Revisión: Trypanosoma cruzi y el Rol de los Caninos en la Enfermedad de Chagas

Chagas disease is a potentially fatal public health problem caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, affecting both humans and other mammals. While it is responsible for infections globally, it is particularly concentrated in the Americas. This parasite requires appropriate vectors to complete its life cycle, such as triatomine bugs. Meanwhile, regarding the role of canines, they can not only contract the disease but also play a key role in its transmission to other vertebrate hosts, either through infection by bites and contact with infected vector feces or by ingesting the vector, thus serving as reservoirs. Therefore, there is a clear need for research into the epidemiology of Chagas disease in these companion animals, especially considering their important role in families and their potential to act as sentinels in epidemiological surveillance, as well as the circumstances that could facilitate transmission of the disease.