Kissing Bugs

Triatomines have a full complement of salivary antihaemostatic compounds. These include the typical apyrases, but also antithrombins, antiserotonins and, because they feed for up to an hour, fairly well developed anticoagulants and antihistamines (Ribeiro, 1989). Trypanosomes infecting Triatomine bugs (Triatoma spp. and Rhodnius spp.) are not associated with saliva but with the hind gut and feces of this insect, however they can gain access to the final host through the insect wound. This isn't the only way, though, and they can also enter the body through the mucous membranes of the eyes. As a result, salivary components may help trypanosome infectivity but it probably isn't as critical as it is in other biting arthropods described (Rossignol and Rossignol, 1988).

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