Generalist host species drive Trypanosoma cruzi vector infection in oil palm plantations in the Orinoco region, Colombia

Parasites & Vectors

Camila González¹  Felipe Guhl¹  Travis C. Glenn²  Troy J. Kieran²  Nicole L. Gottdenker³  Diana Erazo⁴  Juan D. Umaña⁴  Juan Cordovez⁴  Monica Cuellar⁵ 

[1] Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de los Andes;Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia;Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia;Grupo de Investigación en Biología Matemática y Computacional (BIOMAC), Universidad de los Andes;Grupo de Investigación en Ingeniería Biomédica (GIB), Universidad de los Andes;

关键词: Trypanosoma cruzi;    Rhodnius prolixus;    Elaeis guineensis;    Blood meal analysis;    Host community composition;    Generalist host;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13071-019-3519-3

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Oil palm plantation establishment in Colombia has the potential to impact Chagas disease transmission by increasing the distribution range of Rhodnius prolixus. In fact, previous studies have reported Trypanosoma cruzi natural infection in R. prolixus captured in oil palms (Elaeis guineensis) in the Orinoco region, Colombia. The aim of this study is to understand T. cruzi infection in vectors in oil palm plantations relative to community composition and host dietary specialization by analyzing vector blood meals and comparing these results to vectors captured in a native palm tree species, Attalea butyracea. Methods Rhodnius prolixus nymphs (n = 316) were collected from A. butyracea and E. guineensis palms in Tauramena, Casanare, Colombia. Vector blood meals from these nymphs were determined by amplifying and sequencing a vertebrate-specific 12S rRNA gene fragment. Results Eighteen vertebrate species were identified and pigs (Sus scrofa) made up the highest proportion of blood meals in both habitats, followed by house mouse (Mus musculus) and opossum (Didelphis marsupialis). Individual bugs feeding only from generalist mammal species had the highest predicted vector infection rate, suggesting that generalist mammalian species are more competent hosts for T. cruzi infection . Conclusions Oil palm plantations and A. butyracea palms found in altered areas provide a similar quality habitat for R. prolixus populations in terms of blood meal availability. Both habitats showed similarities in vector infection rate and potential host species, representing a single T. cruzi transmission scenario at the introduced oil palm plantation and native Attalea palm interface.

【 授权许可】

Unknown