An observational longitudinal study to evaluate tools and strategies available for the diagnosis of Congenital Chagas Disease in a non-endemic country

Acta Tropica
Marina SimónManuel Segovia

Abstract

Congenital Chagas Disease (CCD) has become a global health problem. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for the cure of the disease. Our aim was to evaluate techniques and samples used for the diagnosis of CCD in order to improve diagnostic strategies. A total of 181 children born in Spain from Latin American Chagas-infected mothers were consecutively enrolled and studied by microhematocrit, PCR and serology tests at 0-2, 6 and 9-12 months of age and followed up when it was required. Samples of cord blood and peripheral blood were collected for T. cruzi detection by PCR. Parasite culture was performed in patients with a positive PCR. Of 181 children, 7 children (3.9%) were lost to follow-up. A total of 174 children completed follow-up, 12 were diagnosed with CCD (6.9%) and 162 (93.1%) as uninfected children (negative serology tests at the end of the follow-up). Traditional parasitological diagnosis by microhematocrit had a poor performance (sensitivity was 10%), while PCR in peripheral blood showed high sensitivity (90.9%) and specificity (100%), allowing the early diagnosis of 9 infected children during the first 6-months-old. In the other 3 congenital cases, diagnosis was only possible at 12 months by serological and m...Continue Reading

Citations

Feb 25, 2020·The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal·Marina SimónManuel Segovia
Jul 16, 2020·Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·Yagahira E Castro-SesquenUNKNOWN Chagas Working Group in Bolivia and Peru

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts