Autochthonous Transmission of Trypanosoma Cruzi in Southern California

Hernández, Salvador; Flores, Carmen A.; Viana, Gracia; Sanchez, Daniel R.; Traina, Mahmoud; Meymandi, Sheba

doi:10.1093/ofid/ofw227

Cited by 27 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 12 publications

(24 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Infected blood donors often present with chronic indeterminate Chagas like our patient. 12 Autochthonous T. cruzi infections have been reported in multiple states including California, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, 13 and, perhaps now, Arizona. One other case of autochthonous Chagas disease may have arisen in Arizona, but the patient was also potentially exposed to T. cruzi on a military base in south Texas, 14 an area endemic for canine Chagas disease.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence of Likely Autochthonous Transmission of Chagas Disease in Arizona

Beatty

Pérez-Vélez

Yaglom

et al. 2018

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence of Likely Autochthonous Transmission of Chagas Disease in Arizona

Beatty

Pérez-Vélez

Yaglom

et al. 2018

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Autochthonous transmission was thought to be rare, but the national implementation of blood donation screening in 2007 has uncovered cases of CD that cannot be explained by other factors, such as residence or travel in Latin America. Since then, blood donor screening identified a probable case of vector transmission in the greater Los Angeles area [7]. Furthermore, research suggests triatomines as well as T. cruzi are commonly encountered in the natural environment, even near urban areas.…”

Section: Local Transmission Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the USA, modeled estimates suggest there are between 326,000 and 347,000 Latin American-born individuals with T. cruzi infections. Additionally, autochthonous infections, which can potentially be transmitted by 11 different species of US triatomines [4], are increasingly being documented [5][6][7]. Transmission rates are thought to be lower in the USA compared to Latin America, due to different housing conditions, lower levels of vector domiciliation, and different vector feeding behaviors [4,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current Gaps and Needs for Increasing Access to Healthcare for People with Chagas Disease in the USA

et al. 2019

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose of Review In the USA, fewer than 1% of people with Chagas disease (CD) are diagnosed and treated. Patients and physicians confront significant barriers to initiating testing and treatment, which are not systematically available in the US health care system. What are these barriers and how can they be overcome? We discuss the broader challenges and state-level dynamics of CD in several of the US states with the highest burdened populations. Recent Findings The principal challenges for expanding access to testing and treatment include confusion surrounding testing procedures, limitations in available drugs and diagnostic tools, gaps in surveillance and epidemiological knowledge, low patient awareness, and, particularly, low awareness among providers. States have key differences concerning health care access, transmission dynamics, and programmatic resources. Local initiatives in Texas and California are discussed. Summary Reducing the burden of CD will require improvement of diagnostic capacity and treatment guidelines, significant strengthening of provider awareness, greater understanding of transmission dynamics, and provision of accessible health care to the diverse population at risk.

show abstract

“…(13,14) However, in the southern United States there have been an increasing number of autochthonous and congenital transmission cases being reported since 2000. (3,(15)(16)(17)(18)(19) It is generally believed that transmission rates in the United States are lower than in Latin America, mainly because of housing conditions and different vector behaviors. (16,20) Nevertheless, there are 29 out of 50 states reporting triatomine insects with 10 of the 11 species found to have the ability to be infected with the parasite.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Effectiveness of Chagas Disease Education for Healthcare Providers in the United States

Granados

Pacheco²,

Patlán³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Chagas disease is a zoonotic infection caused by the parasite Trypanasoma cruzi, which affects an estimated 8–11 million people globally. Chagas disease is almost always associated with poverty in rural areas and disproportionately impacts immigrants from Latin America living in the United States. Approximately 20–30% of people who are infected with Chagas disease will develop a chronic form of the infection that can be fatal if left untreated. Chagas disease is vastly underestimated in the United States, often goes undiagnosed and is not well understood by most U.S. healthcare providers. One of the most important ways at reducing barriers to improving diagnostics of Chagas disease in the U.S. is giving healthcare providers the most up-to-date information and access to leading experts. Methods An online webinar was conducted for healthcare providers, veterinarians and public health professionals using Chagas disease expert panelists. Pre and post tests were administered to participants (n = 57) to determine the efficacy in raising awareness and to determine key focus areas for improving knowledge. A Wilcoxon rank-sum was used for non-parametric variables equivalent and for questions that assessed knowledge the McNemar’s Chi-Square test was used. Results There were statistically significant learning increases in multiple categories including transmission (p = < .001), clinical presentation (p = 0.016), diagnostics (p = < .001), and treatment (p = < .001). Conclusion Providing easily accessible learning opportunities using validated testing and evaluations should be further developed for rural healthcare providers in the U.S. as well as healthcare providers serving under represented populations such as immigrants. There is a clear lack of knowledge and awareness surrounding Chagas disease in the United States and just by raising awareness and providing education on the topic, lives will be saved.

show abstract

Autochthonous Transmission of Trypanosoma Cruzi in Southern California

Cited by 27 publications

References 12 publications

Evidence of Likely Autochthonous Transmission of Chagas Disease in Arizona

Evidence of Likely Autochthonous Transmission of Chagas Disease in Arizona

Current Gaps and Needs for Increasing Access to Healthcare for People with Chagas Disease in the USA

Assessing the Effectiveness of Chagas Disease Education for Healthcare Providers in the United States

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About