Seroprevalence of human Trypanosoma cruzi infection in diferent geografic zones of Chiapas, Mexico

a serologic survey was carried out in four different geographic zones of chiapas, mexico. a total of 1,333 samples were collected from residents of thirteen communities located on the coast, central mountain, lacandon forest and a zone called mesochiapas. one hundred and fifty one seropositive individuals (11.3%) were identified. human trypanosoma cruzi infection was influenced by geography. in the lacandon forest and central mountains there was a higher seroprevalence 32.1 and 13.8% respectively, than on the coast (1.2%). in mesochiapas there were no seropositive individuals among the 137 persons tested. an active transmission is probably continuing because seropositive cases (13.8%) were detected in children under 10 years of age. the vector recognized on the coast was triatoma dimidiata while in the lacandon forest it was rhodnius prolixus.