title: Membrane feeding for infection of the reduviid bug Triatoma infestans with Blastocrithidia triatomae (Trypanosomatidae) and pathogenic effects of the flagellate.
abstract: To investigate the pathogenic effects of the trypanosome Blastocrithidia triatomae on Triatoma infestans, a method for direct infection by in vitro feeding was developed. After isolation of B. triatomae cysts from infected dead bugs, a suspension of cysts was disinfected with Desogen and Chloramin T, then mixed with sterile blood, spread on a sterile, parallel-grooved glass plate or a hammered aluminium plate and covered with a thin, sterile silicone membrane. The blood and plate were warmed to 36 degrees-38 degrees C by a heating plate. For investigation of the pathological effects, first instars of T. infestans were allowed to feed through the membrane on a mixture containing 10(6) cyst stages/cm3 blood. Development of about 30% of the third and fourth instar larvae was retarded as compared with that in uninfected control groups, and mortality rates increased in fourth and/or fifth instar larvae. Whereas total mortality rates of about 5% occurred in control groups, about 85% of the larvae died in the infected groups. These effects are very similar to those obtained in previous studies with coprophagic infections.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Biologie I (Zoologie), Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Schaub
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000469:parasitology*; D007814:Larva / Q000469:parasitology; D014224:Triatoma / Q000469:parasitology*; D014225:Triatominae / Q000469:parasitology*; D014351:Trypanosomatina / Q000502:physiology*