Silent expansion: triatomines in urban and periurban environments of the Amazon

Resumo

Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The vectorial route remains the primary mode of transmission of this disease, with triatomine insects serving as the primary vectors. These insects are frequently reported in urban and periurban areas, particularly in the Amazon region. Therefore, this study aimed to identify triatomine species and their positivity for trypanosomatids in urban and periurban areas of the Brazilian Legal Amazon. This systematic review was conducted in five stages: hypothesis formulation, literature search, findings selection, data collection, and results synthesis. Genera Rhodnius and Panstrongylus were the most abundant, with R. montenegrensis, R. pictipes, R. robustus, and P. geniculatus being the most frequently reported species. T. cruzi infection rate varied within the following ranges: R. robustus (8% to 75%), R. montenegrensis (15% to 72%), and R. pictipes (5% to 68%). These three species were also reported to be infected by T. rangeli. T. cruzi infection rate in P. geniculatus ranged from 10.8% to 71.4%. Additionally, Eratyrus mucronatus was frequently reported intruding into households, mainly in peridomestic areas, with records of T. cruzi infection in this environment. One of the factors related to the occurrence of triatomines in urban areas was environmental degradation and the consequent scarcity of fauna, which drives these insects to artificial environments. Thus, the compilation of these data reinforces the importance of continuous monitoring of triatomines in urban and periurban areas, aiming for more effective control of both Chagas disease and its vectors.

KEY WORDS: Vectors; triatominae; Trypanosoma cruzi; vector-borne transmission; epidemiology