Differential susceptibility of triatomines of the genus Rhodnius to Trypanosoma rangeli strains from different geographical origins.

The susceptibility of four Rhodnius species to different Trypanosoma rangeli strains was evaluated using both intracoelomic inoculation and oral infection. Rhodnius prolixus, Rhodnius domesticus, Rhodnius neglectus and Rhodnius nasutus were infected with Trypanosoma rangeli Macias (Venezuela), Choachi (Colombia) and SC-58 (Brazil) strains, revealing distinct haemolymph and salivary glands infection rates. The obtained infection rates were revealed to be dependent on the method of infection and the triatomine species. Our results suggest the existence of a high adaptation between the strain and the local vector.