Assessing Diversity, Infection and Blood Meal Sources in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from a Brazilian Zoological Park with Avian Malaria Transmission.

Avian malaria parasites are widespread parasites transmitted by Culicidae insects belonging to different genera. Even though several studies have been conducted recently, there is still a lack of information about potential vectors of parasites, especially in Neotropical regions. Former studies with free-living and captive animals in São Paulo Zoo showed the presence of several and species.

Naturally Acquired Humoral Immunity against Malaria Parasites in Non-Human Primates from the Brazilian Amazon, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest.

Non-human primates (NHPs) have been shown to be infected by parasites of the genus , the etiological agent of malaria in humans, creating potential risks of zoonotic transmission. , a parasite species similar to of humans, have been described in NHPs from Central and South America, including Brazil. The merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1), besides being a malaria vaccine candidate, is highly immunogenic.

Occurrence of hepatitis B in pregnant women and follow-up of exposed children in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, in 2012.

Objective: to describe the occurrence of hepatitis B among pregnant women, immunoprophylaxis and vertical and perinatal transmission in children exposed to the virus in the São Paulo state primary care network, Brazil.

Methods: this was a cross-sectional study using prenatal records of pregnant women attending health services between January and June 2012 and a cohort of newborns; the frequencies of the results were described and the estimated occurrence of hepatitis B was calculated.

Results: 6,233 pregnant women were included, of whom 53.

Vectors of arboviruses in the state of São Paulo: 30 years of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

Objective: To describe the infestation of the municipalities of São Paulo by the vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, characterize seasonality and analyze average temperatures and larval densities.

Methods: We used maps with information on the infestation of municipalities between 1986 and 2015. The analysis of larval density of the species by the Wilcoxon test used the Breteau index values for Ae.

Laboratory evaluation of the development of Aedes aegypti in two seasons: influence of different places and different densities.

Aedes aegypti is an important vector in Brazil being the main vector of the dengue-fever. This paper employs survival curves to describe the time in days from larvae to adult forms of Aedes aegypti raised, individually and collectively, and compares it during winter and spring when positioned inside and outside a laboratory. The study was conducted in São Vicente, a coastal city in Southeastern Brazil.

Prevalence of syphilis and associated factors in homeless people of Sao Paulo, Brazil, using a Rapid Test.

Introduction: Homeless people are a vulnerable group to sexually transmitted diseases (STD) with high prevalence of syphilis and hepatitis.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of syphilis infection and its association with risky behaviors for STDs in a sample of homeless people, and to assess the feasibility of the use of rapid syphilis test (RST) in this population.

Methods: Cross-sectional study, in a convenience sample of homeless people assisted in social support services of São Paulo, between 2006 and 2007.

Spatial and seasonal distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis in Dracena, a city in the western region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, that is endemic with visceral leishmaniasis.

Introduction: Vector seasonality knowledge is important for monitoring and controlling of vector-borne diseases. Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lu. longipalpis) is the main vector of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum Nicolle, 1908, which is the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas.

[Prevalence and vulnerability of homeless people to HIV infection in São Paulo, Brazil].

Objective: To assess the prevalence and vulnerability of homeless people to HIV infection.

Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 1,405 homeless users of shelters in the city of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, from 2006 to 2007. They were all tested for HIV and a structured questionnaire was applied.

The distribution pattern of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the peridomiciles of a sector with canine and human visceral leishmaniasis transmission in the municipality of Dracena, São Paulo, Brazil.

The specimen distribution pattern of a species can be used to characterise a population of interest and also provides area-specific guidance for pest management and control. In the municipality of Dracena, in the state of São Paulo, we analysed 5,889 Lutzomyia longipalpis specimens collected from the peridomiciles of 14 houses in a sector where American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) is transmitted to humans and dogs. The goal was to analyse the dispersion and a theoretical fitting of the species occurrence probability.

[American cutaneous leishmaniasis on the northern coastline of the State of São Paulo, 1993 to 2005].

American cutaneous leishmaniasis acquired epidemic characteristics on the northern coastline of the State of São Paulo beginning in the 1990s. From secondary data, a descriptive study of the disease in the four municipalities making up this region over the period from 1993 to 2005 was conducted. The frequency of phlebotomine capture in the probable transmission locations was analyzed.

HIV testing during pregnancy: use of secondary data to estimate 2006 test coverage and prevalence in Brazil.

This paper describes a methodological proposal based on secondary data and the main results of the HIV-Sentinel Study among childbearing women, carried out in Brazil during 2006. A probabilistic sample of childbearing women was selected in two stages. In the first stage, 150 health establishments were selected, stratified by municipality size (<50,000; 50,000-399,999; 400,000+).

[Infant mortality evolution in the metropolitan region of São Paulo (Brazil), 1980-2000].

Objective: To analyze IMR evolution in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area (SPMA) between 1980 and 2000, in terms of spatial, age and, causal differences.

Methods: SPMA municipalities were divided into 5 groups, based on their 1980 IMRs: 90 per thousand lb (Group 1); 70-89 per thousand lb (Group 2); 50-69 per thousand lb (Group 3); <50 per thousand lb (Group 4). Group 5 comprised the municipality of São Paulo itself (IMR=51 per thousand lb).