PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with house infestation by Triatoma dimidiata as well as with Trypanosoma cruzi infection in humans and owned dogs in two rural communities from the municipality of Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico. METHODS: One hundred and 16 human blood samples and 34 dog blood samples were collected. The presence of anti-T. cruzi antibodies was determined using four different ELISA assays. Moreover, reactive ELISA sera from humans and dogs were processed by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) to confirm the presence of anti-T. cruzi antibodies. RESULTS: Serologic tests for T. cruzi infection showed a prevalence of 5.1% (6/116) in humans and of 50% (17/34) in owned dogs. CONCLUSION: The presence of animals (dogs, chickens and wild animals), as well as some characteristics of house construction were identified as risk factors for infestation and infection. Complementary studies must be carried out to allow a better understanding of the transmission dynamics in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, and the implementation of adequate control programs.
Chagas Disease , Triatoma , Trypanosoma cruzi , Animals , Chagas Disease/epidemiology , Chagas Disease/veterinary , Chickens , Dogs , Humans , Insect Vectors , Mexico/epidemiology , Rural Population
The mechanisms of infection and dispersion of Trypanosoma cruzi among animals, especially in the sylvatic environment, are still not entirely clear, and various aspects of the transmission dynamics of this parasite in the sylvatic environment are still unknown. T. cruzi is a parasite with a great biological and genetic diversity that infects a wide variety of hosts, therefore, transmission cycles of this parasite are complex. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of T. cruzi infection and analyze the genetic variability of the discrete typing units (DTUs) of the parasite in three non-human primate species (Alouatta palliata, Alouatta pigra, and Ateles geoffroyi) in southeastern Mexico. A total of one hundred sixty-four serum samples (42 samples of A. pigra, 41 samples of A. palliata (free-ranging) and 81 samples of A. geoffroyi (hosted in care centers)) were analyzed for the detection of anti-T. cruzi antibodies by ELISA assays. The seroprevalence of infection was 23.39% in A. palliata, 21.40% in A. pigra and 16.27% in A. geoffroyi. Additionally, presence of parasite DNA was assessed by PCR, and the identification of DTUs was performed by real-time PCR coupled to High Resolution Melting (qPCR-HRM). Different DTUs (TcI, TcII, TcIII, TcV and TcVI) were found in the analyzed monkeys. In addition, infection of monkeys was not associated with age or gender, but it was associated with the species. This study reveals the risk of infection in the study area and that the different DTUs of the parasite can coexist in the same habitat, indicating that T. cruzi transmission in the study area is very complex and involves many ecological factors. However, there is a need for long-term studies of host-parasite interactions to provide a solid understanding of the ecology of these species and to understand the dispersion strategies of T. cruzi.
Alouatta/parasitology , Ateles geoffroyi/parasitology , Chagas Disease/transmission , Monkey Diseases/transmission , Trypanosoma cruzi/pathogenicity , Animals , Chagas Disease/parasitology , Chagas Disease/veterinary , Genotype , Host-Parasite Interactions , Humans , Mexico , Monkey Diseases/parasitology , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Species Specificity , Trypanosoma cruzi/genetics
Triatomines (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) are bloodsucking insects involved in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, an important public health problem in Latin America. The triatomine species found in sylvatic habitats generally play a limited epidemiological role compared to domestic species, but they may act as a reinfestation source of dwellings after insecticide spraying and have to be carefully considered in control strategies of Chagas disease transmission. The objectives of this work were to carry out a survey of the sylvatic triatomine species colonizing Furnariidae nests in a typical area of the Chaco region of Argentina during the winter and to study the parasites and natural enemies associated with the collected triatomines. Sixty-three triatomine specimens were collected from Furnariidae nests (Coryphistera alaudina and Phacellodomus sibilatrix) randomly selected within the study area. Fifty-four were identified as Psammolestes coreodes, seven as Triatoma platensis, and two as Triatoma infestans. Specimens of T. infestans and T. platensis were found in one nest. The first finding of instar nymphs of T. infestans x T. platensis in a sylvatic habitat is reported. For the first time, sylvatic collected specimens of T. platensis were found infected by T. cruzi. Triatoma virus was found in one Ps. coreodes specimen.
Insect Vectors/physiology , Triatominae/physiology , Animals , Argentina , Ecosystem , Female , Insect Vectors/parasitology , Male , Triatominae/parasitology , Trypanosoma cruzi/pathogenicity
We used 12 microsatellite markers developed for Leishmania braziliensis to genotype 28 strains of the main species of the Leishmania guyanensis complex (i.e. L. guyanensis and L. panamensis) collected in Ecuador and Peru. The important heterozygote deficits observed in these populations are similar with the previous data obtained in L. braziliensis and raise again the debate on the reproductive mode of these protozoan parasites. The data showed genetic polymorphism and geographical differentiation giving information on population structure of the L. guyanensis complex. Regarding the two species, this study enhances again the debate on the taxonomic status of the different isolates belonging to L. guyanensis s.l. since the results showed substantial heterogeneity within this species complex. In conclusion, this study increases the number of available microsatellite loci for L. guyanensis species complex and raises fundamental biological questions. It confirms that microsatellite markers constitute good tools for population genetic studies on parasites of this complex.
Genetics, Population , Leishmania guyanensis/classification , Leishmania guyanensis/genetics , Microsatellite Repeats/genetics , Animals , DNA, Protozoan/analysis , DNA, Protozoan/isolation & purification , Ecuador , Genetic Variation , Genotype , Humans , Leishmania braziliensis/genetics , Leishmania guyanensis/physiology , Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous/parasitology , Peru , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Polymorphism, Genetic
Twelve microsatellite loci of Leishmania braziliensis were examined, nine of which were developed in this work. Fifty-six Leishmania braziliensis were genotyped with these microsatellite loci. The 12 loci studied were polymorphic with the number of alleles ranging from five to 19, with a mean of 9.7 ± 4.1 and the observed heterozygosity averaging 0.425 ± 0.202. The important heterozygote deficits we observed (F(IS) = 0.41, P value = 0.004) appear incompatible with the heterozygote excess expected in clonal diploids. This last result could revive the clonality/sexuality debate regarding Leishmania. This work validates the potential use of these microsatellites for population genetics analysis.
