The role of the peritrophic matrix and red blood cell concentration in Plasmodium vivax infection of Anopheles aquasalis.

Background: Plasmodium vivax is predominant in the Amazon region, and enhanced knowledge of its development inside a natural vector, Anopheles aquasalis, is critical for future strategies aimed at blocking parasite development. The peritrophic matrix (PM), a chitinous layer produced by the mosquito midgut in response to blood ingestion, is a protective barrier against pathogens. Plasmodium can only complete its life-cycle, and consequently be transmitted to a new host, after successfully passing this barrier.

[Aedes aegypti and associated fauna in the rural zone of Manaus, in the Brazilian Amazon].

After detecting Aedes aegypti larvae in the rural zone of Manaus, entomological surveillance was carried out over two consecutive years in order to notify occurrences of this species in that area. The tool of entomological surveillance has an important role among the preventive measures against diseases transmitted by insects, particularly arbovirosis.