[Chagas screening in pregnant Latin-American women. Experience in Poniente Almeriense (Almeria, Spain)]. / Cribado de Chagas en mujeres gestantes latinoamericanas. Experiencia en el Poniente Almeriense.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The transmission of Chagas disease is a public health problem in non-endemic countries. METHODS: Chagas screening was performed by two serological tests in pregnant women from endemic areas for 4 years. RESULTS: We studied 261 pregnant women from 13 Latin American countries, making a confirmatory diagnosis (two positive tests) in 4 cases. There was no case of vertical transmission. CONCLUSION: Although Chagas disease has a low prevalence in the province of Almeria, the screening is necessary for the detection and treatment of infants with the disease.