Infecção pelo Trypanosoma cruzi em Canis familiares e Triatomíneos (Hemiptera, reduviidae, triatominae) na zona rural do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte
Trypanosoma cruzi, Canis familiaris, triatomine, PCR, serology, American trypanosomiasis.
The infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in Canis familiaris and triatomine was evaluated in the domiciliary environment of rural communities of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Blood samples from 43 dogs from rural areas in the municipalities of Acari, Caicó, Caraúbas and Marcelino Vieira were evaluated for T. cruzi infection by serological techniques and by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to identify T. cruzi kDNA . Serology was initially checked for the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies with DPP® (Dual Path Platform, Bio-Manguinhos / FIOCRUZ) and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay). In the identification of anti-T.cruzi antibodies, in-house ELISA for IgM and IgG and the Indirect Immunofluorescence (IFAT) reaction were performed. The catches of triatomines were carried out in the same localities and the infection was evaluated by direct examination, blood culture and / or PCR. The reactive serology for Leishmania was 9.3% of the animals in the four municipalities studied, being higher in the municipality of Acari. In serology for T. cruzi, positivity was 16.3% suggestive of acute phase and 11.6% of chronic phase. The cross reactivity between the tests for Leishmania and T. cruzi was 23.2% of the samples, probably related to the overlap of endemic areas. In the identification of kDNA by PCR, 39.5% of the samples present the band of 330pb, 20.9% in the municipality of Caraúbas, 9.3% in Marcelino Vieira, 6.8% in Acari and 2.3% in Caicó. The captured triatomines were identified as adults and nymphs of Triatoma brasiliensis, Triatoma pseudomaculata, Rhodnius nasutus and adults of Panstrongylus lutzi in peri and/or intradomiciliary environments. The analysis of the intestinal contents evaluated initially by direct examination and xenoculture revealed a 29.6% positivity. The results determined that T. cruzi infection in dogs and triatomines in the peridomiciliar region may favor infection in humans and the maintenance of active T. cruzi infection in the semiarid region of the State of Rio Grande do Norte.