title: American trypanosomiasis and associated risk factors in owned dogs from the major city of Yucatan, Mexico.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The American trypanosomiasis is a zoonosis caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). The disease is widely distributed throughout the American continent, affecting a wide range of hosts, including dogs. It is present in the canine population in the State of Yucatan, Mexico. However, no significant studies in owned dogs have been performed in the metropolitan area of Merida. A transversal study was conducted in 370 owned dogs from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study including 370 dogs was performed in a major city of Yucatan, Mexico, to detect IgG antibodies against T. cruzi. A commercial ELISA test kit was used and a chi-square test used to evaluate associated risk factors; odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were also estimated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The indirect ELISA and western blot (WB) tests were used to detect specific immunoglobulin G antibodies against T. cruzi in serum samples. A prevalence of 12.2 % was found; age and area of residence were statistically associated with seropositivity in dogs (p <0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from the present study suggests the presence and abundance of the vector in urban conditions where a high number of seropositive cases of T. cruzi cases were found.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán Mexico.
authors.forename: Matilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Coello
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán Mexico.
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Acosta-Viana
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán Mexico.
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guzmán-Marín
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Enseñanza Médica, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, km 15.5 Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil, AP 4-116 Mérida, Yucatán Mexico.
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bárcenas-Irabién
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Enseñanza Médica, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, km 15.5 Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil, AP 4-116 Mérida, Yucatán Mexico.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ortega-Pacheco
keywords: Epidemiology; Major city; Mexico; Owned dogs; Trypanosoma cruzi