Field evidence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, diverse host use and invasion of human dwellings by the Chagas disease vector in Florida, USA.
<h4>Background</h4>Triatomine bugs (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) are blood-sucking vectors of the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease, a significant source of human morbidity and mortality in the Americas. Autochthonous transmission of Chagas disease...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012920 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849718258057347072 |
|---|---|
| author | Norman L Beatty Chanakya R Bhosale Zoe S White Carson W Torhorst Kristen N Wilson Rayann Dorleans Tanise M S Stenn Keswick C Killets Rachel Curtis-Robles Nathan Burkett-Cadena Eva Nováková Gabriel L Hamer Sarah A Hamer Samantha M Wisely |
| author_facet | Norman L Beatty Chanakya R Bhosale Zoe S White Carson W Torhorst Kristen N Wilson Rayann Dorleans Tanise M S Stenn Keswick C Killets Rachel Curtis-Robles Nathan Burkett-Cadena Eva Nováková Gabriel L Hamer Sarah A Hamer Samantha M Wisely |
| author_sort | Norman L Beatty |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Background</h4>Triatomine bugs (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) are blood-sucking vectors of the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease, a significant source of human morbidity and mortality in the Americas. Autochthonous transmission of Chagas disease in the United States is considered rare, despite evidence of Triatoma species harboring T. cruzi, invading homes, and biting occupants. In the southeastern United States, Triatoma sanguisuga is considered common, yet its distribution, host use, and T. cruzi infection are practically unknown in this region.<h4>Methodology/principle findings</h4>Using field sampling and community science programs from 2013 to 2023, we collected triatomines from peridomestic and domestic settings, identified them to species, analyzed for bloodmeals, and screened for T. cruzi infection and Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) TcI - TcVI utilizing molecular techniques. Triatoma sanguisuga (n = 310) were collected from 23 counties throughout the state, particularly in northern and central Florida. More than one third (34.6%) of T. sanguisuga were found inside a human dwelling, and 39.2% were collected by community members. T. cruzi infection was observed in 29.5% (88/298) of tested triatomines, with infection found in 12 of the 23 counties where triatomines had been collected. DTU-typing was successful for 47 of the T. cruzi-positive triatomines: 74.5% were infected with DTU TcI, 21.3% were infected with DTU TcIV, and 4.3% were co-infected with TcI and TcIV. Bloodmeal analysis of 144 T. sanguisuga found broad host use, including mammals (60%), ectothermic vertebrates (37%), and cockroaches (2.5%). Human blood meals contributed nearly a quarter (23%) of bloodmeals, indicating significant vector-human contact.<h4>Conclusion/significance</h4>Our field data from Florida demonstrate that T. sanguisuga is present near, and sometimes in, human dwellings, feeds upon humans, and is infected with multiple DTUs of T. cruzi. This indicates that the environment in the southeastern United States is suitable for autochthonous transmission of Chagas disease or that the human risk for T. cruzi infection is possible. The roles of ectotherms in T. sanguisuga and T. cruzi ecology also warrant further investigation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e50de130d9514319accc2841864eefcd |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1935-2727 1935-2735 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-e50de130d9514319accc2841864eefcd2025-08-20T03:12:24ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases1935-27271935-27352025-07-01197e001292010.1371/journal.pntd.0012920Field evidence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, diverse host use and invasion of human dwellings by the Chagas disease vector in Florida, USA.Norman L BeattyChanakya R BhosaleZoe S WhiteCarson W TorhorstKristen N WilsonRayann DorleansTanise M S StennKeswick C KilletsRachel Curtis-RoblesNathan Burkett-CadenaEva NovákováGabriel L HamerSarah A HamerSamantha M Wisely<h4>Background</h4>Triatomine bugs (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) are blood-sucking vectors of the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease, a significant source of human morbidity and mortality in the Americas. Autochthonous transmission of Chagas disease in the United States is considered rare, despite evidence of Triatoma species harboring T. cruzi, invading homes, and biting occupants. In the southeastern United States, Triatoma sanguisuga is considered common, yet its distribution, host use, and T. cruzi infection are practically unknown in this region.<h4>Methodology/principle findings</h4>Using field sampling and community science programs from 2013 to 2023, we collected triatomines from peridomestic and domestic settings, identified them to species, analyzed for bloodmeals, and screened for T. cruzi infection and Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) TcI - TcVI utilizing molecular techniques. Triatoma sanguisuga (n = 310) were collected from 23 counties throughout the state, particularly in northern and central Florida. More than one third (34.6%) of T. sanguisuga were found inside a human dwelling, and 39.2% were collected by community members. T. cruzi infection was observed in 29.5% (88/298) of tested triatomines, with infection found in 12 of the 23 counties where triatomines had been collected. DTU-typing was successful for 47 of the T. cruzi-positive triatomines: 74.5% were infected with DTU TcI, 21.3% were infected with DTU TcIV, and 4.3% were co-infected with TcI and TcIV. Bloodmeal analysis of 144 T. sanguisuga found broad host use, including mammals (60%), ectothermic vertebrates (37%), and cockroaches (2.5%). Human blood meals contributed nearly a quarter (23%) of bloodmeals, indicating significant vector-human contact.<h4>Conclusion/significance</h4>Our field data from Florida demonstrate that T. sanguisuga is present near, and sometimes in, human dwellings, feeds upon humans, and is infected with multiple DTUs of T. cruzi. This indicates that the environment in the southeastern United States is suitable for autochthonous transmission of Chagas disease or that the human risk for T. cruzi infection is possible. The roles of ectotherms in T. sanguisuga and T. cruzi ecology also warrant further investigation.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012920 |
| spellingShingle | Norman L Beatty Chanakya R Bhosale Zoe S White Carson W Torhorst Kristen N Wilson Rayann Dorleans Tanise M S Stenn Keswick C Killets Rachel Curtis-Robles Nathan Burkett-Cadena Eva Nováková Gabriel L Hamer Sarah A Hamer Samantha M Wisely Field evidence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, diverse host use and invasion of human dwellings by the Chagas disease vector in Florida, USA. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| title | Field evidence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, diverse host use and invasion of human dwellings by the Chagas disease vector in Florida, USA. |
| title_full | Field evidence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, diverse host use and invasion of human dwellings by the Chagas disease vector in Florida, USA. |
| title_fullStr | Field evidence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, diverse host use and invasion of human dwellings by the Chagas disease vector in Florida, USA. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Field evidence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, diverse host use and invasion of human dwellings by the Chagas disease vector in Florida, USA. |
| title_short | Field evidence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, diverse host use and invasion of human dwellings by the Chagas disease vector in Florida, USA. |
| title_sort | field evidence of trypanosoma cruzi infection diverse host use and invasion of human dwellings by the chagas disease vector in florida usa |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012920 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT normanlbeatty fieldevidenceoftrypanosomacruziinfectiondiversehostuseandinvasionofhumandwellingsbythechagasdiseasevectorinfloridausa AT chanakyarbhosale fieldevidenceoftrypanosomacruziinfectiondiversehostuseandinvasionofhumandwellingsbythechagasdiseasevectorinfloridausa AT zoeswhite fieldevidenceoftrypanosomacruziinfectiondiversehostuseandinvasionofhumandwellingsbythechagasdiseasevectorinfloridausa AT carsonwtorhorst fieldevidenceoftrypanosomacruziinfectiondiversehostuseandinvasionofhumandwellingsbythechagasdiseasevectorinfloridausa AT kristennwilson fieldevidenceoftrypanosomacruziinfectiondiversehostuseandinvasionofhumandwellingsbythechagasdiseasevectorinfloridausa AT rayanndorleans fieldevidenceoftrypanosomacruziinfectiondiversehostuseandinvasionofhumandwellingsbythechagasdiseasevectorinfloridausa AT tanisemsstenn fieldevidenceoftrypanosomacruziinfectiondiversehostuseandinvasionofhumandwellingsbythechagasdiseasevectorinfloridausa AT keswickckillets fieldevidenceoftrypanosomacruziinfectiondiversehostuseandinvasionofhumandwellingsbythechagasdiseasevectorinfloridausa AT rachelcurtisrobles fieldevidenceoftrypanosomacruziinfectiondiversehostuseandinvasionofhumandwellingsbythechagasdiseasevectorinfloridausa AT nathanburkettcadena fieldevidenceoftrypanosomacruziinfectiondiversehostuseandinvasionofhumandwellingsbythechagasdiseasevectorinfloridausa AT evanovakova fieldevidenceoftrypanosomacruziinfectiondiversehostuseandinvasionofhumandwellingsbythechagasdiseasevectorinfloridausa AT gabriellhamer fieldevidenceoftrypanosomacruziinfectiondiversehostuseandinvasionofhumandwellingsbythechagasdiseasevectorinfloridausa AT sarahahamer fieldevidenceoftrypanosomacruziinfectiondiversehostuseandinvasionofhumandwellingsbythechagasdiseasevectorinfloridausa AT samanthamwisely fieldevidenceoftrypanosomacruziinfectiondiversehostuseandinvasionofhumandwellingsbythechagasdiseasevectorinfloridausa |