A comparison of Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma infestans and Panstrongylus megistus in the xenodiagnosis of a chronic Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi infection in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mullatta)

Fifth instar Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma infestans and Panstrongylus megistus were fed on a rhesus monkey (Macaca mullatta) with a chronic infection of Peru strain Trypanosoma cruzi and examined 30 days later for the presence of trypanosomes in the rectum. No correlation could be demonstrated between either blood meal size or sex and the subsequent development of a rectal infection with T. cruzi. As T. infestans and P. megistus were more highly infected than R. prolixus in terms of both percentage infected and degree of infection, the two former species can be regarded as more suitable for the xenodiagnosis of this particular strain of T. cruzi in M. Mullatta.