Environmental influence on Triatoma vitticeps occurrence and Trypanosoma cruzi infection in the Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil
2021
Trypanosoma cruzi requires a triatomine insect vector for its
life cycle, which can be complex in different enzootic scenarios,
one of which is the unique transmission network in the Atlantic
Forest of south-eastern Brazil. In Espirito Santo (ES) State, highly
infected Triatoma vitticeps are frequently reported invading domiciles.
However, triatomines were not found colonizing residences
and mammals in the surrounding areas did not present T. cruzi
infection. To date, the biotic and abiotic variables that modulate T.
vitticeps occurrence and T. cruzi infection in ES State are still
unknown. The aim of this study was to identify the environmental
variables that modulate their occurrence. Local thematic maps
were generated for two response variables: T. vitticeps occurrence
and T. cruzi infection. The following explanatory variables were
tested: climate (temperature, relative air humidity and rainfall),
altitude elevation, mammalian species richness as well as soil and
vegetation types. Spatiotemporal distribution patterns and correlation
levels between response and explanatory variables were
assessed through spatial statistics and map algebra modelling. The
central and southern mesoregions presented higher T. vitticeps and
T. cruzi distributions and can be considered transmission hotspots.
The explanatory variables that can explain these phenomena were
relative air humidity, average temperature, soil type, altitude elevation
and mammalian species richness. Algebra map modelling
demonstrated that central and southern mesoregions presented the
environmental conditions needed for T. vitticeps occurrence and T.
cruzi infection. The consideration of environmental variables is
essential for understanding the T. cruzi transmission cycle.
Cartographic and statistical methodologies used in parasitology
have been demonstrated to be reliable and enlightening tools that
should be incorporated routinely to expand the understanding of
vector-borne parasite transmission.
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