Nexus of Trypanosoma cruzi, triatomine bugs and anaphylaxis in the Southwest

Chagas disease caused by T. cruzi is an emerging infectious disease in the United States due to the immigration of infected individuals from endemic Mexico, Central and South American countries. The American Southwest’s growing human population has encroached upon the habitat of local triatomines, several of which are competent vectors of T. cruzi among resident small mammals. Human residents are accidental blood meal hosts of these hematophagous bugs. Many human victims suffer anaphylaxis after being bitten by the bugs. We are currently studying the rate of infection by T. cruzi of T. rubida and T. protracta, identifying their blood meal hosts and gathering data on the incidence of anaphylaxis to triatomine bites.