Exploring the association between Trypanosoma cruzi infection in rural communities and environmental changes in the southern Gran Chaco

Moreno, Mariana Laura; Hoyos, Laura Emilia; Cabido, Marcelo; Catalá, Silvia; Gorla, David Eladio

doi:10.1590/s0074-02762012000200013

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…For example, if farming communities of coastal Ecuador would develop irrigation to support cultivation of maize during the dry season, this may have an impact on the sylvatic triatomine cycle through an increase of mouse/rat and squirrel occurrence during the dry and following transition seasons. However, two maize harvests per year would boost farmers' income and probably improve their living conditions, thereby decreasing their vulnerability to Chagas disease [1] and potentially reducing T. cruzi transmission [53]. Indeed, even low cost home improvements that limit areas of vector refuge in nearby houses can be highly effective at keeping infestation low [54].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of Sylvatic Chagas Disease Vectors in Coastal Ecuador Is Driven by Changes in Land Cover

2014

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BackgroundChagas disease is a serious public health problem in Latin America where about ten million individuals show Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Despite significant success in controlling domiciliated triatomines, sylvatic populations frequently infest houses after insecticide treatment which hampers long term control prospects in vast geographical areas where vectorial transmission is endemic. As a key issue, the spatio-temporal dynamics of sylvatic populations is likely influenced by landscape yet evidence showing this effect is rare. The aim of this work is to examine the role of land cover changes in sylvatic triatomine ecology, based on an exhaustive field survey of pathogens, vectors, hosts, and microhabitat characteristics' dynamics.Methodology and Principal FindingsThe study was performed in agricultural landscapes of coastal Ecuador as a study model. Over one year, a spatially-randomized sampling design (490 collection points) allowed quantifying triatomine densities in natural, cultivated and domestic habitats. We also assessed infection of the bugs with trypanosomes, documented their microhabitats and potential hosts, and recorded changes in landscape characteristics. In total we collected 886 individuals, mainly represented by nymphal stages of one triatomine species Rhodnius ecuadoriensis. As main results, we found that 1) sylvatic triatomines had very high T. cruzi infection rates (71%) and 2) densities of T. cruzi-infected sylvatic triatomines varied predictably over time due to changes in land cover and occurrence of associated rodent hosts.ConclusionWe propose a framework for identifying the factors affecting the yearly distribution of sylvatic T. cruzi vectors. Beyond providing key basic information for the control of human habitat colonization by sylvatic vector populations, our framework highlights the importance of both environmental and sociological factors in shaping the spatio-temporal population dynamics of triatomines. A better understanding of the dynamics of such socio-ecological systems is a crucial, yet poorly considered, issue for the long-term control of Chagas disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of Sylvatic Chagas Disease Vectors in Coastal Ecuador Is Driven by Changes in Land Cover

2014

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“…American trypanosomiasis or Chagas is one of the most serious, endemic parasitic diseases of Latin America (Moreno et al, 2012) with social and economic impacts exceeding the combined effects of other parasitic diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis (Dias and Schofield, 1999). It is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi with Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) as its main vector in the southern cone of South America.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation and planning of Chagas control activities using geospatial tools

Weinberg

Lanfri²,

Scavuzzo³

et al. 2019

Geospat Health

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Chagas continues to be a relevant public health problem in Latin America. In this work, we present a spatiotemporal analysis applied for the evaluation and planning of Chagas vector control strategies. We analysed the spatial distribution of the vector Triatoma infestans infestation related to ongoing control interventions cycles in rural communities near Añatuya, Santiago del Estero, Argentina. A geographical information system was developed for the spatial analysis obtaining, for each house, variables that describe the history of spraying and infestation at each time of interventions. Bi-dimensional histograms were used to describe the spatiotemporal pattern of these activities and peri-domestic infestation at the last intervention was modelled by a neural network model. We qualitatively evaluate control programmes considering the history of infestation and spraying from a spatiotemporal point of view, incorporating new ways of visualising this information. Predictions are based on novel, non-linear models and spatiotemporal indices, which should be useful for strategically allocating Chagas control resources in the future and thus help to better plan spraying strategies.

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“…Some studies on health-disease processes in indigenous communities have identified some Chagas disease prevention practices and have pointed out that both their daily practices and the conservation of their territories operate as protective factors against this disease [22], [23], [24]. On the other hand, the lands surrounding rural communities have undergone changes in their use and coverage due to the expansion of an agricultural model based on soybean monoculture and the use of agrochemicals [25]. In extensive crops, due to exposure to the environmental concentrations of highly used pesticides, the mortality of invertebrate communities (such as those of triatomines) has increased [26].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Chagas in urban and rural indigenous populations of the south of Gran Chaco

Colussi

Stafuza²,

Nepote

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background & objectivesIn Latin America, Chagas disease is endemic, with high prevalence in rural indigenous communities and increasing prevalence in urban areas due to migration from rural areas with active vector transmission. The objective of the work was to assess differences in the prevalence of Chagas disease in urban and rural moqoit communities of the south of Gran Chaco, Santa Fe province, Argentina.MethodsA seroprevalence study was conducted in six moqoit populations. Belonging to an urban community was considered as an exposure variable, whereas seropositivity for Chagas disease was considered as an outcome variableResultsThe results showed that 9.26% of the 702 volunteers evaluated and 3.50% of women of childbearing potential were seropositive. The prevalence of Chagas disease in urban communities was 6.41 times higher than in rural communities.Interpretation & conclusionsThe seroprevalence found in the moqoit community is higher than that estimated for the general population of the same region, with greater impact in the urban area than in the rural area. The decline of vector transmission in the rural area could be related to the conservation of ancestral practices and the expansion of the agricultural model.

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Exploring the association between Trypanosoma cruzi infection in rural communities and environmental changes in the southern Gran Chaco

Abstract: The association between land use and land cover changes between 1979-2004 in a 2.26-million-

Cited by 15 publications

References 21 publications

Dynamics of Sylvatic Chagas Disease Vectors in Coastal Ecuador Is Driven by Changes in Land Cover

Dynamics of Sylvatic Chagas Disease Vectors in Coastal Ecuador Is Driven by Changes in Land Cover

Evaluation and planning of Chagas control activities using geospatial tools

Seroprevalence of Chagas in urban and rural indigenous populations of the south of Gran Chaco

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