Publications by authors named "Marlenes Rodriguez"

Chagas disease is a significant public health risk in rural and semi-rural areas of Venezuela. Triatomine infection by the aetiological agent Trypanosoma cruzi is also observed in the Metropolitan District of Caracas (MDC), where foodborne T. cruzi outbreaks occasionally occur but active vector-to-human transmission (infection during triatomine bloodmeal) is considered absent.

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In the past 5-10 years, Venezuela has faced a severe economic crisis, precipitated by political instability and declining oil revenue. Public health provision has been affected particularly. In this Review, we assess the impact of Venezuela's health-care crisis on vector-borne diseases, and the spillover into neighbouring countries.

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Background: Chagas' disease is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi and is autochthonous to the Americas. Its distribution depends on triatomine bugs that are responsible for the transmission of the disease. In 2005, we reported the presence of Panstrongylus geniculatus as a risk for Chagas' disease transmission in Caracas and neighboring areas.

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Article Synopsis
  • Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which has significant genetic diversity categorized into six groups (DTUs), affecting its epidemiology and pathology.
  • A study in Venezuela collected and analyzed 778 samples from various hosts and vectors, revealing that 94.1% of isolates belong to the TcI clade, with notable findings linking TcIV genotype to human cases for the first time.
  • The research suggests a need to reconsider Chagas disease control strategies in Venezuela based on the distribution of T. cruzi genotypes and their implications for public health.
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