First report of Eratyrus cuspidatus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in peridomestic environment in Chiapas, México

Authors: VELAZQUEZ RAMIREZ, DOIREYNER - Colegio De La Frontera; Perez De Leon, Adalberto - Beto; DEBBOUN, MUSTAPHA - Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services; OCHOA DIAZ LOPEZ, HECTOR - Colegio De La Frontera; DEFUENTES VICENTE, JOSE - Universidad Nacional Autonoma De Mexico; IRECTA NAJERA, CESAR ANTONIO - Colegio De La Frontera; MENDEZ CRUZ, LORENZO - Clinical Analysis Laboratory; EZPINOZA MEDINILLA, EDUARDO - Universidad De Ciencias Y Artes De Chiapas

Submitted to: Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2023
Publication Date: 9/11/2023
Citation: Velazquez Ramirez, D.D., Perez De Leon, A.A., Debboun, M., Ochoa Diaz Lopez, H., Defuentes Vicente, J.A., Irecta Najera, C., Mendez Cruz, L., Ezpinoza Medinilla, E.E. 2023. First report of Eratyrus cuspidatus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in peridomestic environment in Chiapas, México. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. Available: https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2022.0099.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2022.0099

Interpretive Summary: Kissing bugs are bloodsucking insects that feed on wildlife, livestock, and humans. Specific kissing bugs are vectors of the single-celled animal, or protozoan, scientifically named Trypanosoma cruzi, that in humans causes American trypanosomiasis (AT), also known as Chagas disease. Efforts to control AT in some Latin American countries are compromised by knowledge gaps on the population dynamics of kissing bugs that feed on humans near jungles and in rural environments. Applying the One Health approach for transdisciplinary efforts to achieve optimal health outcomes among people, animals, and their shared environment presents the opportunity to advance research towards enhanced surveillance and control of AT in Mexico. Herein we document the first report of the kissing bug identified as Eratyrus cuspidatus, which was infected with T. cruzi, that was collected from a peridomestic environment in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. The form of T. cruzi infective to humans was observed in feces deposited by the E. cuspidatus described in this study. Molecular testing was conducted to ascertain the lineage of this T. cruzi isolate. Surveillance research is important to assess the adaptation of intrusive wild kissing bug vectors like E. cuspidatus. This information helps understand the epidemiology of AT in southeastern Mexico.

Technical Abstract: American trypanosomiasis, also known as Chagas disease, is a zoonosis of public health importance caused by the vector-borne protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The epidemiology of American trypanosomiasis (AT) involves complex interactions between diverse triatomine insect vectors and mammalian host species, including humans. Efforts to control AT in some Latin American countries are compromised by knowledge gaps on the epidemiological relevance of triatomines present in sylvatic habitats and rural environments. Applying the One Health approach for transdisciplinary efforts to achieve optimal health outcomes among people, animals, and their shared environment presents the opportunity to advance research towards enhanced surveillance and control of AT in Mexico. Herein we document the first report of the triatomine Eratyrus cuspidatus infected with T. cruzi collected from a peridomestic environment in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. Metacyclic forms of T. cruzi were observed in feces deposited by the E. cuspidatus collected. Molecular testing revealed that the T. cruzi sampled corresponded to lineage I. Surveillance research is important to assess the adaptation of intrusive wild triatomine vectors like E. cuspidatus. This information helps understand the epidemiology of AT in southeastern Mexico.