A therapeutic preconceptional vaccine against Chagas disease: A novel indication that could reduce congenital transmission and accelerate vaccine development

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi.It is a major cause of cardiac disease in the Americas.At least 6 million people are currently infected in Latin America, including 1 million women of reproductive age [1].In the United States, the estimated number of T. cruzi-infected women of reproductive age was 130,522 in 2000 [2].Healthcare costs of the disease amount to over US$24 billion [3].Treatment options for infected patients are limited, with only two drugs available (Benznidazole and Nifurtimox), and require prolonged treatments, which have limited efficacy and important adverse effects [4].New treatments are therefore needed to improve patient care [5].