Analysis of Infection of Trypanosoma cruzi, Causative Agent of Chagas Disease, in Triatomine Insects from Southern Arizona Acknowledgements: Teresa Gregory, Carolina Reisenman, John Hildebrand NASA Space Grant Symposium April 18, 2009

 Traditionally confined to Latin America, but is becoming an increasing health risk in the U.S.  Neither a vaccine nor an effective treatment exist  Control of disease depends mainly on the control of vectors CHAGAS DISEASE

 Parasite responsible for Chagas disease  Infective form (metacyclic trypomastigotes) resides in the rear gut of vectorial insects  Transforms into amastigotes after being transmitted to a mammalian host’s cells TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI

T. CRUZI LIFE CYCLE Vector stageHost stage

Photo courtesy of Chip Hedgcock  Primary potential vector of T. cruzi  Prevalent species: Triatoma rubida, Triatoma protracta, and Triatoma recurva  Feed on the blood of warm- blooded vertebrates (tend to bite near their victim’s mouth)  During feeding, the parasite is displaced onto the mammal host through defecation  The parasite then enters the open wound and infects the mammal host THE KISSING BUG

GOAL OF PROJECT Determine if triatomine insects in the greater Tucson area are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi  determine their vectorial capacity Perform a demographic analysis between infected insects, location found, and other important variables Develop preventative measures to reduce the potential risk of transmission of T. cruzi

METHODS

Kissing bugs from the 2006 season that tested positive for T. cruzi infection have been sent to the CDC and are presently being confirmed Work on the 2007 & 2008 season is currently underway Kissing bugs for the 2009 season will begin being collected at the end of the month RESULTS

 Develop preventative measures o Traps incorporating carbon dioxide, heat, or light  Behavioral studies o Patterns of defecation CONCLUSIONS FURTHER DIRECTIONS A complete demographic analysis will aid in reducing the public health risk

THANK YOU

SYMPTOMS OF CHAGAS DISEASE Redness and swelling at the site of infection Fever Fatigue Body aches Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting Swollen glands (10-20 years later) Irregular heartbeat Inflamed, enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy) Congestive heart failure Enlarged esophagus and colon

TRANSMISSION  Infection by insect vector Only 6 such human cases in the United States  Transfusion by contaminated blood In 2007, the FDA licensed an assay allowing blood donors to be easily screened for T. cruzi  Mother to child (congenital)