Triatomine Fauna and Natural Infection by Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi (Kinetoplastea: Trypanosomatidae) in the Caribbean Region of Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Chagas disease (CD) is a zoonosis caused by the hemoflagellate Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted by insects of the subfamily Triatominae. Studies to identify the vectors involved in the transmission of T. cruzi have been conducted in the Caribbean regions of Colombia, Venezuela, and Panama. However, retrospective studies and comprehensive reviews covering these three countries are still lacking, limiting our understanding of this issue. This study used the PRISMA method to conduct a systematic review of studies on the triatomine fauna and its natural infection by T. cruzi in the Caribbean regions of Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela, using descriptors such as "Chagas disease," "Triatominae," and "Trypanosoma cruzi" applied individually for each state, department, or province of the three countries. A total of 3477 studies were identified through a search of the PubMed, Scielo, and ScienceDirect databases. After the selection process, 48 articles were included, with six additional articles obtained through indirect search methods. A total of 18,344 triatomines belonging to 14 species of seven genera were identified from these 48 articles. The most common species was Rhodnius pallescens (Barber) with 7540 individuals (41.10%). Among the total sample, 5158 triatomines (28.28%) tested positive for T. cruzi infection. Five discrete typing units (DTUs) were detected, TcI, TcII, TcIII, TcIV, and TcV, with TcI being more prevalent and widely distributed in the three countries. This study contributed significantly to the identification of knowledge gaps and priority areas for future epidemiologic research.