A procedure for diagnosing infections transmitted by insect carriers. Uninfected insects of the species known to carry the disease in question are allowed to suck the blood of a patient suspected of having the disease. A positive diagnosis is made if the disease parasites appear in the insects. This method has proved invaluable for diagnosing Chagas’ disease, using reduviid bugs (the carriers), since the parasites are not always easily detected in blood smears.
The diagnosis of parasitic infection in humans or animals using an intermediate host such as an insect as a culture tool. Uninfected insects are allowed to feed on the infected person. The insects are subsequently tested for the presence of infection, e.g., Chagas’ disease or leishmaniasis, a few days or weeks later.