Abstract

ZAVALA-JASPE, R et al. Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus (Champion, 1899) naturalmente infectados con Trypanosoma cruzi en el estado Miranda, Venezuela. Bol Mal Salud Amb [online]. 2009, vol.49, n.2, pp.309-311. ISSN 1690-4648.

Two specimens of Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus were captured in a house in El Hatillo, Estado Miranda. In both specimens the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi was confirmed. We studied some biological parameters for estimating the behavior of the isolates, finding in both that cell-free culture media as inoculation in mice were successful. Also, 73.3% of Rhodnius prolixus fed on infected mice became infected and 30.6% of the parasites developed to metacyclic forms whereas in vitro only 25.5% was obtained. Furthermore, the molecular identification corresponded to T. cruzi. This finding is important due to the possible emergence of wild species by anthropogenic alteration of their natural habitats, and this may become a process of dispersion, penetration and clearance of houses, implying the possibility of transmitting the parasite to humans and pets.

Keywords : Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus; Trypanosoma cruzi; vector.