Occurrence and distribution of Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) in a metropolitan area of Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT Two triatomine genera (Panstrongylus and Triatoma) have essentially been recorded in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Panstrongylus megistus should be highlighted since this species is one of the main vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in Brazil, due to its wide geographical distribution and the high susceptibility to this protozoan. This study aimed to present not only the occurrence and distribution of P. megistus in the Porto Alegre city's metropolitan area (PAMA), Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, but also the rates of T. cruzi infection, from 2009 to 2020. The PAMA, which comprises 34 cities and 4.4 million habitants, extends across the transition area in two biomes - Pampa and Mata Atlantica - found in the state. Results showed that P. megistus was recorded in 76.5% of cities (i.e., 26 out of 34), mainly in Porto Alegre city, where the vector was found in 11 out of the 12 years that were monitored. Three hundred and nineteen specimens were captured. Two hundred and sixty-seven specimens (83.7%) were located intradomicile (p < 0.0001), while 52.3% positivity for T. cruzi was found. Thus, P. megistus is important in the PAMA, because it invades and colonizes the households. Moreover, the high rates of T. cruzi infection have drawn attention.

Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in blood donors in the extreme South of Brazil

ABSTRACT Background: We aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Chagas disease among blood donors in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods: The study was conducted from 2010 to 2019 based on data registered by the Hemocentro Regional de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Results: There were 106,320 blood donations, and the discard rate of blood bags, either due to positive reactions to anti-T. cruzi antibodies or inconclusive results was 0.27% (283 bags). Conclusions: The usage of methods that enable the safe identification of donors with positive serology for Chagas disease is fundamental to ensure transfusional safety.

Seroprevalence of anti-TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI and anti-TOXOPLASMA GONDII antibodies in possible and potential organ donors in the south of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

Serological profiles are important in cases of solid organ donation where serological findings, such as antibodies against Trypanosoma cruzi and toxoplasmosis, may interfere in organ donation by increasing morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to outline seroprevalence of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi and anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in possible and potential organ donors in the south of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, Brazil. A cross-sectional quantitative and retrospective epidemiological study was carried out, based on secondary data. Data on serology were extracted from medical records found in the Sistema de Gestão Hospitalar (SIGH), a hospital management system used by a university hospital in the south of RS, Brazil. Sociodemographic variables, such as age, sex and race, as well as clinical variables, such as titration of IgM and IgG anti-T. cruzi and anti­T. gondii antibodies, were analyzed. Medical records were found to be poorly filled in, since 67.6% (506 records) could not be used due to lack of information. Seroprevalence of T. cruzi was 6.8% (5 cases), mostly in white males. Regarding seroprevalence of T. gondii, 76.2% (64 donors) were serologicaly positive, 10.9% of which were IgM positive. This is the first study on anti-T. cruzi and anti-T. gondii antibodies in organ donors in RS, Brazil and should be furthered since there may be consequences regarding organ uptake and donation.