Sancti Spiritus Research Articles

Estado taxonómico de Ichthyocephalus anafe García et Coy, 1996 e I. Guaniguanico García et Coy, 1999 (Rhigonematida: Ichthyocephalidae) y nuevos registros de I. cubensis Spiridonov, 1989 para Cuba

Se discute el estado taxonómico de Ichthyocephalus anafe García et Coy, 1996 e I. guaniguanico Coy et García, 1999 (Nematoda: Ichthyocephalidae). La revisión de material tipo de I. anafe, así como de nuevos ejemplares provenientes de la localidad y hospedero tipos de I. guaniguanico demostró que ambas especies presentan similitudes morfométricas y morfológicas con I. cubensis Spiridonov, 1989. De esta forma, I. anafe e I. guaniguanico se consideran sinónimos de I. cubensis. Se registra la especie para dos nuevas localidades de Cuba: Tres Ceibas de Clavellinas, provincia de Matanzas y Jobo Rosado, provincia de Sancti Spíritus.

Cuban Ocular Toxoplasmosis Epidemiology Study (COTES): incidence and prevalence of ocular toxoplasmosis in Central Cuba

BackgroundSerological studies indicate that rates of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) vary geographically, with higher rates in tropical regions. Little is known about population-based rates of active OT. We aimed to describe...

Enigmatic crocodyliforms from the early Miocene of Cuba

ABSTRACTEarly Miocene deposits from the Domo de Zaza locality, in the south-central Cuban province of Sancti Spiritus, preserve crocodyliform remains, including compressed serrated teeth closely resembling those of South American sebecids. Fragmentary cranial and mandibular material is more difficult to assess. Referral to any other post-Paleogene crocodyliform known from the Western Hemisphere can be ruled out, and phylogenetic analyses are unable to pinpoint its relationships. Similarities can be found with planocraniids, including ventrally oriented and mediolaterally expanded orbital surfaces, but the morphology of the quadrate is inconsistent with a planocraniid affinity. A sebecid in the Miocene of Cuba would be congruent with evidence from other vertebrates suggesting extensive dispersal between the Greater Antilles and South America during the Neogene, and it would be the first Neogene record of the group outside South America. The other crocodyliform may indicate the presence of an endemic West Indian lineage not closely related to any contemporaneous group. It is also consistent with extant Crocodylus arriving in the Neotropics within the past 5–10 million years.

First report of a complete genome sequence for a begomovirus infecting Jatropha gossypifolia in the Americas.

Jatropha gossypifolia is a weed that is commonly found with yellow mosaic symptoms growing along the roadside and in close proximity to cultivated crops in many farming communities in Jamaica. For the first time, the complete genome sequence of a new begomovirus, designated jatropha mosaic virus-[Jamaica:Spanish Town:2004] (JMV-[JM:ST:04]), was determined from field-infected J. gossypifolia in the western hemisphere. DNA-A nucleotide sequence comparisons showed closest identity (84 %) to two tobacco-infecting viruses from Cuba, tobacco mottle leaf curl virus-[Cuba:Sancti Spiritus:03] (TbMoLCV-[CU:SS:03]) and tobacco leaf curl Cuba virus-[Cuba:Taguasco:2005] (TbLCuCUV-[CU:Tag:05]), and two weed-infecting viruses from Cuba and Jamaica, Rhynchosia rugose golden mosaic virus-[Cuba:Camaguey:171:2009] (RhRGMV- [CU:Cam:171:09]) and Wissadula golden mosaic St. Thomas virus-[Jamaica:Albion:2005] (WGMSTV-[JM:Alb:05]). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that JMV-[JM:ST:04] is most closely related to tobacco and tomato viruses from Cuba and WGMSTV-[JM:Alb:05], a common malvaceous-weed-infecting virus from eastern Jamaica, and that it is distinct from begomoviruses infecting Jatropha species in India and Nigeria.

Pediatric tracheostomy: a ten-year analysis in the Intensive Care Unit of Sancti Spiritus “José Martí” Pediatric Teaching Hospital

There has been a significant change in the role of pediatric tracheostomy over the last twenty years. Obstruction of the upper airway caused by infectious agents is no longer the leading cause of tracheostomy in children. Structural anomalies of the upper airway as well as the need for prolonged ventilator assistance have become the most frequent indication for pediatric tracheostomy. The purpose of this paper is to assess the incidence, indications, complications, and role in mortality of tracheostomy in our pediatric population. A retrospective descriptive study of pediatric patients who underwent tracheostomy was conducted between 1999 and 2008 in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the José Martí de Sancti Spiritus Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Cuba. Tracheostomy was performed in 14 patients during the period of the study (0.5% of admitted patients). Nine of them (64.2%) were younger than one year. The most frequent indication for the procedure was the need for prolonged mechanical ventilation in patients with neurologic disorders in 10 patients (71.42%). Upper airway malformations and acute infections were infrequent indications for tracheostomy. The most frequent complications were infectious in 10 patients (71.4%) and obstruction in four patients (28.5%). The following germs were found: Pseudomona aeruginosa in six patients (60%), Staphylococcus aureus in three patients (30%), and Enterobacter cloacae in three patients (30%). Furthermore, four patients were successfully decannulated (28.5%), five patients died (35.7%) but only in one (7.14%), death could be attributed to tracheostomy. The need for prolonged mechanical ventilation in patients with neurologic disorders was the main indication for tracheostomy in our pediatric population; most of these children were younger than one year. The procedure had little impact in overall mortality in this group of patients.

Actividad antifúngica de propóleos obtenidos en tres provincias de Cuba sobre hongos contaminantes en cultivo de tejidos vegetales

La investigación se realizó con el objetivo de evaluar las características fisicoquímicas y la actividad antifúngica de propóleos de Apis mellifera, provenientes de las provincias de Villa Clara, Cienfuegos y Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. Se utilizó el método de recolección por raspado y se estableció el contenido de cera, ceniza, material insoluble y resina de los propóleos crudos. Además, se evaluó la actividad antimicrobiana in vitro frente a los hongos Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., Trichoderma sp., Colletotrichum sp. y Monilia sp.; los extractos presentaron alta actividad antifúngica en un amplio rango de concentraciones; además, los parámetros fisicoquímicos presentaron valores semejantes y dentro de los establecidos por regulaciones internacionales.

Cuba’s Salgen: A Provincial Informatics Network for Genetic Services to Pregnant Women and Newborns

The Sancti Spíritus Provincial Medical Genetics Network has been using the Salgen IT platform since 2009 for health care, administrative and research activities concerning pregnant mothers and newborns. The network uses the national Infomed backbone to provide real-time connection between community-based polyclinics in primary health care and the Provincial Medical Genetics Reference Center. The platform has records for 23,025 pregnant women and sequential clinical data on genetic risk assessment in early pregnancy, first trimester ultrasound, sickle cell anemia screening, alpha-fetoprotein levels, cytogenetic antenatal diagnosis, second trimester ultrasound, delivery and newborn characteristics, neonatal metabolic screening, and infant clinical assessment. The system makes health care results immediately available and provides health alerts to enable timely preventive care for pregnant women. It also provides guidelines for processes and practices, and streamlines administrative and monitoring activities through statistical reports. The database generates indicators for assessing fetal growth and applies international standards for antenatal ultrasound quality control. Salgen provides a new source of information for medical research and knowledge management, and its use in this case fulfills Cuba's criteria for an integrated health services network.

Good Practices of Interdisciplinary International Cooperation between Universities and Local Development on Social Suffering in Urban Spaces

This article describes areas in application of good practices which emerged from international and interdisciplinary research on social suffering in urban spaces and on change agentry with inter-cultural sensitivity, which is on the basis of a new concept of co-operation for local development. Three examples of possible good practices are illustrated: 1) Pilot action-research project by UNAN of Managua on community health and quality of life in Managua’s Barrio Carlos Fonseca, an urban place of social suffering; 2) the relationship between University of Sancti Spiritus and the local Cuban community; 3) the action-research on the rights of citizen that the University of Milano-Bicocca, together with the Foundation Casa della Carità (local NGO), is conducting in some districts in Milan. It is important to emphasize how universities progressively raise number of tasks making them increasingly important as agents for local development. Therefore universities should be measured not only on the basis of quality of knowledge and human capital, but also on the level of embedded social capital within a certain region. Universities should increasingly become the nexus in which people can come together, ask questions, make demands and offer experiences. These social and professional practices pass through the university arena and return to their origins enriched by exchanges of new perspectives. Ideas coming from places of action and from dynamic collectivities outside, stimulate the inside through continuous co-mingling.

Location and characterization of the Sancti Spiritus Fort from geophysical investigations

Abstract A geophysical investigation was carried out to locate and characterize the remains of the Sancti Spiritus Fort, the first European settlement in the South Cone of America (1527–1529). In an initial stage, we used three complementary methods, ground penetrating radar, multifrequency electromagnetic induction and dipole–dipole electric profiling, to increase the possibility of detecting the structures of the Fort whose physical properties were expected to be similar to those of the surrounding soil, as they were constructed with raw earth probably extracted from it. From different views of the data, a number of electromagnetic signals apparently related to these structures were identified. Test excavations confirmed these hypotheses and showed that the structures were poorly preserved. Furthermore, they were almost indistinguishable through direct inspection of the excavated sections of soil, and very difficult to track. Therefore, in a second stage of geophysical studies, we acquired high-density grids of GPR data at relevant areas, looking for more detailed information about the structures. The results of these studies allowed to determine with precision their continuity through the site and also to interpret a number of areas which had remained unclear from the first survey. Extensive archaeological excavations were designed from the geophysical maps and carried out. From them, the geophysical interpretations were fully confirmed, and the presence of structural elements of previous and later native settlements was established.

Structure, tectonics and metamorphic development of the Sancti Spiritus Dome (eastern Escambray massif, Central Cuba)

The Sancti Spiritus Dome of the eastern Escambray (Cuba) represents a metamorphic fold and thrust structure which was part of the Cretaceous subduction-accretion complex of the Greater Antillean Arc. On the basis of structural data and pressure-temperature-time evolution the metamorphic complex can be subdivided into four units interpretable as nappes: a high-grade greenschist-facies unit (Pitajones unit), a high-pressure tectonic melange (Gavilanes unit), high-pressure amphibolites (Yayabo unit) and – tectonically overlying - low-pressure metagabbros of the Greater Antillean Arc (Mabujina unit). The oldest rock fabrics are preserved in eclogite- and blueschist-facies rocks of the Gavilanes unit, indicating arc-parallel extension. Maximum metamorphic conditions are recorded in eclogites (16-20 kbar, 580-630 °C) and garnet-mica schists (16-23 kbar, 530-610 °C) of the Gavilanes unit. Field observations and fabric studies show that greenschist-facies dynamic indicators are dominated by top-to-NE tectonic transport in the lowermost nappes. The greenschist-facies shear zone between the Yayabo unit and the Mabujina unit is viewed as the main detachment zone between the subduction complex and the overlying arc complex. Active subduction ceased at about 70 Ma, followed by rapid uplift, exhumation and thrusting to the north.

La preparación para la culminación de estudios de Contabilidad y Finanzas de la SUM , Cabaiguán, Cuba

The work consists of actions targeted at the organization, development and assessment of the training process for students of the professional career: Accounting and Finance at the Municipal University of Cabaiguan (SUM), that belongs to the de Sancti Spiritus University in Cuba, for the culmination exercises. It was thus achieved to involve all factors implied (professors, form master, and guide) in the training of professionals in this field, by means of the different spaces the students are trained in since the beginning of their studies and not as a terminal process; hence the systemic, continuous and systematic features of said actions in a unique line of work.

Cuba’s National HIV/AIDS Program

As scientifi c data emerged elucidating the pathology of the disease, public health understanding and Cuban policy evolved with it. As of 1993, an ambulatory care system made sanatorium treatment an option rather than an obligation.[1] By then, thanks to the global introduction of antiretrovirals (ARV) in 1987, AIDS was no longer assumed a death sentence. Cuba’s challenge at the time was to fi nd the funds to afford costly medications, and simultaneously turn more attention to nationwide prevention. The pro-active incorporation of people living with HIV in educational campaigns organized within the National HIV/AIDS Program—most notably the founding of the AIDS Prevention Group (GPSIDA, its Spanish acronym) by patients in Havana’s Santiago de Las Vegas Sanatorium in 1991—underscored this effort. Over two decades later, UNAIDS has lauded Cuba for its “exceptionally low 0.1% prevalence rate,”[2] and low rate of AIDS-related mortality.[3] Still, despite systematic efforts to contain the spread of the disease and improve quality of life for those living with it, HIV/AIDS continues to present serious challenges to the Cuban health system and the country’s at-risk populations. HIV/AIDS in Cuba: The Current Picture Today, the pathways of HIV/AIDS in Cuba are different from other countries in some respects: transmission by intravenous drug use is extremely rare, as is infection from blood or blood derivatives, all of which are screened. Rates of mother-to-child HIV transmission are negligible. In Cuba, HIV is largely urban and male, with 99% of cases contracted through sexual relations. The epidemiological profi le of infection has shifted from early predominance of heterosexual transmission to that of men who have sex with men (MSM), who now constitute over 80% of people living with HIV in the country. Provinces with the most new cases in 2010 were Havana City, Isle of Youth (special municipality), Havana, and Cienfuegos.[4] HIV prevalence in Cuba is slowly increasing, partly because people with HIV are living longer. However, more worrisome is the fact that incidence is also increasing: from 13.9 to 16.2 per 100,000 population between 2009 and 2010. Recent national surveys relate low risk perception and social constructs such as machismo to increases in HIV infection in Cubans under age 49. Cuba provides comprehensive care to all people living with the disease, and guarantees antiretrovirals (ARVs) for those needing them. Despite deep fi nancial diffi culties, treatment in Cuba, including medication, is free. In 2003, Cuba achieved universal antiretroviral therapy with domestically-manufactured ARVs for patients meeting international clinical criteria. In 2010, over 5,600 people received ARV therapy in Cuba, more than a 10% increase from the previous year.[4] The Cuban government estimates it costs US $6000 annually to treat each person with HIV/AIDS.[5] A strategy to further decentralize services for HIV/AIDS counseling, testing, treatment and support groups was begun in 2005. Establishing and equipping additional clinical microbiology and pathology laboratories, locating specialized services in Havana City, Villa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Holguin, and Santiago de Cuba provinces, and closing 11 sanatoria deemed superfl uous are results of this strategy, designed to improve access.

Distribution, Abundance, and Status of Cuban Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis nesiotes)

We conducted the first country-wide survey between 1994 and 2002 to examine the distribution, abundance, and conservation status of Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis nesiotes) populations throughout Cuba. Ground or air surveys or both were conducted at all identified potential areas and locations previously reported in the literature. We define the current distribution as 10 separate localities in six provinces and the estimated total number of cranes at 526 individuals for the country. Two populations reported in the literature were no longer present and two localities not previously reported were discovered. The actual number of cranes at two localities was not possible to evaluate due to their rarity. Only four areas (Isle of Youth, Matanzas, Ciego de Avila, and Sancti Spiritus) each support more than 70 cranes. The remaining locations each have less than 25 individuals. Sandhill Cranes appear to be declining and have almost disappeared in Pinar del Rio and Granma provinces, and in northern Matanzas Province. Identified threats to the remaining populations include habitat modification (woody plant encroachment, agricultural expansion, and fire suppression), predation due to wild hogs (Sus scrofa), dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), mongoose (Crossarchus spp.), and poaching.

Childhood Cancer Incidence in Cuba, 2001 to 2003

Estimating childhood cancer incidence globally is hampered by lack of reliable data and uniform age limits for classifying and analyzing data reported. In Cuba, cancer data has been systematically gathered and processed by the National Cancer Registry (NCR) since 1964. The International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC) is currently recommended for registering neoplasms in the population aged < or =19 years. Cancer incidence data published by the Cuban Ministry of Public Health, however, uses ICCC diagnostic groups for the population aged <15 years, and topographic sites for the population aged > or =15 years. The objectives of this study are to describe cancer incidence in the Cuban population aged < or =19 years in 2001-2003 using the ICCC, as well as geographic distribution of incidence by sex and by principal diagnostic groups. A descriptive study of cancer incidence in the population aged < or =19 years was conducted using NCR data for 2001-2003. ICCC diagnostic groups and subgroups were used, and 5 age groups (<1, 1-4, 5-9, 10-14 and 15-19 years) were analyzed. Total incidence and percentages for each diagnostic group were calculated. Number of cases in each diagnostic group and subgroup was also recorded by age group, and age-specific rates per 100,000 population aged < or =19 years (ASR) and age-adjusted rates to the standard world population aged < or =19 years (AAR) were calculated. AARs for leukemias, lymphomas and central nervous system (CNS) tumors were used to analyze childhood cancer risk by sex and geographical distribution in the country's 14 provinces and Isle of Youth Special Municipality. In 2001-2003, the NCR reported 1285 new cancer cases in the population aged < or =19 years for an overall incidence of 13.9 per 100,000 population aged < or =19 years (AAR). Highest risk was found in children aged <1 year with an ASR of 21.9 per 100,000 population aged < or =19 years. Leukemias, lymphomas and central nervous system tumors comprised 61.1% of new cases, and geographic distribution of these diagnostic groups varied by sex. Childhood cancer risk was highest for males in Ciego de Avila, Villa Clara and the Isle of Youth Special Municipality and highest for females in Sancti Spiritus, Villa Clara and Cienfuegos. Incidence of childhood cancer in Cuba conforms to rates reported internationally and to the incidence pattern most common in Latin America. Further research is recommended to examine risk factors influencing geographical variations in incidence within Cuba.

Oral manifestations of HIV infection in adult patients from the province of Sancti Spiritus, Cuba

Studies on the prevalence of HIV-related oral lesions (HIV-OL) have shown great variations among different countries. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of HIV-OL in adults infected with HIV in the province of Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, and to determine the factors associated with the presence of HIV-OL. A cross-sectional observational study was performed between November 2006 and August 2007 at the Hospital General Universitario 'Camilo Cienfuegos', Sancti Spiritus. One hundred and fifty-four HIV-infected patients were included. Patients were examined and interviewed by a periodontal specialist. Diagnosis of HIV-OL was based on clinical criteria. Demographical, clinical and laboratory data were obtained. Independent association of each factor with HIV-OL was assessed by logistic regression modelling. The prevalence of HIV-OL was 40.9%. The commonest manifestation was oral hairy leucoplakia (n = 19; 12.3%); oral candidiasis (n = 17; 11%); herpes simplex virus infection (n = 11; 7.4%); and aphthous ulcer (n = 9; 5.8%). Principal factors associated with the presence of HIV-OL were CD4(+) lymphocytes <500 cells/mm(3) (OR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.019-4.195) and smoking (OR: 2.03 CI: 1.037-3.982). This study described the prevalence of HIV-OL in 154 HIV-infected patients which represent about 80% of those known to be infected in the province of Sancti Spiritus. The prevalence of HIV-OL was lower than those reported from developing countries. Oral hairy leucoplakia and oral candidiasis were the most prevalent HIV-OL. Smoking and CD4(+) cells count <500 cells/mm(3) were the two factors independently associated with the presence of HIV-OL.

Formación docente y trabajo metodológico en la universidad: resultados de una experiencia de desarrollo profesional centrada en la reflexión, el apoyo mutuo y la supervisión

El artículo contiene los principales resultados de una experiencia de desarrollo profesional de profesores, en el contexto de la universidad cubana. Fue seleccionada, como unidad de análisis, la Licenciatura en Estudios Socioculturales (Sancti Spíritus), durante el curso escolar 2005-2006. Se accionó sobre 180 profesores y 1.072 estudiantes, dispuestos en 9 sedes y cuatro modelos pedagógicos. Se transformó el Plan Metodológico de la carrera en programa de formación en servicio, fundamentado en un modelo que focaliza la reflexión, el apoyo mutuo y la supervisión, al mismo tiempo que pone en práctica estrategias formativas como el apoyo profesional mutuo (coaching) y la supervisión clínica. Los resultados cualitativos se cotejan con los criterios de especialistas en formación de profesores. La experiencia revela, las posibilidades del trabajo didáctico para la institucionalización de la formación docente, en situaciones de extrema complejidad de las IES, como es el caso de la nueva universidad cubana.

Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasites in Cuban children

To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections and their risk factors in children in urban and rural settings in two Cuban municipalities. A total of 1320 Cuban schoolchildren aged 4-14 were tested by stool examination for intestinal parasite infections and evaluated by parental questionnaire for a number of common environmental, sanitary, socioeconomic and behavioural risk factors. Multivariate regression was applied to examine the relationship between the respective parasite infections and the risk factors. Prevalences of intestinal parasite infections were 58% in Fomento and 45% in San Juan y Martínez; for helminth infections, these were 18% and 24% and for protozoa infections, 50% and 29%, respectively. Helminth infections were associated with high parental education (maternal: OR 0.68, CI 0.50-0.93; paternal: OR 0.71, CI 0.52-0.96), absence of toilet (OR 1.57, CI 1.12-2.19), consumption of water from a well or river (OR 0.56, CI 0.41-0.77) and eating unpeeled/unwashed fruit (OR 1.37, CI 1.01-1.87); protozoa infections were only associated with high maternal education (OR 0.72, CI 0.57-0.91). Paediatric intestinal parasite infections are still prevalent in certain areas in Cuba and associated with a number of common environmental, socioeconomic and sanitary risk factors.

La catedral de Salamanca y la publicidad. Algunos problemas

The epigraphic tradition is the way in which the epigraphic text arrives us. The scholars have distinguished among original texts, copies and false texts. Following this distinction, some examples from Salamanca, which presents great difficulties, are studied in the essay. They are written in humanistic style but they make reference to Middle Ages events. These examples are situated in the Sancti Spiritus church and in the cathedral.

Particularidades del desempeño sexual en pacientes con Cardiopatía Isquémica

Starting at the end of the sixties in the last century psychology began an interesting process in which it has compromised the study and attention of problematic health-illness issues. When we immerse ourselves in the analisis of the health problems of the Cuban population, it is imposible not to think about the cardiovascular problems and especially isquemica cardiopathy. The isquemica cardiopathies cause a great physical and emotional impact on the population. After an event of this nature, a great anxiety of fear and danger is generated because the event may repeat with terminal consequences. This fear can also be transposed to the area of sexuality so that the person looses, in manycases, the sexual life they had before the event. Considering this was the motive to complete the present work with the object to determine the sexual peculiarities of 80 patients diagnosed with the illness who were being given care in the Provincial Clinical Surgical University Hospital «Camilo Cienfuegos» of Sancti – Spiritus. Interviews and questionaires were used to diagnos the increase of sexual disfuncions in the patients, the reduction in the frequency of sexual relations and the increase in doubts and fears caused by the lack of proper counsuling. For all these reasons arises the need to propose a strategy of psychological intervention with the objective to give proper counseling to tose patients who have been diagnosed with Isquemica Cardiopathy so that they can find rehabilitation in their future sexual perfomance.

SPECIES OF MELITTOBIA (HYMENOPTERA: EULOPHIDAE) ESTABLISHED IN BAHAMAS, COSTA RICA, CUBA, HISPANIOLA, PUERTO RICO, AND TRINIDAD

Melittobia is a cosmopolitan genus with about 13 species. They are gregarious ectoparasitoids primarily on prepupae of aculeate hymenopterans, but their wide host range includes species in orders as diverse as Coleoptera and Diptera, especially under laboratory conditions (Dahms 1984b). They are normally associated with mud dauber wasps of the genera Thypoxylon and Sceliphron (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) and some species serve as model organisms to demonstrate biological, ecological, and behavioral concepts to students from elementary to college level (Matthews 1997, 2000; Matthews et al. 1996). Due to confusion surrounding species identity in this genus, this report is part of efforts to promote nomenclatural stability and facilitate future work on Melittobia (Gonzdlez & Matthews 2002; Gonzalez et al. 2004a, b). Our findings suggest that Melittobia are more widely distributed in the Caribbean region than previously thought, although probably not native to this region. Melittobia was previously reported from Cuba as parasites of the sphecid wasps Sceliphron assimile (Dahlbom), S. jamaicense (Fabricius), Trypoxylon succintum Cresson and T subimpressum (Smith), and the solitary vespids Pachodynerus nasidens (Latreille), P cubensis (Saussure), and Ancistrocerus cingulatus (Cresson) (Alayo & Hernandez 1978; Fernandez et al. 2002; Genaro 1994,1996). While examining specimens of Melittobia deposited in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard, we found 5 females of Melittobia acasta (Walker) labeled: Baragua, Cuba. VI9-29, T.P.R.F. Ent No. 3541, taken on a mud cell, L.C. Scaramuzza, Col., Melittobia acasta (Walker), det. E. Dahms 1985. Melittobia acasta is regarded as the only species of this genus native to Europe (Boucek 1977) but it also has been reported from Argentina, Canada, India, Japan, New Zealand, USA, and Venezuela (Dahms 1984a; De Santis 1983; Husain & Khan 1986; Hobbs 1968; Hobbs & Krunic 1971; Gonzalez 1994; Gonzalez & Teran 1996; Gonzalez et al. 2004b; La Salle 1993; MacFarlane & Donovan 1989) where it presumably has been accidentally introduced. Melittobia australica (Girault) was originally described from Australia (Girault 1912), but it has been found in Jamaica, Japan, New Zealand, Trinidad, South Africa, USA, and Venezuela (Dahms 1984a; MacFarlane & Palma 1987; La Salle 1993; Gonza'lez 1994; Gonzailez & Teran 1996). One of us (JAG) has collected specimens of Melittobia australica from two locations in Cuba comprising eight females from Playa Vitoria, Yaguajay, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba,-VII-1996, from nests of Sceliphronjamaicense (Fabricius); and 23 females from Cienfuegos, Cuba, XI-1988 from Sceliphron sp. Melittobia was reported from Costa Rica by Hanson & Gauld (1995). However, an earlier report (Hunt 1993) mentions wasps identified by one of us (RWM) as Melittobia australica from Guanacaste Province attacking Sceliphron assimile (Sphecidae). We also keep a culture inour laboratory obtained originally from a species of Centris (Anthophoridae) collected at Lomas Barbudal Reserve, 8.5 km NW of Bagaces, Guanacaste Province (S.B. Vinson, March 2001) in Costa Rica. Melittobia sp. was also reported to occur in Puerto Rico (Maldonado C. & Navarro 1967), and we thought it most likely to be M. australica. This was confirmed when we discovered many specimens of M. australica from various Puerto Rico localities in the collection of the National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution). As far as we know, Melittobia parasitoid wasps had not been reported previously from the Bahamas, Trinidad, and Hispaniola. However, in material borrowed from the Entomology Research Center-Agriculture, Canada C.E.F., we found a female of Melittobia australica collected at San Salvador, Bahamas (8-13/XII/80, sweeping pool, B. Brown), and from 2 localities in Trinidad (Carapichaima and Curepe) parasitizing Eumeninae wasps (Vespidae) as well as Thypoxylon sp. (Sphecidae). Finally, during an expedition by one of us (JAG) to Dominican Republic, Melittobia australica was found parasitizing Sceliphron sp. at Oviedo Province, Pedernales (20-XI-2003). We thank Philip D. Perkins (Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University), Michael Gates (Smithsonian institution), and John Huber (C.E.F. Agriculture, Canada) for allowing us to study the Melittobia specimens under their care. S.B. Vinson and F. C6nsoli sent us the Costa Rican M. australica. Ivon Arias (Grupo Jaragua) and Kelvin Guerrero (Parque Nacional del Este)