Sylvatic foci of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans in Chile: description of a new focus and challenges for control programs

Triatoma infestans is one of the main domestic vectors of Chagas disease. Reports of wild habitat occurrences have recently increased. In Chile, after a successful elimination campaign of T. infestans domestic infestation, a sylvatic focus was reported in bromeliads in the metropolitan region. Here, we report a new focus of sylvatic T. infestans inhabiting rock piles in the Valparaíso region in central Chile. All T. infestans captured were nymphal instars living among the stones, which were inhabited by several mammal species, along with the sylvatic triatomine vector Mepraia spinolai. We found a prevalence of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi of 36.54% in T. infestans, similar to the previous report for sylvatic specimens from bromeliads. Sylvatic populations of T. infestans should be studied at different geographic scales to elucidate their role in the maintenance of the sylvatic transmission cycle of T. cruzi and their possible role in threatening the domestic elimination of this vector. This information should be used to re-design the control programs in Chile to avoid the re-establishment of the domestic cycle

Congenital syphilis in 2 children in a Bolivian prison

Abstract In 2013 a cross-sectional study was carried out that revealed 28 cases of active syphilis amongst female inmates in a prison of Cochabamba, Bolivia. A search was conducted for congenital syphilis amongst the children that lived with the infected mothers. It is important to note the prevention of perinatal transmission of syphilis by systematic screening of pregnant women and appropriate treatment given by trained professionals within the prison environment, which represents a key population for controlling this disease, which is responsible for causing severe complications

Rapid diagnostic testing to improve access to screening for syphilis in prison

Objectives: To assess the accuracy of on-site rapid treponemal test for syphilis diagnosis in women deprived of liberty in Bolivia. Material and methods: Serological tests for syphilis were performed on 219 women deprived of liberty from the San Sebastián prison in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Syphilis was diagnosed using RPR (bioMérieux) and TPPA (Fujirebio) serological tests, and the results were compared to on-site rapid treponemal test (Alere DetermineTM Syphilis TP) in whole blood. Diagnostic performance of two FTA tests were also compared (bioMérieux and Biocientífica)

Rapid diagnostic testing to improve access to screening for syphilis in prison

ABSTRACT Objectives To assess the accuracy of on-site rapid treponemal test for syphilis diagnosis in women deprived of liberty in Bolivia. Material and methods Serological tests for syphilis were performed on 219 women deprived of liberty from the San Sebastián prison in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Syphilis was diagnosed using RPR (bioMérieux) and TPPA (Fujirebio) serological tests, and the results were compared to on-site rapid treponemal test (Alere DetermineTM Syphilis TP) in whole blood. Diagnostic performance of two FTA tests were also compared (bioMérieux and Biocientífica). Results All participants (28) with RPR+/TPPA+ had the rapid syphilis test positive (sensitivity 100%). Eleven participants had rapid syphilis test positive without RPR and TPPA both positive; nevertheless 7 of them had RPR or TPPA positive. Of 33 participants with FTA-bioMérieux positive, 22 (66.6%) had FTA-Biocientífica positive. Discussion The rapid syphilis test Determine shows excellent performance as a screening tool among women deprived of liberty affected by high prevalence of syphilis. This test is particularly indicated when there are barriers for access to conventional serological tests. It is inexpensive, easy to use and does not require electricity and laboratory infrastructure. The FTA test performed with reagents from Biocientífica had a suboptimal sensitivity

Syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus, herpes genital and hepatitis B in a women's prison in Cochabamba, Bolivia: prevalence and risk factors

To determine the prevalence and factors associated with syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV) and herpes type 2 (HSV2) among women in the prison of San Sebastian in Cochabamba (Bolivia)

Syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus, herpes genital and hepatitis B in a women’s prison in Cochabamba, Bolivia: prevalence and risk factors

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV) and herpes type 2 (HSV2) among women in the prison of San Sebastian in Cochabamba (Bolivia). Material and methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study including a standardized questionnaire to assess socio-demographics characteristics and risk factors (sexual practices and exposure to blood); and serological tests for syphilis, HSV2, VIH, and HBV. We performed bivariate and multivariate analyses to test the associations between variables of interest and infections. Results: A total of 219 out of 220 prisoners (99.5%) participated in the study. For syphilis, 12.8% of participants had both reactive tests (RPR+/TPPA+). The prevalence of HSV2 and VIH was 62.6% and 1.4%, respectively. Anti-HBc, indicating a resolved or chronic HBV, was positive in 11.9% of participants and 0.5% had active HBV (HBsAg positive). A low level of education was associated with syphilis, HSV2 and HBV. Having occasional sexual partners was associated with syphilis and HSV2. Being over 36 years old and having more than 3 children were associated with HBV. The number of sexual partners, history of prostitution and rape, having sexual intercourses in prison and detention time were not associated with any of these infections. Discussion: The prevalence of syphilis, HIV, HSV2 and HBV was higher in this vulnerable female population than in the general population in Bolivia. Control measures in detention are needed to limit the spread of these infections both in prisons and in the community