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Case Reports
. 2024 Mar 26;110(5):925-929.
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0915. Print 2024 May 1.

First Report of Chagas Disease Vector Species Triatoma sanguisuga (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in Delaware

Jennifer K Peterson  1 , Juliana Hoyos  2 , Charles R Bartlett  1 , Nicole L Gottdenker  3 , Brian Kunkel  4 , Carrie Murphy  4 , Antonio Alvarado  5
Affiliations
Case Reports

First Report of Chagas Disease Vector Species Triatoma sanguisuga (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in Delaware

Jennifer K Peterson et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. .

Abstract

In July and October 2023, two live triatomine bugs were found inside a home in New Castle County, Delaware. The bugs were identified as Triatoma sanguisuga, the most widespread triatomine bug species in the United States. Triatoma sanguisuga is a competent vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. The two specimens were tested via real-time PCR (qPCR) for infection with T. cruzi, and one of the specimens was positive. Despite T. sanguisuga being endemic to the area, attainment of accurate species identification and T. cruzi testing of the bugs required multiple calls to federal, state, private, and academic institutions over several months. This constitutes the first report of T. sanguisuga infected with T. cruzi in Delaware. In addition, this is the first published report of T. sanguisuga in New Castle County, the northernmost and most densely populated county in Delaware. New Castle County still conforms to the described geographic range of T. sanguisuga, which spans from Texas to the East Coast of the United States. The T. cruzi infection prevalence of the species has not been studied in the northeastern United States, but collections in southern states have found prevalences as high as 60%. The Delaware homeowner's lengthy pursuit of accurate information about the vector highlights the need for more research on this important disease vector in Delaware.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Three counties of Delaware with New Castle County highlighted in the inset.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Dorsal and lateral views of each Triatoma sanguisuga specimen. (A) Specimen found in the master bedroom on July 7, 2023. (B) Specimen found in the kitchen on October 22, 2023. Photo taken by Solomon Hendrix.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The process to obtain a species identification of a kissing bug found inside a home in Delaware. Each box is the entity that the prior entity recommended contacting. UDENWC = University of Delaware Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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