Rhodnius pallescens (Barber, 1932) and Trypanosoma cruzi in Urabá, Antioquia Department, Colombia

Abstract

We report the first finding of Rhodnius pallescens infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in the Urabá region (Antioquia). The insect was a female identified with the keys of Lent and Wigodzinsky. It was confirmed by the lnstituto Nacional de Salud in Colombia. Fertile eggs were obtained and the new born insects were used to establish a colony of R. pallescens in the Instituto Colombiano de Medicina Tropical in Medellín, The faeces were found positive for Trypanosoma cruzi. The parasite underwent biochemical identification in the Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas (CIDEIM, Cali).