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San Juan E, Araya-Donoso R, Sierra-Rosales C, Correa JP, Quiroga N, Campos-Soto R, Solari A, Llewellyn M, Bacigalupo A, Botto-Mahan C. Humans as blood-feeding sources in sylvatic triatomines of Chile unveiled by next-generation sequencing. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:225. [PMID: 37415248 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05841-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triatomines are blood-sucking insects capable of transmitting Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease in humans. Vectorial transmission entails an infected triatomine feeding on a vertebrate host, release of triatomine infective dejections, and host infection by the entry of parasites through mucous membranes, skin abrasions, or the biting site; therefore, transmission to humans is related to the triatomine-human contact. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated whether humans were detected in the diet of three sylvatic triatomine species (Mepraia parapatrica, Mepraia spinolai, and Triatoma infestans) present in the semiarid-Mediterranean ecosystem of Chile. METHODS We used triatomines collected from 32 sites across 1100 km, with an overall T. cruzi infection frequency of 47.1% (N = 4287 total specimens) by conventional PCR or qPCR. First, we amplified the vertebrate cytochrome b gene (cytb) from all DNA samples obtained from triatomine intestinal contents. Then, we sequenced cytb-positive PCR products in pools of 10-20 triatomines each, grouped by site. The filtered sequences were grouped into amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with a minimum abundance of 100 reads. ASVs were identified by selecting the best BLASTn match against the NCBI nucleotide database. RESULTS Overall, 16 mammal (including human), 14 bird, and seven reptile species were identified in the diet of sylvatic triatomines. Humans were part of the diet of all analyzed triatomine species, and it was detected in 19 sites representing 12.19% of the sequences. CONCLUSIONS Sylvatic triatomine species from Chile feed on a variety of vertebrate species; many of them are detected here for the first time in their diet. Our results highlight that the sylvatic triatomine-human contact is noteworthy. Education must be enforced for local inhabitants, workers, and tourists arriving in endemic areas to avoid or minimize the risk of exposure to Chagas disease vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban San Juan
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Catalina Sierra-Rosales
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juana P Correa
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Naturaleza, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
| | - Nicol Quiroga
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ricardo Campos-Soto
- Escuela de Ciencias Agrícolas y Veterinarias, Universidad Viña del Mar, Viña del Mar, Chile
| | - Aldo Solari
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Martin Llewellyn
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Antonella Bacigalupo
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Carezza Botto-Mahan
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Quiroga N, Campos-Soto R, Yañez-Meza A, Rodríguez-San Pedro A, Allendes JL, Bacigalupo A, Botto-Mahan C, Correa JP. Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in Desmodus rotundus (common vampire bat) and Histiotus montanus (small big-eared brown bat) from Chile. Acta Trop 2022; 225:106206. [PMID: 34687642 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, is transmitted by infected feces or consumption of blood-sucking triatomine insects to several mammalian orders including Chiroptera. In Chile, the distribution of several insectivorous and one hematophagous bat species overlaps with those of triatomine vectors, but the T. cruzi infection status of local chiropterans is unknown. In 2018, we live-captured bats from two protected areas in Chile to collect plagiopatagium tissue, feces and perianal swab samples, in search for T. cruzi-DNA by real time PCR assays using species-specific primers. In Pan de Azúcar island (∼26°S), we examined a roost of Desmodus rotundus (common vampire bat) and sampled tissue from 17 individuals, detecting T. cruzi-DNA in five of them. In Las Chinchillas National Reserve (∼31°S), we examined two roosts of Histiotus montanus (small big-eared brown bat), collecting feces or perianal swab samples from eight individuals, detecting T. cruzi-DNA in four of them. This is the first report of T. cruzi-DNA evidence in bat species from Chile. Both vector-borne and oral transmission are potential infection routes that can explain our results. Further investigation is needed for a better understanding of the role of bats in the T. cruzi transmission cycle.
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3
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Botto-Mahan C, Medel R. Was Chagas disease responsible for Darwin’s illness? The overlooked eco-epidemiological context in Chile. REVISTA CHILENA DE HISTORIA NATURAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s40693-021-00104-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe source of Darwin’s illness has been a contentious issue in the literature for almost 70 years. Different causal factors have been invoked to account for his symptoms, including Chagas disease. The Chagas hypothesis is based upon Darwin’s diary, in which he narrates his experience with kissing bugs, the main vector of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. In this contribution, we examine the consistency of the “Chagas disease hypothesis” in the light of current ecological and epidemiological knowledge of the disease in Chile. According to his diary and letters, during his overland trips, Darwin slept in rural houses and outdoors for 128 days in a “hyperendemic” area for Chagas disease, more than exposing him to kissing bugs. This observation conveys a likely additional source of infection than previously considered, which might reinforce the idea that Chagas disease contributed to Darwin’s manifest physical deterioration.
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Pérez G, Muñoz-San Martín C, Chacón F, Bacigalupo A, Cattan PE, Solís R. Modification of the Daily Activity Pattern of the Diurnal Triatomine Mepraia spinolai (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Induced by Trypanosoma cruzi (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae) Infection. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:2474-2478. [PMID: 34197593 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mepraia spinolai, (Porter) 1934, is a diurnal triatomine endemic to Chile and a wild vector of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, (Chagas) 1909, which causes Chagas disease. Behavioral changes in M. spinolai induced by this parasite have been reported previously, which include detection of a potential host, defecation latency, and some life history traits. In this study we assessed changes in locomotor and daily activity due to infection with T. cruzi. No difference was detected in distance traveled between infected and uninfected individuals. However, the groups differed in their daily activity patterns; infected individuals showed significant reduction of movements during the light phase and concentrated their activity in the dark phase. Uninfected individuals showed no differences in locomotor activity between the phases. The results suggest that T. cruzi induces a displacement in the activity of M. spinolai toward the dark phase of the circadian cycle, which may improve its vector competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Pérez
- Depto. Cs. Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Cs. Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, Santiago,Chile
| | - C Muñoz-San Martín
- Depto. Cs. Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Cs. Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, Santiago,Chile
- Núcleo de Investigaciones Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Universidad de las Américas, Campus Providencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - F Chacón
- Depto. Cs. Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Cs. Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, Santiago,Chile
| | - A Bacigalupo
- Depto. Cs. Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Cs. Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, Santiago,Chile
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - P E Cattan
- Depto. Cs. Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Cs. Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, Santiago,Chile
| | - R Solís
- Depto. Cs. Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Cs. Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, Santiago,Chile
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5
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Campos-Soto R, Díaz-Campusano G, Quiroga N, Muñoz-San Martín C, Rives-Blanchard N, Torres-Pérez F. Trypanosoma cruzi-infected triatomines and rodents co-occur in a coastal island of northern Chile. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9967. [PMID: 33088613 PMCID: PMC7568477 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the cause agent of Chagas disease, is transmitted mainly by blood-feeding insects of the subfamily Triatominae. The T. cruzi life cycle alternates between triatomines and mammalian hosts, excluding birds and reptiles. Triatomines of Mepraia genus are wild vectors of T. cruzi in Chile. Mepraia specimens infected with T. cruzi have been detected in Pan de Azúcar and Santa María islands. The most common vertebrates that inhabit these islands are birds and reptiles, and it is unknown whether small mammals are present. Consequently, it is relevant to know whether there are any T. cruzi-infected small mammals on those islands to elucidate the T. cruzi cycle. To clarify this crossroads, islands of northern Chile were explored to determine if T. cruzi-infected triatomines and rodents co-occur in islands of northern Chile. T. cruzi DNA was detected by conventional and real-time PCR in three islands: on Santa María and Pan de Azúcar islands T. cruzi was detected in Mepraia sp samples, while on Pan de Azúcar (6.1%) and Damas islands (15%) was detected in the rodent Abrothrix olivacea. We show for the first time in Chile the occurrence of insular rodents infected with T. cruzi, and a complete T. cruzi life cycle in a coastal island. Our results provide new insights to understand the T. cruzi infection in the wild cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Campos-Soto
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Gabriel Díaz-Campusano
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Nicol Quiroga
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Catalina Muñoz-San Martín
- Núcleo de Investigaciones Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Campus Maipú, Universidad de Las Americas, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ninette Rives-Blanchard
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Fernando Torres-Pérez
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
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Correa JP, Bacigalupo A, Yefi-Quinteros E, Rojo G, Solari A, Cattan PE, Botto-Mahan C. Trypanosomatid Infections among Vertebrates of Chile: A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2020; 9:E661. [PMID: 32824290 PMCID: PMC7460458 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9080661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a review on the natural infection by trypanosomatids of nonhuman vertebrates in Chile, aiming to synthesize and update the knowledge on the diversity of trypanosomatids infecting native and alien vertebrate species. To this end, we conducted a systematic review of literature records published from 1900 to April 2020 on four databases, focusing on the 21 genera of trypanosomatids and Chile. The methods and findings of our review have been based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (prisma) checklist. We found 29,756 records but only 71 presented relevant information for this review. Overall, there are only two reported trypanosomatid genera infecting vertebrate species in Chile, the genera Trypanosoma and Leishmania. The former is mostly represented by Trypanosoma cruzi (90% of the total records) and to a much lesser extent by Trypanosoma avium, Trypanosoma humboldti, Trypanosoma lewisi, and a couple of unidentified trypanosomatids. A total of 25 mammals have been reported as being infected by T. cruzi, including 14 native and 11 alien species from Orders Artiodactyla, Carnivora, Chiroptera, Didelphimorphia, Lagomorpha, Perissodactyla, and Rodentia. Extensive screening studies using new analytical tools are necessary to grasp the whole potential diversity of trypanosomatid species infecting vertebrates in Chile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juana P. Correa
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción 4080871, Chile;
| | - Antonella Bacigalupo
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK;
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (E.Y.-Q.); (P.E.C.)
| | - Esteban Yefi-Quinteros
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (E.Y.-Q.); (P.E.C.)
| | - Gemma Rojo
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380000, Chile; (G.R.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales (ICA3), Universidad de O’Higgins, San Fernando 3070000, Chile
| | - Aldo Solari
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380000, Chile; (G.R.); (A.S.)
| | - Pedro E. Cattan
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (E.Y.-Q.); (P.E.C.)
| | - Carezza Botto-Mahan
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7800003, Chile
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7
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Campos-Soto R, Díaz-Campusano G, Rives-Blanchard N, Cianferoni F, Torres-Pérez F. Biogeographic origin and phylogenetic relationships of Mepraia (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) on islands of northern Chile. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234056. [PMID: 32525913 PMCID: PMC7289421 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is one of the main zoonoses mediated by vectors in America. The etiological agent is the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted mainly by hematophagous insects of the subfamily Triatominae. Mepraia species are triatomines endemic to Chile that play an important role in T. cruzi transmission in the wild cycle and are potential vectors for humans. In addition to the continental distribution, populations of Mepraia genus have been reported inhabiting islands of northern Chile. The presence of individuals of Mepraia in insular areas might be explained through passive dispersion by marine birds or by vicariance of an ancestral widespread population. To clarify the biogeographic origin and phylogenetic relationships of island individuals of Mepraia, mitochondrial COI and cyt b genes were sequenced in individuals from island and continental areas. Gene sequences were used to estimate phylogenetic relationships, divergence dates and migration rates between insular and continental populations. The dates of divergence estimates are congruent with sea level and tectonic changes that originated the islands during Pleistocene. Migration rates suggest symmetric historical island-continent gene flow. We suggest that the origin of island triatomines can be explained by both vicariance and dispersion. Phylogenetic relationships show that individuals from Santa María Island and the continent clustered in a clade different from those previously reported, indicating a new lineage of Mepraia genus. This study will contribute to understand the origin of the T. cruzi infection in coastal islands of northern Chile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Campos-Soto
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- * E-mail:
| | - Gabriel Díaz-Campusano
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Ninette Rives-Blanchard
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Franco Cianferoni
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Fernando Torres-Pérez
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
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8
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Garrido R, Bacigalupo A, Peña-Gómez F, Bustamante RO, Cattan PE, Gorla DE, Botto-Mahan C. Potential impact of climate change on the geographical distribution of two wild vectors of Chagas disease in Chile: Mepraia spinolai and Mepraia gajardoi. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:478. [PMID: 31610815 PMCID: PMC6792221 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3744-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mepraia gajardoi and Mepraia spinolai are endemic triatomine vector species of Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite that causes Chagas disease. These vectors inhabit arid, semiarid and Mediterranean areas of Chile. Mepraia gajardoi occurs from 18° to 25°S, and M. spinolai from 26° to 34°S. Even though both species are involved in T. cruzi transmission in the Pacific side of the Southern Cone of South America, no study has modelled their distributions at a regional scale. Therefore, the aim of this study is to estimate the potential geographical distribution of M. spinolai and M. gajardoi under current and future climate scenarios. Methods We used the Maxent algorithm to model the ecological niche of M. spinolai and M. gajardoi, estimating their potential distributions from current climate information and projecting their distributions to future climatic conditions under representative concentration pathways (RCP) 2.6, 4.5, 6.0 and 8.5 scenarios. Future predictions of suitability were constructed considering both higher and lower public health risk situations. Results The current potential distributions of both species were broader than their known ranges. For both species, climate change projections for 2070 in RCP 2.6, 4.5, 6.0 and 8.5 scenarios showed different results depending on the methodology used. The higher risk situation showed new suitable areas, but the lower risk situation modelled a net reduction in the future potential distribution areas of M. spinolai and M. gajardoi. Conclusions The suitable areas for both species may be greater than currently known, generating new challenges in terms of vector control and prevention. Under future climate conditions, these species could modify their potential geographical range. Preventive measures to avoid accidental human vectorial transmission by wild vectors of T. cruzi become critical considering the uncertainty of future suitable areas projected in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Garrido
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Biología y Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Antonella Bacigalupo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Peña-Gómez
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ramiro O Bustamante
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pedro E Cattan
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, Santiago, Chile
| | - David E Gorla
- Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Carezza Botto-Mahan
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, Chile.
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Frías-Lasserre D, González CR, Reyes C, Lecaros Alvarado A. The Interspecific Hemelytra Differences Among Mepraia Species Males (Hemiptera, Reduviidae:Triatominae) in Chile. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 55:1478-1485. [PMID: 30365032 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The species of the genus Mepraia Mazza, Gajardo Tobar and Jörg (Hemiptera, Reduviidae:Triatominae) exhibit polymorphism in their hemelytra. The females of all species are always micropterous, but the males can be micropterous, brachypterous, or macropterous. Mepraia gajardoi Frías, Henry and González (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) males are always brachypterous, Mepraia parapatrica Frías-Lasserre (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) males are macropterous or brachypterous and Mepraia spinolai (Porter) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) males are macropterous, brachypterous, or micropterous. Here, we determined distinctive characteristics of the hemelytra of the males of these three species and found that the length of the hemelytra of the brachypterous males in these three species differs statistically, as does their shape and morphology. These differences are particularly apparent at the apex of the hemelytra, the anterior part of the corium, in the morphology and number of the ctenidia of coaptors, and presence or absence of the cross vein of the hemelytra. Based on this, we propose a key based on hemelytra characteristics to identify the males of the three Mepraia species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Frías-Lasserre
- Instituto de Entomología, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian R González
- Instituto de Entomología, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Sección Parasitología, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Reyes
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Sección Parasitología, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alberto Lecaros Alvarado
- Unidad de Innovación Curricular, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Rives-Blanchard N, Torres-Pérez F, Ortiz S, Solari A, Campos-Soto R. Trypanosoma cruzi over the ocean: Insular zones of Chile with presence of infected vector Mepraia species. Acta Trop 2017; 172:229-231. [PMID: 28522273 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is one of the main zoonosis mediated by vectors in America. The etiologic agent Trypanosoma cruzi infects different mammals and is transmitted principally by the subfamily Triatominae. Mepraia is a genus endemic to Chile, responsible for transmitting T. cruzi in the sylvatic cycle. Mepraia includes three species: M. gajardoi and M. parapatrica inhabit coastal areas, while M. spinolai inhabits coastal and interior valleys. Previous studies reported the occurrence of Mepraia in Pan de Azucar Island, currently classified as M. parapatrica, but T. cruzi has not been reported in these insects. It is suggested that this could be due to infrequent insect feeding on mammalian hosts. In order to detect T. cruzi in insects from coastal islands, specimens from Pan de Azucar and Santa Maria Islands were examined. A region of kDNA of T. cruzi was amplified by PCR and hybridization assays were performed for T. cruzi genotyping of insect feces. The presence of infected insect and mixed T. cruzi infections was demonstrated. This is the first report of infected Triatominae in coastal islands in Chile. We discuss T. cruzi detection in insular zones, and the presumptive reservoirs that may participate in maintaining its transmission cycle in this habitat. Mixed and unidentified infections suggest that there are complex and unknown reservoir interactions in these habitats.
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Frías-Lasserre D, González CR, Valenzuela CR, de Carvalho DB, Oliveira J, Canals M, da Rosa JA. Wing Polymorphism and Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Wild, Peridomestic, and Domestic Collections of Mepraia spinolai (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) From Chile. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 54:1061-1066. [PMID: 28399301 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Mepraia spinolai (Porter) is a vector of Trypanosoma cruzi that causes Chagas disease. Females are always wingless, but males may be winged or wingless. We determined by PCR the infection percentage with T. cruzi of M. spinolai adults and nymphs in domestic, peridomestic, and wild collections, in different regions of Chile. In all regions, winged males were more abundant than females and wingless males. Winged males collected inside houses were less parasitized than were those from peridomestic and wild environments. Although winged males of M. spinolai have comparatively low levels of infection, this segment may still represent the greatest vector threat in this species for transmission of T. cruzi to humans and other vertebrates in domestic, wild, and peridomestic habitats. Winged males represent the dispersive form of this species that invades human dwellings. Feeding deprivation resulting from the time required to find a food source and to search for reproductive females could explain the lower infection rates (negatives) of winged males collected from inside houses in comparison with winged males collected from peridomestic and wild habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Frías-Lasserre
- Instituto de Entomología, Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Av, José Pedro Alessandri 774, Santiago, Chile 7760197
| | - Christian R González
- Instituto de Entomología, Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Av, José Pedro Alessandri 774, Santiago, Chile 7760197
- Laboratorio Entomología, Sección Parasitología, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile
| | | | - Danila Blanco de Carvalho
- Departamento de Ciências Biologicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rodovia Araraquara- Jaú km 1, 14 801-902, Araraquara, SP, Brasil
| | - Jader Oliveira
- Departamento de Ciências Biologicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rodovia Araraquara- Jaú km 1, 14 801-902, Araraquara, SP, Brasil
| | - Mauricio Canals
- Programa de Salud Ambiental, Escuela de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile; Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile. Independencia 939, Santiago, Zip code 8380453
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile
| | - Joao Aristeu da Rosa
- Departamento de Ciências Biologicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rodovia Araraquara- Jaú km 1, 14 801-902, Araraquara, SP, Brasil
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12
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Galvão C, Justi SA. An overview on the ecology of Triatominae (Hemiptera:Reduviidae). Acta Trop 2015; 151:116-25. [PMID: 26086951 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Revised: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease, the American trypanosomiasis, is an important neglected tropical illness caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) and transmitted by insects of the subfamily Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Here we provide an overview on the current knowledge about Triatominae ecology, its association with human, T. cruzi infection and the immediate consequences of habitat fragmentation. We also discuss the geographic distribution of the species and the importance of predicting their distributions to control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cleber Galvão
- Laboratório Nacional e Internacional de Referência em Taxonomia de Triatomíneos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil.
| | - Silvia A Justi
- Laboratório Nacional e Internacional de Referência em Taxonomia de Triatomíneos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil; Laboratório de Biologia Evolutiva Teórica e Aplicada, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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13
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Campos-Soto R, Torres-Pérez F, Solari A. Phylogenetic incongruence inferred with two mitochondrial genes in Mepraia spp. and Triatoma eratyrusiformis(Hemiptera, Reduviidae). Genet Mol Biol 2015; 38:390-5. [PMID: 26500444 PMCID: PMC4612603 DOI: 10.1590/s1415-475738320140301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is widely used to clarify phylogenetic relationships among and within species, and to determine population structure. Due to the linked nature of mtDNA genes it is expected that different genes will show similar results. Phylogenetic incongruence using mtDNA genes may result from processes such as heteroplasmy, nuclear integration of mitochondrial genes, polymerase errors, contamination, and recombination. In this study we used sequences from two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase subunit I) from the wild vectors of Chagas disease, Triatoma eratyrusiformis and Mepraia species to test for topological congruence. The results showed some cases of phylogenetic incongruence due to misplacement of four haplotypes of four individuals. We discuss the possible causes of such incongruence and suggest that the explanation is an intra-individual variation likely due to heteroplasmy. This phenomenon is an independent evidence of common ancestry between these taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Campos-Soto
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Fernando Torres-Pérez
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Aldo Solari
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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14
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Guhl F, Auderheide A, Ramírez JD. From ancient to contemporary molecular eco-epidemiology of Chagas disease in the Americas. Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:605-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2014] [Revised: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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15
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Toledo A, Vergara F, Campos R, Botto-Mahan C, Ortiz S, Coronado X, Solari A. Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes in Mepraia gajardoi from wild ecotopes in northern Chile. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2013; 88:285-8. [PMID: 23249691 PMCID: PMC3583318 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.12-0227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2012] [Accepted: 11/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated Trypanosoma cruzi infection in 397 wild Mepraia gajardoi specimens from five coastal localities in northern Chile by detection of minicircle DNA by polymerase chain reaction. The wild capture sites were classified into two ecotopes: a fully wild ecotope (ecotope 1) and a wild ecotope near human dwellings (ecotope 2). Infection rates varied between 11% and 27%. Minicircle hybridization assays showed that T. cruzi lineages Tc II and Tc VI were commonly detected in ecotope 1 and ecotope 2, respectively. These results are discussed in the context of insect proximity to human dwellings, the alimentary profile of Mepraia sp., T. cruzi lineages detected in the past in the same disease-endemic area circulating in humans, and Triatoma infestans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Toledo
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, e Programa Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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16
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Bacigalupo A, Torres-Pérez F, Segovia V, García A, Correa JP, Moreno L, Arroyo P, Cattan PE. Sylvatic foci of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans in Chile: description of a new focus and challenges for control programs. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2010; 105:633-41. [DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762010000500006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2009] [Accepted: 04/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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17
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Acuña-Retamar M, Botto-Mahan C, Canals M, Correa JP, Cattan PE. Comparative population dynamics of the bug Mepraia spinolai, a sylvatic vector of Chagas' disease, in different hosts. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2009; 23:106-110. [PMID: 19493191 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2009.00795.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to determine the impact of specific hosts on a population of Mepraia spinolai (Porter) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae), a sylvatic vector of Chagas' disease in Chile. We assessed whether a recently introduced host could be an important epidemiological factor in maintaining Chagas' disease in Chile. The study stressed the variations in survival, individual weight and fecundity in the insect population when the vector was raised with a species-specific food supply. The study compared the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, introduced in Chile <or= 150 years ago, with a wild endemic rodent, Octodon degus. Hosts were placed separately in experimental glass chambers. Groups of insects maintained with rabbits had greater fecundity than those raised with rodents, but both groups had similar survival times and average weights. Both O. degus and the European rabbit appear to be suitable hosts for M. spinolai, but the rabbit is better than the rodent. Additional research is needed to determine which factors of O. cuniculus produce the observed results.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Acuña-Retamar
- Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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