Estado actual de la seroprevalencia de la infección chagásica humana y canina en la comuna de San Pedro de Atacama, II Región de Antofagasta en Chile 1995 / Present status of seroprevalence of canine and human chagasic infection in San Pedro de Atacama, II Región, Antofagasta, Chile 1995

RESUMO

In order to assess the impact of a control program against triatoma infestans launched in 1988, based on insecticide spraying of dwellings, a serological survey for chagasic infection was carried out during 1995 in three localities from San Pedro de Atacama county (22º55' south lat., 68º12' west long.), II Region of Antofagasta in northern Chile. Blood samples from 531 children and adolescents and 65 dogs were subjected to ELISA test and indirect inmunofluorescent test for Chagas's disease respectively. Tests resulted positive in 12 (2,3 percent) persons, all above 5 years old, in contrast with the 16,8 percent serological positivity observed in 1985. Three (4,6 percent) dogs (two 0-12 months old) resulted positive. These results indicate that dwellings sprayings with long-term activity insecticides against T. infestans is a good tool to prevent new human infections with T. cruzi. However, active vector transmissiom among domestic animals (canines) could be recently acquired.