Primer hallazgo de vectores de la enfermedad de Chagas asociados a matorrales silvestres en la Región Metropolitana, Chile / First finding of Chagas disease vectors associated with wild bushes in the Metropolitan Region of Chile
Rev. méd. Chile
;
134(10): 1230-1236, oct. 2006. tab
Article
in Spanish
| LILACS
| ID: lil-439912
ABSTRACT
Background:
Insects of the subfamily triatominae are the biological vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease.Aim:
To search for wild colonies of triatomines in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. Material andMethods:
Ad hoc traps were placed in two endemic zones of the Metropolitan Region of Chile, during 30 nights. The dejections of 16 T infestans and 43 M spinolai specimens were examined under the microscope, searching for live metacyclic trypomastigotes. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed in macerates of all insects looking for T cruzi DNA.Results:
A total of 269 bugs were captured. Forty four were Triatoma infestans and 225 were Mepraia spinolai. They were not syntopic, since T infestans was restricted to a Southern zone (Calera de Tango) while M spinolai was only found in the Northern zone (Til-Til). Both species were found associated to terrestrial bromeliads (Puya sp) but M spinolai was also detected in stony grounds. Microscopic examination of dejections yielded a trypano-triatomine index of 56.3 and 32.6 for T infestans and M spinolai, respectively. PCR detected T cruzi DNA in 41 and 43 percent of T infestans and M spinolai specimens, respectively.Conclusions:
The finding of T infestans in a wild habitat is noticeable. This is the first report of such phenomenon in Chile. The high infection rates with T cruzi, explains the maintenance of Chagas disease wild cycle in Chile.
Full text:
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Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Triatoma
/
Trypanosoma cruzi
/
Chagas Disease
/
Insect Vectors
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Chile
Language:
Spanish
Journal:
Rev. méd. Chile
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2006
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Chile
Institution/Affiliation country:
Secretaría Regional Ministerial de Salud/CL
/
Universidad de Chile/CL
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