Hidden Trypanosoma cruzi foci in Triatoma brasiliensis from a Brazilian Touristic area in the Northeast

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the risk of human-vector interactions and Trypanosoma cruzi transmission in touristic areas of northeastern Brazil. We analyzed 180 adult Triatoma brasiliensis specimens collected from nine peridomestic and sylvatic ecotopes across the states of Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba. High T. cruzi infection rates were detected in both ecotopes, indicating sustained parasite circulation. Metabarcoding of blood meals revealed a broader host range than previously documented, including human blood meals in sylvatic touristic areas with high infection rates, raising concerns about vector-mediated transmission in these settings. Given the potential public health implications, our findings were formally communicated to local health and tourism authorities, with specific recommendations to inform and protect visitors in high-risk zones. These results underscore the need for targeted surveillance and vector control strategies in tourist-exposed areas, where interventions must be integrated with efforts to preserve local cultural and ecological heritage.