An improved device for detecting peridomestic
Triatoma infestans
consisting of one-liter recycled Tetra Brik
milk boxes with a central structure was tested using a matched-pair study design
in two rural areas in Argentina. In Olta (La Rioja), the boxes were installed
beneath the thatched roofs and on the vertical wooden posts of each peridomestic
structure. After a 5-month exposure, at least one of the recovered boxes detected
88% of the 24
T. infestans-positive sites, and 86% of the 7 negative sites
by timed manual collections at baseline. In Amamá (Santiago del Estero),
the boxes were paired with the best performing prototype tested before (shelter
unit). After 3 months, some evidence of infestation was detected in 89% (boxes)
and 79% (shelters) of 18-19 sites positive by timed collections, whereas 19% and
16% of 32 negative sites were positive, respectively. Neither device differed
significantly in the qualitative or quantitative collection of every sign of infestation.
The installation site did not modify significantly the boxes' sampling efficiency
in both study areas. As the total cost of each box was half as expensive as each
shelter unit, the boxes are thus the most cost-effective and easy-to-use tool
for detecting peridomestic
T. infestans currently available.
