High household infestation rates by synanthropic vectors of Chagas disease in southern Ecuador

J Med Entomol. 2005 Jan;42(1):68-74. doi: 10.1093/jmedent/42.1.68.

Abstract

Entomological surveys were conducted in five rural communities (138 domiciliary units [DUs]) in the southern Andes of Ecuador. Adobe walls and ceramic tile roofs were predominant construction materials. A 35% house infestation rate with Panstrongylus chinai (Del Ponte, 1929) (0.7%), Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus (Champion, 1899) (0.7%), Rhodnius ecuadoriensis (Lent & León, 1958) (27%), and/or Triatoma carrioni (Larrousse, 1926) (7%) was found. Adults and nymphs of R. ecuadoriensis and T. carrioni were found in intradomiciliary and peridomiciliary areas. Breeding triatomine colonies were present in 85% of infested DUs, and the average insect crowding was 52+/-113 triatomine bugs per infested house. T. cruzi-like organisms were found by microscopic examination in the feces or hindgut but not the salivary glands of 4% of examined R. ecuadoriensis and 12% T. carrioni. Serological tests detected a general anti-T. cruzi antibody seroprevalence of 3.9% (n = 1136). Only 2% of individuals had heard of Chagas disease, and although triatomines were reported as a major nuisance by the population they were not considered vectors of disease. Additional baseline field research is needed for the design and implementation of a Chagas disease control program in the region.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Chagas Disease / immunology
  • Chagas Disease / parasitology
  • Chagas Disease / transmission*
  • Construction Materials
  • Ecuador
  • Housing*
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors / growth & development*
  • Insect Vectors / parasitology
  • Panstrongylus / growth & development
  • Panstrongylus / parasitology
  • Population Density
  • Reduviidae / growth & development*
  • Reduviidae / parasitology
  • Rhodnius / growth & development
  • Rhodnius / parasitology
  • Rural Population
  • Triatoma / growth & development
  • Triatoma / parasitology
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan