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1 January 2005 High Household Infestation Rates by Synanthropic Vectors of Chagas Disease in Southern Ecuador
M. J. Grijalva, F. S. Palomeque-Rodríguez, J. A. Costales, S. Davila, L. Arcos-Teran
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Abstract

Entomological surveys were conducted in five rural communities (138 domiciliary units [DUs]) in the southern Andes of Ecuador. Adobe walls and ceramic tile roofs were predominant construction materials. A 35% house infestation rate with Panstrongylus chinai (Del Ponte, 1929) (0.7%), Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus (Champion, 1899) (0.7%), Rhodnius ecuadoriensis (Lent & León, 1958) (27%), and/or Triatoma carrioni (Larrousse, 1926) (7%) was found. Adults and nymphs of R. ecuadoriensis and T. carrioni were found in intradomiciliary and peridomiciliary areas. Breeding triatomine colonies were present in 85% of infested DUs, and the average insect crowding was 52 ± 113 triatomine bugs per infested house. T. cruzi-like organisms were found by microscopic examination in the feces or hindgut but not the salivary glands of 4% of examined R. ecuadoriensis and 12% T. carrioni. Serological tests detected a general anti-T. cruzi antibody seroprevalence of 3.9% (n = 1136). Only 2% of individuals had heard of Chagas disease, and although triatomines were reported as a major nuisance by the population they were not considered vectors of disease. Additional baseline field research is needed for the design and implementation of a Chagas disease control program in the region.

M. J. Grijalva, F. S. Palomeque-Rodríguez, J. A. Costales, S. Davila, and L. Arcos-Teran "High Household Infestation Rates by Synanthropic Vectors of Chagas Disease in Southern Ecuador," Journal of Medical Entomology 42(1), 68-74, (1 January 2005). https://doi.org/10.1603/0022-2585(2005)042[0068:HHIRBS]2.0.CO;2
Received: 4 May 2004; Accepted: 20 October 2004; Published: 1 January 2005
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KEYWORDS
Chagas disease
Ecuador
Rhodnius ecuadoriensis
Triatoma carrioni
Triatominae
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