title: House infestation dynamics and feeding sources of Triatoma dimidiata in central Veracruz, Mexico.
abstract: Chagas disease is endemic in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, and we investigated here the dynamics of house infestation by Chagas disease vectors to understand disease transmission and design effective control interventions. Bug collections in 42 rural villages confirmed the widespread distribution of Triatoma dimidiata in central Veracruz. Unexpectedly, collection data further indicated a clear pattern of seasonal infestation by mostly adult bugs. Analysis of feeding sources with a polymerase chain reaction-heteroduplex assay indicated a frequent feeding on humans, in agreement with the high seroprevalence previously observed. Feeding sources also confirmed a significant dispersal of bugs between habitats. High dispersal capabilities and seasonal infestation may thus be a shared characteristic of several of the T. dimidiata sibling species from this complex. It would thus be critical to adapt vector control interventions to this behavior to improve their efficacy and sustainability, as the control of T. dimidiata has been notoriously challenging.
authors.affiliation: LADISER Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba, Mexico. jetorres@uv.mx
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torres-Montero
authors.forename: Aracely
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López-Monteon
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dumonteil
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramos-Ligonio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017753:Ecosystem; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006798:Housing; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology*; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012423:Rural Health; D012621:Seasons; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014224:Triatoma / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology*; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan