Metaciclogénesis de T. cruzi en B. ferroae Metacyclogenesis of Trypanosoma cruzi in B. ferroae (Reduviidae: Triatominae) and infectivity of faeces under laboratory conditions

Abstract

Introduction: Belminus ferroae is a Triatominae that exhibits entomophagous behavior, however, it can occasionally feed on vertebrates. Currently, there is no evidence of natural infection with T. cruzi or the occurrence of metacyclogenesis in this species. Objective: To examine the metacyclogenesis of T. cruzi in B. ferroae and the infectivity of faeces or their intestinal contents in rodents under laboratory conditions. Materials and methods: Twenty-nymphs of B. ferroae were infected with an autochthonous strain of T. cruzi (M/HOM/VE/09/P6). Faeces and urine samples were collected by expelled spontaneously or by abdominal compression, and were examined at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 days. Also, the intestinal content was collected by dissection of the digestive tube. The quantification of parasitic load of T. cruzi and its evolutionary forms in feces, urine and intestinal contents was performed by Giemsa staining. Likewise, the infectivity of metacyclic trypomastigotes of T. cruzi was evaluated in albino mice. Results: Parasitological analysis revealed 3 (15%) of insects infected with T. cruzi, at 30 (N = 1), 40 (N = 1) and 50 (N = 1) days post infection; obtaining parasitic loads of up to 1.62 x105 trypanosomes/mm3, and percentages of metacyclogenesis between 3.5% to 6.78%. Conclusions: for first time the metacyclogenesis of T. cruzi in a species of the genus Belminus under laboratory conditions and the infectivity of faeces for a vertebrate host.