Prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in pregnant Latin American women and congenital transmission rate in a non-endemic area: the experience of the Valencian Health Programme (Spain).

Autores de IIS La Fe

• Carmen Barona Vilar

  Autor

• María José Giménez Martí

  Autor

• Carmen Paradas Lopez

  Autor

• Ana Gil Brusola

  Autor

• María Dolores Gómez Ruiz

  Autor

• Desamparados Perez Tamarit

  Autor

• Laura Fernández Silveira

  Autor

• Ana Maria Fullana Montoro

  Autor

• Rafael Borras Salvador

  Autor

Participantes ajenos a IIS La Fe

• Fraile T
• González-Steinbauer C
• Bravo D
• Navarro D

Grupos

• Infección Grave

Abstract

This study describes the results of the health programme implemented in the Valencian Community (Spain) to achieve an early diagnosis of Chagas disease in pregnant Latin American women and their newborns. During 2009 and 2010, 1975 women living in the health districts of three university hospitals were enrolled via midwives or at the time of delivery. Diagnosis of disease was performed using two serological tests with different antigens. Congenital infection was diagnosed by parasitological, molecular or serological methods from blood samples obtained at birth or in subsequent controls. The overall seroprevalence of Chagas infection in pregnant women from 16 different endemic countries was 11·4%. Infection was higher in those from countries in the Gran Chaco Region (Bolivia, 34·1%; Paraguay, 7·4%; Argentina, 5·3%). Eight newborn infants from Bolivian mothers had congenital Chagas which represents a vertical transmission rate of 3·7%. In conclusion, this work supports the benefits of offering an early diagnosis to pregnant women and newborns during routine prenatal healthcare.