Trypanosoma rangeli infection impairs reproductive success of Rhodnius prolixus.

ABSTRACT: Trypanosoma rangeli is a protozoan that infects triatomines and mammals in Central and South America. Although it does not cause disease to humans, this parasite produces different levels of pathogenicity to its invertebrate host, mainly in species of the genus Rhodnius. In this study, we followed T. rangeli-infected and uninfected pairs throughout their adult lives and measured the amount of blood ingested, number of eggs laid, number of eggs hatched and proportion of infertile eggs, as well as female life expectancy. We found that all reproductive parameters were drastically decreased during infection, mainly due to the reduced amount of blood the infected insects ingested throughout their lives. Reproductive parameters were also affected by the reduction of the life

SUBMITTER: Duarte da Silva B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10090635 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature