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  • Estimating the genetic stru...
    Velásquez-Ortiz, Natalia; Hernández, Carolina; Cantillo-Barraza, Omar; Medina, Manuel; Medina-Alfonso, Mabel; Suescún-Carrero, Sandra; Muñoz, Marina; Vega, Laura; Castañeda, Sergio; Cruz-Saavedra, Lissa; Ballesteros, Nathalia; Ramírez, Juan David

    PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 07/2022, Volume: 16, Issue: 7
    Journal Article

    Chagas disease is considered a public health issue in Colombia, where many regions are endemic. Triatoma dimidiata is an important vector after Rhodnius prolixus , and it is gaining importance in Boyacá, eastern Colombia. Following the recent elimination of R . prolixus in the region, it is pivotal to understand the behavior of T . dimidiata and the transmission dynamics of T . cruzi . We used qPCR and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to evaluate T . cruzi infection, parasite load, feeding profiles, and T . cruzi genotyping for T . dimidiata specimens collected in nine municipalities in Boyacá and explored T . dimidiata population genetics. We found that T . dimidiata populations are composed by a single population with similar genetic characteristics that present infection rates up to 70%, high parasite loads up to 1.46 × 10 9 parasite-equivalents/mL, a feeding behavior that comprises at least 17 domestic, synanthropic and sylvatic species, and a wide diversity of TcI genotypes even within a single specimen. These results imply that T . dimidiata behavior is similar to other successful vectors, having a wide variety of blood sources and contributing to the circulation of different genotypes of the parasite, highlighting its importance for T . cruzi transmission and risk for humans. In the light of the elimination of R . prolixus in Boyacá and the results we found, we suggest that T . dimidiata should become a new target for vector control programs. We hope this study provides enough information to enhance surveillance programs and a future effective interruption of T . cruzi vector transmission in endemic regions.