Carlos Ramon do Nascimento Brito

@ufrn.br

Professor. Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Carlos Ramon do Nascimento Brito


            Download Compact PDF  
https://researchid.co/crnbrito

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Parasitology
23

Scopus Publications

Scopus Publications

  • Triatoma chiarii sp. nov. (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae): a new species in the Triatoma brasiliensis complex from Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil
    Andressa Noronha Barbosa-Silva, Nathan Ravi Medeiros Honorato, Rita de Cássia Moreira de Souza, Carolina Dale, João Luís Reis Cunha, et al.
    Parasites and Vectors, 2026
    Background A new triatomine species was discovered in the semiarid Caatinga region of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, where it coexists with Triatoma brasiliensis in both natural and artificial habitats. Methods Triatomine specimens were captured in peridomestic and sylvatic environments in Rio Grande do Norte. Their identification was based on a combination of analyses, including morphology using dichotomous keys, head and hemelytron morphometry, and phylogeny using cytochrome b and internal transcribed spacer markers. Results The new species exhibits morphological traits that are intermediate between those of Triatoma brasiliensis and Triatoma petrocchiae , but has distinct characteristics, leading to its designation as Triatoma chiarii sp. nov. Geometric morphometric analysis of its wings and head clearly distinguished T. chiarii sp. nov. from T. brasiliensis and T. petrocchiae , while phylogenetic reconstruction confirmed its placement within the T. brasiliensis species complex. Both approaches consistently supported T. chiarii sp. nov. as a species closely related to T. petrocchiae , but with sufficient phenotypic and genotypic divergence to warrant its recognition as a new taxonomic entity. Conclusions Since T. chiarii sp. nov. was also found in the peridomestic environment, its possible role in the eco-epidemiology of Chagas disease warrants further investigation.
  • Long-term efficacy of fluralaner (Exzolt®) in Gallus gallus domesticus against epidemiologically relevant triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae): a potential complementary strategy for Chagas disease control
    Luanderson Cardoso Pereira, Nathalie de Sena Pereira, Denis Dantas da Silva, Kivia Millana de Sousa, Clarice de Freitas Bezerra, et al.
    Parasites and Vectors, 2026
    Background Chagas disease control relies primarily on vector control using pyrethroid insecticide sprays with residual action in domestic and peridomestic environments. However, the necessity for repeated applications and the development of pyrethroid resistance in some countries have undermined this strategy. Alternative control tools are needed, and host-targeted systemic insecticides offer an alternative approach by creating toxic blood meals for hematophagous vectors. In peridomestic settings, chickens are major blood meal sources for triatomines. This study evaluated the insecticidal activity of orally administered fluralaner (Exzolt ® ) to chickens against six triatomine species of epidemiological relevance for the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi , the etiological agent of Chagas disease, in Latin America: Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma infestans , Triatoma dimidiata, Triatoma brasiliensis , Triatoma pseudomaculata and Panstrongylus megistus . Methods Sixteen non-breeding chickens ( Gallus gallus domesticus ) were randomized by weight into four groups: group 1, untreated control ( n = 4); group 2, treated with two doses of 0.5 mg/kg fluralaner/Exzolt® ( n = 4); group 3, treated with two doses of 2.5 mg/kg fluralaner/Exzolt® ( n = 4); group 4, treated with two doses of 5.0 mg/kg fluralaner/Exzolt® ( n = 4). To assess fluralaner (Exzolt®) efficacy, chickens were exposed to blood feeding by triatomines at baseline (day 0) and 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 56 and 77 days post-treatment. Mortality was monitored daily for up to 7 days after each feeding. Results Treatment with 0.5, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg of Exzolt® resulted in 100% insecticidal activity in triatomines for up to 14, 21 and 28 days post-treatment, respectively. The 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg doses produced comparable insecticidal activity, both superior than that observed at 0.5 mg/kg. Conclusions Oral administration of fluralaner (Exzolt®) to chickens induces 100% insecticidal activity and maintains insecticidal efficacy against multiple triatomine species for up to 28 and 56 days post-treatment, respectively. These findings highlighting the potential of fluralaner as a complementary vector control strategy for Chagas disease in endemic areas.
  • Genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi isolates from triatomine bugs in the semi-arid region of Piauí State, northeastern Brazil
    Maricélia de Aquino Santana, Andressa Noronha Barbosa-Silva Carvalho, Filipe Melo da Silva, Letícia Mikardya Lima Sales, Francisco Lemontier Martins de Sousa, et al.
    Acta Tropica, 2026
  • Chagas disease in a naturally-infected dog from Northeast Brazil: a case report
    Vicente Toscano de Araújo-Neto, Andressa Noronha Barbosa-Silva, Lucas Abrantes Batista, Rodrigo de Souza Mendes, Christiane Carlos Araújo de Negreiros, et al.
    BMC Veterinary Research, 2025
  • Anti-M2-pyruvate kinase autoantibodies are correlated with digestive damage in human Chagas disease
    Denis Dantas da Silva, Nathalie de Sena Pereira, Daniela Ferreira Nunes, Ramayana Morais de Medeiros Brito, Luanderson Cardoso Pereira, et al.
    Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2025
    Background Determining esophageal and colon involvement in patients with Chagas disease occurs through invasive and uncomfortable examinations, which in most cases are not performed. The objective of this study was to assess the involvement of anti-M2-pyruvate kinase (M2-PK) autoantibodies in the development of digestive alterations and/or in the diagnosis of the digestive form of human Chagas disease. Methods The total IgG and isotype (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4) production was quantified using the antigen of Trypanosoma cruzi and the human M2-PK recombinant protein via the ELISA technique. The tests were conducted with serum samples from patients with indeterminate, cardiac, digestive and cardiodigestive clinical forms of Chagas disease, and the results were correlated with the dilatation degree of the esophagus and colon. Results Patients with the digestive form of Chagas disease had higher IgG4 anti-M2-PK autoantibody production compared with patients with the indeterminate and cardiac forms and the healthy control group. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between sigmoid and rectum size with IgG4 anti-M2-PK autoantibody production. Conclusions These results demonstrate that IgG4 anti-M2-PK autoantibodies correlate with digestive damage in human Chagas disease, and their presence may also be implicated in the development of digestive lesions.
  • Distribution, host origin, and transmission cycles of Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
    George Harisson Felinto Sampaio, Nathan Ravi Medeiros Honorato, Lucas Abrantes Batista, Maricélia de Aquino Santana, Carlos Ramon do Nascimento Brito, et al.
    Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical, 2025
    Background: The genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi and the epidemiological characteristics of the environments in which the parasite occurs are essential for understanding infection dynamics and controlling Chagas disease. This systematic review aimed to: (i) identify and analyze studies that evaluated the genetic variability and epidemiological aspects of T. cruzi infection in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; (ii) summarize the information reported in the literature; and (iii) suggest new control strategies tailored to the region’s epidemiological profile. Methods: Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 studies catalogued in PubMed, the Brazilian Virtual Health Library, Scopus, and the Web of Science were selected. Results: T. cruzi isolates were primarily obtained from triatomine species Triatoma brasiliensis, Panstrongylus lutzi, and Triatoma pseudomaculata, as well as from wild mammals such as Euphractus sexcinctus, Galea spixii, and humans. A total of 295 T. cruzi isolates were genotyped: 46.5% (137) were identified as Discrete Typing Unit (DTU) I, 29.1% (86) as DTU II, and 20% (59) as DTU III. Mixed infections were detected in 4.4% (13/295) of hosts. Triatomine species were found in both peridomestic and intradomestic environments and were occasionally infected with T. cruzi. Conclusions: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the circulation of distinct Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes (I, II, and III) in both wild and human-modified environments in Rio Grande do Norte.
  • Insecticidal activity of fluralaner (Exzolt®) administered to Gallus gallus domesticus against triatomines (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)
    Luanderson Cardoso Pereira, Nathalie de Sena Pereira, Andressa Noronha Barbosa da Silva, Clarice de Freitas Bezerra, Kivia Millana de Sousa, et al.
    Parasites and Vectors, 2024
    Background Triatoma infestans, Triatoma brasiliensis, Triatoma pseudomaculata and Rhodnius prolixus are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Chickens serve as an important blood food source for triatomines. This study aimed to assess the insecticidal activity of fluralaner (Exzolt®) administered to chickens against triatomines (R. prolixus, T. infestans, T. brasiliensis and T. pseudomaculata). Methods Twelve non-breed chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were randomized based on weight into three groups: negative control (n = 4); a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg fluralaner (Exzolt®) (n = 4); two doses of 0.5 mg/kg fluralaner (Exzolt®) (n = 4). Nymphs of 3rd, 4th and 5th instars of R. prolixus, T. infestans, T. brasiliensis and T. pseudomaculata (all n = 10) were allowed to feed on chickens before treatment, and at intervals of 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 56 days after treatment, with insect mortality determined. Results Treatment with two doses of fluralaner showed higher insecticidal efficacy against R. prolixus, T. infestans and T. brasiliensis compared to the single-dose treatment. Similar insecticidal efficacy was observed for T. pseudomaculata for one and two doses of fluralaner. Insecticidal activity of fluralaner (Exzolt®) against triatomine bugs was noted up to 21 and 28 days after treatment with one and two doses of fluralaner, respectively. Conclusions The results demonstrate that treatment of chickens with fluralaner (Exzolt®) induces insecticidal activity against triatomines for up to 28 days post-treatment, suggesting its potential use as a control strategy for Chagas disease in endemic areas. Graphical Abstract
  • The Development of a One-Step RT-qPCR for the Detection and Quantification of Viable Forms of Trypanosoma cruzi in Açai Samples from Areas at Risk of Chagas Disease through Oral Transmission
    Amanda Faier-Pereira, Paula Finamore-Araujo, Carlos Ramon do Nascimento Brito, Eldrinei Gomes Peres, Klenicy Kazumy de Lima Yamaguchi, et al.
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024
    Currently, approximately 70% of new cases of Chagas disease (CD) in Brazil are attributed to oral transmission, particularly through foods such as açaí, bacaba, and sugarcane juice, primarily in the northern and northeastern regions of the country. This underscores the imperative need to control the spread of the disease. The methods utilized to conduct quality control for food associated with outbreaks and to assess the potential for the oral transmission of CD through consuming açaí primarily rely on isolating the parasite or inoculating food into experimental animals, restricting the analyses to major research centers. While there are existing studies in the literature on the detection and quantification of T. cruzi DNA in açaí, the evaluation of parasites’ viability using molecular methods in this type of sample and differentiating between live and dead parasites in açaí pulp remain challenging. Consequently, we developed a molecular methodology based on RT-qPCR for detecting and quantifying viable T. cruzi in açaí pulp samples. This protocol enables the stabilization and preservation of nucleic acids in açaí, along with incorporating an exogenous internal amplification control. The standardization of the RNA extraction method involved a simple and reproducible approach, coupled with a one-step RT-qPCR assay. The assay underwent validation with various T. cruzi DTUs and demonstrated sensitivity in detecting up to 0.1 viable parasite equivalents/mL in açaí samples. Furthermore, we investigated the effectiveness of a bleaching method in eliminating viable parasites in açaí samples contaminated with T. cruzi by comparing the detection of DNA versus RNA. Finally, we validated this methodology using açaí pulp samples positive for T. cruzi DNA, which were collected in a municipality with a history of oral CD outbreaks (Coari-AM). This validation involved comparing the detection and quantification of total versus viable T. cruzi. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the feasibility of this methodology in detecting viable forms of T. cruzi in açaí pulp samples, emerging as a crucial tool for monitoring oral outbreaks of Chagas disease resulting from açaí consumption.
  • Temporal assessment of entomological surveillance of Trypanosoma cruzi vectors in an endemic area of northeastern Brazil
    George Harisson Felinto Sampaio, Andressa Noronha Barbosa da Silva, Christiane Carlos Araújo de Negreiros, Nathan Ravi Medeiros Honorato, Rand Randall Martins, et al.
    Plos One, 2023
    Entomological surveillance is essential for the control of triatomines and the prevention of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in humans and domestic animals. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate entomological indicators and triatomine control during the period from 2005 to 2015 in an endemic area in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. This observational and retrospective study was developed based on data analysis related to active entomological surveillance activities and chemical control of infested housing units (HU) in the Agreste mesoregion of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, in the period between 2005 to 2015. The quantitative analysis of housing units surveyed for entomological indicators was performed by linear regression of random effects (p < 0.05). The effect of the number of HU surveyed on the entomological indicators was analyzed by fitting a linear random effects regression model and an increasing intradomiciliary colonization rate was significant. In the period evaluated 92,156 housing units were investigated and the presence of triatomines was reported in 4,639 (5.0%). A total of 4,653 specimens of triatomines were captured and the species recorded were Triatoma pseudomaculata (n = 1,775), Triatoma brasiliensis (n = 1,569), Rhodnius nasutus (n = 741) and Panstrongylus lutzi (n = 568), with an index of natural infection by T. cruzi of 2.2%. Only 53.1% of the infested HU were subjected to chemical control. Moreover, there was a decrease in the total number of HU surveyed over time associated with an increase in the index of intradomiciliary colonization (p = 0.004). These data demonstrated that entomological surveillance and control of vectors in the Agreste mesoregion of the state has been discontinued, emphasizing the need for more effective public policies to effectively control the vectors, in order to avoid the exposure of humans and domestic animals to the risk of T. cruzi infection.
  • Molecular identification of Trypanosoma cruzi in domestic animals in municipalities of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
    Vicente Toscano de Araújo-Neto, Andressa Noronha Barbosa-Silva, Nathan Ravi Medeiros Honorato, Letícia Mikardya Lima Sales, Renata de Cassia Pires, et al.
    Parasitology Research, 2023
  • Insecticidal efficacy of fluralaner (Bravecto®) against Triatoma brasiliensis, a major vector of Trypanosoma cruzi in Brazil
    Tamyres Bernadete Dantas Queiroga, Luanderson Cardoso Pereira Gomez, Eduardo Rodrigues de Sena, Wilo Victor dos Santos, Henrique Rafael Pontes Ferreira, et al.
    Parasites and Vectors, 2021
  • Virulence of Trypanosoma cruzi Strains Is Related to the Differential Expression of Innate Immune Receptors in the Heart
    Tamyres Bernadete Dantas Queiroga, Nathalie de Sena Pereira, Denis Dantas da Silva, Cléber de Mesquita Andrade, Raimundo Fernandes de Araújo Júnior, et al.
    Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2021
  • α-gal immunization positively impacts trypanosoma cruzi colonization of heart tissue in a mouse model
    Gisele Macêdo Rodrigues da Cunha, Maíra Araújo Azevedo, Denise Silva Nogueira, Marianna de Carvalho Clímaco, Edward Valencia Ayala, et al.
    Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2021
  • Validation of a novel multiplex real-time PCR assay for Trypanosoma cruzi detection and quantification in açai pulp
    Paula Finamore-Araujo, Amanda Faier-Pereira, Carlos Ramon do Nascimento Brito, Eldrinei Gomes Peres, Klenicy Kazumy de Lima Yamaguchi, et al.
    Plos One, 2021
  • Epidemiological profile of acute chagas disease in individuals infected by oral transmission in Northern Brazil
    George Harisson Felinto Sampaio, Andressa Noronha Barbosa da Silva, Carlos Ramon do Nascimento Brito, Nathan Ravi Medeiros Honorato, Luara Musse de Oliveira, et al.
    Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical, 2020
  • Probing for Trypanosoma cruzi cell surface glycobiomarkers for the diagnosis and follow-up of chemotherapy of chagas disease
    Nathaniel S. Schocker, Susana Portillo, Roger A. Ashmus, Carlos R. N. Brito, Igor E. Silva, et al.
    Coupling and Decoupling of Diverse Molecular Units in Glycosciences, 2017
  • Virus-like Particle Display of the α-Gal Carbohydrate for Vaccination against Leishmania Infection
    Anna Paula V. Moura, Luiza C. B. Santos, Carlos Ramon Nascimento Brito, Edward Valencia, Caroline Junqueira, et al.
    ACS Central Science, 2017
  • Virus-like Particle Display of the α-Gal Epitope for the Diagnostic Assessment of Chagas Disease
    Carlos Ramon Nascimento Brito, Craig S. McKay, Maíra Araújo Azevedo, Luíza Costa Brandão Santos, Ana Paula Venuto, et al.
    ACS Infectious Diseases, 2016
  • Amblyomma sculptum tick saliva: α-Gal identification, antibody response and possible association with red meat allergy in Brazil
    Ricardo Nascimento Araujo, Paula Ferreira Franco, Henrique Rodrigues, Luiza C.B. Santos, Craig S. McKay, et al.
    International Journal for Parasitology, 2016
  • Synthesis of Galα(1,3)Galβ(1,4)GlcNAcα-, Galβ(1,4)GlcNAcα- and GlcNAc-containing neoglycoproteins and their immunological evaluation in the context of Chagas disease
    Nathaniel S Schocker, Susana Portillo, Carlos R N Brito, Alexandre F Marques, Igor C Almeida, et al.
    Glycobiology, 2015
  • Seroepidemiology of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in the semiarid rural zone of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
    Carlos Ramon do Nascimento Brito, George Harisson Felinto Sampaio, Antonia Cláudia Jácome da Câmara, Daniela Ferreira Nunes, Paulo Roberto Medeiros de Azevedo, et al.
    Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical, 2012
  • Similarity between the in vitro activity and toxicity of two different fungizone™/lipofundin™ admixtures
    Ivonete Batista Araújo, C. Ramon N. Brito, Isabel A. Urbano, Victor A. Dominici, Miguel A. Silva Filho, et al.
    Acta Cirurgica Brasileira, 2005
  • Similarity between the in vitro activity and toxicity of two different Fungizone/Lipofundin admixtures.
    Acta Cirurgica Brasileira Sociedade Brasileira Para Desenvolvimento Pesquisa Em Cirurgia, 2005