using 500 ml ladles, with 20 ladlefuls for each 10 m, covering the maximum extent of 200 m of perimeter around the breeding spot. RESULTS: Adding up the collections from both reserves, a total of 8,668 females were captured. Anopheles darlingi was the most frequent species, with higher frequency around the homes. In the Mapuera reserve, blood feeding activity was concentrated between 8.00 pm and 12.00 am, while, in Cuminapanema, it remained high until 12.00 am, decreasing after this time and increasing again early in the morning. Of all the 6,350 An. darlingi females analyzed, 18 were infected with Plasmodium vivax VK247, VK210, P. falciparum and P. malariae. In addition, other 1,450 females of other species were analyzed, but none was found infected. An. nuneztovari and Chagasia bonnae were the most frequent species in the breeding spots of the Mapuera and Cuminapanema villages, respectively. Immature An. darlingi forms were not located in Mapuera and were captured in only one of the collections of the Cuminapanema reserve. CONCLUSIONS: An. darlingi populations in the two reserves showed exophilic behavior and intense nocturnal activity. The occurrence of immature forms was little frequent and larval density was low. Vector behavioral characteristics were not favorable for the usual vector control activities. OBJETIVO: Describir la composición, características ecológicas y de comportamiento e infectividad de las especies de anofelinos en reservas indígenas en la región Amazónica. MÉTODOS: El estudio fue conducido en el año de 2002 en aldeas de las reservas indígenas Nhamundá-Mapuera y Cuminapanema en el estado Pará (Norte de Brasil). Fueron realizadas tres colectas de dos semanas en cada reserva, con capturas de adultos e inmaduros. Anofelinos adultos fueron capturados con capturador de Castro por atracción humano en los ambientes intra y peridomiciliares, en el período de las 18 h a 21 h y de las 18 h a 6 h y evaluados para verificación de la paridad e infectividad para plasmodios por disección y ELISA. Las colecciones hídricas próximas a las aldeas fueron evaluadas utilizando cucharones de 500 mL, siendo 20 cucharones a cada 10 m, cubriéndose la extensión máxima de 200 m de perímetro del criadero. RESULTADOS: Fueron capturadas 8.668 hembras sumándose las colectas de las dos reservas. Anopheles darlingi fue la especie predominante, con mayor frecuencia en el peridomicilio. En la reserva Mapuera, la actividad hematofágica se concentró entre las 20 h y 24 h y en Cuminapanema, se mantuvo elevada hasta las 24 h, disminuyendo posterior a ese horario y volviendo a elevarse en el inicio de la mañana. De las 6.350 hembras de An. darlingi examinadas, 18 estaban infectadas por Plasmodium vivax VK 247, VK 210, P. falciparum y P. malariae. Otras 1.450 hembras de otras especies fueron examinadas, pero ninguna fue encontrada infectada. An. nuneztovari y Chagasia bonnae fueron las especies más frecuentes en los criaderos de las aldeas Mapuera y Cuminapanema, respectivamente. Inmaduros de An. darlingi no fueron localizados en Mapuera y fueron capturados en sólo una de las colectas de la reserva Cuminapanema. CONCLUSIONES: Las poblaciones de An. darlingi de las dos reservas presentaron comportamiento exofílico e intensa actividad nocturna. La ocurrencia de inmaduros fue poco frecuente y la densidad larvaria fue baja. Las características de comportamiento de los vectores no se mostraron favorables a las actividades usuales de control vectorial.

Oximes containing secondary metabolites constitute an important group of bioactive compounds and have been described and frequently updated in the literature due to their pharmacological properties. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the larvicidal activity of a series of fourteen structurally related [1,4]-Benzoquinone mono-oximes on third-instar Aedes aegypti larvae and to investigate structure-activity relationships (SAR) of these compounds. Results of larvicidal assay revealed that all oximes were found to have larvicidal activity. Compound 2,6-dimethyl-[1,4]-benzoquinone oxime tosylate (11) was the most bioactive (LC50 = 9.858 ppm), followed by 2-methyl-[1,4]-benzoquinone oxime tosylate (9) (LC50 = 14.450 ppm). [1,4]-benzoquinone oxime (1) exhibited the lowest potency, with an LC50 = 121.181 ppm. The molecular characteristics which may help to understand the assayed compounds larvicidal activity were identified. SAR indicates that the addition of alkyl groups attached to the ring, number, position in the unsaturated cyclic structure, and size of these groups influence the larvicidal activity. Moreover, the lipophilicity seems to play an important role in increasing the larvicidal effect, because, in general, tosyl-containing products were more potent than products containing free OH.

Caatinga is one of the least known biomes of Brazil in relation to biodiversity. The dry condition of semiarid areas has been associated in the past with low richness of fauna and flora, not encouraging studies in this region. There is a lack of mosquito records including anophelines. Thus, to investigate the biodiversity of Anopheles mosquitoes in the Caatinga biome, we collected immature mosquitoes in aquatic habitats in a conservation reserve located in the northwestern portion of Sergipe state. The captured specimens were initially identified as Anopheles albitarsis l.s. and Anopheles argyritarsis l.s. To confirm the morphological identification, sequences were generated by cytochrome oxidase subunit I mitocondrial gene. The results showed that the specimens belong to the species Anopheles oryzalimnetes, An. argyritarsis, and Anopheles sawyeri. These are the first records of these species in this region. The presence of Anopheles in the Caatinga biome, which is characterized by arid and semiarid climatic conditions, encourages the interest in the study of biological, physiological, and behavioral adaptations, selected over time, which allow these mosquito populations to survive through the long periods of drought that is characteristic of this region.

Instituto de Pesquisas Cientificas e Tecnol?gicas do Estado do Amap?. Divis?o de Zoologia. Laborat?rio de Entomologia M?dica. Macap?, AP, Brasil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Pesquisa B?sica em Mal?ria. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Pesquisa B?sica em Mal?ria. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Instituto de Pesquisas Cientificas e Tecnol?gicas do Estado do Amap?. Divis?o de Zoologia. Laborat?rio de Entomologia M?dica. Macap?, AP, Brasil. Universidade Federal de Sergipe. Centro de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas e da Sa?de. Laborat?rio de Entomologia e Parasitologia Tropical. S?o Cristov?o, SE, Brasil. This study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of Anopheles darlingi Root (1926) and Anopheles marajoara Galv?o & Damasceno (1942) to pyrethroids used by the National Malaria Control Program in Brazil. Methods: Mosquitoes from Amap?, Brazilian Amazon, were assessed for resistance to cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and alpha-cypermethrin. Insecticideimpregnated bottles were used as suggested by the CDC/Atlanta. Results: Diagnostic dose for Anopheles darlingi was 12.5?g/bottle during 30 min of exposure. Concentrations for Anopheles marajoara were 20?g/bottle of cypermethrin and deltamethrin and 12.5?g/bottle of alpha-cypermethrin. Conclusions: No resistance was recorded for Anopheles darlingi, but Anopheles marajoara requires attention.

Mark-release-recapture experiments were conducted to determine the duration of the gonotrophic cycle of Anopheles albitarsis s.l. in Ribeira Valley, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Separate experiments with females collected from the field were followed under laboratory conditions. A mean of 2.4 d was characteristic for the gonotrophic cycle for wild-caught females, whereas 4.4 d was characteristic for females in the laboratory conditions.

We assessed the risk classification of dengue fever based on the capture of Aedes aegypti adults using MosquiTRAP, a type of sticky trap, in comparison with traditional larval infestation indices. A total of 27 MosquiTRAPs were installed, with one trap per block, and were inspected weekly between November 2008-February 2009. Infestation baseline data were obtained from a survey conducted prior to trap installation. The index generated by MosquiTRAP and house index (HI) classified the area "in alert situation". The set for risk of dengue occurrence proposed by the use of MosquiTRAP classify areas in the same way of the traditional HI.

OBJETIVO: Observar a potencialidade sinantrópica de Anopheles bellator e de An. cruzii em vilarejo rodeado por ambiente natural. MÉTODOS: As observações foram levadas a efeito na localidade de Pedrinhas, no Sudeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, de outubro de 1996 a janeiro de 2000. A sinantropia, ou domiciliação, foi estimada pelo índice de Nuorteva (s) acrescido do fator intradomiciliar de Mihályi (d) e adaptado para culicídeos hematófagos. RESULTADOS: Utilizando procedimento baseado na atração pela isca humana, as duas espécies de Kerteszia mostraram freqüência conjunta positiva correspondente a s=35,7. Isso parece indicar a existência de certo grau de sinantropia por parte desses mosquitos. Assim também, a população de Cx. sacchettae, correspondente à razão de sinantropia sr=12,8, obtida pelo cálculo da relação entre os dados conseguidos na armadilha de Shannon. Quanto ao método de procura ativa pela aspiração ambiental, os resultados obtidos consistiram em valores negativos de s. Assim, corresponderam a -43,1 para An. bellator, -48,2 para An. cruzii e -3,0 para Cx. sacchettae. Tais cifras foram relacionadas ao valor positivo de s=+93,8 apresentado por Cx. quinquefasciatus e considerado como equivalente a +100,00. CONCLUSÕES: O observado em relação a domicílios isolados rurais repetiu-se em conjunto de casas formando vila, também de caráter rural, e circundada por ambiente primitivo. Ou seja, esses mosquitos adultos tendem a procurar o ambiente antrópico na busca de repasto sangüíneo. Uma vez tendo-o conseguido, voltam para o ambiente de onde saíram. Todavia, revelou-se alguma tendência adaptativa revelada pelo encontro de formas imaturas de An. bellator em recipientes artificiais. Quanto a Cx. sacchettae, a população local parece mostrar tendência para adaptação ao meio antrópico. OBJECTIVE: To determine the synanthropic potential of Anopheles bellator and An. cruzii in a village close to a wild environment. For comparative purposes, Culex quinquefasciatus and Cx. sacchettae populations were also investigated. METHODS: From October 1996 to January 2000, vectors investigations were carried out in Pedrinhas village, Southeastern of S. Paulo State, Brazil, through systematic collections with human bait, air aspirations and Shannon traps. The synanthropic index was estimated using Nuorteva's indices plus the Mihályi's endophylic factor. RESULTS: Attraction principle was s=35.7 for both Kerteszia species at the peridomiciliary environment through human bait. Cx. sacchettae showed a sr ratio of 12.8 with a degree of synanthropy. However active search through the aspiration method yielded negative s values, such as -43.1 for An. bellator and -48.2 for An. cruzii. For Cx. sacchettae that value was -3.0. These values were calculated when +100.00 was given to Cx. quinquefasciatus, which showed the highest synanthropic habits, corresponding to s =+93.8. CONCLUSIONS: The present data allow to conclude that what was observed until now for isolated rural dwellings is valid for small villages at the same conditions. This means that female Kerteszia adults tend to be in anthropic environment for blood seeking. After that, they return to the surrounding natural environment of the village. Regarding Cx. Sacchettae, they seem to have an anthropic adaptation tendency.

OBJETIVO: Objetivou-se estimar o tamanho de população natural de Anopheles albitarsis s.l. presente em fazenda de plantação com arroz irrigado no Vale do Ribeira, SP, Brasil, no período do verão, como subsídio para avaliação da capacidade vetora. MÉTODOS: Foram feitos três experimentos de marcação-soltura-recaptura com pó fluorescente, com populações de campo e populações criadas em laboratório. Foram realizadas, concomitantemente, capturas com isca humana. RESULTADOS: A população estimada em três eventos de soltura foi 64.560, 50.503 e 22.684 mosquitos. A taxa de picadas/homem/noite variou entre 41,5 e 524,5. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se alta densidade de mosquitos no período considerado, permitindo inferir que, ainda que a sobrevivência da espécie seja baixa, número substancial de fêmeas pode sobreviver tempo suficiente para ultrapassar o período extrínseco de desenvolvimento do parasita. OBJECTIVE: In order to evaluate the size of the Anopheles albitarsis s.l. population in the Ribeira Valley region of the south-eastern S. Paulo State, Brazil, marking-release-recapture experiments were carried out on the Experimental Farm in Pariquera-Açu county where an artificial irrigation system for the cultivation of rice has been installed. The experiments aimed at determining the vectorial capacity of this species. METHODS: During the summer (January, February and March), three marking-release-recapture experiments with field and laboratory reared populations were conducted to evaluate the population size. Simultaneous human bait collections were also carried out to estimate the human biting rate. RESULTS: The population sizes of the three experiments were estimated to be 64,560, 50,503 and 22,684 mosquitoes. The bite/man/night rate varied from 41.5 to 524,5. DISCUSSION: The results indicated high mosquito density in the summer which allow one to infer that, even though the survival rate is low, the number of remaining females is large enough to outlive the parasite's extrinsic developmental period.

Inquérito entomológico transversal foi conduzido na área urbana no Município de Anajás/PA, para verificar o risco de transmissão malárica. Embora a densidade de Anopheles tenha sido baixa, a taxa de infectividade de 6% e o encontro de espécimes positivos em todos os bairros indicam alto risco de contrair a doença.

Special attention has been given to the mosquito Aedes aegypti Linn. (Diptera: Culicidae) owing to numerous dengue epidemic outbreaks worldwide. Failure to control vector spreading is accounted for unorganized urban growth and resistance to larvicides and insecticides. Therefore, researchers are currently searching for new and more efficient larvicides and insecticides to aid dengue control measures. Triptamine is known to affect insect behavior, development, and physiology. Expression of this compound in plants has reduced the growth rate of herbivore insects. In view of these facts, it was of our interest to synthesize triptamine amide derivatives as potential larvicides against Ae. aegypti, establishing a Structure-Activity Relationship. Eleven amide derivatives of triptamine were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their larvicidal activity against third-instar Ae. aegypti larvae. N-(2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)-2,2,2-trichloroacetamide exhibited the highest overall larvicidal potency, while N-(2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)ethyl) acetamide displayed the lowest larvicidal potency. A regression equation correlating the larvicidal activity with Log P was obtained. We have found a clear relationship between the larvicidal activity of non-chlorinated compounds and Log P. Analysis of the relationship between Log P and larvicidal activity against Ae. aegypti may be useful in the evaluation of potential larvicidal compounds.

Universidade Federal de Sergipe. Aracaju, SE, Brazil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Bel?m, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal de Sergipe. Aracaju, SE, Brazil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Bel?m, PA, Brasil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Bel?m, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal de Sergipe. Aracaju, SE, Brazil. Universidade Federal de Sergipe. Aracaju, SE, Brazil. We have identified fifty-eight samples that were positive for Dengue-4 among 119 samples with negative diagnoses for dengue via the PlateliaTM dengue NS1 Ag in Aracaju, State of Sergipe, Brazil. We determined that the low sensitivity of the NS1 Ag test could be related to secondary dengue infections in the studied population. Therefore, we concluded that the sensitivity and specificity of the PlateliaTM dengue NS1 Ag test as a screening method for monitoring circulating dengue serotypes must be reevaluated. In addition, regional endo-epidemic profiles should also be considered due to the prevalence of secondary responses.

Background Studies in South-East Asia have suggested that early diagnosis and treatment with artesunate (AS) and mefloquine (MQ) combination therapy may reduce the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum malaria and the progression of MQ resistance. Methods The effectiveness of a fixed-dose combination of AS and MQ (ASMQ) in reducing malaria transmission was tested in isolated communities of the Juruá valley in the Amazon region. Priority municipalities within the Brazilian Legal Amazon area were selected according to pre-specified criteria. Routine national malaria control programmatic procedures were followed. Existing health structures were reinforced and health care workers were trained to treat with ASMQ all confirmed falciparum malaria cases that match inclusion criteria. A local pharmacovigilance structure was implemented. Incidence of malaria and hospitalizations were recorded two years before, during, and after the fixed-dose ASMQ intervention. In total, between July 2006 and December 2008, 23,845 patients received ASMQ. Two statistical modelling approaches were applied to monthly time series of P. falciparum malaria incidence rates, P. falciparum/Plasmodium vivax infection ratio, and malaria hospital admissions rates. All the time series ranged from January 2004 to December 2008, whilst the intervention period span from July 2006 to December 2008. Results The ASMQ intervention had a highly significant impact on the mean level of each time series, adjusted for trend and season, of 0.34 (95%CI 0.20 – 0.58) for the P. falciparum malaria incidence rates, 0.67 (95%CI 0.50 – 0.89) for the P. falciparum/P. vivax infection ratio, and 0.53 (95%CI 0.41 – 0.69) for the hospital admission rates. There was also a significant change in the seasonal (or monthly) pattern of the time series before and after intervention, with the elimination of the malaria seasonal peak in the rainy months of the years following the introduction of ASMQ. No serious adverse events relating to the use of fixed-dose ASMQ were reported. Conclusions In the remote region of the Juruá valley, the early detection of malaria by health care workers and treatment with fixed-dose ASMQ was feasible and efficacious, and significantly reduced the incidence and morbidity of P. falciparum malaria.

Currently the best way to avoid new dengue epidemics is to control the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. This study thus aimed to identify and analyze the spatial distribution of "key premises" for Ae. aegypti in Aracaju, Sergipe State, Brazil. Three entomological surveys were performed prior to, during, and after the dengue epidemic and in different conditions of precipitation: the end of the rainy season, beginning of the rainy season, and the dry season. Key premises were identified by positivity in more than one survey and presence of pupae. Spatial distribution and dispersal of mosquitoes used analysis of point patterns, with the kernel and buffer density estimator. Key premises were responsible for maintaining infestation of the area, independently of environmental conditions and the period in the epidemic, serving as foci generating mosquitoes that can spread to areas adjacent to the neighborhood. Thus, in order to be more effective, vector control measures should target these properties.

BACKGROUND: Dengue fever is a severe public health problem for several countries. In order to find effective larvicides to aid control programs, the structure-activity relationships of eugenol derivatives against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae were evaluated. Additionally, the composition and larvicidal activity of Syzygiumaromaticum essential oil was assessed. RESULTS: Four compounds representing 99.05% ofS.aromaticum essential oil have been identified. The essential oil was active againstAe.aegypti larvae (LC50 = 62.3 and 77.0 ppm, field-collected and Rockefeller larvae respectively). The larvicidal activity of eugenol, the major compound of the essential oil, was further evaluated (LC50 = 93.3 and 71.9 ppm, field-collected and Rockefeller larvae respectively). The larvicidal activity and structure-activity relationships of synthetic derivatives of eugenol were also assessed. The larvicidal activity of the derivatives varied between 62.3 and 1614.9 ppm. Oxidation of eugenol allylic bond to a primary alcohol and removal of the phenolic proton resulted in decreased potency. However, oxidation of the same double bond in 1-benzoate-2-methoxy-4-(2-propen-1-yl)-phenol resulted in increased potency. CONCLUSION: Structural characteristics were identified that may contribute to the understanding of the larvicidal activity of phenylpropanoids. The present approach may help future work in the search for larvicidal compounds. c � 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

In the search for toxic compounds against Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae, a collection of commercially available aromatic and aliphatic diversely substituted compounds were selected and evaluated. p-Cymene exhibited the highest larvicidal potency LC50 = 51 ppm, whereas 1,8-cineole exhibited the lowest activity value LC50 = 1419 ppm. To aid future work on the search for larvicidal compounds, the structure–toxicity relationships of this collection have been evaluated. The presence of lipophilic groups results in an overall increase in potency. In general, the presence of hydroxyl groups resulted in less potent compounds. However, methylation of such hydroxyls led to an overall increase in potency. The most potent compounds showed comparably good larvicidal activity in A. aegypti larvae as other terpenes, which we assume to be the result of the increased lipophilicity.

Anopheles darlingi Root é o principal vetor de malária na Amazônia brasileira. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar a periodicidade de captura, a preferência por peri ou extradomicílio e a taxa de paridade de A. darlingi em quatro localidades em Porto Velho, RO, utilizando a atração humana. Todos os anofelinos capturados foram identificados e A. darlingi foi dissecada para caracterização da paridade. Do total de 985 anofelinos coletados, 972 eram A. darlingi. O número de fêmeas foi significativamente maior no extradomicílio em duas das localidades estudadas (São João e Candeias do Jamari) (P < 0,05). A taxa de paridade foi de 96% e não foi observado horário preferencial para captura de fêmeas de A. darlingi nas localidades estudadas. Anopheles darlingi Root is the principal malaria vector in Amazonia region. The objectives of this work were to study the periodicity of Anopheles darlingi Root, the host preference for peri or extra-domestic environments and the parous rate in four field sites in Porto Velho (RO) by human-landing. All of the Anopheles specimens collected were identified, but only A. darlingi was dissected for the parous study. The results showed that human-landing colleted a total of 985 anophelines, with A. darlingi (972) being the most abundant species. Female mosquitoes were more abundant at extra-domestic environments in two of the locations studied (São João e Candeias do Jamari) (P < 0.05). The parous rate was 96% and no periodicity was observed for captures of females of A. darlingi in the field sites.

To describe the composition, ecological and behavioral characteristics and infectivity of Anopheles species in indigenous reserves of the Amazon region.The study was performed in villages of the Nhamundá-Mapuera and Cuminapanema indigenous reserves, in the state of Pará, Northern Brazil, in 2002. A total of three two-week collections were conducted in each reserve, with the capture of adult and immature forms. Adult Anopheles specimens were captured using a Castro sucking tube with human landing trap in indoor and outdoor environments, from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm and from 6.00 pm to 6.00 am, and subsequently assessed to verify parity and infectivity by plasmodiums using dissection and ELISA. Water collections near the villages were surveyed using 500 ml ladles, with 20 ladlefuls for each 10 m, covering the maximum extent of 200 m of perimeter around the breeding spot.Adding up the collections from both reserves, a total of 8,668 females were captured. Anopheles darlingi was the most frequent species, with higher frequency around the homes. In the Mapuera reserve, blood feeding activity was concentrated between 8.00 pm and 12.00 am, while, in Cuminapanema, it remained high until 12.00 am, decreasing after this time and increasing again early in the morning. Of all the 6,350 An. darlingi females analyzed, 18 were infected with Plasmodium vivax VK247, VK210, P. falciparum and P. malariae. In addition, other 1,450 females of other species were analyzed, but none was found infected. An. nuneztovari and Chagasia bonnae were the most frequent species in the breeding spots of the Mapuera and Cuminapanema villages, respectively. Immature An. darlingi forms were not located in Mapuera and were captured in only one of the collections of the Cuminapanema reserve.An. darlingi populations in the two reserves showed exophilic behavior and intense nocturnal activity. The occurrence of immature forms was little frequent and larval density was low. Vector behavioral characteristics were not favorable for the usual vector control activities.

Born on January 10, 1924, in Rosario de Santa Fe, Argentina, and naturalized Brazilian in 1946, Professor Forattini was the only child of immigrant parents from Italy who arrived in Brazil at the early of the 1930s. He grew up in a fam-ily environment in which he spoke in Portuguese to his father, and in French and Italian to his mother. As well as mastering these three languages, he also became fl uent in Spanish and English and had a great interest in studying Latin. As a scholar, he advocated that books should be read in the language in which they were written. One of the fi rst books that he had the pleasure of receiving as a gift from his mother, on his twelfth birthday, was a copy of The Divine Comedy, written in archaic Italian.Because he was the only child of a couple without any family in Brazil, and because of the intellectual training that he received with his parents’ encourage-ment, he became passionate about literature, history, classical music and arts. From a very young age, he would go to concerts at the Municipal Theater of Sao Paulo on Sundays, and he would listen to classical music every day. In this way, he was able not only to identify the composer, but also the orchestra and soloist. Nonetheless, he also enjoyed other kinds of music, such as jazz, blues and regional music and used to read and write poetry. Therefore, Professor Forattini was very familiar with many works in depth and could describe musical pieces and works of literature, history and art in detail. He was a lover of words and life.During his secondary school education in the city of Sao Paulo, he thought about studying history, but with time he entered the University College to sit the university entrance examination for the medical course. Classifi ed in fi rst place, he became a student in the Faculdade de Medicina (School of Medicine) of the Universidade de Sao Paulo, in 1946.Just after graduating in medicine in 1949, Professor Forattini was accepted into what was then the Faculdade de Higiene e Saude Publica (School of Hygiene and Public Health) of the Universidade de Sao Paulo as an assistant lecturer in the Department of Parasitology and Rural Hygiene. Thus he began his university career. He started conducting studies within medical entomology in 1950, with the researcher John Lane, and subsequently within public health, in 1957. In May 1954, at the age of 30, Professor Forattini was awarded the title of Professor through examination of his thesis on “Algumas observacoes sobre biologia de fl ebotomos, em regiao da Bacia do Rio Parana (Diptera, Psychodidae), (Brasil)” (Some observations on the biology of phlebotomine sandfl ies in the region of the Parana River Basin). Five years later, he obtained the position of Adjunct Professor of the Chair of Applied Parasitology and Rural Hygiene through competition. In 1966, Professor Forattini achieved the position of Chair of Epidemiology, through presenting a thesis under the title “Investigacoes sobre focus naturais de arbovirus” (Investigations on natural foci of arboviruses), and in 1970 he took up the position of Head of the Department of Epidemiology. At the Department, “he printed the vision of the epidemiologist, beyond or above the speci fi c areas of knowledge” in the words of Professor Maria Lucia Lebrao, current Head of the Department.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a duração do efeito residual de piretróides sobre a mortalidade de anofelinos e verificar sua efetividade na borrifação intradomiciliar em regiões da Amazônia Brasileira. OBJETIVO: O estudo foi desenvolvido no conjunto habitacional, município de Belém, Pará, em 2003. Foram sorteadas 12 casas, três de cada uma das quatro áreas estabelecidas. Foram aplicados nas paredes internas das casas os inseticidas: piretróides cipermetrina pó molhável, deltametrina suspensão concentrada, lambdacialotrina pó molhável e etofemprox pó molhável. Seu efeito sobre a mortalidade de anofelinos foi avaliado durante os meses de julho a novembro. Utilizou-se a técnica de prova biológica de parede com a utilização de cones plásticos e mosquitos selvagens do município de Peixe Boi. RESULTADOS: A taxa de mortalidade variou de acordo com o tipo de parede e inseticida aplicado. Os aplicados em madeira e paredes de tijolo sem reboco foram mais estáveis e duradouros. O lambdacialotrina apresentou efeito mais curto que os demais inseticidas e o etofemprox apresentou efeito residual de quatro meses e foi mais efetivo em paredes de tijolo sem reboco. Não houve diferença estatística entre deltametrina e cipermetrina em todas as superfícies testadas, e a duração do efeito residual foi satisfatória até três meses após a borrifação. CONCLUSÕES: Os inseticidas deltametrina e etofemprox apresentaram melhor desempenho quando comparados aos demais. Para esses inseticidas e formulações, deve considerar-se seguro o intervalo de três meses entre aplicações sucessivas. Em comunidades com predomínio de casas de alvenaria rebocadas, deve ser considerada a menor efetividade das formulações, bem como a pertinência do emprego da borrifação residual como método para o controle vetorial na área. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the residual effect of pyrethroids on the mortality rates of Anopheles in order to check their efficacy in indoor residual spraying in the Amazon Region, Brazil. METHODS: The study was conducted in public housing unities in the city of Belem, Northern Brazil, in 2003. Twelve houses were randomly chosen, three in each of the four established areas. Pyrethroids cypermethrin wettable powder, deltamethrin suspension concentrate, lambda-cyhalothrin wettable powder, and etofenprox wettable powder, were sprayed on the indoor wall surface of local houses. Their effects on the mortality of Anopheles were assessed from July to November. Wall bioassay was performed using plastic cones attached to insecticide and wild mosquitoes from the town of Peixe Boi. RESULTS: Mortality rate varied according to the type of wall that received the insecticide. Those inseticides applied to wood and non-plastered brick surfaces were more stable and lasted longer. Lambda-cyhalothrin presented shorter effect than the other insecticides, and Etofenprox had residual effects up to four months and was more effective in non-plastered brick surfaces. There was no statistical difference between the effect of deltamethrin and cypermethrin in all surfaces tested, and the duration of the residual effect was satisfactory up to three months after spraying. CONCLUSIONS: Deltamethrin and Etofenprox presented grater performance when compared to the others. For these insecticides and formulations, a three- month interval between successive applications can be considered safe. In communities with predominance of houses with plastered brick surfaces, the smaller effectiveness of formulations should be considered, together with the importance of residual spraying as a vector control method in the area.

To evaluate the residual effect of pyrethroids on the mortality rates of Anopheles in order to check their efficacy in indoor residual spraying in the Amazon Region, Brazil.The study was conducted in public housing units in the city of Belem, Northern Brazil, in 2003. Twelve houses were randomly chosen, three in each of the four established areas. Pyrethroids cypermethrin wettable powder, deltamethrin suspension concentrate, lambda-cyhalothrin wettable powder, and etofenprox wettable powder, were sprayed on the indoor wall surface of local houses. Their effects on the mortality of Anopheles were assessed from July to November. Wall bioassay was performed using plastic cones attached to insecticide and wild mosquitoes from the town of Peixe Boi.Mortality rate varied according to the type of wall that received the insecticide. Those insecticides applied to wood and non-plastered brick surfaces were more stable and lasted longer. Lambda-cyhalothrin presented shorter effect than the other insecticides, and etofenprox had residual effects up to four months and was more effective in non-plastered brick surfaces. There was no statistical difference between the effect of deltamethrin and cypermethrin in all surfaces tested, and the duration of the residual effect was satisfactory up to three months after spraying.Deltamethrin and etofenprox presented greater performance when compared to the others. For these insecticides and formulations, a three-month interval between successive applications can be considered safe. In communities with predominance of houses with plastered brick surfaces, the smaller effectiveness of formulations should be considered, together with the importance of residual spraying as a vector control method in the area.

Collections of Anopheles albitarsis Arribalzaga s.l. were conducted from May 1996 to June 2000 to estimate the human biting rate, and mark-release-recapture experiments were carried out to estimate the daily survival probability. The density of An. albitarsis females showed a marked seasonal variation, with peaks as high as 629 individuals per human per night in the wet season. The low daily survival probability of 0.61 is an important factor limiting the vectorial capacity of An. albitarsis s.l. in southeastern Brazil.

Updating regarding the distribution of Aedes albopictus in Brazil is presented for the period from 1997 to 2002. Data from the yellow fever and dengue information system of the National Health Foundation is utilized. It can be seen that this species is present in 20 of the 27 Brazilian states.

Mark-release-recapture experiments were conducted to determine the duration of the gonotrophic cycle of Anopheles albitarsis s.l. in Ribeira Valley, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Separate experiments with females collected from the field were followed under laboratory conditions. A mean of 2.4 d was characteristic for the gonotrophic cycle for wild-caught females, whereas 4.4 d was characteristic for females in the laboratory conditions.