The article “Arbovirus Detection in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes in Manabí, Ecuador” presents an investigation carried out in two communities in the province of Manabí—Caja Fuego (rural) and San Gregorio (marginal urban)—with the objective of detecting the presence of arboviruses in local populations of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, a vector known for its role in the transmission of diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. A total of 468 mosquitoes were collected, grouped into 72 pools, and transported under strict biosafety protocols to the laboratories of the Center for Health Research in Latin America (CISeAL), where they were processed using molecular techniques such as PCR, RT-PCR, and Sanger sequencing. This research featured the outstanding participation of Álvaro Wilca, under the direction of Dr. Anita G. Villacís, in collaboration with experts such as Dr. Mario L. Grijalva, Andréa López-Rosero, and Dr. Cesar A. Yumiseva, all of whom have significantly contributed to the study of vector-borne diseases in Ecuador.
The results revealed the circulation of viruses belonging to the Flaviviridae and Togaviridae families, with a particularly notable finding: 18 of the 22 Flavivirus-positive pools showed the presence of dengue and Zika—the latter confirmed by sequencing in two samples—despite the fact that no official human cases of Zika had been reported in 2023. This suggests silent circulation of the virus and a potential risk of undetected outbreaks in the population, particularly in areas with poor infrastructure and limited access to health services. The study is especially relevant in the post-pandemic context of SARS-CoV-2, during which vector-borne diseases were partially sidelined from the public health agenda.
The study led by Dr. Betzabé Tello, principal investigator of CISeAL, evaluated the effect of prenatal education (PE) on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among women who gave birth in hospitals in Quito. A prospective cohort study of 278 mothers, of whom 152 received PE and 126 did not, was followed from birth to six months postpartum. The results showed that mothers who participated in PE programs maintained EML for longer compared to those who did not (mean 89.4 days vs. 66.1 days) and had a lower rate of EML abandonment. In addition, this study identified factors that negatively influence continuity of EML, such as delivery in public hospitals, postpartum depression, perception of low milk production, return to work, recommendations from health professionals, family counseling, and negative breastfeeding experiences.
A new international study has successfully reconstructed the evolutionary history of Plasmodium vivax—the parasite responsible for the majority of malaria cases in Latin America—with high precision. Using state-of-the-art population genomics techniques, researchers analyzed 620 P. vivax genomes, including 107 new samples from West Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The research was coordinated by the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) and brought together institutions from Europe, Latin America, and Africa. CISeAL actively contributed to the study, with our principal investigator, Dr. Fabián Sáenz, participating as part of the scientific team.
The results reveal a much more complex evolutionary history than previously believed. The study found that most current P. vivax populations in Latin America derive from a now-extinct European lineage, with possible additional contributions from yet-unsampled populations, likely originating in West Africa. Furthermore, multiple waves of parasite introduction to the continent were identified: an initial one during early European contact, followed by more recent waves linked to 19th-century human migrations.
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and primarily transmitted by triatomine insects, remains a major public health issue in Central and South America. In Ecuador, where approximately 230,000 people are infected, vector species such as Rhodnius ecuadoriensis and Triatoma dimidiata play a crucial role in the disease’s transmission. However, secondary vector species, particularly those of the Panstrongylus genus, have gained greater importance due to their increasing adaptation to human environments and their high infection rates with T. cruzi. Among these, Panstrongylus chinai and Panstrongylus howardi have been reported in Ecuador, displaying distinct morphological characteristics and distribution patterns.
This study, based on the dissertation work of Álvaro Lara under the supervision of Dr. Anita Villacís and other researchers from CISeAL, such as César A. Yumiseva, Mario J. Grijalva, and in collaboration with María Laura Hernandez, a researcher from CONICET (Córdoba, Argentina), aimed to characterize the wing morphometric traits of P. chinai, P. howardi, and their experimentally obtained hybrids to assess potential environmental adaptations and inheritance patterns. Field collections were conducted in the provinces of Loja and Manabí, which represent distinct ecological conditions. Specimens were transported to CISeAL for controlled hybridization experiments and morphometric analyses.
This study, with the participation of Dr. Betzabé Tello, principal researcher at CISeAL, highlights the importance of addressing the impact of breast milk substitute (BMS) marketing in Ecuador and its influence on infant feeding practices. Through a comprehensive analysis, numerous violations of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes are evidenced, including promotional strategies targeting both mothers and health professionals. The findings highlight significant gaps in the enforcement of existing regulations, particularly in traditional (TV, radio, print) and digital (social media) media advertising, product labeling, and interactions in health and commercial establishments. It is highlighted that 91% of mothers were exposed to advertising. Promotional activities for breast milk substitutes included giving free supplies (26.09%) and gifts (21.74%) to health professionals.
Our CISeAL researchers Betzabé Tello, Maria J. Mendoza-Gordillo and Mario J. Grijalva along with other experts conducted a study to understand how caregivers in rural Ecuador perceive and apply child care. The importance of establishing a solid foundation in the first 1,000 days of a child's life, from conception to age two, is widely recognized as it influences their emotional, cognitive development and long-term health. The WHO's Caring and Responsive Care framework provides comprehensive guidance that includes health, nutrition, responsive care, safety, and early learning opportunities essential for children's optimal development.
The study investigated child care in rural communities in the provinces of Cotopaxi and Loja, where challenges such as poverty, malnutrition and limited access to basic services persist. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with caregivers, health professionals, and community leaders to explore child care practices in a culturally diverse context and in resource-limited settings.
Our researchers at CISeAL, with the notable participation of Francisco Villacís under the direction of Dr. Anita Villacís, in collaboration with experts such as Dr. César Yumiseva, Dr. Mario J. Grijalva, Juan José Bustillos, Andréa López-Rosero, and Matías Cadena, have conducted pioneering research on the bacterial microbiota found in the gut of Rhodnius ecuadoriensis, the main vector in the transmission of Chagas disease on the central coast and southern Andes of Ecuador. The recently published article, titled “Bacterial microbiota from the gut of Rhodnius ecuadoriensis, a vector of Chagas disease in Ecuador's Central Coast and Southern Andes,” represents a significant advance in understanding the relationship between the intestinal microorganisms of this insect and its role in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi.
The study used next-generation sequencing techniques to analyze the bacteria present in the gut of this insect. Our researchers identified bacterial communities that could influence Rhodnius ecuadoriensis’s capacity to transmit the parasite that causes Chagas disease. This line of research is key, as understanding the interaction between the intestinal microbiota and the vector could open new opportunities to control disease transmission.
