INFECCIÓN NATURAL POR Trypanosoma cruzi (TRYPANOSOMATIDAE) EN TRIATOMINOS INTRADOMÉSTICOS DEL DEPARTAMENTO DE GUAINÍA

The continuous search and characterization of triatomine bugs is essential for Chagas disease surveillance programs in areas with ideal ecological conditions for the distribution of these vectors. These activities are necessary to define and optimize intervention strategies. The objective of this work was to determine the presence of triatomine and its infection status in households located in the municipality of Inirida (Guainia). Between 2018 and 2019, we developed a community participation strategy where an active search was essential for the capturing of triatomine bugs. The collected bugs were evaluated by PCR allowing to identify one as  Panstrongylus lignarius  and four as  P. geniculatus . Genotyping showed the presence of TcI Dom confirming infection in both species. Thus, this study presents an update of the infection status of  P. geniculatus and the presence of infected P. lignarius in the Guainia region in Colombia.