ABSTRACT Introduction: The Mesoamerican endemic specieTriatoma dimidiata is the main vector of Chagas disease in Central America, after the elimination of an introduced vector Rhodnius prolixus. The traditional method of vector control using insecticides results in reinfestation. An integrated Ecohealth approach, including education, house improvements and domestic animal management was shown effective for long-term control ofT. dimidiata, and it was applied in several villages in Guatemala. Objective: To evaluate the changes in community practices after an Ecohealth intervention in La Prensa, Olopa Chiquimula. Methods: Through three surveys, we measured risk factors associated withT. dimidiatainfestation, the infestation index, blood sources of T. dimidiata, the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi were analyzed using PCR. Statistics analysis included Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, Mc-Nemar test, Chi-square test and Fisher exact test to compare the surveys. Results: Over the years, risk factors associated with the presence of T. dimidiata and population density of the vector were observed. We found a decrease in consumption of human blood and the parasite in the vector population. However, we found the consumption of bird blood meal increased Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that an ecohealth approach for an endemic Chagas vector has impact on reducing vector-human contact, possibly by influencing people’s behavior. Increasing the community knowledge about these risk factors can be an effective strategy to further reduce the risk of house reinfestation and Chagas transmission.

RESUMEN Introducción: La especie endémica mesoamericana Triatoma dimidiata es el vector principal de la enfermedad de Chagas en América Central, después de la eliminación de un vector introducido Rhodnius prolixus. El método tradicional de control de vectores que utiliza insecticidas resulta en reinfestación. Se demostró que un enfoque integrado de ecosalud, que incluye la educación, mejorías en el hogar y manejo de animales domésticos, es efectivo para el control a largo plazo del T. dimidiata, y se aplicó en varias aldeas de Guatemala. Objetivo: evaluar los cambios en las prácticas comunitarias después de una intervención de ecosalud en La Prensa, Olopa Chiquimula. Métodos: a través de tres encuestas, se midieron los factores de riesgo asociados con la infestación de T. dimidiata, el índice de infestación, las fuentes sanguíneas de T. dimidiata y la presencia de Trypanosoma cruzi. Estas encuestas se analizaron mediante PCR. El análisis estadístico incluyó pruebas de Wilcoxon de rango con signo, la prueba de Mc-Nemar, la prueba de Chi-cuadrado y la prueba exacta de Fisher para comparar las encuestas. Resultados: A lo largo de los años, se observaron factores de riesgo asociados con la presencia de T. dimidiata y la densidad de población del vector. Encontramos una disminución del parásito en la población de vectores y en el consumo de sangre humana. Sin embargo, encontramos que aumentó el consumo de harina de sangre de aves. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados proporcionan evidencia de que un enfoque de ecosalud para un vector de Chagas endémico impacta en la reducción del contacto vector-humano, posiblemente al influir en el comportamiento de las personas. Aumentar el conocimiento de la comunidad sobre estos factores de riesgo puede ser una estrategia efectiva para reducir aun más el riesgo de reinfestación en la casa y la transmisión de Chagas.

BACKGROUND DNA- and proteomics-based techniques are currently used to identify a triatomine human blood meal. These methods are time consuming, require access to laboratories with sophisticated equipment, and trained personnel. OBJECTIVES We tested a rapid and specific immunochromatographic assay (that detects human blood in forensic samples) to determine if human blood was present in triatomines and their fecal excreta. METHODS We fed Triatoma rubida human blood (positive control) or mouse blood (negative control) and performed the assay on the abdominal contents and fecal excreta. Triatomine field specimens collected in and around human habitations and excreta were also tested. FINDINGS The assay was positive in triatomines fed human blood (N = 5/5) and fecal excreta from bugs known to have ingested human blood (N = 5/5). Bugs feeding on mice (N = 15/15) and their fecal excreta (N = 8/8) were negative for human blood. Human blood was detected in 47% (N = 23/49) triatomines, representing six different species, collected in the field. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The pilot study shows that this rapid and specific test may have applications in triatomine research. Further study is needed to determine the sensitivity of this assay compared to other well-established techniques, such as DNA- and proteomics-based methodologies and the assay’s application in the field.

Triatoma dimidiata is the most important Chagas disease insect vector in Central America as this species is primarily responsible for Trypanosoma cruzi transmission to humans, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease. T. dimidiata sensu lato is a genetically diverse assemblage of taxa and effective vector control requires a clear understanding of the geographic distribution and epidemiological importance of its taxa. The nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2) is frequently used to infer the systematics of triatomines. However, oftentimes amplification and sequencing of ITS-2 fails, likely due to both the large polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product and polymerase slippage near the 5' end. To overcome these challenges we have designed new primers that amplify only the 3'-most 200 base pairs of ITS-2. This region distinguishes the ITS-2 group for 100% of known T. dimidiata haplotypes. Furthermore, we have developed a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) approach to determine the ITS-2 group, greatly reducing, but not eliminating, the number of amplified products that need to be sequenced. Although there are limitations with this new PCR-RFLP approach, its use will help with understanding the geographic distribution of T. dimidiata taxa and can facilitate other studies characterising the taxa, e.g. their ecology, evolution and epidemiological importance, thus improving vector control.

Triatoma dimidiata is an important vector of Chagas disease in Guatemala. To help understand the biology and population dynamics of the insect, we estimated the number of full sibling families living in one house. Forty one families with an average size of 2.17 individuals were detected using random amplification of polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction genetic markers. This result suggests high levels of migration of the vector, polyandry, and a significant capability for spreading the disease.