Host feeding profiles of Triatoma dimidiata in peridomestic habitats of western Panama.
Bloodmeal analysis of Triatoma dimidiata collected in peridomestic habitats of western Panama showed that avian feedings comprised 25% of this species' host selections; opossums, the principal reservoir of Chagas' disease in the republic, were not among mammalian feedings. These findings may account for the low infestation rates of Trypanosoma cruzi in the bugs and the hypoendemicity of Chagas' disease in western Panama.
Christensen
H A
HA
Gorgas Memorial Laboratory, University of Panama, Panama City.
Sousa
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OE
de Vasquez
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AM
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000097:blood*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology*; D008322:Mammals / Q000097:blood*; D010176:Panama; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D013045:Species Specificity; D014224:Triatoma / Q000502:physiology*; D014225:Triatominae / Q000502:physiology*