Persistence of Trypanosoma cruzi vector-borne transmission among school-age children in the Bolivian Chaco documented by 24-month longitudinal serosurveillance

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease represents a major public health concern in several Latin American countries, including Bolivia. METHODS: We present a longitudinal serosurvey for Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies among a cohort of 120 school-age children from rural communities in the Bolivian Chaco at three time points between 2017 and 2019. Serum samples extracted from dry blood spots collected on filter paper were tested for T. cruzi antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and rapid diagnostic test. RESULTS: T. cruzi antibodies were detected in 7/120 (5.8%), 8/120 (6.7%) and 11/120 (9.2%) samples in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. An average incidence of 1.76 per 100 person-years was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the persistence of vector-borne T. cruzi transmission in this area, highlighting the need for strengthening multidisciplinary efforts against Chagas disease.