In:
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 15, No. 3 ( 2021-3-24), p. e0009281-
Abstract:
Chagas disease (CD) is a chronic parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and is endemic to continental Latin America. In Spain, the main transmission route is congenital. We aimed to assess adherence to regional recommendations of universal screening for CD during pregnancy in Latin American women in the province of Alicante from 2014 to 2018. Methodology/Principal findings Retrospective quality study using two data sources: 1) delivery records of Latin American women that gave birth in the 10 public hospitals of Alicante between January 2014 and December 2018; and 2) records of Chagas serologies carried out in those centers between May 2013 and December 2018. There were 3026 deliveries in Latin American women during the study period; 1178 (38.9%) underwent CD serology. Screening adherence ranged from 17.2% to 59.3% in the different health departments and was higher in Bolivian women (48.3%). Twenty-six deliveries (2.2%) had a positive screening; CD was confirmed in 23 (2%) deliveries of 21 women. Bolivians had the highest seroprevalence (21/112; 18.7%), followed by Colombians (1/333; 0.3%) and Ecuadorians (1/348; 0.3%). Of 21 CD-positive women (19 Bolivians, 1 Colombian, 1 Ecuadorian), infection was already known in 12 (57.1%), and 9 (42.9%) had already been treated. Only 1 of the 12 untreated women (8.3%) was treated postpartum. Follow-up started in 20 of the 23 (87.0%) neonates but was completed only in 11 (47.8%); no cases of congenital transmission were detected. Among the 1848 unscreened deliveries, we estimate 43 undiagnosed cases of CD and 1 to 2 undetected cases of congenital transmission. Conclusions/Significance Adherence to recommendations of systematic screening for CD in Latin American pregnant women in Alicante can be improved. Strategies to strengthen treatment of postpartum women and monitoring of exposed newborns are needed. Currently, there may be undetected cases of congenital transmission in our province.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1935-2735
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.r004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.r005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009281.r006
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2429704-5
