Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection among blood donors in the state of Pará, Brazil.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected pathology worldwide, considered a public health problem due to the high morbidity and mortality rate and its social impact. Thus, the objective was to estimate the prevalence of reactive serology for T. cruzi in blood donors in the units of the public blood network in the state of Pará (Brazil), as well as to describe the epidemiological profile of these donors. METHODS: This is a retrospective and descriptive study carried out at the Pará State Center for Hematology and Hemotherapy (HEMOPA) between 2016 and 2021, with analysis of secondary data (epidemiological and serological) of inapt blood donors for CD. RESULTS: Among the 533,674 screened samples, the reactivity for anti-T. cruzi was detected in 0.1% (548), of which 0.03% (166) were inconclusive and 0.07% (382) were positive. The hemonucleus of the city of Abaetetuba had the highest seroprevalence (0.6%). Regarding epidemiological characteristics, most blood donors were men (63.7%), aged between 31 and 45 (44.7%), racially mixed (79.2%), high school graduate (45.8%), single/widowed/divorced (62%), first-time donors (69%), spontaneous donations (58%) and from the state's countryside (69.9%). CONCLUSION: Over the years analyzed, we observed an increase in seroprevalence for T. cruzi emphasizing the need to maintain epidemiological control in the region and the application of more accurate serological tests in the screening of donor blood bags.