Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas) (Protozoa: Kinetoplastida) in Invertebrate, Reservoir, and Human Hosts of the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas

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Abstract
Trypomastigotes, morphologically identical to T. cruzi, were observed in the feces of 19 of 84 (22.6%) triatomid insects (Triatoma gerstaekeri and T. sanguisuga) examined in south Texas [USA] in 1977-1978. In the summer, an estimated 247 Triatoma sp./ha occurred in wooded areas of Cameron County, and 384/ha in similar areas of Hidalgo County, Texas. T. cruzi was cultured from or observed in the blood of 7 of 30 Neotoma micropus (23.3%) and possibly from previously unreported rodent hosts: Perognathus hispidus (4 of 25, 16.7%); Liomys irroratus (1 of 11, 9.0%); Onychomys leucogaster (1 of 9, 11.1%). The sera of 382 other wild and domestic mammales were examined for antibody to T. cruzi by indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA). Fifty-two (13.6%) had positive titers of 1:128 or greater. IHA assay was performed on 500 randomly selected, local human residents. Twelve (2.4%) positive titers of 1:128 or greater were identified and 4 of the 12 (0.8%) were confirmed IHA and/or CF (complement fixation) positive by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia [USA]. Of the 12 positive individuals 4 were submitted to culture and microscopic examination of follow-up blood samples, were negative. T. cruzi incidence in invertebrate (22.6%) and rodent hosts (9.0-23.3%) was similar to previous studies in south Texas, other areas of the USA, and may areas of South America where it is endemic in humans. The apparent occurrence in local humans (2.4%) was higher than similar studies in the USA. These data confirm the presence of T. cruzi in this area and indicate the possibility of human infection.

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