Colonization of Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera:Reduvidae:Triatominae) in an urban area and its association with Didelphis marsupialis in the metropolitan region of São Paulo

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This communication reports the colonization of Panstrongylus megistus in an urban area of the municipality of Taboão da Serra in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. METHODS: After receiving a notification from the population, entomological research comprising active search, collection, identification, and examination of triatomines was conducted. Wild animals were captured and examined. RESULTS: A colony of triatomines was found to be associated with dogs in the backyard of the property. CONCLUSIONS: The colonization of P. megistus shows the potential for their occupation of artificial ecotopes, which may pose a risk to the human population.

Genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi strains isolated from chronic chagasic patients and non-human hosts in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

“…This environmental transformation can favour the manifestation of synanthropic behaviours by sylvatic reservoirs and the encounter of triatomines inside and around the dwellings. 27 …”

“…These sylvatic animals have high rates of natural infection by T. cruzi , and probably contribute to maintaining the circulation of the parasite in the region. 27 …”

“…This environmental transformation can favour the manifestation of synanthropic behaviours by sylvatic reservoirs and the encounter of triatomines inside and around the dwellings. (27) The TcII/VI profile, identified in the strains isolated from marsupials D. albiventris and P. opossum from the municipalities of Santa Fé do Sul and Ilhabela, respectively, and from one of the P. megistus specimens, also from Ilhabela, can be understood by two factors: a) the environment modification, mentioned above, changed the dynamics of transmission cycles and promoted the The distribution map of Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units (DTUs) identified in this study according to the probable infection sites for human hosts (patients) and the provenance of the infected sylvatic hosts (marsupials and triatomines). Bar = 100 km.…”

“… 25 In this scenario, Panstrongylus megistus stands out for the following factors: the remarkable ability to colonise artificial environments, with important reports of its finding in households and peridomiciles, especially in condominiums established in the urban areas of the metropolitan region of São Paulo; high infection rates by T. cruzi ; and a great anthropophilia. 26 , 27 This conjuncture of factors represents an alert for a possible recurrence of Chagas disease by vector transmission in the state, last reported more than 50 years ago. 28…”

“…(25) In this scenario, Panstrongylus megistus stands out for the following factors: the remarkable ability to colonise artificial environments, with important reports of its finding in households and peridomiciles, especially in condominiums established in the urban areas of the metropolitan region of São Paulo; high infection rates by T. cruzi; and a great anthropophilia. (26,27) This conjuncture of factors represents an alert for a possible recurrence of Chagas disease by vector transmission in the state, last reported more than 50 years ago. (28) Contributing to epidemiological surveillance actions within the context of Chagas disease, the Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL), Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Estado de São Paulo (LACEN-SP), through the Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia (CPM), performs laboratory diagnosis of biological samples from different municipalities and health services and carries out field works in different regions of the state to study the ecoepidemiology of the disease by verifying the participation of sylvatic and domestic animals in its transmission.…”