Vector blood meals and Chagas disease transmission potential, United States.

A high proportion of triatomine insects, vectors for Trypanosoma cruzi trypanosomes, collected in Arizona and California and examined using a novel assay had fed on humans. Other triatomine insects were positive for T. cruzi parasite infection, which indicates that the potential exists for vector transmission of Chagas disease in the United States.

Kissing bugs. The vectors of Chagas.

A complete picture of Chagas disease requires an appreciation of the many species of kissing bugs and their role in transmitting this disease to humans and other mammals. This chapter provides an overview of the taxonomy of the major species of kissing bugs and their evolution. Knowledge of systematics and biological kinship of these insects may contribute to novel and useful measures to control the bugs.

Cat scratch disease and arthropod vectors: more to it than a scratch?

Purpose: Cat scratch disease is a common infection, particularly in children, and clinicians need to be aware of its potential transmission to humans by arthropod vectors such as fleas and ticks in addition to animal bites and scratches. The absence of a vertebrate bite or scratch does not preclude infection with Bartonella henselae.

Methods: Literature regarding arthropod transmission of B.

Impact of ant control technologies on insecticide runoff and efficacy.

Background: Insecticides are commonly used for ant control around residential homes, but post-treatment runoff may contribute to contamination of surface water in urban watersheds. This study represents the first instance where runoff of insecticides was directly measured after applications around single family residences. During 2007, houses were treated with bifenthrin or fipronil sprays following standard practices.

"Kissing bugs": potential disease vectors and cause of anaphylaxis.

Physicians in the United States should familiarize themselves with "kissing bugs" endemic to their area of practice and appreciate the medical implications of their bites. Bite victims often seek advice from physicians about allergic reactions as well as the risk of contracting Chagas disease. Physicians are generally knowledgeable about the role of kissing bugs in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in Latin America.

Feeding behavior of triatomines from the southwestern United States: an update on potential risk for transmission of Chagas disease.

Chagas disease is an emerging infectious disease in North America due to the immigration of individuals from endemic areas. The parasite has been transmitted to patients in non-endemic areas by blood transfusion and organ donation. Only six autochthonous cases have been described in humans in the United States yet the parasite is widespread among native mammals and resident triatomines are competent vectors.

Animal bites and stings with anaphylactic potential.

Anaphylaxis to animal bites and stings poses a significant medical risk of vascular or respiratory reactions that vary according to the patient's response and nature of the insult. Emergency Physicians frequently see patients who complain of an allergic reaction to an animal bite or sting. Although Hymenoptera stings, specifically those of wasps, bees, and hornets, account for the majority of these cases, other invertebrates and vertebrates are capable of causing allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.

Adverse reactions to ants other than imported fire ants.

Objective: To identify ants other than Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri reported to cause adverse reactions in humans.

Data Sources: We conducted a literature review to identify reports of medical reactions to ants other than S. invicta and S.

Delayed toxicity as a critical factor in the efficacy of aqueous baits for controlling Argentine ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

Boric acid, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam in sucrose aqueous baits had different delayed toxicities to worker Argentine ants, Linepithema humile (Mayr). The concentrations required to produce an LT50 (time required to produce 50% mortality) within 1-4 d were 3.63-0.