Congenital Transmission of Chagas Disease in Latin American Immigrants in Switzerland

Chagas disease, a zoonotic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is the most important endemic parasitic infection in Mexico and Central and South America because of the number of persons who become ill or die from this disease. An estimated 8-10 million persons are infected, and =14,000 persons die each year from Chagas disease. Historically, transmission by triatomine vectors has been the most common source of infection.
In response to these 2 cases, in 2007, a retrospective serologic survey for T. cruzi infection was performed on stored serum samples from 72 undocumented pregnant Latin American women who had recieved prenatal care at the Geneva University Hospitals during the previous year. Median age was 30 years, and countries of origin were Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Honduras. Serum samples were tested by IFA using T. cruzi parasites from in vitro culture. Of the 72 samples, 7 (9.7%) were positive.
Only a small number of congenital cases of Chagas disease have been reported in countries in which this infection is nonendemic. Chagas disease affects immigrants, who frequently lack legal status and therefore experience difficulties (e.g., fear of deportation and financial and administrative constraints) in accessing quality healthcare during pregnancy.
Systematic screening of pregnant women at risk is likely to be beneficial in several ways. Treatment of infected mothers after completion of breast-feeding may reduce the risk for vertical transmission during subsequent pregnancies. Treatment of young women at the chronic, indeterminate stage of infection is likely to lower their risk for developing cardiac complications. Early screening and treatment of infected newborns are associated with high cure rates.
Microbial Agent in this article is Trypanosoma Cruzi (or "kissing bug"). An infected triatomine insect vector takes a blood meal and releases trypomastigotes in its feces near the site of the bite wound. Trypomastigotes enter the host through the wound of through intact mucosal membranes, such as the conjunctiva. Trypanosoma cruzi can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ transplantation, transplacentally, and in laboratory accidents.

Work Cited:

Jackson Y. Myers C, Diana A, Marti H-P, Wolff H, Chappuis F. "Congenital transmission of Chagas disease in Latin American immigrants in Switzerland." Emerg Infect Dis (serial on the internet). 2009 Apr (date cited).http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/15/4/601.htm

"Trypanosomiasis, American" Parasites and Health. http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/HTML/TrypanosomiasisAmerican.htm