OBJECTIVES:

To register the distribution of triatomine species found in the home environment, from 2012 to 2017, in the VIII Regional Health Management (GERES) of Pernambuco State, Brazil, and identify the natural infection rate by flagellates morphologically similar to Trypanosoma cruzi on these insects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Information from the Pernambuco Chagas Disease Control Program database was used, referring to triatomines collected in the homes of the municipalities, identified, and examined in the laboratory of the VIII GERES. Only insects with data of origin and natural infection were considered. The natural infection rate was calculated using entomological indicators.

RESULTS:

A total of 9,738 triatomines of six species were collected: Triatoma brasiliensis (8,251), Triatoma pseudomaculata (1,323), Panstrongylus lutzi (100), Triatoma sordida (56), Panstrongylus megistus (seven), and Rhodnius neglectus (one). The infection rate for flagellates morphologically similar to T. cruzi it was 2%. Petrolina, the largest municipality in the VIII GERES, had the biggest number of specimens (3,420) and Dormentes had the highest rate of infected triatomines (3.3%). Only T. brasiliensis was positive for the infection in all municipalities, while P. lutzi had the highest infection rate (38.0%). In 2014, the biggest number of triatomines (3,186) was found, while 2012 had the most infected insects (67) with the etiological agent of Chagas disease (5.0%).

CONCLUSION:

This study contributes to health surveillance, since positive species were found in all municipalities of the VIII GERES, signaling the risk of vector transmission.

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