Eco-entomological features associated with the presence of triatomines in Northwest Córdoba, Argentina.

RODRÍGUEZ, C., LOPÉZ, A., NATTERO, J., SORIA, C., CARDOZO, M., RODRIGUEZ, P., CROCCO, L.

Lisboa

Conferencia; 20th Conference of European Society for Vector Ecology; 2016

Chagas disease is a Latin-American zoonosis with a high historical endemism in the Gran Chaco region; particularly in Argentine, this area occupies northwest and center of the country. Triatoma infestans is the main vector of this disease in Argentina, and their presence in human habitats depends on environmental, geographical, cultural and social aspects. The work was conducted in 139 household units (HU: dwelling and associated peridomicile) from a define rural area of center Argentina (2012-2013). At each HU, Triatomines were captured, risk factors and the kind of PA (chicken coops, goat or pig corrals) were registered. Interviews were done to inhabitants to obtain demographic data, knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding this disease. Results were classified by the number of correct answers in 3 levels: I: 1 to 3, II: 4 to 6 and III: 7 or more than 7. Entomological indicators were calculated: domiciliary and peridomiciliary infestation index (DI and PI), household unit infestation rate (HUI). The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, crosstabs, Odds Ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (95% CI). From the 1135 Triatomines collected, 98% were T. infestans. The HUI was 59.7%, DI 4.3%, PI 58.3% and 26% of dwellings were colonisable. The 80% of dwellings with risk walls and 60% with risk roofs were positive for Triatomines, of which 95% had chicken coops and were 12.03 times riskier than those without (p = 0.005). PAs were in 85.6% of the HU visited; being chicken coops the most frequent (78.4%). The 57.5% of chicken coops was less than 12 m away from dwellings, of which 50% were infested with triatomines. From the 95 residents surveyed, 66.3% were at Level II and 24% had Chagas disease. Most of them heard about this disease and identified T. infestans. The 63%, 86.5% and 93.3% of them were unaware of treatment, congenital and transfusional transmission, respectively. Our results showed that inhabitants do not perceive peridomiciles as an area that favors the presence of vectors. Transfer actions to identify factors that favor the presence of triatomines are needed to improve peridomiciliary area.