Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this work was to explore the potential risk of vector-borne Chagas disease in urban districts in northeastern Brazil, by analyzing the spatiotemporal distributions and natural infection rates with Trypanosoma cruzi of triatomine species captured in recent years. The main motivation of this work was an acute human case of Chagas disease reported in 2008 in the municipality of Sobral.Methodology/principal findingsWe analyzed data from community-based entomological surveillance carried out from 2010 to 2014. Triatomine natural T. cruzi infection was assessed by examination of insect feces by optical microscopy. Sites of triatomine capture were georeferenced through Google Earth and analyzed with ArcGIS. A total of 191 triatomines were collected, consisting of 82.2% Triatoma pseudomaculata, 7.9% Rhodnius nasutus, 5.8% T. brasiliensis, 3.7% Panstrongylus lutzi, and 0.5% P. megistus, with an overall natural infection index of 17.8%. Most infestations were reported in the districts of Dom José (36.2%), Padre Palhano (24.7%), and Alto do Cristo (10.6%). The overwhelming majority of insects (185/96.9%) were captured inside houses, and most insects tended to be collected in intermittent peaks. Moreover, captured triatomines tended to constitute colonies. The acute case reported in 2008 was found to be situated within a T. pseudomaculata hotspot.ConclusionThe triatomine collection events carried out by dwellers were aggregated in time and space into distinct foci, suggesting that insects are intermittently and artificially introduced into the city, possibly via accidental migration from their natural reservoirs. The relatively high T. cruzi infection rate indicates considerable circulation of the parasite in these areas, increasing the risk of vector-borne Chagas disease infection. These data suggest a need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and integrate appropriate control actions targeting triatomines, T. cruzi reservoirs, and human populations. Our data also identify Chagas disease transmission as a hazard in urban areas of Sobral.
Highlights
Bloodsucking insects of the subfamily Triatominae are distributed widely throughout the Americas and are vectors of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease
The aim of this work was to explore the potential risk of vector-borne Chagas disease in urban districts in northeastern Brazil, by analyzing the spatiotemporal distributions and natural infection rates with Trypanosoma cruzi of triatomine species captured in recent years
Several triatomine species are of great epidemiological importance due to their high susceptibility to T. cruzi infection as well as their ability to invade and colonize households, the combination of which increases the risk of Chagas disease transmission
Summary
Bloodsucking insects of the subfamily Triatominae are distributed widely throughout the Americas and are vectors of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Chagas disease was first described by the Brazilian scientist and physician Carlos Chagas at the beginning of the 20th century [1] This disease has remained a serious public health problem in Latin America, where about 5 to 7 million people are currently infected, resulting in approximately 12,000 deaths annually [2]. Chagas disease was endemic in the state of Cearain northeastern Brazil [9], transmitted primarily by native triatomines migrating from the wild to dwellings. The aim of this work was to explore the potential risk of vector-borne Chagas disease in urban districts in northeastern Brazil, by analyzing the spatiotemporal distributions and natural infection rates with Trypanosoma cruzi of triatomine species captured in recent years. The main motivation of this work was an acute human case of Chagas disease reported in 2008 in the municipality of Sobral
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