Entomoepidemiology of Chagas disease in Belém, Pará, brazilian amazon: a retrospective analysis (2010–2023)

Resumo

Chagas disease is classified as a neglected disease and has a high prevalence in the Northern region of Brazil, with outbreaks primarily associated with oral transmission. Nevertheless, triatomines, the vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, play a significant role in this transmission cycle. This study aimed to describe the occurrence of vectors in the municipality of Belém, based on previous reports from the local population. A retrospective descriptive study with a crosssectional component was conducted from 2010 to August 2023, focusing on the occurrence of T. cruzi vectors causing Chagas disease in urban and peri-urban areas of Belém. Data were obtained from the Municipal and State Health Departments of Pará. The information was organized in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, and spatial distribution maps were created using the open-source software QGIS®. During the study period, the following triatomine species were recorded: Rhodnius pictipes, R. robustus, Triatoma rubrofasciata, Panstrongylus geniculatus, and P. lignarius, totaling 145 specimens collected. The majority (71%) of the specimens belonged to T. rubrofasciata, predominantly collected indoors, with a higher incidence in January. In 2023, a T. rubrofasciata specimen was found in a residence in the Jurunas neighborhood, parasitized by T. conorhini. Of the total specimens collected, 11% tested positive for flagellates resembling T. cruzi. Between 2010 and 2022, 376 cases of acute Chagas disease were reported, with the highest incidence in the neighborhoods of Benguí, Jurunas, Marco, and Icoaraci.

KEY WORDS: Triatomines; entomological surveillance; vector control; Amazon.