Why do we still have not a vaccine against Chagas disease?

This review does not intend to convey detailed experimental or bibliographic data. Instead, it expresses the informal authors' personal views on topics that range from basic research on antigens and experimental models for Trypanosoma cruzi infection to vaccine prospects and vaccine production. The review also includes general aspects of Chagas' disease control and international and national policies on the subject. The authors contributed equally to the paper.

Evaluation of the Chagas Disease Control Program in Açucena Municipality, Rio Doce Valley, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Introduction Açucena Municipality, Rio Doce Valley, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil temporarily (2001-2005) interrupted epidemiological surveillance for Chagas disease. The objective of this work was to evaluate the Chagas Disease Control Program (CDCP) in Açucena and to offer suggestions for improving local epidemiological surveillance. Methods This study was conducted in three phases: I) a serological investigation of schoolchildren aged 5 to 15 years using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test performed on blood collected on filter paper followed by ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and indirect hemaglutination (IHA) on venous blood for borderline cases and those in the gray zone of reactivity; II) vector evaluation using the data obtained by local health agents during 2006-2010; and III) examination by ELISA, IIF and IHA of serum samples from the inhabitants of houses where infected Triatoma vitticeps was found and evaluation of their knowledge about Chagas disease. Results Five individuals had inconclusive results in the ELISA screening but were seronegative for Chagas disease. The triatomine evaluation revealed the presence of three species: Triatoma vitticeps, Panstrongylus megistus and Panstrongylus diasi. Triatoma vitticeps was the most prevalent and widespread, with a higher (67%) index of Trypanosoma cruzi flagellates and evidence of colonization. Most of the inhabitants of the infested houses recognized triatomines and had basic knowledge about Chagas disease. Conclusions Although T. vitticeps is not clearly associated with Chagas disease transmission, these results highlight the importance of maintaining CDCP in endemic areas and the need for greater emphasis on epidemiological surveillance, especially in areas with important vectorial changes or that have been modified by human intervention. .

Occurrence of synanthropic triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in the Federal District of Brazil / Ocorrência de triatomíneos sinantrópicos (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) no Distrito Federal, Brasil

INTRODUCTION: Entomological surveillance of Chagas disease in the Federal District of Brazil (DF), has recorded the following triatomine species: Panstrongylus megistus, P. geniculatus, P. diasi, Rhodnius neglectus, Triatoma pseudomaculata, and T. sordida. We aimed to analyze the spatial and temporal occurrence of triatomine species collected in DF, and their indices of natural infection with trypanosomes. METHODS: The Health State Secretariat of DF recorded triatomines between 2002 and 2010 in 20 administrative regions. This retrospective analysis considered the number of adults and nymphs of each species collected and infected in both intradomicile and peridomicile. RESULTS: A total of 754 triatomines were collected in 252 reported domiciles. Panstrongylus megistus was the most frequent species (65 percent), followed by T. pseudomaculata (14 percent). Of the 309 examined insects, only 3 (1 percent) specimens of P. megistus were infected with flagellates morphologically similar to Trypanosoma cruzi. The spatial occurrence indicated a higher diversity of triatomines and frequency of T. sordida in rural areas. Moreover, there was a predominance of P. megistus in urban areas. The number of records of P. megistus in the rainy season was two times higher than that during the dry season. The largest number of triatomines was collected in November. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of P. megistus specimens infected with trypanosomes in domiciles, shows the potential risk of human infection in DF. Thus, it is essential to continue entomological surveillance, intensifying it in the rainy season and in regions of greater occurrence.

INTRODUÇÃO: As espécies de triatomíneos registradas pela vigilância entomológica da doença de Chagas no Distrito Federal (DF), Brasil, são Panstrongylus megistus, Panstrongylus geniculatus, Panstrongylus diasi, Rhodnius neglectus, Triatoma pseudomaculata e Triatoma sordida. Nosso objetivo foi analisar a ocorrência espacial e temporal das espécies de triatomíneos coletadas no DF, assim como seus índices de infecção natural por tripanosomatídeos. MÉTODOS: Os triatomíneos foram registrados pela Secretaria de Saúde do DF, entre 2002 e 2010, em 20 regiões administrativas. Esta análise retrospectiva considerou o número de adultos e ninfas coletados e infectados de cada espécie no intra e peridomicílio. RESULTADOS: Ao todo, foram coletados 754 triatomíneos em 252 unidades domiciliares notificadas. Panstrongylus megistus foi a espécie mais frequente (65 por cento), seguida de T. pseudomaculata (14 por cento). Dos 309 triatomíneos examinados, somente 3 (1 por cento) espécimes de P. megistus estavam infectados por flagelados morfologicamente similares a Trypanosoma cruzi. A ocorrência espacial mostrou que houve maior diversidade de triatomíneos e maior frequência de T. sordida em áreas rurais. Além disso, houve predominância de P. megistus nas áreas urbanas. O número de registros de P. megistus no período chuvoso foi duas vezes maior que no período seco, sendo o maior número de coletas observado no mês de novembro. CONCLUSÕES: A presença de espécimes de P. megistus infectados por tripanosomatídeos em domicílios evidencia o potencial risco de infecção humana no DF. Dessa forma, é fundamental que continue a vigilância entomológica, intensificando-a no período chuvoso e nas regiões onde há maior ocorrência.