760 - A Silent Threat: Seroprevalence of Chagas Disease in Latin Americans Living in Long Island, New York

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Presenting Author(s)

Yamil E. Michelen

Fellow
Stony Brook University Hospital
Port jefferson, New York
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.

Co-Author(s)

LM

Lucia Milla

Resident
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Worcester, Massachusetts
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
ES

Eric Sin

Infectious Disease Specialist
Stony Brook Southampton Hospital
Southhampton, New York
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
ET

Erin Taub

Statistician
Stony Brook University Hospital
Stony Brook, New York
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Miguel A. Saldivar

Clinical Assistant Professor
SUNY Stony Brook University Hospital
Stony Brook, NY
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Luis A. Marcos

Associate Professor of Medicine
Stony Brook University Hospital
Stony Brook, New York
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.

Background: Chagas Disease (CD), a neglected tropical disease of Latin America (LA) is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted by the triatomine insect (kissing bug), and known to cause cardiomyopathy (CMP), megacolon or achalasia. Despite the population of Latin Americans, by birth or descent, in Long Island (LI), New York (NY) approximating 20%, information regarding prevalence of CD in this region is scarce. This study aims to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for T. cruzi infection among hispanics in LI.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria included, birth or living in LA for > 3 years, mother born or lived in LA for ≥3 years, and residency in Suffolk County, LI. Patients were screened by Chagas Detect™ Plus Rapid Test (immunochromatographic strip assay for the qualitative detection of human IgG antibodies to T. cruzi; InBios Rapid test). Seropositivity was confirmed by enzyme immune assay and immunoblot. Participants answered a questionnaire regarding demographics and risk factors of CD.

Results: A total of 121 subjects (55.4% male) were tested from February 2018 to February 2020. Twelve were seropositive confirmed cases (9.9%; 66.7% male), with 9 cases from El Salvador (75%, p=0.06). Factors associated with infection were living in a palm house (OR=14.1, CI 2.7-74.7), history of triatomine bite (OR=9.5 CI=1.75–51.7), living in a house with triatomine (OR= 9.02, CI=1.9 – 42.8), and having relatives diagnosed with Chagas (OR= 7.6, CI=1.4 – 39.2). T. cruzi infected were most likely to have donated blood (OR=9.4, 95% CI=2.3–3.6). Two cases (16.6%) had CMP and did not qualify for treatment. One had gastrointestinal disease (8.3%). Eight started treatment with benznidazole.

Conclusion: In conclusion, we found a prevalence of 9.9% of T. cruzi infection in this high-risk population of LI. Two cases were diagnosed with CMP during this screening study highlighting that there are unrecognized cases of CD in this region where 20% are Hispanics. Such high prevalence and unrecognized disease, highlights the importance of raising awareness among providers of early screening and to prevent potential deadly outcomes.