Search

This study longitudinally investigated the association between Triatoma dimidiata infestation, triatomine infection with Trypanosoma cruzi and household/backyard environmental characteristics in 101 homesteads in Molas and Yucatan, Mexico, between November 2009 (rainy season) and May 2010 (dry season). Logistic regression models tested the associations between insect infestation/infection and potential household-level risk factors. A total of 200 T. dimidiata were collected from 35.6% of the homesteads, mostly (73%) from the peridomicile. Of all the insects collected, 48% were infected with T. cruzi. Infected insects were collected in 31.6% of the homesteads (54.1% and 45.9% intra- and peridomiciliary, respectively). Approximately 30% of all triatomines collected were found in chicken coops. The presence of a chicken coop in the backyard of a homestead was significantly associated with both the odds of finding T. dimidiata (OR = 4.10, CI 95% = 1.61-10.43, p = 0.003) and the presence of triatomines infected with T. cruzi (OR = 3.37, CI 95% = 1.36-8.33, p = 0.006). The results of this study emphasize the relevance of chicken coops as a putative source of T. dimidiata populations and a potential risk for T. cruzi transmission. Investigamos longitudinalmente la asociación entre la infestación por Triatoma dimidiata, su infección con Trypanosoma cruzi y las características ambientales de los domicilios/peridomicilios en 101 viviendas de Molas, Yucatán, México entre Noviembre de 2009 (temporada lluviosa) y Mayo de 2010 (temporada seca). Mediante modelos de regresión logística se probaron asociaciones entre la infestación/infección de T. dimidiata y factores de riesgo potenciales a nivel de las viviendas. Se colectó un total de 200 individuos de T. dimidiata en el 35.6% de las viviendas, mayormente del peridomicilio (73%). De todos los triatominos colectados el 48% se encontraron infectados con T. cruzi. Los triatomas infectados fueron colectados en el 31.6% de las viviendas (54.1% y 45.9% en intra y peridomicilio respectivamente). Aproximadamente el 30% de todos los triatominos colectados, fueron encontrados en gallineros. La presencia de un gallinero en el peridomicilio de una vivienda se asoció significativamante tanto con las posibilidades de encontrar T. dimidiata (OR = 4.10, CI 95% = 1.61-10.43, p = 0.003) como con la presencia de triatominos infectados con T. cruzi (OR = 3.37, CI 95% = 1.36-8.33, p = 0.006). Los resultados de este estudio enfatizan la relevancia de los gallineros como fuente putativa de poblaciones de T. dimidiata y como una fuente potencial de riesgo de transmisión de T. cruzi.

Human lagochilascariasis (HL) is a parasite produced by Lagochilascaris minor Leiper 1909 that also can be found in cats and dogs. HL is considered an emerging zoonosis in the Americas, spreading from Mexico to Argentina, and the Caribbean Islands. The present paper describes three HL cases from the Peninsula of Yucatan, Mexico, recorded in the last decade. It describes the characteristics of the lesions and discusses the route of transmission in humans and particularly in the observed patients.