[Triatoma infestation in the San Luis del Palmar Department of Corrientes Province, Argentina]

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine domestic and peridomestic infestation of Triatominae, Trypanosoma cruzi infection rates, and the prevalence of human seroreactivity in rural areas of the Department of San Luis del Palmar, Corrientes, Argentina (Fig. 1). The study took place from April 1986 to May 1989. The Department of San Luis del Palmar covers an area of 2551 km2 and is part of the Neotropical biogeographic region, Chacoan Dominion and Province. The climate is of the subhumid type. The mean annual temperature is 21.6 degrees C. Some localities were chosen because of the presence of triatominae. Households were carefully examined and classified according to their building materials. A 0.2% solution of tetrametrine was sprayed in all possible hiding places to dislodge bugs, which were collected by capture/hour/man methods. A survey to determine the socioeconomical, sanitary, and cultural conditions of house-dwellers was carried out. The same method was used to examine peridomiciles and total demolition was carried out in the positive ones. Fecal examination was carried out to verify the presence of T. cruzi in collected insects and observed at 400X. Human blood was obtained through venipuncture. The serum was kept in a freezer until examined. Serologic studies included indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Positive titer for IHAT and IFAT was 1/64. Seroreactives were those that had two positive assays. The whole data obtained was analyzed by chi 2 tests. From one hundred households studied, 80% belonged to huts and 20% to houses. Mud walls were predominant in huts while brick walls were predominant in houses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)