These results verify the presence of triatomines in both intra- and peridomiciliary areas, thereby ensuring persistence of the pathogen and consequently, the disease, as the presence of infected vectors in households is an important risk factor. According to these findings, the Chagas Disease Control Program should intensify its efforts in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

Introduction: The transmission of Chagas disease (CD) through blood transfusion, organ transplantation, and oral transmission has gained greater visibility as a result of intensified vector control activities in endemic regions and to control CD in nonendemic regions. In Brazil, Ceará is one of the states that perform the most organ transplants. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in organ donor candidates. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on data from potential organ donors at the Center of Transplantation of the State of Ceará from 2010-2015. Results: Data from a total of 2,822 potential donors were obtained, of which 1,038 were effective donors and 1,784 were excluded, likely due to lack of family authorization or medical contraindication. The prevalence of T. cruzi infection among these potential donors was 1.3% (n = 29). The majority of infected donors were males aged 41-60 years, residing in the interior of the state. Interestingly, 72.4% (n = 21) had positive or inconclusive serology for additional infections, such as cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B and C, and toxoplasmosis. Probability analysis revealed that stroke was the most common cause of death among potential donors with CD. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of CD and other coinfections among potential solid organ donors in Ceará, and statistical tests have shown that these individuals are at increased risk of stroke when compared to potential non-reactive donors. This work highlights the importance of screening DC infection in potential donors.

Resumo Fundamento A doença de Chagas (DC) é considerada um problema de saúde pública na América Latina. A região nordeste, principalmente o estado do Ceará, ainda representa grande preocupação em termos de risco de transmissão da doença. Objetivo Estimar a prevalência de T. cruzi em doadores de sangue do estado do Ceará. Métodos Trata-se um de estudo retrospectivo descritivo realizado no período de 2010 a 2015, a partir de dados registrados no sistema informatizado do Centro de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Ceará (HEMOCE). Resultados Dos 763.731 potenciais doadores de sangue, 14.159 foram considerados impedidos de fazer a doação devido à sorologia, sendo que 1.982 (0,33%) o foram devido à positividade/inconclusão para doença de Chagas. Compareceram à Hemorrede para a repetição 425 indivíduos, sendo confirmados 28,2% (120/425) como impedidos de doar devido a DC. Conclusão Não houve redução significativa das sorologias positivas/inconclusivas no período entre 2010-2015, porém foi observada redução em relação a 1996/1997 no estado. A determinação da prevalência da doença de Chagas em bancos de sangue pode ser relevante como indicador do risco de transmissão transfusional em determinada região. Novos testes sorológicos para triagem com melhor acurácia são necessários, reduzindo o descarte desnecessário de bolsas de sangue, os custos para o Sistema Único de Saúde e a insegurança para os pacientes e familiares. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(6):1082-1091)

This study indicates the need for pharmacotherapeutic monitoring in patients with Chagas because of the high number of therapeutic interventions, DRPs (approximately 3 DRPs/patient), BNZ adherence, and polypharmacy.

No abstract

In 2005, a pharmaceutical care service was created in the State of Ceará to provide pharmacotherapeutic follow-up for individuals infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas Disease). After 10 years of operation, an evaluation was conducted to assess the degree of satisfaction of patients treated under the service. This prospective study used a questionnaire comprising the following sections: socioeconomic data; infrastructure, facilities and operations; pharmaceutical care; and importance of the service. Seventy patients of both sexes and over 18 years of age were interviewed between August 2014 and May 2015. As for infrastructure, location and operation, the average grades show a high level of patient satisfaction. Regarding pharmaceutical care, most patients reported being satisfied and considered "being well treated" to be the most important aspect during treatment. In addition, all patients (100%) rated the service as very important and would recommend it to other individuals. Overall, the study showed a high level of patient satisfaction with the service. There is, however, still much to work to be done on this service in order to promote greater access and qualified care to fully achieve a humanized model focused on patient needs.

Introduction: This study estimated the seroprevalence and risk factors of Chagas disease (CD) in a population of the Quixeré municipality, Ceará. Methods: We conducted serological methods to detect the Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The other variables were evaluated by a standardized questionnaire. Results: The estimated prevalence of CD was 3.7%. Male sex, age >40 years, being farmers, low education level, origin from rural areas, and being born in Quixeré were significantly associated with infection. Conclusion: CD persists in this rural population of Northeast Brazil. Poverty, low education, and limited information regarding CD are critical issues that need to be addressed.

The Pharmaceutical Care Service of the Chagas Disease Research Laboratory (LPDC), in the State of Ceará, Brazil, treats patients with Chagas disease (CD), characterized as a chronic, neglected disease that requires full patient follow-up. Objective: determine the socioeconomic and demographic profile of patients with CD treated at the LPDC. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out, in which 507 patients were treated from January 2007 to May 2016. The variables collected were gender, age, place of birth, schooling, family income, type of health care, occupation, living conditions and habits. The profile of Trypanosoma cruzi infected individuals consisted of 51.1% males; mean age of 50.4 years; 26.6% were small farmers; 48.7% had not finished elementary school; 36.9% had a family income of one minimum wage; 77.7% did not have private health insurance and most of them came from rural areas. Regarding habits, 66.5% were nonsmokers and 70.0% were sedentary. Additionally, an improvement was noted in housing conditions, with most patients moving from wattle and daub huts, which were their first homes, to brick houses. We conclude that the analysis of the socioeconomic and demographic profile of patients treated at the LPDC showed that most of them come from a low socioeconomic population, where the demand for treatment has been occurring at a later age, further reinforcing the importance of the follow-up provided by the LPDC.KEY WORDS: Chagas disease; health services research; health profile; pharmaceutical care.