Dataset Information

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

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.

SUBMITTER: Erazo D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6540391 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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

Erazo Diana D Gottdenker Nicole L NL González Camila C Guhl Felipe F Cuellar Monica M Kieran Troy J TJ Glenn Travis C TC Umaña Juan D JD Cordovez Juan J

Parasites & vectors 20190528 1

<h4>Background</h4>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 specializa ...[more]

PMID: 31138275

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Dataset Information

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

Publications

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

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