Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Chagas disease in an endemic area of Sergipe State, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: We evaluated clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Sergipe. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we collected serum samples to identify serological markers of Chagas disease. A questionnaire was used, and electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, chest radiography, and contrast radiography of esophagus and colon were performed. RESULTS: T. cruzi infection seroprevalence was 12.1%, mean age of subjects was 55 years, 90% had an elementary school education, 78.6% were agriculture workers, and 60.5% had electrocardiographic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of T. cruzi infection was observed in mostly elderly individuals.

摘要：本研究对巴西塞尔希培州（Sergipe）克氏锥虫（Trypanosoma cruzi）感染的临床与流行病学特征展开评估。
方法：本项横断面研究中，研究人员采集血清样本以检测恰加斯病（Chagas disease）的血清学标志物；同时采用问卷调查方式，并完成心电图、超声心动图、胸部X线摄影及食管与结肠造影检查。
结果：克氏锥虫感染的血清流行率为12.1%；研究对象的平均年龄为55岁，其中90%仅接受过小学教育，78.6%为农业劳动者，60.5%存在心电图异常。
结论：本研究人群以老年人为主，且克氏锥虫感染率较高。