Estudo da fauna culicidiana e arbovírus circulantes na unidade de conservação Flona Açu-RN

Abstract

Introduction: The Culicidae mosquitoes are fundamental in the transmission of many pathogens giving this Diptera family great medical importance. One branch to understanding how these diseases can be controlled is the study of the vectors that transmit them. Therefore the importance of conducting studies that investigate these vectors in areas not yet explored, such as protected areas, which can nestle these pathogens. The aim of this study was to survey the species of Culicidae in the Caatinga phytogeographic domain and the possible presence of circulating arboviruses. Methodology: Mosquito samples were collected from September 2011 to August 2013 the Açu National Forest. Three types of collection traps were used, ovitrap, larvitrap and Shannon trap, in order to collect the forms of eggs, larvae and adults respectively. The samples collected were individually identified, using the specific morphological keys. The adults underwent viral identification by the viral RNA extraction, RT-PCR and sequencing of the virus. Results and Discussion: The sampling collected eight genera of the Culicidae family: Aedes, Aedeomyia, Anopheles, Coquillettidia, Culex, Haemagogus, Mansonia and Ochlerotatus. The traps ovitrap and larvitrap captured A. aegypti, A. albopictus, Haemagogus spegazzini, Culex (Culex) sp, being more effective in points approaching the urban area surrounding the Flona, of all species collected the most abundant was A. aegypti. In Shannon trap were identified seventeen species and the most abundant was the Ochlerotatus scapularis involved in the transmission of arbovirus Melon virus, Ilheus virus, Rocio virus and Eastern Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus. two new records belonging to subfamily Culicinae were found: Mansonia pseudotitillans and Culex (Culex) chidesteri. The latter was found for the first time with the Culex flavivirus virus (CxFv). The CxFv has no medical importance, it is a specific virus of the genus Culex. This data shows how much there is still to be revealed about the Caatinga area of Rio Grande do Norte. Conclusion: This study provides an alert to the preservation of protected areas, since the degradation of these environments may result in pathogen exposure to populations, given that there are different vectors maintained in wildlife.