An association was determined between Triatona infestans, poultry, and humans in Trinidad, in the Province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina. To collect triatomines, four samples were taken at the area immediately surrounding six houses by the one hour/man capture method (December 1991 - October 1992). Peridomiciliary ecotopes were classified as arthropic (where humans carry out daily activities) or non-anthropic. Tratomine feeding habits were also determined. Of 134 biotopes, 21% had T. infestans, 22% had poultry, and 54% were anthropic. Some 25% of the latter harboured both poultry and T. infestans. Poultry were the only domestic animals associated with T. infestans, a finding that was exclusive to anthropic ecotopes. The proportion of feedings on individual fowl (61/146) was highly significant. Chicken coops are not used in Trinidad, and poultry brood in anthropic structures. Due to the materials used for making their nests and their repeated use, a periodic bug flow can be established from the intra- to the peridomiciliary area and vice versa, through passive transport. The close relationship among T, infestans, poultry, and humans in anthropic biotopes where other T. cruzi reservoirs such as dogs are also present contributes to the maintenance of domestic triatomine colonies and transmission of Chagas' disease to humans.
Triatoma infestans; Poultry; Anthropic Environment; Chagas' Disease; Santiago del Estero
