Chagas' disease in El Salvador

Several studies on Chagas' disease in El Salvador have supplied important epidemiologic information, including the following: (1) Rates of house infestation by triatomid vectors have ranged from 26.3 per cent to 100 per cent in various localities studied, higher rates being found in rural than in urban areas. (2) Triatoma dimidiata and Rhodnius prolixus are the two vectors of T. cruzi in El Salvador, with T. dimidiata predominating in localities at elevations above 600 meters and R. prolixus in those below 300 meters. (3) T. cruzi infection rates in these triatomids have ranged from 15.3 to 48.8 per cent, the average being 25.3 per cent. The average rate found for T. rangeli infection of these triatomids was 5.6 per cent. (4) T. cruzi infection in humans has been nore prevalent among rural dwellers than among urban inhibitants. Xenodiagnosis positivity rates have ranged between 3.8 and 18.4 per cent of the individuals examined. Positive reactions to the complement fixation test have ranged from 17.3 to 46.7 per cent. (5) The acute phase of the disease has been observed in both children and young adults. Nevertheless, ECG and radiologic changes appear to be less common and milder than those reported in South American countries. (6) Further studies are required in order to better define the status of Chagas' disease in El Salvador.