Spatial phylogeography and correlation between genetic and geographical distance in Trypanosoma cruzi and its vectors of the genus Triatoma from Texas.

This study proposes to describe the phylogenetic relationship among Triatoma species that carry Trypanosoma cruzi and between T. cruzi isolates, present in Texas. Additionally, it evaluates any correlation between geographical location of Triatoma collection and genotype of T. cruzi isolates, and the distribution of T. cruzi genotypes relative to ecological variables potentially affecting maintenance in zoonotic cycles or affecting transmission rates. T. cruzi and Triatoma spp. DNA was amplified by PCR, using primers targeting several conserved loci. The amplicons were sequenced and used as markers in establishing phylogenetic relationships. Spatial modeling was utilized to overlay vector and parasite geographic distributions with environmental factors in order to illustrate any potential associations.