Chagas disease epidemiology and demographics
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Chronic Chagas' disease remains a major health problem in many Latin American countries, despite the effectiveness of hygienic and preventive measures, such as eliminating the transmitting insects, which have reduced to zero new infections in at least two countries of the region.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Incidence
Prevalence
- The estimated global prevalence of Chagas disease is estimated to be 5-8 million.
- The prevalence of Chagas disease is thought to be declining following the introduction of effective infection control methods, including use of insecticides and T. cruzi serology screening in blood banks in endemic countries.
Age
- There is no age predominance for Chagas disease primary infection.
- The rate of Chagas disease is high among neonates due to risk of vertical transmission during pregnancy.
- Clinical manifestations of Chagas disease are common among elderly patients due to the natural history of the chronic disease state, whereby clinical manifestations develop several years following primary infection.
Gender
- There is no gender predominance for infection with Chagas disease.
Race
- Given the endemicity of the disease in South America, the majority of individuals with Chagas disease are of Hispanic origin.
- However, there is no evidence to demonstrate that there is any racial predilection to the acquisition of the infection.
Developing Countries
- Chagas disease is a common parasitic infections worldwide. It is endemic in South America and is considered the most common parasitic infection in that South American region.
- Chagas disease is rarely acquired locally in other parts of the world.
Developed Countries
- In USA, the prevalence of Chagas disease is approximately 300,000. The majority of those cases are among South American immigrants.
- Chagas disease is rarely acquired locally in USA or Europe.