Triatomines or humans: who are the invaders?

Fernando Otálora-Luna, Elis Aldana, Ángel Viloria

Resumen


Among 140+ kissing bug species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae), all of which are potential vectors of the etiological agent of Chagas disease (i.e. Trypanosoma cruzi), only few of them have been reported visiting and inhabiting human abodes, therefore, considered of major epidemiological importance. Commonly, triatomine species are arranged in grades of increasing association with humans. This ad hoc classification has two extremes: domestic and sylvatic triatomines, with in-between levels that depend on the capability of the species to invade human houses. Although the use of these levels is convenient for epidemiological comprehension of Chagas disease, we cannot deny that there are two controversial criteria in the choice of these categorical terminologies: anthropocentrism and adaptationism. Our viewpoint considers these elements as problems of the current and widespread classification system for kissing bug species regarding their association with humans. Anthropocentrism might derive from how vectors of Chagas disease are seen by medical professionals. Adaptationism, conceives all evolutionary traits in organisms to be driven to an optimum. Current Chagas disease control programs have been designed through these approaches. Our viewpoint aims to hypothesize a paradigm shift in this topic and to induce a controversial debate that lay new foundations for research in ecology of triatomines. This would improve triatomine control programs efficiency.

Key words. Triatomites, Chagas disease eco-epidemiology, anthropocentrism, adptationism, disease vector, poverty, humans as invaders, anthropic ecosystems.

 


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