scholarly journals Surveillance of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Triatomine vectors, feral dogs and cats, and wild animals in and around El Paso county, Texas, and New Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. e0009147
Author(s):  
Felipe Rodriguez ◽  
Brenda S. Luna ◽  
Olivia Calderon ◽  
Claudia Manriquez-Roman ◽  
Karsten Amezcua-Winter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New Mexico ◽  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
El Paso ◽  
The United States ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Feral Dogs ◽  
El Paso County

The causative agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, is transmitted by triatomine vectors. The insect is endemic in the Americas, including the United States, where epidemiological studies are limited, particularly in the Southwestern region. Here, we have determined the prevalence of T. cruzi in triatomines, and feral cats and dogs, and wild animals, the infecting parasite genotypes and the mammalian host bloodmeal sources of the triatomines at four different geographical sites in the U.S.-Mexico border, including El Paso County, Texas, and nearby cities in New Mexico. Using qualitative polymerase chain reaction to detect T. cruzi infections, we found 66.4% (n = 225) of triatomines, 45.3% (n = 95) of feral dogs, 39.2% (n = 24) of feral cats, and 71.4% (n = 7) of wild animals positive for T. cruzi. Over 95% of T. cruzi genotypes or discrete typing units (DTUs) identified were TcI and some TcIV. Furthermore, Triatoma rubida was the triatomine species most frequently (98.2%) collected in all samples analyzed. These findings suggest a high prevalence of T. cruzi infections among triatomines, and feral and wild animals in the studied sites. Therefore, our results underscore the urgent need for implementation of a systematic epidemiological surveillance program for T. cruzi infections in insect vectors, and feral and wild animals, and Chagas disease in the human population in the southwestern region of the United States.

scholarly journals No local birth sex ratio changes following the August 2019 shootings in Montgomery county, Ohio and in El Paso county, Texas

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Grech ◽  
Hagen Scherb
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
El Paso ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Montgomery County ◽  
El Paso County

Objective In humans, males are born slightly in excess of females. Many factors have been shown to affect this ratio, including stressful events such as terrorist attacks. Two shootings in 2019 occurred in early August 2019 in the United States: in the Oregon District in Dayton, Montgomery county, Ohio and in El Paso county, Texas. This study was carried out in order to identify whether there were any effects on sex ratio at birth at state or county level 3-5 months later. Subject and Methods Births by sex, month of birth (2015-2019) and county were obtained for Ohio and Texas from the website of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ordinary linear logistic regression was used to assess the time trend in the probability of boys and to investigate changes in the trend functions. Poisson regression (SAS GENMOD) and linear logistic regression using SAS procedure LOGISTIC was applied. Results This study analysed 2,623,714 live births, 1,939,938 in Texas (sex odds (SO) 1.044) and 683,776 in Ohio (SO 1.045). The only significant effect noted was seasonality (month) at the state level. Conclusion It has been postulated that male foetal loss in pregnant women during stressful periods may occur in accordance with the Trivers-Willard Hypothesis. Several studies have found significant effects after terrorist attacks in the United States (as well as in other countries) but this study failed to do so. This may be due to several reasons including underpowered datasets and the possibility that populations may be becoming relatively immured to these events.

scholarly journals Eastern Bloodsucking Conenose, Triatoma sanguisuga (LeConte) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

EDIS ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. Capinera
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South America ◽  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Central America ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
The United States ◽  
American Trypanosomiasis ◽  
Fact Sheet ◽  
Blood Meals

The eastern bloodsucking conenose belongs to the subfamily Triatominae, known as the kissing bugs. Despite their affectionate vernacular name, they are particularly threatening “assassin bugs” who require blood meals to survive and reproduce. They are a known vector of American trypanosomiasis (or Chagas Disease) in South America, a debilitating illness caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This disease is a problem in South and Central America and has been detected in the United States, but has not been found in Florida. This 4-page fact sheet was written by John L. Capinera, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1018

Chagas Disease Ecology in the United States: Recent Advances in Understanding Trypanosoma cruzi Transmission Among Triatomines, Wildlife, and Domestic Animals and a Quantitative Synthesis of Vector–Host Interactions

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel E. Busselman ◽  
Sarah A. Hamer
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Disease Ecology ◽  
The United States ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Quantitative Synthesis ◽  
Management Approaches

Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease present in the Americas, is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is transmitted by triatomine kissing bug vectors. Hundreds of vertebrate host species are involved in the ecology of Chagas disease. The sylvatic nature of most triatomines found in the United States accounts for high levels of animal infections but few reports of human infections. This review focuses on triatomine distributions and animal infections in the southern United States. A quantitative synthesis of available US data from triatomine bloodmeal analysis studies shows that dogs, humans, and rodents are key taxa for feeding triatomines. Imperfect and unvalidated diagnostic tools in wildlife complicate the study of animal T. cruzi infections, and integrated vector management approaches are needed to reduce parasite transmission in nature. The diversity of animal species involved in Chagas disease ecology underscores the importance of a One Health approach for disease research and management. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, Volume 10 is February 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

scholarly journals Trypanosoma cruzi and Chagas' Disease in the United States

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 655-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Bern ◽  
S. Kjos ◽  
M. J. Yabsley ◽  
S. P. Montgomery
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
The United States

scholarly journals Transmission of Donor-Derived Trypanosoma cruzi and Subsequent Development of Chagas Disease in a Lung Transplant Recipient

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Corey ◽  
D. Sonetti ◽  
J. D. Maloney ◽  
S. P. Montgomery ◽  
B. L. Rademacher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Transplant Recipient ◽  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Lung Transplant ◽  
Organ Transplant ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
The United States ◽  
Infection Status ◽  
Targeted Screening

Donor infection status should be considered when accepting an organ for transplant. Here we present a case of Chagas disease developing after a lung transplant where the donor was known to be Trypanosoma cruzi antibody positive. The recipient developed acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection with reactivation after treatment. Chagas disease-positive donors are likely to be encountered in the United States; donor targeted screening is needed to guide decisions regarding organ transplant and posttransplant monitoring.

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