Cardiac morbidity due to Chagas' disease in a rural community in Bolivia.
The prevalence of cardiac morbidity due to Chagas' disease was assessed in a rural community in Central Bolivia. Sixty-nine of 104 persons (66%) were seropositive to Trypanosoma cruzi by two serological methods. Two of 35 (6%) seronegative individuals presented with modest ECG alterations (left anterior hemiblock), but 21 of 69 (30%) seropositives showed modest and severe abnormalities (6 complete right bundle branch block, 2 polyfocal or frequent extrasystoles, 9 ischaemic ST alterations). A high percentage (56%) of domiciliary Triatoma infestans was infected with T. cruzi. There was a significant association between seropositivity and substandard housing. Priority preventive measures should thus include house improvement (to reduce bug infestation) and health education.
Weinke
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Robert Koch-Institute, Fachgebiet Klinische Parasitologie, Berlin, West Germany.
Ueberreiter
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Alexander
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D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D001838:Bolivia; D002598:Chagas Cardiomyopathy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan