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. 2024 Jul 9:12:100400.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100400. eCollection 2024 Sep.

Prevalence analysis of Chagas disease by age group in an endemic region of Brazil: possible scenario of active vectorial transmission

Dardiane Santos Cruz  1 , Renata Fiúza Damasceno  2 , Sâmara Fernandes Leite  1 , Mayra Domingues Cardoso  3 , Débora Natália Menezes Almeida  3 , Andreia Brito de Souza  1 , Ana Clara de Jesus Santos  1 , Thallyta Maria Veira  1 , Antônio Luiz Pinho Ribeiro  4 , Léa Campos de Oliveira  5 , Ester Cerdeira Sabino  5 , Desirée Sant'Ana Haikal  1 , Ariela Mota Ferreira  1 , Israel Molina  1   6
Affiliations

Prevalence analysis of Chagas disease by age group in an endemic region of Brazil: possible scenario of active vectorial transmission

Dardiane Santos Cruz et al. IJID Reg. .

Abstract

Objectives: Chagas disease (CD) is an infectious disease that predominantly affects poor and vulnerable populations. The last estimate conducted by the World Health Organization in Latin America regarding the prevalence of CD occurred more than 10 years ago. However, there is a scarcity of data assessing the magnitude of CD in populations residing in considered high-risk regions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of CD in an endemic region in Northern Minas Gerais through serologic screening.

Methods: This is a prevalence study conducted in the municipalities of Catuti, Mato Verde, Mirabela, Montes Azul, and São Francisco, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data collection occurred between December 2021 and December 2022, involving a questionnaire with closed-ended questions. The variables analyzed included serologic test results, stratified age groups, health indicators, and housing conditions.

Results: Of the 2978 participants, 272 individuals (9.1%) tested positive for CD serology. In the age group of 4 to 14 years, 15 to 49 years, and 50 years or older, the prevalence of positive serology was 0.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16-1.43), 5.5% (95% CI 4.20-6.83), and 18.8% (95% CI 16.48-21.11), respectively. Among the participating municipalities, Mato Verde had the highest prevalence of positive serology for CD (17%). For participants aged 4 to 14 years with positive serology for CD, first-degree relatives were invited to undergo serologic testing. It was possible to collect samples from relatives of all participants in this age group. However, none of the relatives tested positive.

Conclusion: This study identified a 9.1% prevalence of individuals affected by CD who were unaware of their condition. In addition, having infected children in the 4 to 14 age group with mothers with negative serology would rule out congenital transmission of the disease.

Keywords: Brazil; Chagas disease; Prevalence; Transmission risk; Trypanosoma cruzi.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map of the study municipalities.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Proportion of individuals with positive serology for CD according to the age group, stratified every 5 years. CD, Chagas disease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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