Higher congenital transmission rate of Trypanosoma cruzi associated with family history of congenital transmission

Risk factors for vertical transmission of Chagas disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The final analysis included 27 publications, of which 3 were available solely in Spanish ( Tables 3 and 4 ). Studies took place most frequently in Argentina and Bolivia, with 13 studies drawing participants from each country ( Alonso-Vega et al, 2005 ; Bern et al, 2009 ; Brutus et al, 2010 ; Bua et al, 2012 ; Buekens et al, 2018 ; Burgos et al, 2007 ; Cardoni et al, 2004 ; Chaparro and Genero, 2018 ; Danesi et al, 2020 ; García et al, 2008 ; Hermann et al, 2004 ; Herrera et al, 2019 ; Juiz et al, 2016 ; Kaplinski et al, 2015 ; Martin Suasnabar et al, 2018 ; Messenger et al, 2017 ; Negrette et al, 2005 ; Rendell et al, 2015 ; Salas et al, 2007 ; Scapellato et al, 2009 ; Torrico et al, 2006 , 2004 ; Volta et al, 2016 ). Other study locations included Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, and Spain ( Basile et al, 2019 ; Bua et al, 2012 ; Buekens et al, 2018 ; Herrera et al, 2019 ; Juiz et al, 2016 ; Murcia et al, 2017 , 2013 ).…”

“…Several studies examined the association between maternal vector exposure and risk of vertical transmission. Five studies found that self-reported past exposure to triatomine bugs in the home or community was significantly associated with lower risk of vertical transmission ( Danesi et al, 2020 ; Kaplinski et al, 2015 ; Martin Suasnabar et al, 2018 ; Negrette et al, 2005 ; Rendell et al, 2015 ). Two of these studies and 1 other study found that self-reported current exposure to triatomine bugs in the home was not significantly associated with vertical transmission risk ( Chaparro and Genero, 2018 ; Kaplinski et al, 2015 ; Rendell et al, 2015 ).…”

“…Among 11 non-overlapping studies that reported risk by maternal age, 9 studies found that maternal age was not significantly associated with risk of vertical transmission ( Basile et al, 2019 ; Bern et al, 2009 ; Bua et al, 2012 ; Cardoni et al, 2004 ; Danesi et al, 2020 ; García et al, 2008 ; Martin Suasnabar et al, 2018 ; Negrette et al, 2005 ; Rendell et al, 2015 ; Salas et al, 2007 ). The remaining 2 studies found an increased risk of vertical transmission among younger women ( Kaplinski et al, 2015 ; Torrico et al, 2004 ).…”

“…However, 3 studies not included in the meta-analysis also found a significantly increased risk of vertical transmission among women with higher parasitic loads, while only 1 study found a non-significant trend in the same direction ( Brutus et al, 2010 ; Bua et al, 2012 ; Rendell et al, 2015 ). Notably, several studies also found higher transmission rates among women with lower self-reported vector exposure ( Danesi et al, 2020 ; Kaplinski et al, 2015 ; Martin Suasnabar et al, 2018 ; Negrette et al, 2005 ; Rendell et al, 2015 ). Although seemingly counterintuitive, this relationship may also be explained by differences in parasitic load.…”

Diagnostic Accuracy of Two Molecular Tools for Diagnosis of Congenital Chagas Disease

“…In endemic countries where the primary healthcare system is weak and the vulnerable population does not have access to the healthcare system, the above-mentioned diagnostic algorithm has been difficult to implement. In Argentina, the available data show deficiencies in the follow-up of infants and CCD notification, and the real incidence and clinical burden of this disease are unknown [ 8 ]. In fact, the Pan American Health Organization recognizes that CCD may be underestimated because maternal and infant healthcare centers do not routinely screen mothers and/or infants, and thus recommends actively exploring opportunities to diagnose and cure ≥ 90% of infants with CCD [ 9 ].…”