Title
Prevalence and Transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in People of Rural Communities of the High Jungle of Northern Peru
Date Issued
22 May 2015
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Johns Hopkins University
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Publisher(s)
Public Library of Science
Abstract
Vector-borne transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi is seen exclusively in the Americas where an estimated 8 million people are infected with the parasite. Significant research in southern Peru has been conducted to understand T. cruzi infection and vector control, however, much less is known about the burden of infection and epidemiology in northern Peru. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of T. cruzi infection in humans (n=611) and domestic animals [dogs (n=106) and guinea pigs (n=206)] in communities of Cutervo Province, Peru. Sampling and diagnostic strategies differed according to species. An entomological household study (n=208) was conducted to identify the triatomine burden and species composition, as well as the prevalence of T. cruzi in vectors. Electrocardiograms (EKG) were performed on a subset of participants (n=90 T. cruzi infected participants and 170 age and sex-matched controls). The seroprevalence of T. cruzi among humans, dogs, and guinea pigs was 14.9% (95% CI: 12.2 – 18.0%), 19.8% (95% CI: 12.7- 28.7%) and 3.3% (95% CI: 1.4 – 6.9%) respectively. In one community, the prevalence of T. cruzi infection was 17.2% (95% CI: 9.6 - 24.7%) among participants < 15 years, suggesting recent transmission. Increasing age, positive triatomines in a participant's house, and ownership of a T. cruzi positive guinea pig were independent correlates of T. cruzi infection. Only one species of triatomine was found, Panstrongylus lignarius, formerly P. herreri. Approximately forty percent (39.9%, 95% CI: 33.2 - 46.9%) of surveyed households were infested with this vector and 14.9% (95% CI: 10.4 - 20.5%) had at least one triatomine positive for T. cruzi. The cardiac abnormality of right bundle branch block was rare, but only identified in seropositive individuals. Our research documents a substantial prevalence of T. cruzi infection in Cutervo and highlights a need for greater attention and vector control efforts in northern Peru.
Volume
9
Issue
5
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Parasitología
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-84930648525
PubMed ID
Source
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Resource of which it is part
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
ISSN of the container
19352727
Sponsor(s)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases / R01AI101229, R01AI107028, T32AI007532. Fogarty International Center / R24TW007988. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases / T32DK060455. Medical Research Council / MR/K007467/1.
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus