Investigation of the ocurrence of filariasis in a riverine population of Rio Preto, Rondônia, Brazil

• Grant number: 07/00531-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: January 01, 2008
• End date: December 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Helminthology of Parasites
• Principal Investigator: Luís Marcelo Aranha Camargo
• Grantee: Luís Marcelo Aranha Camargo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Cledson de Lima Mercês Júnior ; Eliane Gabriel de Lima ; Francisco Neudo Rebouças Chaves ; Guilherme Maerschner Ogawa ; Idelvania Evangelista Custodio de Sousa ; Jansen Fernandes de Medeiros ; Juliana de Souza Almeida Aranha Camargo ; Kaluan de Oliveira Costa ; Luana Janaína Souza Vera ; Orlando dos Santos Silva ; Paulo Henrique Bonassa ; Ulysses Carvalho Barbosa ; Victor Py-Daniel

Abstract

The occurrence of Mansonella sp. in Rondônia, as well as in other parts of the Amazon region, is unknown. It is a parasitosis that has its pathogenicity questioned or little known transmitted by simulidae (mosquitoes known as "borrachudos") and in some areas, it is also transmitted by ceratopogonidae (locally known as "pólvora" mosquitoes). There are no registered cases of this filariasis in Rondônia, although some neighboring states (Acre, Amazonas and Para) and neighboring countries such as Bolivia, Suriname and Peru have already registered cases. Its pathogenicity is questionable. It is believed that the presence of microfilaria in the blood may cause an unspecific febrile state. More recent studies with Amazonian Indians and riverside populations have evidenced possible eye damage in patients infected with Mansonella ozzardi.This work intends to provide new information by means of the study of possible occurrences of mansonellosis in the riverside population of the Machado River (240Km from Porto Velho) on the border of the state of Rondônia and the state of Amazonas. Methodology: The riverside population of Rio Preto (50 families and 280 individuals) on the margin of the Machado River will be followed up for the period of 12months. Each two month, a 5 day capture of vectors (landing-capture) will be performed. The specimens will be identified and dissected for the presenceof filaria. At the beginning, this procedure will take place at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisa da Amazônia-INPA (National Institute for Research in the Amazon Region) that will train the staff of the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas 5 (Institute of Biomedical Sciences 5) in Rondônia. The local population will be submitted to digital puncture for the production of thick smears for haemoscopy. Infected people will be treated with ivermectin andclinically followed up and submitted to rigorous clinical and ophthalmological examination for better clinical characterization of thedisease. Control and preventive measures will be proposed according to current knowledge. (AU)