Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 9, Issue 1, 2007, Pages 43-47

The sero-prevalence of antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi in Latin American refugees and immigrants to Canada (Article)

Steele L.S.* , MacPherson D.W. , Kim J. , Keystone J.S. , Gushulak B.D.
  • a Department of Family and Community Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada, Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell St., Toronto, ON, Canada
  • b Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, Migration Health Consultants Inc., Cheltenham, ON, Canada
  • c Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • d Department of Medicine and Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • e Migration Health Consultants Inc., Cheltenham, ON, Canada

Abstract

Background: Chagas' disease is caused by infection with the protozoan agent Trypanosoma cruzi. An estimated sixteen to eighteen million people are infected in Latin America. Outside of endemic regions, Chagas' disease may be transmitted through the transfusion of infected blood components, congenital infection and organ transplantation. We sought to determine the sero-prevalence of antibodies to T. cruzi in a community sample of Latin American refugees and immigrants to Canada. Methods: This was a sero-prevalence study in Latin American refugees and immigrants living in Canada. Eligible subjects were born in South America, Central America or in Mexico. Participants were recruited from a variety of community settings, as well as from medical clinics. Serum was tested by enzyme-linked immunoassay for antibodies to T. cruzi. Results: A total of 102 participants were enrolled. One sample tested positive for antibodies for T. cruzi. The seroprevalence in our sample was 1.0% (95% CI: 0.2% - 5.3%). Interpretation: We found a low sero-prevalence of Chagas' disease in a community sample of Latin American immigrants and refugees. Physicians who treat Latin American immigrants should consider the risk profile and clinical status of the individual in their decision to screen for Chagas' disease. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2006.

Author Keywords

Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas' disease Immigrants and refugees Sero-prevalence Latin america Canada

Index Keywords

immigrant South and Central America refugee protozoon antibody Antibodies, Protozoan human risk assessment Refugees middle aged controlled study priority journal Aged Animals Mexico Hispanic Americans Humans antibody detection Adolescent Infant, Newborn Canada male female Aged, 80 and over enzyme linked immunosorbent assay Risk Factors pregnancy prevalence Article adult blood analysis Emigration and Immigration medical decision making Chagas Disease seroprevalence Seroepidemiologic Studies Trypanosoma cruzi Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Mexican Americans
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33751513755&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-006-9014-x&partnerID=40&md5=60d78dbec540d85337851ce425db433f
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-006-9014-x
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 34
Original Language: English