Broad patterns in domestic vector-borne Trypanosoma cruzi transmission dynamics: synanthropic animals and vector control. Issue 1 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peterson, Jennifer; Bartsch, Sarah; Lee, Bruce; Dobson, Andrew
• Is Part Of: Parasites & vectors. Volume 8:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Trypanosoma cruzi transmission dynamics -- Chagas disease -- Trypanosoma cruzi -- Triatomine bugs -- Synanthropic animals -- Vector control -- 2020 goals -- Neglected Tropical Diseases; Parasitism -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Vector-pathogen relationships -- Periodicals; Animals as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.96
• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1146-1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-3305

Abstract

Abstract Background Chagas disease (caused byTrypanosoma cruzi) is the most important neglected tropical disease (NTD) in Latin America, infecting an estimated 5.7 million people in the 21 countries where it is endemic. It is one of the NTDs targeted for control and elimination by the 2020 London Declaration goals, with the first goal being to interrupt intra-domiciliary vector-borneT. cruzi transmission. A key question in domesticT. cruzi transmission is the role that synanthropic animals play in T. cruzi transmission to humans. Here, we ask, (1) do synanthropic animals need to be targeted in Chagas disease prevention policies?, and (2) how does the presence of animals affect the efficacy of vector control? Methods We developed a simple mathematical model to simulate domestic vector-borneT. cruzi transmission and to specifically examine the interaction between the presence of synanthropic animals and effects of vector control. We used the model to explore how the interactions between triatomine bugs, humans and animals impact the number and proportion ofT. cruzi- infected bugs and humans. We then examined howT. cruzi dynamics change when control measures targeting vector abundance are introduced into the system. Results We found that the presence of synanthropic animals slows the speed ofT. cruzi transmission to humans, and increases the sensitivity ofT. cruzi transmission dynamics to vector control measures at comparable triatomine carrying capacities. However, T. cruzi transmission is amplified when triatomine carrying capacity increases with the abundance of syntathoropic hosts. Conclusions Our results suggest that in domesticT. cruzi transmission scenarios where no vector control measures are in place, a reduction in synanthropic animals may slowT. cruzi transmission to humans, but it would not completely eliminate transmission. To reach the 2020 goal of interrupting intra-domiciliaryT. cruzi transmission, it is critical to target vector populations. Additionally, where vector control measures are in place, synanthropic animals may be beneficial.