Discrete typing units of Trypanosoma cruzi identified in rural dogs and cats in the humid Argentinean Chaco

Parasitology. 2013 Mar;140(3):303-8. doi: 10.1017/S003118201200159X. Epub 2012 Oct 12.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Argentina / epidemiology
  • Cat Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cat Diseases / parasitology*
  • Cat Diseases / transmission
  • Cats
  • Chagas Disease / epidemiology
  • Chagas Disease / parasitology
  • Chagas Disease / transmission
  • Chagas Disease / veterinary*
  • Disease Reservoirs / parasitology
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dog Diseases / parasitology*
  • Dog Diseases / transmission
  • Dogs
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors / parasitology
  • Rural Population*
  • Triatoma / parasitology
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / classification*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / genetics*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / isolation & purification
  • Xenodiagnosis