Quality Control of Trichogramma atopovirilia and Trichogramma pretiosum (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae) adults reared under laboratory conditions

The objective of this work was to assess the flight capacity, parasitism and emergence of Trichogramma atopoviriliaand two strains of T. pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) (L1 and L2). The flight capacity of these species was assessed in test units consisting of a plastic PVC cylinder with a rigid transparent plastic circle on the upper part and an extruded polystyrene disk closing its bottom. A tube was placed in each test unit containing a card with 300 Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs parasitised by Trichogramma. These cards were assessed to determine the parasitism rate and adult emergence of these natural enemies. T. atopovirilia and T. pretiosum L1 presented adequate flight capacity and parasitism, in addition to high percentages of adults emerged

Hyaluronidase from the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista (Hymenoptera, Vespidae): Cloning, structural modeling, purification, and immunological analysis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)In this study, we describe the cDNA cloning, sequencing, and 3-D structure of the allergen hyaluronidase from Polybia paulista venom (Pp-Hyal). Using a proteomic approach, the native form of Pp-Hyal was purified to homogeneity and used to produce a Pp-specific polyclonal antibody. The results revealed that Pp-Hyal can be classified as a glycosyl hydrolase and that the full-length Pp-Hyal cDNA (1315 bp; GI: 302201582) is similar (80-90%) to hyaluronidase from the venoms of endemic Northern wasp species. The isolated mature protein is comprised of 338 amino acids, with a theoretical pI of 8.77 and a molecular mass of 39,648.8 Da versus a pI of 8.13 and 43,277.0 Da indicated by MS. The Pp-Hyal 3D-structural model revealed a central core (alpha/beta)(7) barrel, two sulfide bonds (Cys 19-308 and Cys 185-197), and three putative glycosylation sites (Asn79, Asn187, and Asn325), two of which are also found in the rVes v 2 protein. Based on the model, residues Ser299, Asp107, and Glu109 interact with the substrate and potential epitopes (five conformational and seven linear) located at surface-exposed regions of the structure. Purified native Pp-Hyal showed high similarity (97%) with hyaluronidase from Polistes annularis venom (Q9U6V9). Immunoblotting analysis confirmed the specificity of the Pp-Hyal-specific antibody as it recognized the Pp-Hyal protein in both the purified fraction and P. paulista crude venom. No reaction was observed with the venoms of Apis mellifera, Solenopsis invicta, Agelaia pallipes pallipes, and Polistes lanio lanio, with the exception of immune cross-reactivity with venoms of the genus Polybia (sericea and ignobilis). Our results demonstrate cross-reactivity only between wasp venoms from the genus Polybia. The absence of cross-reactivity between the venoms of wasps and bees observed here is important because it allows identification of the insect responsible for sensitization, or at least of the phylogenetically closest insect, in order to facilitate effective immunotherapy in allergic patients. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.647080Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)FAPESP [2009/51539-1

Social and health factors associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes in children and adolescents with drug-sensitive tuberculosis in Brazil: a national retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Although tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant global health threat to children and adolescents, there is limited information on the factors associated with TB treatment outcomes in this group. This study investigated the social and health factors associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes in children and adolescents with TB in Brazil, a high TB burden country. METHODS: We conducted a population-based national retrospective cohort study of children (0-9 years) and adolescents (10-17 years) with TB in Brazil notified to the national Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan) from Jan 1, 2001, to Dec 31, 2022. Unfavourable treatment outcomes were defined as loss to follow-up, treatment failure, and death. Logistic regression and multinomial models examined the association between social and health factors, unfavourable treatment outcomes overall, and loss to follow-up and death, respectively. FINDINGS: A total of 88,270 children and adolescents with TB were included of whom 25,600 (30.6%) had healthcare worker-supervised directly observed therapy (DOT). Of these, 9303 (10.5%) individuals experienced unfavourable TB treatment outcomes. For children, HIV infection (adjusted Odds Ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.9-3.1) and did not receive DOT (2.3, 1.9-2.7) were associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes. For adolescents, alcohol use (1.6, 1.2-2.0), illicit drug use (4.2, 3.4-5.1), tobacco use (1.6, 1.3-2.1), HIV infection (2.7, 2.2-3.4), and not receiving DOT (2.6, 2.3-2.9) were associated with unfavourable TB treatment outcome. Receiving social protection through government cash transfers protected against death (0.5, 0.3-0.9). INTERPRETATION: In Brazil, TB treatment success rates were comparable to WHO End TB Strategy targets (90%). Substance use, HIV infection, and the absence of supervised treatment were the main factors associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes. Strategies to improve equity of TB treatment outcomes in this vulnerable group, including integrated HIV-TB services, DOT in healthcare facilities or communities, and holistic, person-centred healthcare and social protection, should be evaluated. FUNDING: Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Wellcome, UK