South American Trypanosomiasis - Revision history

Frances.Sarkari@anthonynolan.org: /* At CT/WORK-UP */

2026-08-10T09:28:37Z

At CT/WORK-UP

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:28, 10 August 2026
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	Risks associated with travel history do not need to be considered at recruitment.		Risks associated with travel history do not need to be considered at recruitment.

	==At CT/WORK-UP==		==At VT/WORK-UP==

	=== Criteria unrelated to travel history ===		=== Criteria unrelated to travel history ===

Tania.Dexter@anthonynolan.org: /* Criteria related to travel history */

2026-05-06T08:29:39Z

Criteria related to travel history

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:29, 6 May 2026
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	A comprehensive lifetime travel history should be assessed, with particular attention to any travel to Chagas-endemic regions in South and Central America:		A comprehensive lifetime travel history should be assessed, with particular attention to any travel to Chagas-endemic regions in South and Central America:

	~~A history~~ of ~~sleeping~~ in dwellings with mud-lined walls, adobe housing, or dwellings with thatched roofs in ~~a rural area should trigger serological testing~~ to ~~quantify risk~~.		Risk of Trypanosoma cruzi infection to travellers is considered very low. In keeping with JPAC guidelines it is only recommended screening travellers who may have been exposed to the parasite with certain activity in at risk countries: namely those who have lived and/or worked in rural subsistence farming communities for a continuous period of four weeks or more and slept in dwellings with mud-lined walls, adobe housing, or dwellings with thatched roofs. Camping or trekking in the jungle in South or Central America (including Mexico) is not considered of high enough risk to merit exclusion.

	=== T. cruzi antibody testing ===		=== T. cruzi antibody testing ===

Ellouise.Bishop@anthonynolan.org: /* Justification for guidance */

2026-04-28T14:16:01Z

Justification for guidance

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:16, 28 April 2026
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	Chagas’ is endemic to mainland South and Central America. The people most at risk are those who spend early childhood in an endemic area in certain types of dwelling, those who receive blood transfusions in endemic areas, and children whose mothers grew up at risk of Chagas’ disease. Most of this risk can be captured by asking donors their country of birth and whether they have ever received a blood transfusion in a Chagas’-endemic country. The former can be definitively captured at recruitment, while the latter could occur at any time up to work-up.		Chagas’ is endemic to mainland South and Central America. The people most at risk are those who spend early childhood in an endemic area in certain types of dwelling, those who receive blood transfusions in endemic areas, and children whose mothers grew up at risk of Chagas’ disease. Most of this risk can be captured by asking donors their country of birth and whether they have ever received a blood transfusion in a Chagas’-endemic country. The former can be definitively captured at recruitment, while the latter could occur at any time up to work-up.

	Risk of Trypanosoma cruzi infection to travellers is considered very low. In keeping with JPAC guidelines it is only recommended screening travellers who may have been exposed to the parasite with certain activity in at risk countries: namely those who have lived and/or worked in rural subsistence farming communities for a continuous period of four weeks or more. Camping or trekking in the jungle in South or Central America (including Mexico) is not considered of high enough risk to merit exclusion.		Risk of Trypanosoma cruzi infection to travellers is considered very low. In keeping with JPAC guidelines it is only recommended screening travellers who may have been exposed to the parasite with certain activity in at risk countries: namely those who have lived and/or worked in rural subsistence farming communities for a continuous period of four weeks or more. Camping or trekking in the jungle in South or Central America (including Mexico) is not considered of high enough risk to merit exclusion.

			The insect that passes the infection on is only common in rural areas and the greater time that an individual has spent living in housing conditions with thatched roofs or mud lined walls which harbour the insect vector, the greater their risk of becoming infected. Testing is available and should be performed if there is a possibility of infection.

	The detection of antibodies to T. cruzi is an established strategy to prevent transmission of infection through blood transfusion. Where available, this strategy can be adapted to assess the risk of prospective HPC donors with identified risk factors for chronic, asymptomatic Chagas’ disease. Because the prevalence of Chagas’ disease varies widely within the populations of endemic areas, it is likely that most donors with identified risk factors – especially those residing in non-endemic countries – will test negative for T. cruzi antibodies.		The detection of antibodies to T. cruzi is an established strategy to prevent transmission of infection through blood transfusion. Where available, this strategy can be adapted to assess the risk of prospective HPC donors with identified risk factors for chronic, asymptomatic Chagas’ disease. Because the prevalence of Chagas’ disease varies widely within the populations of endemic areas, it is likely that most donors with identified risk factors – especially those residing in non-endemic countries – will test negative for T. cruzi antibodies.

Ellouise.Bishop@anthonynolan.org: /* Justification for guidance */

2026-04-28T14:12:23Z

Justification for guidance

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:12, 28 April 2026
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	Chagas’ is endemic to mainland South and Central America. The people most at risk are those who spend early childhood in an endemic area in certain types of dwelling, those who receive blood transfusions in endemic areas, and children whose mothers grew up at risk of Chagas’ disease. Most of this risk can be captured by asking donors their country of birth and whether they have ever received a blood transfusion in a Chagas’-endemic country. The former can be definitively captured at recruitment, while the latter could occur at any time up to work-up.		Chagas’ is endemic to mainland South and Central America. The people most at risk are those who spend early childhood in an endemic area in certain types of dwelling, those who receive blood transfusions in endemic areas, and children whose mothers grew up at risk of Chagas’ disease. Most of this risk can be captured by asking donors their country of birth and whether they have ever received a blood transfusion in a Chagas’-endemic country. The former can be definitively captured at recruitment, while the latter could occur at any time up to work-up.

	~~Although the risk~~ of Trypanosoma cruzi infection to travellers is considered very low~~, a possible case (likely false positive) in 2024 involving a donor who had recently returned from a short holiday to South America prompted a revision of guidelines~~. ~~These updated~~ guidelines ~~recommend~~ screening travellers who may have been exposed to the parasite, namely those who have ~~stayed~~ in rural ~~areas AND~~ in high-risk ~~housing conditions (mud-lined huts, adobe housing, structures with thatched rooves)~~.		Risk of Trypanosoma cruzi infection to travellers is considered very low. In keeping with JPAC guidelines it is only recommended screening travellers who may have been exposed to the parasite with certain activity in at risk countries: namely those who have lived and/or worked in rural subsistence farming communities for a continuous period of four weeks or more. Camping or trekking in the jungle in South or Central America (including Mexico) is not considered of high enough risk to merit exclusion.

	The detection of antibodies to T. cruzi is an established strategy to prevent transmission of infection through blood transfusion. Where available, this strategy can be adapted to assess the risk of prospective HPC donors with identified risk factors for chronic, asymptomatic Chagas’ disease. Because the prevalence of Chagas’ disease varies widely within the populations of endemic areas, it is likely that most donors with identified risk factors – especially those residing in non-endemic countries – will test negative for T. cruzi antibodies.		The detection of antibodies to T. cruzi is an established strategy to prevent transmission of infection through blood transfusion. Where available, this strategy can be adapted to assess the risk of prospective HPC donors with identified risk factors for chronic, asymptomatic Chagas’ disease. Because the prevalence of Chagas’ disease varies widely within the populations of endemic areas, it is likely that most donors with identified risk factors – especially those residing in non-endemic countries – will test negative for T. cruzi antibodies.

Tania.Dexter@anthonynolan.org: /* Justification for guidance */

2025-10-30T11:22:00Z

Justification for guidance

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:22, 30 October 2025
Line 49:		Line 49:
	Chagas’ is endemic to mainland South and Central America. The people most at risk are those who spend early childhood in an endemic area in certain types of dwelling, those who receive blood transfusions in endemic areas, and children whose mothers grew up at risk of Chagas’ disease. Most of this risk can be captured by asking donors their country of birth and whether they have ever received a blood transfusion in a Chagas’-endemic country. The former can be definitively captured at recruitment, while the latter could occur at any time up to work-up.		Chagas’ is endemic to mainland South and Central America. The people most at risk are those who spend early childhood in an endemic area in certain types of dwelling, those who receive blood transfusions in endemic areas, and children whose mothers grew up at risk of Chagas’ disease. Most of this risk can be captured by asking donors their country of birth and whether they have ever received a blood transfusion in a Chagas’-endemic country. The former can be definitively captured at recruitment, while the latter could occur at any time up to work-up.

	Although the risk of Trypanosoma cruzi infection to travellers is considered very low, a ~~confirmed~~ case in 2024 involving a donor who had recently returned from a short holiday to South America ~~has~~ prompted a revision of guidelines. These updated guidelines recommend screening travellers who may have been exposed to the parasite, namely those who have stayed in rural areas or in high-risk housing conditions (mud-lined huts, adobe housing, structures with thatched rooves).		Although the risk of Trypanosoma cruzi infection to travellers is considered very low, a possible case (likely false positive) in 2024 involving a donor who had recently returned from a short holiday to South America prompted a revision of guidelines. These updated guidelines recommend screening travellers who may have been exposed to the parasite, namely those who have stayed in rural areas AND in high-risk housing conditions (mud-lined huts, adobe housing, structures with thatched rooves).

	The detection of antibodies to T. cruzi is an established strategy to prevent transmission of infection through blood transfusion. Where available, this strategy can be adapted to assess the risk of prospective HPC donors with identified risk factors for chronic, asymptomatic Chagas’ disease. Because the prevalence of Chagas’ disease varies widely within the populations of endemic areas, it is likely that most donors with identified risk factors – especially those residing in non-endemic countries – will test negative for T. cruzi antibodies.		The detection of antibodies to T. cruzi is an established strategy to prevent transmission of infection through blood transfusion. Where available, this strategy can be adapted to assess the risk of prospective HPC donors with identified risk factors for chronic, asymptomatic Chagas’ disease. Because the prevalence of Chagas’ disease varies widely within the populations of endemic areas, it is likely that most donors with identified risk factors – especially those residing in non-endemic countries – will test negative for T. cruzi antibodies.

Maram.Ghiti@anthonynolan.org: /* At CT/WORK-UP */

2025-02-13T13:44:52Z

At CT/WORK-UP

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:44, 13 February 2025
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	A comprehensive lifetime travel history should be assessed, with particular attention to any travel to Chagas-endemic regions in South and Central America:		A comprehensive lifetime travel history should be assessed, with particular attention to any travel to Chagas-endemic regions in South and Central America:

	A history of sleeping in mud-lined ~~huts~~, adobe housing, or dwellings with thatched roofs in a rural area should trigger serological testing to quantify risk.		A history of sleeping in dwellings with mud-lined walls, adobe housing, or dwellings with thatched roofs in a rural area should trigger serological testing to quantify risk.

	=== T. cruzi antibody testing ===		=== T. cruzi antibody testing ===

Maram.Ghiti@anthonynolan.org: /* Criteria related to travel history */

2025-02-04T13:58:42Z

Criteria related to travel history

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:58, 4 February 2025
Line 35:		Line 35:
	A comprehensive lifetime travel history should be assessed, with particular attention to any travel to Chagas-endemic regions in South and Central America:		A comprehensive lifetime travel history should be assessed, with particular attention to any travel to Chagas-endemic regions in South and Central America:

	* A history of sleeping in mud-lined huts, adobe housing, or dwellings with thatched roofs in a rural area should trigger serological testing to quantify risk.		A history of sleeping in mud-lined huts, adobe housing, or dwellings with thatched roofs in a rural area should trigger serological testing to quantify risk.

	=== T. cruzi antibody testing ===		=== T. cruzi antibody testing ===

Maram.Ghiti@anthonynolan.org: /* At CT/WORK-UP */

2025-02-04T13:57:43Z

At CT/WORK-UP

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:57, 4 February 2025
Line 35:		Line 35:
	A comprehensive lifetime travel history should be assessed, with particular attention to any travel to Chagas-endemic regions in South and Central America:		A comprehensive lifetime travel history should be assessed, with particular attention to any travel to Chagas-endemic regions in South and Central America:

	* A history of travel to rural areas in South and Central America, regardless of duration, should trigger serological testing to quantify risk.		* A history of sleeping in mud-lined huts, adobe housing, or dwellings with thatched roofs in a rural area should trigger serological testing to quantify risk.

	* A history of sleeping in mud-lined huts, adobe housing, or dwellings with thatched roofs ~~for any amount of time~~ should ~~also~~ trigger serological testing to quantify risk.

	=== T. cruzi antibody testing ===		=== T. cruzi antibody testing ===

Maram.Ghiti@anthonynolan.org: /* At CT/WORK-UP */

2024-10-09T08:56:08Z

At CT/WORK-UP

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:56, 9 October 2024
Line 35:		Line 35:
	A comprehensive lifetime travel history should be assessed, with particular attention to any travel to Chagas-endemic regions in South and Central America:		A comprehensive lifetime travel history should be assessed, with particular attention to any travel to Chagas-endemic regions in South and Central America:

	* A history of travel to rural areas in South and Central ~~America~~ America, regardless of duration, should trigger serological testing to quantify risk.		* A history of travel to rural areas in South and Central America, regardless of duration, should trigger serological testing to quantify risk.

	* A history of sleeping in mud-lined huts, adobe housing, or dwellings with thatched roofs for any amount of time should also trigger serological testing to quantify risk.		* A history of sleeping in mud-lined huts, adobe housing, or dwellings with thatched roofs for any amount of time should also trigger serological testing to quantify risk.

Maram.Ghiti@anthonynolan.org: /* Criteria related to travel history */

2024-09-12T15:45:58Z

Criteria related to travel history

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:45, 12 September 2024
Line 35:		Line 35:
	A comprehensive lifetime travel history should be assessed, with particular attention to any travel to Chagas-endemic regions in South and Central America:		A comprehensive lifetime travel history should be assessed, with particular attention to any travel to Chagas-endemic regions in South and Central America:

	* A history of travel to rural areas in South and Central America America, regardless of duration, trigger serological testing to quantify risk.		* A history of travel to rural areas in South and Central America America, regardless of duration, should trigger serological testing to quantify risk.

	* A history of sleeping in mud-lined huts, adobe housing, or dwellings with thatched roofs for any amount of time should also trigger serological testing to quantify risk.		* A history of sleeping in mud-lined huts, adobe housing, or dwellings with thatched roofs for any amount of time should also trigger serological testing to quantify risk.