Infection rates of Triatoma protracta (Uhler) with Trypanosoma cruzi in Southern California and molecular identification of trypanosomes

Wei Song Hwang; Guanyang Zhang; Dmitri Maslov; Christiane Weirauch

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.2010.10-0167

Infection rates of Triatoma protracta (Uhler) with Trypanosoma cruzi in Southern California and molecular identification of trypanosomes

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2010 Nov;83(5):1020-2. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.10-0167.

Authors

Wei Song Hwang¹, Guanyang Zhang, Dmitri Maslov, Christiane Weirauch

Affiliation

¹ Department of Entomology, and Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA.

Abstract

We report Trypanosoma cruzi infection rates of the native kissing bug Triatoma protracta in southern California. The rates are within the historically reported range, but differ significantly between the two sites (19% in Escondido and 36% in Glendora). Identification of T. cruzi in T. protracta was conducted for the first time by using partial 18S ribosomal RNA and 24Sα ribosomal RNA sequences. Incongruence of 24Sα ribosomal RNA phylogeny with current T. cruzi genotype classification supports non-clonality of some T. cruzi genotypes.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Animals
California
Host-Parasite Interactions
Insect Vectors / parasitology*
Phylogeny
RNA, Ribosomal / genetics
RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
Triatoma / parasitology*
Trypanosoma cruzi / classification
Trypanosoma cruzi / genetics
Trypanosoma cruzi / physiology*

Substances

RNA, Ribosomal
RNA, Ribosomal, 18S