In her most recent publication, Dr. Anita G. Villacís, Principal Investigator at CISeAL, examines how environmental contamination influences the ecology of the vector Rhodnius ecuadoriensis in wild areas of southern Ecuador. Traditionally associated with wild environments, this insect has begun to adapt to human-influenced habitats, which represents a growing challenge for the control of Chagas disease.
This research had the outstanding participation of Jazive Esparza, under the direction of Dr. Anita G. Villacís, in collaboration with experts such as Soledad Santillán-Guayasamín, César A. Yumiseva, Juan José Bustillos, Mario J. Grijalva, and Sereno Denis.
The study analyzed 389 nests collected in eight communities in the province of Loja during 2018, 2022, and 2023, differentiating between peridomestic and wild nests. The findings reveal a drastic reduction in the infestation rate in areas close to dwellings (from 33.3% in 2018 to 0% in 2022), while wild areas maintained fluctuating levels. A significant association was identified between triatomine infestation and mammal nests, many of which contained anthropogenic materials—especially near roads and other human-intervened areas.
Statistical analysis showed a negative correlation between the presence of litter and distance to roads or water bodies, suggesting a new approach to understanding the effects of human activity on vector ecology. In addition to highlighting the dual impact of pollution—by modifying nest composition and increasing insect mortality from trash entanglement—the results point to the urgency of implementing community-based environmental education programs focused on waste management.
This research represents a crucial step for future evaluations of the relationship between T. cruzi infection and environmental factors, contributing to more effective control strategies adapted to local contexts.
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https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-025-11175-z
