Abstract

The population density and composition of an established infection of Blastocrithidia triatomae in the intestinal tract of fifth instars of Triatoma infestans were compared in unfed bugs, at 4 h and up to 15 days after feeding, and also in feces and urine deposited in the first 4 h after feeding. In unfed bugs, about 1-2 million B. triatomae colonized the small intestine and rectum, mainly epimastigotes (85% and 80%, respectively). During excretion, the percentage of cysts increased within the first two drops (from 15% to 35%) and then decreased slowly, indicating a washing-out of these unattached stages. The initial reduction in the B. triatomae population lasted up to 6 days after feeding. By 15 days after feeding, the populations had strongly increased in the small intestine and rectum, to 22 million and 2 million flagellates, respectively, as had cysts, comprising some 50% of the total population in the rectum.

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