Reports of triatomine infestation in urban areas have increased. We analysed the
spatial distribution of infestation by triatomines in the urban area of Diamantina,
in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Triatomines were obtained by community-based
entomological surveillance. Spatial patterns of infestation were analysed by Ripley’s
K function and Kernel density estimator. Normalised difference vegetation index
(NDVI) and land cover derived from satellite imagery were compared between infested
and uninfested areas. A total of 140 adults of four species were captured (100
Triatoma vitticeps, 25Panstrongylus geniculatus,
8 Panstrongylus megistus, and 7 Triatoma
arthurneivai specimens). In total, 87.9% were captured within domiciles.
Infection by trypanosomes was observed in 19.6% of 107 examined insects. The spatial
distributions ofT. vitticeps, P. geniculatus,
T. arthurneivai, and trypanosome-positive triatomines were
clustered, occurring mainly in peripheral areas. NDVI values were statistically
higher in areas infested by T. vitticeps and P.
geniculatus. Buildings infested by these species were located closer to
open fields, whereas infestations of P. megistus andT.
arthurneivai were closer to bare soil. Human occupation and modification
of natural areas may be involved in triatomine invasion, exposing the population to
these vectors.
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