Objective: To verify any possibility of the elimination of p24 in feces of Triatoma infestans, p24 being an antigen and one of the markers of HIV infection. The purpose of the study was the evaluation of any risk of contamination by laboratory staff who work with activities related to this particular insect, and also investigate any mechanism that might thus lead to the dissemination of HIV.
Method: Triatoma infestans were fed with p24-marked blood from 23 AIDS patients. Twenty-four and 48 hours later, their feces were examined in order to verify the presence of the antigen. The search for p24 was performed by means of the immunoenzymatic technique.
Result and conclusion: No protein 24 was detected in any of the samples. In accordance with the applied methodology, the purpose of showing that the elimination of p24 does not occur, was obtained. Were this question approached in other ways different results might reveal new information in terms of risks of HIV dissemination.