2026-06-14T10:38:44Zhttps://repisalud.isciii.es/rest/oai/request

oai:repisalud.isciii.es:20.500.12105/87412025-05-30T16:16:09Zcom_20.500.12105_2052com_20.500.12105_2051col_20.500.12105_19611

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Navarro, Miriam author Berens-Riha, Nicole author Hohnerlein, Stefan author Seiringer, Peter author von Saldern, Charlotte author Garcia, Sarah author Blasco-Hernandez, Teresa author Navaza, Bárbara author Shock, Jonathan author Bretzel, Gisela author Hoelscher, Michael author Löscher, Thomas author Albajar-Viñas, Pedro author Pritsch, Michael author 2017 PURPOSE: Chagas disease (CD) has become a global health issue mainly due to migration. Germany lacks surveillance data and is home to a large Latin American immigrant population. Recognising that Bolivia is the country with the highest CD prevalence in Latin America, this cross-sectional, descriptive pilot study investigated CD and associated factors among citizens of Bolivian origin living in Munich, Germany. METHODS: Participants completed a questionnaire in order to collect socioeconomic and health-related data. In addition, serology was performed. In case of positive serological tests, PCR diagnostic and clinical staging together with disease management was initiated. Qualitative research was conducted to identify personal and community barriers as well as strategies to increase CD awareness among the population at risk. RESULTS: Between June 2013 and June 2014, 43 people from Bolivia (or descendants) were enrolled. A total of 9.3% (4/43), of whom two women were of childbearing age, tested seropositive (ELISA and IFAT), and one also by PCR. For 2/4 positive participants, clinical evaluation was performed and the indeterminate form of CD was diagnosed. Knowledge about CD symptoms and ways of transmission were completely absent among 55.8% (24/43, 2/4 with CD) and 30.2% (13/43, 1/4 with CD) of participants, respectively. A total of 27.9% (12/43, 0/4 with CD) of participants had donated blood prior to the study, whereas 62.8% (27/43, 3/4 with CD) were motivated to donate blood in the future. The qualitative research identified lack of knowledge as well as stigma and fears related to CD. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small number of participants, the prevalence of CD as well as the potential risk of non-vectorial transmission was alarming. Campaigns adapted for Latin American migrants as well as control strategies should be developed and put in place in order to prevent non-vectorial transmission and actively detect cases of CD in Germany. BMJ Open. 2017 Jan 16;7(1):e013960. 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013960 2044-6055 2044-6055 BMJ open 28093440 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/8741 Chagas Disease Germany Migration Trypanosoma cruzi Cross-sectional, descriptive study of Chagas disease among citizens of Bolivian origin living in Munich, Germany