Rural and urban transmission of chagas disease in the state of Bahia in Brazil

Chagas disease, a zoonosis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection and transmitted by triatomines, is considered one of the tropical diseases neglected by the World Health Organization, with direct and indirect social costs.

It directly impacts the lives of those affected due to its disabling potential for paid work and the performance of daily activities, causing financial dependence of the affected person either on their family members or the state.

Our team carried out an entomological study in 145 municipalities in the state of Bahia to identify vulnerable areas of Chagas disease transmission. We identified the triatomine species in which we performed tests to detect Trypanosoma cruzi.

Additionally, we determined the origin of the triatomine food source based on the type of DNA present in the intestinal contents of the vectors. We also identified the municipalities with the greatest vulnerability for transmission of Chagas disease using a mathematical model that took into account the species of triatomine, the presence of T. cruzi and the origin of the blood found in its intestinal contents, in addition to socioeconomic and demographic indicators.

You're welcome to join our Zoom seminar on 27 July from 12pm to 12.30pm. No registration required.

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About the speaker

Mitermayer G. Reis, M.D., Ph.D graduated in Medicine at the Bahia School of Medicine and Public Health, Master in Human Pathology (Federal University of Bahia) PhD in Human Pathology (Federal University of Bahia) Postdoctoral Fellow (Case Western Reserve University) and the Harvard School of Public Health. He is:

• Senior researcher at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation
• Researcher (category1A) of the National Scientific and Technological Development Council - CNPq
• Professor at the School of Medicine of Federal University of Bahia
• Adjunct Visiting Professor at Yale University
• Head of Pathology and Molecular Biology Laboratory at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation
• Member of the Bahia Academy of Sciences
• Member of the Bahia Academy of Medicine
• Honorary Fellow of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Member of the Scientific Technical Council of the Industries Federation of Bahia (FIEB.) 

He has experience in infectious and parasitic diseases with emphasis on schistosomiasis, leptospirosis, viral hepatitis, arboviruses, Chagas disease, bacterial meningitis.