Abstract
Vector-borne transmission of Chagas disease in urban areas of Argentina has been an overlooked phenomena. We conducted the first comprehensive cross-sectional study of domestic infestation with Triatoma infestans and vector infection with Trypanosoma cruzi in a metropolitan area of San Juan, Argentina. Our results document the occurrence of T. infestans infected with T. cruzi in human sleeping quarters. In this urban setting, we also show that infestation was associated with construction materials, the presence of chickens, cats and a large number of dogs that can provide blood meals for the vector. Our findings reveal new challenges for vectorial control agencies.
Highlights
Infestation in urban settings may represent hidden foci since elimination efforts are mostly concentrated in rural areas of endemic provinces.[4]. As a consequence of migrations, urbanization, modification of agricultural strategies and climate change, Chagas disease has trespassed the Latin American rural matrix that gave its identity for decades into urban areas.[5]. Urbanization may create conditions to propagate vectorial transmission of disease given the great density of people living in close proximity with domestic and peridomestic animals.[6] this phenomenon has been understudied and overlooked by vector agencies.[5]
This study was conceived as part of a rapid intervention work coordinated with national and provincial health agencies to suppress vector infestation and T. cruzi transmission in a large metropolitan area from Argentina
Fig. 2: map showing the 1,784 inspected houses georeferenced in the 75 blocks selected as the study area, and the location of houses infested with Triatoma infestans and the occurrence of vectors infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in the Rawson Department, San Juan province, Argentina, 2017
Summary
Urban infestation by Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), an overlooked phenomena for Chagas disease in Argentina. We conducted the first comprehensive cross-sectional study of domestic infestation with Triatoma infestans and vector infection with Trypanosoma cruzi in a metropolitan area of San Juan, Argentina. Our results document the occurrence of T. infestans infected with T. cruzi in human sleeping quarters In this urban setting, we show that infestation was associated with construction materials, the presence of chickens, cats and a large number of dogs that can provide blood meals for the vector. 2|6 Yael Mariana Provecho et al. Experienced technical personnel of the San Juan Vector Control Program conducted an entomological survey on 2,427 houses from San Juan city and contiguous urban areas, during 2016. We conduct the first cross-sectional assessment of domestic infestation with T. infestans and vector infection with T. cruzi in a metro area in Argentina to cast light into the eco-epidemiology of Chagas disease in this new urban context. The explanatory variables included those collected during a household survey delivered to an adult dweller or by direct observation during the vector survey: the number of dwellers, if the construction materials of walls and roofs could provide refuge for triatomines
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