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RISK FACTORS FOR TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI HUMAN INFECTION IN BARINAS STATE, VENEZUELA

This study attempted to quantify the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in children less than 15 years of age in Barinas State, Venezuela and investigate risk factors for infection. Among 3,296 children, 4 (0.12%) were seropositive. The mother of one child also was also seropositive, which suggested that congenital transmission is a possible risk factor for Chagas disease in this area. Seroprevalence among the dwellers of 10 localities was 3.3%. Rhodnius prolixus was detected in 7 localities and in 8% of 125 dwellings. A multivariate logistic regression model showed that infection was associated with age, a dirt floor, and distance from houses to palm trees. The risk of infection is increased by the presence of adventitious sylvatic R. prolixus and transient or residual colonies. Insecticide spraying does not seem justified in this scenario, a finding that was also observed in other Latin American countries. New methods are therefore needed for Chagas disease control programs.

Received August 9, 2006. Accepted for publication January 9, 2007.

Acknowledgments: We thank Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum and Clive Davies for valuable discussion in sample design, and the personnel of the MoH in all Demarcaciones and the families in the 85 communities of Barinas State for their helpful collaboration.

Financial support: This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Venezuela (FONACIT- Agenda Salud-20000088) and the Wellcome Trust (Project no. 062984/Z/00Z).

^* Address correspondence to M. Dora Feliciangeli, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro Nacional de Referencia de Flebótomos y Otros Vectores–BIOMED, Universidad de Carabobo, Sede Aragua, Apartado 4873, Maracay, Venezuela. E-mail: mdora{at}movistar.net.ve and spinicrassa{at}yahoo.com

Authors’ addresses: M. Dora Feliciangeli, Maria J. Sánchez-Martín, Benny Suárez, Rosalba Marrero, Annhymariet Torrellas, and Arturo Bravo, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro Nacional de Referencia de Flebótomos y Otros Vectores–BIOMED, Universidad de Carabobo, Sede Aragua, Apartado 4873, Maracay, Venezuela. Mehudy Medina, Cinda Martínez, Mayeli Hernandez, and Neidi Duque, Laboratorio de Chagas, Dirección General de Salud Ambiental y Contraloría Sanitaria, Ministerio de Salud, Maracay, Venezuela. José Toyo and Roberto Rangel, Coordinación Regional de Salud Ambiental y Contraloría Sanitaria, Ministerio de Salud, Barinas, Venezuela.

Reprint requests: M. Dora Feliciangeli, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro Nacional de Referencia de Flebótomos y Otros Vectores–BIOMED, Universidad de Carabobo, Sede Aragua, Apartado 4873, Maracay, Venezuela, Telephone: 58-243-242-5822, Fax: 58-243-242-5333, E-mail: mdora{at}movistar.net.ve, spinicrassa{at}yahoo.com.