Congenital Chagas disease: an update |
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Authors: | Yves Carlier Sergio Sosa-Estani Alejandro O Luquetti Pierre Buekens |
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Institution: | 1.Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgique;2.School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA;3.Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr Mario Fatala Chaben, Ministry of Health, Buenos Aires, Argentina;4.Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brasil |
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Abstract: | Congenital infection with Trypanosoma cruzi is a global problem, occurring on average
in 5% of children born from chronically infected mothers in endemic areas, with
variations depending on the region. This presentation aims to focus on and update
epidemiological data, research methods, involved factors, control strategy and
possible prevention of congenital infection with T. cruzi. Considering that
etiological treatment of the child is always effective if performed before one year
of age, the diagnosis of infection in pregnant women and their newborns has to become
the standard of care and integrated into the surveillance programs of syphilis and
human immunodeficiency virus. In addition to the standard tests, polymerase chain
reaction performed on blood of neonates of infected mothers one month after birth
might improve the diagnosis of congenital infection. Recent data bring out that its
transmission can be prevented through treatment of infected women before they become
pregnant. The role of parasite genotypes and host genetic factors in parasite
transmission and development of infection in foetuses/neonates has to be more
investigated in order to better estimate the risk factors and impact on health of
congenital infection with T. cruzi. |
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Keywords: | Trypanosoma cruzi congenital T cruzi infection congenital Chagas disease maternal-foetal transmission |
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