Seroprevalence of Chagas disease in 17 rural communities of "Monte Impenetrable", Chaco Province

BIANCARDI MA; CONCA MORENO M; TORRES N; PEPE C; ALTCHEH J; FREILIJ H

MEDICINA (BUENOS AIRES)

MEDICINA (BUENOS AIRES)

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2003 vol. 63 p. 125 - 129

0025-7680

In the month of July 1999 and 2000 we studied the presence of Trypanosoma cruziantibodies in residents of 17 isolated rural communities of "Monte Impenetrable",in Chaco Province. This area has 3,000 km2 inhabited by about 3,000 person andpresents all the conditions for the development of Chagas disease. A total of 344blood samples were analysed for Chagas disease. All samples, stored with SEROKIT,were tested with indirect hemagglutination test, enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay and particle agglutination test. Samples reactive for two assays wereconsidered positive. Serological evidence of human T. cruzi infection wasdemonstrated in 183 (53.50%) out of 344 individuals. In the 1-15 years age group the percentage of positivity was 45.83% and in the 1-5 years age group 53.85%. a)General infection prevalence in these rural communities was 7 times higher thanthe national average estimated rate (7.20%). b) Prevalence in the 1-15 years age group was 25 times higher in relation to that found in residents of rural areasunder entomology vigilance (1.77%). c) The prevalence in younger than five years old indicated the absence of vectorial control. The Tobas communities presentedhigher prevalence than Criollos, although the risk factors to acquire the diseasewere similar in both populational groups. These findings show the urgency ofpublic health policies and sanitary decisions, specially in these zones of thecountry.