Estimation of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in the main vector Triatoma infestans: accounting for imperfect detection using site-occupancy models.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vector infection prevalence is a key component of vectorial capacity and transmission risk. Optical microscopy observation (OM) of fecal drops has been the classic method for detecting Trypanosoma cruzi infection in triatomine bugs until the advent of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based techniques. However, agreement among OM- and PCR-based techniques has been highly heterogeneous.

Methods

We used hierarchical site-occupancy models accounting for imperfect detection to estimate method-specific detection probabilities of T. cruzi infection in field-collected Triatoma infestans and to assess whether T. cruzi infection varied with triatomine developmental stage and collection ecotope. We also performed a scoping review of the literature on comparisons between OM an

SUBMITTER: Cardinal MV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11834302 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature