Dipetalogaster maxima or D. maximus as a xenodiagnostic agent

Studies in search of a suitable experimental insect model for xenodiagnosis of hosts with Chagas' disease: 3 - On the interaction of vector species and parasite strain in the reaction of bugs to infection by Trypanosoma cruzi

“…This may serve as a reminder that involuntary infestation followed by colonization of a new voracious and large insect, which exhibit high rates of epimastigotes to metacyclic trypomastigotes conversion, will be an additional menace to the population. That "it is" only "slightly less susceptible to insecticide activity than T. infestans", as mentioned by Marsden 8 As for P. megistus, which has been found by Perlowagora-Szumlewicz & Muller 16 to exhibit over 90% of positives, of which over 60% harbor either dense or very dense parasite populations upon feeding on animals with chronic infections by Y strain of T. cruzi, our opinion is that at present it deserves top priority as a xenodiagnostic agent. This bug has also other advantages; it is available in many parts of Brazil, easy to breed under changing ambient conditions, fast in development, slow in locomotion (an attractive feature in managing it) and low in mortalities.…”

“…However, the task of answering the provocative question by Marsden 8 why we are "still searching for a suitable xenodiagnostic agent without trying D.maximus", could not have been more timely, nor could our comments have been more appropriate.…”

Attempts to Improve Xenodiagnosis: Comparative Test of Sensibility Using Rhodnius neglectus, Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma vitticeps and Triatoma infestans in Endemic Areas of Brazil

“…Aiming to improve xenodiagnosis, comparative works were performed to search for a suitable insect model with the above mentioned characteristics (Alvarenga et al 1977, Barreto et al 1978, Minter et al 1978, Marsden 1986.…”

Xenodiagnosis

“…The disadvantage of young instars can be overcome by the use of more bugs. The use of first instars seems to be advantageous, as it is cost reducing, for example Marsden (1986) calculated the costs of a single xenodiagnosis kit containing 40 first instars of D. maxima to be as low as 4 US$. Another advantage especially in field studies is the easier transport of eggs Minter-Goedbloed and Minter 1987).…”

“…Further studies comparing these species in xenodiagnosis of patients from the same area indicate a lower but still significant efficiency of D. maxima ). However, the use of this day-active and aggressive triatomine species is restricted because it cannot be reared so easily in the laboratory (Marsden 1986;Perlowagora-Szumlewicz et al 1988).…”