Triatoma rubrofasciata (T. rubrofasciata), one kind of triatomine insects, is the vector of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), which lead to American trypanosomiasis. Although the gut microbiome may play an essential role in the development and susceptibility of triatomine, there is limited research on the gut microbiota of T. rubrofasciata. To elucidate the effect of the vector's developmental stages and environmental conditions on the gut microbiome, we employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to profile the gut bacterial community diversity and composition of T. rubrofasciata. Significant shifts were observed in the overall gut microbe diversity and composition across the development of T. rubrofasciata and specific bacteria were detected in different stages. Serratia and Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia were dominant in the 1 st nymphal stage, while the abundance of Staphylococcus was low in the 1 st nymphal stage. Oceanicaulis were undetectable in the adult stage and Odoribacter peaked in the 2 nd nymphal stage. Moreover, Staphylococcus was correlated negatively with Serratia. Likewise, the total gut microbiota diversity and composition of T. rubrofasciata differentiated significantly by environmental conditions. The ingestion of a bloodmeal increased alpha diversity of gut bacterial communities, and Staphylococcus was more abundant in laboratory-reared bugs whereas Enterococcus enriched in wild-caught bugs. Furthermore, Pantoea was negatively correlated with Staphylococcus, and positively related to Bacillus only. The phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) algorithm showed obvious metagenomic functional differences by environmental conditions, and Chagas disease relevant pathway was enriched in wildcaught T. rubrofasciata.

Background: Most species of Triatominae live exclusively in Latin America. However, one species, Triatoma rubrofasciata, has been recorded in the Americas as well as in various port areas in Africa and Asia. An increasing number of T. rubrofasciata have been reported in southern China in recent years. However, the origin of this invasive insect vector in China remains unknown, therefore, accurate identification and phylogenetic analysis of the bugs are urgently needed.Methods: A total of seven triatomine insect specimens were found and collected from Maoming City, Guangdong Province, China (GDMM) and Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, China (FJZZ), respectively. The obtained insect vector specimens were observed under a dissecting microscope for morphological classification and then the genomic DNA was extracted, and the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), 28S rRNA as well as cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) genes of the species were amplified and sequenced. Subsequently, molecular phylogenetic analyses based on multiple alignments of the above genes were conducted in order to identify the species and determine the phylogenetic origin approximation accurately. Results:The triatomine insects collected from GDMM and FJZZ were identified as Triatoma rubrofasciata using morphological and genetic analyses. All of the Chinese T. rubrofasciata captured in FJZZ, GDMM and other localities in southern China, together with a Vietnamese and Brazilian strain, formed a new, cohesive clade. T. rubrofasciata in GDMM and FJZZ are likely derived from strains found in Vietnam or Brazil. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first record of the invasive insect T. rubrofasciata, which is likely derived from strains native to Vietnam or Brazil, in both Maoming City, Guangdong Province and Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province of China. A comparison of the DNA sequences of the 16 s rRNA, 28 s rRNA and COI genes confirmed the specific identification of T. rubrofasciata, and its potential origin in China is based on the phylogenetic analyses undertaken in this study. More targeted interventions and improved entomological surveillance are urgently needed to control the spread of this haematophagous insect in China.

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BackgroundMalaria is an insect-borne infectious disease that spreads through bites from infected Anopheles mosquitos or blood transfusions from infected individuals. The disease seriously endangers human life, health, and social and economic development. Against the backdrop of eliminating malaria in Fujian Province, studying the health economics of the surveillance measures for the malaria elimination stage is necessary and essential.MethodsEpidemic data from Fujian Province’s malaria elimination stage from 2005 to 2019 were collected, sorted, and combined with the operation manual and working characteristics of the malaria surveillance program in Fujian Province. The inputs and outputs of malaria surveillance were analyzed by a cost-benefit analysis.ResultsThe cost of the surveillance measures during the 2005–2019 malaria elimination phase was approximately 48.1635 million yuan per year. The cost ratios were as follows: case detection and treatment accounted for 71.53%; health education accounted for 12.28%; epidemic surveillance accounted for 8.84%; supervision and assessment accounted for 4.48%; and training meetings accounted for 2.87%. Fujian Province achieved an average annual total benefit of 7.22 billion yuan at the stage of malaria elimination, of which the economic benefit accounted for 44.26% (about 3.195 billion yuan), and the social benefit accounted for 55.74% (about 4.425 billion yuan). The cost of malaria surveillance per capita was 1.28 yuan and the benefits of malaria surveillance per capita were 192.23 yuan. The net social benefit of malaria surveillance in this stage was 717,200 yuan and the average annual benefit-cost ratio was 149.91:1.ConclusionOver the past 15 years, malaria control work in Fujian Province has achieved excellent economic and social benefits. The work should continue strengthening the surveillance and control of imported malaria cases, increasing health education in high-risk locations (such as those frequented by entry-exit personnel), and enhancing residents’ awareness about prevention and personal protection. The emphasis should also be on improving the cost-benefit ratio for malaria surveillance and consolidating the achievements of eliminating malaria. The framework and results of this study conform to the principles of health economics, and they have a certain reference value for current malaria surveillance practices.

Background Malaria is an insect-borne infectious disease that spreads through bites from infected Anopheles mosquitos. The disease seriously endangers human health and economic development. Against the background of eliminating malaria in Fujian Province, in order to understand the cost and benefit of malaria monitoring measures, the health economics of the monitoring measures should be examined..Methods The malaria epidemic data during the malaria elimination stage (2005–2019) in Fujian Province were collected and sorted. The basic economic data were obtained from the Fujian Statistical Yearbook. A cost-benefit analysis was conducted for this study, based on the fundamental theories in health economics. Moreover, the Cost (C) of monitoring measure during the malaria elimination stage was calculated, and the Benefit of malaria elimination stage (B) was analyzed.Results The total cost of monitoring measures in the malaria elimination stage was about 607,878,783.36 yuan ( USD $ 87,534,544.80). The proportions of the costs were as follows: case detection and treatment was 66.62%, health education was 13.31%, epidemic monitoring was 10.05%, supervision and assessment was 5.15%, and training and meeting was 4.87%. The total benefit of the malaria elimination stage was about 116,123,417,911.81 yuan (USD$ 16,721,772,179.30), the economic benefit was 22.61%, and the social benefit was 77.39%. The cost-benefit analysis of the malaria elimination stage showed that the NB of monitoring measures was about 115,515,539,128.45 yuan (USD$ 16,634,237,634.50) and the BCR was 191.03. The monitoring cost for residents was 1.08 yuan (USD$ 0.16) per capita, and the benefit for residents was 206.12 yuan (USD$ 29.68) per capita. Conclusion In the past 15 years, malaria control work has achieved excellent economic and social benefits in Fujian, China. The work should continue in strengthening the monitoring and control of imported malaria cases, increasing health education in high-risk locations (such as those frequented by entry-exit personnel), and enhancing residents’ awareness about prevention and personal protection. The work should continue to be consolidated for the elimination of malaria. The framework and results of this study conform to the principles of health economics and have a certain reference value for current malaria monitoring practices.