Lack of association between blood-based detection of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA and cardiac involvement in a non-endemic area

Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 2011 Sep;105(6):425-30. doi: 10.1179/1364859411Y.0000000033.

Abstract

Cases of chronic Chagas disease have been increasing in non-endemic areas due to the growth in immigration. This study examined the association between positive Trypanosoma cruzi-DNA detection in blood by PCR and presence of chagasic cardiac involvement in a cohort of immigrants in a European city. No association was found in this study between the positive T. cruzi blood PCR and cardiac involvement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Specimen Collection / methods
  • Chagas Cardiomyopathy / diagnosis*
  • Chagas Cardiomyopathy / epidemiology
  • Chronic Disease
  • DNA, Protozoan / blood*
  • Emigrants and Immigrants
  • Endemic Diseases
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / genetics*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / isolation & purification
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • DNA, Protozoan