Colonization by Triatoma sordida Stål, 1859 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) in an urban area: assessment of transmission risk in the Araçatuba region, state of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Triatoma sordida is well distributed in Brazil and has great epidemiological importance. The presence of this vector in an urban environment in the state of São Paulo has already been reported, but without evidence of colonization of the species. Surveillance of triatomines in the state is carried out passively. This evaluation considered the period from January 2021 to June 2024. Based on notifications made by residents and compliance with these notifications, 228 specimens of triatomines were collected from the urban environment. In seven municipalities in the northwest region of the state, colonization of the species in this environment was observed. There was a predominance of chicken coops (66.6%) in the residential area of the properties. For all colonization situations of the species, there is no presence of a transition area between rural and urban environments. No Trypanosoma cruzi infection was detected in triatomines. The food source study demonstrated contact with bird, rodent, feline and human blood. These findings reinforce the concern about the urbanization of the T. sordida species in the state of São Paulo, highlighting the need to increase health education actions aimed at monitoring the situation.

Keywords

• chagas disease
• epidemiological surveillance
• monitoring