Chagas disease (American Trypanosomiasis), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted by triatomine bugs, is the most important vector-borne disease in Latin America. Despite an ongoing eradication campaign, transmission persists in much of the continent, particularly in the Gran Chaco of northern Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia, where Triatoma infestans is the main vector. Abundant peridomestic structures (particularly animal corrals) provide a refuge and source for repeated domestic reinfestation, dogs are a continuous source of infection for colonizing triatomine bugs, and sylvatic vectors invading human habitations may also play a role in reintroducing T. cruzi. The long-term goal of this project is to interrupt the reinfestation process and introduction of infection into homes. High degree of spatial, temporal and host heterogeneity with regard to vector and parasite survival, reproduction and spread, and ongoing anthropogenic changes have to be considered to understand infestation and infection patterns. Data derived from molecular tools, satellite imagery and field observations and experiments will be integrated into a GIS and mathematical models to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms and epidemiological processes.
The Specific Aims of the project are: 1) To analyze the spatial and temporal pattern of reinfestation by triatomine bugs and distribution of T. cruzi infection in bugs, dogs and people in three rural communities with the aid of satellite imagery, GIS, spatial statistics and other analytical tools; 2) To identify mechanisms underlying these patterns using field observations, field manipulations and experimental studies, and relate changes in these patterns to management strategies, habitat degradation and other anthropogenic changes; 3) To determine the source of colonizing vectors and T. cruzi infection by comparing the genetic makeup of bug and parasite strains using molecular techniques and morphometry; 4) To develop an empirically based, spatially structured mathematical model of the reinfestation and transmission process at the community-wide level; 5) On a coarser scale, to apply the results and develop risk maps of the distribution of household infestation by T. infestans and T. cruzi infection at the village, Department and Province-wide level; to compare effects of standard vs. scientifically designed intervention programs on infestation level and rate of reinfestation in new communities; and 6) To train scientists and NVCP personnel in the use of ecological and epidemiological tools, modeling, GIS and remote sensing techniques for research design and focused control strategies.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01TW005836-01
Application #
6454432
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1-ALR-F (J1))
Program Officer
Jessup, Christine
Project Start
2002-08-01
Project End
2007-05-31
Budget Start
2002-08-01
Budget End
2003-05-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$400,000
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Department
Veterinary Sciences
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
041544081
City
Champaign
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
61820
Gürtler, Ricardo E; Cecere, María C; Fernández, María Del Pilar et al. (2014) Key source habitats and potential dispersal of triatoma infestans populations in Northwestern Argentina: implications for vector control. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 8:e3238
Gürtler, Ricardo E; Cecere, María C; Vázquez-Prokopec, Gonzalo M et al. (2014) Domestic animal hosts strongly influence human-feeding rates of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans in Argentina. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 8:e2894
Gaspe, M Sol; Gurevitz, Juan M; Gürtler, Ricardo E et al. (2013) Origins of house reinfestation with Triatoma infestans after insecticide spraying in the Argentine Chaco using wing geometric morphometry. Infect Genet Evol 17:93-100
Orozco, M Marcela; Enriquez, Gustavo F; Alvarado-Otegui, Julian A et al. (2013) New sylvatic hosts of Trypanosoma cruzi and their reservoir competence in the humid Chaco of Argentina: a longitudinal study. Am J Trop Med Hyg 88:872-82
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Sartor, Paula A; Ceballos, Leonardo A; Orozco, Marcela M et al. (2013) Trans-sialidase inhibition assay detects Trypanosoma cruzi infection in different wild mammal species. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 13:581-5
Cecere, Maria Carla; Vazquez-Prokopec, Gonzalo M; Ceballos, Leonardo A et al. (2013) Improved chemical control of Chagas disease vectors in the dry Chaco region. J Med Entomol 50:394-403
Gurevitz, Juan M; Gaspe, María Sol; Enriquez, Gustavo F et al. (2013) Intensified surveillance and insecticide-based control of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans in the Argentinean Chaco. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 7:e2158
Enriquez, G F; Cardinal, M V; Orozco, M M et al. (2013) Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in naturally infected dogs and cats using serological, parasitological and molecular methods. Acta Trop 126:211-7
Alvarado-Otegui, J A; Ceballos, L A; Orozco, M M et al. (2012) The sylvatic transmission cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi in a rural area in the humid Chaco of Argentina. Acta Trop 124:79-86

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