The rising importance of Triatoma rubrofasciata

Abstract

The migration of invasive vector species has contributed to the worldwide extension of infectious diseases such as dengue (Aedes aegypti) and chikungunya (Aedes albopictus). It is probably a similar behaviour for certain vectors of Chagas disease which allowed it to become a continental burden in Latin America. One of them, Triatoma rubrofasciata has also been spreading throughout the tropical and subtropical world. Here, the recent and massive peridomestic presence of T. rubrofasciata in Vietnam cities is reported, and tentatively explained, highlighting the need for improved entomological surveillance.

Reservoir host competence and the role of domestic and commensal hosts in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi

“…Rats were important (peri)domestic reservoir hosts of T. cruzi in several transmission systems, and also are the hosts of Trypanosoma conorhini which is transmitted by Triatoma rubrofasciata (Dujardin et al, 2015). Naturally-infected rats had high prevalence of infection and long-lasting parasitemia in Panama (Edgcomb and Johnson, 1970).…”

Epidemiological status of kissing-bugs in South East Asia: A preliminary assessment

“…Even earliest reports describe the bite of T. rubrofasciata as "more dangerous than the scorpion" and followed by "a tumor the size of a pigeon's egg" (for references, see Dujardin et al, 2015). Today, bite reactions to T. rubrofasciata are mainly reported from parts of southern China, Philippines, and Vietnam.…”

“…This infection is not yet recorded from SE Asia -except in previously-infected immigrants from America -but the kissing-bugs themselves are of increasing nuisance in many SE Asian cities. At present, the main nuisance appears to be due to bite reactions -which are sometimes serious enough to give fever, and in at least one case resulted in death attributed to anaphylactic shock (see Dujardin et al, 2015). The most widespread of these kissing-bugs, Triatoma rubrofasciata, is a competent vector of T. cruzi in Latin America, and is also frequently infected with a rat trypanosome -Trypanosoma conorhini -which is not yet known to infect other domestic animals or humans [but see Deane et al, 1986].…”

Analysis of Metabolic Activity in Cystic Cells ofTriatoma rubrofasciata(Hemiptera: Triatominae) and Its Capacity to Occupy Different Environments

“…Triatoma rubrofasciata (De Geer) (Hemiptera: Triatominae) is considered of global epidemiological importance, since it presents pantropical distri-bution (has been captured in approximately 45 countries (Galvão et al 2003), highlighting Angola, Congo (Katanga), Guinea (Conakry), Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania (Dujardin et al 2015) that are on the African continent and was found infected with Trypanosoma cruzi protozoan (Sherlock & Serafim 1974;Brazil & Silva 1983), the etiological agent of Chagas disease.…”