DETECTION OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST Trypanosoma cruzi IN BLOOD DONORS IN THE GENERAL HOSPITAL OF MEXICO CITY

Chagas disease is an important problem of public health in Mexico, where recently a seroprevalence of 540.000 peopie infected by T cruzi was estimated. Seroreactivity to T cruzi in 2,210 blood donors (1,858 men and 352 woman, aged 19-60 years), during 1998- 2000, from 28/31 states of Mexico and Mexico City is reported. Ali samples were tested by indirect hemagg]utination (IHA) and enzime linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A questionnaire to obtain socio-demographic data, visual identification of vector (Triatoma pallidipennis) and a letter of informed consent were applied. From the 2,210 individuais, 151 (6,8%) (IC 95% 5.8 to 7.9), were positive in both tests. They were from 12 states and from Mexico City. One hundred and twenty nine (85.4%) were male and 22 (14.6%) female, and only 4% (6/151) identified the vector. This high seroprevalence was attributed to the source (Hospital General de Mexico) which is a national health care center that receives the popuiation from ali over the country and, also, because of the high migration of population from endemic arcas toward Mexico City.