Trypanosoma cruzi infection status in birthing individuals in three endemic provinces of Argentina: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Chagas disease remains a public health challenge with underexplored prevalence and diagnosis in endemic areas. We assessed Trypanosoma cruzi infection screening among birthing individuals in three endemic provinces in northern Argentina. Methods: T. cruzi–seropositive birthing individuals with at least one positive or indeterminate test were enrolled during the postpartum period to confirm seropositivity by indirect hemagglutination (IHA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assays. Results: Among 40,035 deliveries, the T. cruzi infection rate was 1.9%. Confirmatory serology revealed 77.6% positivity, 9.3% negativityand 13.0% discordance. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for confirmatory testing and improved diagnostic strategies in endemic regions.