High Parasitic Loads Quantified in Sylvatic , a Chagas Disease Vector.

is a sylvatic vector species in Brazil. In We aimed to characterize the discrete typing units (DTUs), the parasitic loads, and the blood meal sources of insects collected in rocky outcrops in rural areas in the state of Minas Gerais. An optical microscope (OM) and kDNA-PCR were used to examine natural infection by , and positive samples were genotyped by conventional multilocus PCR.

Genotypic Trypanosoma cruzi distribution and parasite load differ ecotypically and according to parasite genotypes in Triatoma brasiliensis from endemic and outbreak areas in Northeastern Brazil.

This study aimed to identify the Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes and their relationship with parasitic load in distinct geographic and ecotypic populations of Triatoma brasiliensis in two sites, including one where a Chagas disease (ChD) outbreak occurred in Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil. Triatomine captures were performed in peridomestic and sylvatic ecotopes in two municipalities: Marcelino Vieira - affected by the outbreak; and Currais Novos - where high pressure of peridomestic triatomine infestation after insecticide spraying have been reported. The kDNA-PCR was used to select 124 T.

Proteomics reveals major components of oogenesis in the reproductive tract of sugar-fed Anopheles aquasalis.

Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) aquasalis is a malaria vector mainly distributed along the coastal regions of South and Central America. In the absence of an effective vaccine against malaria, strategies for controlling the vector are the main tool for interrupting parasite transmission. Mechanisms of oogenesis and embryogenesis in anautogenous mosquitoes are mainly modulated by blood feeding.

In-depth characterization of trypsin-like serine peptidases in the midgut of the sugar fed Culex quinquefasciatus.

Background: Culex quinquefasciatus is a hematophagous insect from the Culicidae family that feeds on the blood of humans, dogs, birds and livestock. This species transmits a wide variety of pathogens between humans and animals. The midgut environment is the first location of pathogen-vector interactions for blood-feeding mosquitoes and the expression of specific peptidases in the early stages of feeding could influence the outcome of the infection.

Expression of active trypsin-like serine peptidases in the midgut of sugar-feeding female Anopheles aquasalis.

Background: Anopheles aquasalis is a dipteran of the family Culicidae that is widely distributed in the coastal regions of South and Central America. This species acts as a vector of Plasmodium vivax, an important etiological agent of malaria, which represents a serious public health problem. In mosquitoes, trypsin-like serine proteases are important in blood meal digestion, immune responses and reproductive functions.

The midgut of Aedes albopictus females expresses active trypsin-like serine peptidases.

Background: Aedes albopictus is widely distributed across tropical and sub-tropical regions and is associated with the transmission of several arboviruses. Although this species is increasingly relevant to public health due its ability to successfully colonize both urban and rural habitats, favoring the dispersion of viral infections, little is known about its biochemical traits, with all assumptions made based on studies of A. aegypti.

Trypsin-like serine peptidase profiles in the egg, larval, and pupal stages of Aedes albopictus.

Background: Aedes albopictus, a ubiquitous mosquito, is one of the main vectors of dengue and yellow fever, representing an important threat to public health worldwide. Peptidases play key roles in processes such as digestion, oogenesis, and metamorphosis of insects. However, most of the information on the proteolytic enzymes of mosquitoes is derived from insects in the adult stages and is often directed towards the understanding of blood digestion.

Protein expression in the midgut of sugar-fed Aedes albopictus females.

Background: Aedes albopictus is a vector for several fatal arboviruses in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. The midgut of the mosquito is the first barrier that pathogens must overcome to establish infection and represents one of the main immunologically active sites of the insect. Nevertheless, little is known about the proteins involved in the defense against pathogens, and even in the processing of food, and the detoxification of metabolites.

Proteolytic profiling and comparative analyses of active trypsin-like serine peptidases in preimaginal stages of Culex quinquefasciatus.

Background: The mosquito Culex quinquefasciatu s, a widespread insect in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, is a vector of multiple arboviruses and parasites, and is considered an important risk to human and veterinary health. Proteolytic enzymes play crucial roles in the insect physiology including the modulation of embryonic development and food digestion. Therefore, these enzymes represent important targets for the development of new control strategies.

Cysteine peptidase expression in Trichomonas vaginalis isolates displaying high- and low-virulence phenotypes.

In the present study, we identified and characterized the cysteine peptidase (CP) profiles of Trichomonas vaginalis isolates exhibiting high- and low-virulence phenotypes using a combination of two-dimensional SDS-PAGE (2DE), tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and data mining. Seven of the eight CPs identified belong to Clan CA, family C1, cathepsin L-like CP, and one belongs to Clan CD, family C13, asparaginyl endopeptidase-like CP. Quantitative and qualitative differences in CP expression were detected between the isolates.