A simple immunometric assay to assess the feeding habits of Meprai spinolai, a Trypanosoma cruzi vector

Parasitol Res. 2004 Mar;92(5):375-9. doi: 10.1007/s00436-003-1011-6. Epub 2004 Jan 27.

Abstract

We propose a simple assay to assess the importance of seven vertebrate species as food sources for Mepria spinolai, a wild arthropod vector of Trypanosoma cruzi (the agent of Chagas' disease). Rabbits were immunized with serum proteins from one of each of the seven species. After titration, a consensus 1/100,000 dilution of the immune sera detected vertebrate serum proteins in the intestinal contents of 48.9% of 131 insects tested. The high proportion of negative samples is consistent with previous information indicating that these insects can withstand prolonged fasting periods. Alternatively, they may have fed on a different animal species than those used to produce the antisera. In about 70% of the positive samples, only one species of serum protein was detected. All pre-immune sera were negative. In 67% of the positive vectors, rabbit immunoglobulins were detected directly by means of a specific goat antibody. Thus, rabbits may play a role in T. cruzi transmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Proteins / analysis
  • Blood Proteins / immunology
  • Cats
  • Chagas Disease / transmission
  • Chickens
  • Dogs
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Gastrointestinal Contents / chemistry
  • Goats
  • Humans
  • Immunoradiometric Assay*
  • Insect Vectors / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Rabbits
  • Reptiles
  • Triatominae / physiology*

Substances

  • Blood Proteins