Studies on vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in Trinidad, West Indies

Studies on vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas were conducted during 1982-85 as part of an investigation on the epidemiological status of American Trypanosomiasis in Trinidad, West Indies. A total of 148 reduviid bugs were collected from caves, armadillo nests and at light traps, comprising four sylvatic species and totalling 120 Panstrongylus geniculatus (Latreille), two P. rufotuberculatus (Champion), twelve Rhodnius pictipes Stal and fourteen Eratyrus mucronatus Stal. A significantly higher level of infection with T. cruzi was recorded for P. geniculatus (42.5%) compared to R. pictipes (8.3%). The other two bug species were not found to be infected. P. geniculatus seems to be the most important vector in the sylvatic cycle of transmission of T. cruzi in Trinidad.     

DNA evidence of Trypanosoma cruzi in the Chilean wild vector Mepraia spinolai (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Molecular evidence showed 46.2% of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Mepraia spinolai insects from North-Central Chile, which is significantly higher than previous reports of up to 26% by microscopic observation. Our results show similar infection levels among nymphal stages, ranging from 38.3 to 54.1%, indicating that younger nymphs could be as important as older ones in parasite transmission. A cautionary note must be stressed to indicate the potential role of M. spinolai in transmitting T. cruzi in country areas due to the high infection level detected by molecular analysis.