Trypanosoma cruzi-like bloodstream trypomastigotes in bats from the State of Piauí, Northeastern Brazil.

One-hundred and thirty-Jlve batsfrom 12 species wereexam inedfor thepresence o f trypomastigotes by means o f direct blood examination, xenodiagnosis, and hemoculture. O f those, 44 specimens (32.6% ) from 8 species were infected with trypanosomes. Phyllostomus discolor discolor presented the highest rate o f infection, being captured only in one locality, while Phyllostomus hastatus hastatus captured in fo u r localities showed high rates. Two species, Anoura geoffroyii and Pteronotus (Phillodia) pamelli rubiginosa, were found infected by T. cruzi-like trypanosomes, apparently describedfor thefirst time. Flagellatesfrom Artibeusjamaisensisjamaisensisarc<i A. geoffroyii were able toproduce detectableparasitaemia in young mice. One triatomine bug wasfound infected in natural conditions, Triatom a brasiliensis was associated with a P.h. hastatus colony, in which six captured bats were also fou n d infected.