Title
Bionomics and spatial distribution of triatomine vectors of trypanosoma cruzi in Texas and other Southern States, USA
Date Issued
01 January 2018
Access level
open access
Resource Type
research article
Author(s)
Abstract
Defining spatial and temporal occurrences of triatomine vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, in theUSis critical for public health protection. Through a citizen science program and field collections from 2012 to 2016, we collected 3,215 triatomines, mainly from Texas. Using morphological and molecular approaches, we identified seven Triatoma species and report sex, length, and blood engorgement status. Many citizen-collected triatomines (92.9%) were encountered indoors, in peridomestic settings, or in dog kennels and represent spillover transmission risk of T. cruzi to humans and domestic animals. The most commonly collected species were Triatoma gerstaeckeri and Triatoma sanguisuga. Adult T. gerstaeckeri were collected from May to September, peaking from June to July, whereas adult T. sanguisuga were active later, from June to October, peaking from July to September. Based on cross correlation analyses, peaks of captures varied by species and across years. Point pattern analyses revealed unique occurrences of T. sanguisuga in north and east Texas, T. gerstaeckeri in south and west Texas, Triatoma indictiva and Triatoma lecticularia in central Texas, and Triatoma rubida in west Texas. These relatively unique spatial occurrences suggest associations with different suitable habitats and serve as a basis for future models evaluating the ecological niches of different vector species. Understanding the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of triatomines in the southern United States will improve targeted interventions of vector control and will guide public outreach and education to reduce human and animal contact with vectors and reduce the risk of exposure to T. cruzi.
Start page
113
End page
121
Volume
98
Issue
1
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Medicina tropical
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85040525221
PubMed ID
Source
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
ISSN of the container
00029637
Sponsor(s)
Funding text 1
Graduate student support was provided by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant No. 1252521 (R. C.-R.). We thank the family of Dr. Raymond Ryckman for financial support for page charges
Funding text 2
Financial support: Funding for this project was provided by the Texas EcoLab Program (S. A. H., G. L. H., R. C.-R.), the Texas A&M University-Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología Collaborative Research Grant Program (S. A. H.), the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Insect Vector Disease Program (S. A. H.), and NIAID 5R01AI101229 (M. Z. L.). Graduate student support was provided by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant No. 1252521 (R. C.-R.). We thank the family of Dr. Raymond Ryckman for financial support for page charges.
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