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Rhodnius prolixus Life History Outcomes Differ when Infected with Different Trypanosoma cruzi I Strains

Author(s): Chávez, Omar Triana; Graham, Andrea L.; Dobson, Andrew P.; Peterson, Jennifer K.

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Abstract: The effect of a parasite on the life history of its vector is important for understanding and predicting disease transmission. Chagas disease agent Trypanosoma cruzi is a generalist parasite that is diverse across scales from its genetic diversity to the 100s of mammal and vector species it infects. Its vertebrate hosts show quite variable responses to infection, however, to date there are no studies looking at how T. cruzi variability might result in variable outcomes in its invertebrate host. Therefore, we investigated the effect of different T. cruzi I strains on Rhodnius prolixus survival and development. We found significant variation between insects infected with different strains, with some strains having no effect, as compared with uninfected insects, and others with significantly lower survival and development. We also found that different variables had varying importance between strains, with the effect of time postinfection and the blood:weight ratio of the infective meal significantly affecting the survival of insects infected with some strains, but not others. Our results suggest that T. cruzi can be pathogenic not only to its vertebrate hosts but also to its invertebrate hosts.
Publication Date: 2-Sep-2015
Citation: Chávez, Omar Triana, Graham, Andrea L, Dobson, Andrew P, Peterson, Jennifer K. (2015). Rhodnius prolixus Life History Outcomes Differ when Infected with Different Trypanosoma cruzi I Strains. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 93 (3), 564 - 572. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.15-0218
DOI: doi:10.4269/ajtmh.15-0218
ISSN: 0002-9637
EISSN: 1476-1645
Pages: 564 - 572
Type of Material: Journal Article
Journal/Proceeding Title: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Version: Final published version. Article is made available in OAR by the publisher's permission or policy.



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