Chagas disease in Bajo de Veliz, San Luis, Argentina, May 2005 - June 2006

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:a) to determine the prevalence of Chagas disease in the general population and children under 15 in Bajo de Veliz; b) to identify infected children to manage specific treatment; andc) to assess their adherence, adverse reactions and effectiveness. METHOD: geo-reference and home, visits to venous blood sampling. Indirect hemagglutination and immunoenzymatic assays were used. Pediatric patients were controlled with clinical and electrocardiography exams. They were treated with benznidazole 5 mg/kg/day during 60 days. Clinical controls were performed fortnightly and biochemical at 30 and 45 days during treatment and 30 days after treatment. Houses were sprinkled with pyrethroid. RESULTS: the prevalence was 21.18% in general population and 12.5% in children under 15. The five children diagnosed were treated (100%). Adverse effects were: vomiting (1), leukopenia (1) and elevation of alkaline phosphatase (5). Serology continued positive in all cases until the completion of the study. CONCLUSIONS: we found a sharp prevalence of Chagas in Bajo de Veliz. In children the prevalence was six times greater than 1.82% officially established in 2001 for endemic areas. Adherence to treatment was optimal. Adverse reactions were leukopenia, considered of rare appearance; and remarkable elevation of the enzyme liver, with no previous bibliographic reference. We could not certify healing in treated patients. Vector control measures were implemented but community participation was not reached.