Serological screening of Chagas disease in an immigrant population in Asturias, Spain proceeding from Chagas-endemic areas

Population movements from Chagas disease-endemic areas to non-endemic countries due to immigration make the occurrence of this disease in these latter areas possible. We describe the results of a screening programme conducted in an immigrant population from endemic areas, attending the Tropical Medicine Unit of the Hospital Central de Asturias between June 2006 and June 2008. The ID-Chagas antibody test (particle gel immunoassay (PaGIA); DiaMed-ID) was used as a screening assay. We analysed 64 patients, 9 of whom (14%) tested positive for Chagas disease antibodies, a diagnosis that was confirmed in all cases. Six patients came from Bolivia, 2 from Paraguay and 1 from Brazil. Chagas disease is of increasing importance, even in areas with low migratory flows; hence screening programmes for this population group are especially important.