Introduction.

Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and it is a concerning public health problem in Latin America. Triatoma infestans is one of the main vectors in the transmission of the parasite. This study focused on identifying, through Short Tándem Repeat (STR) the presence of human DNA in the gut content of T infestans captured in a peri-urban área belonging to the municipality of Mecapaca, La Paz - Bolivia. The study was performed at the Molecular Genetics Laboratory of the SELADIS Institute.

Objective.

To determine the presence of human DNA, derived from human blood, in the gut content of T infestans specimens captured in a peri-urban área of the municipality of Mecapaca, through STRs analysis.

Methodology.

Observational and descriptive study with biological analysis

Results.

STRs molecular analysis of the gut content of T infestans and other genetic markers revealed the presence of human DNA in one of the samples, showing the consumption of human blood by T infestans. The DNA detected carne from the blood of a female person. This finding highlights the direct interaction between these insects and humans in peri-urban áreas, expanding the epidemiological risk of Chagas disease transmission beyond traditional domestic environments

Conclusión. The analysis of the gut content of T infestans, the main vector of Chagas disease dissemination, using STRs identified human female DNA on it, showing that T infestans is feeding human blood. This finding is significant, since T infenstans were collected in peri-urban environment frequented by women who collect medicinal plants for commercialization. The presence of human DNA in gut content of T infestans shows a frequent interaction between vectors and people in peri-urban áreas, constituting an important risk factor for the transmission of T cruzi

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