Ecología urbana de Triatoma infestans en Argentina: asociación entre Triatoma infestans y palomares

Abstract

Estudio se realizó en una área urbana de la Capital de la Provincia de San Juan, Argentina, en un barrio de 768 apartamentos distribuidos en edificios de 3 y 7 pisos que rodean una bodega central abandonada. Se capturaron 329 ejemplares de Triatoma infestans, 293 en 4 terrazas de torres de 7 pisos y 36 en el interior de la bodega, associados con numerosas palomas que colomizaban estos sitios. Los insectos se refugiaban en el guano acumulado entre bloques de cemento que cubren las terrazas y en la bodega dentro de toneles en desuso. Se identificaron dos focos principales de vectores associados con densos palomares: un 81,5% del total de triatomas colectados se halló en una de las torres y un 11% en la bodega. A los 6 meses del tratamiento insecticida, resultaron positivas terrazas en las que previamente no se habia capturado T. infestans. El perfil alimentario de los triatomas muestra un predominio de ingestas simples sobre ave; en los edificios y en la bodega el 95% de los T. infestans analizados se alimentó sólo de ave; el resto fueron ingestas simples o dobles sobre humano, perro o gato. Ningún T. infestans presentó infección con Trypanosoma cruzi.

Urban ecology of Triatoma infestans in San Juan, Argentina

“…Many specimens of T.infestans were found in terraces, the winery and the poor houses and all infested places were immediately treated with insecticides (results published separately, Vallvé et al 1995).…”

“…In the province of San Juan, when the "Zonda" blows (a warm wind blowing from the west) the inhabitants say it is common to see the arrival of adult T.infestans flying into their homes. This phenomenon, known locally as the "chinches" flight (local term, Vallvé et al 1991) has long been noted in rural areas (Schweigmann et al 1988, Vallvé et al unpublished data) and has been increasingly seen in urban areas. During the last five years the Servicio Provincial de Chagas of San Juan has received many requests for insecticide spraying of urban buildings as a result of the confirmed presence of T.infestans in homes and public buildings in the city of San Juan.…”

Human perception towards the association between the domestic rock pigeon and the insect vector of Chagas disease in an urban area of Argentina

“…Chagas disease has traditionally been associated with rural communities, with crudely built houses with adobe walls that provide suitable refuges for Triatoma infestans and other domestic vectors (Cecere et al 2003). However, in recent years this insect has expanded its range from sparsely populated rural and peri-urban areas to densely populated urban areas (Vallvé et al 1995).…”

A method for the identification of guinea pig blood meal in the Chagas disease vector, Triatoma infestans

“…Historically, blood meal identification of hematophagous insects have been based on antigen-antibody reactions [11,12] searching for antigens present in blood meals using specific antibodies developed by stimulation with the same type of molecule. These methods have proven useful for the identification of many different animal species, but these approaches are labor intensive and the detection limits are restrictive [9].…”