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J Parasit Dis Diagn Ther 2017
Volume 2 Issue 3
Tropical Medicine 2017
Notes:
Page 43
September 7-8, 2017 | Edinburgh, Scotland
4
th
International Conference on
Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases & Public Health
ORIGIN OF ISLAND VECTORS HELPS TO
UNDERSTAND THE TRYPANOSOMACRUZI
CYCLE IN ISLANDS OF CHILE
Ricardo Campos-Soto
a
, Gabriel Dias
a
, Fernando Torres-Perez
a
and
Ninette
Rives
b
a
Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso, Chile
b
University of Chile, Chile
I
n Latin America, Chagas disease is one of the most
important zoonoses mediated by vectors. The etiological
agent is the flagellated protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi,
transmittedmainly by hematophagous insects of the subfamily
Triatominae.
T.cruzi
alternates between triatomines and
several mammalian host species; meantime birds and reptiles
are refractory to infection. Triatomines of the
Mepraia
genus
are endemic of Chile and play an important role in
T. cruzi
transmission in the wild cycle; they are potential vectors
for humans. Populations of Mepraia have been reported
inhabiting in islands of the north of Chile. In these areas
infected
T. cruzi
specimens have been detected. These insects
feed mainly on seabirds and reptiles if birds and reptiles are
refractory to infection, what is the origin of the infected
T. cruzi
vectors in island areas? Suggested hypotheses are:
i) The presence of Mepraia in insular areas are explained
through passive dispersion by marine birds; ii) The infected
Mepraia specimens are originated from ancestral habitats that
were separated by vicariance. To clarify the origin of the island
vectors, islands and continental specimens were captured and
mitochondrial DNA genes were amplified by PCR. Nucleotide
sequences were used to estimate phylogeny and dates of
divergence between insular and continental populations.
Results show both divergent and shared haplotypes between
islands and continent. Dates of divergence are consistent with
sea level changes during the Pleistocene. Results suggest that
both hypotheses are not exclusive and that the origin of island
vectors can be explained by dispersion and vicariance.
Biography
Rircado Campos Soto has been Graduated from University of Chile as Medical
Veterinarian, Later on he obtained his Doctor grade from University of Chile in
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences. He started a postdoctoral position at the
Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso where he has continued his research
until today.
ricardo.campos.s@pucv.clRicardo Campos-Soto et al., J Parasit Dis Diagn Ther 2017