Spatial distribution of triatomines in domiciles of an urban area of the Brazilian Southeast Region

Abstract

Reports of triatomine infestation in urban areas have increased. We analysed the spatial distribution of infestation by triatomines in the urban area of Diamantina, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Triatomines were obtained by community-based entomological surveillance. Spatial patterns of infestation were analysed by Ripley’s K function and Kernel density estimator. Normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and land cover derived from satellite imagery were compared between infested and uninfested areas. A total of 140 adults of four species were captured (100 Triatoma vitticeps, 25Panstrongylus geniculatus, 8 Panstrongylus megistus, and 7 Triatoma arthurneivai specimens). In total, 87.9% were captured within domiciles. Infection by trypanosomes was observed in 19.6% of 107 examined insects. The spatial distributions ofT. vitticeps, P. geniculatus, T. arthurneivai, and trypanosome-positive triatomines were clustered, occurring mainly in peripheral areas. NDVI values were statistically higher in areas infested by T. vitticeps and P. geniculatus. Buildings infested by these species were located closer to open fields, whereas infestations of P. megistus andT. arthurneivai were closer to bare soil. Human occupation and modification of natural areas may be involved in triatomine invasion, exposing the population to these vectors.

Análise espaço-temporal da doença de Chagas e seus fatores de risco ambientais e demográficos no município de Barcarena, Pará, Brasil

“…To evaluate the pattern of case distribution, we used the statistical method of estimation of density curves called Kernel, with a distance of up to 300 meters between the cases 30,34 . These analyzes were generated through the software ArcGis 10.2 and TerraView 4.3.3.1.…”

“…Considering the relationship of the epidemiology of CD with environmental and sociodemographic variables occurring differently in times and places, geotechnologies have assisted in the production of ecoepidemiological analyzes 27,28 . Thus, several analyzes of the spatial distribution of this disease have used Geoprocessing techniques (GEO) 29,30 .…”

Influence of human population density on spatial distribution patterns of environmental suitability for triatomine vectors of Chagas disease

“…Most ecological studies on the vectors of Chagas disease focus on small-scale, environmental factors affecting species distribution and abundance locally (i.e., household, peridomestic and wild microenvironments) [11][12][13][14][15][16]. Only in recent years, research inquiring about the largescale spatial patterns of species distribution and species richness of triatominae vectors become available in the literature [10.17-23].…”

Occurrence and distribution of triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in municipalities of the Northeastern region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil

“…Despite their preference for wild habitat, reports of R. neglectus, P. diasi, and P. geniculatus in domiciliary environments have increased, the last even being involved in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi to humans (2) (15) . Triatoma arthurneivai is a species rarely found in domestic and sylvatic environments and its reports are restricted to Southern Espinhaço Mountain Range (15) .…”

“…Triatoma arthurneivai is a species rarely found in domestic and sylvatic environments and its reports are restricted to Southern Espinhaço Mountain Range (15) . The fi ndings of P. tertius and R. domesticus in domiciles are sporadic and probably do not indicate changes in species behavior.…”