Diversity and interactions among triatomine bugs, their blood feeding sources, gut microbiota and Trypanosoma cruzi in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia.

ABSTRACT: Chagas disease remains a major neglected disease in Colombia. We aimed to characterize Trypanosoma cruzi transmission networks in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) region, to shed light on disease ecology and help optimize control strategies. Triatomines were collected in rural communities and analyzed for blood feeding sources, parasite diversity and gut microbiota composition through a metagenomic and deep sequencing approach. Triatoma dimidiata predominated, followed by Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma maculata, Rhodnius pallescens, Panstrongylus geniculatus and Eratyrus cuspidatus. Twenty-two species were identified as blood sources, resulting in an integrated transmission network with extensive connectivity among sylvatic and domestic host species. Only TcI parasites were detected, p

SUBMITTER: Murillo-Solano C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8192545 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature