Field trials of an improved cost-effective device for detecting peridomestic populations of Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in rural Argentina

Abstract

An improved device for detecting peridomestic Triatoma infestans consisting of one-liter recycled Tetra Brik milk boxes with a central structure was tested using a matched-pair study design in two rural areas in Argentina. In Olta (La Rioja), the boxes were installed beneath the thatched roofs and on the vertical wooden posts of each peridomestic structure. After a 5-month exposure, at least one of the recovered boxes detected 88% of the 24 T. infestans-positive sites, and 86% of the 7 negative sites by timed manual collections at baseline. In Amamá (Santiago del Estero), the boxes were paired with the best performing prototype tested before (shelter unit). After 3 months, some evidence of infestation was detected in 89% (boxes) and 79% (shelters) of 18-19 sites positive by timed collections, whereas 19% and 16% of 32 negative sites were positive, respectively. Neither device differed significantly in the qualitative or quantitative collection of every sign of infestation. The installation site did not modify significantly the boxes' sampling efficiency in both study areas. As the total cost of each box was half as expensive as each shelter unit, the boxes are thus the most cost-effective and easy-to-use tool for detecting peridomestic T. infestans currently available

Community Participation in Chagas Disease Vector Surveillance: Systematic Review

“…As defined here, they differ from the traditional, ‘active’ surveillance approach in that control programme agents do not search the whole residence to determine whether it is infested; instead, they rapidly check for bugs (or their traces) in a ‘detection device’. Table 3 summarises the main results of major comparative studies [20]–[22], [26]–[28], [130], [132], [134]–[140]. In general, the sensitivity of vector-detection devices does not seem to be superior to that of active searches, but (i) both methods appear to complement each other, with only one of them revealing infestation in many instances (see also ref.…”

Characterization of Guinea Pig Antibody Responses to Salivary Proteins of Triatoma infestans for the Development of a Triatomine Exposure Marker

“…Moreover, after successful elimination of triatomine populations conspecific triatomine species can re-infest triatomine-free houses [63], [64]. To detect re-infesting triatomines artificial shelter units or biosensor boxes have been already used, but they are of limited sensitivity for the detection of triatomines [65]–[67]. Thus, highly sensitive surveillance methods are required that can especially detect low level re-infestations of triatomines [55].…”

Behavioural biology of Chagas disease vectors

“…Cardboard boxes simulating refuges have been used as a part of the intra-domiciliary surveillance of Chagas disease vectors in endemic areas of Latin America ( Gomez Núñez 1965 , Wisnivesky-Colli et al 1987 ). Other refuge-like devices composed of simple, resistant materials have also proven to be effective for outdoor bug detection ( Vazquez-Prokopec et al 2002 ). Currently, none of these devices includes artificial lures, however, this possibility deserves further exploration.…”