Rowland Meghan E, Maloney Jenny, Cohen Sara, Yabsley Michael J, Huang Junjun, Kranz Melissa, Green Alice, Dunn John R, Carpenter L Rand, Jones Timothy F, Moncayo Abelardo C
Vector-borne Diseases Section, Tennessee Department of Health, 630 Hart Lane, Nashville, Tennessee 37243, USA.
J Parasitol. 2010 Jun;96(3):547-51. doi: 10.1645/GE-2299.1.
Trypanosoma cruzi , the etiologic agent of Chagas' disease, is enzootic in animal populations of the southeastern United States. In the United States, T. cruzi prevalence has been reported for over 20 different wildlife species, and 7 autochthonous human cases have been documented since 1955. Previous canine (Canis familiaris) serosurveys have been limited either by small sample size or confined geographic reporting areas. In this study, we report a seroprevalence of 6.4% among 860 canines from 31 counties and 5 ecoregions throughout Tennessee, using an indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA). Statistically significant associations between seropositivity and age, weight, and outdoor living were noted. Differences in seropositivity were not seen based on American Kennel Club (AKC) group, sex, habitat, land cover, and ecoregion. Greater attention should be given to possible T. cruzi transmission in Tennessee and veterinarians should consider Chagas' disease as a differential diagnosis with compatible signs.
克氏锥虫是恰加斯病的病原体，在美国东南部的动物群体中呈地方性流行。在美国，已报告20多种不同野生动物物种感染克氏锥虫，自1955年以来记录了7例本地人类病例。先前的犬类（家犬）血清学调查要么受样本量小的限制，要么受限于地理报告区域。在本研究中，我们使用间接免疫荧光试验（IFA）报告了田纳西州31个县和5个生态区域的860只犬中6.4%的血清阳性率。血清阳性与年龄、体重和户外生活之间存在统计学上的显著关联。基于美国养犬俱乐部（AKC）组别、性别、栖息地、土地覆盖和生态区域，未发现血清阳性率存在差异。应更加关注田纳西州可能的克氏锥虫传播，兽医应将恰加斯病作为具有相关体征的鉴别诊断疾病加以考虑。
