First Report of Eratyrus cuspidatus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in Peridomestic Environment in Chiapas, Mexico.

Background: Triatomine bugs are natural vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi , which causes Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis. The role of sylvatic triatomine species as vectors of T . cruzi in Mexico remains to be fully understood. Our research on the epidemiology of Chagas disease in Southeastern Mexico involved sampling triatomines in rural settings. Materials and Methods: A triatomine was collected in a peridomestic environment of a rural dwelling in the state of Chiapas. The triatomine was identified morphologically as an adult female Eratyrus cuspidatus Stal. Results: Microscopic analysis revealed flagellate forms of T. cruzi in the feces of the E . cuspidatus collected. This was confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Amplification of the mini-exon gene showed that the T. cruzi infecting E . cuspidatus corresponded to lineage I. Conclusions: This is the first report from Mexico of E . cuspidatus found infected in a human dwelling, which represents an important adaptation process to inhabit human environments.