Chagas disease in rural areas of Chaco Province, Argentina: epidemiologic survey in humans, reservoirs, and vectors.
We studied the seroprevalence of antibodies against Trypanosoma cruzi in the human population along with domiciliary infestation by triatomine bugs in an area endemic for Chagas disease in the Chaco Province of Argentina. In addition, we carried out parasitologic surveys in patients, dogs, wild mammals, and vectors. The mean seroprevalence in humans was 27.81% (109 of 392) and 24.14% (63 of 261) in 1-15-year-old children. The minimum domiciliary infestation rate was 13.33%, with certain areas reaching 53.85%. The prevalence was 15.09% (16 of 106) in dogs and 35.71% (10 of 28) in opossums. Infection with T. cruzi was detected in 30.10% (59 of 196) of the Triatoma infestans tested. Compared with nationwide studies, our data suggest that 1) there are zones requiring immediate sanitary action, and 2) nationwide estimates are based on very heterogeneous epidemiologic situations. This heterogeneity emphasizes the importance of in-depth studies of restricted areas to provide additional information for a better understanding of the present status of Chagas disease in Argentina.
Diosque
Patricio
P
Instituto de Patología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Calle Buenos Aires 177, CP 4400, Salta, Argentina. p.diosque@yahoo.com.ar
Padilla
Angel Marcelo
AM
Cimino
Rubén Oscar
RO
Cardozo
Rubén Marino
RM
Negrette
Olga Sanchez
OS
Marco
Jorge Diego
JD
Zacca
Rosa
R
Meza
Carlos
C
Juarez
Aligio
A
Rojo
Hugo
H
Rey
Ricardo
R
Corrales
Rosa Milagros
RM
Nasser
Julio Rubén
JR
Basombrío
Miguel Angel
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000469:parasitology; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004199:Disease Vectors; D004285:Dogs / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012423:Rural Health; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan