title: Mapping of the distribution of Trypanosoma cruzi infection among small wild mammals in a conservation unit and its surroundings (Northeast-Brazil).
abstract: Maps are a useful tool that permits correlation of landscapes with hotspots of parasite transmission. Here, they were used as a tool for geovisualization to evaluate variables involved in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi among small wild mammals in an area endemic for Chagas disease, the "Serra da Capivara" National Park (PARNA) and its surroundings in Piauí State, Northeast Brazil. The implementation of a Geographical Information System (GIS) allowed the observation that a previously noted aggregated distribution of Triatoma sordida and Triatoma brasiliensis, T. cruzi prevalence and infection pattern of small wild mammals was directly or indirectly influenced by the local relief and human action. Small mammalian species diversity was higher in mesic refugia inside the park and in its buffer zone and lower in the disturbed area by anthropic activities. Didelphis albiventris was more abundant in the areas affected by human action. Thrichomys laurentius demonstrated to be an eclectic species and a competent reservoir of T. cruzi, being infected in all study areas. Small wild mammals infected with the TCII genotype of T. cruzi were localized only in the buffer zone of PARNA while TCI infected specimens were found in both areas, inside the PARNA and its buffer zone. The impact of biodiversity loss on the transmission cycle of T. cruzi in the wild environment was discussed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biology of Tripanosomatid, Department of Protozoology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute - IOC/FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, Zip Code 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: S C C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Xavier
authors.forename: V C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Vaz
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: D'Andrea
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Emperaire
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jansen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000469:parasitology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002335:Carnivora / Q000469:parasitology; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000469:parasitology*; D008394:Marsupialia / Q000469:parasitology; D012377:Rodentia / Q000469:parasitology; D014225:Triatominae / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology / Q000502:physiology; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*