Microsatellite markers from the Chagas disease vector, Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae), and their applicability to Rhodnius species.

Ten microsatellites were isolated and characterized from a partial genomic library of Rhodnius prolixus, the principal Chagas disease vector in Venezuela, Colombia and Central America. These polymorphic molecular markers could be particularly useful in Chagas disease control initiatives. A wider applicability of the primer-pairs isolated was shown, from 6 to 10 loci being amplifiable in five out of the ten Rhodnius species tested, namely R.