Congenital transmission of Chagas disease: The role of newborn therapy on the disease's dynamics

Abstract

Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is caused by a protozoan blood-borne pathogen called Trypanosoma cruzi. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Chagas as one of 21 neglected tropical diseases present in the world and estimates that 6-7 million people are currently infected with Chagas. Congenital transmission of Chagas disease contributes to a significant amount of new infections, especially in endemic areas where 22.5% of new infections are due to congenital transmission. In this paper, we investigate congenital transmission's impact on Chagas disease dynamics through a mathematical model. Specifically, we examine how treating a proportion of infants born to infected individuals impacts the progression and spread of Chagas disease. The influence of newborn therapy on the dynamics of the model is thoroughly investigated, both theoretically and numerically. The results illustrate the importance of treating a high proportion of newborns to reduce the number of infected cases of the disease. The findings show that the therapy given to newborns is necessary but not sufficient to curb the transmission of Chagas disease, and a comprehensive approach that includes vector and vertical transmission control strategies is essential for eradicating Chagas disease. We also observed that if vector transmission can be controlled, then at least 55% of the newborns need to be treated to eliminate the disease.