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Dye-Braumuller KC, Gorchakov R, Gunter SM, Nielsen DH, Roachell WD, Wheless A, Debboun M, Murray KO, Nolan MS. Identification of Triatomines and Their Habitats in a Highly Developed Urban Environment. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:265-273. [PMID: 30571182 PMCID: PMC6459272 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Eleven triatomine species, the vector for Chagas disease, are endemic in the southern U.S. While traditionally thought to only occur in rural habitats and sylvatic transmission cycles, recent studies provide compounding evidence that triatomines could exist in urban habitats and domestic transmission cycles in Texas. We conducted a study of active and passive surveillance techniques over 3 years (2016-2018) in the City of Houston, Harris County, Texas to determine the presence of triatomines in this metroplex. Active surveillance methods uncovered Triatoma sanguisuga nymphs from two locations in downtown Houston city parks. We also documented the first Trypanosoma cruzi positive kissing bug collected in an urban environment of Harris County, Texas. Our findings provide evidence that triatomines can be found in heavily populated U.S. urban environments, and warrant public health support for expanded triatomine and Chagas disease surveillance in city settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rodion Gorchakov
- Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Sarah M. Gunter
- Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - David H. Nielsen
- Public Health Command Central, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Walter D. Roachell
- Public Health Command Central, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Anna Wheless
- Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Mustapha Debboun
- Mosquito and Vector Control Division, Harris County Public Health, Houston, Texas
| | - Kristy O. Murray
- Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Melissa S. Nolan
- Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
- Department of Epidemiology, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
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