Systematic review on the biology, ecology, genetic diversity and parasite transmission potential of Panstrongylus geniculatus (Latreille 1811) in Latin America

Abstract

Panstrongylus geniculatus (Latreille, 1811) is the triatomine with the largest geographic distribution in Latin America. It has been reported in 18 countries from southern Mexico to northern Argentina, including the Caribbean islands. Although most reports indicate that P. geniculatus has wild habitats, this species has intrusive habits regarding human dwellings mainly located in intermediate deforested areas. It is attracted by artificial light from urban and rural buildings, raising the risk of transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi . Despite the wide body of published information on P. geniculatus , many knowledge gaps exist about its biology and epidemiological potential. For this reason, we analysed the literature for P. geniculatus in Scopus, PubMed, Scielo, Google Scholar and the BibTriv3.0 databases to update existing knowledge and provide better information on its geographic distribution, life cycle, genetic diversity, evidence of intrusion and domiciliation, vector-related circulating discrete taxonomic units, possible role in oral T. cruzi transmission, and the effect of climate change on its biology and epidemiology.

Genetic Diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi in Panama Inferred by Multi-locus Sequence Typing of Mitochondrial Genes

“…This study also identified TcIII in a Chagasic patient and in a vector species (P. geniculatus). TcIII infections have been mainly associated with terrestrial ecotopes and P. geniculatus [58,59], which is a sylvatic vector that generally inhabits various vertebrate nests, especially the burrows of armadillos (Dasypodidae) and anteaters (Myrmecophagidae) [59], both common reservoirs found in the study area where the sample was isolated [18]. In Panama, P. geniculatus has also been reported with relative frequency to visit human dwellings located adjacent to forested areas, and the species has repeatedly been found infected with T. cruzi [8,18,60].…”

Infection susceptibility and vector competence of Rhodnius robustus Larrousse, 1927 and R. pictipes Stal, 1872 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) for strains of Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909) (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) I, II and IV

“…Although the complex interaction between T. cruzi and its vector for transmissibility is not yet fully understood, it is known that this interaction can be influenced by the biological, biochemical and genetic characteristics of both the vector and the parasite, combined with the fact there are sympatric species that are better adapted to the environment in which they are inserted [ 26 – 29 ]. In addition, the hematophagous habits of the vectors contribute to the selection of populations of T. cruzi , in that some genetic lineages can be eliminated while in others an increase in the population can occur, even when they are concomitant in the vector [ 30 ].…”

Investigation regarding the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi in triatomines and humans in rural households in the State of Paraná, southern Brazil

“…Triatomines are hematophagous insects, belonging to the subfamily Triatominae (Reduviidae, Hemiptera) which has 153 described species and are distributed in 18 genera and five tribes. Among the species, 68 are part of the Brazilian fauna, with potential to transmit T. cruzi, being Triatoma infestans Klug, 1834, T. brasiliensis Neiva, 1911, T. pseudomaculata Corrêa & Espínola, 1964, T. sordida Stål, 1859, Rhodnius prolixus Stål, 1859, R. neglectus Lent, 1954, Panstrongylus geniculatus Latreille, 1811, and P. megistus Burmeister, 1835, the vectors of greatest epidemiological importance in the country (Ravazi et al, 2017;Ministério da Saúde, 2019;Nascimento et al, 2019;Vivas et al, 2021).…”