Several synthetic pesticides and allelochemicals used to treat Triatoma
infestans adults by topic application showed some degree of cytosolic
glutathione S-transferase (GST) induction. General inducers of detoxication
systems such as phenobarbital and 3-methylcholantrene topically applied on
T. infestans resulted in no GST induction. Meanwhile, general insecticide
synergist such as piperonyl butoxide (160 mg/insect) increased the
GST-activity in the range of 120-140%.
Insects injected with reduced glutathione (300 mg/insect) presented at the
forth day elevated GST activity.
