Brazilian State Of Amazonas Research Articles

Ticks infesting terrestrial small mammals in a rural settlement in the Amazonas state, Brazil.

There is limited knowledge about tick diversity in the Amazon region. Here, we survey small terrestrial mammals for tick infestation at the Rio Pardo settlement, Amazonas State, Brazil. Sampling included rainy and dry seasons and four ecotones (primary forest, forest in regeneration, field crops and households). Each animal was inspected for ticks, which, if present, were placed in 70% alcohol and identified. Parasitological indexes were calculated and the presence/absence of ticks on hosts was tested for possible associations with independent variables (ecotone, host sex, host order, host family, host age and season). A total of 208 small mammals were captured, 47 individuals (10 species) in the primary forest, 124 (15 species) in the forest in regeneration, 11 (7 species) in the field crops, and 26 (4 species) in the households. A total of 14 small mammals were infested by ticks (overall prevalence: 6.7%; 95% CI: 3.72 - 11.04%), which consisted of 51 specimens that were identified into four species, as follows: Amblyomma humerale (32 nymphs); Ixodes luciae (6 females); Amblyomma coelebs (1 nymph); and Ornithodoros mimon (1 larva). In addition, 11 larvae were retained as Amblyomma spp. Only host order showed association (P = 0.002) with tick infestation, with marsupials 5.5 times more infested than rodents. Our record of O. mimon on D. marsupialis is the first on this host species, and the first record of a Argasidae tick in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that actively screened free-living terrestrial small mammals and provided data on prevalence, mean intensity and mean abundance of tick infestations in the Brazilian Amazonas state.

Zoonotic Sporotrichosis outbreak: Emerging public health threat in the Amazon State, Brazil.

Sporotrichosis is the most common subcutaneous mycosis caused by Sporothrix spp. Traditionally, it is transmitted through injuries involving plant debris. However, over the past few decades, there has been an epidemic increase in human cases resulting from contact with infected animals, particularly cats, in various regions of Brazil. In this report, we report a notable increase in both human and animal cases within the Brazilian Amazon state. An ecological study was conducted by analyzing official records of human and animal sporotrichosis diagnosed in the state of Amazon from 2020 to 2023. Data including patient demographics, clinical manifestations, mycological examination results, and species identification through PCR confirmation were evaluated. During this period, a total of 950 human cases and 2,823 animal cases of sporotrichosis were reported at an exponential rate, since no human cases were registered in 2020. The spatial and temporal dispersion of human sporotrichosis followed that of animal cases, moving from downtown areas to the periphery. Contact with infected animals was reported in 77.7% of cases, with cats being the most commonly implicated (73.5%). Only 66.7% of individuals underwent mycological examination. Among the positive cultures for Sporothrix spp., 65.4% were identified as S. brasiliensis. All patients were treated with systemic antifungals. This study highlights a rising incidence of sporotrichosis among animals and humans in the Brazilian Amazon region over the past four years, with S. brasiliensis being the predominant agent. Collaborative efforts involving healthcare professionals, veterinarians, and public health authorities are crucial to implement effective control measures, educate populations at risk, and promote responsible guidance for pet guardians. These measures are essential to mitigate the burden of epidemic sporotrichosis in Brazil.

Spatio-temporal analysis of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis incidences in the Brazilian state of Amazonas: 2011 to 2022

This study aimed to conduct a spatio-temporal analysis of tegumentary leishmaniasis occurrences in the Amazonas state, Brazil. An ecological study encompassing time series and spatial analysis was performed, exploring the geographic distribution and temporal trends of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) in Amazonas between 2011 and 2022. Secondary data extracted from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) were utilized for this analysis. The study evaluated the relationship between disease cases and environmental/climatic variables (deforestation, temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity). Over the study period, 19,730 cases of tegumentary leishmaniasis were recorded, averaging an incidence of 41.4/100,000 inhabitants across the 62 municipalities of Amazonas state. Disease intensity varied with seasons. Generally, Amazonas state displayed a declining trend in ATL cases. However, certain municipalities, notably Rio Preto da Eva and Presidente Figueiredo, exhibited high incidence rates, while Canutama, Envira, Eirunepé, and Pauini municipalities demand closer attention due to their demonstrated increasing temporal trend of ATL cases. The analysis indicated a correlation between the number of ATL cases reported and relative humidity as well as precipitation. These findings underscore the significance of tegumentary leishmaniasis as a public health issue in the region and emphasize the necessity for public initiatives aimed at preventing this endemic illness.

Seasonality and fish types involved in cases compatible with Haff disease in a brazilian amazon state

The study investigates Haff Disease (HD), a rare condition globally disseminated, especially in the Brazilian Amazon region. Associated with fish and crustacean consumption, it causes rhabdomyolysis, with symptoms that can arise up to 24 hours after ingestion. This study, conducted in Pará between 2021 and 2023, employs a quantitative methodological approach to analyze reported cases and fish types involved in HD. From the data obtained, 139 cases were reported, of which 115-exhibited characteristics compatible with the disease, predominantly in urban men. A significant increase occurred during the Amazonian summer, associated with the Piaractus mesopotamicus fish (pacu). The need to understand the seasonality and variety of fish related to the pathology for effective prevention and control strategies is emphasized. Urgent awareness campaigns and strengthened sanitary surveillance are required, especially in the Amazon region, due to high fish consumption, to mitigate disease risks.

Space-temporal variation and correlation between dengue and COVID-19 in a brazilian amazon state

COVID-19 is considered a serious global public health problem. Over the years, Acre has faced epidemics caused by arboviruses, including dengue. This study evaluates the spatiotemporal correlation between dengue and COVID-19 incidence in Acre, taking into account socioeconomic indicators. It was an ecological, quantitative, and retrospective study. The local Moran index was used for spatial autocorrelation and simple linear regression for the analysis of socioeconomic indicators. The results showed varied spatial autocorrelation for dengue and COVID-19 in different years. The regression in 2021 revealed that 82.9% of COVID-19 notifications were related to dengue. Population density and population size were identified as the main factors for the increase in cases. This analysis suggests that both diseases are affected by the same indicators.

A new species of Pinndorama Domahovski (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Hyalojassini) from the Amazon Rain Forest, Brazil

Pinndorama dilatata sp. nov. is described based on specimens from Amazonas State, Brazil. The genus is firstly recorded from the Brazilian states of Amazonas, Goiás, Maranhão, and São Paulo and a distribution map is provided, including new records to P. dianae, P. guartela, P. melanocephala, P. ronurensis, and P. pitanga. The key to males is updated to include the new species and minor improvements.

Challenges for the implementation of the jurisdictional REDD+ in the Brazilian state of Amazonas

The forestry sectors of developing countries can contribute to the fight against climate change through financial negotiations, which include the REDD+ mechanism. The jurisdictional REDD+ (J-REDD+) approach has emerged as an option for large countries, such as Brazil, which have profound regional idiosyncrasies that can influence the dynamics of the implementation of a REDD+ system. The study analyzes the implementation of a J-REDD+ system in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, between 2005 and 2022, based on the analysis of official documents and academic studies. The data were used to compile a SWOT matrix, which was employed to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats involved in implementing the J-REDD+ in the state. This analysis revealed that the principal forces include public policy, the combat of deforestation, governance, monitoring, and the targets for reducing deforestation rates. The primary weaknesses include the lack of a state REDD+ plan, recent increases in deforestation rates, strategic challenges, the limited representation of traditional and indigenous peoples on advisory councils, and the lack of adequate transparency mechanisms. External opportunities lie in the potential for increasing the funding for projects, although the external threats include a lack of continuous funding, changes in the composition of working bodies, and the discontinuous nature of local government programs. These findings indicate that implementation of J-REDD+ at both state levels will be crucial to ensure that this approach provides an effective mechanism for the mitigation of climate change, as well as achieving present and future goals for conservation and sustainable development.

Uso de análises geoespacial em Parintins/AM (Brasil) na avaliação da Política Nacional de Desenvolvimento Urbano (PNDU)

Abstract This manuscript focuses on understanding the urban development driven by the folkloric Festival of Boi Bumbá, held annually in the island city of Parintins in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. As an island, the city experiences an atypical situation, uncommon among many other cities in the country. The general objective of this article is to evaluate the urban development of the city of Parintins through variables assigned by the National Plan for Urban Development (PNDU) of 2021, from the perspective of the urban population. The results show that the population residing in the peripheral areas of the city is in general excluded from and does not benefit from the annual festival. The authors suggest the application of the following public policies in the city of Parintins: projects to increase accessibility, improvement of the quality of public spaces such as parks, squares and gardens, improvement of the state of conservation of the roads and buildings, mainly of historical-cultural value and improvements in the quality and diversification of the hotel and restaurant chains present in the city.

Catasetum queirozii (Orchidaceae: Catasetinae): uma nova espécie da Amazônia brasileira

ABSTRACT This study presents a new orchid species of the genus Catasetum belonging to the group of species with symmetrical and parallel antennae. It was found in terra-firme and floodplain forests in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Pará. We provide a formal description of the new species, images, and notes on distribution, habitat, phenology, flower visitors and preliminary conservation status. We compare it with C. cristatum and C. barbatum, both sympatric and morphologically most similar to the new species. It was preliminarily classified in the Endangered (EN) category according to IUCN criteria based on the extent of occurrence, area of occupation, number of occurrence locations and the risks that the known populations are exposed to (deforestation and predatory collection).

Entangled collectives: riverine people, landscapes, and emerged infrastructures on a climate change background

ABSTRACT This article seeks to discuss the associations elaborated by riverine interlocutors between infrastructures and the landscape in which they occur, within the context of climate change in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. Here, we debate the relational character of infrastructures, and how they act as important markers of river seasonality, landscape, people’s existence, and practices from the perspective of the accessed riverine people. This paper’s discussion is supported by qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and field notes from two riverine communities in the Amazonas state: Tumbira and Lago do Catalão. Inspired by authors who dialogue with Social Studies of Science and Technology and discuss infrastructures, their effects, their relational and ontological character, we seek to identify entanglements of landscape and infrastructure, and their implications in the practices and ways of living of riverine Amazonian people. Elements such as gas pipelines, power transmission lines, hydroelectric plants, cargo ships, and highways emerge, affect, and are affected in these entangled landscapes in the eyes of the riverine people. They merge with other entanglements such as the rivers and creeks that perform the riverine landscape and life. Thus, they induce reflections on such relationships and the affectations permeated by fears, wishes, and (dis)trust of their operation.

Thinking with <i>Bem Viver</i> across rural and urban Amazonia: Indigenous and Black spaces of resistance

In Brazil, Bem Viver recently arrived as a compelling counter-narrative to development's vision of land and labor as resources to be exploited. Bem Viver challenges the reductionism of land-as-resource, reinforces community autonomy, and entails reciprocity in relations with the nonhuman world. The purpose of this article is to extend conversations surrounding Bem Viver to the Brazilian Amazon state of Pará, primarily through asking whether the relational ethics of Bem Viver are active within current resistance movements focused on opposing neoliberal capitalism and racially-motivated dispossession. These resistance movements struggle for the maintenance of traditional relations while safeguarding socioecologies through territory. The cases we discuss draw upon our ethnographic work conducted within an Indigenous community in the Tapajós Basin and the Afro-Brazilian market Porto da Palha in urban Belém. We also consider whether Bem Viver opens the possibility of a post-political ecology framing of contestation over natural resources and place. Bem Viver is fundamentally relational and creates territorialities conflicting with market logics centered on financialization, individual accumulation, and private property. On the ground, Bem Viver as praxis shapes everyday practices sustaining place-based lifeways and determining material realities for the Indigenous and Black communities of the Tapajós and Belém regions of Pará.

The potential impact of PM2.5 on the covid-19 crisis in the Brazilian Amazon region.

This study aims to assess covid-19 morbidity, mortality, and severity from 2020 to 2021 in five Brazilian Amazon states with the highest records of wildfires. A distributed lag non-linear model was applied to estimate the potential exposure risk association with particulate matter smaller than 2.5-µm in diameter (PM2.5). Daily mean temperature, relative humidity, percentual of community mobility, number of hospital beds, days of the week, and holidays were considered in the final models for controlling the confounding factors. The states of Para, Mato Grosso, and Amazonas have reported the highest values of overall cases, deaths, and severe cases of covid-19. The worrying growth in the percentual rates in 2020/2021 for the incidence, severity, and mortality were highlighted in Rondônia and Mato Grosso. The growth in 2020/2021 in the estimations of PM2.5 concentrations was higher in Mato Grosso, with an increase of 24.4%, followed by Rondônia (14.9%). This study establishes an association between wildfire-generated PM2.5 and increasing covid-19 incidence, mortality, and severity within the studied area. The findings showed that the risk of covid-19 morbidity and mortality is nearly two times higher among individuals exposed to high concentrations of PM2.5. The attributable fraction to PM2.5 in the studied area represents an important role in the risk associated with covid-19 in the Brazilian Amazon region.

New records and range extension of a Brazilian Amazon white-sand endemic species: Roraimaea aurantiaca Struwe, S.Nilsson & V.A.Albert (Gentianaceae)

Roraimaea aurantiaca Struwe, S.Nilsson & V.A.Albert, a white-sand endemic species, was previously known from only two specimens collected in Roraima state, Brazil. Our new field collections and re-identified herbarium specimens expand this species’ distribution and include the first records from the Brazilian state of Amazonas. Based on this effort, we present a distribution map, preliminary conservation status of Endangered, the first photographs of living plants, and an updated morphological description. This study aggregates new information on the flora of the northern Amazon Basin, in addition to discussing conservation of R. aurantiaca. 

Catasetum × grasineideae (Orchidaceae: Catasetinae), a new nothospecies from Brazilian Amazon and taxonomic notes for the genus

Hybridization is a process that can occur randomly in nature between different genetically compatible species, as is observed within the genus Catasetum. Thus, this work proposes the description of a new nothospecies found in the lake of Castanho located in the municipality of Careiro Castanho. It is described, illustrated and compared with its parental species: C. gnomus and C. saccatum. In addition, information regarding the distribution, habitat and phenology as well as a key to the natural hybrids occurring in the Brazilian state of Amazonas are presented. Taxonomic notes are presented for five taxa of the genus currently treated as species that, after performing controlled pollination and germination in vitro, have proven to be in reality natural hybrids. Finally, we propose to place C. sanguineum into the synonymy of C. naso.

First report of Rhodnius amazonicus Almeida, Santos & Sposina, 1973 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) invading a dwelling in the state of Amapá, Brazil

Rhodnius amazonicus has been previously reported in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Pará, as well as in French Guiana. However, this is the first recorded presence of this species in Amapá, which is situated in the northern region of Brazil. The specimen was collected from a house in the rural area of the municipality of Porto Grande. Other triatomines, such as Panstrongylus geniculatus, Rhodnius pictipes, and Eratyrus mucronatus, were also found in the same locality in different houses. These species are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease. Therefore, this report may contribute to understanding transmission in the state of Amapá, where new infections and outbreaks of Chagas disease have been recorded.

Comparative epidemic expansion of SARS-CoV-2 variants Delta and Omicron in the Brazilian State of Amazonas

The SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) Delta and Omicron spread globally during mid and late 2021, respectively. In this study, we compare the dissemination dynamics of these VOCs in the Amazonas state, one of Brazil’s most heavily affected regions. We sequenced the virus genome from 4128 patients collected in Amazonas between July 1st, 2021, and January 31st, 2022, and investigated the viral dynamics using a phylodynamic approach. The VOCs Delta and Omicron BA.1 displayed similar patterns of phylogeographic spread but different epidemic dynamics. The replacement of Gamma by Delta was gradual and occurred without an upsurge of COVID-19 cases, while the rise of Omicron BA.1 was extremely fast and fueled a sharp increase in cases. Thus, the dissemination dynamics and population-level impact of new SARS-CoV-2 variants introduced in the Amazonian population after mid-2021, a setting with high levels of acquired immunity, greatly vary according to their viral phenotype.

Predictive factors of infection in patients with chronic kidney disease using hemodialysis catheters.

Infection is the most frequent complication of central venous catheters used for hemodialysis. The purpose of this study was to the determine the central venous catheter-related infection rate at a dialysis center in the Brazilian state of Amazonas and to identify risk factors and the microbiological profile of the infections. This was an observational study with prospective data collection over a 12-month period by chart analysis and face-to-face interviews with patients undergoing hemodialysis using central venous catheters at a dialysis center. 96 central venous catheters were analyzed in 48 patients. 78 of these were non-tunneled central venous catheters (81.3%) and 18 were tunneled central venous catheters (18.7%), 53.1% of the catheters were exchanged because of infection and blood cultures were obtained from 35.2% of the patients who had catheter-related infections. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from five of the nine blood cultures in which there was bacterial growth and Gram-positive bacteria were isolated from the other four. The most commonly isolated bacteria was Staphylococcus hominis, found in 22.2% of positive blood cultures. The overall hemodialysis venous catheter infection rate was 10.1 episodes/1000 catheter days, 15.1 episodes/1000 catheters days in non-tunneled catheters and 3.3 episodes/1000 catheters days in tunneled catheters. The infection predisposing factors identified were use of non-tunneled catheters and having 2 hemodialysis sessions per week. Regarding the microbiological profile, over half of the bacteria isolated were Gram-negative.

Exploring educators’ perception of issues involving Planetary Health: A qualitative study in the Brazilian Amazon

Background: Planetary Health is a transdisciplinary area that needs to be part of the curriculum of students at all levels of education, starting from basic education with early childhood education. The present work aims to discuss the perceptions of basic education teachers from a riverside school on Planetary Health issues, in addition to knowing the environmental context of communities and/or riverside schools in the Brazilian State of Amazonas. Methods: The data collection was done through semi-structured interviews with rural education teachers from the south of the state of Amazonas. For the data analysis, we opted for the content analysis (Bardin, 2009) with the support of the N-Vivo software - version 1.5. Results: The results indicated the main environmental problems related to anthropogenic actions in the community and school, in which the following questions stood out: garbage disposal in the river, mineral extraction, lack of basic sanitation, and the predominance of ultra-processed foods in school meals. On the other hand, teachers pointed out the great potential of rural schools to promote the consciousness of children and adolescents on Planetary Health themes. Conclusion: Primary school teachers in rural Amazonia are in contact with a rich source for the creation of teaching materials on PH for students, in view of the importance of the inclusion of PH themes in the formative trajectory of children and adolescents in the basic education curriculum. These experiences provide knowledge about the reality of riverside schools, local traditional issues, environmental sustainability, and the changes occurring in ecosystems, especially in the Amazon.

Clinico-epidemiological and sociodemographic profile of patients with hemophilia in the Brazilian Amazon: High prevalence of hepatitis C infection and its possible corrrelation with inhibitor development.

Hemophilia is a recessive genetic disease caused by a mutation on the X chromosome that has been linked to a high risk of transfusion-transmitted infections, especially sexually transmitted infections. The purpose of this retrospective study was to characterize the clinical and epidemiological profile and describe the prevalence of sexually transmitted viral infections in patients with hemophilia in the Northern Brazilian state of Amazonas. We assessed clinical, laboratory and sociodemographic data of hemophiliac patients (n = 311) for the period 2011–2019. The majority of the study population was composed of people with a low level of education aged 21–30 years old. The prevalence of HCV, HBV, and HTLV-1/2 infections among the study population were 10.52, 0.52, and 1.05%, respectively. No HIV infection was found among the patients. Between 2011 and 2015 the prevalence of HCV increased by over 100% and the incidence peaked in 2013. The severe hemophilia was associated with the presence of inhibitor factor (Odds Ratio [OD] 9.83; 95% IC: 3.41–27.62, p < 0.0001) or target joint (OD 6.59; 95% IC: 3.27–13.34, p < 0.0001). The presence of inhibitor was positive and significantly correlated with HCV infection (r = 1.00, p < 0.0001). Our results showed that HCV infection is highly prevalent in patients with hemophilia and might be involved in the development of inhibitors. Thus, these data provide new insights into the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients suffering from hemophilia in the Northern Brazilian state of Amazonas.

Neurostigma xanthopterum New, 1980 (Psocodea: Psocoptera: Epipsocidae): updated diagnosis, description of a female specimen, morphological variations and a checklist of all known species of the genus

The holotype of the Neurostigma xanthopterum New, 1980 is here illustrated based on photographs. We also describe and illustrate a previously unknown female individual that is assigned to this species. New records for five localities in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, one in the Brazilian state of Acre and another in the Brazilian state of Amapá, are presented. The mouthparts of both sexes are here describe and illustrate. Thirteen types of variation and anomalies in the fore-hindwing veins were found. We found unique patterns in the number and shape of transverse veins in the pterostigma between individuals. We also identified a large variation in the denticles present in the lacinia. Therefore, we suggest these variable characteristics (fore-hindwing veins and lacinia denticles) are not to be used for the diagnosis of species of this genus. A revised diagnosis of N. Xanthopterum is also presented.