Identification of blood meal source and infection with Trypanosoma cruzi of Chagas disease vectors using a multiplex cytochrome b polymerase chain reaction assay.
Long-term control of triatomine bugs in Chagas endemic regions will depend on a full understanding of vector-parasite-host interactions. Herein we describe a cytochrome b multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based strategy for blood meal source identification in bug foregut contents. This technique discriminates human from animal blood, and has been tested in five Triatoma species from México. Host identification has been validated for human, four rodent species, two bat species, dog, rabbit, sheep, and opossum. In addition, Trypanosoma cruzi can be identified simultaneously using S34/S67-specific kinetoplast DNA primers. Both host and parasite identification were possible as long as 10 weeks after bug feeding, and in samples stored up to 6 years. The blood meal identification procedure described here represents a powerful tool for large-scale studies identifying the biological, ecological, and environmental variables associated with Chagas disease transmission.
Mota
Javier
J
Centro de Investigaciones sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas (CISEI), Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca Morelos, Mexico.
Chacon
Juan C
JC
Gutiérrez-Cabrera
Ana E
AE
Sánchez-Cordero
Víctor
V
Wirtz
Robert A
RA
Ordoñez
Rosalinda
R
Panzera
Francisco
F
Ramsey
Janine M
JM
D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000635:transmission; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000235:genetics*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors; D014224:Triatoma / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology*; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*
D045303:Cytochromes b