Abstract
Simple SummaryWe studied the locomotor activity of one of the kissing bug species that transmit the Chagas disease-causing parasite in humans, which usually bites during the night. To date, no other reports researching its behavior take into account the amount of parasites inside the kissing bug; however, some studies have demonstrated that the presence of parasites modifies the activity of some kissing bug species. We recorded their movements in light and dark conditions after part of the insects fed on mammals that had the parasite and others fed on those that did not have the parasite. Later, their amounts of parasites were quantified. We found that, compared with insects with no parasites, kissing bugs with higher parasite amounts increase the number of times they move and the distance they travel, especially during daylight hours. This could imply that the insect increases its time searching for a food source when it is infected with a higher number of parasites, and this could increase the risk of transmission of the parasite to people by the kissing bug.American trypanosomiasis is a disease caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted mainly in endemic areas by blood-sucking triatomine vectors. Triatoma infestans is the most important vector in the southern cone of South America, exhibiting a nocturnal host-seeking behavior. It has been previously documented that the parasite produces changes in some triatomine species, but this is the first time that the behavior of a vector has been evaluated in relation to its parasite load. After comparing the movement events and distance traveled of infected and non-infected T. infestans, we evaluated the change produced by different T. cruzi parasite loads on its circadian locomotor activity. We observed differences between infected and non-infected triatomines, and a significant relation between the parasite load and the increase in locomotor activity of T. infestans, which was accentuated during the photophase. This could have direct implications on the transmission of T. cruzi, as the increased movement and distance traveled could enhance the contact of the vector with the host, while increasing the predation risk for the vector, which could both constitute a risk for vectorial and oral transmission to mammals.
Highlights
American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) is a zoonotic parasitic disease endemic to the American continent
We evaluate the changes in the circadian locomotor activity of the nocturnal vector T. infestans, while infected and non-infected with T. cruzi, and we evaluate the relation of the behavior with different ranges of parasite load
From the 82 triatomines fed on infected hosts, 26 were negative for T. cruzi, all fed on chronically infected O. degus; we considered them as part of the noninfected group for future analyses
Summary
American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) is a zoonotic parasitic disease endemic to the American continent. Its etiological agent is Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909) (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae), which is mainly transmitted through the dejections of triatomine bugs [1]. (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is the main vector of this disease in the southern cone of South. Behavioral changes have been described in host–parasite systems, and a parasite may alter more than one distinctive trait of its host [10]. The evidence indicates that triatomines could present behavioral changes associated with their T. cruzi-infection status, with reports on the modification of their biting frequency and locomotor behavior in Mepraia spinolai (Porter, 1934), Rhodnius prolixus (Stal, 1859), Triatoma pallidipennis (Stal, 1945), and Triatoma longipennis (Usinger, 1939) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) [11,12,13,14].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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
