Congenital infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in an endemic area of Chile: a multidisciplinary study
Author
dc.contributor.author
Apt Baruch, Werner
Author
dc.contributor.author
Zulantay Alfaro, Inés
es_CL
Author
dc.contributor.author
Arnello, Marcela
es_CL
Author
dc.contributor.author
Oddó, David
es_CL
Author
dc.contributor.author
González, Sandra
es_CL
Author
dc.contributor.author
Rodríguez Borges, Jorge
es_CL
Author
dc.contributor.author
Kemmerling Weis, Ulrike
es_CL
Author
dc.contributor.author
Truyens, Carine
es_CL
Author
dc.contributor.author
Carlier, Yves
es_CL
Admission date
dc.date.accessioned
2014-01-27T14:10:16Z
Available date
dc.date.available
2014-01-27T14:10:16Z
Publication date
dc.date.issued
2013
Cita de ítem
dc.identifier.citation
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2013; 107: 98–104
en_US
Identifier
dc.identifier.other
doi:10.1093/trstmh/trs013
Identifier
dc.identifier.uri
https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/129178
General note
dc.description
Artículo de publicación ISI
en_US
Abstract
dc.description.abstract
Background: This study investigated the prevalence of Chagas disease (ChD) in pregnant women in Choapa
Province (IV Region, Chile) and the vertical transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi.
Method: ELISA and IFI IgG for ChD was performed for the pregnant women. PCR for T. cruzi was done for all
chagasic mothers and their newborns. The congenital infection was confirmed by serial positive PCR and/or
ELISA or IFI IgG after age of nine months. The placentas of mothers, with and without ChD, were submitted
for histopathology and immunohistochemical study.
Results: From 4831 deliveries in 2005–2009 with a serological coverage of 88.6%, it was established that
147 cases (3.4%) had ChD. More than 80% of the pregnancies had a physiological evolution and 90% of
the newborn were term. Congenital transmission was demonstrated in six children (4.7%) of the 127
newborn studied by serial PCR (at birth and/or between 3–18 months) and/or ELISA or IIF IgG after age
nine months. Most of congenital cases were asymptomatic (67%). The histopathology shows edema, necrosis,
fibrinoid deposit in the placentas of 28 of 29 chagasic mothers. In three cases the immnunochemistry
demonstrated a decrease in actin expression in trophoblast cells. In one congenital case amastigote nests
was observed.
Conclusions: These results indicate that T. cruzi infection in pregnant women and vertical transmission in
Chile are still prevalent. For this reason it is important to propose control measures in endemic areas of
the country.