Abstract INTRODUCTION: Different blood meal sources can affect biology of triatomines. METHODS: We studied the influence of two different blood meal sources (rabbits and hens) on five biological parameters in Meccus phyllosomus pallidipennis and collected biological parameters. RESULTS: The cohort fed on rabbits had a shorter median life-cycle and lower mortality rate than that fed on hens. Both cohorts required a similar number of blood meals to reach adulthood. Median longevity and number of blood meals for adults were similar between both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS The studied parameters reflect the high grade of adaptation of M. p. pallidipennis feeding on different hosts.

Immunological diagnostic methods for Trypanosoma cruzi depend specifically on the presence of antibodies and parasitological methods lack sensitivity during the chronic and “indeterminate” stages of the disease. This study performed a serological survey of 1,033 subjects from 52 rural communities in 12 of the 18 municipalities in the state of Querétaro, Mexico. We detected anti-T. cruzi antibodies using the following tests: indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA), indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), ELISA and recombinant ELISA (rELISA). We also performed Western blot (WB) analysis using iron superoxide dismutase (FeSOD), a detoxifying enzyme excreted by the parasite, as the antigen. Positive test results were distributed as follows: ELISA 8%, rELISA 6.2%, IFA and IHA 5.4% in both cases and FeSOD 8%. A comparative study of the five tests was undertaken. Sensitivity levels, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, concordance percentage and kappa index were considered. Living with animals, trips to other communities, gender, age, type of housing and symptomatology at the time of the survey were statistically analysed using SPSS software v.11.5. Detection of the FeSOD enzyme that was secreted by the parasite and used as an antigenic fraction in WBs showed a 100% correlation with traditional ELISA tests.

The values of biological parameters related to the life cycles of four populations of Meccus longipennis (Reduviidae: Triatominae) were evaluated. Cohorts of each of the four studied populations from different geographical areas of Mexico were maintained under similar laboratory conditions and then compared. The population from El Saucito de Araujo was different from the other three studied populations, which could help explain the secondary importance of M. longipennis in the state of Chihuahua. This paper also supports the proposition that biological traits are important criteria for determining relationships between populations.

Se reportan datos sobre el ciclo de vida, número de repastos sanguíneos para mudar de estadio ninfal, mortalidad y el porcentaje de hembras de híbridos de M. phyllosomus x M. mazzottii en comparación con cohortes “puras” de M. phyllosomus (Burmeister) y M. mazzottii (Usinger). El ciclo de vida fue significativamente (P<0,05) más corto en las dos cohortes híbridas, respecto de las parentales. En contraste, no se registraron diferencias significativas (P>0,05) entre cohortes en el número de repastos sanguíneos para mudar de estadio ninfal. El porcentaje de mortalidad (41.8%) de la cohorte parental de M. phyllosomus fue significativamente ( P<0,05) mayor que los de las tres cohortes restantes. El porcentaje de hembras fue similar (P>0,05) entre las cuatro cohortes bajo estudio.

Data is reported about life cycle, number of blood meal to molt to next instar, mortality and percentage of females on hybrids from crosses of M. phyllosomus x M. mazzottii compared to “pure” cohorts of M. phyllosomus (Burmeister) and M. mazzottii (Usinger). Recorded life cycle was significantly ( P<0,05) shorter in both hybrids cohorts with respect to the two parental ones. In contrast, non significant (P>0,05) differences were recorded in the number of blood meals to molt to next instar when the four studied cohorts were compared. Mortality percentage (41.8%) on the parental cohort of M. phyllosomus was significantly (P<0,05) higher than those in the three other studied cohorts. Female percentage was similar (P>0,05) when the four studied cohorts were compared.

The values of biological parameters related to hatching, lifespan, the number of blood meals between moults, mortality, time lapse before the beginning of feeding, feeding time and defecation delay for each instar of three Mexican-American species of Triatominae, Triatoma recurva, Triatoma protracta (former subspecies protracta) and Triatoma rubida (former subspecies uhleri), were evaluated and compared. No significant (p > 0.05) differences were recorded among the three species with respect to the average time required to hatch. This time was approximately 19 days. The average egg-to-adult development time was significantly (p < 0.05) shorter for T. rubida. The number of blood meals at each nymphal instar varied from one-five for each species. The mortality rates were higher for the first-instar nymphs of the three species studied. The mean time lapse before the beginning of feeding was between 0.3-3 min for most nymphs of all instars of each species studied. The mean feeding time was the longest for T. recurva, followed by T. protracta. The defecation delay was less than 10 min for T. recurva and T. rubida. Given these results, only T. rubida should be considered an important potential vector of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission to humans in areas of Mexico where these species exist, whereas T. recurva and T. protracta would be of secondary importance.

Se reporta por primera vez la recolecta de ejemplares de Meccus longipennis (Usinger) y de Triatoma recurva (Stål) en el estado de Durango. La búsqueda de triatominos se realizó durante 12 meses (septiembre 2010-agosto 2011) en cuatro comunidades de dos municipios (Pueblo Nuevo y Mezquital) del estado de Durango. Se recolectaron 71 ejemplares de M. longipennis y seis de T. recurva provenientes mayoritariamente del interior de las viviendas humanas (recámaras). La presencia de M. longipennis en el área abre la posibilidad de un riesgo potencial de transmisión de Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas a las poblaciones humanas del área estudiada.

The collection of Meccus longipennis (Usinger) and of Triatoma recurva (Stål) in the state of Durango is reported for the first time. Both species were collected during twelve months (from September 2010 to August 2011) in four localities of two municipalities (Pueblo Nuevo y Mezquital) in the state of Durango. Seventy one specimens of M. longipennis and six of T. recurva were collected mostly from indoors of human dwellings (bedrooms). Presence of M. longipennis means a potential risk of transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas to human populations in the study area.

An entomological study of triatomine species was carried out to assess their prevalence in 10 localities of the state of Michoacán, Mexico. Entomological indices were calculated to estimate the risk for vector-borne transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi to the human population in this area. Four triatomine species (Triatoma barberi, Triatoma dimidiata, Meccus pallidipennis and Meccus longipennis) were collected from the study area. This is the first report of M. longipennis and T. dimidiata in Michoacán. M. pallidipennis was significantly (p < 0.05) more abundant than any of the other species collected in the study area. Infection indices were greater than 50% for each of the four collected triatomine species. Significantly more triatomines were collected from intradomiciliary areas than from peridomiciliary or sylvatic areas. Infestation, crowding and density indices were low, whereas colonisation indices were high in five localities. The current vectorial conditions in the study area require continuous entomological and serological surveillance to diminish the risk of T. cruzi transmission to human populations.

Hay escasos informes sobre lesiones y alteraciones patológicas de las infecciones por Trypanosoma cruzi en zarigüeyas (Didelphis virginiana), consideradas algunos de los reservorios más importantes para T. cruzi en el oeste de México. Utilizando de dos análisis serológicos (Serodia e IHA), 12 (24%) de 50 zarigüeyas capturadas en dos pequeños pueblos en el occidente de México fueron positivas para la presencia de T. cruzi. Ocho tenían algún tipo de alteraciones de órganos: cuatro con alteraciones en un solo órgano, tres en dos órganos y uno con alteraciones en tres órganos. La esplenomegalia fue la alteración más común en las zarigüeyas examinadas. A la luz de los actuales resultados, es posible que las alteraciones de órganos en zarigüeyas estudiadas, puedan haber estado asociadas con las infecciones por T. cruzi.

There are scarce reports about lesions and pathological alterations by Trypanosoma cruzi infections on opossums (Didelphis virginiana), considered some of the most important reservoir hosts for T. cruzi in western Mexico. After two serological analyses (Serodia and IHA), 12 (24%) of 50 collected opossums in two small towns in western Mexico were positive for the presence of T. cruzi. Eight had some kind of organ alterations: four with alterations in only one organ, three in two organs and one with alterations in three organs. Splenomegaly was the most common alteration in the examined opossums. In light of the present findings, it is possible that organ alterations on studied opossums may have been associated with T. cruzi infections.

The degree of reproductive isolation between Meccus phyllosomus and the remaining five species of the genus Meccus, as well as between Meccus bassolsae and Meccus pallidipennis, Meccus longipennis and Meccus picturatus, was examined. Fertility and the segregation of morphological characteristics were examined in two generations of hybrids from crosses between these species. The percentage of couples with offspring (fertile) was high in the vast majority of sets of crosses, with the exception of that between ♀M. phyllosomus and ♂Meccus mazzottii. In sets of crosses involving M. bassolsae specimens, no first-generation (F1) individuals were morphologically similar to M. bassolsae, but instead shared the morphology of the other parental species. A similar phenomenon was observed in most sets of crosses involving M. phyllosomus. These results indicated that different degrees of reproductive isolation exist among the species of Meccus involved in this study. The biological evidence obtained in this study does not support the proposal that M. bassolsae is a full species. It could indicate that, on the contrary, it should be considered a subspecies of a single polytypic species. The biological evidence does support the proposal that M. phyllosomus is a full species.

En este estudio se reportan las colectas de triatominos realizadas en los estados mexicanos de Chihuahua y Aguascalientes, de los cuales se carecía de datos recientes sobre presencia e infección por Trypanosoma cruzi en triatominos vectores de la enfermedad de Chagas. En Chihuahua se colectaron exclusivamente ejemplares adultos de Triatoma recurva y de Meccus phyllosomus longipennis, con porcentajes de infección por Trypanosoma cruzi de 5,17% y 12,5%, respectivamente. En Aguascalientes se colectaron ejemplares adultos y ninfas sólo de M. p. longipennis, con un porcentaje de infección por T. cruzi de 96,7%. Los resultados indican nula colonización de la vivienda por triatominos en el área de estudio en Chihuahua, así como bajo riesgo de infección por T. cruzi. En contraste, en el área de estudio en Aguascalientes se prevé riesgo alto de infección por T. cruzi a la población. Se requiere de investigaciones entomológicas adicionales en las áreas de estudio para clarificar el riesgo de transmisión vectorial de T. cruzi a los humanos y reservorios animales.

On this study are reported some collections of triatomines from the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Aguascalientes, where recent data about vector infection by Trypanosoma cruzi was not available. In the state of Chihuahua only adult specimens of Triatoma recurva and of Meccus phyllosomus longipennis were collected. Percentages of infection by T. cruzi were respectively 5.17% and 12.5%. In the state of Aguascalientes adult as well nymph specimens of M. p. longipennis were collected. Percentage of infection by T. cruzi reached 96.7%. Our results show a null colonization of human dwellings by triatomines in the study area of the state of Chihuahua, as well as low risk of infection by T. cruzi for the inhabitants of that area. On the other hand, in the study area in the state of Aguascalientes, the risk of infection by T. cruzi was high for inhabitants of the area. Complementary entomological studies are necessary to establish the proper risk of infection by vectorial transmission of T. cruzi to human and animal reservoir host in the two studied areas.

Introducción. En México, la enfermedad de Chagas es un problema de salud pública. Se han registrado, al menos, 30 especies de triatominos vectores, la mayoría con hábitos domésticos y tendencia a invadir las viviendas humanas. Objetivo. Evaluar la utilidad de gallineros en la vigilancia de la presencia de triatominos peridomésticos y conocer su situación en el área de estudio. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio de campo, experimental, longitudinal, por un año. Se instalaron 50 gallineros en 50 viviendas de tres localidades del municipio de Teocuitatlán de Corona, en el estado de Jalisco, México. Se inspeccionaron los gallineros y las viviendas para saber si aquéllos podían detectar la presencia de triatominos, para estimar la situación vectorial en el área. Resultados. Se recolectaron significativamente (p<0,05) más especímenes de Meccus longipennis (93%) que de Triatoma barberi (7%). Aproximadamente, un tercio (31,3%) de los especímenes de M. longipennis y ninguno de T. barberi se recolectó en los gallineros. M. longipennis tuvo un porcentaje de infección por Trypanosoma cruzi de 25,7%, y T. barberi, de 53,2%. Los meses de primavera y verano fueron en los que se recolectaron más ejemplares de triatominos. Conclusiones. Los gallineros se consideran una herramienta útil para detectar la presencia de ejemplares de M. longipennis, aunque no funcionaron para T. barberi. Se confirma la importancia de M. longipennis y se establece el posible rol primario de T. barberi como vector en el área de estudio.

Introduction. Chagas disease is an important public health problem in Mexico. At least 30 Triatominae species, vectors of that disease have been recorded, most with domiciliary habits and tendency to invade human dwellings. Objective. The usefulness of using chicken coops was evaluated for monitoring peridomestic triatomine presence, identity and infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Materials and methods. A year-long, longitudinal field study was designed. Fifty chicken coops were placed in 50 human dwellings on three localities in Teocuitatlán de Corona County, Jalisco State, Mexico. The coops and human dwellings were routinely inspected to determine if the coops alone can monitor for the presence of triatomines. Results. Significantly (p<0.05) more Meccus longipennis specimens (93.0%) than of Triatoma barberi (7.0%) were collected. Almost a third (31.3%) of M. longipennis and none of T. barberi specimens were collected in the coops. Meccus longipennis was found with infections of Trypanosoma cruzi of 25.7%, and T. barberi of 53.2%. Most triatomines were collected in spring and summer months. Conclusions. Chicken coops proved useful tools to detect presence of M. longipennis; however, they were not effective for T. barberi. The importance of M. longipennis as a potential vector was confirmed, and the possible primary vector role of T. barberi was established as well.

Los transmisores de Trypanosoma cruzi, flagelado causante de la enfermedad, se dividen en intradomiciliados, peridomiciliados y silvestres. Entre los intradomiciliados se encuentran, Triatoma barberi y Triatoma dimidiata, que son los que representan un mayor riesgo para la Salud Pública, en México. Aunque Triatoma dimidiata se encuentra principalmente dentro de la vivienda, en Yucatán tiene un comportamiento peridomiciliar, dentro de este grupo se encuentran la mayoría de los transmisores de la enfermedad de Chagas Meccus longipennis, M. mazzottii, M. pallidipennis, M. phyllosomus, M. picturatus, Triatoma gerstaeckeri, T. mexicana, T. rubida, Dipetalogaster máxima, Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus y Rhodnius prolixus. Los transmisores peridomiciliados son de menor riesgo en la dinámica de transmisión comparados con los intradomiciliados. Para el control de los transmisores intradomiciliados, se deben emplear programas de educación para la salud, mejoramiento de vivienda e insecticidas; mientras que para los vectores visitantes o peridomiciliados, son necesarios programas de educación para la salud, uso de mosquiteros, pabellones y cementación de las bardas de piedra.

Vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, parasite responsible for Chagas disease, are divided in intradomestic, peridomestic and sylvatic. The intradomestic are Triatoma barberi and Triatoma dimidiata, two species that represent the highest health risk among the Mexican population. Triatoma dimidiata is a species found mainly inside human habitats, but in Yucatan, it corresponds to the peridomicile vectors. Also in the peridomicile most of Chagas disease vectors are found: Meccus bassolsae, M. longipennis, M. mazzottii, M pallidipennis, M. phyllosomus, M picturata, Triatoma gerstaeckeri, T mexicana, T rubida, Dipetalogaster máxima (the last two are in the process of becoming adapted to the domicile), Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus which occasionally enters the domicile in its adult stage, and Rhodnius prolixus, which is practically controlled in the country. Peridomestic vectors are of lower risk in the transmission dynamics, as compared to the intradomestic ones. For the control of the intradomestic vectors, health education programs, improvements of housing, and the use of pesticides are essential To control the peridomestic vectors, health education programs are required, as well as the use of mosquito nets on doors and windows and around beds, aside from cementing the stone wall fences.

In seven studied communities of Western Mexico, triatomine specimens were sympatrically collected, some with atypical morphological characteristics in contrast to pure specimens, which were presumed to be hybrids. More than 200 specimens of Meccus pallidipennis and Meccus longipennis with brown-yellow markings on dorsal connexival segments were collected in Ahuacapán and Quitupan. In La Mesa, more than 60 specimens similar to Meccus picturatus in most morphological characteristics (including size) were collected, although they presented a largely yellowish corium like M. pallidipennis. Interfertility was proven between all of the studied wild hybrid specimens, as well as between all the experimental laboratory hybrids. Two different phenotypes (M. picturatus and M. longipennis) were obtained from crosses between M. picturatus x M. picturatus and M. longipennis x M. longipennis from the three studied localities in state of Nayarit as from La Mesita. Results support the hypothesis that the subspecific ranking of those triatomines may, therefore, be more appropriate because reproductive isolation has not been developed and complete interbreeding was recorded.

Several biological parameters related to the Triatoma mexicana life-cycle were evaluated in this study. Three cohorts were maintained under different combinations of temperature and relative humidity (RH): 25ºC/50% RH; 25ºC/75% RH; and 30ºC/75% RH. Observed hatching rates varied from 49-57.5% whereas the average time of hatching varied from 19.5-22.7 days. In the three cohorts studied, the mean time-lapse between presentation of the blood meal and the beginning of feeding was less than 5 min in all instars; the mean feeding time was longer than 10 min in all the instars; the post-feed defecation delay was over 10 min in all the instars. Less than 50% of nymphs in each cohort completed the cycle and the average time from 1st instar nymph to adult was more than 255 days for the three cohorts. The number of blood meals before molt at each nymphal instar varied from 1-9. Our results appear to indicate a lack of influence of temperature and RH on the biological parameters of T. mexicana that were studied, which could reflect the adaptation capacity of this species. We also conclude that T. mexicana can not be considered an effective transmitter of Trypanosoma cruzi to human populations in areas where this species is currently present.

The present work is a thorough investigation of the degree of reproductive isolation between Meccus mazzottii and Meccus longipennis, Meccus picturatus, Meccus pallidipennis and Meccus bassolsae, as well as between M. longipennis and M. picturatus. We examined fertility and segregation of morphological characteristics in two generations of hybrids derived from crosses between these species. The percentage of pairs with (fertile) offspring was highest in the set of crosses between M. longipennis and M. picturatus, and lowest between M. mazzottii and M. picturatus. Most first-generation (F1) individuals from crosses involving M. mazzottii were morphologically similar to this species, while only F1 x F1 progeny of parental crosses between M. mazzottii and M. longipennis had offspring second generation that looked like M. mazzottii. The results indicate that different degrees of reproductive isolation apparently exist among the species of the Phyllosoma complex examined in this study. The biological evidence obtained in this study does not support the proposal that M. longipennis and M. picturatus are full species. It could indicate on the contrary, that both could be considered as subspecies of a single polytypic species. On the other hand, biological evidence supports the proposal that M. mazzottii is a full species.