Prevalence of Chagas disease in the Latin American immigrant population in a primary health centre in Barcelona (Spain)

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out to detect the seroprevalence of chagasic infection in children and women of child-bearing age in a primary care health centre in Barcelona (Spain). Serological screening was performed with an immunochromatography (IC) test (Stat Pak Chagas de Chembio®) and all positive and doubtful results were confirmed by two ELISA tests using recombinant and whole Trypanosoma cruzi antigens. Prevalence of 4.3% was detected in the child-bearing age group women. l practitioners and paediatricians are concerned by Chagas disease, now an emergent health disease in non-endemic countries.