Translating Epidemiology to Screening for Trypanosoma cruzi (TEST)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Translating Epidemiology to Screening for Trypanosoma cruzi (TEST)
IRAS ID
324455
Contact name
Natalie Elkheir
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 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. We have a large number of people from Latin America living in London, who may be infected with the parasite. We don't know how many people are infected in London, nor how many of those are likely to develop complications from the disease. This study will offer one-off screening blood tests for Chagas disease to people from Latin America at their GP surgeries, in hospital and in community centres outside traditional healthcare services. To understand more about who's at risk, we will also ask people some basic questions about who they are where they have lived in a short online questionnaire. This study will allow us to better understand how Chagas disease affects migrants in London and to design a screening programme accordingly.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0095
Date of REC Opinion
8 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion