In the heart of the city: Trypanosoma cruzi infection prevalence in rodents across New Orleans.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Trypanosoma cruzi - the causative agent of Chagas disease - is known to circulate in commensal pests, but its occurrence in urban environments is not well understood. We addressed this deficit by determining the distribution and prevalence of T. cruzi infection in urban populations of commensal and wild rodents across New Orleans (Louisiana, USA). We assessed whether T. cruzi prevalence varies according to host species identity and species co-occurrences, and whether T. cruzi prevalence varies across mosaics of abandonment that shape urban rodent demography and assemblage structure in the city.

Methods

Leveraging city-wide population and assemblage surveys, we tested 1428 rodents comprising 5 species (cotton rats, house mice, Norway rats, rice rats and roof rats)

SUBMITTER: Ghersi BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7666460 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature