Chagas disease (AmericanTrypanosomiasis), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted by triatominebugs, is the most important vector-borne disease in Latin America. Despite anongoing 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 repeateddomestic reinfestation, dogs are a continuous source of infection forcolonizing triatomine bugs, and sylvatic vectors invading human habitationsmay also play a role in reintroducing T. cruzi. The long-term goal of thisproject is to interrupt the reinfestation process and introduction ofinfection into homes. High degree of spatial, temporal and host heterogeneitywith regard to vector and parasite survival, reproduction and spread, andongoing anthropogenic changes have to be considered to understand infestationand infection patterns. Data derived from molecular tools, satellite imageryand field observations and experiments will be integrated into a GIS andmathematical models to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms andepidemiological processes.
The Specific Aims of the project are: 1) To analyzethe spatial and temporal pattern of reinfestation by triatomine bugs anddistribution of T. cruzi infection in bugs, dogs and people in three ruralcommunities with the aid of satellite imagery, GIS, spatial statistics andother analytical tools; 2) To identify mechanisms underlying these patternsusing field observations, field manipulations and experimental studies, andrelate changes in these patterns to management strategies, habitat degradationand other anthropogenic changes; 3) To determine the source of colonizingvectors and T. cruzi infection by comparing the genetic makeup of bug andparasite strains using molecular techniques and morphometry; 4) To develop anempirically based, spatially structured mathematical model of thereinfestation and transmission process at the community-wide level; 5) On acoarser scale, to apply the results and develop risk maps of the distributionof household infestation by T. infestans and T. cruzi infection at thevillage, Department and Province-wide level; to compare effects of standardvs. scientifically designed intervention programs on infestation level andrate of reinfestation in new communities; and 6) To train scientists and NVCPpersonnel in the use of ecological and epidemiological tools, modeling, GISand remote sensing techniques for research design and focused controlstrategies.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
7R01TW005836-06
Application #
7612393
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1-ALR-F (J1))
Program Officer
Jessup, Christine
Project Start
2002-08-01
Project End
2010-12-31
Budget Start
2008-01-01
Budget End
2010-12-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$390,600
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
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
Enriquez, G F; Cardinal, M V; Orozco, M M et al. (2013) Discrete typing units of Trypanosoma cruzi identified in rural dogs and cats in the humid Argentinean Chaco. Parasitology 140:303-8
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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