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Acknowledgements: Teresa Gregory, Carolina Reisenman, John Hildebrand

Analysis of Infection of Trypanosoma cruzi , Causative Agent of Chagas Disease, in Triatomine Insects from Southern Arizona. Kayla Peck. Acknowledgements: Teresa Gregory, Carolina Reisenman, John Hildebrand. NASA Space Grant Symposium April 18, 2009. CHAGAS DISEASE.

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Acknowledgements: Teresa Gregory, Carolina Reisenman, John Hildebrand

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  1. Analysis of Infection of Trypanosoma cruzi, Causative Agent of Chagas Disease, in Triatomine Insects from Southern Arizona Kayla Peck Acknowledgements: Teresa Gregory, Carolina Reisenman, John Hildebrand NASA Space Grant Symposium April 18, 2009

  2. CHAGAS DISEASE • Traditionally confined to Latin America, but is becoming an increasing health risk in the U.S. • Neither a vaccine nor an effective treatment exist • Control of disease depends mainly on the control of vectors http://earthtrends.wri.org/images/chagas_world_map.jpg 109 million at risk 7.7 million infected 21,000 deaths/Year

  3. TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI • Parasite responsible for Chagas disease • Infective form (metacyclic trypomastigotes) resides in the rear gut of vectorial insects • Transforms into amastigotes after being transmitted to a mammalian host’s cells http://www.k-state.edu/parasitology/625tutorials/FIGcruzi01.jpg

  4. T. CRUZI LIFE CYCLE Vector stage Host stage http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Trypanosoma_cruzi_lifecycle_dumb.png

  5. THE KISSING BUG • Primary potential vector of T. cruzi • Prevalent species: Triatoma rubida, Triatoma protracta, and Triatoma recurva • Feed on the blood of warm-blooded vertebrates (tend to bite near their victim’s mouth) • During feeding, the parasite is displaced onto the mammal host through defecation • The parasite then enters the open wound and infects the mammal host Adult female T. rubida Photo courtesy of Chip Hedgcock

  6. GOAL OF PROJECT Determine if triatomine insects in the greater Tucson area are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi determine their vectorial capacity Perform a demographic analysis between infected insects, location found, and other important variables Develop preventative measures to reduce the potential risk of transmission of T. cruzi 1. 2. 3. A Preliminary study in 2005 confirmed the presence of t. cruzi in the greater tucson area triatomine population

  7. METHODS • Gather kissing bugs • DNA extraction • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) • Agarose Gel Electrophoresis • Confirmation and analysis

  8. RESULTS Kissing bugs from the 2006 season that tested positive for T. cruzi infection have been sent to the CDC and are presently being confirmed Work on the 2007 & 2008 season is currently underway Kissing bugs for the 2009 season will begin being collected at the end of the month 2006 174 insects 2007 599 insects 2008 801 insects

  9. CONCLUSIONS A complete demographic analysis will aid in reducing the public health risk FURTHER DIRECTIONS • Develop preventative measures • Traps incorporating carbon dioxide, heat, or light • Behavioral studies • Patterns of defecation

  10. THANK YOU http://neurobio.arizona.edu/images/stories/kissingbug/instars3.jpg

  11. SYMPTOMS OF CHAGAS DISEASE ACUTE PHASE • Redness and swelling at the site of infection • Fever • Fatigue • Body aches • Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting • Swollen glands http://www.thinkbigg.org/wp-content/uploads/img3.jpg CHRONIC PHASE (10-20 years later) • Irregular heartbeat • Inflamed, enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy) • Congestive heart failure • Enlarged esophagus and colon

  12. TRANSMISSION • Infection by insect vector • Only 6 such human cases in the United States • Transfusion by contaminated blood • In 2007, the FDA licensed an assay allowing blood donors to be easily screened for T. cruzi • Mother to child (congenital)

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