In:
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 17, No. 3 ( 2023-3-17), p. e0010613-
Abstract:
Chagas disease is a significant public health risk in rural and semi-rural areas of Venezuela. Triatomine infection by the aetiological agent Trypanosoma cruzi is also observed in the Metropolitan District of Caracas (MDC), where foodborne T . cruzi outbreaks occasionally occur but active vector-to-human transmission (infection during triatomine bloodmeal) is considered absent. Citizen science-based domiciliary triatomine collection carried out between 2007 and 2013 in the MDC has advanced understanding of urban T . cruzi prevalence patterns and represents an important public awareness-building tool. The present study reports on the extension of this triatomine collection program from 2014 to 2019 and uses mitochondrial metabarcoding to assess feeding behavior in a subset of specimens. The combined, thirteen-year dataset (n = 4872) shows a high rate of T . cruzi infection (75.2%) and a predominance of Panstrongylus geniculatus (99.01%) among triatomines collected in domiciliary areas by MDC inhabitants. Collection also involved nymphal stages of P . geniculatus in 18 of 32 MDC parishes. Other collected species included Triatoma nigromaculata , Triatoma maculata , Rhodnius prolixus , and Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus . Liquid intestinal content indicative of bloodmeal was observed in 53.4% of analyzed specimens. Dissection pools representing 108 such visually blooded P . geniculatus specimens predominantly tested positive for human cytochrome b DNA (22 of 24 pools). Additional bloodmeal sources detected via metabarcoding analysis included key sylvatic T . cruzi reservoirs (opossum and armadillo), rodents, and various other synanthropic and domesticated animals. Results suggest a porous sylvatic-domiciliary transmission interface and ongoing adaptation of P . geniculatus to the urban ecotope. Although P . geniculatus defecation traits greatly limit the possibility of active T . cruzi transmission for any individual biting event, the cumulation of this low risk across a vast metropolitan population warrants further investigation. Efforts to prevent triatomine contact with human food sources also clearly require greater attention to protect Venezuela’s capital from Chagas disease.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1935-2735
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.g004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.s005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.s006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.s007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.s008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010613.s009
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2429704-5
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