Chagas disease in Ecuador: a sylvatic focus in the Amazon region.

Resumen

A sylvatic focus of Chagas disease is reported in the Amazon region of Ecuador (provinces of Napo and Sucumbios). During 1987-1989, 10 cases of acute infection were diagnosed by direct visualization of Trypanosoma cruzi in peripheral blood smears during routine malaria checks. Also in that region, three triatomine bugs, Rhodnius pictipes, Rhodnius robustus and Panstrongylus geniculatus were found naturally infected with T. cruzi suggesting that the human cases represent an autochthonous focus of active transmission.