Synanthropic triatomines as potential vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in Central Brazil

Abstract

Introduction:Chagas disease surveillance requires current knowledge on synanthropic triatomines. We analyzed the occurrence and Trypanosoma cruzi infection rates of triatomine bugs in central Brazil, during 2012-2014. Methods: Triatomines were collected inside or around houses, and T. cruzi infection was determined by optical microscopy and conventional/quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of the 2706 triatomines collected, Triatoma sordida was the most frequent species in Goiás State, whereas Panstrongylus megistus predominated in the Federal District. Parasites identifi ed were T. cruzi, T. rangeli, and Blastocrithidia sp. Conclusions: P. megistus and T. sordida sustained the risk of T. cruzi transmission to humans in central Brazil.

Trypanosomatid infections in captive wild mammals and potential vectors at the Brasilia Zoo, Federal District, Brazil

“…In the FD, 894 triatomines were captured between 2012 and 2014 in 12 administrative regions, and most of them were identified as P . megistus (Minuzzi‐Souza et al, ) . In central Brazil the estimated infection rate of P .…”

Triatoma costalimai, a neglected vector of Trypanosoma cruzi in the Cerrado savannas of South America: A comprehensive review

“…1 ), and entomological-surveillance records suggest that T. costalimai is particularly common there ( Brito et al., 2017a ). Incidentally, records of T. costalimai from “Taguatinga, Federal District, Brazil” ( Ceccarelli, 2018 ; Ceccarelli et al., 2018a , b ) appear to be due to confusion between two localities bearing the same name – a municipality in Tocantins, where T. costalimai does occur, and an administrative region of the Federal District, from where we found no confirmed records (see Maeda et al., 2012 ; Minuzzi, 2016 ; Minuzzi-Souza et al., 2017 ; and below).…”

Molecular bloodmeal analyses reveal that Trypanosoma cruzi‐infected, native triatomine bugs often feed on humans in houses in central Brazil

“…To date, 27 triatomine species have been recorded in the central–western region of Brazil (Pereira et al ., ). Some of them, including Triatoma sordida , Triatoma pseudomaculata , Panstrongylus megistus and Rhodnius neglectus , are frequently found in and around houses (Minuzzi‐Souza et al ., ). Better understanding of the risk for Chagas' disease transmission requires reliable data on the frequency at which such potential vector species are infected with T. cruzi and on whether and how often they directly interact with humans.…”

“…Panstrongylus megistus can feed on humans, birds, dogs, cats, marsupials and pigs (Carcavallo et al ., ). Invasion of houses by T. cruzi ‐infected R. neglectus is common across the Cerrado (Minuzzi‐Souza et al ., ). In the wild, R. neglectus feeds on palm‐dwelling vertebrates including birds, opossums, rodents and bats (Carcavallo et al ., ); 64.3% of the 28 R. neglectus studied in this work had fed on human blood.…”