American trypanosomiasis in British Honduras: IX. Development of Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi in Triatoma dimidiata (Hemiptera, Reduviidae), and a note on the occurrence of dividing trypomastigote forms in the gut of some of the naturally infected bugs

ABSTRACT

The life-cycle and morphogenesis of Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi in the insect vector Triatoma dimidiata are described. It is confirmed that the morphogenesis of British Honduras strains of T. cruzi in the insect vector proceeds on lines similar to those observed in the mammalian host and in vitro, and includes the amastigote, sphaeromastigote, epimastigote and trypomastigote stages. The presence of dividing trypomastigote forms and the unequal development of the parasites in a single daughter cell, seen in the faeces of some naturally infected Triatoma dimidiata, are also described and discussed.(Summary)