Abstract
BackgroundThis year-long study evaluated the effectiveness of a strategy involving selective deltamethrin spraying and community education for control of Chagas disease vectors in domestic units located in rural communities of coastal Ecuador.ResultsSurveys for triatomines revealed peridomestic infestation with Rhodnius ecuadoriensis and Panstrongylus howardi, with infestation indices remaining high during the study (13%, 17%, and 10%, at initial, 6-month, and 12-month visits, respectively), which indicates a limitation of this strategy for triatomine population control. Infestation was found 6 and 12 months after spraying with deltamethrin. In addition, a large number of previously vector-free domestic units also were found infested at the 6- and 12-month surveys, which indicates new infestations by sylvatic triatomines. The predominance of young nymphs and adults suggests new infestation events, likely from sylvatic foci. In addition, infection with Trypanosoma cruzi was found in 65%, 21% and 29% at initial, 6-month and 12-month visits, respectively. All parasites isolated (n = 20) were identified as TcI.ConclusionNew vector control strategies need to be devised and evaluated for reduction of T. cruzi transmission in this region.
Highlights
IntroductionTriatomines Rhodnius ecuadoriensis and Panstrongylus howardi are important vectors of Chagas disease in the Manabí province, located on the central coast of Ecuador, and there is evidence of host (vectors and reservoirs) infected with T. cruzi, circulating in the area [2,3,4,5,6]
This year-long study evaluated the effectiveness of a strategy involving selective deltamethrin spraying and community education for control of Chagas disease vectors in domestic units located in rural communities of coastal Ecuador
It was not possible to re-examine all 187 due to the following reasons: (1) the head of household declined to continue participation in the study, (2) the head of the household was absent at the time of followup visits, or (3) the domestic unit (DU) became uninhabited between study visits
Summary
Triatomines Rhodnius ecuadoriensis and Panstrongylus howardi are important vectors of Chagas disease in the Manabí province, located on the central coast of Ecuador, and there is evidence of host (vectors and reservoirs) infected with T. cruzi, circulating in the area [2,3,4,5,6]. R. ecuadoriensis is usually found in association with Phytelephas aequatorialis, an endemic palm species, [5,8] and in nests of squirrel (Sciurus stramineus) and bird (Campylorhynchus fasciatus) [6]. In this region, there are frequent invasions and
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