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 rangel i strains was evaluated using both intracoelomic inoculation and oral infec tion. Rhodnius prolixus, Rhodnius domesticus, Rhodnius neglectus and Rhodni us nasutus were infected with Trypanosoma rangeli Macias (Venezuela), Choac hi (Colombia) and SC-58 (Brazil) strains, revealing distinct haemolymph and salivary glands infection rates. The obtained infection rates were reveale d to be dependent on the method of infection and the triatomine species. Ou r results suggest the existence of a high adaptation between the strain and the local vector. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. on behalf of the Australian Society for Parasitology Inc.