Trypanosoma cruzi: kinetics of metacyclogenesis in adult and nymphal Panstrongylus megistus

Adult triatomine insects, Panstrongylus megistus, naturally infected with the protozoa, Trypanosoma cruzi, contained significantly more metacyclic trypomastigote forms in their digestive tracts than did P. megistus nymphs. Metacyclics were scarce in all stages of triatomines fed once on infected mammalian hosts and subsequently starved. In contrast, triatomines fed repeatedly on infected mammalian hosts developed prolific T. cruzi infections. Repeatedly fed adults contained 14 X more metacyclics than similarly fed nymphs. Nutritional factors appear to play a key role in regulating metacyclogenesis. Control campaigns designed to alter the age structure of populations of triatomines must take notice of the high transmission potential of the adult stage.