Spatial distribution of triatomine bugs in a Chagas disease endemic region in Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease (CD), a zoonotic infection transmitted by triatomine bug vectors to human beings. Although the story of this parasitic infection was born in Brazil and here this has made major step forward information, the same cannot be said about the actual distribution of the triatomine vector in several areas of this country. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of triatomine species in an endemic region for CD in Northeastern Brazil. Methods: A retrospective study was performed using data obtained from 2008 to 2017. All information was provided by the V Gerência Regional de Saúde of the state of Pernambuco. The spatial distribution of triatomine species was analyzed by drawing a map using the Quantum geographic information system. Results: A total of 4,694 triatomine specimens (469.4 ± 221.2 per year) were collected during the period 2008-2017, with 94.5% (4,434/4,694) at the intradomicile and 5.5% (260/4,694) at peridomicile environment. Of all arthropods collected, 92.5% (4,340/4,694) and 7.5% (354/4,694) were adults and nymphs, respectively. The species most frequently detected were Panstrongylus lutzi (30.36%), Triatoma brasiliensis (26.12%), Triatoma pseudomaculata (22.43%), and Panstrongylus megistus (20.54%). Conclusions: These data contribute to a better understanding of the distribution of T. cruzi infection in the Northeastern region of Brazil. Preventive measures based on vector control should be implemented in the study area in order to reduce the burden this neglected tropical disease.

Triatomine bugs (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in the Domiciles of the Guaribas Valley Territory, in Northeastern Brazil

“…The species T. pseudomaculata was the second-most collected in the Guaribas Valley territory, found in seven of the 16 studied municipalities, predominantly in the peridomiciles. This species is commonly reported in entomological surveys in the northeast region of Brazil 18,19 , including in the state of Piauí 9 . Although usually found mainly in the peridomicile 9,19 and described as feeding on birds 20 , recent investigations have reported T. pseudomaculata inside houses and feeding on human blood in central Brazil, indicating the potential of this species for intradomicile colonization and T. cruzi transmission 21 .…”

“…The species P. lutzi and T. sordida , which have both been previously reported in the state of Piauí 9 , were also collected in the study area. Panstrongylus lutzi is frequently found in the northeastern region of Brazil 18 , 19 , 22 and presents greater importance as a T. cruzi vector because it can be found in the intradomicile and present high levels of natural infections 22 , 23 . In contrast, T. sordida is typical of the cerrado biome (central region of Brazil) and occurs in the northeast region mainly in areas bordering that biome with the caatinga 14 .…”

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

“…infestans and Rhodnius spp.) have been added (Silva et al., 2019). Despite the time span between both studies and the increase of the diversity of specimens, it is clear that the most common triatomines in this area are those epidemiologically important for T .…”

“…These municipalities are characterized by a semi‐arid climate with average annual temperature of 22°C (ranging from 17°C to 30°C), rainfall mean of 147 mm (ranging from 25 to 295 mm) and air relative humidity of 90%. This area is found in an endemic region for CD, where triatomine species have been captured in intradomicile and peridomicile environments (Silva et al., 2019). Moreover, from 2001 to 2017, 68 deaths from CD were recorded in this area (Brasil, 2019b).…”

Doença de Chagas em livros didáticos adotados no Brasil: análise de conceitos e fundamentos / Chagas disease in textbooks adopted in Brazil: analysis of concepts and fundamentals

“…O emprego de imagens de casas de pau-a-pique, ou de construções precárias, seria desejável, pois permitiria aos alunos verificar moradias que conferem maior risco para a invasão e colonização dos vetores da DC, contudo, poucos livros apresentaram tais imagens. Segundo Amato Neto & Pasternak (2009), os triatomíneos invadem e colonizam muito as residências de pau-a-pique, e este tipo de moradia não é ideal para seres humanos, ainda que as construções de pau-a-pique façam parte apenas do peridomicílio (como, por exemplo, na construção de galinheiros), as mesmas servem de abrigo e alimento para várias espécies de triatomíneos e a melhoria habitacional mostra-se como ponto relevante, algo raramente encontrado nos livros didáticos (Santos et al, 2016;Silva et al, 2019).…”