Prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in blood banks of seven departments of Bolivia.
Trypanosoma cruzi infection was studied in 1,298 sera samples of blood banks from 7 capital departments of Bolivia, using the immunofluorescence test (IFI) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The percentages of positivity in these 7 departments have an average of 28% and are distributed as follows: Sta. Cruz 51%, Tarija 45%, Cochabamba 28%, Sucre 39%, La Paz 4.9%, Oruro 6% and Potosi 24%. The prevalence is related with the altitude levels of the different departments. However in Potosi (3,945 m) we found a 24% of prevalence, probably due to the proximity of endemic valleys to the city. The authors suggest a strict control in blood donors since there exists a great risk of infection.
Carrasco
R
R
Instituto Boliviano de Biología de Altura, c/o U.M.S.A., La Paz, Bolivia.
Miguez
H
H
Camacho
C
C
Echalar
L
L
Revollo
S
S
Ampuero
T
T
Dedet
J P
JP
D001771:Blood Banks; D001838:Bolivia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D065227:Transfusion Reaction