Understanding the role of dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) in the transmission dynamics of Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes in Colombia.

The dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is the most important domestic reservoir of Chagas disease, a zoonosis that affects more than 10 million people in Latin America. Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of the disease, displays remarkable genetic variability, as indicated by its six genotypes (TcI-TcVI). A pilot study was conducted to establish the prevalence of T.

The costs of preventing and treating chagas disease in Colombia.

Background: The objective of this study is to report the costs of Chagas disease in Colombia, in terms of vector disease control programmes and the costs of providing care to chronic Chagas disease patients with cardiomyopathy.

Methods: Data were collected from Colombia in 2004. A retrospective review of costs for vector control programmes carried out in rural areas included 3,084 houses surveyed for infestation with triatomine bugs and 3,305 houses sprayed with insecticide.