Risk of transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi by wild Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in Bolivia supported by the detection of human blood meals

Infect Genet Evol. 2013 Oct:19:141-4. doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.07.002. Epub 2013 Jul 13.

Abstract

We analyzed the food sources of Bolivian wild Triatoma infestans (the main vector of Chagas disease in this country), to assess the role of these populations in the epidemiological context of Chagas disease. Ninety-eight blood meals were identified by heteroduplex assay and sequencing. Most of them were from wild mammals but surprisingly 27 were from humans. This brings to light the occurrence of human-vector contacts at risk of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission in the wild environment by highly infected insects.

Keywords: Bolivia; Human blood meals; Wild Triatoma infestans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / classification
  • Animals, Wild / genetics
  • Base Sequence
  • Bolivia
  • Chagas Disease / transmission*
  • Cytochromes b / genetics
  • DNA / blood
  • DNA / classification
  • DNA / genetics
  • Feeding Behavior / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors / chemistry
  • Insect Vectors / physiology*
  • Mammals / classification
  • Mammals / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Triatoma / chemistry
  • Triatoma / physiology*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi

Substances

  • DNA
  • Cytochromes b