High Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) prevalence in Triatoma sanguisuga (Hemiptera: Redviidae) in southeastern Louisiana.

From May through November 2007, intensive weekly surveys at the site of a previously reported autochthonous human case of Chagas parasite infection resulted in the collection of 298 Triatoma sanguisuga (Leconte) specimens, of which 60.4% (180) were polymerase chain reaction positive for Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas. All were adults, in a ratio of approximately 1:1 female to male, indicating that the domicile was not colonized, but was a destination for these host-seeking adults. We report on seasonal activity pattern, T. cruzi prevalence in T. sanguisuga, and attempts at insect exclusion and control at the case residence.