Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Monitoring Trypanosoma cruzi infection in triatomines using PCR in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Introduction

The aim of the present study was to assess the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a method for detecting Trypanosoma cruzi infection in triatomines that had been previously determined by microscopic examination in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Methods

In total, 515 specimens were collected. Material from the digestive tract of each triatomine was analyzed for the presence of T. cruzi by microscopic examination and PCR using the 121/122 primer set.

Results

Among the 515 specimens tested, 58 (11.3%) were positive by microscopy and 101 (19.61%) were positive by PCR and there was an association between the results of the techniques (χ22. Ministério da Saúde, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Guia de vigilância epidemiológica, 7th ed. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2009. = 53.354, p = 0.001). The main species of triatomine identified was T. sordida (95.5%)

Conclusions

The use of PCR in entomological surveillance may contribute to a better assessment of the occurrence of T. cruzi in triatomine populations.

Epidemiology; Triatomine infection monitoring; Polymerase chain reaction; Microscopy examination; Trypanosoma cruzi


Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT Caixa Postal 118, 38001-970 Uberaba MG Brazil, Tel.: +55 34 3318-5255 / +55 34 3318-5636/ +55 34 3318-5287, http://rsbmt.org.br/ - Uberaba - MG - Brazil
E-mail: rsbmt@uftm.edu.br