Risk factors and spatial analysis for domiciliary infestation with the Chagas disease vector Triatoma venosa in Colombia

• Published in: Therapeutic advances in infectious disease 2022-01, Vol.9
• Main Authors: Quiros-Gomez, Oscar, Segura-Cardona, Ángela, Flórez, Piedad Agudelo, Pinto, Néstor, Medina, Manuel, Henao-Martínez, Andrés F., Olivera, Mario J., Parra-Henao, Gabriel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bushes; Chagas disease; Environmental factors; Epidemiology; Housing; Infestation; Multivariate analysis; Neglected Tropical Diseases: Recent Progress and Future Challenges; Risk factors; Triatoma venosa
• ISSN: 2049-9361; 2049-937X
• DOI: 10.1177/20499361221084164

Background: In Colombia, communities living in the Andean region are the most affected by Chagas disease due to the presence of the main vectors, the environmental and risk factors associated with house infestation. Triatoma venosa is classified as a secondary vector that is frequently found in the departments of Boyaca and Cundinamarca, but epidemiological information and its association with risk factors in domestic and peridomestic areas is unknown. The study aimed to evaluate housing and environmental characteristics associated with domestic and peridomestic infestation by T. venosa and a risk map was estimated. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in municipalities of Boyaca and Cundinamarca, Colombia. From March to July 2015, triatomine infestation screening surveys were conducted in 155 households. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate associations with the infestation and ecological niche modeling was estimated using environmental variables. Results: No statistical association was found with any of the housing variables in the adjusted multivariate analysis. However, in raw relationship infestation was associated with bushes