Evaluation of natural foci of Panstrongylus megistus in a forest fragment in Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Introduction: Panstrongylus megistus is commonly found in wild environments of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The aim of this study was to characterize the network of refuges used by triatomine in a forest fragment of Porto Alegre and to identify Trypanosoma cruzi infection, associated hosts and the epidemiological importance of both hosts and triatomines.

Methods: Techniques including the spool-and-line method and active searching (transects) were used to identify natural foci.

[Rupestrian triatomines infected by Trypanosomatidae, collected in Quaraí, Rio Grande do Sul, 2003].

Rupestrian triatomines were captured in six Quaraí city localities, RS, to verify the level of Trypanosomatidae infection, as well as the animal reservoir. The capture occurred in a wild environment and 453 samples were collected, which were identified and separated by nymphal instar. 421 (92.