First genotyping ofTrypanosoma cruzifrom naturally infectedTriatoma juazeirensis,Triatoma melanicaandTriatoma sherlockifrom Bahia State, Brazil

Many previous studies have shown a great phylogenetic and biological variability ofTrypanosoma cruziusing different molecular and biochemical methods. Populations ofT. cruziwere initially clustered into two main lineages called TcI and TcII by the size of the mini-exon PCR product. In the present study, 33 isolates derived from three triatomine taxa, which belong to theTriatoma brasiliensisspecies complex (Triatoma juazeirensis,Triatoma melanicaandTriatoma sherlocki); collected in three distinct areas of Bahia state were characterized by PCR. The isolates were identified by the size of the mini-exon gene, 18S rRNA and 24S alpha rRNA amplicons.T. cruziisolates obtained in sylvatic and intradomiciliar ecotopes, derived fromT. juazeirensisandT. melanica,were identified as TcI while the parasites originated fromT. sherlockiwere characterized as TcI and TcII genotypes, respectively. Those species are present in sylvatic ecotopes but are able to infest intradomiciliar areas. Therefore, it would be important to maintain studies in those localities of Bahia and further investigate the possibilities of Chagas disease transmission. Human disease may occur by anyT. cruzigenotype and not only by TcII as it is the case in Amazonia.

Automated summary

This study characterized 33 isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi from three different areas of Bahia state through PCR, revealing that these species can infest different habitats and suggesting the possibility of Chagas disease transmission in certain areas of Bahia.