Trypanosoma cruzi strain TcIV infects raccoons from Illinois.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The northern limits of Trypanosoma cruzi across the territory of the United States remain unknown. The known vectors Triatoma sanguisuga and T. lecticularia find their northernmost limits in Illinois; yet, earlier screenings of those insects did not reveal the presence of the pathogen, which has not been reported in vectors or reservoir hosts in this state.

Objectives

Five species of medium-sized mammals were screened for the presence of T. cruzi.

Methods

Genomic DNA was isolated from heart, spleen and skeletal muscle of bobcats (Lynx rufus, n = 60), raccoons (Procyon lotor, n = 37), nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus, n = 5), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana, n = 3), and a red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Infections were detected targeting DNA fro

SUBMITTER: Vandermark C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5719540 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature