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The development of Blastocrithidia triatomae (Trypanosomatidae) in the reduviid bug Triatoma infestans (Insecta): influence of feeding

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Abstract

The population density and composition of an established infection of Blastocrithidia triatomae in the intestinal tract of fifth instars of Triatoma infestans were compared in unfed bugs, at 4 h and up to 15 days after feeding, and also in feces and urine deposited in the first 4 h after feeding. In unfed bugs, about 1–2 million B. triatomae colonized the small intestine and rectum, mainly epimastigotes (85% and 80%, respectively). During excretion, the percentage of cysts increased within the first two drops (from 15% to 35%) and then decreased slowly, indicating a washing-out of these unattached stages. The initial reduction in the B. triatomae population lasted up to 6 days after feeding. By 15 days after feeding, the populations had strongly increased in the small intestine and rectum, to 22 million and 2 million flagellates, respectively, as had cysts, comprising some 50% of the total population in the rectum.

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Acknowledgement

The authors appreciate Dr. R. Cassada's many helpful comments on the English translation.

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  1. Department of Special Zoology, Ruhr University, 44780, Bochum, Germany

    Astrid H. Kollien & Günter A. Schaub

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  1. Astrid H. Kollien
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  2. Günter A. Schaub
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Correspondence to Astrid H. Kollien.

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Kollien, A.H., Schaub, G.A. The development of Blastocrithidia triatomae (Trypanosomatidae) in the reduviid bug Triatoma infestans (Insecta): influence of feeding. Parasitol Res 89, 430–436 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-002-0790-5

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