TY - JOUR
KW - Chagas' disease
KW - Epidemiology
KW - Diagnosis
KW - Serology
KW - Brazil
AU - da Silva FM
AU - Banaggia RDL
AU - Arbusti GM
AU - Fidelis SN
AU - Previtalli-Silva H
AU - Zangirolami LA
AU - Cardoso FDO
AU - Calabrese KDS
AB - <jats:p>Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a neglected tropical disease of public health importance in Latin America, particularly in rural areas. In Floriano, Piauí, Brazil, data on infection prevalence are limited. This cross-sectional population-based study assessed the seroprevalence of T. cruzi infection and analyzed sociodemographic factors associated with seropositivity among residents of 41 rural communities in Floriano. A total of 1212 individuals aged over six years were examined, revealing a seroprevalence of 3.2% (39/1212), with positive cases detected in 17 communities. Infection was significantly associated with older age (≥60 years; p &lt; 0.0001), low educational level (p = 0.0184), retirement status (p &lt; 0.0001), and low income (p = 0.0505). Logistic regression confirmed age as the strongest determinant of infection (OR = 7.647; 95% CI: 3.741–18.61; p &lt; 0.0001), while higher monthly income showed a negative association with infection (OR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.01–0.82; p = 0.086), indicating a trend toward significance. These findings highlight the persistence of T. cruzi infection in rural Floriano, predominantly among elderly individuals living in poverty. The identification of previously undiagnosed chronic cases reinforces the urgent need for targeted epidemiological surveillance, early diagnosis, and community-based health education to strengthen local control and prevention strategies.</jats:p>
BT - Life
DA - 11/2025
DO - 10.3390/life15121803
IS - 12
LA - ENG
M3 - Article 
N2 - <jats:p>Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a neglected tropical disease of public health importance in Latin America, particularly in rural areas. In Floriano, Piauí, Brazil, data on infection prevalence are limited. This cross-sectional population-based study assessed the seroprevalence of T. cruzi infection and analyzed sociodemographic factors associated with seropositivity among residents of 41 rural communities in Floriano. A total of 1212 individuals aged over six years were examined, revealing a seroprevalence of 3.2% (39/1212), with positive cases detected in 17 communities. Infection was significantly associated with older age (≥60 years; p &lt; 0.0001), low educational level (p = 0.0184), retirement status (p &lt; 0.0001), and low income (p = 0.0505). Logistic regression confirmed age as the strongest determinant of infection (OR = 7.647; 95% CI: 3.741–18.61; p &lt; 0.0001), while higher monthly income showed a negative association with infection (OR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.01–0.82; p = 0.086), indicating a trend toward significance. These findings highlight the persistence of T. cruzi infection in rural Floriano, predominantly among elderly individuals living in poverty. The identification of previously undiagnosed chronic cases reinforces the urgent need for targeted epidemiological surveillance, early diagnosis, and community-based health education to strengthen local control and prevention strategies.</jats:p>
PB - MDPI AG
PY - 2025
SP - 1
EP - 12
T2 - Life
TI - Epidemiological Surveillance of Chagas Disease in Rural Communities of a Municipality in Piauí, Brazil
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/12/1803/pdf?version=1764046486
VL - 15
SN - 2075-1729
ER -