Seropositivity for Trypanosoma cruzi in domestic dogs from Sonora, Mexico

Minerva Arce-Fonseca,Jesús R Cedillo-Cobián,Silvia C Carrillo-Sánchez,Yuly A Henao-Díaz,Olivia Rodríguez-Morales,Mariana Martínez-Cruz,Ramón M Molina-Barrios

doi:10.1186/s40249-017-0333-z

Minerva Arce-Fonseca, Jesús R Cedillo-Cobián + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-017-0333-z

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Abstract

BackgroundChagas disease is an important health problem in Latin America due to its incapacitating effects and associated mortality. Studies on seropositivity for Trypanosoma cruzi in Mexican dogs have demonstrated a direct correlation between seropositivity in humans and dogs, which can act as sentinels for the disease in this region. The objective of this study was to determine the seropositivity for T.cruzi infection in dogs from Sonora, a northern borderstate of Mexico.MethodsResponsible pet owners were selected at random from an urban area of Empalme municipality, Sonora, Mexico, and from there, 180 dog samples were collected. Anti-T. cruzi antibodies were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Reactive ELISA sera were processed by indirect immunofluorescence to confirm the presence of anti-T. cruzi antibodies. For the statistical analysis, chi-square tests were conducted.ResultsDogs’ sera showed a seropositivity rate of 4.44%. The rate of seropositivity was not associated with the dogs’ age, sex, or socioeconomics pertaining to the geographical area. One sample (1/180, 0.55%) showed the acute state of the disease.ConclusionsThe study found a presence of anti-T. cruzi antibodies in dogs in this area, which suggests vector transmission. There is a need for active surveillance programs throughout the state of Sonora and vector control strategies should also be implemented in endemic regions.

Highlights

Chagas disease is an important health problem in Latin America due to its incapacitating effects and associated mortality
The reactive samples tested by Immunoglobulin G (IgG) detection using the enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method were 19/180 (10.56%)
Some border states of the United States have been reported to be endemic areas of the disease, and as Sonora is one of the Mexican states bordering the United States, the data provided in this study show indirect evidence of the presence of the parasite acquired by the vector route through anti-T. cruzi antibody detection

Summary

Introduction

Chagas disease is an important health problem in Latin America due to its incapacitating effects and associated mortality. Studies on seropositivity for Trypanosoma cruzi in Mexican dogs have demonstrated a direct correlation between seropositivity in humans and dogs, which can act as sentinels for the disease in this region. Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Brazil, and Mexico were the three countries with the highest estimated number of infected people (1,505,235; 1,156,821; and 876,458, respectively) [2]. This disease has been one of the biggest public health problems in Latin America due to its incapacitating effects and associated mortality [3].

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