title: Chagas disease in rural areas of Chaco Province, Argentina: epidemiologic survey in humans, reservoirs, and vectors.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Patricio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Diosque
authors.forename: Angel Marcelo
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Padilla
authors.forename: Rubén Oscar
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Cimino
authors.forename: Rubén Marino
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Cardozo
authors.forename: Olga Sanchez
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Negrette
authors.forename: Jorge Diego
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Marco
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zacca
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meza
authors.forename: Aligio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Juarez
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rojo
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rey
authors.forename: Rosa Milagros
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Corrales
authors.forename: Julio Rubén
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Nasser
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Basombrío
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan