Ecological aspects of South American Trypanosomiasis: XI - domiciliation of Panstrongylus megistus and its enzootic potential

Abstract

Several characteristics of local Panstrongylus megistus and vertebrate populations related to the artificial and natural ecotopes were observed. The role of the remaining forest spots as shelter places for triatomid bugs and vertebrate reservoirs was confirmed. The contagious or grouped type bug dispersion was clearly observed, with a high preference for inhabiting peridomiciled dwellings. The local bug feeding pattern showed a high frequency of mixed blood sources thus pointing out a great feeding mobility. With the natural infected bugs, this pattern showed association with mammal blood, particularly marsupial (Didelphis) and rodent (Rattus). Enzootics of the trypanosomiasis were detected in the sylvatic and domiciliary environments. They were considered as potentially dangerous as regards reproduction of the infection in the local human environment. Careful epidemiological surveillance studies will be necessary due to local characteristics of this parasitosis.