ABSTRACT Background: We aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Chagas disease among blood donors in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods: The study was conducted from 2010 to 2019 based on data registered by the Hemocentro Regional de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Results: There were 106,320 blood donations, and the discard rate of blood bags, either due to positive reactions to anti-T. cruzi antibodies or inconclusive results was 0.27% (283 bags). Conclusions: The usage of methods that enable the safe identification of donors with positive serology for Chagas disease is fundamental to ensure transfusional safety.

ABSTRACT Chagas disease (CD) has been considered endemic in the South of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, Brazil. This study aimed at evaluating the occurrence of Trypanosoma cruzi vectors based on the main species captured in Southern Rio Grande do Sul State from 2008 to 2019. The study area comprised counties that belong to the 3rd Regional Health Coordination (RHC) and to the 7th RHC, whose headquarters are in Pelotas and Bage, respectively. The study was based on secondary data provided by the partnership between the Federal University of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State (UFPel-RS) and the State Health Surveillance Center in RS (SCHS-RS). One thousand and four hundred triatomines were captured in the area supervised by the 3rd RHC, mainly in Cangucu (37.7%), Piratini (22.4%) and Pinheiro Machado (15.1%), while, in the area supervised by the 7th RHC, the largest number of triatomines was captured in Lavras do Sul (64.15%). In both areas, Triatoma rubrovaria (90.6%) and Panstrongylus tupynambai (7.4%) were the most common species. Most were captured inside households but T. cruzi-positive insects were not found in the period under study. The results of this study show that, in Southern Rio Grande do Sul State, there is still a high rate of triatomine household invasion and dispersal, mainly by T. rubrovaria. Thus, the entomological surveillance should be maintained with the participation of the population and further studies should be deepened in the area.

Resumo Introdução A doença de Chagas (DC) é uma endemia relevante na América Latina, contudo poucas pesquisas são realizadas sobre os conhecimentos que a população possui sobre o tema. Objetivo Verificar o conhecimento que uma população de origem rural do sul do Rio Grande do Sul possui acerca da DC e seus vetores. Método O estudo foi realizado com a população atendida em um Hospital-Escola de Pelotas, a partir de questionário semiestruturado, no qual foi verificado se as pessoas conseguiam identificar os triatomíneos, se já encontraram “barbeiros” na residência, quais órgãos a DC acomete, entre outras questões. As associações entre as variáveis foram analisadas pelos testes do qui-quadrado e odds ratio (OR). Resultados Dos 132 participantes, 58,3% identificaram os vetores, e as variáveis que se mostraram significativas foram morar ou ter morado no município de Canguçu e possuir galinheiro ou chiqueiro no peridomicílio. Já as variáveis residir ou ter residido em casa de pau a pique/torrão/barro (p = 0,0038; OR = 3,18) e ser proveniente de Canguçu (p = 0,004; OR = 3,4) foram significativamente associadas ao ato de já ter encontrado vetores na residência. Sobre os órgãos que a DC acomete, somente 25 pessoas reportaram o coração (18,9%). Conclusão Esta investigação ressalta a necessidade de campanhas educativas, pois foi realizada em região com importantes índices de DC em estudos recentes.

Abstract Background Chagas disease (CD) is a relevant endemic in Latin America, however, few researches is carried out about the knowledge that the population has on the subject. Objective Verify the knowledge that the population of rural origin, in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, has about the CD and its vectors. Method The study was carried out with individuals attended at the School Hospital of Pelotas, from a semi-structured questionnaire, through which it was verified if people could identify the vectors; if individuals found “kissing-bugs” in your residence; which organs the CD affects; among other issues. The associations between the variables were analyzed by the χ2 and odds ratio (OR) tests. Results Of the 132 individuals interviewed, 58.3% identified the significant vectors linked to the variables as to reside or had resided in the municipality of Canguçu and had a chicken coop or pigsty in the peridomicile. The variables residing or having resided in a stick house (p = 0.0038, OR = 3.18) and coming from Canguçu (p = 0.004, OR = 3.4) were significant to have already found vectors in the residence. Regarding the organs that CD affects, only 25 people reported heart issues (18.9%). Conclusion This research highlights the need for educational campaigns, being carried out in a region with important CD indexes in recent studies.