Noris García-Jordán1, Mariolga Berrizbeitia2, Juan Luis Concepción3, Elis Aldana4, Ana Cáceres5, Wilfredo Quiñones3. 1. Departamento de Biología, Núcleo de Sucre, Universidad de Oriente, Cumaná, Venezuela. 2. Posgrado en Biología Aplicada, Núcleo de Sucre, Universidad de Oriente, Cumaná, Venezuela. 3. Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela. 4. Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio de Entomología Herman Lent, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela. 5. Unidad de Bioquímica de Parásitos, Centro de Ingeniería Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The ecological niche of Reduvidae vectors has been modified due to environmental changes and human encroachment into the rural areas. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the current entomological indices of triatomines responsible for Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Sucre State, Venezuela. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted in 95 towns and 577 dwellings in the 15 municipalities of the state of Sucre, Venezuela, from August to November, 2008. Triatomine bugs were identified on the basis of morphological characteristics, and their feces examined for T. cruzi infection through direct microscopy. Positive slides were stained with Giemsa and parasites were identified by morphologic characterization. RESULTS: The entomological indices expressing the highest values were dispersion (16.67%) and household colonization (33.33%). The triatomine species captured were: Rhodnius prolixus , Rhodnius main intradomiciliary vector. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low index of vector infection (1.72%), the existence of species with domiciliary and peridomiciliary reproductive success ensures the persistence of the epidemiological chain both for the disease and the parasite.
INTRODUCTION: The ecological niche of Reduvidae vectors has been modified due to environmental changes and human encroachment into the rural areas. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the current entomological indices of triatomines responsible for Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Sucre State, Venezuela. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted in 95 towns and 577 dwellings in the 15 municipalities of the state of Sucre, Venezuela, from August to November, 2008. Triatomine bugs were identified on the basis of morphological characteristics, and their feces examined for T. cruzi infection through direct microscopy. Positive slides were stained with Giemsa and parasites were identified by morphologic characterization. RESULTS: The entomological indices expressing the highest values were dispersion (16.67%) and household colonization (33.33%). The triatomine species captured were: Rhodnius prolixus , Rhodnius main intradomiciliary vector. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low index of vector infection (1.72%), the existence of species with domiciliary and peridomiciliary reproductive success ensures the persistence of the epidemiological chain both for the disease and the parasite.