First report of mixed Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units infection in Triatoma phyllosoma in the peri-urban environment of Oaxaca, Mexico

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2024 Mar 25:57:e007032024. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0449-2023. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Background: Chagas disease, a zoonosis transmitted mainly by hematophagous insects of the subfamily Triatominae, is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, classified into six discrete typing units (DTUs: TcI-TcVI and Tcbat).

Methods: Insect vectors were collected from 84 human dwellings in the municipality of Santo Domingo Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico; 4.76% were infested. DTUs were determined using conventional and nested PCR.

Results: The infection rate was 43.6%. All insects were infected with TcI while one specimen showed mixed infection with TcII.

Conclusions: This is the first report of T. cruzi mixed infection in Triatoma phyllosoma, its main vector in the study region.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chagas Disease*
  • Coinfection*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Mexico
  • Triatoma*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi* / genetics