Triatomines: Trypanosomatids, Bacteria, and Viruses Potential Vectors? [Review]

Authors

Caroline Barreto Vieira, Universidade de Brasília
Yanna Reis Praça, Universidade de Brasília
Kaio Luís da Silva Bentes, Universidade de Brasília
Paula Beatriz Santiago, Universidade de Brasília
Sofia Marcelino Martins Silva, Universidade de Brasília
Gabriel dos Santos Silva, Universidade de Brasília
Flávia Nader Motta, Universidade de Brasília
Izabela Marques Dorado Bastos, Universidade de Brasília
Jaime Martins de Santana, Universidade de Brasília
Carla Nunes de Araújo, Universidade de Brasília

Date of this Version

11-2018

Document Type

Article

Citation

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (November 16, 2018) 8: 405

Parasite and Host section

Edited by Brice Rotureau

Reviewed by Mariane B. Melo and Oscar Daniel Salomón

Includes supplemental material, Table S1 and associated references

doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00405

Comments

Copyright 2018, the authors. Open access material

License: CC BY

Abstract

Triatominae bugs are the vectors of Chagas disease, a major concern to public health especially in Latin America, where vector-borne Chagas disease has undergone resurgence due mainly to diminished triatomine control in many endemic municipalities. Although the majority of Triatominae species occurs in the Americas, species belonging to the genus Linshcosteus occur in India, and species belonging to the Triatoma rubrofasciata complex have been also identified in Africa, the Middle East, South-East Asia, and in the Western Pacific. Not all of Triatominae species have been found to be infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, but the possibility of establishing vector transmission to areas where Chagas disease was previously non-endemic has increased with global population mobility. Additionally, the worldwide distribution of triatomines is concerning, as they are able to enter in contact and harbor other pathogens, leading us to wonder if they would have competence and capacity to transmit them to humans during the bite or after successful blood feeding, spreading other infectious diseases. In this review, we searched the literature for infectious agents transmitted to humans by Triatominae. There are reports suggesting that triatomines may be competent vectors for pathogens such as Serratia marcescens, Bartonella, and Mycobacterium leprae, and that triatomine infection with other microrganisms may interfere with triatomine-T. cruzi interactions, altering their competence and possibly their capacity to transmit Chagas disease.