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A micro-spreading improvement for spermatogenic chromosomes from Triatominae (Hemiptera-Reduviidae).

Cytogenetics of triatomines have been a valuable biological tool for the study of evolution, taxonomy, and epidemiology of these vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi. Here we present a single microtube protocol that combines micro-centrifugation and micro-spreading, allowing high quality cytogenetic preparations from male gonadal material of Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma lecticularia. The amount of cellular scattering can be modulated, which can be useful if small aggregates of synchronous cells are desired. Moreover, a higher number of slides per gonad can be obtained with fully flattened clean chromosomal spreads with minimum overlaps, optimal for classical and modern molecular cytogenetic analyses.

Animals↗

Dynamics of feeding and defecation in Triatoma vitticeps (Stal, 1859) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) and its potential in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Adults of Triatoma vitticeps infected by flagellates similar to Trypanosoma cruzi are frequently captured by the inhabitants of rural areas in the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo. The dynamics of feeding and defecation were observed in three groups of adult triatomines, consisting of sylvatic T. vitticeps and laboratory-reared specimens of this species and T. infestans. Triatomines were observed from the moment they were presented with an immobilized chicken as a bloodmeal source until 240 min after feeding had ended. Mean times between the end of feeding and defecation for T. infestans, wild T. vitticeps and laboratory-reared specimens of the latter species were 1.2, 21.1, and 64 min respectively. All T. infestans defecated within 10 min of feeding, while only 29.9 of wild and 52.8% laboratory-reared specimens of T. vitticeps did so within this period. These results may explain the low efficiency of T. vitticeps in T. cruzi transmission to man. The shorter time between feeding and defecation in laboratory-reared T. vitticeps may indicate a change in behaviour of this species as a result of adaptation to an artificial environment.

Animals↗

Chromosome homogeneity in populations of Triatoma brasiliensis Neiva 1911 (Hemiptera - reduviidae - triatominae).

Triatoma brasiliensis is the most important vector of Chagas disease in the semiarid zone of the Northeast of Brazil. Several authors have reported the occurrence of four chromatic patterns with morphological, ecological, and genetic differences. In order to determine the existence of cytogenetic differentiation between these chromatic forms, we analyzed their karyotypes and the chromosome behavior during the male meiotic process. Triatoma brasiliensis shows distinct and specific chromosome characteristics, which differ from those observed in all other triatomine species. However, no cytogenetic differences were observed between the four chromatic forms of T. brasiliensis. The lack of chromosome differentiation among them could indicate that the populations of this species are in a process of differentiation that does not involve their chromosomal organization.

Animals↗

Stridulatory sound emission of Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus Champion, 1899, (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae).

This study contains the first report of stridulatory sound observed in Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus Champion, 1899, and also a new record of this species in Venezuela. The conditions in which stridulation occurred are described, as well as the general environmental characteristics of the localities where it was found. This triatomine only performs the sound in conditions of extreme provocation.

Animals↗

Record of Evlachovaea sp. (Hyphomycetes) on Triatoma sordida in the state of Goiás, Brazil, and its activity against Triatoma infestans (Reduviidae, Triatominae).

A fungal isolate was detected on a dead Triatoma sordida (Stål) collected in a peridomestic area in central Brazil. The fungus belongs to Evlachovaea Borisov and Tarasov, a new genus that was recently described in Russia. The isolate seems to be a third species and the second new and undescribed species from Brazil. The fungus was shown to be active against Triatoma infestans (Klug) third-instar nymphs at a humidity close to saturation. However, activity was reduced at a lower humidity (75%). Values of LC50 varied between 1.1 x 10(5) and 1.5 x 10(4) conidia/cm2 treated surface, 15 and 20 d after fungal application and incubation at humidity close to saturation. This new fungus may have a potential for biological control of peridomestic Chagas' disease vectors during the rainy season.

Animals↗

Habitats, dispersion and invasion of sylvatic Triatoma dimidiata (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) in Petén, Guatemala.

Dispersion and invasion capacity of sylvatic populations of Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille) were investigated during 14 mo by means of experimental chicken coops installed in a nature reserve within the Maya Biosphere, Petén, Guatemala. In addition, palm trees, underground archeological holes (chultunes) and piles of limestones within the forest were inspected as potential sylvatic habitats of T. dimidiata. From the three types of sylvatic habitats we inspected, all served as shelter and breeding sites for T dimidiata. The natural infection of these bugs (n = 72) with Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas) was high (25%) and represent a risk for humans who colonize the forest. T. dimidiata quickly invaded the experimental chicken coops installed in the primary forest, albeit at very low densities. However, only one adult bug was encountered in the chicken coops installed in a secondary forest. Dispersal of adult T. dimidiata was most apparent at the end of the dry season. Overall, our results indicate a potential risk for invasion by sylvatic T. dimidiata of domestic environments in this area, with a risk of T. cruzi transmission to humans. We suggest that a system of community-based surveillance should be developed to detect new infestations and organize prompt treatment of any new cases of acute Chagas disease that may result.

Animals↗

Efficacy of pyrethroid insecticides against domestic and peridomestic populations of Triatoma pallidipennis and Triatoma barberi (Reduviidae:Triatominae) vectors of Chagas' disease in Mexico.

A single village control trial for Triatoma pallidipennis and T. barberi was conducted using three synthetic pyrethroids (bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, and deltamethrin), evaluated as residual treatments in separate sectors, with complete coverage indoors and in peridomiciliary areas. Spray intervention was preceded by a preintervention entomological evaluation and household survey, followed by four postintervention evaluations at 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo of > 96% of houses. Overall preintervention adjusted infestation index was 38%, 17% of which represented intradomicile infestation. Dose verification using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) demonstrated correct spray doses for all but deltamethrin treatments. There was between a 6- and 13-fold decrease in intradomicile live bug infestation for cyfluthrin- and bifenthrin-treated areas, resulting at 1 mo in 0 and 0.6% infestation, respectively. Intradomicile infestation recovered somewhat, terminating at 20 and 50% of preintervention levels at 12 mo, respectively, while peridomicile infestation recovered preintervention levels within 3-6 mo. Households with persistent live peridomiciliary infestation had 1.9 times the risk of having a persistent intradomiciliary infestation, while 80% of peridomicile infestations for both triatomine species were in houses not having a previous infestation. New or reinfestation of households did not occur consistent with a sylvan source, and unconstructed lots were not a significant source of bugs. Houses with persistent peridomicile infestation did represent a significant risk for surrounding uninfested houses by cluster analysis (P < 0.05). Along with the increased prevalence of T. cruzi infection after intervention, the data indicate that a sylvan reservoir source, probably peridomicile small rodent nests, represent the major risk factor for persistent and new infestations.

Altitude↗

Metric variation among geographic populations of the Chagas vector Triatoma dimidiata (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) and related species.

Eight Triatoma dimidiata populations from different geographic regions were compared along with related species using traditional morphometry of head characters. A method for removing allometric change was used for the intraspecific comparisons, and scaling for the isometric change of size was used for the interspecific comparisons. The intraspecific comparison showed significant head shape differences between T. dimidiata populations correlating with geography, showing a separation between the northern, intermediate, and southern collections (more evident in females), and supporting the idea that this species includes several evolutionarily divergent populations. The positioning of one sylvatic group from Guatemala did not correlate with geography, because it was more closely related to a distinct population of Colombia. This sylvatic group was found in caves, while the Colombian specimens, although collected in houses, may have migrated from nearby caves. Evolutionary and/or ecological influences could be responsible for the head shape similarities between these two groups: a common ancestral origin of both populations or a morphological convergence caused by similar environmental pressures. The interspecific comparisons included four other regional species of the same genus, three of them belonging to the phyllosoma complex (T. pallidipennis, T. mexicana, and T. ryckmani, the latter provisionally) and the fourth one classified in the protracta complex (T. nitida). Both complexes were readily separated by their head dimensions, even after size adjustment, and our data support inclusion of T. dimidiata within the phyllosoma complex.

Animals↗

Evaluation of risk factors for rural infestation by Triatoma pallidipennis (Hemiptera: Triatominae), a Mexican vector of Chagas disease.

Control of Chagas disease requires control of its triatomine vectors, which requires an understanding of the determinants of infestation. Twenty-seven household environmental characteristics in the town of Chalcatzingo, Morelos, were analyzed for association with infestation by Triatoma pallidipennis, the predominant local vector. Data were obtained through timed household searches for triatomines and surveys that characterized intradomicile and peridomicile environments. Of the households surveyed, 28.4% were infested by T. pallidipennis. Cross-sectional multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed that regressed infestation on environmental variables. Of the 530 households in the town, 84% had sufficient data to be included. Adobe walls, agricultural products, junk piles, lack of bednets, and number of rabbits were significantly associated with intradomiciliary infestation. Junk piles and numbers of dogs, cats, and rabbits were significantly associated with peridomiciliary infestation. Junk piles, agricultural products, and numbers of cats, rabbits, and birds were significantly associated with overall infestation. Unexpectedly, presence of stone piles was not associated with infestation. The results of this study provide information for designing Chagas disease control programs in rural Mexican areas infested by T. pallidipennis.

Agriculture↗

Identification of morphologically similar Rhodnius species (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) by electrophoresis of salivary heme proteins.

We examined intraspecific variability in the genus Rhodnius using starch gel electrophoresis of salivary heme proteins. Salivary protein profiles of 8 Rhodnius species (R. prolixus, R. robustus, R. neglectus, R. nasutus, R. ecuadoriensis, R. pallescens, R. pictipes, and R. domesticus) were compared. All species could be distinguished by this technique. The greatest protein polymorphism was found in R. ecuadoriensis, R. nasutus, R. robustus, and R. pictipes, followed by R. prolixus, R. neglectus, R. pallescens, and R. domesticus. This approach was able to distinguish R. prolixus from R. robustus and R. neglectus from R. nasutus, species with extreme phenotypical similarity.

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Ecologic niche modeling and differentiation of populations of Triatoma brasiliensis neiva, 1911, the most important Chagas' disease vector in northeastern Brazil (hemiptera, reduviidae, triatominae).

Ecologic niche modeling has allowed numerous advances in understanding the geographic ecology of species, including distributional predictions, distributional change and invasion, and assessment of ecologic differences. We used this tool to characterize ecologic differentiation of Triatoma brasiliensis populations, the most important Chagas' disease vector in northeastern Brazil. The species' ecologic niche was modeled based on data from the Fundação Nacional de Saúde of Brazil (1997-1999) with the Genetic Algorithm for Rule-Set Prediction (GARP). This method involves a machine-learning approach to detecting associations between occurrence points and ecologic characteristics of regions. Four independent "ecologic niche models" were developed and used to test for ecologic differences among T. brasiliensis populations. These models confirmed four ecologically distinct and differentiated populations, and allowed characterization of dimensions of niche differentiation. Patterns of ecologic similarity matched patterns of molecular differentiation, suggesting that T. brasiliensis is a complex of distinct populations at various points in the process of speciation.

Animals↗

Eye colour as a genetic marker for fertility and fecundity of Triatoma infestans (Klug, 1834) Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae.

Eye colour of Triatoma infestans is controlled at a single autosomal locus, with black-eye as the dominant gene and red-eye as the recessive. Inheritance of these characters follows a classical Mendelian system, enabling eye colour to be used as a marker for studies of mating frequency. We found no significant differences in oviposition rates and egg hatching rates irrespective of parental phenotypes. Different mating schedules between red-eye and black-eye parents showed that eye colour did not affect mating competence. Females mated with a single male or with different males together or in succession produced similar numbers of fertile eggs, with the eye colour of the offspring reflecting exposure to the different males. We conclude that although a single mating can provide sufficient sperm for the whole reproductive life of the female, multiple matings can result in balanced assortative sperm usage from the spermatheca.

Animals↗

[First report of Triatoma nigromaculata (Stål, 1859) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) for Colombia].

The presence of Triatoma nigromaculata was recorded for the first time in Colombia in the rural village La Playa in the province of Cauca. A single female was captured from an outdoor area near a household. The presence of Trypanosoma parasites in the specimen was not established due to the poor condition of the specimen. The epidemiological importance of this finding is discussed with respect to the potential for transmission of Chagas disease in the province of Cauca and, more broadly, in Colombia.

Animals↗

Impact of single and multiple residual sprayings of pyrethroid insecticides against Triatoma dimidiata (Reduviiade; Triatominae), the principal vector of Chagas disease in Jutiapa, Guatemala.

This study investigated the impact of single, double, and triple insecticide sprayings on indoor infestation of Triatoma dimidiata in Jutiapa, Guatemala. Up to three successive insecticide sprayings were applied in villages, where the indoor infestation index was > 5% before each spraying round or located adjacent to the persistently infested villages. Among 64 villages with single spraying, the mean indoor infestation index reduced from 20.8% to 1.4% after 12 months, but rose to 8.1% after 33 months. In 40 double-sprayed villages, it decreased from 41.9% to 11.9% by the first spraying and to 4.8% by the second spraying. For 12 villages with triple spraying, it reduced from 40.6% to 13.2%, 10.9%, and 4.1% through each spraying round. Geographic analysis showed that originally highly infested villages were spatially clustered and were likely to remain infested after the sprayings. Indoor infestation of T. dimidiata can be controlled with less than three rounds of spraying.

Aerosols↗