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Vol.4 , No. 5, Publication Date: Oct. 25, 2017, Page: 56-64
 with <i>T. cruzi</i>-infection. Presence of triatomine in palms was recorded at any season. However, collection during rainy season was significantly higher than in dry season (P<0.01). In addition, in 24 (25%) dissected palm trees, vertebrate animals were recorded, showing a palm- <i>T. cruzi</i> infected bugs-susceptible animal association in 12 (50%) of them. A strong relationship between palm tree and <i>T. cruzi</i>-infected triatomine bugs association in close proximity to dwellings with acute chagasic patients was demonstrated. Gathering the present results together, we conclude that: i. palm tree is a favorable habitat to support maintenance and circulation of <i>T. cruzi</i>-bug association as a well-balanced biocoenosis in the wild, and ii. Anthropogenic activity provoking disturbance and passive flow of bug population from sylvatic to domestic environments, transform palm tree landscape in a risk for Chagas disease occurrence. Epidemiological implications of present results are discussed, and official intervention for a constant and efficient epidemiological surveillance and control of Chagas disease, is claimed.&picture=http://www.aascit.org/aascit/decorators/img/journal/906.jpg)
| [1] | Néstor Añez, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Los Andes, Center for Parasitological Research “J. F. Torrealba”, Merida, Venezuela. |
| [2] | Gladys Crisante, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Los Andes, Center for Parasitological Research “J. F. Torrealba”, Merida, Venezuela. |
| [3] | Henry Parada, Cardiologic Unit, “Luis Razetti” General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Barinas, Venezuela. |
Ninety-six specimens of palm trees were sampled in 65 localities of 5 states of western Venezuela to estimate the potential risk for Chagas disease transmission in the study area. The analysis revealed 99% and 95% infestation and colonization indexes, respectively. Rhodnius prolixus resulted predominant species with 96.6% of the total collected triatomine-bugs. In 47 of the infested palms T. cruzi-infected triatomine bugs were detected, revealing a 49% palm T. cruzi-infection index. A total of 2146 bugs were collected in 95 dissected palm trees, showing a crowding index of 23±30 bugs/palm, being detected 193 bugs (9%) with T. cruzi-infection. Presence of triatomine in palms was recorded at any season. However, collection during rainy season was significantly higher than in dry season (P<0.01). In addition, in 24 (25%) dissected palm trees, vertebrate animals were recorded, showing a palm- T. cruzi infected bugs-susceptible animal association in 12 (50%) of them. A strong relationship between palm tree and T. cruzi-infected triatomine bugs association in close proximity to dwellings with acute chagasic patients was demonstrated. Gathering the present results together, we conclude that: i. palm tree is a favorable habitat to support maintenance and circulation of T. cruzi-bug association as a well-balanced biocoenosis in the wild, and ii. Anthropogenic activity provoking disturbance and passive flow of bug population from sylvatic to domestic environments, transform palm tree landscape in a risk for Chagas disease occurrence. Epidemiological implications of present results are discussed, and official intervention for a constant and efficient epidemiological surveillance and control of Chagas disease, is claimed.
Keywords
Palm Tree, Triatomine Bug, Trypanosoma cruzi, Chagas Disease, Venezuela
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