Resumen: Eliminada la transmisión vectorial de Trypanosoma cruzi y controlada la transmisión transfusional, la infección vertical pasó a ser la única forma relevante de transmisión en nuestro país. La persistencia de personas adultas infectadas crónicamente posibilita el riesgo de enfermedad de Chagas congénita que puede producirse en más de una generación de una misma ascendencia. Los desplazamientos humanos constantespor su partetienen como consecuencia que el riesgo de transmisión congénita se exprese en todo el territorio nacionalexcediendo las áreas endémicas delimitadas inicialmente por la presencia del vector domiciliario. La transmisión vertical de Trypanosoma cruzipor tanto,no tiene fronteras ni límites generacionales y su subdiagnóstico ha traído como consecuencia la aparición de diversos casos. Esta realidad lleva a realizar las consideraciones y recomendaciones que se expresan en el siguiente texto con el fin de promover un adecuado control de esta parasitosis

Resumo: Com a eliminação da transmissão vetorial de Trypanosoma cruzi e o controle da transmissao transfusional, a infecção vertical é a única forma relevante de transmissão deste parasita no Uruguai. A persistência de pessoas adultas infectadas cronicamente aumenta o risco do aparecimento de doença de Chagas congênita, que pode acontecer em mais de uma geração com uma mesma ascendencia. Uma das consequências dos deslocamentos populacionais constantes é que o risco de transmissão congênita esteja presente em todo o território nacional, expandindo-se além das áreas endêmicas delimitadas inicialmente pela presença do vetor domiciliar. A transmissão vertical de Trypanosoma cruzi, por tanto, não tem fronteiras nem limites geracionais e como consequência de seu subdiagnóstico foram registrados diversos casos. Considerando esta realidade se elaboraram considerações e recomendações detalhadas buscando promover o controle adequado desta parasitose.

Abstract: Once vectorial transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi disappeared and transfusion-transmission was controlled, vertical infection constitutes the only relevant transmission mode in our country. The fact that there are chronically infected adults leads to the risk of congenital Chagas Disease, which may occur in more than one generation with the same ascendancy. Indeed, constant human migration results in the risk of congenital transmission being present throughout the country, thus exceeding the endemic areas initially defines by the presence of domicile vector. Therefore, vertical transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi does not respect borders or generation boundaries and its sub-diagnosis has resulted in the emergence of several cases. Thus, reality leads to the remarks and recommendations that follow below, with the purpose of promoting the right control of this parasitosis.

The last national survey on seroprevalence of T. cruzi human infection in Uruguay, showed a 3.4% in adults from endemic areas. Since 1983, antivectorial actions of the control program have been carried out continually. In consequence, household infestation by Triatoma infestan, the main vector of T. cruzi in Uruguay, decreased in all endemic areas and was completely eliminated in some of them. The objectives of the present work are to evaluate the new seroepidemiological situation. A representative sampling of rural and urban population was undertaken, to include six and twelve year-old schoolchildren from three departments: Artigas, Rivera and Tacuarembo. The whole sample included 4,722 schoolchildren, evaluated by the indirect inmunofluorescense (IFI) test for Chagas<FONT FACE=Symbol>¢</FONT> disease. The seroprevalence of T. cruzi infection in the six year-oldgroup was 0.3% in Artigas, 0.6% in Rivera and 1.0% in Tacuarembo. The seropositive children with seropositive mothers support the possible congenital transmission.

Triatoma platensis, an ornitophilic species, found in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay is reported for the first time in Brazil. It was found in the county of Uruguaiana (Rio Grande do Sul) in nests of Anumbius annumbi (Vieillot, 1817) (Passeriformes, Furnariidae) where it cohabited with cricetids belonging to the species Orizomys flavescens. None of the seven individuals collected were infected by Trypanosoma cruzi.

Triatoma platensis Neiva 1913 (Hemiptera, Triatominae), especie ornitófila, con área de dispersión conocida en Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay y Uruguay es notificada en un primer registro para Brasil. Hallada en el municipio de Uruguaiana (Río Grande do Sul) en nidos de Anumbius annumbi (Vieillot, 1817) (Passeriformes, Furnariidae) donde cohabitaba con cricétidos de la especie Orizomys flavescens. Ningún ejemplar de los siete colectados se presentó infectado por Trypanosoma cruzi.