Panstrongylus geniculatus Latreille 1811 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominca), vector de la enfermedad de Changas en el ambiente domiciliario del centro-norte de Venezuela.

Introduction. In the last years, the incursions and domiciliary populations of Panstrongylus geniculatus Latreille 1811 have increased in Venezuela. Objective. To analyze the P. geniculatus introduction in homes of the center-north of Venezuela, relating it with peri and intra-domiciliary macro and micro ambient, characterize interaction with human and domestic animals and the Trypanosoma cruzi natural infection index (TcNII) is evaluated. Materials and Methods. Captures of P. geniculatus in the center-north of Venezuela (Caracas and Aragua, Miranda and Vargas states) are related with the macro-environment (altitude, humidity, temperature and precipitation); the home (housing type-color, type-color of external illumination and it distances to the forest); inhabitants' density and housings; percentage of vegetation; housings distribution in the space of and public illumination. The interrelations are analyzed with ANOVA, Multiple regression and Lineal Regression Forward Step Wise, and satellite images. The triatominebites to humans are correlated with abundances of potential sources of blood ingestion (human and/or animal). The TcNII was determined in triatomine feces. Results. In the center-north of Venezuela the presence of P. geniculatus during the evening, in the area to be domiciled related with: vegetation <21%, temperature 24-26°C, HR50-80%, number of animal/housing >5 and number people more animals/housing ≥13. From 1906 interviewed people, 159 had contacted with P. geniculatus being 86 triatomine-bitten. The TcNII was between 20 and 100%. Conclusions. The presence of P. geniculatus adults during the evening was independent of the housing type, increasing with the decrease of: % of vegetation, domestic animals, distances from the forest and when the lights were on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]