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Poster Session

Poster Session

Poster Session

P44 - An Exploratory Investigation of Chagas Disease and Triatomine Vector Ecology in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM PDT
Location: Hall A
Abstract: Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a debilitating illness leading to heart failure in approximately one third of infected persons. This neglected tropical disease is transmitted through contact with triatomines, also known as “kissing bugs” and “cone-nose bugs”. Over 136 different triatomine species capable of transmitting this pathogen exist throughout the Western Hemisphere, geographically ranging from Argentina to the southern United States. In California, these insects frequently live near the nests of desert woodrats, their primary host. To date, no study has evaluated the potential risk of T. cruzi transmission in Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP). Given historic reports of infected host organisms in San Bernadino and Riverside counties, in conjunction with reported locally acquired human infections in the region, sylvatic transmission most likley exists, but has yet to be documented in JTNP. This ongoing project seeks to describe the triatomine vector ecology of the region within and surrounding JTNP through triatomine field collections, laboratory molecular diagnostics, community screenings, and occupational surveys. Through collaboration with the Joshua Tree National Park Association, the National Park Service (NPS), and the University of California Reserves System, we conducted sheetlighting to collect 27 samples of all three triatomine species endemic to California (Paratriatoma hirsuta, Triatoma rubida, and Hospesneotomae protracta) within JTNP, the Mojave National Preserve, and the surrounding desert communities. We anticipate our continued work to further illustrate the endemicity of Chagas disease in the United States and uncover the role of NPS employees and visitors in the transmission cycle.