Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: FLAVIA GEOVANA FONTINELES RIOS

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : FLAVIA GEOVANA FONTINELES RIOS
DATE: 25/10/2024
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Sala Virtual Remota (Microsoft TEAMS) https://bit.ly/QualifDoc_FlaviaRios_PGBIOEXP
TITLE:

MOLECULAR SURVEILLANCE OF ARBOVIRUSES AND PROTOZOANS FROM CULICIDS ASSOCIATED WITH RIPARIAN VEGETATION IN THE URBAN AREA OF PORTO VELHO, RONDÔNIA

KEY WORDS:

Arboviruses; FTA Card; Protozoa; Molecular xenomonitoring; Entomological surveillance.

PAGES: 169
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Biologia Geral
SUMMARY:

Culicidae are the most important arthropod vectors in public health, as they are involved in the transmission of pathogens that cause viral and parasitic diseases that affect humans and animals. The blood obtained by mosquitoes during hematophagy has been used to detect pathogens that may or may not be transmitted by vectors (molecular xenomonitoring) and to identify host feeding preferences. Another tool used in pathogen surveillance is the FTA card with sugar bait, to detect them in saliva samples from vectors. This thesis aimed to (i) compare the abundance and richness of mosquitoes in riparian vegetation areas and in dwelling outdoors; (ii) evaluate whether the size of the riparian vegetation fragment affects the abundance and richness of mosquitoes; (iii) evaluate the possible circulation of pathogens (dengue virus, Zika, chikungunya, Mayaro, Oropouche, Plasmodium spp, and trypanosomatids) from female mosquitoes (iv) and in FTA cards; (v) verify the females' food source; (vi) produce and distribute educational material on insect vectors and disease prevention. Collections were made quarterly for two consecutive years, covering the rainy and dry seasons in ten locations with riparian vegetation in the urban area of Porto Velho, Rondônia, and in 30 associated outdoors. The sampling of the culicidae was performed using the electric aspiration technique for 15 minutes. In the laboratory, all mosquitoes were taxonomically identified, and the female mosquitoes were given an FTA card with a sugar solution. After being sacrificed, the mosquitoes were stored at minus -80°C for subsequent RNA/DNA extraction and analysis by real-time PCR (qPCR) or conventional PCR to detect the pathogens and verify the food source. Abundance and richness data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM), and the infection rate was estimated using the minimum infection rate (MIR). A total of 3,914 mosquitoes were collected, distributed among 11 genera (Aedes, Aedeomyia, Anopheles, Coquillettidia, Culex, Limatus, Mansonia, Psorophora, Trichoprosopon, Uranotaenia, and Wyeomyia) and 21 species. The most abundant species were Culex quinquefasciatus (73.93%), Aedes albopictus (8.91%), and Aedes aegypti (7.05%). The outdoor habitat had a higher abundance of mosquitoes (2,285 - 58.38%) compared to riparian vegetation (1,629 - 41.62%). However, riparian vegetation exhibited more mosquito species than peridomicile vegetation. Mosquitoes were significantly more abundant in the dry season compared to the rainy season; however, the dry season showed a significant difference with lower species richness. A non-significant trend was observed between the size of the forest fragment and the abundance of mosquitoes in both environments. We observed a significant correlation of more species in locations with larger forest fragments of riparian vegetation. The molecular analysis of 221 pools resulted in one positive sample for ZIKV (Ct: 37.20 - MIR: 1.08), containing two females of Ae. aegypti collected in riparian vegetation. Of the 95 FTA cards, ZIKV was detected in four cards offered to Ae. albopictus, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Psorophora albipes, and Psorophora ferox, collected in three locations and in both environments. The booklet “Insects of Medical Interest” was produced and distributed in dwellings (n = 266 booklets) and in six public schools (n = 576 booklets) near the riparian vegetation areas. The integration of vector surveillance with molecular surveillance can be useful for monitoring the occurrence of emerging and re-emerging pathogens, as well as for directing control and prevention methods. Furthermore, scientific dissemination and popularization activities are an important strategy for preventing disease-carrying insects, having a social impact that can increase the involvement of academia with society, as well as the community's contact with science.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Externo à Instituição - FLAVIA BARRETO DOS SANTOS
Externa à Instituição - TAMARA NUNES DE LIMA CAMARA - USP
Presidente - 1530806 - ALEXANDRE DE ALMEIDA E SILVA