Low probability of transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi to humans by domiciliary Triatoma sordida in Bolivia

The role of #Triatoma sordida in the domestic transmission of #Trypanosoma cruzi was assessed in 7 rural localities in Velasco Province, Department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. #Tri. sordida$, the only triatomine species identified in these localities, was found inside 58.0$ showed that humans were the commonest host (70.4%), followed by chickens and dogs. Four of 418 persons tested were seropositive for #Tryp. cruzi. Only 2 of a second group of 62 persons living in dwellings infested by #Tri. sordida were seropositive. #Tryp. cruzi infection was demonstrated in dogs and domestic rats. Three other species of small mammals were found to be infected with trypanosomes. In our study area, domestic #Tri. sordida are mainly incriminated in the transmission of #Tryp. cruzi to synanthropic animals, whereas transmission to humans is very rare. The presence in houses of small populations of #Tri. sordida infected with #Tryp. cruzi$ is therefore currently insufficient for this insect to constitute a major epidemiological risk factor. (Résumé d'auteur

Low probability of transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi to humans by domiciliary Triatoma sordida in Bolivia

The role of #Triatoma sordida in the domestic transmission of #Trypanosoma cruzi was assessed in 7 rural localities in Velasco Province, Department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. #Tri. sordida$, the only triatomine species identified in these localities, was found inside 58.0$ showed that humans were the commonest host (70.4%), followed by chickens and dogs. Four of 418 persons tested were seropositive for #Tryp. cruzi. Only 2 of a second group of 62 persons living in dwellings infested by #Tri. sordida were seropositive. #Tryp. cruzi infection was demonstrated in dogs and domestic rats. Three other species of small mammals were found to be infected with trypanosomes. In our study area, domestic #Tri. sordida are mainly incriminated in the transmission of #Tryp. cruzi to synanthropic animals, whereas transmission to humans is very rare. The presence in houses of small populations of #Tri. sordida infected with #Tryp. cruzi$ is therefore currently insufficient for this insect to constitute a major epidemiological risk factor. (Résumé d'auteur