title: High-resolution melting (HRM) of the cytochrome B gene: a powerful approach to identify blood-meal sources in Chagas disease Vectors.
abstract: Methods to determine blood-meal sources of hematophagous Triatominae bugs (Chagas disease vectors) are serological or based on PCR employing species-specific primers or heteroduplex analysis, but these are expensive, inaccurate, or problematic when the insect has fed on more than one species. To solve those problems, we developed a technique based on HRM analysis of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome B (Cyt b). This technique recognized 14 species involved in several ecoepidemiological cycles of the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi and it was suitable with DNA extracted from intestinal content and feces 30 days after feeding, revealing a resolution power that can display mixed feedings. Field samples were analyzed showing blood meal sources corresponding to domestic, peridomiciliary and sylvatic cycles. The technique only requires a single pair of primers that amplify the Cyt b gene in vertebrates and no other standardization, making it quick, easy, relatively inexpensive, and highly accurate.
authors.affiliation: Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas (BCEI), Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
authors.forename: Victor H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Peña
authors.forename: Geysson J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Andrés M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gómez-Palacio
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mejía-Jaramillo
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cantillo
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Triana-Chávez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000635:transmission; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000235:genetics*; D004199:Disease Vectors; D004772:Entomology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods*; D044366:Transition Temperature; D014225:Triatominae
chemical_list: D045303:Cytochromes b