Identification in triatomine vectors of feeding sources and Trypanosoma cruzi variants by heteroduplex assay and a multiplex miniexon polymerase chain reaction
Bosseno, M-France.; García, L.Santos.; Baunaure, Fçoise.; Gastelúm, E.Magallón.; Gutierrez, M.Soto.; Kasten, F.Lozano.; Dumonteil, E.; Brenière, S.Frédérique.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 74(2): 303-305
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 16474087 Document Number: 602265
Feeding sources of triatomine vectors (Triatoma longipennis) collected in peridomiciles in Mexico were identified by a heteroduplex assay developed with triatomine blood meals. Trypanosoma cruzi parasites were also characterized in the same blood meal samples by multiplex-polymerase chain reaction assay of mini-exon gene inter-genic regions. The main blood meal Source was from rats, but the bugs were able to feed oil I wide variety of hosts, and human blood meals were identified. Trypanosoma cruzi was the only flagellate species identified in the blood meals. All populations belong to the T. cruzi I lineage, a result that is consistent with the previously assumed predominance of this lineage in Mexico. This combination of blood meal and T. cruzi lineage identification provides a powerful tool for understanding T cruzi transmission cycles.