The Eco-Epidemiology of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Rural Communities of the Humid Chaco of Argentina

CARDINAL MV; OROZCO, MM; ENRIQUEZ GF; CEBALLOS LA; GASPE S; ALVARADO-OTEGUI JA; GUREVITZ JM; KITRON U; GURTLER RE

Congreso; American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 61st Annual Meeting; 2012

The eco-epidemiology of the domestic transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in the humid Chaco region has seldom been investigated. We assessed the household distribution of bug, dog and cat infection in two local ethnic groups (Tobas and Creoles) and investigated differences in transmission risks between them, tested the role of domestic dogs and cats as reservoir hosts, and identified transmission risk factors. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of house infestation with Triatoma infestans bugs and T. cruzi infection in bugs, dogs and cats in a well-defined rural area in northeastern Argentina including 323 households. Bug infection prevalence among 1,869 bugs examined was highest in domiciles (43%) and in storerooms and kitchens (24%), and was marginal elsewhere (