First Identification of Naturally Infected Paratriatoma hirsuta: A Vector for Trypanosoma cruzi and Implications for Chagas Disease Transmission.

ABSTRACT: The first detection of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) in wild-caught Paratriatoma hirsuta (P. hirsuta) from military installations near the United States/Mexico border in California and Arizona is reported in the present study. As part of a Chagas disease surveillance initiative, 20 adult and 63 immature P. hirsuta were collected from 16 wood rat nests, along with sympatric Triatoma rubida (T. rubida). Initial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening revealed presumptive T. cruzi-positive samples, which were reanalyzed using a novel kinetoplast PCR assay with validated targets. Amplicons were sequenced using Sanger analysis, confirming T. cruzi infection. The presence of T. cruzi was confirmed in P. hirsuta (9%) and T. rubida (7%). The present study highlights the potential role of P. hirsu

SUBMITTER: Lenhart PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC13527189 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature