Ataque de populações humanas por triatomíneos silvestres no Amazonas: uma nova forma de transmissão da infecção chagásica?

Abstract

An "attack" of wild triatomines (Rhodnius brethesi) to piaçaca workers (Leopoldinia piaçaba) is confirmed in the locality of Acuquaia, at Padauari river, affluent of Rio Negro in the municipality of Barcelos, State of Amazonas, Brazil. A serological prevalence of 12.5% for T. cruzi antibodies in human population, in the city of Barcelos, has already been described in a previous paper. A strong association between the serological positivity and the population contact with wild triatomines, known in the area as "piaçava's lice", was verified.

Re-infestation of houses by Triatoma dimidiata after intra-domicile insecticide application in the Yucatán peninsula, Mexico

“…This discrepancy may be due to the presence of other infested houses close to the sprayed ones that may have served as a source of re-infestation, and/or to a higher level of house colonization associated with lower dispersal of T. dimidiata in Central America compared to that of Yucatán. In fact, peridomestic and sylvatic populations are being increasingly involved in the re-infestation of domiciles following control programs (Gürtler et al 1999), as well as in the transmission of T. cruzi to humans in the absence of house colonization by triatomines (Coura et al 1994(Coura et al , 1999(Coura et al , 2002. As suggested by a few studies on triatomine dispersal, their flying capacity may have been somewhat underestimated (Schofield et al , 1992, and need to be assessed more carefully.…”

Current epidemiological trends for Chagas disease in Latin America and future challenges in epidemiology, surveillance and health policy

“…Thus, the few known cases of infection by T. cruzi are being transmitted (i) via the oral route, (ii) by vectors that enter the dwelling but do not develop intra-domiciliar colonies and (iii) via infection of persons who enter the jungle and make contact with sylvan triatomines, such as Rhodnius brethesi during the extraction of piaçaba (Leopoldinia piassaba), a vegetal fibre. (Silveira & Passos 1986, Coura et al 1994). …”

Biology, diversity and strategies for the monitoring and control of triatomines - Chagas disease vectors

“…Rhodnius brethesi Matta, 1919, a sylvatic species known as piaçavas' lice that is present in the native palm tree Leopoldinia piassaba Wallace, 1853, has been incriminated as the responsible vector for the transmission of Chagas disease to those who as collectors of piaçaba fibres. This species has been documented to voraciously feed on humans (Mata 1919, Coura et al 1994.…”