Abstract
.Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease that infects more than seven million people in Latin America. The parasite is transmitted by triatomine insects, of which some species are often associated with palms. The establishment of oil palm plantations (Elaeis guineensis) in the Orinoco region (Colombia) has been rapidly growing, possibly constituting a new environment for the establishment and increase in triatomine populations. In this study, the potential of Rhodnius prolixus to colonize E. guineensis plantations and maintain T. cruzi transmission was assessed. Fieldwork was conducted in two areas located in the department of Casanare for sampling E. guineensis and Attalea butyracea palms, sampling for triatomines to determine their abundance and prevalence of T. cruzi infection. To assess T. cruzi transmission potential in the area, sylvatic and domestic mammals were sampled. Results showed that palm infestation with triatomines was higher in A. butyracea than in E. guineensis palms and T. cruzi infection in triatomines varied between habitats for one study area, but was constant in the other site. Trypanosoma cruzi–infected mammals in the E. guineensis plantations were mainly generalist rodents, suggesting that these mammals could have an important role in T. cruzi transmission in plantations. In conclusion, E. guineensis plantations in the Orinoco region are suitable habitats for R. prolixus and T. cruzi transmission.
Highlights
In 2012, the WHO included Chagas disease in the 2020 goals program for controlling the burden of morbidity of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).[1]
The overall sampling effort for triatomine searching in this study was 101 A. butyracea (LC: 22, Los Potrillos (LP): 79) and 189 E. guineensis (LC: 86, LP: 103) sampled palms
The proportion of triatomine-infested A. butyracea (72%) palms was significantly higher than E. guineensis palms in LP (50%) (Fisher’s exact test: P-value = 0.002, 95% CI: 1.44–Inf), but not different in La Candelaria (LC) (Fisher’s exact test: P-value = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.76–6.63) (Table 1)
Summary
In 2012, the WHO included Chagas disease in the 2020 goals program for controlling the burden of morbidity of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).[1]. In Colombia, recent estimates suggest that 1% of the human population is infected and 15% is at risk.[3] Without treatment, Chagas disease can cause serious heart complications leading to death. Rhodnius prolixus is the main vector species in Colombia.[4] The natural habitat of Rhodnius species are large-crown palms, Attalea butyracea, which are ubiquitous in the department of Casanare, Orinoco region.[5,6] Rhodnius. Prolixus has been collected in human dwellings, but colonization remains a matter of debate in Colombia and Venezuela because of reinfestation by sylvatic populations.[6,7] Because R. prolixus is capable of invading oil palms (Elaeis guineensis),[8] the establishment of these plantations in the region imposes a risk and a possible new transmission scenario
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