ABSTRACT. Cave bats from the Distrito Federal area in Mid-Western Brazil (Mammalia, Chiroptera), Between 1989 and 1995, twenty caves in the Distrito Federal area in mid-western Brazil were assessed for bat species richness, frequency, spatiaJ distribution, behavior, reproduction and inter-speciftc cohabitation. The general state oI' conservation oI' the caves was also assessed. OI' the 20 caves studied, 12 were less than 100 m long, ftve between 100 m and 300 m, and three were longer than 300 m. Twenty-two species oI' six different families were observed: 16 species belonged to Phyllostomidae, two to Vespertilionidae and Mormoopidae and one to Furipteridae and Emballonutidae. In this study, 17 species were characterized as Distrito Federal cave dwellers. The most prevalent were Desmodus rotul1dus, Glossophaga soricina and Carol/ia perspicillala. The least prevalent were Lonchorhina aurita, Pleronolus gynmonolus and Phyl/oderma slenops. Since some Anoura caudifer, Plalyrrhinus linealus, Myolis nigrical1s, Microl1ycleris minula, and Eptesicus brasiliensis individuais were captured only while going into the caves early in the night, they were not considered cave dwellers. Even though, they probably use the caves as a daytime roosting place. Surprisingly, Lonchophyl/a dekeyseri, considered to be the only endemic bat species in the Cerrado ecosystem, was observed in three 01' the surveyed caves. Further biological studies are necessary to detemline the biology oI' L. dekeyseri and the necessity 01' its conservation. The bat colonies observed were usually oI' a small size. Few colonies 01'0. rolundus and Anoura geo.ffroyi contained more than 300 individuais ofboth sexes. Only a male group 01' L. aurita was observed in the Distrito Federal area. Twelve oI' the surveyed caves were hard to access and theretore well protected. Four ofthe caves received some public visitation, two were located near limestone mines, one was located near an urban area, and one had both public visitation and deforestation near its entrance. In this latler cave, no bats were observed afier novem bel' 1994, probably due to the urbanization processo Special atlention should be given to eight oI' the surveyed caves in any plan made for the conservation 01' cave bats in the Distrito Federal area, These caves host a high bat diversiiy (six OI' more species) and also shelter two rare and one endemic bat species.

Introduction: Visceral leishmaniasis is a public health threat in Brazil considering the high lethality rates and increasing geographical dispersion to large urban conglomerates over the past 25 years. This study aimed to confirm suspected autochthonous cases of visceral leishmaniasis The disease predominantly affected children (12/21) and those from the Sobradinho region (16/21); the typical presentation of fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia was observed in 67% of cases. Three deaths occurred during the study period. Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi was successfully isolated from one human case and twelve canine cases. Conclusions: Visceral leishmaniasis should be considered endemic in Brasilia based on the documented epidemiological behavior herein described and the confirmed autochthony of human cases.

No abstract

Introduction: Hantavirus diseases are emerging human diseases caused by Hantavirus spp. of the Bunnyaviridae family. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) has been detected in the Federal District (DF) of Brazil since 2004. Among the 27 Brazilian Federal Units, DF has the highest fatality rate. More than 10 years have already passed since then, with confi rmation of cases caused by the Araraquara and Paranoa species. The reservoir is Necromys lasiurus. Methods: Local surveillance data of the confi rmed cases were analyzed, including age, sex, month and year of occurrence, clinical symptoms, syndromes and outcomes, and probable transmission place (PTP). The cases were mainly confi rmed by IgM detection with a capture enzyme immunoassay. The cases were classifi ed as autochthonous if PTPs were in the DF area. Results: From 2004 to 2013, in the DF, 126 cases of hantavirus were confi rmed, and the cumulative incidence was 5.0 per 100,000 inhabitants. The occurrence of cases was predominantly from April to August. At least 75% of the cases were autochthonous. Acute respiratory failure was reported in 47.5% of cases, and the fatality rate was 40%. Conclusions: In the DF, the cumulative incidence of HPS was one of the highest worldwide. A seasonal pattern of hantavirus disease in the dry season is clear. There was a high frequency of severe clinical signals and symptoms as well as a high fatality rate. For the near future, visitors and inhabitants of DF rural areas, particularly male adults, should receive continuous education about hantavirus transmission and prevention.

Para falar de sustentabilidade, não podemos deixar de fora os morcegos, esses mamíferos voadores presentes em nosso planeta há mais de 52 milhões de anos.11 Ao longo do tempo alcançaram uma quantidade fenomenal de espécies, explorando uma grande variedade de alimentos e abrigos. Atualmente, existe uma distribuição mundial de 1.200 espécies de morcegos. Vale lembrar que, dentre os mamíferos, os números de espécies de morcegos são superados apenas pelo grupo dos roedores, que conta com 2.500 espécies.