“…Increased attention from the World Health Organization and interest from governments of endemic regions have yielded desirable results for control of Chagas disease transmission. However, success of disease control with large-scale insecticide-based approaches, as demonstrated through the Southern Cone [48], central American [49], Andean Pact [50], and Amazonian Initiatives [49], has been dimmed by the looming possibilities of environmental toxicity, human health impacts, cost of repeated applications, and development of vector resistance.…”
Chagas disease results from infection with the parasiteTrypanosoma cruzi. This disease remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in central and south America. Chagas disease now exists and is detected worldwide because of human migration. Control of Chagas disease has relied mainly on vector eradication however, the development of insect resistance to pesticides, coupled with cost and adverse health effects of insecticide treatments, has prompted our group to investigate novel methods of transmission control. Our laboratory has been instrumental in the development of the paratransgenic strategy to control vectorial transmission ofT. cruzi. In this paper, we discuss various components of the paratransgenic approach. Specifically, we describe classes of molecules that can serve as effectors, including antimicrobial peptides, endoglucanases, and highly specific single chain antibodies that target surface glycoprotein tags on the surface ofT. cruzi. Furthermore, we address evolving concepts related to field dispersal of engineered bacteria as part of the paratransgenic control strategy and attendant risk assessment evaluation.
“…Increased attention from the World Health Organization and interest from governments of endemic regions have yielded desirable results for control of Chagas disease transmission. However, success of disease control with large-scale insecticide-based approaches, as demonstrated through the Southern Cone [48], central American [49], Andean Pact [50], and Amazonian Initiatives [49], has been dimmed by the looming possibilities of environmental toxicity, human health impacts, cost of repeated applications, and development of vector resistance.…”
Chagas disease results from infection with the parasiteTrypanosoma cruzi. This disease remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in central and south America. Chagas disease now exists and is detected worldwide because of human migration. Control of Chagas disease has relied mainly on vector eradication however, the development of insect resistance to pesticides, coupled with cost and adverse health effects of insecticide treatments, has prompted our group to investigate novel methods of transmission control. Our laboratory has been instrumental in the development of the paratransgenic strategy to control vectorial transmission ofT. cruzi. In this paper, we discuss various components of the paratransgenic approach. Specifically, we describe classes of molecules that can serve as effectors, including antimicrobial peptides, endoglucanases, and highly specific single chain antibodies that target surface glycoprotein tags on the surface ofT. cruzi. Furthermore, we address evolving concepts related to field dispersal of engineered bacteria as part of the paratransgenic control strategy and attendant risk assessment evaluation.
“…Chaque jour pourtant, et cela depuis plusieurs dizaines d'années, ces travaux donnent lieu à une bonne douzaine de publications scientifiques de niveau international. De même, ne sont ni rappelées ni même citées les grandes initiatives régionales (INCOSUR pour les pays du Cône Sud, IPA pour les pays du Pacte andin, IPCA pour les pays d'Amérique centrale) prises successivement, sous l'égide de la PAHO, pour contrôler, voire éliminer, la transmission vectorielle [14,24,28,37]. Pourtant, grâce à ces initiatives, la prévalence de la maladie a été réduite en moins de 20 ans de plus de 50 % et son incidence de pratiquement 90 % [26].…”
Résumé Maladie de Chagas et sida ne sauraient être associés, voire confondus sous un même vocable sans distordre la réalité, comme cela a été fait dans un article médical récent intitulé : Chagas disease: "The New HIV/AIDS of the Americas". Si la maladie de Chagas, comme bien d'autres « maladies négligées », présente sur certains points, et en apparence seulement, quelques ressemblances avec le sida, elle s'en différencie en effet sur de nombreux autres qui sont essentiels. Abstract Chagas disease and AIDS: the same terminology cannot be used to associate, let alone confuse, these two diseases with one another without distorting reality, as was done in a recent
Mots clés
“…In the years since, the Southern Cone region has experienced remarkable success in decreasing T. cruzi transmission [3][4][5]. Stimulated by this achievement, the Central American Initiative for Chagas Disease Control (Iniciativa de los Países de América Central para el Control de la Transmisión Vectorial, Transfusional y la Atención Médica de la Enfermedad de Chagas, or IPCA) was launched in 1997 to achieve three main objectives: reduction in the rate of domiciliary infestation by Triatoma dimidiata, a major vector of Chagas disease in Central America; elimination of Rhodnius prolixus, another major vector; and prevention of the transmission of T. cruzi through blood transfusions [6].…”
Introduction: El Salvador is regarded as a highly endemic country for Chagas disease, as evidenced by the relatively high estimated positive serology rate for Trypanosoma cruzi among blood donors. This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to this high rate by analyzing changes in T. cruzi seroprevalence. Methodology: Secondary data were collected from 31 blood banks operated by the Ministry of Health, the Red Cross, the Institute of Salvadoran Social Security, and the Military Hospital. The data were analyzed to determine the number of cases of T. cruzi seropositivity, and the average prevalence of seropositivity by province. Simple linear regression was performed to identify trends in T. cruzi seropositivity. Results: Analysis of the 885,187 blood samples collected between 2001 and 2011 revealed 21,693 cases of transfusion-related infections, with a significant reduction of T. cruzi seropositivity from 3.7% in 2001 to 1.7% in 2011, reflecting a 54% decrease over the course of a decade (R 2 = 89.6%, p > 0.001). T. cruzi seroprevalence decreased in San Salvador, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, and Cuscatlán. In contrast, seroprevalence remained high with no decrease in Ahuachapán and San Vicente, and consistently low in the remainder of the country. Conclusions: Although the national prevalence of T. cruzi among blood donors has decreased, it remains high in the provinces of Ahuachapán and San Vicente. Strengthening vector control activities and developing an approach for the systematic follow-up of prospective blood donors with positive serology for T. cruzi are required, especially in areas with high seropositivity.
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