Immunization with -Deficient Does Not Protect against Homologous Challenge.

Immunization with various species lacking induces robust immunity against a homologous and heterologous virulent challenge, making mutants a putative candidate for a leishmaniasis vaccine. Centrin is a calcium-binding cytoskeletal protein involved in centrosome duplication in higher eukaryotes and spp. lacking centrin are unable to replicate and are non-pathogenic.

Targeted Deletion of Centrin in Using CRISPR-Cas9-Based Editing.

is the main causative agent of Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in the Americas. However, difficulties related to genome manipulation, experimental infection, and parasite growth have so far limited studies with this species. CRISPR-Cas9-based technology has made genome editing more accessible, and here we have successfully employed the LeishGEdit approach to attenuate .

[Description of external cuticular setae of head, thorax, legs, abdomen and genitalia of four Triatominae species].

The classification of the cuticular extensions of insects has been proposed as a taxonomic tool; however, the internal and external processes of the cuticular extensions of the Triatominae subfamily have not been fully analyzed and categorized. Objective: To describe the setae from different regions of the outer cuticle of several triatomine species by scanning electron microscopy. Materials and methods: Triatomines were washed and dried, after which different regions of the body from Eratyrus mucronatus, Triatoma maculata, Panstrongylus geniculatus and Belminus ferroae specimens were dissected, mounted on graphite double-sided adhesive tape over metal supports, metalized with gold and micrographed for further analysis.

[Morphometric analysis of Panstrongylus geniculatus (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) from Caracas City, Venezuela].

Introduction: In recent years, the assassin bug, Panstrongylus geniculatus, has been found infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in rural and urban areas of Caracas, Venezuela. Although historically this insect has been considered a forest species, it has become adapted to more urban artificial environments.

Objective: The presence of sexual dimorphism was determined as an indicator of adaptation to domiciles.

[Viability and spatial structuring in a Triatoma maculata (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) laboratory colony fed with human blood].

Introduction: Immature and adult forms of Triatoma maculata have been captured repeatedly in and around the homes in the town of Xaguas, Venezuela. Because of its potential as a Chagas disease vector, a study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of human blood feeding on the viability and spatial structuring of a laboratory colony of this species.

Objective: The effect of human blood feeding was determined for the viability of a T.