Risk Factors for Trypanosoma cruzi Infection among Children in Central Brazil: A Case-Control Study in Vector Control Settings

Ana Lucia S. Sgambatti De Andrade Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saude Publica, Universidade Federal de Goias, Communicable Diseases Programme, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Faculdade de Saude Publica, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Goiania, Brazil

Search for other papers by Ana Lucia S. Sgambatti De Andrade in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Fabio Zicker Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saude Publica, Universidade Federal de Goias, Communicable Diseases Programme, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Faculdade de Saude Publica, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Goiania, Brazil

Search for other papers by Fabio Zicker in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Ionizete G. Silva Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saude Publica, Universidade Federal de Goias, Communicable Diseases Programme, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Faculdade de Saude Publica, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Goiania, Brazil

Search for other papers by Ionizete G. Silva in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Jose Maria P. Souza Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saude Publica, Universidade Federal de Goias, Communicable Diseases Programme, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Faculdade de Saude Publica, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Goiania, Brazil

Search for other papers by Jose Maria P. Souza in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Celina Maria T. Martelli Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saude Publica, Universidade Federal de Goias, Communicable Diseases Programme, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Faculdade de Saude Publica, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Goiania, Brazil

Search for other papers by Celina Maria T. Martelli in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1995.52.183
Volume/Issue:
Volume 52: Issue 2
Page(s):
183–187
Restricted access
Get Permissions

This population-based case-control study was conducted in northern Goias State, Central Brazil, in rural settings under vector control surveillance. One hundred forty-nine children seropositive for Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies, selected in a cross-sectional survey carried out in village schools, were compared with 298 seronegative classmate controls matched for age, sex, and place of residence. Information on potential environmental, familiar, and social economic risk factors for T. cruzi infection was collected during household visits, and interviews with parents and entomologic inspections of domestic and peridomestic environments were conducted. The presence of triatomines in dwellings or evidence of triatomine colonization was found to be statistically associated with seropositivity in children. The presence of exuviae and a report of triatomines indoors or outdoors by householders in the past were strong predictors of an infected child. Children from seropositive mothers had a 3.9-fold increase in the risk of having anti-T. cruzi antibodies after adjusting for the confounding variables, including triatomine capture, mother's age, and family size in multivariate analysis. Parent's report of vector presence showed a 97.7% sensitivity in identifying a dwelling with at least one seropositive child. The possibility of transplacental T. cruzi transmission and its implication for Chagas' disease control were considered.

Author Notes

Copyright:
Copyright © 1995 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1995
Published Online:
Feb 1995
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
Past two years Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 391 89 17
Full Text Views 25 0 0
PDF Downloads 13 0 0
 
Membership Banner
 
 
 
Affiliate Membership Banner
 
 
Research for Health Information Banner
 
 
CLOCKSS
 
 
 
Society Publishers Coalition Banner
Save