Transmission ecology of Trypanosoma cruzi by Rhodnius prolixus (Reduviidae: Triatominae) infesting palm-tree species in the Colombian Orinoco, indicates risks to human populations.
Plutarco UrbanoCarolina HernándezNatalia Velásquez-OrtizNathalia BallesterosLuisa Páez-TrianaLaura VegaVanessa UrreaAngie RamírezMarina MuñozCarlos N Ibarra-CerdeñaCamila GonzálezJuan David RamírezPublished in: PLoS neglected tropical diseases (2024)
This study highlights the significance of wild palms, particularly A. butyracea, as a substantial risk factor for T. cruzi transmission to humans in these environments. High population densities and infection rates of R. prolixus were observed in each examined palm tree species.