title: [Entomological study of Trypanosoma cruzi vectors in the rural communities of Sucre state, Venezuela].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ecological niche of Reduvidae vectors has been modified due to environmental changes and human encroachment into the rural areas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates the current entomological indices of triatomines responsible for Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Sucre State, Venezuela.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted in 95 towns and 577 dwellings in the 15 municipalities of the state of Sucre, Venezuela, from August to November, 2008. Triatomine bugs were identified on the basis of morphological characteristics, and their feces examined for T. cruzi infection through direct microscopy. Positive slides were stained with Giemsa and parasites were identified by morphologic characterization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The entomological indices expressing the highest values were dispersion (16.67%) and household colonization (33.33%). The triatomine species captured were: Rhodnius prolixus , Rhodnius main intradomiciliary vector.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the low index of vector infection (1.72%), the existence of species with domiciliary and peridomiciliary reproductive success ensures the persistence of the epidemiological chain both for the disease and the parasite.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología, Núcleo de Sucre, Universidad de Oriente, Cumaná, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Noris
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: García-Jordán
authors.affiliation: Posgrado en Biología Aplicada, Núcleo de Sucre, Universidad de Oriente, Cumaná, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Mariolga
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berrizbeitia
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Juan Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Concepción
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio de Entomología Herman Lent, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Elis
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aldana
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Bioquímica de Parásitos, Centro de Ingeniería Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cáceres
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Wilfredo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Quiñones
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D004772:Entomology; D007303:Insect Vectors; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi; D014687:Venezuela