Potential vertical transmission of genetically diverse Trypanosoma cruzi in natural rodent populations
Our findings provide additional evidence that vertical transmission can occur in natural populations of reservoir species and demonstrates for the first time that multiple DTUs can transmit from mother to offspring. Our study also demonstrates that vertical transmission can contribute to the prevalence of infection and diversity of T. cruzi in multiple reservoir species occupying urban landscapes where vectors appear to be rare or absent, providing a new baseline for understanding transmission pathways and eco-epidemiological cycling of T.cruzi.
Authors
- Nathaniel L. Gibson
- Claudia Riegel
- Eric Dumonteil (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9376-0209)
- Weihong Tu
- Bruno M. Ghersi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1577-6042)
- Anna C. Peterson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9717-7651)
- Claudia Herrera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9009-4201)
- Michael J. Blum (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4518-9201)
- Bridget Knudson
Institutions
- Tulane University (US)
- Tufts University (US)
- Orleans Parish School Board (US)
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- PLoS neglected tropical diseases
- Published
- 2025-04-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012930
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.71
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- Louisiana Board of Regents
- Tulane University