Abstract
A study of Triatoma (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) has been made in the wood rat (Neotoma micropus) dens in Cameron County, Texas. Species taken include T. sanguisuga, T. gerstaeckeri and T. neotomae. Of 390 Triatoma examined for infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative organism of Chagas disease, 161 were found to harbor the trypanosomes in their dejecta. Representatives of the large, bloodsucking insects of the genus Tri- atoma, family Reduviidae, are widely distributed in the southwestern United States. Common names for these insects include kissing bugs, giant bed bugs, and cone-nosed bugs. They feed on any available warm-blooded animals, including man, and on lower forms such as reptiles and amphibians. Individual susceptibility to Triatoma bites varies greatly. Although little more than localized swelling usually results, systemic reactions believed to be allergic in nature are not uncommon. These insects are also involved in the natural history of Chagas disease or American trypanosomyiasis. The causative agent of this disease is the protozoan flagellate, Trypanosoma cruzi, which exhibits little vertebrate host specificity. During a Texas State De- partment of Health study in Corpus Christi in 1957-58 (unpublished) slightly over 16 percent of 391 opossums examined were found to be harboring Trypanosoma cruzi in their peripheral blood as demon- strated in thick blood films. Wood rats and armadillos are also fre- quently infected with this trypanosome.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
