Serological screening of Chagas disease in an immigrant population in Asturias, Spain proceeding from Chagas-endemic areas

Scand J Infect Dis. 2009;41(10):774-6. doi: 10.1080/00365540903161523.

Abstract

Population movements from Chagas disease-endemic areas to non-endemic countries due to immigration make the occurrence of this disease in these latter areas possible. We describe the results of a screening programme conducted in an immigrant population from endemic areas, attending the Tropical Medicine Unit of the Hospital Central de Asturias between June 2006 and June 2008. The ID-Chagas antibody test (particle gel immunoassay (PaGIA); DiaMed-ID) was used as a screening assay. We analysed 64 patients, 9 of whom (14%) tested positive for Chagas disease antibodies, a diagnosis that was confirmed in all cases. Six patients came from Bolivia, 2 from Paraguay and 1 from Brazil. Chagas disease is of increasing importance, even in areas with low migratory flows; hence screening programmes for this population group are especially important.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Chagas Disease / diagnosis*
  • Chagas Disease / epidemiology
  • Chagas Disease / immunology
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / statistics & numerical data*
  • Endemic Diseases
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • South America / ethnology
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / genetics

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan