Pathogens and Global Health
Volume 106, Issue 2, 2012, Pages 102-106

Trypanosoma cruzi infection in elche (Spain): Comparison of the seroprevalence in immigrants from Paraguay and Bolivia (Article)

Ramos J.M. , Ponce Y. , Gallegos I. , Flóres-Chávez M. , Cañavate C. , Gutiérrez F.
  • a Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Elche, Spain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Miguel Hernández, San Juan de Alicante, Spain
  • b Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Elche, Spain, Family Medicine Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Elche, Spain
  • c Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Elche, Spain, Family Medicine Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Elche, Spain
  • d Parasitology Service, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
  • e Parasitology Service, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
  • f Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Elche, Spain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Miguel Hernández, San Juan de Alicante, Spain

Abstract

Chagas disease is a global public health problem due to the recent emigration of people from Latin America to other regions, including Europe. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection among Paraguayans and Bolivians living in Elche (Spain), a city located in the Mediterranean Coast of Spain. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Capillary blood samples were obtained through a finger prick, and collected on filter paper. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence tests were performed to search for anti-T. cruzi IgG antibodies in the filter papers. Thirteen out of 201 participants were infected with T. cruzi in this study, seven out of 73 Bolivians and six out of 128 Paraguayans, corresponding to seroprevalences of 9.59% (95%CI, 4.72-18.5%) and 4.69% (95%CI, 2.17-9.85%), respectively. Palpitation, chest pain, and migration from rural endemic areas were the most common clinical and epidemiological risk factors associated with T. cruzi infection detected in the Paraguayan group. This study highlights that Chagas disease is no longer limited to the Bolivian population living in Spain. It is important to note this wider prevalence and, therefore, not discount Paraguayans in the screening for Chagas disease in Spain. Indeed, this should be considered for all immigrants from Latin America. © W. S. Maney & Son Ltd 2012.

Author Keywords

immigrants Chagas disease Trypanosoma cruzi infection Paraguay Bolivia

Index Keywords

rural area immigrant Antibodies, Protozoan Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect capillary blood human middle aged controlled study Aged Cross-Sectional Studies Young Adult cross-sectional study Humans Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Spain female Child, Preschool enzyme linked immunosorbent assay immunofluorescence Article major clinical study adult migration immunoglobulin G antibody heart palpitation Chagas Disease seroprevalence thorax pain Paraguay Bolivia Seroepidemiologic Studies immunoglobulin G Trypanosoma cruzi Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84865150427&doi=10.1179%2f2047773212Y.0000000013&partnerID=40&md5=42bb2b38573f7e4a7d1d198922b37d24
DOI: 10.1179/2047773212Y.0000000013
ISSN: 20477724
Cited by: 12
Original Language: English