Strongyloides stercoralis and Trypanosoma cruzi coinfections in a highly endemic area in Argentina

Fleitas, Pedro Emanuel; Floridia-Yapur, Noelia; Nieves, Elvia E; Echazú, Adriana; Vargas, Paola A.; Nicolás, Rita Nicanor; Aveldaño, Ramiro; López, Walter R.; Fernández, Mariana; Crudo, Favio; Cimino, Rubén O.; Krolewiecki, Alejandro

doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0010179

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 40 publications

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“…Operational areas also differed in the observed baseline household T. infestans -infestation prevalence and abundance [ 22 ]. Other locations of the Gran Chaco with active vector-borne transmission and lack of sustained vector control showed higher prevalence of infection [ 24 , 60 – 68 ]. Similarly, the pre-intervention force of infection (FOI = 1.23) was lower than in other locations in the Gran Chaco without vector control [ 31 , 41 , 69 , 70 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Trypanosoma cruzi infection in the Argentinean Chaco: risk factors and identification of households with infected children for treatment

Macchiaverna,

Enriquez,

Gaspe

et al. 2024

Parasites Vectors

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Background Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease (NTD). Cost-effective strategies for large-scale implementation of diagnosis and etiological treatment are urgently needed to comply with NTD control goals. We determined the seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and associated risk factors in a well-defined rural population of Pampa del Indio municipality including creole and indigenous (Qom) households and developed two indices to identify houses harboring infected children. Methods We serodiagnosed and administered a questionnaire to 1337 residents (48.2% of the listed population) in two sections of the municipality (named Areas II and IV) 6–9 years after deploying sustained vector control interventions. Multiple logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between human infection and a priori selected predictors. Two risk indices were constructed based on environmental and serostatus variables, and we used spatial analysis to test whether households harboring T. cruzi-seropositive children were randomly distributed. Results The global seroprevalence of T. cruzi infection was 24.8%. Human infection was positively and significantly associated with exposure time to triatomines, the household number of seropositive co-inhabitants, maternal seropositivity for T. cruzi, recent residence at the current house and the presence of suitable walls for triatomine colonization in the domicile. The pre-intervention mean annual force of infection (FOI) was 1.23 per 100 person-years. Creoles from Area IV exhibited the highest seroprevalence and FOI; Qom people from both areas displayed intermediate ones and creoles from Area II the lowest. Three hotspots of infected children were spatially associated with hotspots of triatomine abundance at baseline and persistent house infestation. No child born after vector control interventions was T. cruzi seropositive except for one putative transplacental case. Two simple risk indices (based on self-reported inhabiting an infested house and suitable walls for triatomines or maternal serostatus) identified 97.3–98.6% of the households with at least one T. cruzi-seropositive child. Conclusions We showed strong heterogeneity in the seroprevalence of T. cruzi infection within and between ethnic groups inhabiting neighboring rural areas. Developed indices can be used for household risk stratification and to improve access of rural residents to serodiagnosis and treatment and may be easily transferred to primary healthcare personnel. Graphical Abstract

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Trypanosoma cruzi infection in the Argentinean Chaco: risk factors and identification of households with infected children for treatment

Macchiaverna,

Enriquez,

Gaspe

et al. 2024

Parasites Vectors

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First identification of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a pet dog in Argentina, using integrated diagnostic approaches

Borrás,

Pérez,

Repetto

et al. 2023

Parasites Vectors

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Background Strongyloides stercoralis is a soil-transmitted intestinal nematode with a complex life cycle that primarily affects humans, non-human primates, dogs, and occasionally cats. This study presents, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of S. stercoralis infection and its genotyping in a domestic dog from Argentina. Methods The patient was a female wired-haired Teckel dog exhibiting recurrent coughing. Coproparasitological analysis using the Baermann technique revealed the presence of rhabditiform larvae morphologically compatible with S. stercoralis. To confirm this finding, molecular diagnosis (18S ribosomal RNA) and analysis of the cox1 gene were performed. Results We identified a haplotype (HP20) that has previously only been related to S. stercoralis infection in dogs, but was found in the present study to be highly related to the haplotype (HP16) of a zoonotic variant and divergent from those previously described from human patients in Argentina. Furthermore, unlike in human cases following treatment with ivermectin, the dog was negative after moxidectin treatment according to polymerase chain reaction of the sampled faeces. Conclusions This case report shows the importance of further investigation into potential transmission events and prevalences of S. stercoralis in dogs and humans in South America. The results reported here should also encourage future work that examines different scenarios of infection with S. stercoralis in dogs and humans with the aim of integrating clinical management, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up strategies in the quest for new approaches for the treatment of this disease in animals and humans. The findings support the adoption of a One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness between animal and human health, in addressing parasitic infections such as strongyloidiasis. Graphical Abstract

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The Relationship Between Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections and Environmental Factors in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina: Cross-Sectional Study

Candela,

Goizueta,

Sandon

et al. 2023

JMIR Public Health Surveill

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Background Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are widely distributed throughout the world. Various factors, including the environment, socioeconomic characteristics, and access to water and sanitation, play an important role in the spread and persistence of these parasites within communities. They, in turn, affect the growth and development of members of the community, especially children. Studies in the northern provinces of Argentina have shown variable prevalence of STHs, but the factors associated with their presence have not been completely elucidated. Objective This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the socioeconomic and environmental factors related to STH infection in indigenous villages located in Puerto Iguazú (Misiones), Argentina. Methods Between 2018 and 2019, stool samples were collected from individuals ≥1 year residing in 3 villages: Mini-Marangatú, Yriapú, and Fortín Mbororé. Standard parasitological methods were used to determine STH prevalence. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess participants’ habits, customs, and household characteristics, and environmental data were obtained through satellite imagery. Multilinear regression with Akaike information criterion stepwise variables was used to explore relevant associations. Results A total of 342 individuals from the 3 villages participated in this study. The prevalence of STHs varied across villages: 89.6% (43/48), in Mini-Marangatú, 80.8% (101/125) in Yriapú, and 68.5% (115/169) in Fortín Mbororé. Notably, there was a significant difference in hookworm infection among the villages (P=.02). The analysis highlighted the significant influence of specific environmental factors on STH presence and spatial distribution, particularly in relation to hookworm infection. Vegetation patterns represented by the Vegetation Heterogeneity Index, created ad hoc for this study, emerged as a critical factor, with 2 significant predictors related to it (P=.002 and P=.004) alongside impervious surface density with a significant predictor (P<.001). The multilinear regression model yielded a high F test score (F108=4.75, P<.001), indicating a strong fit (R2=0.5465). Furthermore, socioeconomic factors, including walking barefoot in houses with dirt floors and overcrowding, were significantly correlated with hookworm infection intensity (P<.001 and P=.001, respectively). We also used the multilinear regression model to calculate hookworm infection intensity (F110=21.15, P<.001; R2=0.4971). Conclusions Our study underscores the complexity of STH transmission, as villages with similar living conditions and environmental characteristics displayed varied STH prevalence and spatial distribution. Specific environmental factors, such as vegetation pattern and impervious surface density, played major roles in STH presence, demonstrating the crucial relationship between environmental factors and hookworm infection distribution. Moreover, our findings emphasize the significant influence of socioeconomic factors on hookworm infection intensity. By gaining insights into this complex interplay, our research contributes to a better understanding of STH transmission characteristics, thereby informing targeted public health interventions for effective control.

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Strongyloides stercoralis and Trypanosoma cruzi coinfections in a highly endemic area in Argentina

Cited by 4 publications

References 40 publications

Human Trypanosoma cruzi infection in the Argentinean Chaco: risk factors and identification of households with infected children for treatment

Human Trypanosoma cruzi infection in the Argentinean Chaco: risk factors and identification of households with infected children for treatment

First identification of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a pet dog in Argentina, using integrated diagnostic approaches

The Relationship Between Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections and Environmental Factors in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina: Cross-Sectional Study

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