Evolution of the Epidemiological and Clinical Profile of Acute Chagas Disease in Brazil: A Decade-Long Study

Abstract

Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which infects species of triatomines. The acute phase of Chagas disease is associated with many symptoms that can range from mild to severe, making clinical diagnosis challenging due to the similarity with other infectious diseases. This is a descriptive, retrospective and quantitative study based on secondary data obtained from the Department of Information Technology of the Unified Health System (DATASUS), the Notification and Injuries System (SINAN) and the Hospital Morbidity System (SIH). The variables analyzed were: year of notification, region of residence, age group, color/race, sex, probable mode of infection, confirmation criteria and evolution. The total number of cases between 2012 and 2022 was 3,212. The North Region was the region with the highest number of confirmed cases of Chagas disease, corresponding to 95.29% (n = 3,061). Regarding age group, there was a higher frequency in adults aged between 20 and 39 years, equivalent to 34.15% (n=1,097). Males were the most frequently diagnosed with acute Chagas disease (53.76%). Regarding race/ethnicity, there was a higher frequency of brown individuals (80.32%). The most commonly used diagnostic criterion was laboratory testing, corresponding to 94.73% (n=3,043). The majority of the sample showed probable oral transmission, equivalent to 81.63% (n=2,622). Therefore, carrying out additional investigations on the prevalence of acute Chagas disease in the Brazilian population is crucial for the development of public policies aimed at preventing and controlling the disease.