title: Temporal differences in blood meal detection from the midguts of Triatoma infestans.
abstract: We used genus/species specific PCRs to determine the temporal persistence of host DNA in Triatoma infestans experimentally fed on blood from six common vertebrate species: humans, domestic dogs, guinea pigs, chickens, mice, and pigs. Twenty third or fourth instar nymphs per animal group were allowed to feed to engorgement, followed by fasting-maintenance in the insectary. At 7, 14, 21, or 28 days post-feeding, the midgut contents from five triatomines per group were tested with the respective PCR assay. DNA from all vertebrate species was detected in at least four of five study nymphs at seven and 14 days post-feeding. DNA of humans, domestic dogs, guinea pigs, pigs, and chickens were more successfully detected (80-100%) through day 21, and less successfully (20-100%) at day 28. Findings demonstrate that species-specific PCRs can consistently identify feeding sources of T. infestans within two weeks, a biologically relevant time interval.
authors.affiliation: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Dawn M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Roellig
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Gilman
authors.forename: Maritza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calderón
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bartra
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salazar
authors.forename: Caryn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bern
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ancca-Juárez
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Cesar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Náquira
authors.forename: Vitaliano
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood; D002645:Chickens; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification; D004285:Dogs; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D009758:Nymph; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013552:Swine; D014224:Triatoma / Q000502:physiology*; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D004247:DNA