FIRST REPORT OF AN INFECTED TRIATOMINE BUG IN AN URBAN AREA OF TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, CHIAPAS, MEXICO

Resumen

Analyze the first report of an infected triatomine in an urban house in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas; identifying the vector specie’s, the virulence and the genetic group of Trypanosoma cruzi and a possible infection in the house inhabitants. The specimen was transferred to the laboratory where a stool sample was obtained by abdominal pressure. The virulence of T. cruzi was measured in mice and amplification of the mini exon gene was done to determine the lineage. In the inhabitants the ELISA test was performed to rule out Chagas disease. The specimen was identified as Triatoma dimidiata and it was infected with parasites belonging to the TcI lineage, which reached parasitaemia of 5.6X10⁶ parasites/ml of blood. The ELISA test were negative. T. dimidiata is the predominant species in the southern of the country and its finding in an urban area highlights the importance of having entomological surveillance programs. TcI lineage has a greater distribution in Mexico and no infection was found in the inhabitants.