Dynamic development of Trypanosoma cruzi in Rhodnius prolixus: role of decapitation and ecdysone therapy

Decapitation and ecdysone therapy on the population dynamics of the Trypanosoma cruzi Dm28c clone in the stomach, small intestine and rectum of fifth-instar larvae of Rhodnius prolixus were investigated. Parasites were not found in the small intestine and rectum of decapitated insects after 10 days post-infection (p.i.). Decapitated ecdysone-supplemented insects sustained the flagellate infection in both gut compartments. In the rectum, the population density of parasites increased 5-fold in ecdysone-treated decapitated larvae and 7-fold in control insects. Epimastigote forms dominated with 40-65%, intermediate stages and round forms varied over 10-35% in the stomach, small intestine and rectum in both insect groups. Low numbers of metacyclic trypomastigotes were observed in the stomach and small intestine of the control group and decapitated insects supplemented with ecdysone but, at 15 days p.i., this form of flagellate reached about 20% in the rectum of the control insects. In the entire gut, at 30 days p.i., 23% of parasites in the control group and 8% in the decapitated insects treated with ecdysone were found. These results indicate that a head factor, possibly the prothoracicotropic hormone from the brain which stimulates ecdysone production by the prothoracic glands, may act directly or indirectly to stimulate the development of epimastigotes and round forms of the parasite and that a single ecdysone treatment is not able to fully reverse metacyclogenesis in decapitated R. prolixus.