{
  "abstract": "Background: Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a neglected tropical disease with complex sylvatic and domestic transmission cycles involving vectors, mammalian hosts, and humans. The common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) is an obligate blood-feeding species that frequently interacts with livestock and humans, yet their role in parasite maintenance in Central America remains poorly characterized. Methodology/Principal Findings: We analyzed 207 blood samples from vampire bats collected at two sites in northern Belize over three years (2019, 2021, 2022). PCR screening revealed an overall T. cruzi prevalence of 41.5% and increasing infection risks over time. The amplicon-based next-generation sequencing of the parasite mini-exon locus identified 36 unique haplotypes belonging to five DTUs: TcI, TcIV, TcV, TcVI, and TcBat. TcBat was present in half of the samples sequenced. TcBat and TcVI were detected in Belize for the first time. Belizean TcBat haplotypes clustered closely with Colombian reference sequences and a subset formed a Belize-specific clade, indicating previously unrecognized TcBat diversity in the region; in contrast, Brazilian TcBat sequences were more distantly related. Conclusions/Significance: Vampire bats in Belize harbor diverse T. cruzi genotypes, including DTUs with established roles in human disease. Given their obligate blood diet, frequent feeding on livestock, and occasional biting of humans, vampire bats may serve as bridge hosts linking sylvatic, domestic, and human transmission cycles. Together with a recent report of an acute human Chagas disease case in northern Belize, these results underscore the need for integrated One Health surveillance of bats, vectors, livestock, and humans to better evaluate and mitigate the risk of Chagas disease in Central America. Author summary: Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major public health concern in the Americas but remains neglected in many regions, including Central America. The parasite is typically transmitted by kissing bugs, but wild mammals also serve as important hosts. Common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) are unique because they feed exclusively on blood and frequently bite livestock, and occasionally humans, creating opportunities for parasite transmission across different environments. In this study, we screened 207 vampire bats from northern Belize and found that over 40% were infected with T. cruzi. By sequencing parasite DNA, we discovered a surprising diversity of DTUs, including TcI, TcIV, TcV, TcVI, and TcBat. The detection of TcVI is particularly important because this DTU, associated with human infections in South America, had not been previously reported in Belize. TcBat haplotypes were highly prevalent and genetically diverse. Our results show that vampire bats are important hosts harboring diverse T. cruzi genotypes in Belize and may act as bridge hosts between wildlife, livestock, and human transmission cycles. Enhanced One Health surveillance across vectors, bats, domestic animals, and humans will be critical for understanding and preventing Chagas disease emergence in Central America.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Tropical Medicine, Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America",
    "Vector-Borne and Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America",
    "School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America",
    "Department of Biology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada",
    "Department of Mammalogy, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 9,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Annalise Dunsmore"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Kristin E. Dyer"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Lauren R. Lock"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Weihong Tu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "M. Brock Fenton"
    },
    {
      "name": "Nancy B. Simmons"
    },
    {
      "name": "Eric Dumonteil"
    },
    {
      "name": "Daniel J. Becker"
    },
    {
      "name": "Claudia P. Herrera"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/bbet6rppz564a.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pntd.0013852",
  "fulltext_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0013852",
  "id": "bbet6rppz564a",
  "issns": [
    "1935-2735"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0013852",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2713|Trypanosoma species research and implications"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Genetics/Heredity/Genetic mapping/Haplotypes"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Molecular biology/Molecular biology techniques/Artificial gene amplification and extension/Polymerase chain reaction"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Eukaryota/Animals/Vertebrates/Amniotes/Mammals/Bats"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Eukaryota/Protozoans/Parasitic protozoans/Trypanosoma"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Eukaryota/Protozoans/Parasitic protozoans/Trypanosoma/Trypanosoma cruzi"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animals/Vertebrates/Amniotes/Mammals/Bats"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Parasitic diseases"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Geographical locations/North America/Central America"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Geographical locations/North America/Central America/Belize"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Molecular biology techniques/Artificial gene amplification and extension/Polymerase chain reaction"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7212293669",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0013852&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-11",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/bbet6rppz564a.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pntd.0013852",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0013852"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "plos:molecular biology",
      "subfield": "molecular-biology"
    },
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:genetics",
      "subfield": "genetics-genomics"
    },
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:zoology",
      "subfield": "zoology-behaviour"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Vampire bats in Belize harbor multiple Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes: Implications for parasite transmission at the wildlife–domestic–human interface",
  "title_text": "Vampire bats in Belize harbor multiple Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes: Implications for parasite transmission at the wildlife–domestic–human interface",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/bbet6rppz564a",
  "venue": "PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases",
  "versions": []
}