CHAGAS-UK: an observational cohort study of Chagas disease in the UK
Research type
Research Study
Full title
CHAGAS-UK: an observational cohort study of Chagas disease in the UK
IRAS ID
339417
Contact name
Natalie Elkheir
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Chagas disease is caused by a parasite, called Trypanosoma cruzi, which is mainly spread by bugs in Latin America (South America, Central America and Mexico). It can also be spread from mothers to their babies during pregnancy, as well as through eating contaminated foods, blood transfusions and organ transplants. The parasite can stay silent, without causing any symptoms, for many years before it causes heart and gut problems in about one third of infected individuals. For many years, researchers have thought that the strain of parasite one is infected with (humans can be infected with six different strains) may affect the likelihood of developing disease, especially the gut form of the disease.
We have a growing number of people from Latin America living in London, who are diagnosed with Chagas disease and receive specialist care at a hospital where they are seen each year. This study will invite patients with diagnosed Chagas disease to take part in a cohort study, which will involve us looking at their medical records (which we'll follow up for one year), undertaking a questionnaire and taking a blood sample. This blood sample will be tested for parasite strains through different methods in the lab. Blood samples will also be saved for future testing as new techniques are developed. This study will allow us to better understand how Chagas disease affects migrants in London and which strains of the parasite people are infected with.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NW/0063
Date of REC Opinion
25 Mar 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion