Trypanosoma Cruzi and Domestic Animals

Massimo Giangaspero

doi:10.4172/2327-5073.1000e142

Abstract

Chagas disease is one of the most important zoonosis affecting the Latin America. Despite important progress achieved in last decades through strategies at regional level against vectoral transmission and improvement of screening among blood donors, the disease continues to represent a public health priority. Knowledge on epidemiology of the etiological agent Tripanosoma cruzi is of outmost importance to counter this serious disease, with the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans. Many animal species are sensible to the infection, but their epidemiological role in sylvatic and peri domestic cycles have not been always elucidated. Therefore, attention should be paid by veterinarians especially on domestic animals in order to clarify their potential role as reservoir close to human communities.

Highlights

The Trypanosoma cruzi assumes a particular interest due to its geographic specificity and impact on human health
Despite important progress achieved in last decades through strategies at regional level against vectoral transmission and improvement of screening among blood donors, the disease continues to represent a public health priority
The American human trypanosomiasis, known as Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted by bugs, is probably the most important zoonosis typically south-American, with 6 to 7 million of cases reported to the World Health Organization (WHO), but with estimations reaching up to 13 million, with 3-3.3 million of symptomatic cases and an annual incidence of 200,000 cases [1,2], primarily in endemic zones of countries in Latin America where more than 100 million of people are exposed, and it is responsible of more than 10,000 deaths per year [1]

Summary

Introduction

The Trypanosoma cruzi assumes a particular interest due to its geographic specificity and impact on human health. Many animal species are sensible to the infection, but their epidemiological role in sylvatic and peri domestic cycles have not been always elucidated.

Results

Conclusion