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Bats are widely known around the world for their role in the spread of a number of zoonotic diseases—illnesses that can spread between humans and animals.

But a study by scientists at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) has revealed that Mexican free-tailed bats do not play a major role in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), the parasite responsible for Chagas disease.

The work is published in the journal Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports.

"Bats are thought to be the original hosts for T. cruzi, and they frequently roost near or even in people's homes here in Central Texas," said Ilana Mosley, a doctoral student in the VMBS' Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (VIBS).

"They have relatively close proximity to humans, which is one reason why we conducted this study. There is also a critical gap in our understanding of the role that bats play in pathogen spread here in North America."

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