Lizards as Silent Hosts of Trypanosoma cruzi

Abstract

We assessed 4 lizard species in Chile for Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, and 1 species for its ability to transmit the protozoan to uninfected kissing bugs. All lizard species were infected, and the tested species was capable of transmitting the protozoan, highlighting their role as T. cruzi reservoirs.

Keywords

• Chagas disease
• lizards
• silent hosts
• Trypanosoma cruzi
• American trypanosomiasis
• vector-borne infections