Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) in the United States is severely underdiagnosed, due to an absence of systematic screening as part of routine healthcare. We screened 189 relatives of 86 existing patients and found a CD prevalence of 7.4%. Screening close relatives of previously diagnosed individuals can effectively identify new CD cases.
Highlights
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, affects >6 million people globally, including over 300 000 in the United States [1, 2]
Congenital transmission of CD has been well documented, other epidemiological research on relatives of index cases diagnosed with CD has been limited
This may reflect the impact of regional programs focused on halting congenital transmission, and the fact that treatment recommendations have been largely restricted to children until recently
Summary
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, affects >6 million people globally, including over 300 000 in the United States [1, 2]. Treatment with antitrypanosomal drugs improves morbidity and mortality from CD and eliminates the potential for congenital transmission [4, 5] Such treatment must be administered while patients are still in the asymptomatic, indeterminate phase of the disease, when they are likely to be unaware of the infection, underscoring the importance of systematic screening programs. Congenital transmission affects the distribution of CD within families; in addition, relatives, including siblings and spouses, are likely to share exposures and risk factors [7], resulting in an elevated risk of CD In this investigation, we assess the prevalence of CD among spouses, siblings, parents, and children of T. cruzi-infected individuals in Los Angeles, California
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
