Abstract INTRODUCTION: Cacipacore virus (CPCV), a possible bird-associated flavivirus, has yet to be detected in mosquitoes. Our purpose is examining CPCV in mosquitoes from the Amazon region of Brazil. METHODS: Approximately 3,253 Culicidae (grouped into 264 pools) were collected from the Amazon region during 2002-2006 and analyzed using a Flavivirus genus-specific reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction followed by nested polymerase chain reaction assay and by nucleotide sequencing of amplicons. RESULTS: Nucleotide sequences from five mosquito samples showed high similarity to the those of CPCV originally isolated in the Amazon region. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of CPCV-infected mosquitoes which has implications on the arbovirus maintenance in nature and transmission to man.

The Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado (FMT-HVD), located in Manaus, the capital of the State of Amazonas (Western Brazilian Amazon), is a pioneering institution in this region regarding the syndromic surveillance of acute febrile illness, including arboviral infections. Based on the data from patients at the FMT-HVD, we have detected recurrent outbreaks in Manaus by the four dengue serotypes in the past 15 years, with increasing severity of the disease. This endemicity has culminated in the simultaneous circulation of all four serotypes in 2011, the first time this has been reported in Brazil. Between 1996 and 2009, 42 cases of yellow fever (YF) were registered in the State of Amazonas, and 71.4% (30/42) were fatal. Since 2010, no cases have been reported. Because the introduction of the yellow fever virus into a large city such as Manaus, which is widely infested by Aedes mosquitoes, may pose a real risk of a yellow fever outbreak, efforts to maintain an appropriate immunization policy for the populace are critical. Manaus has also suffered silent outbreaks of Mayaro and Oropouche fevers lately, most of which were misdiagnosed as dengue fever. The tropical conditions of the State of Amazonas favor the existence of other arboviruses capable of producing human disease. Under this real threat, represented by at least 4 arboviruses producing human infections in Manaus and in other neighboring countries, it is important to develop an efficient public health surveillance strategy, including laboratories that are able to make proper diagnoses of arboviruses.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Mayaro virus (MAYV) are emergent arthropod-borne viruses that produce outbreaks of acute febrile illness with arthropathy. Despite their different continental origins, CHIKV and MAYV are closely related and are components of the Semliki Forest Complex of the Alphavirus (Togaviridae). MAYV and, more recently, CHIKV, which are both transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, have resulted in severe public health problems in the Americas, including Brazil. In this review, we present aspects of the pathogenesis, clinical presentation and treatment of febrile illnesses produced by CHIKV and MAYV. We also discuss the epidemiological aspects and effects related to the prophylaxis of infections by both viruses.

Em sala climatizada no Ranário Experimental da Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (REURG), quatro moscários foram preparados, colocando-se em cada um cerca de 5000 pupas de Musca domestica. Após o nascimento das moscas, cada moscário recebeu, além das bandejas com alimento (açúcar e leite), uma bandeja com substrato para postura, constituído de farelo de trigo umedecido. Diariamente os substratos para postura foram homogeneizados e distribuídos entre 15 bandejas pequenas, acondicionadas em estufas climatizadas e submetidos a uma combinação de cinco temperaturas (20, 23, 26, 29 e 32ºC) e três substratos para a produção de larvas (farelos de arroz, de trigo e de soja). As temperaturas de 20, 23 e 26ºC proporcionaram os melhores resultados de produção de larvas, a qual diminuiu com a elevação da temperatura, indicando ser desnecessária a utilização de aquecimento no larvário em locais onde a temperatura mínima não seja inferior a 20ºC. O farelo de trigo foi o melhor substrato para a produção de larvas de M. domestica. A maior produtividade de larvas foi verificada na 7ª e 8ª posturas.

In room acclimatized in Experimental Frog-Farm of Fundação Universidade Federal of Rio Grande (REURG) four flies cages were prepared, being put in each one about 5000 pupas of Musca domestica. After the birth of the flies, each flie cage received, above the trays with food (sugar and milk), a tray with substratum for posture, constituted of humidified wheat flour. Daily the substratum for posture were homogenized and distributed among 15 small trays, conditioned in acclimatized stoves and submitted to a combination of five temperatures (20, 23, 26, 29 and 32ºC) and three substratum for the production of larvae (flours of rice, wheat and soy). The temperatures of 20, 23 and 26ºC provided the best results of production of larvae, that decreased as temperature increased, indicating to be unnecessary the heating use in the larvae cages in places where the minimum temperature is not lower than 20ºC. The wheat flour went the best substratum to the production of larvae of M. domestica. The largest productivity of larvae was verified in the 7th and 8th postures.