Multiple Approaches to Address Potential Risk Factors of Chagas Disease Transmission in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Chagas disease is one of the most significant systemic parasitosis in Latin America, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which is mainly transmitted by hematophagous insects, the triatomines. This research was carried out in both domestic and wild environments throughout a Northeastern rural locality. Triatomines were captured in both peridomicile and wild environments, obtaining 508 specimens of triatomines, of which 99.6% were Triatoma brasiliensis. Insects were captured in 10 (18.5%) peridomiciles with an average of 8.3 triatomines per residence. Triatoma brasiliensis nymphs and adults were found in six peridomiciles, generating a 11.1% colonization. No T. cruzi infection was detected in the 447 peridomestic insects analyzed. On the other hand, of the 55 sylvatic T. brasiliensis molecularly examined for T. cruzi, 12 (21%) were positive, all harboring T. cruzi I. The blood meal analysis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay from gut content revealed that both peridomestic and wild triatomine populations fed mainly on birds, refractory to the parasite, which may explain the null rate of natural infection prevalence in the domestic environment. However, infected triatomines for potential home infestation within the radius of insect dispersion capacity were registered in rock outcrops around the dwellings. Anthropogenic environmental influences are able to rapidly alter these scenarios. Therefore, to avoid disease transmission to humans, we recommend constant vector control combined with periodic serological surveillance. The associated methodology presented herein may serve as a model for early detections of risk factors for Chagas disease transmission in the Brazilian Northeast.

Wild mammals involved in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi and food sources of Triatoma sherlocki in an endemic region of northeastern Brazil

“…This hypothesis needs to be investigated through experimental studies. Domestic carnivores are considered bioindicators of T. cruzi circulation (Bezerra et al, 2014; Daflon‐Teixeira et al, 2019; Herrera et al, 2005). In previous studies, also carried out in the district of Santo Inácio, there was a report of a cat positive for T. cruzi in xenodiagnosis (Rimoldi et al, 2012) and of dogs seropositive for the parasite (Santos et al, 2022).…”

Infections by trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) in triatomines (Hemiptera: Triatominae): A spatiotemporal assessment in an endemic area for Chagas disease

“…It is important to note that the promiscuous feeding behaviour of this species facilitates the circulation of T . cruzi between anthropic and wild environments (Daflon‐Teixeira et al., 2019).…”

Natural Products from Annonaceae as Potential Antichagasic Agents

“…The six compounds are reliable (within the applicability domain) in the amastigote and trypomastigote models. The results show that the six compounds also have potential activity against the amastigote form, which is the parasitic form of the chronic phase of Chagas disease in humans, 13-epicupressic acid (5) being the most promising among them (70 % probability of active potential). None of the six compounds was likely to have activity against the trypomastigote form.…”

“…Particularly prevalent in Brazil, Chagas disease is responsible for the death of around 10,000 people every year in South America. [3][4][5][6][7] According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to seven million people worldwide are infected by T. cruzi, characterizing it as an important health and socioeconomic problem. [4,6,7] And this problem has been getting bigger and more attention in recent years due to its expansion to non-endemic areas, such as North America and Europe, due to the increase in the migratory flow of infected people.…”