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. 2022 Sep;67(3):1136-1144.
doi: 10.1007/s11686-022-00557-x. Epub 2022 May 10.

Presence of Anti-T. cruzi Antibodies in Inhabitants and Dogs of Two Rural Settlements in the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico

G E Benítez-Villa  1 , A López-Monteon  2 , E Waleckx  3   4 , E Dumonteil  5 , A J Márquez-Fernández  2 , M J Rovirosa-Hernández  6 , F Orduña-García  6 , D Guzmán-Gómez  2 , A Ramos-Ligonio  7
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Presence of Anti-T. cruzi Antibodies in Inhabitants and Dogs of Two Rural Settlements in the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico

G E Benítez-Villa et al. Acta Parasitol. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with house infestation by Triatoma dimidiata as well as with Trypanosoma cruzi infection in humans and owned dogs in two rural communities from the municipality of Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico.

Methods: One hundred and 16 human blood samples and 34 dog blood samples were collected. The presence of anti-T. cruzi antibodies was determined using four different ELISA assays. Moreover, reactive ELISA sera from humans and dogs were processed by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) to confirm the presence of anti-T. cruzi antibodies.

Results: Serologic tests for T. cruzi infection showed a prevalence of 5.1% (6/116) in humans and of 50% (17/34) in owned dogs.

Conclusion: The presence of animals (dogs, chickens and wild animals), as well as some characteristics of house construction were identified as risk factors for infestation and infection. Complementary studies must be carried out to allow a better understanding of the transmission dynamics in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, and the implementation of adequate control programs.

Keywords: Chagas disease; Owned dogs; Risk factors; Seroprevalence; Triatoma dimidiata; Trypanosoma cruzi.

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