Abstract

CARRIZO PAEZ, Rubén; PICKENHAYN, Jorge  and  CARRIZO PAEZ, Mario. Urban Chagas Disease in San Juan: Diagnosis, Review and Proposal for an Integrated Attack System. Rev. argent. cardiol. [online]. 2008, vol.76, n.6, pp.480-487. ISSN 1850-3748.

The city of San Juan, located in an irrigated oasis, has always been an area with high prevalence of Chagas disease. Ecological, social and environmental changes of the pathogen complex indicate that Triatoma infestans, the vector of the disease, is moving from rural areas to urban zones. This paper discusses the procedures used to quantify this phenomenon and the techniques of cartographic representation. After analyzing geographic and historical issues of the problem, the current link between triatomines and doves is examined. Doves are not capable of hosting Trypanosoma cruzi; they are rather reservoirs which facilitate vector's transportation. To conclude, the problem should be attacked through an integrated strategy which should consider the pathogen complex with interdisciplinary criteria.

Keywords : Chagas Disease; Doves; Urbanization; Trypanosoma cruzi; Triatoma infestans; Columba livia.

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