Chagas Research Network

The World Health Organization defines Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) as a life-threatening disease, caused by a protozoan parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted to humans and other mammals by haematophagous insects of the subfamily Triatominae, colloquially known as «Chipos, Chinches or Quipitos», not excluding other transmission mechanisms such as: mucous membranes by direct contact with droppings (feces) of the insect, ingestion of contaminated food, transplacental transmission from mother to child, breastfeeding, blood donations and organ transplantation.

The Chagas Network, founded by the Venezuelan Science Incubator in 2017, is responsible for providing care to endemic populations where Chipos are abundant and, in consequence, constantly exposed to the disease. Moreover, it offers specialized medical assistance to diagnosed patients (both adult and pediatrics), emphasizing innovative techniques of timely diagnosis.

For this reason, the Chagas Network constantly carries out epidemiological evaluations in communities that present risk factors for vector implantation (Chipo), highlighting among the most relevant species of triatomines in Venezuela: Rhodnius prolixus, Panstrongylus geniculatus and Triatoma maculata.

Objectives of the Chagas Research Network

1. Establish clinical, epidemiological and molecular screening of Chagas disease in Venezuela. 
2. Explore innovative techniques to offer timely and accurate diagnoses.
3. Implement projects of Citizen Science, which place the population as protagonists of the control of infectious and contagious diseases, with special emphasis on Chagas Disease, in order to promote their involvement and interest in the resolution of potential health conflicts, both in endemic and non-endemic areas.
4. Implement educational activities of Citizen Impact, to attend the needs of those populations considered at risk, creating social awareness among the inhabitants.
5. Organize sustainable and effective epidemiological surveillance programs that target the main zoonotic diseases in the country, with special emphasis on Chagas disease, promoting the consolidation of partnerships between those involved, stakeholders and other bodies. 
6. Participate in the development of training programs for health sector personnel in the various jurisdictions of the country.
7. To monitor the demographic status of Chagas disease worldwide.

Chagas Research Network Projects

The Chagas Network has undertaken the clinical-epidemiological study of Chagas disease, through the collection of index cases, pursuing the mission of encouraging social awareness in the affected populations and their families.

In December 2017, the first Healthcare Assistance Day  in the San Miguel Parish of Jimenez Municipality in Lara state, was held. During that opportunity, more than 150 patients were treated, distributed among internal medicine, pediatrics, dermatology, cardiology – priority was given to patients diagnosed with Chagas disease, as well as a free diagnostic for those suspected of being infected. This initiative is currently implemented in different towns that express urgent health care needs, with the hopes of extending to other localities in the rest of the country.

Citizen Impact Project

Based on the principles of Citizen Science, the project consists of the creation of “Scientific Citizens” teams who adopt the position of leaders in their communities, in order to establish lasting citizen action plans that promote local control of the transmission of Chagas disease.

The Citizen Science projects developed by the Chagas Network of the Venezuelan Science Incubator are: “Citizen Impact CRRC” and “Trip Science”, both focused on forming and training “Scientific Citizens” teams that adopt the position of leaders in their communities, integrating the planning and development of long-lasting action plans to achieve local vector control and reduce the transmission of Chagas disease.

This is possible due to a Massive Chipos Reporting and Collection Campaign (English for “Campaña Masiva de Reporte y Recolección de Chipos” CRRC) in which we receive a report from a citizen who claims to have observed Chipos in his locality, then the Chagas Network trained team plan and implement theoretical and practical training on:

How do I know if it is a Chipo?

What should I do if I see a Chipo?

Who should I report to if I have seen a Chipo?

Chagas Research Network – Citizen Science

Trip Science

As for the project “Trip Science”, the word “Trip” corresponds to the abbreviation of two essential words, Tripasonomiasis Americana (synonym for Chagas disease) and Trypanosoma cruzi (the etiologic agent of the aforementioned nosological disease). As for “Science” it involves all the investigative, clinical, epidemiological and academic aspects.

That is why, to represent a perfect symbiosis, we proceeded to select a group of outstanding students of Diversified Secondary Education, in this case from the U.E “Colegio Las Colinas”, firmly believing in the potential existing in these next generations of talents, betting on the young spirit, dreamer and entrepreneur, fundamental characteristics of every researcher, together with the requirement for high levels of commitment and outstanding academic performance, essential aspects in the profile of a scientist.

Citizen Impact CRRI

On the other hand, the “Citizen Impac CRRI” project is made possible due to the Massive Chipos Reporting and Collection Campaign (English for “Campaña Masiva de Reporte y Recolección de Chipos” CRRC) in which we receive a report from a citizen who claims to have observed Chipos in his locality. Next, the team of the Chagas Network will be responsible for planning and executing theoretical-practical training on:

How do I know if it is a Chipo?

What should I do if I see a Chipo?

Who should I report to if I have seen a Chipo?

For case reports or further information, you can contact us via: redchagas@incubadorave.org; direct message to instagram @incubadorave.

Objectives of the Citizen Science Projects

• Facilitate learning on Chagas disease, creating science with social awareness.
• Aid in the learning process and recognition of the Chipo as a possible transmitter of the disease, creating science with social awareness.
• Promote the participation of citizens in the planning, implementation and preservation of research projects with social impact.
• Train students with the necessary scientific skills for them to perform quality research at a national and international scope.