Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi in stray and pet dogs in Grenada, West Indies.

Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi in stray and pet dogs in Grenada, West Indies. Trop Biomed. 2014 Jun;31(2):347-50 Authors: Chikweto A, Kumthekar S, Chawla P, Tiwari KP, Perea LM, Paterson T, Sharma RN Abstract American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is endemic to parts of South America and the Caribbean. Infected dogs are important in the epidemiology of the parasite as they can play a role in the transmission of the parasite to humans. A total of 399 dog sera (242 stray and 157 pet dogs) were examined for T. cruzi infection; using a qualitative immunochromatographic dipstick test, based on recombinant antigens specific for American trypanosomiasis (Trypanosoma detect rapid test; InBios international, Inc., Seattle, Washington). Overall seroprevalence for T. cruzi was estimated at 10.5% (95% confidence interval: 7.5% to 13.5%); with stray dogs being significantly more affected (p<0.05, χ2). Results from this study indicate that dogs in Grenada are moderately exposed to T. cruzi compared to other areas in the region. PMID: 25134904 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Tropical Biomedicine - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Tags: Trop Biomed Source Type: research