The interplay between temperature, < i > Trypanosoma cruzi < /i > parasite load, and nutrition: Their effects on the development and life-cycle of the Chagas disease vector < i > Rhodnius prolixus < /i >

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different temperatures onR.prolixus development and life-cycle, its relationship withT.cruzi, and to gather information about the nutritional habits and energy consumption ofR.prolixus. We exposed uninfected and infectedR.prolixus to four different temperatures ranging from 24 °C to 30°C, and monitored their survival, developmental rate, body and blood meal masses, urine production, and the temporal dynamics of parasite concentration in the excreted urine of the triatomines over the course of their development. Our results demonstrate that temperature significantly impa ctsR.prolixus development, life-cycle and their relationship withT.cruzi, asR.prolixus exposed to higher temperatures had a shorter developmental time and a higher mortality rate compared to those exposed to lower temperatures, as well as a lower ability to retain weight between blood meals. Infection also decreased the capacity of the triatomines to retain weight gained by blood-feeding to the next developmental stage, and this effect was proportional to parasite concentration in excreted urine. We also showed thatT.cruzi multiplication varied depending on temperature, with the lowest temperature having the lowest parasite load. Our findings provide important insights into the potential impact of climate change on the epidemiology of Chagas disease, and can contribute to efforts to model the future distribution of this disease. Our study also raises new questio...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research