The history and present situation of Chagas' disease in Lassance (the county where Carlos Chagas discovered American trypanosomiasis) were studied through a historical analysis and clinical and epidemiological research performed from 1999 to 2001. Lassance was an important focus of Chagas' disease from Carlos Chagas up until the 1980's, because of intensive infestation in dwellings by Panstrongylus megistus and Triatoma infestans, two important species which were efficiently controlled in the last twenty years. Human Chagas' disease was important in the past but today is only residual, affecting basically the more elderly age groups. The general prevalence is about 5.03% and no infected individuals are found below 20 years of age. The clinical and epidemiologic profile of the seropositive individuals studied is that expected in areas with interrupted transmission, most of these presenting the indeterminate or benign cardiac form of chronic Chagas' disease. Some cases of digestive Chagas' disease also seem to exist. Mortality due to the disease is still significant, affecting chiefly older age groups. The municipality still remains infested by Triatoma sordida, in low densities and high dispersion, non infected by T. cruzi and restricted to peridomestic foci. In conclusion, Lassance is now free of Chagas' disease transmission and must improve medical attention for the remaining infected individuals, as well as to maintain a permanent epidemiological surveillance against native Triatominae.

Impact of the vector control program was evaluated eight years after implantation of epidemiological surveillance for

This study aimed to evaluate the Chagas Disease Control Program which has operated since 1982 in the municipality of Berilo in the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil, based on evaluation of 5,242 domiciliary units (DUs) and 7,807 outbuildings over an eight-year period of epidemiological surveillance implanted in 1997. A total of 391 triatomines (280 Panstrongylus megistus and 111 Triatoma pseudomaculata) were captured, indicating the continued predominance of the former species. However, Triatoma pseudomaculata is clearly becoming more important in this region, with intradomiciliary colonies being detected in recent years. Entomological parameters, such as dispersion (17%) and intradomiciliary infestation (0.15%) indices, are compatible with the results of the epidemiological surveillance. The majority of DUs were of construction type A (plaster over bricks) or C (plaster over adobe). Twenty-five percent of the inhabitants of the DUs infested by triatomines were reactive in ELISA, IHA and IIF tests for Trypanosoma cruzi antigens. RESUMOO objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o Programa de Controle de doença de Chagas instalado desde 1982 no município de Berilo, Vale do Jequitinhonha, MG, Brasil, baseado na avaliação de 5.242 unidades domiciliares e 7.807 anexos após oito anos de implantação da vigilância epidemiológica que ocorreu em 1997. Um total de 391 triatomíneos (280 Panstrongylus megistus e 111 Triatoma pseudomaculata) foram capturados, indicando o contínuo predomínio da primeira espécie. No entanto, Triatoma pseudomaculata está claramente se tornando mais importante nesta região, com colônias intradomiciliares sendo detectadas recentemente. Parâmetros entomológicos, como os índices de dispersão (17%) e infestação intradomiciliar (0,15%), são compatíveis com a fase de vigilância epidemiológica. A maioria das UDs apresenta padrão de construção tipo A (tijolo com reboco) e A maioria das UDs apresenta padrão de construção tipo A (tijolo com reboco) e C (adobe com reboco). Dentre os habitantes das unidades domiciliares infestadas por triatomíneos, 25% apresentavam testes reativos na ELISA, HAI e IFI para antígenos de Trypanosoma cruzi. Palavras-chaves: Vigilância entomológica. Doença de Chagas. Panstrongylus megistus. Triatoma pseudomaculata. Inquérito sorológico.

From the emergency of acute cases of Chagas Disease in Montalvânia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, with the implementation of triatomine chemical control, the disappearing of these cases and the immediate reduction of incidence of the infection in the municipality are verified. The evolution of the dispersion and control of Triatoma infestans in Montalvânia and the evolution of the serology in general population during the last thirty years are showed.

Oitocentos e sessenta e seis bio-sensores para a detecção passiva de triatomíneos foram ensaiados em intradomicílios de treze municípios de área endêmica de Triatoma sordida (Norte de Minas Gerais, Brasil), espécie que é hoje a mais freqüentemente detectável no Brasil, especialmente naquela Região. Examinados os sensores a cada três meses, por quatro vezes em uma subárea de sete municípios (seiscentos e quarenta e dois sensores, com positividade máxima de 0,5%) e por duas nos outros seis municípios (duzentos e vinte e quatro sensores, com positividade máxima de 2,7%), os resultados foram, significativamente inferiores à rotina de busca direta hora-homem feita nos mesmos municípios, inclusive para as taxas de infestação intradomiciliar. Em que pese a simplicidade e boa aceitação dos sensores pela população, os mesmos não se mostraram adequados à pesquisa triatomínica na região em apreço, tanto em termos de efetividade quanto de custo-benefício.