Seroprevalence of Chagas Disease in Mothers and Children in Postervalle: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in a Low-Endemic Setting
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Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi , remains a major public health concern in Latin America, particularly in Bolivia, which reports one of the highest infection burdens worldwide. While congenital transmission has gained importance in many countries, vectorial transmission persists in rural and peri-urban areas. This study aims to assess the epidemiological characteristics and seroprevalence of CD among mothers and their children in Postervalle, a Bolivian community officially classified as having low vector infestation.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2023, including 58 mothers and 104 children aged 4 to 17 years. Participants were recruited from the local school and underwent serological screening using three different diagnostic tests. Individuals testing positive on at least two assays were classified as seropositive. Sociodemographic data and exposure history were collected through structured questionnaires. Bivariate analysis was performed to identify associations between seropositivity and risk factors.
Results
Seroprevalence was 15.8% among mothers and 3.8% among children. All seropositive children were born to seronegative mothers, suggesting likely vectorial rather than congenital transmission. Children who tested positive were more likely to have lived in rural areas and in houses with mud walls (p = 0.046 and p = 0.012, respectively). Among mothers, being bitten by kissing bugs was significantly associated with seropositivity (p = 0.004). No significant differences were found in age or number of children between groups.
Conclusion
Despite its classification as a low-infestation area, Postervalle presents evidence of ongoing vectorial transmission of T. cruzi . These findings underscore the need for continued entomological surveillance and integrated vector control strategies, especially in vulnerable communities. The absence of congenital cases further highlights the importance of local vector-related risk factors.
AUTHORS’ SUMMARY
Chagas disease is a tropical infection caused by a parasite, known as Trypanosoma cruzi . This disease is mostly transmitted by vectors known as kissing bugs, but it can also be transmitted congenitally. In many Latin American countries, including Bolivia, this disease continues to affect large numbers of people, especially in rural areas where the vector is endemic. While some countries have made progress in controlling the vector that carries the parasite, transmission still occurs, often silently. In this study, we worked with mothers and their children in a small Bolivian town called Postervalle, which has been categorized as a low-risk area for the insect that spreads Chagas disease. We tested both the mothers and their children to see if they had been infected by the parasite. Surprisingly, none of the infected children had mothers who tested positive, suggesting they may have been infected by kissing bugs, not through birth. We also found that children who lived in homes with mud walls or rural areas were more likely to be infected. Our findings show that even in places thought to be low-risk, people—especially children—are still getting infected. This highlights the need for ongoing efforts to monitor and prevent Chagas disease, even in areas where it is assumed to be under control.
