Presencia en el peridomicilio de vectores infectados con Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis en dos focos endémicos en el occidente de Boyacá, piedemonte del valle del Magdalena medio, Colombia

Introduction. Case records of leishmaniasis of the years 1997 to 2003 of the department of Boyaca showed that since the year 2000 the department experienced an unusual rise in theincidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis that might correspond to an epidemic outbreak in thewestern region of the department. Age and gender distribution of cases supported a domestic transmission.Objective. This research was designed to identify the vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in themunicipalities of Otanche and Pauna through their presence in dwellings and their naturalinfection with the same species of Leishmania isolated from patients.Material and methods. Sampling of sand flies was done with CDC traps in and around dwellings.Samples from patients and pooled females of the most abundant species of Lutzomyia wereused to identify the parasite by PCR. Monoclonal antibody typing was also used to confirm theidentification of the parasite in samples from patients.Results. In both municipalities L. trapidoi was the most abundant anthropophilic species ofLutzomyia indoors and around dwellings. L. hartmanni and L. yuilli were also abundant in Otanche, and L. gomezi and L. panamensis in Pauna. Leishmania (V) panamensis was identifiedboth in patients and in the sand flies: L.yuilli, L. gomezi and L. panamensis.Conclusion. Our findings prove the presence of infected vectors of Leishmania panamensiswithin dwellings in the towns of Otanche and Pauna in Western Boyacá. Since L. trapidoi wasthe most abundant species, it may be considered as the principal vector of Leishmania (V.)panamensis. The evidence of transmission within human dwellings warrants vector control atleast in this environment.Introducción. En el departamento de Boyacá, los casos de leishmaniasis registrados de 1997a 2003 muestran un aumento en la incidencia a partir del año 2000 que puede correspondera una epidemia en el occidente del departamento. Además, la distribución de casos por sexoy edad sugiere transmisión domiciliar.Objetivo. Definir los vectores de leishmaniasis cutánea en los municipios de Otanche y Pauna,por su asociación con el domicilio y por su infección natural con la misma especie de Leishmaniaaislada de pacientes.Materiales y métodos. Se recolectaron ejemplares de Lutzomyia con trampas CDC en el intray peridomicilio. La identificación del parásito se hizo, mediante PCR, a partir de muestras depacientes y en grupos de hembras de las especies de Lutzomyia más abundantes. Además seconfirmó la especie de parásito en muestras de pacientes por anticuerpos monoclonales.Resultados. En los dos municipios, L. trapidoi fue la especie antropofílica mas abundante eny alrededor de las viviendas. L. hartmanni y L. yuilli fueron también abundantes en Otanche; y,L. gomezi y L. panamensis en Pauna. Leishmania (V.) panamensis se identificó tanto enpacientes como en los flebótomos: L. yuilli, L. gomezi y L. panamensis.Conclusión. Nuestros resultados confirman la presencia de vectores de Leishmania panamensisinfectados naturalmente, en las viviendas de los municipios de Otanche y Pauna del Occidentede Boyacá. L. trapidoi por ser la especie más abundante puede ser considerada como elvector principal. La evidencia de transmisión doméstica permite planear la aplicación demedidas de control vectorial a este nivel

Eficacia en campo de un repelente a base de para-mentano-3,8-diol y aceite de limonaria contra Culicoides pachymerus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) en Colombia

Introduction. Culicoides pachymerus is a major pest species for the inhabitants of the western Boyacáprovince of Colombia.Objective. The effect of a repellent lotion based on p-menthane-3,8-diol (16%) and lemongrass oil(2%) was evaluated against the bites of C. pachymerus.Materials and methods. The repellent lotion was compared simultaneously with a control (notreatment) by human landing catches of C. pachymerus on the forearms of paired volunteers situatednear human dwellings. Protection percentage and protection time for 3 to 6 h after repellent applicationwas calculated. The test was repeated ten times.Results. Only two females of C. pachymerus were collected on arms with the repellent treatment. Incontrast, the mean biting rate in the untreated control was 47.7 midges/person/10 min. Mean protectionpercentage of the repellent was 100% up to 4 h and 99.5% up to 5 h. Protection time was 332.2 and338.2 min in the two replicates where bites of C. pachymerus were confirmed. In the remaining eightreplicates protection time exceeded the test duration.Conclusion. The repellent showed high efficacy against C. pachymerus, up to 5 h post-application.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7705/biomedica.v32i3.738Introducción. Culicoides pachymerus, por sus picaduras, ocasiona una grave molestia sanitaria en lapoblación del occidente del departamento de Boyacá (Colombia).Objetivo. Evaluar de forma preliminar en campo el efecto de una loción repelente con ingredientesactivos de origen natural (p-mentano-3,8-diol 16 % y aceite de limonaria 2 %) contra las picaduras deC. pachymerus.Materiales y métodos. En parejas de voluntarios ubicadas en el peridomicilio, se comparósimultáneamente la loción repelente con un control (sin aplicación de repelente) mediante la tasa depicadura de C. pachymerus en el antebrazo, el porcentaje de protección y el tiempo de proteccióndurante un periodo entre tres y seis horas después de la aplicación. La prueba se repitió 10 veces.Resultados. Solo dos hembras de C. pachymerus se recolectaron en el tratamiento con la lociónrepelente, mientras que, en el control, la tasa promedio de picadura fue de 47,7 hembras por personaen 10 minutos. El porcentaje de protección promedio del repelente fue de 100 % hasta cuatro horasdespués de la aplicación y se mantuvo alto (99,5 %) hasta cinco horas después. Solo en dos pruebasse registró picadura confirmada de C. pachymerus, con un tiempo de protección de 332,2 y 338,2minutos. En las ocho pruebas restantes el tiempo de protección superó la duración de la prueba.Conclusión. El repelente evaluado demostró una gran eficacia en la prevención de las picaduras deC. pachymerus, hasta cinco horas después de su aplicación. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7705/biomedica.v32i3.738

Field efficacy of repellent formulation containing para-menthane-3, 8-diol and lemongrass against Culicoides pachymerus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Colombia

Introduction. Culicoides pachymerus is a major pest species for the inhabitants of the western Boyacá province of Colombia. Objective. The effect of a repellent lotion based on p-menthane-3, 8-diol (16%) and lemongrass oil (2%) was evaluated against the bites of C. pachymerus. Materials and methods. The repellent lotion was compared simultaneously with a control (no treatment) by human landing catches of C. pachymerus on the forearms of paired volunteers situated near human dwellings. Protection percentage and protection time for 3 to 6 h after repellent application was calculated. The test was repeated ten times. Results. Only two females of C. pachymerus were collected on arms with the repellent treatment. In contrast, the mean biting rate in the untreated control was 47.7 midges/person/10 min. Mean protection percentage of the repellent was 100% up to 4 h and 99.5% up to 5 h. Protection time was 332.2 and 338.2 min in the two replicates where bites of C. pachymerus were confirmed. In the remaining eight replicates protection time exceeded the test duration. Conclusion. The repellent showed high efficacy against C. pachymerus, up to 5 h post-application

El tratamiento etiológico de la Enfermedad de Chagas

Prevención y Control de la Enfermedad de Chagas (PNPCECh) es el tratamiento etiológico de los niños y adolescentes, hasta los 20 años de edad, infectados, en fase latente o crónica incipiente, con el objetivo de curar la infección y así impedir el desarrollo a largo plazo de cardiopatía chagásica crónica. A partir del 2002 el Ministerio de la Protección Social entregó al laboratorio de parasitología del INS una cantidad limitada del medicamento, para su distribución gratuita a los servicios de salud que lo requieran previo cumplimiento de los criterios de asignación y seguimiento estipulados por el INS y el MinPS.</jats:p

Preliminary evaluation of the Culicoides biting nuisance (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in the province of Boyacá, Colombia

Introduction: Inhabitants in the western border of Boyacá province have reported high nuisance levels and dermatologic problems caused by the intensely irritating bites of the very small flies of the genus Culicoides. Objective. A survey was carried out to locate the affected area, identify the anthropophylic Culicoides species and estimate its abundance in Boyacá. Materials and methods: Nuisance reports and clinical records of dermatologic cases associated with Culicoides bites were requested from health authorities in counties where nuisance reports had been received or which had geographical features apparently favorable for Culicoides infestations. An outdoors entomological survey using human landing catches was undertaken in areas reporting a pest problem. Results: Culicoides infestations were confirmed as a serious nuisance problem in the rural areas of nine counties located in the western foothills of the Eastern Range of the Colombian Andes. Although available epidemiological records were fragmented, it was established that in six counties 11.4% of the dermatitis cases (total=2,472 cases) reported between 2003 and 2005 were attributed to the Culicoides bites. The entomological survey identified Culicoides pachymerus as the dominant species, 99.3% of 3,389 caught females. Biting rates in the most intensely affected areas reach a geometric mean of 52 females/person per 5 minutes. Multivariate analysis indicated that abundance of C. pachymerus had a negative relationship with altitude. Conclusions: Based on its dominance and high biting rates, C. pachymerus is probably the species responsible for the high nuisance levels caused by Culicoides bites and the associated dermatological pathology, within the study area

Breeding sites of Culicoides pachymerus Lutz in the Magdalena River basin, Colombia

The breeding sites of Culicoides pachymerus are described for the first time in western Boyacá Province, Colombia, where this species is a public health problem. In addition to being a nuisance due to its enormous density and its high biting rates, C. pachymerus cause dermatological problems in the human population. Analysis of microhabitats by the sugar flotation technique and the use of emergence traps allowed us to recover 155 larvae of Culicoides spp and 65 adults of C. pachymerus from peridomiciliary muddy substrates formed by springs of water and constant rainwater accumulation. These important findings could aid in the design of integrated control measures against this pest

Breeding sites of Culicoides pachymerus Lutz in the Magdalena River basin, Colombia

The breeding sites of Culicoides pachymerus are described for the first time in western Boyacá Province, Colombia, where this species is a public health problem. In addition to being a nuisance due to its enormous density and its high biting rates, C. pachymerus cause dermatological problems in the human population. Analysis of microhabitats by the sugar flotation technique and the use of emergence traps allowed us to recover 155 larvae of Culicoides spp and 65 adults of C. pachymerus from peridomiciliary muddy substrates formed by springs of water and constant rainwater accumulation. These important findings could aid in the design of integrated control meas-ures against this pest

Breeding sites of Culicoides pachymerus Lutz in the Magdalena River basin, Colombia

The breeding sites of Culicoides pachymerus are described for the first time in western Boyacá Province, Colombia, where this species is a public health problem. In addition to being a nuisance due to its enormous density and its high biting rates, C. pachymerus cause dermatological problems in the human population. Analysis of microhabitats by the sugar flotation technique and the use of emergence traps allowed us to recover 155 larvae of Culicoides spp and 65 adults of C. pachymerus from peridomiciliary muddy substrates formed by springs of water and constant rainwater accumulation. These important findings could aid in the design of integrated control measures against this pest