The cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888) (Ixodida: Ixodidae), is the most important ectoparasite in cattle-breeding areas and is responsible for severe economic losses. Synthetic acaricides have been used to control this parasite. However, the need for safer products has stimulated the search for new acaricides, such as those to be obtained from medicinal plants. The essential oil of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) has many biological properties and shows great potential for use in veterinary applications. In the context of the need for new agents, this study investigated the in vitro properties of the hydrolate, essential oil and the main constituent of S. aromaticum, eugenol, in formulated and free applications against larvae and females of R. microplus. Eugenol and the essential oil caused 100% mortality in larvae at starting applications of 2.5 mg/mL and 5.0 mg/mL, respectively. The hydrolate showed no activity. Both eugenol and essential oil had good efficacy in adult immersion tests at 50 mg/mL and achieved 100% efficacy at a concentration of 100 mg/mL. The results of these tests reaffirm the important potential of clove essential oil and eugenol.

The objective of this study was to assess, for the first time, the in vitro acaricidal activity of two topical formulations containing thymol, on immature stages of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. For this purpose, two base formulations were prepared: an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion and a hydroalcoholic solution, containing different thymol concentrations (0.5 to 20 mg/mL). We used the larval packet test for non-engorged larvae and nymphs, and the immersion test for engorged larvae and nymphs. For emulsion, a mortality rate of 94.2% was achieved at 0.75 mg/mL in non-engorged larvae. For engorged larvae, there was 95.0% mortality at 5.0 mg/mL. Non-engorged nymphs showed 83.3% mortality at 2.5 mg/mL, and for engorged nymphs, 86.0% mortality was verified at 5.0 mg/mL. For the hydroalcoholic solution, the mortality found for non-engorged larvae was 88.1% at 2.5 mg/mL. For engorged larvae, the highest mortality was 25.0% at 20 mg/mL; non-engorged nymphs had 91.0% mortality at 1.0 mg/mL and for engorged nymphs; the maximum value verified was 18.3% mortality at 20 mg/mL. Preliminary stability tests were carried, and the hydroalcoholic solution remained stable under all the conditions analyzed. The O/W emulsion showed signs of early instability at the concentration of 5.0 mg/mL. The results obtained indicate that the acaricidal activity of thymol, when included in the proposed formulations, was enhanced against non-engorged larvae with topical treatment in comparison with data in the literature. Although there were variations in toxicity between the different stages, these formulations are promising for future therapeutic use.

Introdução: O HIV/AIDS é um problema de saúde pública, que requer atenção quanto ao seu controle e medidas de prevenção. O tratamento farmacológico apresentou, desde a sua descoberta, uma possibilidade de controle da doença e maior sobrevida aos pacientes soropositivos. Dessa forma, ações voltadas para a promoção da adesão terapêutica, e o estímulo a metodologias que permitam um diagnóstico precoce, garantem maior efetividade no manejo destes pacientes. Objetivo: Descrever o perfil epidemiológico de pacientes com HIV/AIDS em um hospital universitário e avaliar a relação entre a sua hospitalização e a adesão à terapia antirretroviral. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional e comparativo realizado a partir da avaliação de prontuários e registros de dispensação de Terapia Antirretroviral de pacientes diagnosticados com HIV/AIDS que foram internados em um hospital universitário, no período de 2013 a 2018. Resultados: Dos 223 pacientes que fizeram parte do estudo 53,40% eram do sexo masculino, 33,18% correspondiam a faixa etária de 40 a 49 anos, e 80,26% eram residentes do município de Juiz de Fora.  Entre os 141 pacientes que viviam com HIV há mais de 1 ano, em uso de TARV, configurou-se um perfil de adesão ao tratamento de 8,51%. Conclusão: O alto percentual de pacientes hospitalizados com HIV/AIDS não aderentes ao tratamento que fizeram parte deste estudo em relação aos aderentes reforça a importância de se realizar ações educativas e de conscientização sobre o uso correto dos medicamentos visando proporcionar uma melhor qualidade de vida e consequentemente menos hospitalizações para esses pacientes.