Congenital Chagas disease in Geneva: diagnostic and clinical aspects
Martinez de Tejada, B.; Jackson, Y.; Paccolat, C.; Irion, O.; Jackson, Y.; Chappuis, F.ço.; de Tejada, B.ña.M.; Diana, A.; Pfister, R.; Sizonenko, S.; Vinas, P.A.; Delieutraz-Marchand, J.; Reis, C.; Benchouk, M.; Pierret, B.ér.èr.; Mauris, A.-D.èl.
Revue Medicale Suisse 5(222): 2091
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 1660-9379 PMID: 19947451 Document Number: 630928
Chagas disease, a parasitic infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, recently emerged in Europe and in Switzerland. Mother-to-child infection represents a major mode of transmission in non endemic areas. In 2008, 305 Latin American pregnant women consulting at the Geneva University Hospitals were screened by serology. Overall prevalence was 2% and 8.8% in Bolivian women. All infected women were in the indeterminate form of the chronic phase. Two newborns were congenitally infected. Considering the potential for vertical transmission and the risk of long-term complications, screening programs for persons at risk need to be implemented.