Vector of Chagas disease

Question

Write down the vector of Chagas’ disease? How is the disease transmitted?

Answer 1

The vector of Chagas’ disease is its intermediate host, the triatomine bug. The major species is Triatoma infestans. Hemipteran insects, such as triatiomines, have sucking mouthparts which can be used to suck blood from animals or organic fluids from the plants. The vectors of Chagas’ disease are hematophagous hemipterans which have nocturnal habits.

The blood-sucking bugs become infected when they bite the contaminated person. The parasites then multiply in the bug gut and are eliminated with its feces. When a contaminated triatomine bites another person it defecates near bite site and the released protozoans can penetrate in the definitive host through the mucosae or through the bite wound. Wild and domestic mammals can also be vessels for the disease.