Current knowledge regarding Trypanosoma cruzi and Chagas disease in Mexico: a systematic review

The aim of this review was to systematize, evaluate and synthesize
original research specific to Mexico on Trypanosoma cruzi, the zoonosis,
vectors (Triatominae: Hemiptera: Reduviidae), Chagas disease (CD) using
PRISMA methodology. The evidence was identified through four search
engines, selected using inclusion criteria, assigned to 13 topics, and
evaluated using technical criteria. Of 1,410 records identified, 659
(46.7%) were chosen for technical evaluation, of which 221 (15.7%) were
rated as the highest quality. PubMed contributed 95% of the records, while
BibTri, Lilacs and Scielo contributed the remaining 5%. Publication rate
was constant between 1950 and 1990, although there was an exponential
increase from 1995 to 2020. Publication quality also increased from 5.3%
of registries in 1990 to 49.8% in 2020. Systemic, economic,
anthropological and social aspects of CD in Mexico were the topics least
represented (8%). Despite the remarkable increase in knowledge generated
in the last two decades in Mexico, this systematic review highlights the
failure to incorporate academic expertise as well as civil society and
existing evidence into care, prevention, and control of CD for public
health policy in the country.