Trypanosoma cruzi vectors in a periurban area of the Western Brazilian Amazon

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2020 Nov 13:62:e87. doi: 10.1590/S1678-9946202062087. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

The etiological agent of American trypanosomiasis is the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi , typically transmitted by triatomines. The aim of this study was to investigate the triatomine fauna and trypanosomiasis infections in Acre State , Western Brazilian Amazon. Insect collection was performed by dissecting palm trees and installing traps. We found that T. cruzi infection rate was 24.5% and Rhodnius pictipes (57.1%) was the most abundant triatomine species. Health education as well as epidemiological and entomological surveillance are necessary to diagnose and prevent new cases of Chagas disease in the region.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Chagas Disease* / epidemiology
  • Chagas Disease* / transmission
  • Insect Vectors / parasitology*
  • Rhodnius / parasitology*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi*