Risk factors for Trypanosoma cruzi human infection in Barinas State, Venezuela.
This study attempted to quantify the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in children less than 15 years of age in Barinas State, Venezuela and investigate risk factors for infection. Among 3,296 children, 4 (0.12%) were seropositive. The mother of one child also was also seropositive, which suggested that congenital transmission is a possible risk factor for Chagas disease in this area. Seroprevalence among the dwellers of 10 localities was 3.3%. Rhodnius prolixus was detected in 7 localities and in 8% of 125 dwellings. A multivariate logistic regression model showed that infection was associated with age, a dirt floor, and distance from houses to palm trees. The risk of infection is increased by the presence of adventitious sylvatic R. prolixus and transient or residual colonies. Insecticide spraying does not seem justified in this scenario, a finding that was also observed in other Latin American countries. New methods are therefore needed for Chagas disease control programs.
Feliciangeli
M Dora
MD
Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro Nacional de Referencia de Flebótomos y Otros Vectores, Universidad de Carabobo, Maracay, Venezuela. mdora@movistar.net.ve
Sánchez-Martín
Maria J
MJ
Suárez
Benny
B
Marrero
Rosalba
R
Torrellas
Annhymariet
A
Bravo
Arturo
A
Medina
Mehudy
M
Martínez
Cinda
C
Hernandez
Mayeli
M
Duque
Neidi
N
Toyo
José
J
Rangel
Roberto
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012239:Rhodnius / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan