Discrete typing units of Trypanosoma cruzi identified in rural dogs and cats in the humid Argentinean Chaco
Date
2012-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Abstract
The discrete typing units (DTUs) of Trypanosoma cruzi that infect domestic dogs and cats have rarely been studied.With
this purpose we conducted a cross-sectional xenodiagnostic survey of dog and cat populations residing in 2 infested rural
villages in Pampa del Indio, in the humid Argentine Chaco. Parasites were isolated by culture from 44 dogs and 12 cats with
a positive xenodiagnosis. DTUs were identified from parasite culture samples using a strategy based on multiple
polymerase-chain reactions. TcVI was identified in 37 of 44 dogs and in 10 of 12 cats, whereas TcV was identified in 5 dogs
and in 2 cats –a new finding for cats. No mixed infections were detected. The occurrence of 2 dogs infected with TcIII –
classically found in armadillos– suggests a probable link with the local sylvatic transmission cycle involving Dasypus
novemcinctus armadillos and a potential risk of human infection with TcIII. Our study reinforces the importance of dogs and
cats as domestic reservoir hosts and sources of various DTUs infecting humans, and suggests a link between dogs and the
sylvatic transmission cycle of TcIII.
Description
item.page.type
Journal Article (peer-reviewed)
item.page.format
Text
Keywords
CHAGAS DISEASE, TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI, DISCRETE TYPING UNITS, DOGS, CATS, RESERVOIRS, VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES
Citation
Enriquez, G.F., Cardinal, M.V., Orozco, M.M., Lanati, L., Schijman, A.G., & Gürtler, R.E. (2012). Discrete typing units of Trypanosoma cruzi identified in rural dogs and cats in the humid Argentinean Chaco. Parasitology, 1-6.doi:10.1017/S003118201200159X