[Chagas screening in pregnant Latin-American women. Experience in Poniente Almeriense (Almeria, Spain)]

Abstract

Introduction: The transmission of Chagas disease is a public health problem in non-endemic countries.

Methods: Chagas screening was performed by two serological tests in pregnant women from endemic areas for 4 years.

Results: We studied 261 pregnant women from 13 Latin American countries, making a confirmatory diagnosis (two positive tests) in 4 cases. There was no case of vertical transmission.

Conclusion: Although Chagas disease has a low prevalence in the province of Almeria, the screening is necessary for the detection and treatment of infants with the disease.